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For The DJs: Affordable DJ Furniture by Vision DJ Designs

Disclaimer: We are not endorsed by Vision DJ Designs. From time to time, we find a product or service we use or feel is extremely worth sharing. 

Yesterday we blogged about DJ furniture that we had invested in over the previous 2 years. Fast forward to this past March. The DJ industry received an early Christmas gift – affordable DJ furniture. Right off the bat, you have to know that Vision DJ Designs has owners that get it. Joe Bunn, one of the co-owners of Vision DJ Designs, has been rising in the ranks of the industry elite and has released many educational products for DJs. This is his first foray into the manufacturing business and this product is rock solid.

Joe and and Frank Meldau (the other co-owner of Vision DJ Design) both DJ under Bunn DJ Company out of North Carolina and were tired of DJ’ing on 6 foot skirted banquet tables (sounds familiar). There had to be something better out there…but there wasn’t anything that addressed all their concerns at a reasonable price point. So they built their own and launched DJ Furniture by Vision DJ Designs. In addition to being a DJ, Frank is also a fiberglass expert and has made everything from water slides to giant Christmas balls to sailboats. Joe approached him about making a lightweight, portable, great looking DJ booth, and boom! They did it!

DJ Furniture by Vision DJ Designs

DJ Furniture

 

This product was debuted at the Mobile Beat Las Vegas (an industry show for DJs). Here’s some of the highlights of the piece for us:

Lightweight and portable: This is essential for selling any piece to the the mass DJ market, let alone DJ furniture. Not everybody has a box truck or trailer or extra staff to transport or set-up. This breaks down and fits in two carrying bags. Total weight of the unit is less than 50 pounds. Upon set-up, there are no tools necessary. Takes 5 minutes and you’re ready to rock (I literally sat there with a stopwatch to time it).

Height Specific: One of the things I love about the company is that their product can be sized at the height you want for no additional charge. We have DJs on our team who are over 6 feet tall and some that are at 5 feet or less.  That is a huge disparity that hurts the back of the tall ones and has our shorter DJs reaching for knobs or standing on a box if the height isn’t right. This is a huge win for the DJ industry.

Black or White Color/Customized Top: An advantage for working with a small manufacturer like Vision DJ Designs is that you can get so many things custom at no charge. Black color not your thing and prefer white? Change it. They’ll do it in either color. What if a new DJ controller with different sizing comes out after you buy this DJ furniture? Order a new top only to fit the new controller. This extends the product life of this furniture piece.

All-In-One: The last thing you want to do after spending money on DJ furniture is have cables everywhere. They thought of that too. All the power and speaker XLR plug-ins are hardwired INTO the case.  Genius. 4 cables out of the unit from the front (not in view of the guests) eliminates the need to have to dig inside the unit and thread cables through it.  See below.

DJ Table Vision DJ Designs

 

Affordability: What good is DJ furniture if you can’t afford it?  Out the door, the base price is $999 (no bags). If you get all the bells and whistles (2 carrying bags, pre-wiring and laptop stand), you’re looking at $1899 (and that INCLUDES shipping).

This piece is truly unique and will up your game in front of clients, venues, and vendors! It also shows you care – not just about the performance (that has to be priority number one) but that you also care about the aesthetics. This can increase your value instantly. Give it a look over and order yours today.

New B-Boy Entertainment Option: DJ Furniture

For years, it bothered us. Couples would be spend good money on flowers, linens and other decor items to have a certain aesthetic for the wedding of their dreams.  Then, here we come as the DJ and we’re presented with a 6′ banquet table to set our gear on.  We did our best to mask our cables and gear with a “facade” to present a polished and clean appearance and from the guest point of view, it looked pretty clean but there wasn’t a wow factor.

It also felt much like a kid who hides all their toys under their bed when they know their parents are coming in to do a room inspection or an adult who throws all their clutter in the closet when guests come over. It may appear you’ve pulled one over on them, but inside you know it’s not how you want it to be.  This was the picture (below) that sealed the deal for us that we needed to be better. Making a clean and professional work station is part of what we constantly strive for so now we’ve added it as a New B-Boy Entertainment Option.

New B-Boy Entertainment Option:

The photographer took a picture from our angle of our entertainers and while we love the excitement and look of both of them, we could NEVER use this picture in any of our marketing because it just didn’t sit well with us. It looked messy. Again, the client and guests couldn’t see it from their vantage point but we could. Bottom line, our clients deserved better.

We worked with some designers on some DJ specific furniture to really take our presentation to the next level.  We’ve put together a promo video to showcase it off to you.

Currently, these pieces are only available in our Florida and NYC locations (sorry CA clients). If you’re interesting in ordering a piece for your event, contact us today.  They are in limited supply and booked on a first come, first serve basis.  In our Florida market, we are the only company who offers this.  Have your event stand out from the rest!

B-Boy Productions Spring 2017 Spotify Playlist

Spring 2017 Spotify Playlist

A new season brings a brand new playlist – the B-Boy Productions Spring 2017 Spotify Playlist is here! We say it every time a new playlist comes out but it is so true – the music is as diverse as the DJs on our staff. It spans the spectrum genre-wise once again – from Pop to Latin to Indie to you name it. Just about every genre is represented here so you’re bound to find at least one or two tracks you like. While we have a lot of tracks that are hot off the press, not all are brand new – some of our DJs have included some throwbacks (hello Steely Dan). If you haven’t subscribed to our Spotify Channel, do it today! Happy listening!

Spring 2017 Spotify Playlist

DJ Brian B
Anywhere – Dillon Francis feat. Will Heard
Lovers – StéLouse feat. Brave
Howlin’ To The Moon – Topaz Jones

DJ Charles Egstad
Through The Wire – Kanye West
Deacon Blues – Steely Dan
Mask Off – Future

DJ Dan Davis
Humble – Kendrick Lamar
Epilogue – Keaton Henson
No Witness – LP

DJ Irving G
Elements – Kendrick Lamar
Ispy – Kyle feat. Lil Yachty
Si No Vuelves – Gente De Zona

DJ Jae Richie
Party – Chris Brown, Usher, Gucci
Vivir Mi Vida – Marc Anthony
I Think of You – Jeremih, Big Sean, Chris Brown

DJ Josh B
Perm – Bruno Mars
Andromeda – Gorillaz feat. D.R.A.M.

DJ Josh Woeckener
The Book Of Love – Gavin James
Love Yourself – Mary J Blige, Kanye West
Angels – Chance The Rapper feat. Saba

DJ Shawn Frady
Daisy – Goodbye June
Chainsmoking – Jacob Banks
It Is Well – Toulouse

Brian B Entertains as Wedding DJ at the Emerald Grande Destin Harborview Room

This year I (Brian B) have been booked more and more as a destination event DJ across the country and abroad while growing our New York City operations. When opportunities now come to perform on the Emerald Coast, I relish them. Saturday was no exception. I got back to our Florida regional office performing as a Wedding DJ at the Emerald Grande Destin in the Harborview Room. The Spring weather was exceptional (very little to no humidity). Paired with the amazing Chris Alvarado who handled the ceremony and cocktail hour music, the entertainment was on another level. For an intimate group of 50 guests, this was an extreme musical treat all night and they were blown away. It’s been a few years since I personally worked at the Emerald Grand. One of the things that impressed me the most about the venue is their “pro” client and vendor approach. Cindy and her team couldn’t have been more nice and accommodating to every request of the vendors and the client. In the event industry, this is something that isn’t as common as one would think. Kudos to the Emerald Grande and their team.

Wedding DJ at the Emerald Grande Destin

Venue: Emerald Grande Harborview Room, Destin, FL
Ceremony/Cocktail Hour Guitarist/Vocalist: Chris Alvarado, B-Boy Productions
Headliner DJ/MC: DJ Brian B, B-Boy Productions
Photography: Kansas Pitts Photography
Videography: Silver Shade Studios

One of the things I now appreciate more than ever is that guests were asked to be “present” and not take any photos at the event. This allowed them to soak in every bit of the wedding experience. I honored their request as well and took my picture pre-event. I brought in our plush white facade which accents that room perfectly. With our clean Bose speaker set-up and production lighting, the event was every bit what the bride and groom, Jenny and Greg, had dreamed it would be and more.

Emerald Grande Harborview Room Wedding

Reception Formality Music

    • Grand Entrance (Wedding Party): “Happy” by Pharrell
    • Grand Entrance (Bride/Groom): “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
    • First Dance: “Every Night” by Tyrone Wells
    • Uncle/Bride & Groom/Mother-In-Law Dance: “Mama’s Song” by Carrie Underwood
    • Mother/Son Dance: “Let It Be” by The Beatles
    • Last Dance: “I Get To Love You” by Ruelle

Vendor Spotlight: Defining Moments Wedding & Events of 30A

We’re bringing back our Vendor Spotlight series. Today we get the pleasure of highlighting Defining Moments Wedding & Events of 30A. You can check out their site by clicking here.

Defining Moments Wedding & Events of 30A

Heather Archdeacon-Williams, owner of Defining Moments Weddings and Events

I (Brian) have known and worked with Heather Archdeacon-Williams, who is the principal owner of the company, for over 10 years now.  Shawn Frady, our Florida General Manager, was able to sit down with her for a little Q&A for you all to get to know her better.

SF: Tell me how you got your start in the private event business and catch us up to present day?

HAW: I graduated from Florida State University, with a BA in Mass Media Communications.  For my entire Senior year, I had the opportunity to intern with the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.  During this time, I worked in Entertainment and then Guest Relations.  As part of my job in Guest Relations, I had the chance to work with Disney Special Activities to schedule VIP Tour Guides and tours.  During this time, I was exposed to special events, working corporate park buy-outs overnight.  Between corporate events and VIP tours, I fell in love with special events and the planning & coordination that went alongside of it.  I knew that special events was where I wanted to be.

After graduating from FSU, I worked for 3 years in ticketing and house management for all sections of fine arts in Tallahassee.  I loved it, but always felt like the ultimate destination for me was in weddings.  I applied for a job at the Cottage Rental Agency in Seaside, FL and was given a job offer as I was in route back to Tallahassee.  Not knowing anyone in this area (but captivated by the area), I picked up my life and moved within 3 weeks and was with them for 7 years as the Director of Weddings & Special Events.  Following my time in Seaside, I started my own wedding and special event planning company.  As of the beginning of April, Defining Moments Wedding & Events just celebrated our 5-year anniversary in business.  I absolutely love it!  I can’t image not being in weddings.

SF: Geographically, what areas do you cover?

HAW: I still do quite a few weddings in the Seaside and surrounding area, but now I work all up and down Highway 30A, as well as into Sandestin and Destin.

SF: Describe your ideal client. What are some characteristics you look for?

HAW: I love clients who can see the bigger picture.  It’s not just one day in their life but starting the rest of their life together. The little details are very important and can help personalize a wedding so much, but I think if a client can experience and enjoy the process, while still seeing the bigger picture, then they are going to enjoy it all so much more. This is the beginning of a new chapter of their life.

SF: What is Defining Moments Wedding & Events’ calling card?  What makes you stand out?

HAW: We are client focused. Everything we do is about them. We’re here to guide them through the entire process in making recommendations, finding things that are going to fit their personality and style because at the end of the day it’s their wedding, not ours. I tell prospective clients all the time, “We are not a “wedding factory” and we limit the amount of clients that we take on annually.  We don’t do multiple full-service bookings on a weekend.  This is so that  we can truly focus on each individual event and give our full attention to that one client.” Our couples should feel like they are the only ones getting married that year for us.

SF: If you had to pick your favorite thing about your job, what would that be?

HAW: Every day is different and unique.  I also love the fact that I get to be a part of an important chapter in this couple’s lives.  Not a lot of people can say that they get this opportunity in their careers.

SF: Do you have any tips you’d give to a bride and groom for a successful wedding?

HAW: Know your venue and asking about any potential challenges with the venue so nothing comes as a surprise (sound ordinance, parking, etc.). Also, I think it’s important to develop a personal relationship with the vendors you are working with because they are going to be locking arms with you for the next several months to make this wedding happen.  You have to be able to get along and trust them. If there’s not a personal connection, they may not be the right vendor for you.  But most importantly, I encourage my clients to take it all in on the wedding day.  It goes by so fast. So try to take time to truly experience it.  It is a very surreal experience. It is important to be able to stop for a moment, look around and realize that you are surrounded by the people you love the most and are closest to you instead of getting caught in all the little things that might come up.

SF: Because we are an entertainment company, I have to ask, what is your favorite wedding dance song?

HAW: Proud Mary by Tina Turner! I love it. I think it’s a classic. It crosses generational boundaries – grandma knows it, mom and her girlfriends are going to absolutely love it, bridesmaids and girls in general are going to get up and dance to that song. It’s got a great build to it and eventually gets everybody out on the dance floor.

SF: What’s an interesting fact that we may not know about you?

HAW: My father was a Radio DJ for country music.  He had a weekday morning show and was in radio from the time he was 15 until the day he died. No joke!  He LOVED what he did for a living (he always said that “it wasn’t work, but fun”) and I always admired that so very much.

——

From a business standpoint, Defining Moments Wedding & Events of 30A with Heather is fantastic to work with. She makes our staff’s lives so easy.  We just need to walk in our lane and do our part and everything falls into place. Personally, Heather is one of the nicest people we know. Her business is a true reflection of who she is. Any bride or groom would be lucky to have a planner like Heather. We are glad to recommend a person who’s company shares some of the same values we place such at a high priority.

Bboy Gives Back for Autism ECAC Golf Tourney | #bboygivesback

 

Did you know that April is National Autism Awareness month? We felt like this was a perfect time to call attention to one of our #bboygivesback non-profit partners, Emerald Coast Autism Center (ECAC). The staff at ECAC have a big job on their hands. Studies indicate that 1 in 68 children in the United States can be diagnosed as having autism spectrum disorder. These children will face innumerable challenges in life that many of us will never fully understand. But the good people at ECAC have put themselves on the frontline to face these challenges right alongside the youngsters they affect. It takes guts. It takes resolve. It takes a big heart. And it takes having a lot of support.

Bboy Gives Back for Autism and honored to do so…

That’s why B-Boy Productions was honored to play a role in the 5th Annual “Hole in ONE” Golf Tournament. The “ONE” in the event’s title is inspired by the “1 in 68” statistic, as a reminder of what — or rather, who — this charity fundraiser is aiming to help. Held at the prestigious Blackstone Golf Course in DeFuniak Springs, FL, the tournament raised funds for ECAC’s Capital Campaign, funding their newly-built facility on the Northwest Florida State College campus in Niceville, FL. This new state-of-the-art therapy center provides ECAC the opportunity to accommodate more students, and to offer them each a better, more effective therapy experience, while also ensuring a more substantial future for the center itself.

Golfers from all over the area, both seasoned and — not so seasoned, came out to support the cause. B-Boy Productions was there, with DJ Josh B. providing audio support and MC duties for the “shot gun start” opening ceremony and announcements. Hours later, as players returned from their rounds to the clubhouse, DJ Josh was there to provide music for the after party. He bolstered the tournament’s award presentations with a soundtrack of victory tunes, and kept a lively mix going throughout the many raffle giveaways.

DJ Josh B #bboygivesback

We also brought some of our B-Boy team to participate as golfers in the tournament. It was obvious by the end of the day that none of our team will be pursuing a golf career.  Our sweet spot is behind the decks and rocking parties. That said, it was a great time for some of our DJs to hang outside of the office and get to know some of the ECAC staff, partners and donors.

ECAC Golf Tourney #bboygivesback

B-Boy Staff (pictured from left): Kody Toman, Josh Woeckener, Daniel Davis, Shawn Frady

 

B-Boy Productions says thank you to Emerald Coast Autism Center for the work that they do, and for the opportunity to do what we do in support of their fight against the challenges of autism.

Band vs DJ – Everything you need to know to find the right music for your wedding

 We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams, wandering by lone sea-breakers, and sitting by desolate streams;—World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world for ever, it seems. Arthur O’Shaughnessy

Choosing a Band or DJ…So, how do you find the right music for your wedding?

The question as to whether to hire a band vs DJ for a wedding reception isn’t a new one. Let’s be honest – the band was and still is king of wedding entertainment as far as most couple’s perceptions go.  The DJ has been playing catch-up since making a significant presence in the wedding industry during the 1980s and the gap is definitely closing. Though our company’s bread and butter is our DJ service, we have two bands on our roster that we book out regularly.

find the right music for your wedding

There are a few different factors that you should consider when deciding on your type of wedding entertainment:

BUDGET: Most wedding bands will be composed of at least 4 pieces but will more likely be a minimum of 6-7 pieces. Based on the sheer amount of people in the band, plus rider requirements, there is often a wide margin between the cost of a live band versus a DJ/MC for your wedding. Depending on the amount of production (including a lighting tech, separate MC, etc.) and the talent level/name recognition, a DJ could get close to the band rate but often this is not the case.

THE LIVE ELEMENT: There is something to be said about the “live” element of a band. The music can feel more alive and the great bands have vocalists that are fantastic at interacting with the crowd. That is a huge positive for a band. One drawback, however, is that bands typically will take breaks throughout their events utilizing an iPad or house music to fill the time they’re gone. DJs don’t require breaks and live-mixing tracks can give guests the feeling that the entertainment never stops. Couple this with great crowd interaction from a talented DJ/MC and you can have an entertainer that feels every bit as present.

SPACE: Depending on the size of both the band and the venue, this should not be overlooked. Bands aren’t just the talent and their instruments.  There is significant more “backline” (amps, monitors, staging, etc.).  If you have a big ballroom with a modest crowd size, this is no doubt a positive as it’ll fill the space and make it feel like a packed house. However if your venue has limited space. the live band may take up too large of a footprint. Conversely, a DJ has lower space requirements, only needing enough room for speakers, lighting and their DJ equipment.

MUSIC LIBRARY: For some, this is a deal breaker.  A band will provide the couple with a playlist of what they can play at their wedding. This is fantastic if you like everything on their list.  Another advantage is that you know the boundaries of exactly what they will/won’t play. The negative is having guests ask for songs not on their list or if you want a specific song for your formality dance(s) and need the band to learn some material.  Not all bands are willing to learn new music and those that do, may charge for it (understandable, as it may be a song they will only ever play for your event).  A DJ, on the other hand, should have more music on hand than can possibly be played at your event. This advantage has your wedding DJ ready for any request that may come their way or if they sense a shift in where to take the crowd and need to make adjustments during the reception.

MC VALUE: Not always talked about, the MC component is critical. The great bands have a lead vocalist trained in wedding protocol to make the traditional announcements.  The same could be said for DJs.  The great DJs should have gone through an MC course to know how to segue through formalities and lead the evening. Our entire staff goes through an 18 week MC course before ever stepping in front of a wedding crowd. It’s that important to us. As an entertainment expert, let me say this: The MC component will make or break the entertainment portion of your event. Worst case scenario, the DJ or band loses power, are they trained to deal with being able to keep the party going somehow? One wise person I know said, “You should entertain as if the whole crowd is blind and can’t see what’s happening on the dance floor.  If you’re leading them with your voice and not just the music, they’ll know how good the party is.”  There’s a lot of truth in that. The best way to check the skill set is to ask for video. Here’s a simple video from a go-pro of one of our DJs and within 2 minutes you can tell this MC is extremely proficient.

Band or DJ: Why not BOTH?!

Here’s an idea: why not combine the two and get the best of both worlds?  In this scenario, the band generally takes the lead (at least in the beginning of the night). Here’s a few ideas of how this could work:

BAND PLUS MC ONLY: As stated above, the great DJs should be polished MCs.  If nothing else, hire someone for this element along with the band.  They will take off the pressure from a band where this may not be their strong suit.  The MC can handle the grand entrance, formality dance(s), and other necessary announcing as needed in an articulate, professional manner. With no DJ gear necessary, this could potentially warrant a discounted rate as well.

BAND PLUS DJ/MC: The advantage to this is not only can you address the MC concern mentioned above, but now you have the DJ to fill in the gaps musically when the band goes on breaks or they need to play songs that the band doesn’t know. The shift back and forth in energy from band to DJ can be a good thing with excellent entertainers that know know how to work off one another. NOTE: It’s critical for the DJ to get the band song list ahead of time and not step on toes and play music that the band is planning on playing. DJs have more flexibility music-wise and should adjust around the band’s song list.

BAND PLUS AFTER PARTY DJ: For those that don’t want the party to stop and are looking to add a twist to the entertainment, this is a great option. As soon as the band is done, the guests walk to a different room or venue and a DJ is there ready to rock the hardcore party crowd.  Add in some late night snacks and beverages and it has the potential to be what everyone is talking about the next day.

 

Every couple is unique and your wedding entertainment should fit what you’re looking for. We offer both Bands and DJs for that very reason. Need more ideas? Contact us and we’ll be glad to talk through what your vision is for your wedding day and guide you as best we can.

Fort Walton Beach Wedding Venue, WaterVue At Brooks Street | Keith & Jennifer

Wedding season is upon us again, and 2017 started off with a BANG for me (DJ Dan Davis) at WaterVue At Brooks St. for Keith & Jennifer Bivins’ wedding. Watervue is such a great Fort Walton Beach Wedding Venue. The weather was absolutely perfect. We had met the bride and groom at a wedding showcase of ours over a year ago at this very location. This venue is one of our favorites in the Fort Walton Beach area and I got a chance to work with an amazing group of vendors (some for the very first time).

Watervue At Brooks Street Wedding

 

Venue: WaterVue at Brooks Street, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Coordination: Jeanie Scott, Swiss Luxeries
Florals/Design: The Bloomgirl Destin
Headliner DJ/MC: DJ Dan Davis, B-Boy Productions
Photography: Alexandria White Photography
Caterer: Culinary Catering 365

I had a career first happen at Jennifer and Keith’s wedding. Keith’s mother, unfortunately, had passed away recently so instead of a traditional Mother and Son formality dance, Keith and his step-daughter, Lydia, shared a dance together to…. “Everything is AWESOME!” from The Lego Movie!” Their crowd had great energy, and it wasn’t long before we were dancing the night away!”

Fort Walton Beach Wedding Venue

 

Reception Formality Music

    • Grand Entrance (Wedding Party): “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
    • Grand Entrance (Bride/Groom): “Everytime We Touch” by Cascada
    • First Dance: “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker
    • Father/Daughter Dance: “Unforgettable,” by Nat & Natalie King Cole
    • Step-Father/Step-Daughter: “Everything is Awesome” by Teagan & Sara and The Lonely Island
    • Cake Cut: “Sugar Sugar” by The Archies
    • Bouquet Toss: “Sugar Sugar” by The Archies
    • Garter Removal: “You Can Leave Your Hat on” by Joe Cocker
    • Garter Toss: “Sexy And I Know It” by LMFAO

Fort Walton Beach Wedding

Spring Wedding At The Henderson Wedding Venue In Destin

The Radigan-Noonan Spring wedding At The Henderson in Destin, FL was an affair to remember. This is the hottest new property in the area and definitely the hottest new Wedding Venue in Destin. There was a bit of cloud cover lingering above the horizon before the prelude and I (Josh, the DJ/MC) mentioned to Mike, the groom, that the sunset pictures were going to be amazing. I was not wrong!

Wedding Venue In Destin

Venue: The Henderson, Destin, FL
Coordination: Sherri Kuhn, Destin To Wed
Florals/Design: Bella Flora 30A
Officiant: Barry Carpenter, B-Boy Productions
Headliner DJ/MC: DJ Josh Woeckener, B-Boy Productions
Photography: Michael K Photography
Cake: Bake My Day
Photo Booth: B-Boy Photo Booths

The ceremony was a classical/classy moment with the Wedding Party walking into “Canon in D”, the bride came down the aisle to “Marry Me” by Train and the recessional was “The Arrival of Queen Sheba” by Handel. Transitioning to the Terrace for cocktail hour, the guests were serenaded by a large array of selections from artists including The Goo Goo Dolls, Frank Sinatra, Adele, and The Police.

Reception Formality Music

      • Grand Entrance: “I Gotta Feelin” by Black Eyed Peas
      • First Dance: “All Of Me” by John Legend
      • Cake Cut: “Sugar” by Maroon 5
      • Last Dance: “Signed Sealed Delivered” by Stevie Wonder

With very few formalities, it was a night full of dancing. My favorite musical transition of the night was “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran into “Faith” By George Michael. “Faith” was one of their ‘must plays’ and it was cool to be able to blend the older with the new and the tempos and keys seemed to go together perfectly. It was a GREAT dancing crowd. As guests enjoyed dancing, they also took full advantage of the photo booth. What a way to set the tone for the first wedding of the Spring season at The Henderson.

B-Boy Photo Booths

How Long Should Your Reception last and What You Can do Without

With wedding season here, we thought we’d address 2 topics that have been huge conversation pieces with our brides and grooms during our sales consultations and creative planning meetings. The first is “How Long Should Your Reception last”. This is based on two things: your attendance count and the meal type (buffet or plated). With large guest counts, this typically means large families and wedding parties. Photos can take a bit longer, there are more toasts, and dinner will take longer regardless of meal type. The ideal wedding reception ends with a packed dance floor and the bride/groom having to decide whether or not to go a little longer. Some guidelines would be for 50-150 people, a 3-4 hour time frame is generally perfect. For every 50-100 people over, add an hour. So if you had between 200-250, you’re looking at a 4-5 hour time frame. If you have a plated dinner as opposed to a buffet, add 30 minutes for each additional course to the times listed above. The extra 30 minutes accounts for taking orders and the extra course delivery/clean-up. Anything less than a 3 hour event for 50+ attendees would feel rushed so give yourself at least that amount of time.

How Long Should Your Reception last

We also get couples asking us what they can take out of the formalities to have more time for dancing because they have a real party crowd. Let this be your rule of thumb: there are no rules. In this day and age, you can do whatever you want so don’t feel restricted by tradition or what everyone else is doing. That said, here’s a few suggestions:

*Grand Entrance: Just introduce the couple of honor. This can shave anywhere between 5-10 minutes from the beginning of the reception.

*Formality Dances: Combine 2 or all 3. Obviously, you want each person to feel special and get those important photos. We’ve had a dance start with just the bride/groom and then we ask the parents to join them about half way through. Going this route, you take 9 minutes worth of dances and get it down to 2-3 minutes. If you want to have the first dance with just your spouse, another way is to combine just the parents dances. Start with the father/daughter and then ask the groom and his mom to join halfway in.

*Move Toasts To The Rehearsal Dinner: Generally most rehearsal dinners don’t have time limits and everyone can be given a platform to speak. Toasts these days can go anywhere from 10-20 minutes so this is a great way to recoup some time.

*No Cake Cut: This has really started to trend with going away altogether in lieu of tiered cupcakes or donuts or a dessert station and just having the DJ/MC announce when it’s open. This is a 5-10 minute formality time saver.

*No Tosses: Another trend starting to develop is no garter removal/toss. We’re seeing this less and less. If you remove the bouquet toss as well, you’re looking at a pick-up of at least 10-15 minutes. If you want to give away the bouquet, think about having the DJ/MC honor the longest married couple and give it to them. It’s a cool moment that can be created during dinner with no time taken away from dancing.

If you incorporate these tips, you’re looking at giving you and your guests anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour of extra dance time. Want more ideas? Don’t hesitate in contacting us. We’d be glad to help.