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Grand Entrance Wedding Suggestions For 2016

The flood of Grand Entrance songs of 2015 have swept through the Gulf Coast and, fortunately, left very little damage to our ear drums (inside hurricane joke for our Florida panhandle folks). With the passing of every year, there seems to be a couple of songs that are much like the belligerent guests that linger way too long after the party is over. Despite their generous advances of gear consultation and musical expertise, you can’t help but think to yourself, “Why are you still here?” Fortunately for us, the majority of good entrance songs overwhelmed the not so great.

Grand Entrance Songs 2016

We believe that the Grand Entrance is one of the most important moments of a wedding reception. It is the first real preview your guests get of what this party will be like. Like any great writer will tell you, it’s imperative to start well and end well. The Grand Entrance is the moment the superstars of the night are introduced to their guests and they, in turn, are introduced to their party. The ending or finale should be the confirmation of what was declared in the beginning. Any polished and aware DJ/MC will know how to help form this. Choosing the right Grand Entrance song to fit your style is an important aspect of the planning process. This task can be fun and off the cuff or maybe a bit stressful. The aim of this post is to hopefully give you some gems from this past year and maybe steer you in the right direction. Below is our list of the top ten most popular Grand Entrance songs of the past year in no particular order (according to our clients).

Adventure Of A Lifetime – Coldplay
Coldplay absolutely kills it with this track. If you’re looking for fresh, electronic pop rock, this is the song for you.

Shut Up and Dance – Walk The Moon
Quirky, indie/dance rock track. Great party starter for sure. *Quote from the band on the song: “We kind of wanted to write a dork rock anthem for all of those poor souls like us.” If you want to save this for your dance set, then play the instrumental (we do this often) for the Grand Entrance.

Marry You – Bruno Mars
Classic summertime pop track. Perfect for weddings. I mean it has the word “marry” in it!

Feels So Close – Calvin Harris
Catchy, synth powered ear worm.

Uptown Funk – Bruno Mars
Instant classic. Throwback Prince homage of sorts.

Get Lucky – Daft Punk
Futuristic rock with a disco/funk feel.

Cake By The Ocean – DNCE
Fun, fresh pop rock feel.

How You Like Me Now – The Heavy
You may not know this track by name, but we guarantee you’ve heard it. Check it out HERE!

Chris Brown- Zero
Fresh electronic, disco/funk pop song.

Anything we should add to the list? Comment below.

Destination Wedding Tips | Weather Contingency Plan

I’ve always loved the quote by Benjamin Franklin, “If you fail to plan, you plan to to fail.” There’s a ton of truth in that.  If you’re looking at having your wedding in the panhandle of Florida, this should be your battle cry.  Maybe you saw the beautiful beaches and are dreaming of having a picturesque ceremony take place on the white sand followed by an outdoor wedding reception on a lawn or deck.  Sounds amazing right?  I wish I could say that this perfect scenario plays out for all of our weddings but every now and then mother nature decides to throw some curve balls.  Although rain on your wedding day is a sign of good luck, this can wreak havoc on all the hard work you’ve put into your wedding plans and add some unnecessary stress.  With over 9 years in the Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, 30-A, and Fort Walton Beach area, let us give your some helpful destination wedding tips.

Wedding Rain Plan DJ

#1: Choose your wedding venue carefully.
You’d think this was a no-brainer but not all event venues (especially in the panhandle) are equipped with a back-up indoor space.  So ask these venues the right questions.  Here’s a few:

  • If my event is outside, do you have indoor space in case of rain?  If so, is it available to us and what is the cost?
  • If there are multiple weddings at your venue, how do you decide who gets what room?
  • When do you make a rain call to move things inside?
  • If there are no indoor options, will the venue allow us to rent a tent?


#2: Speaking of tents, put down a deposit upon booking your venue!
A lot of our destination clients can wait for the rain to pass to get in their 20 minute ceremony but if there are having their reception outdoors at say a beach house or a venue that has no indoor space, there is a chance the rain may come back again.  You then find yourself in a pickle because so many of your reception elements have to be preset (tables, centerpieces, cutlery, cake, etc.).  The best thing to do is reserve a tent as soon as you lock in your date and venue.  While the deposit is generally non-refundable, you can’t afford NOT to do this.  Like having an insurance policy, it’s not until you need it that you wish you had it.  With so many weddings happening in the area, the last thing you want to do is wait until the “day of” and play Russian roulette with the tent companies.  If you can find one that is available, chances are the rates are going to be high due to supply and demand.


#3: Find out your vendor’s policies are regarding rain.
If your vendor is contracted for a certain amount of hours and there is a weather delay, do they charge extra for any time overage?  Will they even work out in the rain?  

As an entertainment company, rain is an obvious concern for us.  We strive to do all we can to accommodate our client’s wishes, but we can’t put the couple’s event, their guests’ safety, our employees’ safety or the gear in jeopardy.  Chances are that same gear is booked out the very next day for another client’s wedding.  For our live musicians, unless they are under a covered area, they can’t play in the rain with their personal instruments.  For our DJs and Photo Booth personnel, we have a 3 strike policy when it comes to rain. Assuming it’s dry, we will set-up as planned outside until the first few drops of rain.  Once that occurs, we will pull all gear until the rain stops so we can minimize any damage and hopefully continue on without any hiccups due to water damage.  The client has the option at that point to move our team inside (we’ll reset at no cost to the client) or wait until it stops and we’ll re-set outside again as fast as we can to reduce the time delay. If it rains a second time outside on the gear, we have to strike the gear until an indoor solution can be figured out.

In the last two years, we’ve had a ton of rain during wedding season on the Emerald Coast.  These tips, if followed, will allow this rain to slide right off as you move on to an even more fabulous Plan B.  We know this area like the back of our hand so if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Grandma Didn’t Make It | Awkward Wedding Situations

This is our final installment of the most “Awkward Wedding situations we’ve seens as DJs” series. We hope we’ve provided a little humor for you.  After almost 20 years in the wedding DJ business, we can tell you that weddings, in and of themselves, make for great stories. With the exception of a few minor glitches, most turn out as planned, but in some rare cases, the “glitches” can be a bit more….well…interesting. As a matter of fact, some can be downright awkward.

Obviously, the awkward ones make the most interesting stories. We whittled it down to the top 5 and they are told by our entertainers themselves.

NOTE: To protect the innocent, we have purposefully left out names but beyond that, I assure you that none of this has been embellished.  If you’re in the industry, I’m sure you will sympathize with us.  If you’re a soon to be bride or groom or a general reader, this may have you shaking your head.

Awkward Wedding Situations

This definitely gives a whole new meaning to the phrase lost in the translation.  As the manager on duty, I had the night off from actually DJ’ing while our other entertainers were working.  I get a text from one of our ceremony musicians that one of the grandmas cut her leg as she was walking down to the beach for the ceremony, and she was losing so much blood that they had to call an ambulance.

They had to take her to the hospital and the ceremony was delayed for almost an hour. I texted our DJs so they could be aware of the situation before the reception started.  Our ceremony guitarist was distraught about what happened and he said he felt bad for the family as he could see the look of disappointment and worry written across their faces.  I told him I’d keep him posted on what ended up happening.

About 30 minutes into the reception, I sent a text to one of our DJs to see how everything was going.  He said it was a tough crowd because everyone was bummed about the grandmother.  I asked him if he had any updates on her condition and his reply made my heart sink.  His text read, “Grandma didn’t make it.”  I texted him back and asked him if he was sure and he said the nurse called the family and told them.

I couldn’t believe it.  I mean, I understand losing blood in your leg can be serious, but death?  I had never had a death occur at an event, so as you can imagine, I had no idea how to deal with it. I texted our guitarist and his level of shock was equal to mine.

Come to find out, our DJ left out some key information.  Apparently grandma didn’t make it TO THE RECEPTION!  What a difference a few words make, huh?  Of course, I didn’t get this info until after the reception when I talked to the DJ on the phone.

A happy ending was still on the horizon, however, as the grandmother did finally make it to the reception.  Our guys did a special “grand entrance announcement” mid-reception just for her when she arrived and the party went off without any deaths whatsoever.  Needless to say, I’ve made sure to tell our entertainers to over-communicate when it comes to texting me anything.

To see more humorous wedding stories, click here!

Vendor Spotlight: Christina D’Asaro Design

“What I’m most amazed by is how you can change the entire dynamic of an event simply by the pieces of paper that you hand out to your guests.”

Those were my words to Christina of Christina D’Asaro Design the day we sat down to look at her portfolio. She specializes in custom paper-based products – everything from event invitations, to hand-held fans for an outdoor event, to coasters, to accordion-style programs for weddings. Her passion is to enable people to carry out the vision of their event from start to finish – from the second a guest receives their invitation to the moment they leave with party favors adorned with custom-printed labels.

Christina D'Asaro original coaster design

Christina D’Asaro original coaster design

Christina has a background in Fine and Visual Arts and a B.S. in Communications from Boston University. She spent ten years helping top-tier companies effectively market and brand themselves, and then, with her love of all things paper and her years of professionalism and experience, she left to create her own design company.

Christina D'Asaro Custom Favor Bags

Christina D’Asaro Custom Favor Bags

Christina provides personal consulting for her customers, and invests the time to get to know them well. She finds out what they care about, what they love, what they dislike, and if it’s a wedding, she gets to know the bride and groom’s story. She is then able to think outside the box, guided by the personality of her clients, to make their events come to life in ways they may not have otherwise known possible.

Christina D'Asaro Custom Save the Date

Christina D’Asaro Custom Save the Date

Christina D'Asaro Custom Save the Date

Christina D’Asaro Custom Save the Date

That’s what is so special about Christina – she pays attention to what her clients love and invents new ways to showcase it. She finds what’s special and makes sure it’s emphasized.

For a couple’s shower at a horse race track, she not only designed a beautiful invitation, but she also custom made bidding tickets that, instead of having horses to bid on, had trivia about the bride and groom. Far from being a formality, these unique pieces reinforced the summertime derby vibe that the couple wanted to bring to life.

Christina D'Asaro Custom Betting Slips

Christina D’Asaro Custom Betting Slips

Christina D'Asaro Custom Invitation

Christina D’Asaro Custom Invitation

Another great example of her creative concepts are “advice cards” for a wedding that depicted various scenarios. One said “When they have their first fight as a married couple.” Another said, “When they buy their first house,” and another, “When they have their first child,” etc. Guests could provide their piece of advice for the bride and groom, and place it in a box for the bride and groom to take with them to read and enjoy on their honeymoon. I told her how much that would change the reception – I could just see all of the guests going from table to table, trying to figure out how many different questions there were and what pieces of advice their friends and relatives gave. It’s these simple elements Christina creates that can add to the fun for guests and also serve as a great gift for the newlyweds.

If those examples aren’t custom enough for you, she can put her fine arts background to work. For one wedding that she did at the Bryant Park Grill, she hand-sketched the entrance and a side view of the venue. She then scaled down the one the client preferred and placed it on several pieces she created for the event. She did the same using watercolors to create safari animals for a custom photo album, given as a gift.

This attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile are what set Christina D’Asaro and her designs apart. Her level of skill and level of attention to her clients are rare even on their own, but together they make her an asset to anyone who is looking for custom-designed paper goods that help tell their story.

Christina D'Asaro Custom RSVP, Envelope, and Stamp

Christina D’Asaro Custom RSVP, Envelope, and Stamp

Christina D'Asaro Custom Gift Bag Tags

Christina D’Asaro Custom Gift Bag Tags

 

DJ Spotlight: Graeme Cowgill

This week we’re excited to brag about one of our own – Graeme Cowgill. Graeme has been with BBoy since 2008, and has been one of our most-requested DJs for quite some time! He’s based out of California, and in true Cali fashion is one of the most “chill” people you could ever meet. We’re excited to share some fun facts and insights into the very tall man behind the DJ booth.

Graeme Cowgill

Q: Why did you decide to be a DJ?

A: I actually just got into it because my wife needed a DJ for an event, and I had a significant musical background – my mom used to be in operas. I have an eclectic music taste, so I decided I would give it a shot. I stayed with it because I just really enjoy using this skill that I’m blessed with. Wedding coordinators and venue people aren’t always treated the best, so I enjoy using the platform I have to really get to know them and make them feel valued.

Q: What’s your favorite part about being a DJ?

A: I enjoy DJing, and I’m not bad at it, but I’m certainly not the greatest. My favorite part about doing so many events is being able to connect with the audience, the bridal party and the bride and groom. I really let their personalities run the show. With weddings, the entire event is based on the relationship between bride and groom, and that needs to be carried out through the whole experience. I love the formalities of weddings when personalities come out.

Graeme Cowgill

Q: What’s the weirdest song request that you’ve ever gotten?

A: One time, an eight-year old requested Peter, Paul, and Mary. It would have just murdered the party, but I had no idea how to respond. I didn’t want to say no because it would’ve ruined her life, but to say yes, the wedding would have just ended right there. “Puff the Magic Dragon” just wasn’t going to kick it right then. I didn’t play it.

Q: Ever witnessed any strange or terrible wedding toasts?

A: The best and weirdest toast was when one guy during an open mic toast said to the bride and groom, “It just looks like you’re meant for him and that he’s meant for you. So it’s kinda like ‘Matrix Revolution.’” And then he sat down.

Q: What do you do when you’re not DJing?

A: I work for FCA Volleyball in Southern California. I meet with different coaches and, during the summer, manage a team of forty-two interns. I also used to be a youth pastor in the panhandle of Florida, which is where I grew used to being in front of a large crowd.

FCA volleyball tournament

FCA volleyball tournament

Q: Any good stories from those days?

A: Oh, so many. One time I let some kids borrow my truck to pick up a gumball machine, and they brought it back absolutely covered in paint. They said they got in a paint war, which I didn’t even know existed.

Q: Any advice to DJs or wannabe DJs out there?

A: From an events perspective, the biggest thing is to be someone people feel comfortable with. The vendor, wedding coordinator and DJ – we are all hired so that the bride and groom can relax on their big day and not have to worry about logistics. Meet and talk with the bride and groom before the event. Establish a relationship so that they know they’re taken care of and so that you’re taken care of in the unusual event of something going wrong. There’s a lot of grace established when there’s a relationship.

Lastly, I used to be super nervous because I was responsible for so much on someone’s big day. I used to have my announcements printed out, but the quicker I went from having it printed to just being myself was always good. I realized that people aren’t buying my announcement skills; they’re buying my personality. So I let that show instead of trying to be perfect.

July and August Event Recap – in Photos!

So far, event season 2013 has been filled with special events, bright smiles, delicious details and memorable moments. Here’s a recap of some of the fun in July and August.

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A trendy cake with succulents! Mmmmm.

A trendy cake with succulents! Mmmmm.

 

And an equally trendy cupcake station – with gluten free option!

And an equally trendy cupcake station – with gluten free option!

 

We’ve been rockin’ events from NY …

We’ve been rockin’ events from NY …

 

To California …

To California …

 

To Florida … and many points in between.

To Florida … and many points in between.

 

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The DJ has ‘em all lined up for a dance!

The DJ has ‘em all lined up for a dance!

 

And then the bride busts a move!

And then the bride busts a move!

 

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As you can tell, we always have a lot of fun! Want to party with us? Hit us up! You can get a FREE consultation, right here on our website!

 

Your B-Boy Entertainer is the Best of the Best – Here’s Why!

You're Hired

Written By Brian Buonassissi, Managing Partner of B-Boy Productions, Inc.

The single most important job I have on the management side of the business is making the right hires. There are other things that matter but the business is driven by the people in it and believe it or not, talent of the individual is not the first thing I look for. Here are 3 things I look for in our entertainers and why it should matter to our clients.

#1: Are they customer service minded?
This is the first thing I assess in a potential hire. Artists/Entertainers generally get a bad rap for being selfish and having a diva-like personality and there’s a fair amount of truth to that. However, the private event world is the epitome of the customer service business. We look for people who are willing to go the extra mile for our clients – whether that means getting to the venue earlier than required or staying at the event later if needed, adjusting to last minute changes or looking for the little things to add to the event that will make the day special. If they don’t cut it here, there’s no need to go to #2 or #3. How do we qualify this in an individual? I look for a few things.

*Have they been in the service industry sector before (i.e. bartender, server, hospitality, banker, lawn care, commission based sales, etc.)? Folks who have worked in those industries know that their income and job security depend on the relationships they make with their clients/customers. Those that succeed are usually outgoing, personable, and generally well-liked. This translates well to being a private event entertainer.

*Do they participate in any volunteer work and/or community service on a regular basis? This could include serving at their religious institution, animal rescue, nursing home, mentoring, tutoring, etc. This area is also critical. Giving of your time and talents says so much about an individual. It means they put others above themselves in a very visible way. It also shows me that they are good with time management because this is usually above and beyond their normal day to day schedule. Lastly, it shows me that they possess passion. That is hard to fake because if it’s not genuine, it won’t be sustainable.

*How do they handle pressure? It is a running joke amongst our staff that one of my “Brian-isms” I say often is, “Expect the unexpected,” when they are on a job. At an event, it can run the gamut – weather problems, venue issues, gear glitches, etc. – so it’s imperative that the entertainer (who is typically the face of the event) is somebody who is calm, collected and can navigate through these hurdles. I always ask in an interview process, “Has there been a time where things have not gone your way? How have you handled that? Is that a comfortable place for you?”

#2: How do they present themselves?
At first glance, this may sound rather vain and you may be thinking, “You mean, you select your hires based on their looks?” Whether we want to admit it or not, looks matter – especially in the private event world. Professional photographers are constantly snapping photos at private events, some clients may hire videographers and this potential entertainer could end up on a client’s video for years to come. So yes, looks matter. But that only tells part of the story. When I interview someone who is well put together, it means that they took some time with their appearance. I’m not expecting Armani suits or salon-esque hair styling (although that wouldn’t be a bad thing), but how they look does convey to me whether or not they care. Also, these people are usually in shape. Staying in shape takes intentional time carved out of their day to exercise at the gym and eat right. It gives me more confirmation of their ability to manage their time which, again, is crucial to being an entertainer for our company. I also look to their social networking posts (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, etc.). How are they communicating on a daily basis? Are they generally a positive person or constantly irritable and complaining? A lot of written correspondence occurs between our clients and entertainers so it’s important that I can see what their natural, everyday writing ability is like. Lastly, I listen to their speech during an interview. How do they phrase their answers? Public speaking is at least 50% of our job as an entertainer and while this can and is taught to all of our entertainers, the learning curve can be minimal if they are able to articulate themselves verbally in a concise, professional manner.

#3: Would you pay a cover to watch them perform?
When it comes to live musicians, this is very easy to quantify. I’m looking for something unique and special about the entertainer. We have never settled in this arena for the “status quo” private event musician. Everybody on our roster is extremely talented and the type of act you’d pay  to watch. When it comes to our DJs/MCs, it’s a little different because we train them from the ground up in most cases. It’s more about seeing the potential in someone much like a team talent scout would do in evaluating an athlete. As I’ve gotten older and done this more often, I tend to pick the right ones and rarely miss. When we send the DJ/MC out completely trained (which for us takes a full year to do), our clients will feel like their money was well spent and that’s important to us.

Through this post, I hope you’ve gotten a little glimpse into what goes into our hiring process. It isn’t about making the quick dollar for us. We have an extremely rigid vetting process when it comes to hires and those that we bring on, are generally with us a long time. You can be assured you’re in good hands with a B-Boy Productions, Inc. entertainer. We currently still have availability for 2013 so contact us today to book an entertainer for your event. For a complete list of our staff, go here.

Songs for Wedding Reception Formalities – Part 3

Taking Off Garter

Photo courtesy of (c) Michael K Photography

It’s time to wrap up our 3 part series on wedding reception formality music.  The Grand Entrance and main family dances are all pretty well known.  But what other formalities do you need music for?  This post is going to answer just that.  Here are the typical ones:

  • Toasts
  • Bridal Party Dance
  • Cake Cut
  • Bouquet Toss
  • Garter Removal
  • Garter Toss
  • Money Dance/Dollar Dance

 

Most people wouldn’t even think about needing music for these areas but picking the right tunes can definitely be the “icing on the cake” to your reception.  While the Grand Entrance music sets the tone, these formality song choices build on the theme/vibe you’ve selected for your party.  Let’s jump right into it.


Toasts
The toast music could also be referred to as walking music.  Think about live productions like the Grammy’s, Oscars or variety shows.  When someone wins an award or a transition occurs, there’s typically always background music being played.  Why is this important?  It keeps the dreaded (and awkward) “dead air” from occurring and the energy from dying off.  It’s a subtle thing but can really make a big difference.  In the context of the wedding toast, you can go 2 different ways.  This can be simple instrumental music (think instrumental versions of pop or dance songs) or it can be a personalized song to the toaster.  The toasters are usually family members or friends that know the bride/groom pretty well, so it could be a song that is an inside joke between the two people or an artist you both grew up listening to, the college fight song of the school you both attended, etc.  The audience doesn’t always have to get it. If a bride or groom doesn’t have song picks in mind and wants to defer to us, we’ll make sure to read the crowd energy and pick something that is appropriate for that moment.  In some cases, it’s an upbeat track.  There are other times where it could be a tender moment and it would make sense to have a slower track ready.  We’ll always have about 3 or 4 tracks cued and set to fit any mood.


Bridal Party Dance
As a “stand alone” formality, the bridal party dance has been slowly fading away over the years.  However, this formality can act as vital transition between the family dances and the open dancing segments.  While our DJs are the best at getting people on to the dance floor for open dancing sets, why not use this dance as a way to generate a full dance floor before open dancing, as well as capture a moment on the dance floor with just you, your fiance and your bridal party?  For large bridal parties, you can have just them with the bride & groom.  With the smaller bridal parties, you can invite their significant other or immediate family to join them.  The key to this dance is picking something that is upbeat.  Slow songs can not only be uncomfortable (especially if you have groomsmen and bridesmaids that don’t really know each other) but it can make going into the open dancing segment all the more difficult for your DJ and your crowd.  So what songs should you use?  No, you don’t have to go with the predictable “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge song selection.  We personally like to find out what is the go to genre for your crowd and have you pick a song from there. You don’t want to necessarily pick the hottest track out, because some people will really want to dance to that.  Also, don’t go with a line dance.  The line dances (even the cool ones like Gangnam Style or Cupid Shuffle) are stuff that everyone will want to dance to, so you’ll inevitably have to play it again later if you use it for this formality.


Cake Cut
Ah, the cake cut.  This is THE formality which people always forget about picking a song for. Like the toast, this is used as walking music to move people from the dance floor to the cake cutting area and then as pictures are taken of the cake (or these days cupcake) being cut and fed to their partner.  When picking a song here, go back to the feel you’re going for with your reception.  Do you want it elegant?  Do you want it to be a party?  Do you want it comical?  Whatever it is, take the opportunity to build on that theme with this selection.  Some of the more popular ones we’ve done recently:
*Sugar, Sugar by The Archies (from the hit show “Cake Boss”)
*Cut The Cake by Average White Band (upbeat and fits the theme perfectly)
*That’s Amore by Dean Martin (iconic pick!)
*Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar (a little tongue in cheek)


Bouquet Toss
The key to the bouquet toss is picking a song for the ladies!  It needs to be a woman anthem.  This song choice usually goes in waves and is 99% of the time a top 40 type track of that time period. In the 60s, it was “Respect.” In the 70s, it was “Bad Girls.”  In the 80s, it was “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.”  In the 90s, it was the “Lady Marmalade” remix by Christina Aguilera, Mya, Lil Kim and Pink.  In the 2000’s it’s been “California Gurls” by Katy Perry and “Single Ladies” by Beyonce.  So far in 2013, “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen is starting to become the go to song selection.


Garter Removal
There are a lot of couples who don’t see the Garter Removal and Garter Toss as 2 separate formalities.  But they really are. By having 2 songs, it allows us to segue between the 2 formalities a lot each easier by fading out the song playing and starting the next one.  For the removal, it’s usually either a comical choice or a more sensual choice.  Everything from “Oh Yeah” to “Let’s Get It On” to “Drop It Like It’s Hot” to “Sex On Fire” has been used.


Garter Toss
This being the opposite of the Bouquet Toss, we’re looking for a male driven type song. There’s not a whole lot out there being written with this lyrical bent so typically the song pick is a bit more retro.  Songs like “Welcome To The Jungle” or the Cops Theme Bad Boys” are still great choices.  Lately, “Sexy and I Know It” by LMFAO has been used and fits great.


Money Dance/Dollar Dance
This formality, much like the Bridal Party Dance, has been done less and less over the years.  When it does get used, we push for the “genre medley” style.  Back in the 90s, it was a slew of love songs.  Not only is it awkward to dance to those slower tempo songs with strangers but it can suck all the life out of the party if this drags on for 25-30 minutes.  The “genre medley” is where we’ll switch genres every song and try to keep it upbeat.  It’ll go from, say, a motown track to funk/disco to maybe hip hop to big band.  This keeps people guessing and is a whole lot more fun.  This area doesn’t require song picks from the bride and groom (unless of course they want a few played).  Leave it in the DJ’s hands and they’ll pick what’s appropriate for the mood and feel of the event.

So there you have it!  All the reception formalities have been covered.  We hope this has been helpful. Of course, as clients of B-Boy Productions, we’ll be sure to give you the most up-to-date list of song suggestions that we have.  We’re constantly updating it, so you won’t be getting a list that hasn’t been touched since 1984.  Happy song picking!

Songs for Wedding Reception Formalities – Part 1

Grand Entrance

Image courtesy of GwyneMark Photography

Almost every wedding reception has at least one formality that needs a special song selected. Having a tough time figuring out which formalities need a song and/or what song to use? Maybe you’ve already gone online and googled “wedding formalities” for ideas. If you’re like the vast majority of the couples we know, most of the songs you’ll find are either cheesy, old, played out or don’t fit you and your fiancé! In the next few posts, we’re going to dissect the formalities and hopefully, with what is now our 17 years in the business, we’ll get you on the right track to finding the perfect music for your reception. This particular post is going to be directed at the Grand Entrance. It’s such an important formality that it needs an entire post dedicated entirely to it. The other formalities will be covered in part 2 and 3 of this series.

GRAND ENTRANCE

From a DJ perspective, the grand entrance is one of, if not THE most important area to spend time picking out a song. Why? Because it sets the tone for the entire reception. Seriously, if there is one formality to really give some TLC with the song choice, this is it! Your guests’ first taste of your vision for the night is based on the music selected for this entrance. So a couple things to keep in mind:

DECIDE ON A THEME
What type of feel do you want your event to have? A formal vibe? A more Classic Rock theme? A high-energy party atmosphere? Whatever it is, once you decide this piece of the puzzle, it’ll set you on a path in picking the perfect song(s). But keep in mind, the theme must be decided first before going on.

PICK MUSIC WITH ENERGY
Regardless of the theme, the track should have some energy. Nothing can stunt the potential of your party like a boring song to start the night. And don’t think for a moment that if you pick something other than a “Party Atmosphere” as your theme that this can’t be accomplished. For example, if you want that “classic/timeless” feel, 2 of our favorite tunes to consider would be either “At Last” by Etta James or “It Had To Be You” by Harry Connick, Jr. Both have a great build-up with huge fanfare in the intro and then drop perfectly for the introduction of the newlywed couple. So it doesn’t have to be a modern track (necessarily) to achieve that energy that is needed for a memorable entrance.

CONSIDER AN INSTRUMENTAL OR A TRACK WITH SPARSE VOCALS
This is usually the last thing on a couple’s radar but makes a huge difference. No matter how popular a song is, it is tough introducing anyone over a track with vocals. Think about radio MCs. Do you ever hear them making announcements over anything other than the intro of a song? Of course not. With a grand entrance, announcing the bridal party over a song with vocals will inevitably cause something to suffer – either the MC or the track. So we suggest picking a song with zero or minimal vocals. One instrumental track that worked well for us this past year was “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO. People instantly recognize this song when the synths come in so you don’t even need the vocals for this one. We’ve made custom edits to certain tracks using the instrumental for the verses and then bring in the original with the vocals for a chorus to break it up. Can’t find the true instrumental of a track? Here’s a trick. Look up the karaoke version. There’s almost always a karaoke track for just about every popular tune out there and the quality of karaoke tracks has gotten substantially better over the years.

PICK 2 SONGS FOR A BRIDAL PARTY WITH 6 OR MORE PEOPLE
Most couples coming in to meet with us think one track is all that is needed for a grand entrance. We recommend 2 tracks. Selecting 2 songs does 2 things:
-Allows for a natural segue way between introducing the bridal party and the bride/groom.
-Gives the bride/groom their own moment in the spotlight

If you only have 2-4 people in your bridal party, one track can work fine. Any more than that, we always recommend 2 songs. There have been a few clients who want to take it to the extreme in the other direction and have a different track for each person in the bridal party. Not only can that be tough for the DJ to juggle but the impact you’re trying make is going to be hard to achieve. The walk-in generally takes only 20-30 seconds which means that unless you’re doing custom edits or cueing to the hook of the song for every track, you may get just the intro of the song before the next one needs to start. Stick with the 2 song approach and you’ll create a smooth and memorable Grand Entrance.

This post wouldn’t be complete without some song recommendations. I’ve given you just a few song ideas below based on the specific themes I mentioned above (our complete list is reserved for our clients). We’re constantly updating our song suggestion list for formalities so be sure to e-mail us for the most recent list. In our next post, we’ll tackle the First Dance, Father/Daughter Dance, and Mother/Son Dance.

CLASSIC/FORMAL
At Last – Etta James
It Had To Be You – Harry Connick, Jr.
Jump Jive An’ Wail – Brian Setzer
Viva La Vida – Coldplay

CLASSIC ROCK
Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor
Rock & Roll Part 2 – Gary Glitter
Sirius – Alan Parsons Project
We Will Rock You – Queen

CURRENT TOP 40
Don’t Stop The Party – Pitbull
Let’s Go – Ne-Yo & Calvin Harris
Levels – Avicii
Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO
Turn Up The Music – Chris Brown

LAID BACK VIBE
Say Hey (I Love) – Michael Franti  & Spearhead
You Are The Best Thing – Ray Lamontagne

OLD SCHOOL
It Takes Two – Rob Base
Let’s Get Married (Remix) – Jagged Edge with Run DMC