Reception Entertainment Director

Choosing Your Groomsmen: No Matter What They Say, Nobody “Must” Be In the Wedding Party By Jennifer Baumann   Your lovely fiancée has chosen her ‘maids, and now you’re stuck with the task of finding just the right number of family and friends to pair them with. How do you decide who makes the cut? The Usual Suspects Remember: No matter what your family or friends say, there aren’t people who “must” be in the wedding party. Select buddies you’re close with-not guys you feel obligated to ask. If you’re unfamiliar with wedding etiquette, however, here are the “usual” rules for including groomsmen in your wedding party. Brothers-yours and your bride’s-come first. Unless there are strange circumstances (if you don’t speak to your brother, for instance), your brothers and her brothers are automatically in the wedding party. Next come your closest friends (some may be relatives) who are responsible-and let’s get real here-financially sound. Being in a wedding,...

Are you or is someone you know having a wedding reception? Here are 17 things you probably never even thought of that professional mobile deejay, Dan Nichols of Michigan Wedding DJ in Michigan suggests, make for better parties. I first want to point out that it is rare that all these items are followed in any given event but the more you can adhere to them, the more likely your party will be at full steam come closing time. 1) Don't put the older guests next to the dance floor/speakers. If you have to ask why, then you may want to hire a harpist all night.  2) Don't cram your entertainment out of the way -- your entertainer should be seen. Powerful entertainers will work to get people on the dance floor but they must be seen as part of the action, not just some side show. 3) A party should end when it shouldn't end, not when it should. Ending a party before it dies down leaves everyone with the impression the floor was packed all night. It just feels better when peop...

When our friends Marjorie and Craig told us about the Marine Corps Family Foundation, Operation Santa, we just had to help and get the message out to everyone: "For the last two years I have organized a care package drive for the Marines deployed overseas during the holidays.  I started this during the 2008 holiday season because my son Ryan, a Marine was deployed to Iraq.  It was a way for me to be a part of what he was doing in Iraq, it kept me busy so I wasn't thinking about the danger he was in every day of his deployment.  It was a way for me to honor the brave Americans who were deployed with my son, who put their lives on the line every day. It is so important for these Marines to be remembered at this time of year.  They are away from home, away from their families.  They will not be home for Thanksgiving dinner, they will not wake up Christmas morning to open presents with their families. I am working with a new organization this year, the Marine ...

On this planned Friday night off, I had arranged to see a young new smooth jazz artist, Vincent Ingala .  Another one of the new crop of smooth jazz artists from Connecticut, who seem to have captured the pulse of this genre of music. Vincent first came to my attention via my friend Rich Edwards Smooth Grooves Show on Gloucester FM earlier this year.  The buzz was out on the jazz funk of "It Is What It Is" from his "North End Soul" self produced CD..... did I mention he plays all the instruments AND is only 17 years old! "North End Soul" contains many unexpected gems that reveal much more about the musical knowledge of this youngster.  Vincent stays within the soft smooth jazz realm with his opening tracks "Vintage Vibe" and "Free To Groove" and continues the groove with "Midnight Pass".  These tracks fit nicely into today's smooth jazz radio programming and would work well during Cocktail Hour and Dinner at a wedding...

Photo courtesy of Brian Ambrose Photography Here is an amazing stat. Did you know that 70% of all of the engagements that happen each year will happen on Christmas/New Year's/ Valentine's Day? I don't know if the gentlemen are just lacking for originality, or if the romance of the season is just too good to pass up? What is the result of the 70%??? Thousands of newly (excited) engaged brides flood the bridal show market each year, which is why, in New England, we have these shows from January - March. A bridal show is the ultimate way to shop for wedding services. Unlike a magazine or web site, you can see, touch, sample, and question everything wedding related at these events! Here are a few tips of what to look for and what NOT to look for in a bridal show vendor. Now first and foremost, please remember that the vendors have paid to be here! They can pay up to $1500 f...

Honeymoon Ideas You Can Do By Low Jeremy If you simply would like your honeymoon to turn out a little more unique than the usual, then the following should give you some helpful ideas: Go for Luxury… Taking on a cruise is one honeymoon idea you can do. You can choose from several honeymoon cruise and travel places of your choice while enjoying each other’s company in a luxurious ship packed with everything you need. Better yet, exchange vows in the middle of the seas and spend the rest of the night watching stars and walking on the ship deck. Booking on a most luxurious suite on the highest floor of the hotel. Here, you are pampered with the best services you can get while seeing the city up high. Booking for a luxurious hotel accommodation is always money well spent. Staying at a luxurious resort in one of the islands of the Caribbean, Hawaii, Fiji or Asia is another honeymoon idea you can do. Spend the week at a tropical paradise while enjoying the resort ameniti...

Halloween weddings are always great fun to perform.... playing loads of songs that we don't get chance to play at any other time during the year. Marisa and Chris selected Saint Clements Castle , which fit perfectly for their Halloween masquerade ball themed reception.  This was also the same setting for the Ceremony with the beautiful fall colors as a backdrop.  The Groom and Groomsmen all looked fantastic in elegant gothic style jackets and the Bridesmaids in traditional attire.... the Bride wore white. Our good friend and our routinely recommended officiant Rev. Dr. Robert Henderson presided over the Ceremony whilst Atmosphere Productions String Musicians Amanda and Nancy provided Violin and Cello for the Ceremony and Cocktail Hour. Atmosphere Productions specializes in working with our clients, if they want to pick all the music, to get the best mix and create the right flow.  The Bride & Groom and family members selected all the music for the reception....