Saturday night we had another beautiful ceremony and reception. The ceremony was held outside on the patio at Bay Oaks Country Club and the reception inside in the ballroom. The ceremony began shortly after the Wings Over Houston Air Show, so we enjoyed watching some cool plane maneuvers while setting up. The ceremony was sweet and funny, personalized because the Officiant was a relative of the groom. Heather looked absolutely beautiful in her white gown with pick ups on the skirt, while Grady looked handsome in his black tux with grey vest and tie.
The colors of this wedding were black and white, with touches of green to reflect the Bride and Groom’s Irish Heritage (I originally wrote that it was only the Groom's heritage but Heather emailed me to let me know that it was both of them. oops - sorry Heather!). :-) Green accents included a Celtic design on the bride’s cake, ribbon with 4 leaf clovers on the Flower Girl’s basket, a green ribbon around the Ring Bearer’s pillow, green ribbons on the ceremony programs, and flags of Ireland on the sweetheart table. The theme was also brought into the ceremony when we played Celtic versions of Canon in D and Bridal Chorus. Near the sign in-table was a deed to a piece of land in Ireland that the Bride and Groom had bought. Now, that’s unique!
At this wedding there were, once again, so many sweet little babies and kids! I was talking to Julie, the great Events Coordinator at Bay Oaks, and we both noticed that children are once again being invited to weddings. It seems like the trend for the past few years was adult only weddings, but now we’re seeing kids again. I don’t mind because I love the little babies!
Now for the dancing: The mother/son dance was so funny! The Groom’s mom was dancing him all over the floor, with twirling, a little Jitterbug, and all kinds of fun dance moves. You can tell she’s a fun woman! We got the dance floor open with the Anniversary Dance (also called a Married Couples Dance). The longest married couple was the Groom’s grandparents, who have been married 62 years. They looked so happy together and set a great example for all of their family. Congrats to them!
One other thing I want to mention about Heather and Grady’s families and friends was how well they got along. You could tell that they genuinely liked each other. They were dancing together, talking, laughing, and having a great time. It’s always so nice to see that!
After the toasts and the cake cutting (which involved frosting on noses and faces), we got back to the events of the evening and lots of fun dancing. After the Money Dance and Bouquet and Garter, Grady and Heather ran through a shower of bubbles (in green containers, of course) to get in their limo and head off to their honeymoon. Congratulations to a great couple!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Congratulations Stephen and Tracy
We provided the ceremony and reception music for this Sunday wedding, which was held at Bay Oaks Country Club. The fall color combination was so pretty. The Bride and Groom choose ivory with sage, and the flowers were in rust/fall colors. The Bride’s cake matched with its ivory icing and sage ribbon trim. The unusual aspect of this wedding was one of the groom’s cakes. He had two, one that showed off his love of duck hunting, and the other was a three tiered round cake covered in black fondant with red flames running up the sides. Too cool! The couple also had favors that went with their fall theme; leaf-shaped cookies at each place setting that were personalized with their last initial. They were tied in a bag with a leaf cookie cutter tied to each. Needless to say, there weren't any favors left at the end of the night!
There were so many little ones at this wedding, and you know how I love the kids. They were dancing, crawling, and just being adorable. It was so cute when the Flower Girl started to cry just before going down the aisle. (Note to future Brides and Grooms, this happens quite often and when it does, it’s okay. It makes for great pictures and the guests think it’s so sweet. So don’t worry!) The ceremony was so pretty, as it was held on the back patio of the country club, with the gorgeous grounds behind the arch. The arch was decorated with fall leaves, to match the theme.
So after an evening of food, drink, dancing, and plenty of yummy cake, it was time for the exit. The Bride and Groom headed out through bubbles to find their car decorated with streamers and cans, compliments of the groomsmen. Congratulations to the newlyweds and enjoy your Honeymoon!
There were so many little ones at this wedding, and you know how I love the kids. They were dancing, crawling, and just being adorable. It was so cute when the Flower Girl started to cry just before going down the aisle. (Note to future Brides and Grooms, this happens quite often and when it does, it’s okay. It makes for great pictures and the guests think it’s so sweet. So don’t worry!) The ceremony was so pretty, as it was held on the back patio of the country club, with the gorgeous grounds behind the arch. The arch was decorated with fall leaves, to match the theme.
So after an evening of food, drink, dancing, and plenty of yummy cake, it was time for the exit. The Bride and Groom headed out through bubbles to find their car decorated with streamers and cans, compliments of the groomsmen. Congratulations to the newlyweds and enjoy your Honeymoon!
Congratulations Tommy and Rosimar
We had the pleasure of performing at a new venue for this reception. It’s called Picazo Restaurant, located downtown, near Minute Maid Park. They have a gorgeous private events room upstairs, with a great view. The décor is beautiful, from the vast windows to the chivari chairs. And don’t forget the good food and awesome staff. It is a very pretty venue for smaller receptions (maybe 150 people or less?).
So, back to the Bride and Groom and the details. From the time we met Tommy and Rosimar at a bridal show, we knew we’d have a blast at their reception. They are so fun, and such an interesting couple! Their friends are a varied group, but everyone gets along well and they have a good time together. Some of the friends had their hair dyed black with fuchsia accents, which matched the wedding colors. How cool! Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the fuchsia ice sculpture. That was the first time we’ve seen a colored ice sculpture at one of our receptions and it was so pretty. As I said, the colors were black with fuchsia accents, and they looked so pretty together from the linens, to the flowers, to the bridesmaid’s dresses, to the groomsmen’s ties. Everything matched perfectly. We were shocked to find out that Tommy made the Bride’s and Groom’s cakes! This is the second wedding we’ve done in all our years where this happened, and it’s so unique. I love to see a Groom involved in the wedding, especially with something like the cakes. They cakes were beautiful and delicious (the Bride’s cake was hazelnut with raspberry and the Groom’s cake was peanut butter and banana), and everyone loved them.
The dancing was non-stop, as we had expected. There was a conga line going around the room by the fourth song, and it wasn’t even The Conga - wow, what a crowd! They were dancing and singing along and getting crazy on the dance floor all night long. The little Flower Girl Gisselle was adorable, and quite a dancer! How do kids her age learn to dance so well? But then the Ring Bearer Abraham (with his Mohawk) got on the floor and showed us some pretty darn good moves also. Just when we thought the night couldn’t get any wilder, the Bride got on the mic and belted out Don’t Stop Believing. She can really sing!
So finally, after a long night of dancing and partying, it was time to go. The newlyweds ran though sparklers, jumped into their limo, and took off for a Jamaican honeymoon. Congratulations to you both!
So, back to the Bride and Groom and the details. From the time we met Tommy and Rosimar at a bridal show, we knew we’d have a blast at their reception. They are so fun, and such an interesting couple! Their friends are a varied group, but everyone gets along well and they have a good time together. Some of the friends had their hair dyed black with fuchsia accents, which matched the wedding colors. How cool! Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the fuchsia ice sculpture. That was the first time we’ve seen a colored ice sculpture at one of our receptions and it was so pretty. As I said, the colors were black with fuchsia accents, and they looked so pretty together from the linens, to the flowers, to the bridesmaid’s dresses, to the groomsmen’s ties. Everything matched perfectly. We were shocked to find out that Tommy made the Bride’s and Groom’s cakes! This is the second wedding we’ve done in all our years where this happened, and it’s so unique. I love to see a Groom involved in the wedding, especially with something like the cakes. They cakes were beautiful and delicious (the Bride’s cake was hazelnut with raspberry and the Groom’s cake was peanut butter and banana), and everyone loved them.
The dancing was non-stop, as we had expected. There was a conga line going around the room by the fourth song, and it wasn’t even The Conga - wow, what a crowd! They were dancing and singing along and getting crazy on the dance floor all night long. The little Flower Girl Gisselle was adorable, and quite a dancer! How do kids her age learn to dance so well? But then the Ring Bearer Abraham (with his Mohawk) got on the floor and showed us some pretty darn good moves also. Just when we thought the night couldn’t get any wilder, the Bride got on the mic and belted out Don’t Stop Believing. She can really sing!
So finally, after a long night of dancing and partying, it was time to go. The newlyweds ran though sparklers, jumped into their limo, and took off for a Jamaican honeymoon. Congratulations to you both!
Congratulations Ryan and Tiffany
This reception was our first after all the Hurricane Ike madness, so it was nice to get back into our normal routine. The event was held at Bay Oaks Country Club, which always does a great job. I was surprised to see how looked beautiful the grounds looked so soon after a hurricane: you’d never even know Ike had hit!
The color scheme was beautiful: black and white with bright jewel toned flowers. They had chair ties I’d never seen before: sheer black with a raised black damask print. So gorgeous! The tables were topped with white linens and black napkins, candle centerpieces on black fabric, and black and white menus on alternating place settings. It all came together perfectly for this elegant evening reception.
One unique aspect to this wedding was that we had performed at the Bride’s sister’s wedding just 6 months ago, in April. It was nice to see the previous Bride and Groom as well as the family and some familiar guests again. I can’t forget to mention all the cute kids that were there as well. I love the little ones!
After the toasts, cake cutting (no smashing here!), bouquet and garter, and fun night of dancing, the Newlyweds headed off to their limousine through an arch of sparklers. It was a pretty exit for a very nice couple. Congratulations to you both!
The color scheme was beautiful: black and white with bright jewel toned flowers. They had chair ties I’d never seen before: sheer black with a raised black damask print. So gorgeous! The tables were topped with white linens and black napkins, candle centerpieces on black fabric, and black and white menus on alternating place settings. It all came together perfectly for this elegant evening reception.
One unique aspect to this wedding was that we had performed at the Bride’s sister’s wedding just 6 months ago, in April. It was nice to see the previous Bride and Groom as well as the family and some familiar guests again. I can’t forget to mention all the cute kids that were there as well. I love the little ones!
After the toasts, cake cutting (no smashing here!), bouquet and garter, and fun night of dancing, the Newlyweds headed off to their limousine through an arch of sparklers. It was a pretty exit for a very nice couple. Congratulations to you both!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Post Hurricane Ike news
We evacuated for Ike but are now back safely at home. Our house is fine. We just lost our fence and some major tree branches. Unfortunately, we still don't have power. We're in one of those unlucky locations that won't have electricity until after Monday. boo... I really, really miss my A/C, the refrigerator, the microwave, you name it. But our equipment is fine and our business is ready to go!
For those of you who were coming to see us at the upcoming Bridal Symposium at the Reliant Center, it has been canceled. The Reliant has canceled all events for September. I also heard that they still don't have power. So the next big bridal show we'll be in will be the Bridal Extravaganza in January.
We had one wedding reception scheduled to take place on the Saturday that Ike hit. We kept in contact with the Bride and Groom and they've rescheduled their wedding for November. When something like this happens, we just transfer the money already paid to the new event as long as it takes place within the next 90 days. We don't charge transfer fees or cancelation fees or anything like that, since it's nobody's fault. We 're looking forward to them having great weather on their new wedding date!
We hope all of our clients, past, present, and future, came through the hurricane unscathed and are settling back down into a normal life again. And, when we get power and computer access again, I'll be back with more exciting Premium Sound updates!
For those of you who were coming to see us at the upcoming Bridal Symposium at the Reliant Center, it has been canceled. The Reliant has canceled all events for September. I also heard that they still don't have power. So the next big bridal show we'll be in will be the Bridal Extravaganza in January.
We had one wedding reception scheduled to take place on the Saturday that Ike hit. We kept in contact with the Bride and Groom and they've rescheduled their wedding for November. When something like this happens, we just transfer the money already paid to the new event as long as it takes place within the next 90 days. We don't charge transfer fees or cancelation fees or anything like that, since it's nobody's fault. We 're looking forward to them having great weather on their new wedding date!
We hope all of our clients, past, present, and future, came through the hurricane unscathed and are settling back down into a normal life again. And, when we get power and computer access again, I'll be back with more exciting Premium Sound updates!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Congratulations James and Jennifer
As usual, the view from the South Shore Harbour Country Club was beautiful and the staff was excellent. If you’re thinking about having your reception there, definitely go by and visit with Jeannie. She’s been there for a long time and really knows her stuff – she’s great!
As for the details (don’t you know by now that I love this part?): the colors were dark red and white. Jennifer’s dress had a dark red band around the bodice and train with a dark red lace-up back and beautiful red embroidery down the train. The red color was carried through the wedding with red vests on the guys, red bouquets and boutonnieres, red flowers on the bride’s cake, and red décor in the room. Nicely done!
This reception was heavier on country music and we can see why. James and Jennifer could really country dance! From Jitterbug to Two Step to Waltz to Texas Polka, they were awesome. It was fun watching them dance. And for the exact opposite of country, I can’t forget to mention how amazing it was watching the groom and his friends dance to disco songs from Saturday Night Fever. Those guys were good! They were doing actual movements that John Travolta did in the movie. They had everyone gathered around watching and loving every minute! Then, later in the night, a bunch of guys serenaded the groom, singing along to “You Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.” After the bouquet and garter, Jennifer changed clothes so she and James could really let loose on the dance floor, and boy did they! He was tossing her in the air, flipping her around, and doing all kinds of spins. She was flying all over the place. When I said this couple could dance I wasn’t kidding!
After a night of fun and sweet last dance that filled the dance floor, the newlyweds ran through a shower of bubbles and drove off in a car covered in cans and streamers. Congratulations and enjoy your honeymoon in St. Lucia!
As for the details (don’t you know by now that I love this part?): the colors were dark red and white. Jennifer’s dress had a dark red band around the bodice and train with a dark red lace-up back and beautiful red embroidery down the train. The red color was carried through the wedding with red vests on the guys, red bouquets and boutonnieres, red flowers on the bride’s cake, and red décor in the room. Nicely done!
This reception was heavier on country music and we can see why. James and Jennifer could really country dance! From Jitterbug to Two Step to Waltz to Texas Polka, they were awesome. It was fun watching them dance. And for the exact opposite of country, I can’t forget to mention how amazing it was watching the groom and his friends dance to disco songs from Saturday Night Fever. Those guys were good! They were doing actual movements that John Travolta did in the movie. They had everyone gathered around watching and loving every minute! Then, later in the night, a bunch of guys serenaded the groom, singing along to “You Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.” After the bouquet and garter, Jennifer changed clothes so she and James could really let loose on the dance floor, and boy did they! He was tossing her in the air, flipping her around, and doing all kinds of spins. She was flying all over the place. When I said this couple could dance I wasn’t kidding!
After a night of fun and sweet last dance that filled the dance floor, the newlyweds ran through a shower of bubbles and drove off in a car covered in cans and streamers. Congratulations and enjoy your honeymoon in St. Lucia!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Congratulations Kristin and Jonathan
For this reception, we were at the Kingwood Country Club. There is such a beautiful view from the room!
The details (as you can tell, I love this part): The wedding colors were white and sage green, which perfectly matched the colors of nature outside the windows. I loved the bridesmaid’s dresses: they were cocktail length with a pretty white and sage green print. They truly are dresses you can wear again.
The wedding cake was gorgeous: 5-tiers with sage green trim. The groom’s cake was amazing, as it was a replica of the Aggie bonfire. That cake must have taken a lot of time to create! The newlyweds also had one of those cool ceramic signature plates that the guests sign. Once you get it home, you bake it in the oven and the signatures are permanent. You can see how great the plate will look when it’s finished! They also had the photo confetti scattered on the tables. It has their pictures on both sides and is a great memento for the guests.
After viewing a slide show and eating dinner, it was time for the toasts. The father of the bride made a toast and it was so funny! He said something that came out differently than he intended. Everyone cracked up, including him. Later, not to be outdone, the father of the groom got on the mic and said a few words as well. He is apparently quite a comedian, as he was hilarious! He was saying something about the best man and a bull dozer….too funny. Then, it was time for dancing. The bride’s aunt and uncle were some of the first people on the dance floor, and they were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. Congratulations to them!
Of course, since Jonathan and Kristin are Aggies, we had to play the Aggie War Hymn. There were a lot of people on the dance floor for that one! So, after an evening of dancing and fun, and a great sparkler exit (sometimes sparklers don’t work very well, as the guests light them too soon and they’re burned out by the time the bride and groom make their exit. That didn’t happen this time. The sparklers were extra long, they didn’t burn out too soon, and the exit couldn’t have been better. I’m sure the pictures will look awesome!), Kristin and Jonathan headed out for their honeymoon in a truck that was well decorated by the Bridal Party. Congratulations!
The details (as you can tell, I love this part): The wedding colors were white and sage green, which perfectly matched the colors of nature outside the windows. I loved the bridesmaid’s dresses: they were cocktail length with a pretty white and sage green print. They truly are dresses you can wear again.
The wedding cake was gorgeous: 5-tiers with sage green trim. The groom’s cake was amazing, as it was a replica of the Aggie bonfire. That cake must have taken a lot of time to create! The newlyweds also had one of those cool ceramic signature plates that the guests sign. Once you get it home, you bake it in the oven and the signatures are permanent. You can see how great the plate will look when it’s finished! They also had the photo confetti scattered on the tables. It has their pictures on both sides and is a great memento for the guests.
After viewing a slide show and eating dinner, it was time for the toasts. The father of the bride made a toast and it was so funny! He said something that came out differently than he intended. Everyone cracked up, including him. Later, not to be outdone, the father of the groom got on the mic and said a few words as well. He is apparently quite a comedian, as he was hilarious! He was saying something about the best man and a bull dozer….too funny. Then, it was time for dancing. The bride’s aunt and uncle were some of the first people on the dance floor, and they were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. Congratulations to them!
Of course, since Jonathan and Kristin are Aggies, we had to play the Aggie War Hymn. There were a lot of people on the dance floor for that one! So, after an evening of dancing and fun, and a great sparkler exit (sometimes sparklers don’t work very well, as the guests light them too soon and they’re burned out by the time the bride and groom make their exit. That didn’t happen this time. The sparklers were extra long, they didn’t burn out too soon, and the exit couldn’t have been better. I’m sure the pictures will look awesome!), Kristin and Jonathan headed out for their honeymoon in a truck that was well decorated by the Bridal Party. Congratulations!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Congratulations Jaime and Clayton
This reception was held at Bay Oaks Country Club, which always does a great job. The colors were white and turquoise, with accents of bright pink, and they complemented the tropical/beach theme perfectly. There were beta fish centerpieces surrounded by seashells, a cake decorated with edible seashells, and a beach themed banner with the newlyweds’ names hung under the candy buffet. The tropical theme was perfect for this afternoon reception.
One thing I must mention is that there were so many babies and young children there. I love the little ones: I always want to run over and play with them all night long! Jaime and Clayton made some cute bags for each of the kids to play with. They included a wedding coloring page, crayons, candy, and toys. It looked like the bags were a hit. We could tell that the kids were having fun at the reception, as they were on the dance floor all afternoon!
There was a surprise during the bouquet toss (which we were in on, of course). We called up all the single ladies, as usual, and then gave Jamie the count of 3. But, instead of tossing the bouquet, Jamie turned around and handed it to her mom. She then used the mic to explain that she wanted to give the bouquet to her mom to thank her for all of her love and support in life and in planning the wedding. How sweet!
After a fun afternoon of food, cake, and dancing, the newlyweds wrapped up the reception and headed out to their honeymoon. Congratulations!
One thing I must mention is that there were so many babies and young children there. I love the little ones: I always want to run over and play with them all night long! Jaime and Clayton made some cute bags for each of the kids to play with. They included a wedding coloring page, crayons, candy, and toys. It looked like the bags were a hit. We could tell that the kids were having fun at the reception, as they were on the dance floor all afternoon!
There was a surprise during the bouquet toss (which we were in on, of course). We called up all the single ladies, as usual, and then gave Jamie the count of 3. But, instead of tossing the bouquet, Jamie turned around and handed it to her mom. She then used the mic to explain that she wanted to give the bouquet to her mom to thank her for all of her love and support in life and in planning the wedding. How sweet!
After a fun afternoon of food, cake, and dancing, the newlyweds wrapped up the reception and headed out to their honeymoon. Congratulations!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Should Children Participate in the Bouquet and Garter Toss?
We know that it’s your wedding and your choice, but it’s not always a good idea, and here’s why: The tradition behind the bouquet or garter is that the lucky catcher is the next to get married. Obviously a child won’t get married anytime soon, so why would they participate in this tradition? Secondly, children get easily hurt when grown adults who tower over them, are jumping in the air, diving for a prize. We’ve seen kids get hurt when they were accidentally knocked down onto the hard dance floor. We’ve seen an adult, caught up in the excitement, land on top of a child. And, we’ve seen small children cry when they didn’t understand why they didn’t get a prize like the lucky winner.
There are a few other points to remember. If you have a real floral toss bouquet, it costs money. Wouldn’t you rather that it went to a woman who appreciated it and couldn’t wait to put it a vase on her table, rather than a small child who would probably end up hitting her little brother over the head with it? lol And, it’s unlikely that a small boy will treasure a garter, but the lucky guy that catches it will probably hang it on his vehicle’s rear view mirror with pride (or his girlfriend will – hint hint)..
So, of course, allowing children to participate in the bouquet and garter tosses is a choice that’s up to you. We’ve worked with plenty of families who couldn’t imagine including children in every aspect of their wedding, and they had no problems. It just comes down to what is best for you and your guests. Happy planning!
There are a few other points to remember. If you have a real floral toss bouquet, it costs money. Wouldn’t you rather that it went to a woman who appreciated it and couldn’t wait to put it a vase on her table, rather than a small child who would probably end up hitting her little brother over the head with it? lol And, it’s unlikely that a small boy will treasure a garter, but the lucky guy that catches it will probably hang it on his vehicle’s rear view mirror with pride (or his girlfriend will – hint hint)..
So, of course, allowing children to participate in the bouquet and garter tosses is a choice that’s up to you. We’ve worked with plenty of families who couldn’t imagine including children in every aspect of their wedding, and they had no problems. It just comes down to what is best for you and your guests. Happy planning!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Congratulations Terra and Mike
To start off, one good thing about this wedding for me was that I could talk! I got sick earlier in the week. I sounded by a frog by Wednesday and had totally lost my voice by Thursday. I spent all of Friday sleeping and resting so I’d be in good shape for Saturday night. I woke up Saturday morning and my (somewhat hoarse) voice was back – hooray! (Although I like to think it was kind of sexy, like Demi Moore… Ha ha) I spent the reception sucking on cough drops, just in case my throat thought about doing the disappearing act again.
The reception was held at the Petroleum Club, which has a fantastic view of downtown Houston. Terra and Mike’s wedding colors were white and a beautiful shade of turquoise blue (I think it’s called “Pool”). The blue accents were on place cards and in the chair ties. Also, the floral centerpieces were gorgeous. The room was so pretty!
Terra and Mike had a signature blue cocktail during the cocktail hour, and it matched their colors perfectly. I found out the drink is called a Blue Paradise. Mike had a big surprise for Terra, as he had planned the whole honeymoon and she didn’t know a thing about it. So, right before the first dance, he read a poem he had written that revealed the honeymoon destination: St. Lucia! Way to go Mike (and great poem too!) Then, the newlyweds had an anniversary dance, and the longest married couple in the room was Mike’s Grandparents, who have been married for 64 years. Isn’t that awesome? What a great example they are setting for all young newlyweds.
Dancing was fun, as usual! The guests had a great time jumping up and down to “Jessie’s Girl” and “Tonight and the Rest of My Live” (all the Bride’s and Groom’s friends were in on it, so there must be some kind of special meaning behind these songs – it was fun to watch!) At one point, of their guests did the snake. He could move! The “Cha Cha Slide” packed the floor and so did “Shout”. “Don’t Stop Believing” had everyone singing along (at the top of their lungs, of course), 2 weeks in a row. We even had some mean air-guitaring going on! The biggest partier and dancer of them all was the Groom, Mike. He was running all over the floor, dancing, jumping around, and having a blast! We love watching Brides and Grooms having so much fun – it makes us enjoy our job even more. (And to meet Mike, you’d never suspect that beneath that sweet exterior was the life of every party.)
So finally, after the guests showered the newlyweds with petals as they made their exit, the night was over. We had another fun wedding, with another great couple. Enjoy your honeymoon in St. Lucia!!
The reception was held at the Petroleum Club, which has a fantastic view of downtown Houston. Terra and Mike’s wedding colors were white and a beautiful shade of turquoise blue (I think it’s called “Pool”). The blue accents were on place cards and in the chair ties. Also, the floral centerpieces were gorgeous. The room was so pretty!
Terra and Mike had a signature blue cocktail during the cocktail hour, and it matched their colors perfectly. I found out the drink is called a Blue Paradise. Mike had a big surprise for Terra, as he had planned the whole honeymoon and she didn’t know a thing about it. So, right before the first dance, he read a poem he had written that revealed the honeymoon destination: St. Lucia! Way to go Mike (and great poem too!) Then, the newlyweds had an anniversary dance, and the longest married couple in the room was Mike’s Grandparents, who have been married for 64 years. Isn’t that awesome? What a great example they are setting for all young newlyweds.
Dancing was fun, as usual! The guests had a great time jumping up and down to “Jessie’s Girl” and “Tonight and the Rest of My Live” (all the Bride’s and Groom’s friends were in on it, so there must be some kind of special meaning behind these songs – it was fun to watch!) At one point, of their guests did the snake. He could move! The “Cha Cha Slide” packed the floor and so did “Shout”. “Don’t Stop Believing” had everyone singing along (at the top of their lungs, of course), 2 weeks in a row. We even had some mean air-guitaring going on! The biggest partier and dancer of them all was the Groom, Mike. He was running all over the floor, dancing, jumping around, and having a blast! We love watching Brides and Grooms having so much fun – it makes us enjoy our job even more. (And to meet Mike, you’d never suspect that beneath that sweet exterior was the life of every party.)
So finally, after the guests showered the newlyweds with petals as they made their exit, the night was over. We had another fun wedding, with another great couple. Enjoy your honeymoon in St. Lucia!!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Should You Have a Money Dance?
It depends. Is it a long-held tradition in your family or culture? Then yes. The Dollar Dance is popular with many cultures including Czech, Polish, German, Filipino (shout out to Ferdy and his family!!), Mexican and some others. So, they’ll probably all come to the dance floor and have a great time.
Have you never seen a Money Dance before but read about it on the internet and thought it was a good way to get money? Then no. If most of your family members and guests have never seen it before, there’s a chance that the dance will never really get going and will quickly die out, no matter how much we get on the mic and explain to them what it's for and how it’s done.
Just something else for you to think about. And, as always, you should decide what is best for your wedding. Happy planning!!
Have you never seen a Money Dance before but read about it on the internet and thought it was a good way to get money? Then no. If most of your family members and guests have never seen it before, there’s a chance that the dance will never really get going and will quickly die out, no matter how much we get on the mic and explain to them what it's for and how it’s done.
Just something else for you to think about. And, as always, you should decide what is best for your wedding. Happy planning!!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Congratulations Elizabeth and Jason
We had a great time Saturday at Jason and Elizabeth’s wedding at the Crystal Ballroom at The Rice. The room was gorgeous, of course, and everything else was as well! Elizabeth was a beautiful Bride and Jason a handsome Groom. They had a candy buffet for the guests to enjoy and I’m sure they ate up every bit of it. The Groom’s cake was so cool: it looked like an outdoor scene with ducks in a pond. Apparently, Jason is a hunter. I bet he loved the cake!
Dancing was so much fun, as the guests partied on the dance floor all night! We were asked to play “Thriller” as we were told that one of the guests can do the dance from the video. We played it, she danced, and she was great! All of the guests on the dance floor were an entertaining bunch and I wish I could see the video. (They were singing along, sometimes at the top of their lungs, to the music.) Ferdy and I were having a blast watching them. I bet the video will be awesome! The Bride and Groom apparently went to TCU, as they pulled a huge bunch of alumni onto the dance floor for a group picture, and most of them were the ones tearing up the dance floor. It looks like the TCU Frogs will be the life of the party any where they go!
You know, I just realized that I use the word "fun" a lot. Oh well, I guess that when we DJ, we have fun and the guests do too! I'll try to come up with another word, but "fun" seems to often just fit the best.... Happy Planning!
Dancing was so much fun, as the guests partied on the dance floor all night! We were asked to play “Thriller” as we were told that one of the guests can do the dance from the video. We played it, she danced, and she was great! All of the guests on the dance floor were an entertaining bunch and I wish I could see the video. (They were singing along, sometimes at the top of their lungs, to the music.) Ferdy and I were having a blast watching them. I bet the video will be awesome! The Bride and Groom apparently went to TCU, as they pulled a huge bunch of alumni onto the dance floor for a group picture, and most of them were the ones tearing up the dance floor. It looks like the TCU Frogs will be the life of the party any where they go!
You know, I just realized that I use the word "fun" a lot. Oh well, I guess that when we DJ, we have fun and the guests do too! I'll try to come up with another word, but "fun" seems to often just fit the best.... Happy Planning!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Come visit us this Saturday, July 26
We're going to be in a Bridal Open House tomorrow, Saturday, July 26, at Bay Oaks Country Club, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Come by and visit us! You'll love Bay Oaks. The site is beautiful, the staff is great, and the food is fantastic. The Private Events Director, Julie Howell, is awesome! She'll take care of you every step of the way to make sure your wedding is a success.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Julie at 281-244-3805. We hope to see you there!
For more information or to RSVP, contact Julie at 281-244-3805. We hope to see you there!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
How to Save Money on Your Wedding
We know that most couples would like to save money on their wedding, and that’s why we’ve tried so hard to keep our prices down. But, there are plenty of other ways to save money and still have a beautiful wedding. Here are a few:
1.Cut out the favors. You’d be shocked at the large number of left over favors we see at every single wedding, especially if they are non edible items like cookie cutters, bells, or coasters. Just buy some bags of Hershey Kisses and sprinkle them on all the tables. It’s quick, pretty, and guests love them!
2. Only print enough wedding programs for ½ of the guests. Many guests don’t take them, and if a married couple is invited, they often only take one.
3. For bubble exits, only have enough bubbles for ½ of the guests. Think about it, ½ of the guests will have left by then anyway (and yes, that is normal!). Just put them in a basket stored under the sign in table, and pull them out before the exit.
4. Don’t get personalized napkins. Just buy some plain napkins in your wedding colors at any party store.
5. Cut out a few of the fancy appetizers. Cheese and crackers are plenty to tide the guests over until meal time.
6. Alcohol. You really don’t need to offer your guests alcohol. But, there are ways to save if you choose to serve it. Offer only beer and wine. This is the most popular option that we see quite often. A cash bar is another choice, but one that many people are not fond of. And, many people these days don’t carry cash, so they won’t have the money to pay for a drink. To many couples on a budget, offering only beer and wine is the easiest way to go.
7. Cut down on the cake. I’ve heard it said that instead of having a large wedding cake to serve all your guests, have a smaller wedding cake with cheaper sheet cakes in the kitchen to serve the guests. I don’t know if this really saves a lot of money, but it’s worth looking in to.
8. Pare down the guest list. Each additional guest costs a lot of money, from invitations, to food, to drinks, to table linens. Do you really need to invite your old neighbor, whom you haven’t seen in 25 years, who changed your diaper when you were two years old? Eliminating children is becoming a more popular way to cut down the guest list as well. It makes sense, as kids often don’t enjoy a wedding like adults. They’re constantly being told to sit down, be quiet, don’t touch the cake, stop running, get off the dance floor, you name it. How much fun is that for a child? Other ways to trim the list are to not invite relatives you haven’t seen in 10 years, or only invite coworkers in your division: not the whole office.
9. Ask your vendors for ways to save. This is the easiest way to save money, but the most often overlooked. Your wedding vendor is there for you, to help you have the wedding of your dreams on a budget you can afford. We’re your friends! Ask your florist if there’s a way to get a similar look for less. Ask your caterer if there is a different food that will help you save money. Now, if you’re thinking of saving money by hiring a friend, let my say from the start that I’m a firm believer in hiring professional vendors (not Uncle Joe with a camera, or Aunt Mary who likes to play around with flowers, or Cousin Billy who likes to make barbecue). Trust me when I say that we’ve seen problems occur at weddings, and 99% of them occurred when a non-professional was asked to do the job of a professional. Hire a professional and ask for money saving advice.
10. Hit the sales! Keep your eyes open, watch for sales, and stock up when you find them. You can buy all kinds of items for your ceremony or reception on sale and save 50% and more.
11. Don’t have a candy buffet, dessert bar, or cookie buffet. Yes, they look cool, and yes, guests love them, but yes, they cost money! These types of unnecessary expenses are lots of fun, but just not feasible if you’re on a tight budget. Your guests are there to celebrate your marriage, and the lack of a candy buffet won’t make them enjoy the wedding day any less!
And, as always, happy planning!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Yes, We Have Uplights!
If you don't know what they are, trust me that you've seen them. They are like spot lights that are on the floor, placed strategically around the room. At only $25 each, they are an inexpensive way to make a fantastic statement! You might have them shining up a pillar, glowing behind the cake table, or drawing attention to the head table. The uplights allow us to turn down the house lights a bit more, and help carry out your theme and colors throughout the reception. You'd be amazed at how incredible a room looks when you add uplights!
Thanks for Visiting Us at the Bridal Extravaganza
We really enjoyed meeting so many of you future brides and grooms this weekend at the Bridal Extravaganza. The show was a hit and had a great turnout! We hope to see many of you in the near future. Well, after you come down from your sugar high from all the cake, chocolate fountain samples, and candy. yum…
As usual, we saw many people that we already know. We saw a recent bride Angela, who was there with her engaged friend. We had fun talking about all the dancing at her wedding. Angela is the bride on our website with the green shoes. She rocked those shoes like no one else could! We also saw Amber, who was a bride from a few years back. She usually works in the Renaissance Festival booth in one of those awesome dresses.
It was another great and informative show, and we met a lot of engaged couples. For those of you who weren’t able to attend, we’ll see you at the next Extravaganza in January. But, don’t forget that we’ll be in the upcoming Bridal Symposium in September, at the Reliant Arena. See you there!
As usual, we saw many people that we already know. We saw a recent bride Angela, who was there with her engaged friend. We had fun talking about all the dancing at her wedding. Angela is the bride on our website with the green shoes. She rocked those shoes like no one else could! We also saw Amber, who was a bride from a few years back. She usually works in the Renaissance Festival booth in one of those awesome dresses.
It was another great and informative show, and we met a lot of engaged couples. For those of you who weren’t able to attend, we’ll see you at the next Extravaganza in January. But, don’t forget that we’ll be in the upcoming Bridal Symposium in September, at the Reliant Arena. See you there!
Congratulations Phuong and Doug
What can I say, Phuong was gorgeous, Doug was handsome, the flowers were amazing (I loved, loved, them. The room smelled heavenly!), the cake was looked incredible (and I mean incredible!), and everything was fantastic! In Vietnamese tradition, there was a seven course seated meal, the bride and groom visited each table to thank the guests and take pictures, and they had a traditional Vietnamese ceremony (we weren’t a part of that). It was so nice to see Phuong, Doug, and their families embrace each other’s cultures.
This reception was something different for me, when I introduced some of the bride’s family members. That wasn’t the unusual part: it was that their names were Vietnamese! With Phuong’s help and lots of practice, I think (hope?) I pulled it off. But next time, I think I’d better leave names like that to someone who speaks the language. ha ha
Sometimes when you have the blending of families that come from different cultures and speak different languages, it can be tough. But not with these families! They laughed and danced and had a great time like they’ve known each other forever. You can tell that Phuong and Doug really enjoy each other’s culture and family, and it was great to see. Best wishes to the newlyweds!
This reception was something different for me, when I introduced some of the bride’s family members. That wasn’t the unusual part: it was that their names were Vietnamese! With Phuong’s help and lots of practice, I think (hope?) I pulled it off. But next time, I think I’d better leave names like that to someone who speaks the language. ha ha
Sometimes when you have the blending of families that come from different cultures and speak different languages, it can be tough. But not with these families! They laughed and danced and had a great time like they’ve known each other forever. You can tell that Phuong and Doug really enjoy each other’s culture and family, and it was great to see. Best wishes to the newlyweds!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Should You Have a Mock Exit?
We’ve had this question come up quite a few times. Brides and Grooms have heard about it, but want to know what it is, how it works, if it’s a good idea, and how will it affect the flow of the reception. Here’s the scoop:
A mock exit is basically your traditional reception exit. Guests line up outside, throw petals or blow bubbles, and the Bride and Groom run through the line while the photographer takes photographs. But with a mock exit, the Bride and Groom aren’t really leaving. Their photographer isn’t staying until the end of the reception, but the Bride and Groom want to get their exit photographed for their album. So, they have a mock exit.
When we do this, we make sure to announce what is going to happen. We inform the guests that it is not the end of the reception, it is being done only for photographs, and the guests should come back in and keep dancing! We stress that the mock exit isn’t the end of the night.
The problem we usually see is that, even though we’ve clearly told the guests that it’s a mock exit, they still end up leaving. The only people that tend to stay will be the immediate family members of the Bride and Groom, members of the Bridal Party, and a few die-hard drinkers and partiers. But, they don’t always stay either. Sometimes, everyone calls it a night and goes home, thus ending the reception. Why? Look at it from their point of view. Since all the formalities of the reception will be done before the mock exit (such as toast, cake cutting, first dance, bouquet and garter, etc.), they’ve seen everything. They see no reason to stay. And often, they still have to pick up their children from the babysitter, or their kids at the reception are getting tired, they’ve had a long day, or they have a long drive home. Since they’ve seen it all, they might as well leave.
Of course, most newlyweds would love to have their photographer stay until the end of the reception. But sometimes, their budget just won’t allow for it, and that’s okay. Just remember that if you have a mock exit, it will signal the end of the reception for many guests, no matter how much we announce to them that they should stay.
There are other options to a mock exit. Do your exit photos as you leave the church. Or have the guests line up and get an ‘exit’ shot of you entering the reception. Or, don’t worry about getting an exit shot. You could always take a picture of the two of you sitting in your getaway car and use that for the last page of your album. I hope this helps!
A mock exit is basically your traditional reception exit. Guests line up outside, throw petals or blow bubbles, and the Bride and Groom run through the line while the photographer takes photographs. But with a mock exit, the Bride and Groom aren’t really leaving. Their photographer isn’t staying until the end of the reception, but the Bride and Groom want to get their exit photographed for their album. So, they have a mock exit.
When we do this, we make sure to announce what is going to happen. We inform the guests that it is not the end of the reception, it is being done only for photographs, and the guests should come back in and keep dancing! We stress that the mock exit isn’t the end of the night.
The problem we usually see is that, even though we’ve clearly told the guests that it’s a mock exit, they still end up leaving. The only people that tend to stay will be the immediate family members of the Bride and Groom, members of the Bridal Party, and a few die-hard drinkers and partiers. But, they don’t always stay either. Sometimes, everyone calls it a night and goes home, thus ending the reception. Why? Look at it from their point of view. Since all the formalities of the reception will be done before the mock exit (such as toast, cake cutting, first dance, bouquet and garter, etc.), they’ve seen everything. They see no reason to stay. And often, they still have to pick up their children from the babysitter, or their kids at the reception are getting tired, they’ve had a long day, or they have a long drive home. Since they’ve seen it all, they might as well leave.
Of course, most newlyweds would love to have their photographer stay until the end of the reception. But sometimes, their budget just won’t allow for it, and that’s okay. Just remember that if you have a mock exit, it will signal the end of the reception for many guests, no matter how much we announce to them that they should stay.
There are other options to a mock exit. Do your exit photos as you leave the church. Or have the guests line up and get an ‘exit’ shot of you entering the reception. Or, don’t worry about getting an exit shot. You could always take a picture of the two of you sitting in your getaway car and use that for the last page of your album. I hope this helps!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Congratulations Jessica and Robert
We had an incredible time last night! Jessica and Robert are the nicest couple, strong in faith and full of fun, and so are their friends. Their reception was non-stop dancing, from the first song to the last. It’s rare to see a packed dance floor for the first song, but we saw it last night. Jessica and her dad decided to have a unique father/daughter dance. They started out with a fun song, just to get a laugh from the guests, and then we segued into their real first dance song. I’d love to see pictures of the reaction from the crowd!
Something important to mention is that they had no alcohol at their reception. It didn’t matter: it was fun and dancing all night! We often have couples ask us if people won’t dance if there’s no alcohol, but we don’t think so. You can have amazing reception without drinking. As a matter of fact, Ferdy and I only had champagne for the toast at our wedding and the guests partied with us all night long (but then again, maybe it’s our wild families? LOL).
Ferdy and I had something unique happen at the reception. We saw some guests that we’ve now seen at 3 weddings. We first met them in 2006, when we provided DJ services for their daughter Melanie’s wedding in Pearland - hi Melanie and Paul! Then, a few months ago, we saw them at a wedding we did for a couple in Manvel. And last night, there they were again, and the reception was in Richmond! What are the chances of us seeing the same couple at 3 weddings, spread out over Houston? We think the couple is awesome, as they are so nice and just love to dance. So, you know who you are, J & B, and we hope to see you at another wedding reception again!
Something important to mention is that they had no alcohol at their reception. It didn’t matter: it was fun and dancing all night! We often have couples ask us if people won’t dance if there’s no alcohol, but we don’t think so. You can have amazing reception without drinking. As a matter of fact, Ferdy and I only had champagne for the toast at our wedding and the guests partied with us all night long (but then again, maybe it’s our wild families? LOL).
Ferdy and I had something unique happen at the reception. We saw some guests that we’ve now seen at 3 weddings. We first met them in 2006, when we provided DJ services for their daughter Melanie’s wedding in Pearland - hi Melanie and Paul! Then, a few months ago, we saw them at a wedding we did for a couple in Manvel. And last night, there they were again, and the reception was in Richmond! What are the chances of us seeing the same couple at 3 weddings, spread out over Houston? We think the couple is awesome, as they are so nice and just love to dance. So, you know who you are, J & B, and we hope to see you at another wedding reception again!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Congratulations Kim and Pete
We had a blast last Saturday night as we celebrated the wedding of Kim and Pete. They were so much fun! From the first song to the last, the newlyweds and their guests rarely left the dance floor. We loved watching them all dancing like crazy to Baby Got Back. Later, a group of them tried to do the Thriller Dance to Thriller. At one point, some of the guys were trying to dance like Vanilla Ice in his Ice Ice Baby video.
Pete had the coolest groom’s cake – Superman. We loved this because Ferdy also loves Superman. Why we didn’t think about him having a similar groom’s cake I’ll never know. Oh well, maybe when we have a renewal of vows and reception for our 10th anniversary…. (psssst... Ferdy, hint hint hint :-)
The newlyweds got quite a surprise after their exit when they saw their limo. Pete’s best man took care of the limo as a gift, but he never told them what he got. I think it was a black stretch Excursion. Regardless of what it was, it was huge, very long, and awesome!
Don’t let me forget to say how cute Pete and Kim were together. They are sooo in love and it’s obvious to everyone around them. Too cute!
Thanks you two for the great time we had at your reception!
Pete had the coolest groom’s cake – Superman. We loved this because Ferdy also loves Superman. Why we didn’t think about him having a similar groom’s cake I’ll never know. Oh well, maybe when we have a renewal of vows and reception for our 10th anniversary…. (psssst... Ferdy, hint hint hint :-)
The newlyweds got quite a surprise after their exit when they saw their limo. Pete’s best man took care of the limo as a gift, but he never told them what he got. I think it was a black stretch Excursion. Regardless of what it was, it was huge, very long, and awesome!
Don’t let me forget to say how cute Pete and Kim were together. They are sooo in love and it’s obvious to everyone around them. Too cute!
Thanks you two for the great time we had at your reception!
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