DJ Duty

I have commented before on the importance of hiring professional for your wedding. There's so much money, time and effort that goes into the planning, don't you want it to go off without a hitch?

Vinny Valentino of Valentino Productions
Photo credit: Studio 1923

Then PLEASE don't hire a "friend" to DJ your wedding (unless your friend IS a WEDDING DJ). There is a huge difference between a wedding DJ and your best friend's brother who DJ's down at the club. Much more goes into DJ'ing a wedding, like emceeing for example. There are certain things that the person with the mic has to do: announce the bridal party during the formal introductions (AND get the order, titles and pronunciation correct), announce when the bride and groom will cut the cake, dance with their parents, toss the garter and bouquet (AND get the all the singles up on the dance floor for this ritual), just to name a few. Not to mention be able to feel out the crowd to see what the guests are dancing to and get the party started!!!

Photo credit: Nikki Nicole Photography

It's not as easy as hitting "play". I have been to many weddings where the DJ has asked me, "What's their introduction song again?", "Oh, don't YOU announce the bridal party?", "So you want me to introduce the bridal party as they're walking on the beach to the ceremony?", "Are they going right into their first dance?" A wedding DJ would not need to ask such questions. He or she would ask these kinds of questions ahead of time and have the information on the day of the wedding. By the way, I ALWAYS ask for a copy of this information as well JUST IN CASE.

Side note: when hiring a larger company for ANY of your vendors, make sure you know who will actually be at your wedding and get it IN WRITING!! And if you hire a one-man show, ask who his backup is in case of an emergency.

Timing is another thing that wedding DJ's are aware of. It's a good idea to work backwards. So if the cocktail hour is from 6:00-7:00pm a wedding DJ should know how long it takes to set up the equipment and arrive at a minimum of a half hour earlier than that time. Sometimes if there is a daytime wedding at your venue the DJ can't get in that early and he or she needs to know that (although this is something that I confirm with the venue as well and incorporate into a timeline for the day). The timing of the entire reception is important. What time is dinner? Are there speeches or toasts before dinner? When will the bride and groom cut the cake? Again, this is all incorporated into a detailed timeline and I work WITH the DJ (photographer, venue, etc.) to make this flawless.

I don't mean to offend anyone in writing this post, but part of my job is to advise and educate you from the other side, whether you take my advice or not. It is still my job, however, to make sure that the bride and groom (and guests) stay in the dark with any issues that may arise during the wedding, so when I am confronted with these questions, I handle it like a professional.

Happy planning!
xo

Leondra & Garth

These two were adorable! Leondra and Garth found me on weddingreports.com (and therefore received a 10% discount). We met for a consultation and they booked with me shortly after. 

After confirming all of the details with their vendors the week of the wedding, my assistant, Danielle and I started the day at the church, where we met the florist with the altar arrangements and boutonnieres for the men. We were also there to greet the photographer, ceremony musician, groom, parents and grandparents, and finally, the beautiful bride-to-be. 

There was some minimal setup that Danielle and I had to do at the church. This included setting up the aisle runner, unity candle and programs (and getting them to the groomsmen to be distributed). We also had to be sure that the flower girl and ring bearer received their appropriate props :)

This is my hand pinning the boutonniere on the father of the bride!

When the bride arrived we were there to greet her and all she had to do was walk into the church and walk down the aisle. We knew all of the cues to send the processional down the aisle. Her cue...

when her soon-to-be-husband started singing to her!

This was honestly the most romantic thing I have ever seen at a wedding. Not only does it take incredible courage, but the song was so fitting for the two of them. What a fantastic way to start a life as husband and wife! I don't think there was a dry eye in the church. Simply amazing.

Look how emotional her father is here!

 After the ceremony, I made my way to the Villa Bianca to set up for the reception while Danielle stayed at the church to get the new husband and wife into the limo and on their way to take photos.

I had many of the couple's decorations for the reception, including their custom table numbers...

 Specialty card box...

 Gold charger plates...

 Frame for guests to sign...

 A "sweet" candy buffet that we set up and a few other things.

 After the introductions and dinner, the party got started!

 Cake was served, guests danced, and they lived happily ever after :)

Thank you to Heather Hudson Photography for these beautiful pictures!

Flowers: Beachwood Florist
DJ: Family friend
Cake: Julia's Bakery
Hair & Makeup: Bride's cousin

Mandy & Chris's Vintage Wedding

Mandy and Chris came to me well in advance of of their May wedding. We had a nice consultation, but like so many couples, they thought a wedding coordinator wasn't in their budget. Months passed and shortly before their wedding, I contacted Mandy with a special I was running (which I do often - be on the lookout!) and she jumped on it. Shortly after, we coordinated the most special day of Mandy and Chris's lives! Here are some highlights of the day.

Venue: Zandri's Stillwood Inn

Photography: Val McComick

Flowers: Stylish Blooms

DJ/Uplighting: DJ Melee

Ceremony Music: Ariana Straznicky

Hair & Makeup: Beauty Entourage

Videographer: Vividography

Who's Your Valentine This Year?

Up until this year, I always thought of my "Valentine" as my significant other. This year, that whole idea went right out the window, thanks to this little guy!

This year my Valentine is my son, Kyle. Although he's only 7 months old, I started to think of things I can do with him on Valentine's Day in the future. If you have little ones, I hope this will help you. Happy Valentine's Day!

1. Start the day off with a family breakfast - heart-shaped pancakes are a great choice!

2. Create a homemade valentine, complete with red and pink construction paper, glitter and doilies!

3. Read a book to your child with the word "love" in the title. One of my favorites is "I Love You Stinky Face". 

4. Make a special ice cream sundae bar for dessert.

5. Have your child write a love letter to the other parent and grandparents. 

Kristina & Rob's Winter Wonderland Wedding

I absolutely LOVED this couple! Kristina and Rob were just so sweet! I met Kristina at the first annual Testa's Bridal Event in February 2011, but she was also a friend of one of my interns. I didn't meet Rob until about a month before the wedding.  

This couple and their families were just so fun to be around. We had a great time coordinating the rehearsal and an even better time at the wedding!

http://www.orourkeandbirchflorist.com/

What a happy and beautiful bride!

The lovely Erica :)

This had to be the most beautiful church I have ever been to - Our Lady of Lourdes in Waterbury. Absolutely breathtaking!

The happy couple. I mean, really, how CUTE are they?!

This gorgeous (and delicious!) red velvet cake was made by Disorbo's Italian Bakery in Hamden.

My lovely assistant, Erica and I decorated this candy buffet. Kristina bought every type of candy one could possibly imagine! Guests started digging in even before dinner was served. Good thing the photographer got these shots early!

Thank you to Photo Expressions for providing us with the beautiful photos!