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Category: Weddings

  • Time Management DASH OF CLASS PLATINUM

    Time Management Tips for your Wedding Day

    After months of investing much time and money into your wedding day & reception, you want to be sure you will enjoy it and take it all in! If you have your ceremony on premises and a possible viennese hour, the 4 to 7 hours can really fly by. Even though the average reception is 4 to 5 hours, dancing time may be limited to only about 2 to 2 1/2 hours because of formalities & dinner courses. Here are some helpful tips on how to enjoy, mingle, and dance the night away at your wedding reception with your family and friends.

    Helpful Time Management Tips for your Wedding Day

    ⁃ If you’re having an on-site ceremony, be sure to have a “first look” before the ceremony. Taking most of your formal pictures with your spouse-to-be, family, & bridal party before so you will not have to take them during cocktail hour and then be rushed to your introductions into your ballroom.

    Picture time

    ⁃ If you are not having an on-site ceremony, give yourself 2-3 hours between the end of the church ceremony and arrival to your reception venue so you are not rushed. By doing that you can enjoy the day with your family & bridal party. Some couples want to make a stop to at a picturesque-location which takes time as well. Try to get to your reception hall at least one hour before cocktail hour so you can take the majority of formal pictures with family and bridal party at the venue. This will allow for a little time to kick back, relax, and have a bite to eat before mingling in cocktail hour.

    Your Cocktail Hour

    ⁃ Most couples are now electing to mingle during their cocktail hour. This gives you the chance to say hello and have brief conversations with the majority of your guests in an informal atmosphere. Doing this will not make you feel obligated to visit each and every table during your reception. If you’re possibly having 150 to 200 guests for example, that’s 15 to 20 tables you may have to visit and say hello to which will cut into your dancing and partying time.

    Time to Toast!

    ⁃ Recently, couples are having multiple maid of honor‘s and multiple best men which are doing toasts as well as parent’s possibly doing a welcoming. It would bode well to give a gentle respectful restriction on the time allotted (such as 2-3 minutes for each) before the reception, such as at the rehearsal dinner. If there are many toast/speeches(ie, more than 4) it would be well advised to split them up and possibly have some after the first dance and others during the first course when you have a captive audience. This is a great way to make everyone happy and will not cut into dancing time.

    Special performance or presentation

    ⁃ If you’re going to have any family or friends sing/perform, it would be prudent to have them do so during downtime such as during salad, appetizer, or main course, etc. so as not to cut into dancing time. This would bode well if you have any type of couple photo montage presentation as well.

    Dessert time isn’t always sweet

    ⁃ After your cake cutting (and possible Viennese tables) we advise for couples to stay away from their sweetheart/main table. That is usually the time that some guests may be looking to leave early. This is the first place they will look for you and if a line forms by your sweetheart table you will be stuck there. You don’t want to miss your last dance set. This is the time you want to party it up with your immediate family and friends especially now that all the formalities are over. You should be mingling and dancing around the dance floor area. Guests leaving can give you a quick hug and goodbye and you can continue partying to the end of the reception.

    Time to say Good-Bye

    ⁃ If you are providing transportation for your guests to and from hotels or a particular central meeting place, think about the time you should have your first shuttle/bus come. Keep in mind after the reception ends there is a time of mingling, socializing, & saying goodbyes. Too many times couples have the shuttle/buses come too early before the reception ends. The entertainment is making announcements regarding the shuttle/buses being outside your venue essentially chasing your guests off the dance floor and out of your ballroom. This is the last thing you would want to do after all the time and money invested into your reception.

  • Wedding Ceremony Tips from Dash of Class Platinum Entertainment

    Wedding Ceremony mistakes to avoid to achieve great pictures.

    Here are some ideas and tips that will help those special moments at your ceremony with minimal interference.


    -Keep the bridal suite or bedroom where you are getting ready free of clutter. Clutter can slip into the background of the perfect picture moment and make it unusable for albums or frames. Cleaning up once your photographer arrives can also cut into valuable shooting time. So make sure beds are made and clear backgrounds ahead of time.


    -Have your officiant and entertainment announce to your guests to limit cell phone use during the ceremony. Also be conscious of not interfering with your professional photographers photo opportunities. During the ceremony your professional photographers are trying to capture your processional and recessional. Knowing about these Wedding Ceremony mistakes to avoid to achieve great pictures will really help. It is hard to get that perfect picture with having arms with cell phones reaching into the aisle. Unless it’s a close friend or family member, ask your officiant to step aside on your first kiss at the end of the ceremony. Doing this will ensure it’s just the happy couple in this special moment.

    -At the reception, your guests sometimes are stepping right in front of your professional photographer. Trying to get that perfect picture on their cell phone of your grand entrance or first dance can block the opportunity for your professional photographer. So once again, a quick announcement of limited or discrete cell phone use will help your photographer capture those special moments at the ceremony and reception with minimal interference.

  • Wedding Planning Timeline Blog

    Sequence of events to plan your wedding.

    Once the initial excitement of getting engaged wears off, the planning starts. With an average 16 month engagement in the US, there are certain key preliminary decisions to make that will get you started with the sequence of events to plan your wedding. Selecting key vendors such as your venue, entertainment, photographer/videographer, flowers, wedding dress, tuxedo, etc. Doing these steps first will get you on your way.

    Guest List

    Come up with a tentative guest list to help determine and narrow down the venues that you may want to consider that will cater to your number of guests. Start off with the most important guests like immediate family and friends. Continue with extended family, then coworkers, neighbors, parents friends, etc. Then narrow down from the bottom up.

    Budget

    Come up with a budget and figure from where (savings, salaries, credit, etc) and possibly from whom (parents, grandparents, close friends). Funds will be coming to help pay for the venue and all the related costs of a wedding reception. Knowing and narrowing down the number of guests, as discussed above, will help determine your budget.

    Location

    Next step, choose the locations of the ceremony and reception. Will both be at your venue or will the ceremony be in a different location? If in separate locations, you will have to account for travel time and accommodations for you and your guests. If you’re considering a destination wedding it is even more logistically challenging. Consider the extended travel, accommodations, and comfort for you and all invited guests. You’ll possibly have to deal with your vendors via email, phone calls, FaceTime/Skype and forego the comfort level of dealing with many of your vendors face to face.

    Theme

    Choose a theme, season, and day of the week for your wedding day based on your personal preferences. Season & day of the week can dramatically affect your budget. It will help your budget if you chose off peak months such as January & February. Also, considering a Sunday, Friday, or weekday can also significantly reduce your overall budget. The same venues and vendors you would be considering will cost much more on a Saturday and during peak wedding season. The theme or season you choose will affect your choice of decor and floral arrangements/centerpieces as well.

    Wedding Planner

    Hiring a wedding planner is an extra expense up front, but, for those couples with busy career schedules, can save you money & time throughout the whole planning process. By pointing you in the right direction and suggesting the sequence of events to plan your wedding. This also means recommending vendors who fit your personality, style, & budget. They can handle a lot of the grunt work to make it a less stressful & enjoyable experience as you plan your wedding and the smaller celebrations leading up to your wedding with close family & friends.

    The Right Vendors

    Hire vendors who book up quickly such as DJ/Band, photographers, & videographers so you can book someone who fits your style, personality, and budget. Higher quality & reputable vendors book up quickly and earlier in the planning process so don’t procrastinate and continue to check off items on your checklist.
    Start shopping for your wedding dress. Finding the one that captures your heart and fits just right may take a lot of trial & error and many higher end gowns take many months to be delivered once ordered. You want to get it at least several weeks before the big day in case minor fitting adjustments need to be made.

  • LaptopWithNotepad

    WEDDING PLANNING BEFORE BOOKING VENDORS

    With so many decisions, big and small, creating a personal budget, coming up with well thought
    out timeline, and being focused on detail are key. This will likely be your first time organizing
    such a large-size event, so Wedding planning before booking vendors would be a huge help. Any
    bride-to-be who has spent even just one day wedding planning knows it takes an immense
    amount of organization.

    ESTABLISH A BUDGET

    Coming up with a budget based on the couple’s income, savings,
    and possible family contributions (parents, grandparents, etc.) will help narrow your
    choices as far as venue and other vendors. Avoid falling in love with venues and
    vendors you just can’t afford and therefore avoid the disappointment of not being able
    to hire them.

    COME UP WITH A GUEST LIST

    Coming up with a tentative guest list will provide the
    approximate number guests attending your reception and help you aim for a venue that
    can comfortably accommodate your number of invited guests. Once the right size
    venue within your budget is booked, you can consider other vendors to decorate/work
    within your venue logistically ie: florists, DJ with production services,
    photographers/videographer etc.

    CREATE A WORKABLE TIMELINE WHEN PICKING A WEDDING DATE

    With hectic work schedules, family obligations, holidays, unexpected life issues, etc. pick a workable time
    line to plan your wedding so it doesn’t become a stressful process. The wedding day
    does sneak up on couples and it should be a process shared and enjoyed with immediate
    family and friends.

    RESEARCH/INTERVIEW VENDORS WHO WILL WORK BEST WITH YOUR PERSONALITY

    To avoid stressful situations, hire the right group of vendors who work best with both
    your personalities. This will help fulfill your vision for your wedding day. By having these
    preliminary discussions with possible vendors early, it will help set the tone of the planning
    process.

    HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER

    Even though an additional cost, hiring a wedding planner from the get go can help you attain your wedding day vision while working within your budget. Career driven couples with hectic schedules will benefit most with having a wedding planner throughout the whole wedding planning process. An experienced
    wedding planner has relationships with many vendors and can point you in the right
    direction of vendors that fit your budget and personality. Most couples say the week
    before the wedding day is the most stressful. That’s when problems with unexpected
    details come up, leaving some brides stressing and overly coordinating instead of enjoying time with family and friends. Hiring a week of or even day of wedding planner is an
    option that can help handle last-minute vendor meetings and unexpected situations
    that arise.

  • First Dance Naninas

    KEY SONG CHOICES FOR MY WEDDING RECEPTION

    As the wedding approaches, couples frequently ask “I need help with selecting key song choices for my wedding reception”. These special moments and formalities need to have the right music choice for sure.  This is an opportunity for couples to personalize their reception with their favorite artists, songs, genres, etc. A professional DJ will have an extensive library to help couples choose the right songs. From your first dance, to parent/special dances, to the song used to introduce them into the ballroom. All these song selections can make your reception a memorable event.  

    CEREMONY MUSIC

    Many song choices are available for onsite ceremonies. From the bridal party processional, to the bride’s processional and finally to the couple’s recessional.  You can use traditional/classical processional and recessional songs to instrumental string or piano covers of your favorite songs. This is a great way to have a unique and personalized ceremony.  Again, a professional DJ will make suggestions and can create custom music edits for your ceremony.

    COCKTAIL MUSIC

    To create the right atmosphere a custom mix of music can be made to be played during cocktail hour. This can be based on the couples personal tastes and preferences on songs and/or artists. Another idea is to match the surroundings of the venue. If it’s a beach wedding, maybe a steel drum music set would be a great idea. Or if it is more rustic either some classic rock or country would be a great fit.

    INTRODUCTION SONGS

    Personalizing your introductions with favorite songs or genres of music, not only for themselves, but for your parents and bridal party as well.  Be it EDM, dance, rock, hip hop, movie soundtracks, etc, a Professional DJ can make suggestions and create custom edits to make your introductions personal, fun, and exciting! The introductions set the tone for the entire reception.

    FIRST DANCE

    Selecting and sharing that special first dance with your now spouse in front of all your family and friends is a memory that will last a lifetime. Be it the first slow song you danced to when dating, to a song from a mutual favorite artist, take time to make it a meaningful selection. Choosing a meaningful song unique to both of you will add a personal touch to your first dance.  

    PARENT DANCES/SPECIAL DANCES

    In addition to sharing a loving first dance with your new spouse, most couples will be sharing other special dances with their parents.  Depending on the situation and relationship, possibly with siblings or other family members.  You have the opportunity to pick many meaningful and classic songs to dance with that special person. You can also surprise them with a song they love or always envisioned sharing with you.

    CAKE CUTTING SONG

    Other key song choices for my wedding reception would be making this part FUN! Choose an upbeat or meaningful song to be played in the background while you cut your wedding cake. Something that your guests will sway and even sing along to. This will add a great atmosphere for that photo opportunity and big kiss by your wedding cake.   

    BACKGROUND MUSIC DURING COURSES/BUFFET

    Eating time does not have to be boring. A Professional DJ can create a custom mix of music to be played during the courses or buffet based on your personal tastes. This is also a great spot to satisfy your older guests with sacrificing any dance time.

  • Pin Spot 3

    IDEAS FOR WEDDING RECEPTION DECOR AND ACCENTS

    Couples are always looking for ideas for wedding reception decor and accents. They can incorporate many unique options to transform their wedding reception ballroom to their personal preferences.  From lighting décor, to draping, to a custom sweetheart table, etc…, you can customize the mood & atmosphere you envision for your wedding reception.

    LED/Ambient Up Lighting

    Color wash the perimeter of your ballroom to your color theme with battery powered LED’s and accent your centerpiece color scheme.

    Ballroom Draping

    Drape the perimeter of the ballroom with white draping to give it an elegant and sophisticated feel.  Accent the draping with LED up lighting to give it a warm ambiance.

    Vinyl Dance Floor Wrap with Logo

    Another great idea is to transform your dance floor with a vinyl dance floor wrap. You can even do it with a custom logo in the center.

    Pin Spot Centerpieces

    Highlight the beauty of your centerpieces with custom pin spotting from above strategically placed around your ballroom.

    Up Light Centerpieces

    Up light your centerpieces to your color them from the bottom up with a translucent LED base for them to sit on.

    Gobo Projection of Names/Monogram

    Elegantly project your names or monogram on the dance floor, wall, or draping behind the bride & groom.

    Under Table Up Lighting

    Add a glowing & sophisticated touch to the reception tables around the ballroom with battery powered LED’s under the tables.

    Custom B&G Chairs & Sweetheart Table

    Be it an acrylic sweetheart table, to high back throne chairs, to a 2-seat sofa chair, etc. make a statement with a different look for the couples seating and table.

    Flower Wall Behind B&G

    Adding a flower wall behind the sweetheart table will give a unique backdrop for all the photo ops throughout the wedding reception.  Tie the flower wall into your color theme.

    Lounge Furniture Décor

    Adding lounge furniture seating/sofas, tables, and décor around the dance floor perimeter can give your ballroom a casual lounge vibe.

    Sweetheart Table Decor

    Decorative free standing Mr & Mrs or LOVE table top letters on the sweetheart table will add a special touch to the table. Take it to the next level with larger freestanding Mr & Mrs or LOVE letters set up in front of or to the sides of the sweetheart table.

  • Dash Of Class Platinum Video Enhancements

    Video Montage for my Wedding

    Couples sometimes ask “Can a Video Montage for my Wedding Reception make it memorable?” By telling your story, sharing snap shots of the reception you can get your guests involved. Also incorporating high energy ambient visuals during dance sets will create energy. All of these ideas will add a special touch and moment to your reception. These video and photo options go beyond your reception. All of them will be given to you on a USB drive to enjoy for years to come.

    COUPLES MONTAGE

    Gather cherished photos to create a memorable life video montage sharing past memories with family and friends. There can be different segments of you alone and together with your fiance. These will be choreographed to songs of your choice. We then display it during dinner at the reception. We found presenting it at that time prevents any unnecessary down time.

    PARENT & TRIBUTE MONTAGES

    Another great time to add this would be that dance with mom, dad, or special someone. Create a touching and emotional tribute montage for a special someone who is no longer with us. When presented properly these wonderful memories scroll by on the screens adds an amazing touch for family and friends.

    ZAP PHOTOS

    Zap photographers capture candid shots of your guests dancing, socializing, and partying. We then put them into a slideshow that is displayed on the screens. It’s great to watch the reaction of your guests seeing themselves. These slideshows are shown during the serving of your food courses so that we don’t lose any dance time.

    VISUAL EFFECTS

    Visual Ambient Effects create energy that is tied into the music and lighting. The result is additional excitement & mood to the dance floor. Another effect is to elegantly super-size your engagement shoot photos or ceremony highlight pictures across 2 or 3 displays for an amazing & breathtaking visual effect. LED video panels can also be used as your DJ facade creating a custom design. This wide screen presentation can be used as your guests enter the ballroom, during your first dance, during cake cutting or all throughout your reception. When properly presented, this unique touch is one of the most talked about video options we offer.

    SAME DAY EDIT

    With this option, capture and share same day highlights of your ceremony with a 3-5 minute video clip. We usually recommend this as a lead into your cake cutting. Highlights of getting ready at your homes, the I Do’s at your ceremony, being introduced into the ballroom and your first dance. These clips will be professionally edited to a high impact “Best Of” for all your guests to cherish. Best is, you will get this same day edit on a USB drive to keep. Also you can share it on social media.

    Can a Video Montage for my Wedding Reception make it memorable? As you can see from these examples, there can be really nice ways to do it. Agreed something long and drawn out can be boring. But with the right guidance and planning this addition can be personal and fun.

     

  • Dash of Class PLATINUM

    Give your wedding a different vibe from all the others with professional & elegant Special EFFECTS.

    Wedding Reception Special Effects

    Bring your wedding reception to the next level by adding the excitement & flare that only Special Effects can.  Enhancements like automated lighting, dancing on clouds, indoor sparkulars, snowfall effect, CO2 jets, confetti blasts, and LED robots can amp up your reception. Making it super memorable and FUN!  

    Automated Lighting

    Automated lighting will add ambience to your ballroom. Tied into your color theme as well as add a theatrical lighting effects from spotlighting your first dance to adding high energy dance pattern excitement during dance sets coordinated with the music tempo being played by the DJ.

    Custom Monograms

    Create the ultimate in personalization to your event. Project your name or initials through light onto the dance floor or walls of your venue.

    Specialty Lighting

    With Specialty Lighting you can add sophisticated uplighting that will add a warm ambiance that will enhance and coordinate to your wedding colors.  Also elegantly pinspot your table centerpieces or incorporate custom static image projection to give your venue a unique look & feel.

    Dancing On Clouds

    A true fairytale addition to your First Dance with a low lying fog effect to capture some spectacular pictures to last a lifetime.

    Sparkulars

    An amazing addition to your Grand Entrance or First Dance with indoor spark fountains that will wow your guests and provide amazing photos. They are 100% safe, no flame, no smoke.

    CO2 Blasts/Canons

    This theatrical element shoots plumes of cool white smoke for your grand entrance as well as during high energy dance sets to cool off a rockin’ dance crowd.  Handheld CO2 guns are available for the bride & groom to cool off their guests and excite their dance floor.

    Snowfall Effect

    Let It Snow anytime of the year for a winter wonderland effect during your first dance or during dance sets.

    Confetti Blast

    Blast off a spray of streamers and confetti to highlight a special moment at your reception. Available are handheld canons for your guest’s to shoot off or automated canons as well.

    LED Robots

    LED Robots will take over & illuminate your dance floor as they add excitement while dancing with the bride & groom and their guests. These fun and entertaining special effect are available with CO2 club cannons to cool off a hot dance set.

    Unique reception ideas & details such as these can give your wedding a different vibe from all the others when they are incorporated professionally & elegantly.

    Dash of Class Platinum Entertainment is a Wedding DJ Servicing the NY, NJ, PA, Long Island, and Orlando FL Area’s. Top Rated Google, The Knot, and Wedding Wire DJ with over 1400 Reviews

     

     

  • Dash of Class PLATINUM

    Photo Booths at wedding receptions let’s guests of all ages capture great memories.

    PHOTO BOOTHS

    GRAB SOME PROPS & HAVE SOME FUN! Nothing breaks the ice at a wedding reception like a photo booth. A fun backdrop, a few blush-inducing props and you’ll have friends and family mingling in front of the camera.  Add a Photo Booth to your wedding reception & let your guests of all ages capture some great memories to take home. In addition, give them the option to share via social media, text, and/or email.  Photo Booths have many styles & options to choose from that accommodate different tastes & budgets!

    Photo Booths are completely digital. YOUR NAMES on the main screen of the booth welcoming your family and friends! There is a Touch-Screen interface with customizable graphics. Photo Booths are equipped to save every photo individually, as well as the strip that came out of the photo-slot. You can get a digital copy of all photos & videos (usually an additional option) taken in the booth.

    MIRROR BOOTH

    The new full length interactive Mirror Booth features a sleek design & user friendly interface. It allows your guests to get to see themselves in front of a full length mirror before they have their picture taken. Then they sign it, and choose to print, text, or email their photo to themselves.

    SOCIAL MEDIA BOOTH

    How about a Social Media Booth! iPad operated it lets everyone text or email their Boomerangs, GIF’s, or photos directly to their phones. Instanly sharing onto social media.

    TRADITIONAL CONEY ISLAND PHOTO-BOOTH

    There are still the Traditional Coney Island style booth where guests grab a prop, pull the curtains behind them and strike a pose. They then collect 2 photo strips from the booth to keep or put one in the bride & groom’s scrapbook. Above all, they take the scrapbook home at the end of the reception.

    OPEN AIR BOOTH/PIXIE BOOTH

    Open Air booth features a red carpet & stanchions along with a standard or custom step & repeat backdrop!

    ADDITIONAL OPTIONS

    Most photo booths have social media, video capabilities, and printing station as an additional option. Your guests can leave a 30 second video for the bride & groom.  With many options to choose from including type of props, scrapbooks, and custom backdrops, you can personalize the photo booth for your wedding reception. Some other additional options include; Scrapbook w/ Attendant, Double Prints, Acrylic Frames, Memory Poster, Additional Hours, Customized Front Magnet, Custom DVD Slide Show, External Video Monitor, Personal Audio Greeting, etc.

    Jump into the photo booth & have some fun with your guests!

    Dash of Class Platinum Entertainment is a Wedding DJ Servicing the NY, NJ, PA, Long Island, and Orlando FL Area’s. Top Rated Google, The Knot, and Wedding Wire DJ with over 1400 Reviews

  • Percussion, Sax and Violin Dance Set

    Live Musicians will add a classy note and energy alongside your DJ.

    Live Musicians

    Whether it be for your on-site ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception Live Musicians can add a touch of elegance. They also add a high energy live feel during dance sets as they play along side your DJ. Some couples ask the question “What type of entertainment should we have for the wedding DJ or Band”? How about a combination of both.

    Ceremony Music

    Add an elegant & sophisticated “LIVE” element to your ceremony incorporating musicians such as violinist, harpists, & pianist.  Take it to the next level by adding a string trio or quartet for an unbelievable ceremony feel that will wow your guests.

    Cocktail Music

    Give your cocktail hour a classy vibe incorporating live musicians.  From a latin fusion jazz trio to a pianist playing tunes from Sinatra/Dean Martin to Billy Joel/Elton John. A strolling violinist or sax player, will impress & entertain your guests with these sophisticated options.

    Reception Musicians

    When planning your event, the music you request will help make the right instrumentation suggestion. By incorporating a talented Percussionist, Saxophonist, and/or Violinist, you can spice up your event. Energize your dance floor with spectacular live sounds playing along your DJ’s tunes.  Musicians mingling with you and your guests on the dance floor creates energy and great photo ops! Bring it to the next level with combo’s such as a Percussion/Saxophonist combo or Violinist/Percussion combo to give recorded tracks that live band feel to entertain your guests!

    Vocalists

    In addition to Musicians, our talented Male & Female Vocalists can sing a variety of timeless classics. Entertain your guests during your pasta or main course. They can get right in the middle of the dance floor and sing along with today’s hottest DJ jams!

    These ideas really add a unique touch to your Wedding with class and style. By hiring professional entertainers, you can rest assured that all of these elements will blend perfectly. It is important however to make sure your DJ has experience with adding musicians and vocalists to his or her playlists. It takes that experience to pull it all together, when it is done correctly it is so impressive.
    Dash of Class Platinum Entertainment is a Wedding DJ Servicing the NY, NJ, PA, Long Island, and Orlando FL Area’s. Top Rated Google, The Knot, and Wedding Wire DJ with over 1400 Reviews