Weddings, Parties, Music & More

Outdoor Wedding Tips

2012-02-01T08:54:00.000-08:00

If you remember Hurricane Irene last year hitting us on a busy wedding weekend over the summer, you know that Mother Nature can have a way making, or ruining your special wedding day.

When people plan an outdoor reception, they often do so bringing to the table the “it would never happen to me” attitude. This is not a good practice, no matter how positive thinking-oriented you may be.

In the past two recent years, I have seen some pretty rainy outdoor weddings, of late. While an outdoor wedding can be totally awesome, when the weather does not cooperate, it can be a disaster if you do not have some planning, in order.

Click the link below to read the checklist off of my home site, to help you prepare for everything, when planning an outdoor wedding.

Outdoor Wedding Planning Sheet

You should totally take a look, in case you are planning a tent wedding outside!

-Thanks guys!

Kenny Casanova

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Wedding Gratuity Guidelines

2012-01-23T11:22:00.000-08:00

The following is just some guidelines to tipping those who helped make your wedding day special. Actually, no tipping is mandatory ever, but if you enjoy the work someone does, this list can give you an idea. Some people are happy with $25-$50 extra... Below is a percentage list:

Caterer/Banquet Manager
15% to 20%, this is usually included in contract, however, if the hall caterer or manager has done a great job, an additional $25-50 may be in order.

Waitstaff
15% to 20% (usually included in contract.)

Bartenders
15% to 20% (when the bartender isn't accepting tips from guests, an additional 10% is suggested, but it is not required.)

Limousine Drivers
15% to 20%

DJ's
15% - 20% (gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel that the DJ has done an exceptional job, a tip is a nice gesture.

Bands
Usually there is not a percentage, and most do like $25.00 per band member. As is with the DJ, gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel the band members have provided extra or special services, a tip is a wonderful gesture.)

Restroom and Coat Check Personnel
$0.50 - $1.00 per guest (if not accepting gratuity from guests, the host would be responsible for tipping personnel at the end of the event.)

Parking Attendants
$1.00 - $2.00 per car (if not accepting gratuity from guests, the host would be responsible for tipping parking attendants at the end of the event.)

Officiants
$75.00 - $100 .00 (Note: It is appropriate for a clergy member (priest, rabbi, minister, etc.) to accept gratuities or a donation along with their regular fee (if any), however, civil officiants (judges, clerks, etc.) receive a flat fee and are usually not allowed to accept gratuities.)

Ceremony Staff
$35.00 - $75.00 is suggested for organists/musicians. $5.00 - $25.00 is suggested for altar boys, sextons, etc. (gratuity is not usually required, however, if fees for the above are not included in the ceremony site fees, the suggestions above are appropriate.)

Photographer / Videographers
15% (gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel he/she has done an exceptional job or has provided extra or special services, a tip is a wonderful gesture.)

Florists
15% (gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel he/she has done an exceptional job or has provided extra or special services, a tip is a wonderful gesture.)

Bakers
15% (gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel he/she has done an exceptional job or has provided extra or special services, a tip is a wonderful gesture.)

Wedding Planners / Coordinators
10% - 15% (gratuity is not usually required)

WWE Nasty Boys at The Black Cat in Cohoes, NY

2012-01-11T08:34:00.000-08:00

After a smooth autograph signing and awesome training seminar at the "In Your Face" Wrestling Gym in Cohoes, NY, we tag teamed up the former WWE Tag Team Champions, Brian Knobbs & Jerry Saggs, for some buffalo wings, Polish food and Sunday Night football action at the famous sports bar, The Black Cat.

As many of you know, before becoming a wedding DJ, I was mostly known for being a ring announcer with experience at WWE wrestling and other independent leagues. Therefore, this past weekend, I had the "pleasure" of reconnecting with my roots by having dinner with The WWE Champions The Nasty Boys in Cohoes, New York, on Sunday, January 8th, 2012.

The Nasty Boys enjoyed the scrumptious homemade perogies smothered in onions and downed a massive nasty-size order in record time. Jerry Saggs, an avid Polish cuisine enthusiast discussed recipes with The Black Cat owner, as well as enjoyed looking at the artwork on the walls and the pictures in my phone. Before the night was done, we all enjoyed the Giants game in full Black Cat style.

The pub fare at The Black Cat was outstanding, as is the atmosphere. At $3.99 for about a dozen wings, five bucks for clam steamers, and other good deals on sandwiches and Polish food, The Nasty Boys found themselves right at home, in "Pitty City."

For my wedding readers, while The Black is a small bar, it does have a bigger eating area in the back that I am sure would work well for an engagement party, or wedding rehearsal party. Your event could really work here, especially if you are looking for an intimate place in Cohoes.

Many of The Black Cat bar's older seat-warmers recognized The Nasty Boys for their former WWE Tag Team championship reign, back in 1991. Some of the younger people at the pub recognized Brian Knobbs for his many more recent appearances on VH1's reality series "Hulk Knows Best" & spinoff "Brooke Knows Best."

Aside from my business partner in crime who showed up late to the party as usual, Marty "The Party," having to provide the ravished 320 plus pound Nasty Boys with Hot Sauce on demand, it seemed that a good time was had by all. The Nasty Boys gladly oblidged with autographs and photo opps for any of the locals who asked.

"In Your Face Wrestling," known for bringing in former WWE talent on occasion, will also be having one of their own shows featuring WWE Legend Tony Atlas this Saturday in Ballston Spa, NY. See http://www.iyfwrestling.com/ for more information.

...

...More wedding & DJ Kenny Casanova information at www.TheDJservice.com

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Party Planning - Plenty of Time

2012-01-03T05:40:00.000-08:00

It is really best to allow six months ahead for planning big events like weddings. WHile it is always important to think ahead, there are two very important reasons why this is so:

For one, lots of people have things that they like to do in the summer. Many plan all year for a little bit of time that they can have together when it gets warmer, here in Upstate New York. Therefore, if you want a good turn out, you need to give your huests plenty of time to make sure your wedding will be a priority.

The other reason is vendor availability. Coordinating the three important facets to your wedding's success is crutial. The hall/cateror, the disc jockey or band, and/or any sort of photographer & videographer, are often booked up sometimes in upwards to a year in advance. This means if you have someone in mind for each of these roles, you have to give yourself plenty of advance time to make sure that they will be available. Also, keep in mind, the real good vendors book up even faster.

If you follow these ideas, everything will turn out great! Good luck!

Heads Up - Book your DJ

2011-12-22T08:21:00.001-08:00

Just a heads up! June is only 6 months away. If you have a wedding coming up this summer, you need to start looking into booking your DJ and venue right after the holidays. Believe it or not this is when the rush begins.

There are only a handful of good DJs and wedding venues, and slots are limited. If you know exactly what you want already, you need to make the call!

:)

Happy holidays!

Acoustic Cover Tune Ideas

2011-12-13T06:39:00.000-08:00

Do you have a wedding coming up, or a big event and have to select music? Are you interested in creating a playlist perfect for low key dinner or cocktail hour music, but don't want to fall too heavily on mostly music of the old? One option is to find artists that take modern songs and cover them in a loungy/acoustic twist. There are some good modern alternatives that I really enjoy playing at parties.

There are many popular options out there. Jack Johnson and Michael Bublé are two more famous singers, known for some great acoustic and jazzy tracks. They are certainly worth taking a listen to. However there are a few others out there that are lesser known.

Boyce Avenue is great! They are a fairly new American acoustic rock band incidentally, named after a combination of two streets the brothers lived on as children. Assembled in Sarasota, FL by three brothers Alejandro, Daniel and Fabian Manzano, this acoustic group does a great job giving modern pop music and a new acoustic life.

BRUCE LASH - is another good unknown artist option to look at. Another good cover tune track that I find interesting was featured in the 2008 box office hit Marley & Me. "Lithium" is performed by Bruce Lash and written by Kurt Cobain founder of Nirvana.

Good luck!

New Years Eve to a DJ Work-A-Holic

2011-12-06T08:33:00.000-08:00

I guess I am a bit of a work-a-holic, but I do understand there is something to be said for the importance of the quality of life. However, it is tough to set some things aside for me in my busy life and focus on what is really important sometimes. This year, I have decided to force myself not to work on New Years Eve.

As you know in today's economy, it is very difficult to turn down decent money. It is also difficult for many, to just set everything down and step aside from working from time to time. Being a DJ that gets booked a lot, thus far I have turned away a New Years Wedding, a bar gig and a Lebanese Restaurant in Troy, NY. I am working on it and think that I will be able to stifle the work-a-holic temptation inside me this year.

In the New Year's spirit, I decided to take it off to spend time with friends and family. Though this may not sound like a big deal to some, to others that have the bug, this is very difficult. Work, to me, can easily be a considered an addiction.

This year I am hoping to sit back and have a normal holiday for a change.

Okay - off to the next job. Will write later, when I can find a second ...

DJ Placement at Your Wedding

2011-11-28T05:25:00.000-08:00

I recently had a venue coordinator bring me into the room of a very well-known local wedding reception venue over in Albany, NY. The room was beautiful, as always, with a big dance floor, completely surrounded by nicely decorated tables. The food, the decor and everything was perfect except for the placement of one thing...

Poor Placement of The DJ table.

They had allowed for the only space for the DJ booth table to be about 75 feet away, off in the distance in the corner of the room.

"Uggghhhhh!" I thought. "Is there anywhere else I can set up?" I asked her a few questions and didn't like the answer.

She said, “That’s where we ALWAYS put the DJ.”

“If the wedding party has a band, do you put them in the same place?” I asked.

“Well, not really. We usually put them right next to the dance floor.”

There is also a very popular wedding hall in the Schenectady, NY area that likes to put the DJ way up high on a balcony. This too, in a manner of words, SUCKS!

Just a tip; treat the DJ as your entertainmant for the night, as you would any other performer that interacts with your crowd. It really is best to have what ever entertainment that you choose to provide for your guests very close to the dance floor. This is important for a number of reasons.

Here is a list of things to think about when making your seating plan and placing your entertainment spotlight for the night:

1) DO NOT PUT GUESTS/TABLES IN FRONT OF THE DJ - First off, the sound quality will be terrible. Obstacles will hinder the sound from reaching the dance floor properly. Also, the guests sitting in front of the DJ booth will be blasted by sound all night.

2)IS THE ENTERTAINMENT CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE DANCE FLOOR? - No matter what your hall says, the entertainment should ALWAYS be right near the dance floor, period. A wedding venue knows food, and knows how to treat their guests, but they are not entertainers.

3) CAN THE ENTERTAINMENT BE SEEN BY ALL? - The DJ or band often makes announcements. You don’t want your guests wondering where this mystery voice is coming from like a blue light special announcement at K-mart.

4) CAN THE CROWD CONNECT WITH THE DJ / BAND ? - It is very important for the DJ, much like a band, to connect with the crowd. Seeing what is working and what is not is a huge part of being a mobile disc jockey.

5) WILL PEOPLE BE ABLE TO INTERACT EASILY? - If the DJ / nad is far away, requests become very difficult, or sometimes almost impossible.

In a big hall, it is impossible to do a 75 feet corner set up, facing the back of your guests with tables in front of you. Also a balcony set up, doesn't work well for a mobile DJ. (Balcon DJ booths only work in night clubs because the place is hard wired with smaller speakers everywhere to reach the dead spots.)

BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE OF A BAD WEDDING HALL LAYOUT:

:(

Overall, in a wedding reception setting, your DJ/MC placement is critical. Do not let the hall put your entertainment in a closet.

Remember, when it comes to dancing, "The King of Dirty Dancing" Patrick Swayze once said, "Nobody puts the DJ in the corner," ...or something like that. Keep this in mind when laying out the seating charts.

...www.theDJservice.com

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TOP 10 Wedding Centerpiece Giveaway List

2011-11-16T10:22:00.001-08:00

Wedding Centerpiece Giveaways TOP 10 LIST

My guess is that the a new man and wife certainly do not want to take home a dozen huge floral arrangements that will be dead by the time they get back from their honeymoon. However, you will probably agree that bride and grooms tend to spend big bucks on decorations and flowers for their wedding and it is always the attitude that letting it all go waste would be a shame.

Therefore, we have decided to add "wedding centerpiece giveaway ideas" to our popular “TOP TEN LIST” article category. So I have painstakingly hacked together my very favorite centerpiece giveaway ideas that that will keep your wedding guests happy after the last song.

1) DONATION
Want to save some money? Those centerpieces became a tax deductible write off! If you are not all about just saving the cash, it's also nice to know that you could be brightening the day of some people at an elderly home, or hospital, perhaps.

2) FIND THE PENNY
Ask someone to hide a penny either under a plate or coffee mug at the table, or underneath one actual chair at each table. The lucky person who finds the lucky penny gets to take hope the centerpiece. You can switch the penny up, if you like, to maybe a poker chip or something else that may go along with the theme of your wedding.

3) RSVPS REWARDS
With this interesting wedding centerpiece giveaway, you reward the most prompt RSVP responders! In order to do this, as your RSVPs come in, just keep track of the order. Then when you make your seating charts, you can put a sticker inside the place card of the people who sent in their RSVPs first., or just have the DJ read a list....

CONTINUED...

Since the list is pretty long with definitions, to see the rest of the ideas CLICK HERE, to check out our site at www.TheDJservice.com.

What's A Wedding Photo Booth ?

2011-11-10T10:40:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of working with a local photographer again last week, at a fun wedding at Birch Hill in Kinderhook. Tony from "The Time Capsule Photo Booth Service," did such a great job keeping the guests amused that I figured it was time to blog about him here. Deciding to share his great service with my readers, I figure it is probably important, first off, to explain the idea of a wedding booth in general to anyone who is unfamiliar with what this service is all about.

One of the newest trends in wedding reception to join the current wedding cupcake and wedding magnet craze is the addition of a Wedding Photo Booth. “So... What exactly is, um, a wedding photo booth?” you might ask.

Out by the bar in a separate designated area, or perhaps in the corner of the dining hall, an extra wedding photography vendor sets up a photo booth, much like the passport picture booths you sometimes see over in the mall.

The way it works is, unlimited pictures are taken and developed on the spot as wedding favors for all the guests. They are also collected in duplicate for an ongoing work-in-progress wedding scrapbook that is compiled throughout the night for the bride & groom.

Off to the side of the curtained booth, many vendors have a table with a spread of silly props, hats, and crazy costume accessories for the guests to use to dress up their photo shoot.

After the pictures are taken, the guests are typically presented with two strips of photos, maybe within 30 seconds. One is pocketed for a keepsake, and the other one is inserted into the bridal scrapbook. Then the scrapbooking fun begins!

Depending on the booth provider, specialized services to this service may be available, such as the ability to add text or custom backgrounds to the pictures.

Now, back to Tony of TIme Capsule Photo Booths... He does a great job. Bottom line.

If you are interested in booking a photo booth for your event and are in and around the Capital District, there are a number of fine vendors that provide this service. But again, one great vendor that I love working with is Tony at http://www.timecapsulephotobooths.com/ . He's professional, offers different custom packages, and has a nice selection of props for your guests to choose from.

Wedding Theme Dress Selection

2011-11-01T05:47:00.000-07:00

Are you planning a theme wedding? If have the guts and you are contemplating really having a theme wedding for your special day, this can open up all kinds of fun and make your day VERY memorable. The idea of taking on a theme brings direction and personality to your special day and changes the game. The overall tone and decoration ideas just fall right into place and make everything special. People will also offer help decorating that you don't normally get in a traditional wedding. I highly recommend it, if you want your day to stand out. However, there is just one thing: Go with the white dress!

While choosing to where the white dress may slow down some of the creative possibility that can be afforded to the chosen theme, the symbolization behind the dress can outweigh this. For one, the dress symbolizes purity and class, overall. Choosing the white gown makes sense to the guests. Your older audience will apprciate the fact that the traditional bridal regalia is in place and abandoned.

While securing the traditional dress may not matter to the certain brides, there is something to be said for retaining the traditional dress kept sacred. The second very important reason for keeping white dress is you don’t want the theme wedding to just look like a big costume party.

At many awesome theme weddings, the guests end up wearing something that follows the theme. For example, if you were going to a pirate wedding, a beach wedding, or a halloween theme wedding, you can be sure that most people will dress a certain way. Having the bride keep the white dress makes her still look special.

Finally, most bride’s envisioned walking the aisle as little girls, and looking just like a princess. Keep this in mind. On your wedding day, you still want it to feel like like a wedding and despite all the other other theme related things, the white dress will make this happen. You don't want to look back and wish you had.

Wedding Hall Review - Carmela's Banquet House

2011-10-24T08:26:00.000-07:00

Carmela's Banquet House located at 301 Washington Ave in Rensselaer, New York is a great place to hold a small to mid-range wedding. I would say that if you are a bride or groom and have about 75-125 people on your guest list, this hall could be a great affordable option for you. At the same time, Carmela’s also provides quality for your night to remember.

LOCATION – Location is a great positive when making your venue selection. Carmela's is pretty much out of the busy are of Albany and offset the main drag in a residential area in Rensselaer. It has its own spacious parking lot, so that your guests have no parking issues. It also is only a block or so away from a ramp that will lead your guests directly to Interstate Route 90.

FACILITIES - Downstairs, there is a place for the wedding party to collect and wait for the grand introduction. There is a nice round bar off of the main dining room, which allows for more people to enjoy the bar experience. There is also room in the corner of the bar for traditional wedding decorations/activities, like an acoustic guitarist, photo booth or ice sculpture, perhaps. In the dining room, there is a spacious dance floor and great adjustable lighting.

FOOD - The food is really great. Recently, I was the disc jockey for a wedding that had a nice chicken breast, or strip steak, as well as a vegetarian dish available. The garnishes that the bride and groom selected were garlic smashes potatoes, and a great mixed vegetable medley of peppers, onions and cauliflower.

STAFF - Super friendly and easy to work with.

Overall, I think if the size of the guest list works for you, you should stop by and take a look. I give this hall a big, "bravo!"

Wedding Activity - Sing For Your Supper

2011-10-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

If you are like me, you have been to a wedding reception where the buffet line was like six miles long and you were in the back of the line twiddling your thumbs. As y ou waited impatiently, bored out of your head, you looked up to notice that they were only serving on one side of the table.... If you are like me, then you know that a food line can often feel like an eternity.

With all this being said, do you have a buffet planned for your wedding and hope to erase the boring parts? If so, one fun alternative activity for table serving order is called, "Sing For Your Supper."

The "Singing For Your Supper" game is a great activity to entertain your waiting guests that also creates entertainment for others waiting for dinner to be served.

As with all wedding activities, this game probably is one that won't work everywhere. This activity should only be chosen specifically upon the bride & groom's request. And while this activity may not be for everyone, it can really be a fun icebreaker with the right people, who want to kill the wait associated with a mega-buffet line of, maybe 150 hungry guests.

Typically speaking, a microphone is passed from table to table by an emcee or maybe the best man, and the only way that a particular table can move up to the buffet line, is to have a volunteer from the table dedicate a song to the bride and groom and then sing it.

In the loving spirit of any wedding celebration, the song is usually supposed to be a familiar chorus selection of a romantic song, "dedicated to the bride and groom from table number eight," for example.

Often times, your guests may be reluctant to start. However, once wedding guests see how fun it can be, they will quickly catch on. Then, once they buy in, the activity can really become creative and very entertaining! (...Especially if the cocktail hour had an open bar!)

POSSIBLE GUIDES -

"LOVE" - guests must sing any song they like, containing the word "Love" in it, somewhere.

"DUETS" - Two people have to sing a song in order for their table to move to the buffet line.

Whatever you choose to do, have fun with it! You only live once. :)

Consider a theme wedding...

2011-10-13T05:32:00.000-07:00

Want to really make your memorable? Like things a little different? Why not consider a theme?

When you really think about it, most weddings blend together in your memory banks, years to come when you reflect.

Picking a theme makes your wedding have that wow-factor as well as gives you direction. Just think about the decorating potential you get if you selected a beach wedding, for an example. Flip flops, sea shells, surfboards and more!

Good Bye Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T09:41:00.000-07:00

Everytime I meet up with a bride and groom for what they want to hear at their wedding, Steve Jobs has played a big part. We can only hope that his innovative impactful ways in technology will continue.

I have in the last year become an avid iPad 2 user, and now I barely can live without it. I use it for calander planning, song samples, photograph album capabilities and to surf the net. All of this in an easy compact tool.

Steve Jobs will be remembered as a person who was associated with making modern computing simple, seamless and very satisfying. The iconic co-founder of Apple, helped to create the old school funny-looking Apple I & II computers in the 1970s. As time went on, he gave us the Macintosh and the iMac. Then he added music to loop with the iPod. Then he added phone calls with the iPhone, and then bundled it all together with the Star Trek-like iPad. Who knows where things will go in the future? I can only imagine Jobs has left his company behind a truck load of ideas for the years to come.

I just jumped on the apple band wagon the last couple of years, but know that people have been here a long time.

Steve Jobs will be missed.

Clifton Park Elks Lodge Wedding VENUE REVIEW

2011-09-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

- Wedding Venue Review

Last weekend, I had the great pleasure of being the disc jockey at The Clifton Park Elk's Lodge. Two things that I always look forward to when doing a gig at The Elks is some really great cooking, and the fact that the people are very easy to work with.

At the Elk's, they provide a quality venue at reasonable pricing. They also allow quite a bit of freedom to the bride and groom to customize outline of the night's events and how they will unfold. In today's wedding industry, this is not always so.

VENUE - According to their web site, The Lodge's facilities at the Clifton Park Elks are said to be, "a great place to have the wedding of your dreams or enjoy a great barbecue." This is true. Know this. Guests there can choose from their indoor facilities with 2 connecting rooms, dance floor and complete bar, or their out-door pavilion with a large grill and on-site sporting games. The Elks Lodge can also custom create a combination package of both upon guest request.

FOOD - The food really is great considering they cook all their own food without a cateror. It has a more homey-like feel to it, rather than the mass-produced feel that some of the bigger venues have, and I think that the guests appreciate that.

SERVICE - They do serve their guests the buffet food portions which slows down their buffet line to some degree. However, the hand-carved prime rib was high quality and great for a smaller-to-medium sized venue. The sides were really good, as well, and they even featured their own home-made sauces, like a great bistro horse-radish for the beef.

One more thing I really like is that they are super easy to work with. For example, the lodge doesn't force the cake, or toast on you. Wedding halls and catering venues sometimes push to have the cake cutting activity happen very soon after the dinner. This push for early dessert helps them organize the employees' duties in the back and an early cake activity can actually maximize employee potential and save the hall money.

However, an early cake is not always the best for the party, as many people leave right after the cake, and the activity can really slow down the fun. At the lodge, they are really cool with letting it happen later. I also don't think they try and soak the bride and groom with a cutting fee.

If I could change one thing, I would probably change the buffet line up to both sides of the table to speed up the actual serving, and set up a separate food station for the hand-carving roasts. However, because it is a smaller venue, maybe 80-120 guests in full capacity for the dinning room, it is possible that space is an issue.

BAR - There is a cool little bar in a separate room for the drinking enthusists, as well as a small bar in the large extended dining room.

LOCATION - The lodge is conveniently located at 695 Macelroy Road in Ballston Lake NY. This site is right on the border of Clifton Park and is an easy place to get to. It is still far enough away from the commericialism right off of the 87 exit.

If you need to book your small to medium sized wedding and are now thinking about the Elks as an option, the phone number is (518) 877-5200.

Wedding Cake Cutting Song Ideas - Song List

2011-09-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

The idea of the wedding cake has been around forever, though it has morphed into what we know it as today. During the Roman Empire times, the groom would crumble a bread-like cake over the brides head. In the 17th century a large wedding pie was used, with a glass ring hidden inside it somewhere to symbolize that the finder was the next to be married. By the 19th century, cakes started to look and taste a little more like we are accustomed to now.

No matter how you cut it, music makes everything better, so having a cake theme song is a fun thing to do for the people surrounding the bride and groom. The best thing to do when choosing a song is to think about what kind of atmosphere you would like to set during your cake cutting activity. Happy, party, fun, serious, nostalgic, classy, and romantic are all moods that you could set. Remember to pick a song that goes along with the feeling you would like to convey.

Here are some songs that you may like:

Ain't That a Kick in the Head - (Dean Martin)
All My Life - (KC & JoJo)
Banana Pancakes - (Jack Johnson)
Better Be Good To Me - (Tina Turner)
Cut the Cake - (Average White Band)
Eat It - (Weird Al Yankovich)
Happy Together - (The Turtles)
Hit Me With Your Best Shot - (Pat Benatar)
How Sweet It Is - (James Taylor)
I Got You Babe - (Sonny Bono & Cher)
I Wanna Grow Old With You - (Adam Sandler)
I'm Yours - (Jason Mraz)
If I had $1 Million Dollars - (Bare Naked ladies)
It Had to be You - (Harry Connick Jr.)
It's your Love - (Tim McGraw & Faith Hill)
Love and Marriage - (Frank Sinatra)
Lucky - (Colbie Calliet)
Mack The Knife - (Bobby Darin)
Pour Some Sugar on Me - (Def Leppard)
So This Is Love - (Cinderella Theme)
Sugar, Sugar - (The Archies)
That's Amore - (Dean Martin)
Theme From 'Jaws' - (Jaws Soundtrack)
This Guy's In Love With You - (Herb Albert)
When I'm 64 - (Beatles)

TheCoolTV - New Local Music Video TV Channel you will love!

2011-09-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

During the hurricane/tropical storm two Sundays back, I was fortunate to still have power, so I decided to put in hardwood floors in the master bedroom with my friend Justin. We did a great job, but the furniture wasn't in yet. (It comes this weekend.) Therefore, my wife and I moved into the spare bedroom.

I put up flatscreen TV and had to run a channel update on it. I had never done that and it actually found new channels. One of them, I thought was MTV2 (a channel that actually still plays some music videos,) but I was wrong... It is called TheCoolTV, and it plays really cool retro music videos mixed in with today's modern hits; just like MTV would have done. It also has the underground feel that MTV used to have, before they went mainstream. You will love it!

I called our WXXA's program director in Albany, NY, Paul Pelliccia, and he gave me the low-down on what Dash-2 channels are and what is up with TheCoolTV.

A few months ago, WXXA Fox canned their Hunting Channel affiliate on the digital channel 8's, which nobody watched. It was all fishing and hunting shows, and I guess it was pretty lame. In looking for a replacement, they decided to go with some hip syndicated programming, in totally the opposite direction of the redneck channel that they had. They replaced it with an all music video channel that really is great.

THE HD TV "DASH TWO" CHANNELS - In case you didn't know, with the advent of FCC creating all digital channel programming in America, all local netwoks now have access to additional channels available to them for alternative programming. Local Network affiliates like CBS, NBC, FOX and ABC can now opt to have two more channels of programming under their banners on most Cable providers like Time Warner. Most network providers opt to use the "-1" channel for their all-day news programming, and the "-2" for cheap retro programming for now that doesn't cost the company very much money to make some extra advertising dollars.

HOW TO FIND IT - If you have a HD flat screen without a cable box, when you put it on channel 8, bump up the channel button twice. You will see it go, "08", "08-1", and then finally "08-2" and there is TheCoolTV. If you have a cable box set up, it is now channel 423.

WXXA's program director, Paul Pelliccia, said the "HD - 2 channels are often a tough sell," and sometimes people don't get to see them well, because they are kind of hidden. Hopefully, people will watch this and enjoy it like I did and let WXXA know.

Lady Gaga's New Track sounds like...

2011-09-02T05:12:00.000-07:00

Many people are scratching their heads, asking themselves, "That Lady Gaga new song sounds just like... Umm... Just like.... Hmmm. What does it sound like?"

In case you are like the others and believe that Lady Gaga's new track "You and I" seems to sound like something else you have heard before, you are probably right for two reasons. To me, I think that the music sounds like one song, and the the way the lyrics are sung sound like another. It's almost as if Lady Gaga has created her own mashup remix for all the little monsters for this song.

So which songs have been mashed up for this new hit? After hours of racking my brain and searching youtube.com, I think that music sounds like Shania Twain "Man, I Feel Like a Woman," and the way she is singing the lyrics suspiciously sounds even more like Anna Nalick's "Breath (2am)."

PRODUCTION/MUSIC - First off, the song was, in fact, produced by Robert “Mutt” Lange, the producer and ex-husband of Shania Twain’s Come on Over, as well as cmany other rock/pop blockbusters hits. “You and I,” the radio release, which is actually a remix from the original studio track, is now sort of country/pop and, can arguably be said to resemble Shania’s choppy guitar riff from her mega party anthem, “Man! I Feel Like a Woman." Take a listen here:

LYRICAL ARRANGEMENT - Okay you little loyal little monsters. Here is the big one. Just like that other track, "Born This Way," sounds a hell of a lot like Madonna's "Express Yourself," listen Anna Nalick's 2007 hit "Breath (2am)" and tell me you do not hear any similarity. Listen:

LINE SIMILARITY- Okay, I am still stuck on this one. There's also to line "It's been a long time..." that bugs me. I feel like that exact line is somewhere else, sung identically, but It is not in Nalick's song. If anyone recognizes it, please let me know. I thought at first maybe, "What's Up" by The 4 Non-Blondes, but that wasn't it, though it too, does sound a little like this track. Your thoughts?

LADY GAGA's "You And I" - So here it is... Leave a comment below and tell me what you think. You can also email me at ken@theDJservice.com.

Hurricane Wedding

2011-08-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

I would have never thought that I would have to DJ a wedding and play "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and really mean it, one day.

This past weekend, I played the tunes for a fun wedding in Poestenkill, high up on the mountain. Everything was really beautiful and all was going well, until the rain started up just five minutes before the bride was about to walk the aisle. It was the first of the bands that would become the harbinger for Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene.

The actual wedding ceremony was scheduled to occur just outside a big white wedding reception tent, and underneath a gorgeous apple tree. There was an nice white arch decorated in flowers all set up and waiting. The scene was picturesque with Mother Nature as the backdrop, until the sky turned dark as the bride was stepping out of her limosine.

At show time, 6:30pm sharp, we figured we would shoot for the delay and try to wait it out. Fifteen minutes or so went by, however, and things only bega to look worse. We decided our delay tactics were to no avail. As the rain really started dumping on us, I could see that the guests were upset. I acted as wedding planner and took charge. I ran back to the log cabin where the bride and her mother were gathering umberellas.

"How about we just switch it to under the tent on the the reception intro entrance way?" I asked. "The guests won't be able to hear anything out there." They agreed and we were on our way.

A few guests helped me move around a few tables and we were back on. As the town justice found his place with the groomsmen, it was evident that there too, was probably no way that the people were going to hear him over the crazy hurricane raindrops hammering hard on the vinyl rooftop above. Easy fix... give the man a microphone.

So far so good, right? But just as the bride's aunt read a prayer into the mic, water began to flood the electrical panel behind my DJ Booth set-up. It seemed that the tent must have been a little off-level and all of the tent's rain water irrigated towards me, making an exit-spout out of an electical box. That is right about when the water started to short out the power surges for the bar and my set-up.

We lost microphone power for all of 20-30 seconds, but people just smiled patiently. Any other circumstancs, if your microphone were to go out when the bride was ready to say her vows, the guests would probably kill you. However, because of a hurricane, they seemed more forgiving.

I quickly re-routed the cord with the bartender to the power line that lit the tent lights and soon after, it all came off without a hitch.

Just as Murphy's law would have it, five minutes after the ceremony, the rain stopped for about an hour, and then came and went off and on for the rest of the night. But at that point, it didn't matter. People were drinking, flowers were tossing and garters were coning off. In the end, the people all rocked like a hurricane during a hurricane, and all had a rocking great time!

WeddingTable Decorating Idea: Table Sash

2011-08-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Being a local DJ means, also, quite often I have to pinch-hit as a wedding planner. Therefore, whenever I see a new activity or decorating idea that I like at a wedding that I am the disc jockey for, I really feel the need to share. This past week I saw one of the coolest table settings I have ever seen and I had to really stop to figure out what was making it so different.

The answer was a strip of fabric, a runner or a table scarf / sash, placed right across the center.

Are you planning a wedding and looking for a fresh idea to spice up your table centerpieces for your wedding? Here is a noble idea. Why not jazz things up with table sashes?

This new decorating trend is an affordable way to really flash some color at your wedding reception.

Performing as the disc jockey at The Franklin Terrace in Troy, NY, I got to see first hand how the bride and groom added to the hall's linen with some linen of their own. They gave the event planner some really great sashes that they purchased online for their tables housing a guest list of about 180 people.

Over the hall's already sharp black table clothes with dark pink napkin accents, the white table scarfs brightened the center, accenting detail in a black Oriental print running right down the center.

No matter what you choose, this idea can really make your wedding colors pop.

For more wedding tips, check out http://www.thedjservice.com/

Cost-Effective Wedding Photographer Review

2011-08-15T19:05:00.000-07:00

As a wedding DJ, I work with a lot of photographers and there are many of them out there I love to work with. However, one recently did a great job for me personally. If you want a photographer that offers great print print packages or just hand over an image disc at the end of the night - not forcing you into a large print package, you may want call Manny Ortiz of Affordable Photo Pros. Manny is who shot my Pirate Theme wedding, to compliment out magnet photo shoot favors by Homes Photography.

I worked with Manny again recently and he was great, just as he was for my reception.

Here is a sample of his work: http://www.affordablephotopros.smugmug.com/

Manny gets to the hall very early and even shows up the night before for the rehearsal, and did house shots before the wedding started if needed! After the special day, where he paid close attention to detail, he also sent some early proofs via email to the customer for feedback on edits.

Great job and thanks to Manny!

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How to Write a Best Man or Maid of Honor Wedding Speach Toast

2011-08-09T07:31:00.000-07:00

Writing a great best man / maid of honor toast requires patience and creativity. Most people cannot just wing it. If you are in the position now where you need to do this, fear not. You can do it, especially if you do not overlook the often-overlooked part of the writing process.

As a DJ home-based out of in the Troy, NY area, I have witnessed some really splendid best man speeches and some others that really missed the mark. Therefore I feel I can identify shortcomings and comment well on this topic. Moreover, as a high school English teacher as well, it is even more so immediately obvious for me to identify which person has done their homework, and which person has not.

The most important advice I can give to a best man, maid or matron of honor has to do with preparation. The keyword to success is PRE-WRITE!

PRE-WRITINGBefore you actually sit down and start writing, sketch out some ideas that answer the BIG QUESTIONS that people might not know. So ultimately, take a look at the following questions I have provided below and maybe write down a few even more personal questions that you think people would ask you about the bride and groom, if they could.

1. Why did the bride and/or groom choose you as best man?
2. How do you know the bride and groom?
3. How did this couple meet? How did the groom first tell you about her?
4. How has the groom changed since meeting the bride?
5. What are five good adjectives that describe the bride or groom?
6. What is some good marriage advice you’ve received or witnessed?
7. What is a great little story that illustrates the personality of the bride and/or groom?

At last, once you have the big questions figured out, the hard part is really finished. Your next step is putting these answers down into some kind of order that will make sense to your audience. Greek philosopher Aristotle once said that when you are writing you need, “a beginning, a middle, and an end.” …Therefore, here are a few tidbits to bring your pre-writing ideas together with organization in mind:

WRITE & ORGANIZE IDEAS1. Your Beginning – Start with an introduction. Get your audience’s attention, and immediately let them know who you are to the brode and groom. Because everyone loves to laugh, it is often great to start with humor. This is also a great way to build up the courage to speak well in public.

2. Your Middle – This is where the pre-writing questions that you worked on before will really be of great help. Everyone loves to hear a good story, so try and do just that. However, avoid ex-girlfriend stories and keep it appropriate for everyone, especially the parents and older folks in the room!

Writer beware. As the best man you probably know the groom better. Be careful not to only talk or tell stories only about the groom. If you do this, you will leave out half of your audience. A really great toast will be evenly balanced adressing both the bride and groom.

3. Your Ending – When you finish, it is best to wrap up your toast with some kind of wish of happy future for your bride and groom. This way everyone knows that you are done and have reached the end of what you are going to say. Then, they can act accordingly. So finally, raise your glass in tradition to close with, “congratulations”, “cheers”, or “salud." Also, do not forget to drink from your own glass!

DELIVERY OF MESSAGEFor more tips on the actual fine-tuning and delivery of your best man toast - check out my other blog at BEST MAN TOAST

DJ Kenny Casanova is highly-sought after mobile & wedding DJ servicing the Albany Area (Capital District) and beyond. You can follow DJ Kenny Casanova on twitter at:

www.twitter.com/kennycasanova

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Wedding buffet lay out & Wedding DInner Music List

2011-08-02T18:30:00.000-07:00

A buffet these days at a wedding makes a lot of smart. It is not always the cheaper option anymore, either. It also gives your guests a chance to sample ALL of the entrees. So... Are you thinking about having a buffet now at your wedding? IF the answer is yes, there is one thing you really do have to remember.At all costs, try and ale sure that your buffet tables and your line is double-sided with dual serving set ups..

I have watched countless weddings go into overtime simply because the buffet tables were up against the wall. Not having access to both sides of the table easiyl means that your couple will have double the wait.

This may not mean much in a small wedding, but if you have a guest list of 100 plus people, you will liely end up with half of the people done eating before the other half has even started.

A great way to set up the tables is to provide a double setting of each food tray on the table back to back, like the picture to the left. This setting has people move along the line on either side, and see the same dishes on the opposite side of the table.

It may sound simple, but often it doesn't happen. If you do indeed set up your buffet line like the one in this picture, there will barely be any wait and this inturn will allow for extra time for even more fun evening.

For some more tips on some great music to listen to while you eat, check out this blog: Cocktail and Dinner Music List.

NY Media Wants to Rush Gay Couples into Marriage

2011-07-26T04:04:00.000-07:00

by DJ Kenny Casanova, Albany, NY.(518-506-3305).

Finally, law makers have created "marriage equality" in New York state. This means a whole new demographic will enter the market in the wedding industry. However, people in the media seem to be waiting for a gay mob of brightly dressed stereotypical homosexual couples to break down the doors at David's Bridal in Colonie.

Now that New York passed the ground-breaking law that allows members of the same sex to get married, it seems that every day, news writers and broadcasters alike continue to ask the same question. "Why are there not hundreds of people taking advantage of this new opportunity?"

Think about it. THE LAW JUST PASSED! You can't plan a good wedding in a few weeks! There are many timely things to think about that you can not just run over:

MEANING: There are many many different things you have to look at when having a decent wedding. I am sure that members of the gay community do not want to rush their big day, just because they can, and certainly not just to get on News Channel 9 for thirty seconds. The whole reason most same-sex couples want to get married is because the idea is that marriage is supposed to mean something. It is a special day and one that often involves loved ones. In order to make all this happen, a lot of planning has to go down.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKING: It usually takes couples six to twelve months at the very least to plan a wedding. Whenever you book a DJ, most of the decent ones are booked a year ahead. We are already booking up next summer, and this one isn't even half gone. If someone calls right now, I do not have any Saturday time slots available at all until November.

VENUE BOOKING: Even more so, banquet halls and catering services are currently dealing with full plates. Most of their desired dates were long since grabbed up. Most people, from experience want to get married on a Saturday in the summer. If the couple, gay or not, really wants to get married at Franklin's in Troy, NY, Franklin's only has 8 couples they can accomodate for the July and August months.

INVITING GUESTS: Finally, your guests need advance notice. Most people really need at least three to six months notice in advance, especially in the busy summer months when people have their vaction times carefully planned out. My wife and I planned our wedding about a year out, and we still had a few close friends who really really wanted to be there for us but they could not show, due to conflicts in schedules! (Chris you are still a bastard!)

DEMOGRAPHIC CONCERNS: As different as the media may think gay people are, they have the same concerns about their special day as anyone else would. I believe that gay people who care about being married will also care about how their weddings come off, just the same as anyone else would. (If members of our gay community who were excited to finally get married because they legally could and willing to rush through it, they already would have done so with a quick drive to Vermont.)

Therefore Mister Media, you can not, I repeat can NOT, plan your special day in a few weeks. Calm down already. You are ridiculous! You got your midnight wedding 12:01am stories on the day that the law went into effect. I think story producers are drewling for something that isn't going to happen in droves. We have only had eleven couples in the area get hitched in same sex weddings since the law passed.

I know it would have made for better TV if a thousand homosexuals in drag came out screaming to say, "I do," but it didn't work that way, and won't.

For more information on gay-friendly same sex wedding professionals to do service at your wedding, drop us a line 518-506-3305.

Wedding Flip Flops Idea

2011-07-19T04:48:00.001-07:00

Have you ever dressed up to go to your friends wedding and realize that despite the fact that you look great, you know that your feet are going to kill you within a few hours? You are really not alone. This happens to us all. Fear not. If your bride and groom have stood up and done their homework, it is possible that sore toes will not be in your future.

Here is a modern idea some of you may not have seen yet. Rather than have your guests walk about and dance in uncomfortable shoes, why not provide a basket of cheap, but nice wedding flip flops? USually the biggest offender to "Wedding Feet Syndrom" is the dancing and that takes place when the lights go out anyhow, for the most part.

Think about it. Many women, imparticular, struggle with a balance of comfort for their feet and wearing the right shoes to go with their dresses. No matter how much you spend, most high heel shoes cannot hold any woman up for a full 4 hours or more, without some discomfort.

As a bride planning your wedding, it is important to note that you really cannot expect the majority of your guests to make the comfortable decisions in their footwear for your night. They are trying to look their best for you. Getting together the perfect ensemble almost never translated into comfortable footwear.

FIVE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WITH THE FLIP FLOP BASKET:
-Designer stores like Old Navy carry a variety of colors for around $2 a pair.
-Some local dollar stores even stock some decent flip flops and sandals.
-Try and make your flip flops available to your guests in your wedding colors.
-You can make your flip flopss look pretty in a stylish basket with vibrant ribbons holding pairs together.
-Keep your flip flop basket conveniently right near the dance floor.

For more ideas cheack out Albany Wedding DJ Kenny Casanova

Same Sex Weddings: Finding a Non-traditional or Theme Wedding Officiant for your Ceremony...

2011-07-11T12:27:00.000-07:00

A Review on a New Local Non-Traditional Wedding Ceremony Officiant

Are you about to plan your wedding and have some great ideas for something a little bit different? If so, you may notice that some wedding officiants do not offer services for certain types of weddings that do not follow tradition. Same-sex weddings and theme weddings are ones that do not always go along with certain theologies that most traditional wedding reverends/ministers hold. And also, many judges may just be too plain-jane for what you are looking for. So what can you do? Fear not. Check this guy out...

THE REV TODD BOVAIR - WEDDING OFFICIANT OF NON TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES

I recently married DJ Maria in a full-fledged pirate theme wedding. We wanted something different, because we didn't want out wedding to blend into the memories of all of our customers. So we brought in a fully licensed and practicing Wedding Reverend, Todd Bovair to do our ceremony in complete pirate character.

He did a great job with the voice and customized ceremony script to our request. Words do not really do what "The Rev" offers to the Capital District, now that he is in the area for theme weddings and non-traditional ceremonies. Here is a video clip to give you an idea of what he can do for you. He starts at the minute mark of 6:10 in.

I give him ten stars out of ten stars, and never do that unless the wedding professional is perfect!!! You can book Todd for your wedding ceremony at at 518-283-8250.

Argghh!

Top 100 Modern First Dance Wedding Song List - NEW TRACKS! 1990-CURRENT

2011-07-05T16:54:00.001-07:00

Getting married soon? If you're looking for first dance modern track ideas for your wedding, look no further. I know you may have spent days surfing through lists loaded with Dionne Warwick, Peter Frampton and a whole google of artists with sweet mullets who are no longer relevant in today's pop culture. I just updated my own playlists for my web site and this list is all new stuff!

Most of my brides are younger and demand stuff they know. (Duh!) While there are some great classics out there to choose from, this list I compiled concentrates on late 90s up until today; the slow jams that today's bride and groom likely grew up with and listen to. Here is my list:

TOP 100 MODERN FIRST DANCE WEDDING SONGS – NEW/ALTERNATIVE LIST, by DJ Kenny Casanova, 2011

Adele - Make you feel my Love
Alanis Morissette - Head Over Feet
Alicia Keys - Fallin’
Alicia Keys - If I Ain’t Got You
All 4 One - I Swear
Ashlee Simpson - Pieces Of Me
Avril Lavigne - I'm With You
Ben Folds - The Luckiest
Barenaked Ladies - It's All Been Done
Beyoncé – At Last (Remake of Etta James)
Brad Paisley - Then
Bright Eyes - First Day of My Life
Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are
Bruno Mars - Marry You
Carrie Underwood - Look At Me
Charlotte Church - Crazy Chick
Christina Aguilera - Beautiful
Christina Aguilera - I Turn To You
Creed - With Arms Wide Open
Colbie Caillat - Bubbly
Colbie Caillat – I Do
Coldplay - Green Eyes
Coldplay - In My Place
Corrs - All The Love In The World
Counting Crows - Accidentally In Love
Dave Matthews Band - You and Me
Delta Goodrem - Out Of The Blue
Dido - Thank You
Dixie Chicks - Cowboy Take Me Away
Edwin McCain – I’ll Be
Edwin McCain - I could not ask for more
Enrique Iglesias - Hero
Frankie J with Baby Bash - Obsession (No Es Amor)
Frankie J - More Than Words
Foo Fighters – Everlong
Ginuwine – Differences
Goo Goo Dolls - Iris
Guy Sebastian - Angles Brought Me Here
Howie Day - Collide
IZ Isreal Kamakawiwoʻole - Somewhere over The Rainbow
Jack Johnson -Banana Pancakes
Jack Johnson - Better Together
James Blunt - You're Beautiful
Jason Derulo - Watcha Say
Jason Mraz and Colbie Callait Lucky
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
Jennifer Lopez – Baby I Love You
(CONTINUED...)

TO SEE THE REST OF THE LIST, CLICK HERE FOR MY WEBSITE

There are 100 songs in this custom list, this is only Artists A thru J. Click the above link to go to my web site, www.TheDJservice.com to see the entire thing. Enjoy!

-DJ Kenny Casanova
:)

Kick off your 4th with a Beer Pong Tourney Sat Night

2011-07-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

As part of the weekend festivities, Villa Valenit Pub on Pawling Ave in Troy, NY is having a beer pong tournament that will run every Saturday night in July at 9pm. Dj-JD will be playing the tunes and there are $100 in prizes! Call 518-326-9500 for more information.

I DJ here every weekend, so I can verify it will be a great time!

An overcast day on your wedding....

2011-06-28T15:55:00.000-07:00

Many brides wish for a wedding outside in bright a bright ray of sunshine for their backdrop. Though many say that they don't want it to rain on their wedding day, some people and cultures believe it is good luck.

Many people don't know that as a wedding DJ, I also do some photography.

For a photographer, rain wouldn't be ideal, but sunshine isn't either. I actually really like a bit of overcast with interesting rain clouds approaching. Here are a few shots I have taken to help illustrate what I mean. The first two with the dock is from a wedding at Crystal Cove, just this past weekend.

This second photography set is from a shoot I did in Fonda, NY about a year ago for a different couple. Both shoots have a soft natural lighting that is difficult to duplicate artificially.

DJ RULE #1: Timing is Everything

2011-06-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

Being booked a lot and very busy, means I often have to turn work away. I hate it, but it happens sometimes. Some people have asked me what to look for in a DJ. I always tell them that they need someone who knows about timing. Timing is everything. There is a time and place for everything.

DJ RULE #1: Stealing The Spotlight is something your DJ should never do. If they refuse to work with you on your requests, this is a clear red flag that they may think they are a superstar. However, on your wedding day, YOU are the superstar, and they should be willing to work with you at all costs to make the spotlight shine on you.

Many of you know that I have a backgorund as a ring announcer in professional wrestling. I also have had my hand in the pro wrestler/personality mix. I did both. Wrestling is all about timing and so is song selection and mic work when you DJ.

In pro wrestling, you have to work well with your opponent in order to look good, and also make them look good. There is a whole philosophy in old school professional wrestling, back in the earlier days up to the 80’s or so, where you did not want to “steal heat.” Stealing the heat would mean to take the spotlight off of the person that really should be shining at a particular moment, for your own personal gain. I guess I have applied this to my disc jockey philosophy and it seems to work.

Acting as a DJ, it is easy to “steal the heat,” or steal the spotlight at any given time. We have all probably been to a wedding where the DJ talks way too much, to the point of nausea. A good DJ should be informative and funny, but also professional and only offer humor or wit in moderation. Unfortunately, sometimes this is something you either have or you don’t, much like most of the successful wrestlers out there. It is hard to teach charisma and likeability.

I believe that on the bride & groom’s special day, the DJ has to think about timing. The disc jockey and the other wedding professionals need to let the new husband and wife shine and do everything in their power to make this happen. This means on the microphone, in mid-activity, and also behind the scenes.

A good professional wrestler or pro wrestling personality, has to know how to make others look good at, often at their own expense, for the good of the show. John Cena, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin would be nothing today, if they didn’t at some point try and make their opponents look good. The performance is better when both sides have decent input. If a superstar wrestler were to run in and destroy each opponent taking no offence in return, people would get bored very soon.

I think what has made me popular as a wedding DJ in Troy, NY is that I am a personality, but I don’t hog the microphone or scream for the guests to look at me every moment for some ridiculous unwanted commentary or shtick. I try my hardest to make everyone have fun and push no agenda. Many DJ’s think that since they are a paid entertainer, it is their show and think the spotlight should always be on them. However, this is incorrect, especially so at a wedding.

I have been told by many people in my life that I can be a very funny guy, at times. Therefore, I chime in the microphone when I can and add some good spice to the event. However, I never ever overkill and I know my role. While it is true, I am paid to entertain, I focus on entertaining by providing the appropriate music at the appropriate time and read the crowd to provide the music that they like, which ninety percent of the time, I am playing songs that I would never listen to on my own.

It is all about reading the crowd and playing stuff at the right time.

You can reach kenny at TheDJservice.com

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Waterford Banquets & Saratoga Elks Wedding Catering/Hall Review

2011-06-13T06:07:00.000-07:00

A great company called Waterford Banquet caters all over the Capital Region and other areas nearby, but it is most noted for being the in-house food provider at The Saratoga Elks, Saratoga Springs, NY.

At the Elks, Waterford Banquets had a good little spread for a recent wedding I was the disc jockey for. Their prime rib, which I would classify (size-wise) as decent medium cut of beef, was a pretty tasty dish. On their website, I believe it is somewhere around $23 a plate. That actually for a wedding dish, is a competitive bid and a pretty good deal. You can spin by their web site for the menu pricing by clicking here.

Overall, the hall is pretty good for an average-sized wedding. not too small and not too big. It seems ideal for weddings between 125-200 guests.

At The Saratoga Elks which is very conveniently located by 87's Exit 15, they have a very modern look with great lighting, for what most would expect from an "Elks Club." The hall itself features a nice bar and a fairly new dance floor. For the vendors and decorating purposes, they also have good access to the hall itself with a back door, that you can pull right up to. There is also great air conditioning (I was actually cold, and many electric outlets for your convenience.

I would rate them about 8 stars out of 10, only subtracting a little for an unusable disco ball (people wanted me to turn it on as the DJ, but it didn't work) and a few minor eye sores, like the Elks Logo sign in the banquet hall and what I believe was a bingo board on the wall covered by curtains.

Franklin Plaza Banquet Hall Review – Troy, NY

2011-06-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

I am not sure if you have been there lately, but The Franklin Plaza Banquet Hall of Troy, NY is a really great option to hold your wedding or any high-end event that demands class and elegance.

Quite often, due to the state of economy, I am the one who ends up paying attention to most of the minor details of big events myself, working as a DJ and often pinch-hitting as the client's event planner. However, I barely needed to step up at a recent gig that was held at The Franklin Plaza. If you choose to book the Franklin Plaza, I think you will agree that the staff does a super job making everyone feel comfortable, while paying attention to fine detail.

One thing that really helps is that the management do not cheap out. They are not afraid to put many employees on to make your event move more efficiently. Quite often, many halls only used 3-5 servers, but at Columbia High School's recent prom, I easily saw 8 -10 employees.

Another perk I wanted to highlight here in this review, is Franklin now has their own in-house dance lights! Greg Cushman, the hall manager, mentioned that the system is brand new, as the lights were installed only a few months ago. From the looks of things, The Plaza spares no expense in ambiance. As a great extra bonus for booking the hall, the multi-color LED lights with programmable DMX technology are free of charge to the customer, and available at the flip of a switch. The thing that really makes these lights neat is that they were installed high up in the corners of the dance floor and out of sight; perfect for photography reasons. They also have some very impressive back lighting built into the walls!

You will not be disappointed with the food either. The selection and quality is delectable to say the very least.

Overall, I give The Franklin Plaza of Troy, NY 4 1/2 stars out of 5, subtracting only a half a star for location-related reasons that cannot be helped. It is a very convenient location in the heart of Troy, right across from Dinosaurs BBQ. However, there is medium to limited parking, and I ran into a few unsavory individuals who made things difficult to unload. (I think some homeless guy spit on my car in the parking lot, because I was unloading and didn’t have time to listen to his sob story setting up!!! Incidentally, if you see this Redd Foxx look-alike, shoot me an email so I can knock the last two teeth out of his mouth.)

Wedding Worksheets - a must for success.

2011-05-31T06:42:00.000-07:00

When you plan a wedding, many people end up being in charge of many different aspects of the night. It may sound simple, but it is important to communicate well, in order to get what you want. One way you can really get your points across is by mapping everything out on paper so your expectations and wishes are clearly understood and met.

When you go about hiring a wedding professional like a disk jockey, a professional photographer, or even your caterer, you should always ask if they have a planning worksheet. Most often, the vendor has their own custom document that will help you be prepared for your wedding day. Using the vendor's own custom worksheet will better help them understand what you want in their own recognizable format, perhaps collecting everything aver a few pages. This erases confusion and helps the vendor know exactly what you are looking for.

Wedding worksheets really do help you get prepared for your wedding day. A good worksheet will help you also to better understand how most traditional weddings (and even many non-traditional ones) will look in an outline form.

Using worksheets will help you make sure, in the long run, that you will not overlook anything on the hectic, special day when you get married.

Whether or not you are using a custom vendor worksheet, or just downloading one online, there are FOUR very important aspects that you will want to keep in mind when filling out your disk jockey worksheet:

1) SETTING THE TONE – Some people want class. Others want an all out party. Many people want their reception to fall somewhere in between. A good worksheet will ask you what kind of feel you are trying to acheive, and when you will want that tone met over the course of the evening.

2) CREATING A MUSIC PLAYLIST – Your wedding is your special day , therefore you really should be the one to decide how you want it to feel. Music will set the atmosphere. Getting some of your ideas down onto paper will better help to create the feel you are hoping for. While you should not attempt to write every song down that you would want to hear, providing ten or twenty might give your DJ a good idea of what you like, while giving them the room to read the crowd.

3) THE DO NOT PLAY LIST – This is very important, but quite often forgotten in the mix. You should always take the time to write down the few songs you absolutely do not like, so that there are no surprizes on your special day. Although I hate playing "The Chicken Dance," for example, some older DJ’s absolutely love it! If you failed to add this song to your worksheet as a “DON'T PLAY,” you may end up thinking your DJ clucked everything up in the end, while you watch good 'ole grandma flap her wings.

4) ACTIVITY OPTIONS – There are so many wedding activity options that you can rock at your wedding. A good worksheet will have them listed so you can easily cross off or circle the ones you want.

If you would like to check out my latest worksheet, email me a request at ken@theDJservice.com and I can email you over one.

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New Wedding First Dance Song

2011-05-23T06:38:00.000-07:00

With so many tired old first dance options out there, it is really important to pick a song that is imporatant, and also different for your first dance. I'm not sure if you have heard it yet, but there is a great new wedding song option out there that many people are starting to look at for an alternative wedding ceremony song, and also the first dance.

Runner Runner's song, "I Can't Hardly Wait," is about a man anxious to finally get married to his bride-to-be. Ryan Ogren, the lead singer for Runner Runner, has announced that wrote this song special for his fiancé, and that she would be walking down the aisle to it.

Runner Runner is a pop-punk band from Huntington, California. The band name originated from member's Ryan Ogren and Jon Berry's love of poker. The term, 'runner runner', loosely means to beat the odds and pull off a winning hand in the last possible moment. My wife and I took a gamble and chose this song for our first dance, only a week after it hit the charts.

"I Can't Wait" Lyrics, written by Ryan Ogren

The way you curse while we are in traffic, A million flavors of your chapstick,
The way you keep my heart captive...
The Journey concert in A.Z., Do you remember we sang faithfully?
I've still got that old hotel room key... This is the way I feel.

Cause I can't wait for you, to be my wife,
To live this life, together.
And I won't let you go, I need you to know
That you are my heart, forever.

And on, and on, and on...

The way you like to sing my songs, you always know when something's wrong.
The way you say you miss me when I'm gone.
The things you do that show you care, you are always down for truth or dare.
Freeze this moment, let me stop and stare.

Nothing before was real. This is the way I feel

And I can't wait for you, to be my wife,
To live this life together.
And I won't let you go, I need you to know
That you are my heart, forever.

And on and on and on... And we'll go on and on and on

For better or for worse, no matter how it hurts
You've got me to hold you hand.
I promise you the world, in your wedding dress
We'll dance till no one's left.

Don't wanna blink my eyes. I Don't wanna miss a thing

I can't wait for you, to be my wife.
To live this life together.
And I won't let you go, and I need you to know
That you are my heart, forever.

And on and on and on... And we'll go on and on and on.

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Petersburg Memorial Hall Review (by Grafton State Park)

2011-05-16T06:36:00.001-07:00

Looking for an affordable wedding hall, for a small wedding that allows outside catering? If you answered, “yes,” and live in the Troy area, or nearby, you may want to read on.

It is funny. I live in Wynantskill, right between Troy and Albany, NY. I have been a disc jockey for quite some time and never heard of Petersburg Memorial Hall before. When I talked with the bride and groom about doing their special day, I had to look at a map to find a place that was only 25 minutes away from me. What Google quickly taught me is that if you have ever been to Grafton State Park, Petersburg is the next town down.

The wedding I was a DJ for in Petersburg was at a nice little place called “Memorial Hall” on 71 Main Street. The Petersburg Memorial Hall is right near the town library. It has ample parking and is a great little place for someone looking for a smaller wedding with the potential for affordability. Unlike many halls that hold frequent wedding receptions, at the Memorial, you can book any catering service that you like and set up your own bar. This means an incredible amount of savings, as these two expenses are quite often the largest for any wedding.

The hall seats about 80-120 people comfortably and has a little stage in the front which could be used for a DJ or a small live band. It has two side doors for easy access for vendors and decorating purposes.

There are a few little facility things to note. Facility-wise, there is a kitchen, but it is not very big. It probably is suitable for an outside caterer to make due with. Also, there is only one shared bathroom which is handicap accessible, I believe.

On a tech note, Petersburg does not have Sprint cell phone coverage, but it does have Verizon and Internet access provided through a wi-fi hub in the library nearby. These concerns may or may not be too important for a smaller wedding.

Alternative Nontraditional Wedding Resource

2011-05-10T10:55:00.000-07:00

Being a wedding DJ who specializes in modern weddings, I found a resource on the world wide web that I thought stood out as being a bit different from the rest. This web site, I think, is a great option for brides who do not want their wedding to be the traditional ceremony and reception that we have grown accustomed to here in the states. They want it to be different.

Here is the url:

www.offbeatbride.com

The Offbeat Bride website launched on four years ago, now, to support the release of Ariel Meadow Stalling's book entitled, "Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides."

Since the book promotion, the web site slowly grew into a multi-writer blog with tons of photos from "offbeat" weddings and wedding advice for couples planning weddings full of originality and personality.

Let me know if you like it!

My Pirate Wedding Report

2011-05-05T05:49:00.000-07:00

Hey party people! DJ Kenny Casanova here, with my OWN wedding report on The DJ Kenny Casanova & Maria DJ Pirate Wedding Extravaganza.

A lot of local people from Albany, Troy and Schenectady browse my blog here at TroyRecord.com for great wedding tips and planning ideas, based on succesful weddings I have attended. Therefore, it is ironic now that I can share some fun things from my actual wedding.

As I stated in previous posts, we practiced what we preach. If you have the guts, "Theme weddings make for a better time!" ...We had a theme wedding ourselves, so that our special day would stick out and be memorable. Being a wedding DJ that has a few weddings a week, we had to go with something different so it would stay in our minds forever. My wife chose PIRATE and it was awesome!

CELEBRITY EMCEE - We brought in the most pirate-like celebrity we could think of; Glens Falls native former WWE United States Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan to emcee the event and mingle. Hoooo! He was great!!! Everyone loved him and he fit the bill perfectly!

CENTERPIECES - Our centerpieces were treasure chests with mardi gras beads, gold coins and large crystal gems. Here, we did not skimp on contents and also did not use any cartoony-like happy meal-like prize inserts, which would have been easy to do. The key to decorating for a fancy pirate wedding was that we tried our best to make everything look legit and as real as possible, so it didn't look like a kid's pirate birthday. Using higher quality decorations made everything feel more classy ...or at least as classy as a pirate shindig can be!

FLAGS - We hung 17 different jolly roger pirate flags up in each window bay of Birch Hill's big reception hall. (With them all being slightly different, this helped things feel more real and made things more interesting to the eye. It was way more cool to see the little variations to each flag than to quickly browse over the same print over and over again of the same skull & crossbones. There are actually many different pirate flags out there, and if you look online, you can find full real 3 x 5 foot flags for $5-$10 a piece, that may not be all that weather-sound, but perfect for the short-term; an indoor reception like ours.

FOOD - We had buffet style thick carved prime rib, lobster penne, and chicken marsella.

CAKES - Arrrghhh! Yes matey! We had two cakes; one custom pirate wedding tower by yummy local wedding cake favorite Cocodots, and a surprizing groom's cake by my own sister that was peanut butter frosting, peanut butter cake and topped with crushed reeses everything! (My favorite!) I actually fed a piece of this to my best man, the same as you feed one to your bride, in full pie-face tradition.

PHOTO MAGNET PHOTO-SHOOT - We had a green screen magnet shoot so that people could bring home high quality magnets to put on their refridgerators of the night, featuring fun with all their friends. These keepsakes were great because the photographer would change the background on the spot to match costumes and our theme. And, the sharp full color quality was also unbelievable! This extra fun was provided by Holmes Photography in the Albany, NY area.

In case you might want to walk the plank yourself at your own wedding, here are some of our guests pictures to hold you over, as the professional shots by Manny at Affordable Photography are not quite done yet.

There will be more to come soon, on how to actually plan a great pirate wedding, once we go through all the pictures.

In the meantime, we have more of our guests shots at www.kenmariapiratewedding.shutterfly.com

Our Pirate Wedding is Coming...

2011-04-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

Most of what I write here ends up being a lot of ideas for people planning weddings. The reason this ends up happening is I end up DJ'ing one or two weddings a week, and the events become easy content for my DJ blog. It is a no brainer.

Anyhow, I just wanted to let the readers know that I practice what I preach; Theme Weddings are one of the best ways to really make your wedding memorable.

About a year ago, I wrote a blog about how I would plan a "pirate wedding." The way I write my wedding theme blogs are I either go to a wedding that has an awesome theme and absolutely have to share what I saw, or I do a bunch of research up on an idea and write. In the case of my pirate blog, I had gone to my nephew's birthday party which had a pirate theme, due to his love of The Pirates of The Carribean movie franchise. Then I got to thinking how it would be interesting to take some of the fun birthday party ideas and work them into a wedding that afforded a bigger budget to the theme.

Before posting it, my fiancee read it and told me I shouldn't put it out there for everyone to read.

"Why?" I asked. "Is it not realistic? Do you think nobody will want to do it?"

"Not at all," she replied. "I want it for our wedding."

(This is why I am marrying her!)

Anyhow, we have had an absolute blast planning for our own special day.

Here are some shots of the best man, Marty Carbone (who also has a blog here) and myself, with the costumes that didn't quite make the cut:

And... Here is the gigantic decoration pile in sotrage waiting for the big day, along with a bit of an idea of what a centerpiece might look like:

Weird Al Finally Gets Lady Gaga's Blessing for Spoof

2011-04-21T05:53:00.000-07:00

April 20, 2011 - Comedy artist Weird Al Yankovic, whose first hit was in 1984 with a Michael Jackson parody called "Eat It," has a new album due out this summer. In the above video, he noted that intended to include this new parody of Lady Gaga called "Perform This Way" on his new album, but was denied by the subject of his spoof, until what many believe was an internet backlash from fans last night.

From his wordpress blog, he explained that his "saga with Gaga" was a strange and dissapointing one, that is, until last night when Lady Gaga had a change of heart.

Before Lady Gaga changed her tune, Al explained that he wrote and recorded what he believed was going to be the first cornerstone single of his return album. But after Lady Gaga's people actually heard the track, they decided not to give him their blessing to release the song.

As the story goes, when Yankovic approached Gaga's management team about the song, they said they would only give permission after the track was totally recorded and produded so they could actually hear it, even though they already had the lyrics in hand. So Yankovic quickly recorded a rough for Gaga, which he typically does not do. Normally, artists consider it an honor to be spoofed by legendary Weird Al and it is well-known that his songs are basically a remake of the original song with different lyrics. ANyhow, because he believed in the song, he obiliged, and was still denied.

Being a comedy act allows him to release the song anyhow, but Al says that he does not do that without the nod from the original artist. After feeling disrespected, however, Al stated on his site, "It has always been my personal policy to get the consent of the original artist before including my parodies on any album, so of course I will respect Gaga’s wishes. However, given the circumstances, I have no problem with allowing people to hear it online, because I also have a personal policy not to completely waste my stinking time." Therefore, he uploaded the track to Youtube early in the morning yesterday for his fans to enjoy free.

All day on April 20th, fans listened to the track and began their pleas to Lady Gaga. By six that evening, a different voice came from Camp Gaga. This one stated that Gaga had never actually heard the track herself and her management had screened it on their own and denied the track. Lady Gaga stated that she was, in fact, a Weird Al fan and would not, "get in the way to block the parody."

Since then tweets and an update to this Youtube video show that the show is back on and that Weird Al will putting out the spoof that the fans have demanded. A release date for the album featuring the Gaga track, "will soon be announced."

Small Wedding Venue - Inn at Saratoga

2011-04-18T18:39:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of doing a wedding gig at The Inn at Saratoga, on Broadway Street. The Inn is a nice little place and I thought I would give those of you who may be planning a small wedding in the Saratoga area some info.

While a large guest list event probably wouldn't work well there, if you are planning a laid back, smaller wedding of 80-90 people or less, The Inn at Saratoga might be right for you. Their accomodations were comfortable for about what I saw there on Saturday, again, eighty people or so. Surpassing this many friends and family, in my estimation, would have been pushing it. .

CEREMONY LAYOUT - You can get married on location. The Inn at Saratoga has a courtyard with a nice white tent. This area is suitable for smaller outdoor weddings and has provisions to keep your guests safe from the elements. (On this past Saturday in particular, the tent turned out to be a godsent for the bride and groom, due to the drizzle and wind.)

COCKTAIL HOUR - This venue has an inside dining hall with a porch that leads out to the bricked courtyard. Both the courtyard and the inside area have bars and room for cocktail hour festivities. In my opinion, the outside bar on the porch by the ceremony tent would be the best bet for your cocktail hour, when the weather is nice. The inside cocktail bar is more like a hallwayledinginto the dining hall and people can't really minglenear the bar because of it. However, when it is rainy like it was the other day, it is great to know an inside bar option is available.

The Inn also has a popular public bar in the front, to compliment their actual restaurant. The public bar serves for a great hiding place for the bride and groom before their grand introduction into the dining hall, while the people are seated and waiting.

BANQUET ROOM - The room used as the main dinning hall, again, is not ideal for guest of 100plus people. It seems like a comfy and fun place at around 80 people or less. There is a small dance floor and enough space to the side to fit eight people comfortably at about ten round tables. In the eating space, they have a little fireplace, as well as a massive decorative victorian mirror by the dance floor.

FREE PARKING - Parking is limited but to no concern of the guests. The Inn makes up for limited spaces with providing a free valet service that actually works very well.

HOTEL ROOMS - It also helps that it is an actual functioning Inn. The Inn is located right near the nightlife of Saratoga city. Nearby is Congress Park and Canfield Casino. The hotel also provides free wireless Internet to everyone with no hassle. This may not seem like much to some, but being the DJ for the event, I had no problem at all downloading a random music request. (It’s awesome when you don’t need a wifi password.)

All in all, if your wedding is small, this hall is not a bad option.

For more of our wedding tips and reviews by DJ Kenny Casanova ... check out www.theDJservice.com

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An 80's Theme Wedding Can Be Awesome

2011-04-11T07:40:00.000-07:00

I am a wedding DJ, so I see lots of weddings. Did you ever notice that later on in life, the many weddings you have attended all seem to blend together in your memory bank?

If you really think about it, the traditional wedding with tuxedos and the big white dress is a theme now, in itself. Everyone does it. So if you really want to be different, you have to take a risk.

If you remember the 80s and grew up in this crazy time, having a theme-based wedding set in the 80s can be, like, a totally awesome idea. This campy decade saw the rise of Cyndi Lauper, Duran Duran, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and even one-hit-wonders like Nu Shoes. Here is an across-the-board comprehensive idea list of 80s wedding theme tips that will make your 1980s wedding stand out and be momorable for years to come.

INVITATIONS – when you send out your RSVP’s, setting the mood from the start. A great way to figure out what your invitations should look like is to research 80s pictures on Google Images. Looking at pictures will give the opportunity to really examine the marvelous neons and pastels that are the trademarks of this colorful time. Pictures will also bring overall ideas to the table.

Color schemes of the 80's and images for your information are key. Any that you choose to pick are great, but just remember to tell everyone to dress in the 80s, or even to come dressed as their favorite 80′s star.

ENTRANCE – You know that your wheels are everything. If you can find one, it would kick to drive in, a blast from the past, in a "Back to The Future" DeLorean as your limo! (A DeLorean complete with a flux-capacitor would be even better.) A Trans-Am or any iconic 80s ride would also work. Imagine how “rad" a Knight Rider entrance would be! If you need something bigger, a customized A-team van is the way to go.

CLOTHING IDEAS- TV proved to be the biggest inspiration behind 1980′s fashion, as a whole. For a wedding with an 80's theme, I would suggest black and white lace like Madonna for the brides maids. For the groomsmen, think Duran Duran meets Miami Vice; smooth pastel-colored jackets with the sleeves rolled all the way up to the elbow.

The key to success in a theme wedding is to encourage guest participation. Have your guests dress up to fit the role. If they ask for what is appropriate, some trends worth mentioning include: bleached and torn up jeans, fancy neon legwarmers, heavy eyeliner and excessive makeup, and teased up hair styles. For trendy 80's accessories, pull out the Risky Business sunglasses, jelly bracelet’s, and the beautiful Swatch-watches.

Some guests will not plan to dress up, but will wish they once they get there after seeing the other guests. For the unprepared guests, make sure to have a stashed duffle bag full of extra jelly bracelets, ugly bright neon t-shirts, fishnet gloves and punk rock wigs.

Your clothing can really make or break the 80s theme. Opt to break... breakdance that is. The 80s wasn't only rock. Hip hop became very popular in this timeframe. Another way to go is to have the guys dress up in "mack-daddy" Adidas jumpsuits and Run-DMC gold chains, you know, def dookie ropes, and maybe some Kool Moe Dee sunglasses. Your Fly Girls need baggy overalls, big buckle belts and stupid fresh gold jewelry. Word up!

WORD LISTS - Get people talking. Try putting 1980′s dictionary sheets around the dinner tables comeplete with all the slang and catch phrases you can find. Valley Girl was huge back then, dude… Narrly.

DECORATIONS – If you are going to go 80’s, why not go all the way? Try pink and blue streamers all over the room, like they did at the dances in all the teen movies. Or, perhaps, decorate everything in neons and pastels.

Make sure you check with theh all before pinning up anything. If they are against posting, you can always use foam boards and make little displays. Once you have a means to display stuff, go crazy. Put up posters and pictures of Indiana Jones, Back To The Future, Footlose, Silver Spoons, Flashdance, Dirty Dancing, and The Ninja Turtles are a must. Old Teen Beat magazines pin-ups and pull-out magazine posters.

You could also post vintage 80′s clothes like band shirts, pearl-encrusted Michael Jackson gloves or leather zipper jackets. Other iconic findings like Cabbage Patch Kids, cardboard cutouts and movie posters like Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Breakfast Club and Revenge of the Nerds.

Another good idea is to incorporate music into your décor. That’s what it is all about, right? Look for 1980’s record singles, that’s right, 45′s from the eighties and hang them everywhere, from the light fixtures to the head table.

FAVORS - Another idea for the nostalgic romantics, why not make Custom Mix tapes? If cassette tapes feel too much of a waste of time to you, you can cheat. Burn a CD with top 80’s movies and tv show themes, as well as some of the number one hits of this era.

CENTERPIECES & TABLE FUN – Who needs confetti? How about tossing garbage pail kids collecting cards all over the tables? You can also decorate your tables with 80's album covers and the 45 singles themselves.

A basket full of 80’s retro junk is totally awesome. As a centerpiece, a bin full of 80’s goodies would make for great past-times and conversation pieces. Make sure to include magic eight balls, rubik’s cubes, pop rocks, Star Wars and He-Man toys and whatever else yard sales and eBay can help you find.

You can give your centerpiece away with a Rubik’s Cube Contest. Locally, Yankee Dollar and The Dollar Stores now have pretty decent Rubik Cube knock-offs available. While the Rubik Contest could be done several ways, probably the best and quickest payoff is to award the winner as being whoever can solve the most sides done within one particular song.

ACTIVITY OPTIONS – You can still have a great time with your traditional bouquet and garter toss activities, but have the DJ work in songs of this time. There are other 80s activities you can do as well. Once the dancing begins, an impromptu “Breakdance Contest,” is also a must-have at an 80’s wedding.

Jeopardy Challenge – During the meal, Jeopardy questions could become a big party favorite. All you need are some standard 80s trivia questions, here and there, and the people will love it. (Make sure to ask your DJ if he can grow an Alex Trebek mustache to sport during the audio daily double.)

Lip synching was a big deal in the eighties. There was even a show dedicated to it. This activity could be a great option for your temem wedding as well. Since many guests will be dressed in gear anyhow, you could put the spotlight on a few of your guests and hand them a microphone. I can already picture a Risky Business Tom Cruise impersonation.

Name that Tune - Or even better, Name That 80′s Theme. Before the dancing portion of the reception, the DJ could play a sample of an 80′s television show theme for whoever is paying attention, and the first correct guess, wins some cheesy eighties toy.

Drinking Games - Take The Pepsi Challenge! Coke vs. Pepsi: Can your guests tell the difference, blindfolded? Pour some rum in one of the glasses last second and then you can really get the party going!

Also, if youc an get a bartender like the ones in Cocktails, who flip the bottles all over the place, this would be a great added extra touch.

Video Game Challenges - Remember the ATARI 2600?! Atari just recently released a new game system with the the old feel. It's a pretty black and wood grain, and comes complete with all of the old school games built in and the original joysticks. The new "Atari Classic system" plugs right into the a/c jack. Imagine having a Asteroids, Combat, or Space Invaders on big screen TV, or digitally projected on the wall, during the cocktail hour. If you have the big bucks, how about renting or even buying an original 1982 Pacman arcade game by the bar?

Picture Booths - A lot of people rent photo booths for weddings now, and set up a table of little props to make the instant pictures come out even more interesting. The wedding photo booth has really turned into a fun ongoing activity at weddings and can be a big smash at any theme wedding.

MUSIC IDEAS - A year or two ago, I posted a great music list here to help you get your 80's on, appropriately. Here is a link to that list of songs that jump started MTV back, in the day.

CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE TOP 100 80's MUSIC PLAYLIST

For more of our wedding tips, msic lists and reviews by DJ Kenny Casanova ... check out www.theDJservice.com

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Wedding Theme List - Theme Ideas for your wedding reception

2011-04-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

Below is a great list of possible themes for your wedding. Why have a theme? Everyone wants their wedding to stick out and be one that people will remember for a lifetime. Adding a wedding theme where guests participate in some different kind of way or actually dress the part can be a way to really make this happen.

As a DJ who specializes in wild and fun modern weddings, who readily thumbs his nose at tired traditions like the dreaded chicken dance, I have recently become one of the area's leading choices for "theme weddings." It is quickly becoming my specialty, though I did not plan it that way. Anyhow, it is a nifty little niche. With my past experience in the entertainment field, as well as being an aspiring fiction author, my creative side does well with theme weddings.

I cannot stress that a theme wedding brings everything together AND brings everyone together. Every element becomes so much easier and fun to put together.

I have a number of blogs with some great ideas now available, but thought it might be a good idea to give people a general idea of what kind of themes are out there. (Brides, you may want to really look at this list if want to get the groom more involved in the planning of your special day. I have noticed that when a theme has been added, grooms buy into the planning even more.)

Do I practice what I preach? YES!!! Stay tuned for my own pirate theme wedding pictures in May... For now, here is a growing list of wedding themes that I have come across and been a part of:

Awesomized 80's / 1980s
African Theme
Australian Wedding
Asian Fusion / Japanese & Chinese
Beach
Butterfly Theme
Carribean Theme
Country Theme
Cinderella
Christmas
Daisey Theme
Disney Theme / Mickey Mouse / Magical Kingdom
Easter Theme
Elvis
Ethnic Theme
Fairy Tale theme
Fall Theme
Fifties / 1950s
Garden / Flowers Theme
Goth / Gothic / Dark Theme
Halloween
Hawaiin / Island Theme
Heavy Metal
Hippie / Grateful Dead / 1960s
Irish / Celtic
Italian
International (many nations represented, or specific regions)
Japanese
Jewish
Mardi Gras Theme
Masquerade Theme
Medieval / Renaissance
Military Theme
Pirate
Rose Theme
Royalty Theme
Sci Fi / Space
Star Trek or Star Wars
Sound of Music
Superhero Theme
Under the Sea / Ocean /nautical
Vegas / Rat Pack
Valentines / Hearts
Victorian Theme
Western / Old West / Cowboy
Winter Wonderland

A few of these wedding themes above are hyperlinks to other blog entries, specifically about the theme. For more wedding theme ideas, check out our other blogs at www.thedjservice.com/blog

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(PHOTO CREDIT: http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/may2009/1/0/star-wars-wedding-pic-mike-walker-m-and-y-973806144.jpg )

A WHITE WEDDING? - Snow Changes Wedding Dates Nationwide

2011-03-31T06:12:00.001-07:00

This time of year, people start to plan their weddings. As you know, some common places they like to hold their receptions often include high end golf clubs and ski resorts, like Jiminey Peak. With all the snow we are getting this year, it seems as if some of the planning has been put off, for fear of the weather. Therefore, I expect to see more weddings being scheduled for later in the year, than usual.

However, if you are a Capital District bride or groom, you can still count your lucky stars. If you were in Lake Tahoe, California right now, your wedding season might be skipped altogether! Snow on your wedding day is usually considered to be a sign of fertility and prosperity, but in this case, it is just plain ridiculous!

Yes. That is what 31 feet of snow looks like on the ground. This crazy picture is not Alaska, or the North Pole. This JPG was recently taken outside Tahoe Donner Ski Resort in California, where they have lots of weddings yearly, just like Jiminey Peak.

The Weather Channel has reported that the Tahoe area, a popular destination for many weddings, is in rough shape. It has received over 50 feet, that's 600 inches of snow this season alone. Different storms recently dumped over 100 inches each, in only the span of few days.

Can you imagine driving up to a wedding like this?

Now that's a white wedding.

DJ Kenny Casanova
www.TheDJservice.com

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Modern Wedding Introduction SONG LIST

2011-03-29T06:45:00.000-07:00

Do you want a wedding intro party song that really hypes up the crowd?

Recently, trends in modern wedding receptions have changed from lots of elegant romance songs to more of a "get up and dance" party atmosphere. Today, most couples seem to be looking to set a party tone with the choice of their grand introduction song selection. If this is where you are in your wedding planning, then you are not alone. This intro list may very well be perfect for you.

This list was created because there are countless “Wedding Introduction Music Song Lists” out there on the net that haven't been updated since the 80′s. The 80′s had great iconic music; don’t get me wrong. However, most of my wedding couples who are getting married today are not from this era. Therefore most of the wedding intro song lists out there are no longer relevant and mean nothing to this generation.

"So why are these lists even still out there?" One reason these moth-eaten wedding intro lists are probably kicking around is because of the power of Google and the overall imortal and ominous internet.

The other reason these bad lists still resurface, perhaps, is because of corny old wedding DJ’s clad in Brady Bunch tuxedos, sporting Jerry Garcia beards refusing to let go of their tired shtick. They love theme songs like “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis, Beverly Hills Cop's “Axl F” and Dirty Dancing’s “I’ve Had the Time of My Life.” However, I will argue that half of the newlyweds getting married today have never even seen the actual movies related to these lame outdated songs.

While I have added a few classics "DJ Kenny Casanova's Modern Song List", you will find far more songs from the past ten to twenty years or so, and far more that will energize your guest list. “Drum roll please…” (Ugghh!) Anyhow, click the link below for the list:

Forever – Chris Brown
I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
At Last - Etta James
Justin Timberlake - Sexyback
The Way I are - T.I.
Crazy In Love - Beyonce Feat. Jay-Z
Bitter Sweet Symphony - Verve
Bring 'Em Out - T.I. Feat. Jay-Z
Walking On Sunshine - Katrina And The Waves
The Time - Black Eyed Peas
Yeah - Usher Feat. Ludacris & Lil' Jon
Low (Apple bottom Jeans) – Flo Rider
Pump It - Black Eyed Peas
Fire Burning – Sean Kingston
Party Up - DMX (Instrumental)
Firework - Katy Perry
Love And Marriage - Frank Sinatra
Sandstorm - Darube
CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTIRE LIST ... DJ Kenny Casanova's Modern Wedding Introduction SONG LIST

The list is pretty long. There are another fifty songs or so for you to pick through. Click the above link for the rest of the list. Thanks guys, and have a fun wedding!

-DJ Kenny

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Hulk Hogan's Appearance on American Idol - Review

2011-03-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

In case you missed it, this blog has a video tip, via YouTube of Hulk Hogan's recent appearance on American Idol.

As you may or may not know, I've had an extensive history in pro wrestling sports broadcasting experience. I was a ring announcer and a wrestler / personality, including a number of ring announcing gigs right here in Albany, NY for WWE Wrestling at The Times Union Area. This background, of course, paired with my disc jockey status and keen karaoke-laden background, makes me an expert to speak my mind and review the recent Hulk Hogan appearance on American Idol, and the new direction of the show.

So what did I think of The Hulkster? First off, for those of you Hulkamaniacs who missed it, here is the segment:

Hulk Hogan's appearance in my opinion was perfect for American Idol fans... His cameo was not too short, and also not overkill. It was just enough Hulkamania to add flavor to the music and talent show. The key was to keep it light, which they did well.

Arguably, Ryan Seacrest may have "over sold" the Hulkster’s punch and this may be considered ridiculous to the avid hardcore wrestling fan. However, Ryan’s work rate in this spot was the perfect balance of fun for mainstream and young viewers on network Television.

What you actually missed from this clip was a video segment of the two Idol contestants having a mock wrestling match, pulling in other contestants in their quarters. The big reveal was that these singers hit it off due to their love of pro wrestling. Therefore, the big surprise was that the biggest name in wrestling came out to give them the thumbs up, personally. I think the spot was classic. It was a great moment, overall.

As afollow up on my previous blog about American Idol (whether or not the new judges had what it takes) I have to say that until now, I honestly had lost interest on being a regular viewer of the show. The audition tapes were good stuff, as always, but when it went live, I didn't think the judges were living up to their post-Simon journey this year, due to being overly complimentary to every contestant. It seems that, for the most part, there wasn't much of any really judging going on.

No one on the show this season had the pistachios to step up and pick up Simon's slack. Nobody has been brutal enough to tell someone they had a bad performance, when they really did, without couching it in a lame hard-searched compliment. Overall to put it blunt, nobody had the guts to tell someone they "suck," that is, until Hogan did a run-in on Ryan Seacrest.

On a positive note in a different category, however, the music quality has improved by the American Idol band, or at least the production and mixing has from previous years. Also, so has the singing. Additionally, the entertainment value has gone up with more skits and better name celebrity guests. This clip, which I missed live, made me actual wish I was viewing in.

Wedding Venue Review - The Edison Club of Rexford

2011-03-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday was a a little hectic for me, working as a DJ in the Albany area. After the weather just started to warm up, I had three different parties at three different places, all in the same day. The first gig was a nice mid-day wedding at The Edison Club in Rexford. The second was a karaoke/birthday party at Rennselaer Patroon Inn, and final one was a fun music video dance jam at Villa Valenti Pub in Troy, NY. (At the same time, my partner Maria DJ also had a birthday party. Busy as usual for TheDJservice.com.)

Of course, the most important venue and gig was the wedding. A great guy named Dustin, a former soilder is back from defending our country. He married that day a nice girl he met on duty in the Philippines. It was my duty to provide some fun and light music for their Champagne and Appetizer celebration /reception at The Edison.

The Edison Club for those of you who are not familiar hosts a number of weddings now. It really is a well-kept wedding secret in Rexford. (I do guess, however, that anybody one could really argue that most everything in Rexford is quiet. I few years ago, I didn't even know where Rexford was. Neither, by the way, does google maps. It is a safe bet that The Edison puts this nice town near Clifton Park on the map.)

Greenery is always perfect for outdoor wedding pictures. It dresses all the whites and blacks up from traditional wear and usually looks more interesting to they eye than inside church shots. The Edison Club of Rexford New York is a nice golf club, with tons of green and not located by other businesses.

The Edison has size. Edison also recently remodeled. The gearth of its space now is partitioned off of into three different sections. One for an indoor ceremony, one for a cocktail hour bar and the last for a dinning and dancing space ideal for your wedding reception. The dinning area is also equipt with a curtained stage and a very large wood dance floor lined with tables all around the sides.

My complaint is only really a technical one. It is a minor wiring issue that probably no guests would even notice, so probably not a real concern. (The stage where the entertainment usually sets up does not have electric outlets. Therefore, as the Disc Jockey or musician for the event, we have to run a cord off the stage and out where wiring can perhaps potentially be seen. If your disc jockey knows what he is doing and is professional, this issue shouldn’t be a concern.)

If you are planning a smaller wedding, they offer a banquet room as well, if you are not looking for much of any dancing. In the back of the building is a nice round room with a lot of windows and an beautiful fireplace. (This room does not provide a lot of access for guests or wedding professionals to move their bigger gifts/packages or gear into.) However, it may work perfectly for some. I had never done a gig in this room beofre, but everything turned out great!

If you are a bride or groom and looking for a decent place to have your wedding reception, it’s worth giving these gyuys a look at.

Top Ten Wedding Disaster List ...Put to Music

2011-03-15T05:09:00.000-07:00

There are so many problems that can occur at a wedding, but as the song goes, "Don't Worry, Be Happy." Having a back up plan, or thinking about solutions to the problems that could occur are the keys to acheiving "The Perfect Wedding." If you plan your wedding with these problems in mind, as Bob Marley once said, "Every little thing's gonna be all right." Here is my Wedding Disaster playlist from TheDJservice.com:

1. Plan out your ceremony and you can… “Have The Time of Your Life” - Greenday
The Ceremony is the most important thing, overall and is often forgotten about. After all, the wedding reception is really just the celebration of having just had the ceremony. Spend a little time putting things together to make it memorable.

2. Be careful not to waste all of your … “Money” – The O’Jays
“Do we really need an award-winning classical violinist in by the coat room?”… “Do we really want a centerpeice in the bathroom?”… The dreaded Wedding Industry is a big money maker and a huge money taker. It is soooooo easy to get caught up in all the frills and extra options when you are planning wand request the very best of everything. This can get very costly, if you don’t pay attention to the little costs.

3. “Just The Two of Us” – Will Smith
Your wedding as a whole should be symbolic. Make sure your wedding is a reflection of both of you; the bride and a groom. Sometimes we forget to put in the personal likes and dislikes that make the event special. In the end, everyone should have some of the traditional wedding to make them happy, but also a mixed in balance of things that are important to the newlyweds.

4. “I need Somebody to, HELP, not just anybody.” – The Beatles
Two people are important for the success of your special day; the minister/officiant and the Disc Jockey/band leader. It is your duty to really know who is running the show. This means if you bring in a boring officiant for your wedding ceremony, your ceremony will be boring. Also, if you hire a bad band, people will have a bad time. Book a lame DJ and get lame stuff like chicken dances and YMCA, that is, if you dare consider the Village People to be "lame."

5. “Lose My Mind” - DMX
Don’t "Lose Yourself" as Eminem would say. It is easy-squeezey to get all stressed out and sweat the little things. Afterall, there are a ton of different components to a wedding where anything could go wrong. Odds are something will. If something doesn’t go exactly as planned, take a deep breath and move on. No one will care. Sometomes it makes things even more memorable. We are all human!

6. “More Money, More Problems” – The Notorious BIG, Biggie Smalls
If you let them, the wedding professionals, caterers, and even your guests can end up costing you a an arm and a leg and a fortune. Figure out exactly want to spend and stick to it!

7. “I’m Here For The Party” – Gretchen Wilson
It is never a good practice to "get your Ke$ha on" and go get plastered the night before your wedding. The funny thing is, it happens all the time. Think about it though. You are probably dropping thousands of dollars on your wedding. Do you really really want to be hung over on your special day? Words of wisdom: If a bachelor / bachelorette party is set up for the night before, be careful you don’t spoil things for the day after.

8. Be a great host and always think of… “Everybody” – Backstreet Boys
While it is your “special day,” the wedding reception will only be fun for everyone if you include everyone. That means perhaps playing some music you may not particularly like, or allowing something to happen for the good of the whole that you may not be particularly fond of.

9. “It Takes Two to Make a Thing Go Right” – Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
It is hard to remember that there are two people, when planning a wedding. Quite often, the bride has been thinking about this day her whole life and totally takes over. Ladies, if you want the groom to enjoy himself, let him have a little fun in the planning as well.

10. “Singing in The Rain” – Gene Kelly
Make sure to have yourself a back up plan for every single individual thing that could go wrong. People are optimistic at heart and often think, bad stuff like these things could never ever happen to me. Howeverthey are the same ones who end up with ketchup all over the bride's wedding dress. If you don’t keep this in mind, all your people could be stuck out in a rainstorm.

(PICTURE CREDIT: http://www.getmarried.com/wedding-blog/2009/08/12/wedding-cake-disasters/)

Ten Ways to Save Big At Your Wedding

2011-03-11T09:29:00.000-08:00

Are you planning a wedding and watching the numbers build? Fear not. There are many tips and corners you can cut to save money. Sometimes, just saving a little bit here and there can total major savings across the board. Here are ten great ways to to cut spending on your wedding ceremony and reception:

1. Watch Decoration Costs – Decorations can add up fast. Perhaps using candlelight might be a great option for you. Candles can be a delightful and romatic alternative to purchasing expensive centerpieces, costly flowers, and fancy decorations.

2. Which Day of The Week is Crutial to Savings – A catering hall or disc jockey "prime time slot" is usually considered to be Fridays, Saturdays, and even sometimes Sundays. The traditional wedding season tends to take place between somewhere in April through October. Booking outside these restraints and understanding these definitions of "wedding prime time" will really help you save.

3. Get Some Help! – Why spend a ton of loot on the photographer, musicians, officiant, or DJs, if some of your friends and family can make this happen for cheaper or even free. Who do you know?

4. Affordablity in the Wedding Dress Department – Havine a relative's wedding dress altered is nostalgic, time-honored and can additionally often often far cheaper than buying a new one, as well. Websites like eBay and Amazon even, thrift stores, can be a great way to save literally hundresds of dollars on the wedding dress.

5. Your Wedding Invitations – Online is totally acceptable now, so you can save a bundle on postage right there. If you do not want to go the e-invite route, at least shop your invitations online. Competition is fierce and you are bound to find a deal if you look enough.

6. Funding Flowers – Some vocational schools have Floral Classes as part of their curriculums. With the right connections, you can work with local schools to turn your wedding decoration into a classroom assignment and only pay cost of the flowers.Check with the hall to see who else is having a wedding there that weekend. You may be able to save on flowers by sharing.

7. Throw a “Wedding Prep” Party – Get all of your bridal party and friends together. Turn on the tunes and have them put together favors, flower arrangements and anything else that you have to pay more for when it comes completely assembled.

8. Think Food & Drink – Always provide your own caterer when you can. If your hall does not allow this, ask where money can be saved. See if they’ll let you provide your own liquor, or if serving only wine and beer will be cheaper than a full bar. Also consider only having open bar open during your cocktail hour, then serving an inexpensive wine with dinner.

9. Play on eBay – Anything you buy, always check eBay and Amazon first!

10. Cut Down The Guest List – When you look at many weddings at $50 or more a plate, you have to be selective. One rule of thumb is do not invite anyone you haven’t seen or even talked to in five years. Don’t encourage single people to bring a date. Avoid inviting work colleagues. And let your friends bring their children.

If you follow these guidelines, you will certainly have some money left over. That means a better home together and/or honeymoon you could have. For more was to save, check out Our site... www.TheDJservice.com

Villa Valenti Restaurant & Wedding Catering Review

2011-02-27T09:25:00.000-08:00

Being a wedding disc jockey by trade, people ask me from time to time, what I recommend for venues and catering. They all seem to want homestyle quality with down-to-earth prices and good people who pay attention to fine detail. I think Villa Valenti’s could be the right answer for your wedding.

The restaurant is fantastic and their catering is, too. If you really want the Italian wedding feel for your reception, or are just looking for the right place for your rehearsal dinner, I would definitely give them a call. And the best thing about booking Villa Valenti is you are not going in blind. You can check them out any day of the week.

The Albany area’s premier Italian restaurant, bar none, is Villa Valenti’s in on West Sand Lake Road in Wynantskill. The Villa Valenti Restaurant has spent over 50 years perfecting a home-style experience for their huge list of regular clientele. The atmosphere is perfect to bring your special someone out for a great dining experience. Just on the outskirts of Troy, NY, you get a nice woodsy country backdrop, without the drive. Inside, the comfy booths and tables, a classy and friendly bar, and their small banquet room fit for fifty make Valenti’s a place you will want to go back to again and again.

The service is phenomenal. Drinks are always full and the staff checks on you regularly. One of the waitresses has been there so long, like almost twenty years, and she says she feels like she is part of the Valenti’s family. This restaurant has a way of doing that. They start you off with their signature “well-worth-the-carbs” warm baked oven rolls and home-made Italian bread sticks with a savory garlic olive oil dip.

After you decide on an appetizer like tender Braciole, zesty brushetta or mouth-watering fried calamari, you have to also remember that Villa Valenti’s salad bar is waiting in the wings. Save room. Valenti’s famous salad bar, with fresh garden ingredients, pasta salads, and my favorite sautéed mushrooms, is meal-worthy in itself.

Known for their prize-winning homemade sauce (now available at select grocers like Hannaford), you also have to save space in your stomach for pasta. Their pasta selection includes their patented own Angel Hair pasta made on the premises, as well as delectable Fettucini, Linguine, Tortellini, Cavatelli Satchitine, and Gnocchi.

Are you hungry? We haven’t even discussed the massive menu. The choices are endless. Whether you are in the mood for a great chicken eggplant, or veal parm, the best Rollatini on earth, or a hearty lasagna that can’t be beat, Villa Valenti’s serves all the Italian traditions at mastery level and beyond. And that’s not all, Valenti’s also has a great seafood selection, a huge veal dish selection, and arguably the best prime rib in the Capital District, weighing in at a whopping 20 ounces of scrumptiousness.

I have never been very good at physics. The dessert is great I hear, but to be honest, with the enormous dinner portions and salad bar, I never get to even think about trying their Sicilian Canoli, Tiramisu, or a slice of homemade cheesecake. Maybe one day.

We go there every chance we get. It really is an enjoyable experience everytime and can also be a lot of fun.

They have a neat little birthday promotion where you get a free meal during the week with the purchase of another meal! Now tell me, who does something in today's economy like this anymore?!

Without hesitation I recommend Villa Valenti. Two thumbs up. "Molto Bene!"

Irish Theme Wedding Ideas, Traditions & Song List

2011-02-24T06:34:00.000-08:00

With Saint Patrick's sneaking up on us, an Irish theme wedding is a perfect way to make your wedding stick out and me memorable to all the guests attending.

An Irish Theme Wedding additionally celebrates your heritage and Irish culture, and is a great way to start your marriage.

There are many things you can incorporate into your special day. Irish traditions can be fused into your decor, ceremony, clothing, food and also reception activities.

First off, the look of the reception hall is everything. When you purchase decorations, it s easy to go with anything Saint Patrick’s day, but I would stay away from the over-the-top cartoony stuff. You can get away with some of it, perhaps at the reception, if you absolutely want to go with leprechans and pots of gold, but you really shouldn’t have them at the ceremony. Those type of decorations can make your wedding look cheap.

CELTIC WEDDING TRADITIONSThe traditional Irish Wedding Bell - A hand held Irish Wedding bell is sounded by the new husband immediately after the ceremony. This bell is not forgotten and left behind at the ceremony as a decoration, however. It accompanies the new couple to their home as a momento of their vows. In fact, whenevertheir is an argument, it is supposed to be rung to remind the couple of their wedding vows. For a modern Irish wedding. small bells could be distributed to your guests to ring after the ceremony, much like the throwing of rice.

Gun Fire – If you really want to start your married life out wth a bang, another Celtic tradition is for rifles to be fired to announce that the couple as man and wife.

The Lucky Horseshoe - The brides bouquet can hold a horseshoe inside it, as tradition. Just make sure to remove it before the flower toss. Some women also sew a small horseshoe into the hem of their wedding dress in Irish weddings.

CLOTHINGThe Harvest Knot – Many years ago, the men of Ireland gave their brides-to-be an accessory called harvest knots which were weavings of straw. Usually, a Harvest Knot is trimmed with flowers and worn in their hair or around your neck. You can put a harvest knot also in the flower bouquet along with the lucky horseshoe to symbolize Irish pride.

Adding Irish Lace - A great way add Irish to your wedding attire is to mix in some Irish lace. Authentic Irish Lace is always loaded with intricate patterns and great quality. You can add lace to the veil to really bring the Irish out.

FOODThe Dinner – The way that the wedding guests would feast in celebration, back in old Ireland was to have a potluck meal hosted at the bride’s family’s house. Traditional Irish dishes include coddle, stew soda, Irish bread, and of course everyone loves corn beef and cabbage.

The Wedding Cake - The Irish wedding cake is typically a heavy fruit cake with white icing. Tradition says that one of the bride’s sisters or bridesmaids is actually the one to cut and serve it. But they location of the actual cut is the strangest part of this cake cutting custom. Tradition actually has the bride seated while the groomsmen held the cake over her head while her sister or best friend cut it.

MUSICIrish Bag Pipes - Rock out at your ceremony or for your introduction into the reception hall with the belting melody of the Irish pipes. Although bagpipes have Celtic roots, they are often today played by the Scottish. However, with a little research, you can find a real Irish uillean piper play at your wedding.

Celtic music can be played wherever appropriate during the ceremony and reception, as there are many varieties. I particularly recommend Celtic harp music for the ceremony for the atmosphere it sets. There are many CDs on Amazon, if you are not having a live band or musician.

Reception Dancing - Learn and perform a real Irish jig to traditional Irish music at the reception. The actual steps of Irish folkdances are called ceilidh.

Here is a good playlist of must hear Irish songs for your wedding reception:
Andres Segovia – Henry Purcell
A 12 Year Old Irish Girl In All Of Us – Flogging Molly
A Walk in Irish Rain – Irish Descendants
Ave Maria (Schubert) – The Irish Tenors
Barrett’s Privateers – Irish Descendants
Black Velvet Band – Irish Rovers
Catch The Wind (Folk) – Irish Descendants
Come on Eileen Dexie’s – Midnight Runners
Danny Boy – The Irish Tenors
Dublin in the Rare Old Times - Three Irish Tenors
Farewell To Nova Scotia – Irish Rovers
Give Ireland Back To The Irish – Paul McCartney
Haste to The Wedding (Celtic) - The Corrs
I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen – Three Irish Tenors
Irish Heartbeat – Van Morrison & The Chieftans
Irish Jig – Various Artists
Irish Medley – Dixie Chicks
Jump Around – House of Pain
Mother Machree – John Gary
Old Irish Blessing - Sprague Choir
Peg O My Heart - Jerry Vale
Riverdance Soundtrack - Irish Diddy
Shipping Off To Boston – Dropkick Murphies
The Biplane Evermore - Irish Rovers
The Irish Washerwoman – Celtic Bagpipes
Tim Finnegan’s Wake – Celtic Connection
Toora-Loora-Looral Three – Irish Tenors
Traditional Irish Folk Song – Dennis Leary
Unicorn - Irish Rovers
Waltzing Matilda – The Irish Rovers
Wasn’t that a party – Irish Rovers
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling – Bing Crosby
Wild Irish Rose – Country George Jones

The Lithuanian Love Coin Wedding Tradition

2011-02-16T05:14:00.000-08:00

I was the wedding disc jockey for a young couple of Lithuanian descent, about a month ago in Albany, NY, I can understand why their guests decided to shower them with money, because they were good people, but something just seemed a little odd. The cash gifts were not in cards at the gift table, but rather people showering the dance floor ...with coins!

As the first dance came to an end, the wedding party began to pour loads of silver dollars, quarters, and some smaller coins, around the dance floor corners. When the newlyweds finally made their exit, the guests hopped to it. They frantically picked up the coins and ran them over, one-by-one to a tall clear vase on the head table. Eventually, one person found and raised a specially marked coin in the air and demanded his dance with the bride.

I did my research and learned that the Lithuanian love coin wedding tradition idea originated from a 1500's Lithuanian town legend that would later resurface as a fad in the 1800's. Here is what our Disc Jockeys at TheDJservice.com could find about the original story that transformed into the wedding tradition we have today:

BACKSTORY OF WEDDING TRADITION: THE LEGEND -
Back in a small Lithuanian village in the 1500's, a young man did not have enough money to buy his girlfriend an engagement ring. At that point with their country involved in one of the Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars, most men didn't have much money and had to be creative. What this man chose to do to profess his undying love, was to provide his bride-to-be with a personalized gift. He took a coin and spent many hours cleaning it, sanding it, and overall, turning it into a piece of beautiful art. When he was finished, one side now had a beautiful dove and both of their initials. When he presented this treasure to his lady and proposed, she of course said "yes." But the ceremony was, unfortunately, not to happen anytime soon. Soon after the proposal, the man was drafted off to war and would not able to first marry his true love for another ten years.

In the meantime, she waited and waited. As a symbol of their love, she treasured the coin and kissed it every night before bed, awaiting his return. One night, however, thieves broke into her house and stole her few valuables and put the coin in a bag. The girl awoke the next morning and was heartbroken.

Finally after ten years, the man returned to his home town as a hero. He found that his bride-to-be had waited eagerly and was very elated with his return, but very sad to confess the loss of the coin he had made for her. The man comforted her and decided to waste no more time. They planned their wedding for the weekend. The next day, the entire village passed word of the news. Come the weekend, it seemed that everybody came to what would have been a small wedding ceremony to show thanks to the man who fought so bravely for them for many years.

The guests felt badly, however, when no rings were exchanged during the ceremony and realized that the couple had no money. They learned that the wife had recently been robbed and decided to do something about it.

Between the ceremony and the reception, the villagers ran home. When they returned to the reception, they brought with them lots of food and presents in thanks to their war hero. When word got out during the first dance that their precious love coin had been stolen less than a year before his return, the villagers emptied their pockets and coin jugs onto the floor as gifts to the new husband and wife and everyone searched for the love coin, to see if the coin had since been re-circulated.

In the end the coin was, in fact, found and the couple lived happily ever after.

THE LITHUANIAN LOVE COIN WEDDING TRADITION LIVES ON -
Today, some Lituaninas re-live this beautiful love story, in memory of this couple and the good people of the village. The guests bring loads of silver dollars, half dollars and quarters to weddings and throw them all over the dance floor. One of the coins is marked with bride and groom's initials. At the end of the first dance, the wedding party collect all of the coins for the newly weds and fill a clear vase, and the lucky person who finds the "love coin" gets a special dance immediately with either the bride or groom for their find.

LOVE COINS - If you are considering doing this tradition at your reception, you can make your very own Lituanian love coin, buy a hobo nickel, or you can try to find a vintage one with their initials on it. There are many vintage ones on ebay.com! Check it out!

Asian-Fusion, Japanese & Chinese Theme Wedding

2011-02-09T11:13:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend at the Holiday Inn in Albany, I was the disc jockey for a real fun, high-end, Asian-fusion Themed Sweet Sixteen Party. The party was formal, and also much like an Japanese-American themed Wedding I did recently, so I thought I would throw down some ideas to help others who are thinking about a theme for their special event.

Anyhow, it could be difficult and limiting to isolate your event to just Chinese or Japanese culture, since they themselves draw from so many inspirations. The modern Japanese writing system itself uses three main scripts, and one of them, Kanji, is basically made up entirely from Chinese characters/letters. Since here in the west, we often group eastern ideas and cultures together, it may be interesting to have an Asian-Fusion Theme, so you can incorporate all the fun.

It’s okay to be different. The birthday girl at the party I did was an African-American. If you love sushi and/or Chinese food and have a huge passion for the East, who says that you can’t have an Asian-themed wedding? If you are thinking of changing things up a bit for your wedding, it doesn’t matter if the bride or groom has Oriental roots or not, it really doesn’t matter. America is about diversity. How many theme parties have you been to where the hosts actually fit the mold in their daily lives, anyhow?

For the actually wedding ceremony, there are many different eastern traditions that can easily be researched. One interesting one has the bride and groom entering the room from opposite sides and symbolically walking together. Guests then wave paper streamers over the couple's heads for purification to keep evil spirits at away. After exchanging vows, the bride and groom each drink a symbolic glass of sake. Finally, they trade glasses nine times to symbolize their new bond.

BRIDE DRESS- Typically, a bride in Japan wears a white silk kimono that can cost over $20,000, but you can get something much cheaper here in the states, or even have something made. The fun part for the bride in Japan is that she gets to act like Lady Gaga at an award ceremony all night. Normally, the Japanese bride changes into up to five different kimonos throughout the wedding day.

Japanese brides often wear a traditional Japanese wig as part of their regalia. These wigs are very fancy and decorated in golden barrettes, pearls, and beautiful artificial flowers,

GROOM CLOTHING- On the other side of the ying yang, a Japanese groom wears all black. A “haori” on the top and a “hakama” on the bottom are the official terms of the traditional matrimonial garb.

DRESS CODE - The wedding party also dresses in kimonos, usually in a color chosen by the bride. Depending on the atmosphere you are looking for, you may want to encourage fun eastern attire from the guests as well. Warning… be forewarned that Uncle Charlie could probably show up as a ninja.

The reception is where you can really pull in the Asian-Fusion theme. There are so many options with this that there is no excuse if you fall short.

ARRIVAL – Though I will admit I have not seen this, coming in pulled on a hand-pulled rikshaw would kick some major bonsai!

DECORATIONS – There are so many options. Bonsai Tree centerpieces, Shoji paper lanterns with Japanese script, Chinese paper parasols, Lucky bamboo plants, Fancy sushi trays and dipping dishes, Cherry Blossoms, paper wall room dividers, hanging oil lanterns. Mini Sandy Zen gardens with tiny rakes. Polished river stones can act as paperweights for napkins.

PRINTING – For the invitations, print custom invitations on Japanese Fine artisan papers and make sure to include some Chinese or Japanese letters. You could also print programs on paper fans!

FAVORS - In Japan, a nickel is a beautiful cheap coin that has a hole in it. It is said to be good luck to wear this coin as a charm on a necklace. Therefore, why not give out Good Luck Japanese Nickel Necklaces? Also, every place setting could have a Lucky Red Takeout Box & Japanese Chopsticks, and Origami. You could also go with a keepsake Porcelain Chinese Takeout Box , Longevity Chopsticks in Silk Pouches, or even Personalized Japanese Wood Chopsticks. Also, fortune cookie with pre-printed fortunes, customized by the bride and groom would be a great hit!

DRINKS - Bowls of edamame beans at the bar, Sake, Wasabe Brew, green tea, or mango sodas.

APPETISERS – Sushi, sashimi, a full raw bar spread, dim sum, shrimp tempura, spring rolls, teriyaki or yakimore sticks and noodles dishes.

MAIN COURSE – Don’t even get me started.

No matter what you do, a theme wedding is the way to go. No one will forget! ...And do not be afraid to play Carl Douglas' "Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting" and The Vapors song "I'm Turning Japanese." You know you want to!

(PHOTO CREDIT: http://myweddingplanningtips.com)

Karaoke at Your Wedding - Things to Think About

2011-02-03T04:58:00.000-08:00

If you have a wedding coming up, you want it to be memorable. There are many different things you can do to make this happen, however, if you are looking at karaoke there are many things to think about.

If you are considering karaoke as an option for your wedding reception because your DJ offers it, you are most likely the type of bride and groom that really want a party-feel and really want your guests to have fun. You probably want to start of your marriage with something memorable. However, as Spidey once said, "with karaoke comes great responsibility." (- Or something like that.)

First off, if karaoke is you key attraction and agreed on by both the bride and groom, make sure your DJ has karaoke experience. This means a regular karaoke gig, with somekind of buzz, locally. While it is hard to exactly explain what it is that makes a DJ good at karaoke, in the eyes of his or her karaoke patrons, it probably has to with a combination of personality, organization and fast pacing.

Personality. It is something your karaoke DJ either has, or doesn't have. There are no lessons for this attribute. You cannot learn this. The only way to really judge this, however is to see them in living color. Ask to see them playing karaoke music at a public venue. The reason they may also get booked for a lot of weddings and sweet 16 birthday parties is by having potential customers come to public gigs and test them first. If they invite you, do it! You can see them in action, unannounced, uncensored and unknown. Then you can judge for yourself, without watching an edited video of only their best moments.

How do you know, if what you are seeing will translate well for you? They should be funny and fun and keep the party going, but not a spotlight hog themselves. (Some karaoke DJ's are unbooked musicians looking for an outlet to shine. Your wedding is not the place for this.) You don't need them to get on the mic and attempt stand up comedy. Your guests want to hear music, not speeches, but a little bit of quick mic work in the appropriate places after or before a strategic song can be classic. They should mix party DJ success with their karaoke, then they will do a great job at both for your reception.

Timing is everything. No dead air, is important. When it happens - PEOPLE CRINGE! Have you ever been on a dance floor and there is a space between songs? What do the dancers do? They either freeze and stand there like deer in headlights, or go and sit back in their seats. BOTH OF THESE OUTCOMES ARE NOT GOOD! Watch the DJ try their hardest to keep everything moving and leave no room to sleep for the karaoke audience.

Once you have chosen the right DJ who also has karaoke, consider these precautions.

1) SCHEDULED KARAOKE TIME - Timing is everything! I recommend only the last hour of the event, so your wedding reception does not become a karaoke concert. Not everyone likes karaoke, so limit it to either scheduled performances by a few key players, or open up say the very last hour. If you open it up for the entire reception, it will not be special and will become more annoying than anything else.

2) SET LIMITS - Do not allow multiple songs by one guest. Maybe one or two, but you do not want your wedding reception to become a crazy huge karaoke jam staring only one or two key players.

3) SCAN SONG SELECTION - Make sure your DJ runs all the songs by you, if they could be considered questionable. Some songs out there have ridiculous amounts of adult content and just are not right for a wedding. (HINT - if there is cursing, or a song by the 2 Live Crew, beware!)

So that's it. Karaoke can really be a blast, but be careful. If you are, it can really add to the final flavor and make it a great night for everyone!

Outdoor Wedding Advice

2011-01-26T06:33:00.000-08:00

Man alive! The past two years, as a wedding DJ, I have seen some pretty rainy outdoor weddings. While an outdoor wedding can be totally awesome, when the weather does not cooperate, it can be a disaster if you do not have some planning, in order.

1. Dress for the elements. Choose fabrics that ensure comfort on the big day. Think about the later hours of the event as well. Will you need to be warm at any point? Will it maybe get to warm, after the dancing starts?

2. Keep your guests' comfort in mind. Also, make sure to let your guests know that the wedding will be outdoors. Prepare them so that they may dress appropriately.

3. Decorations. Wet streamers look like wet toilet paper. Remember, decorations have to brave the elements, and sometimes they may ruin photos, as well. Look for natural or built-in points of beauty for great backdrops and photo opportunities, rather than to try and plot lots of unnecessary decorations.

4. Invest in a good tent. You get what you pay for and you do not want to be dodging downpour streams in the middle of the dance floor. Take no shortcuts when renting a tent, or deal with sunburns and tidal waves.

5. Plan well. While you have to plan ahead and cannot know what the weather will be on a particular date exactly, you can still try for the right season. Plan your outdoor wedding day for a time of the year that averages good weather that is comfortable.

6. Have a Backup Plan. Ever hear of "Plan B"? Make one! You can't predict what the weather is going to be. Rather than stress about it, plan for a site which will allow you to move the entire wedding to an inside location easily.

7. Alert your vendors! All of your vendors should know that it is an outdoor wedding. It sounds easy, but often this is forgotten and sometimes certain precautions need to be taken by your professionals to make everything work out well.

Wedding Bouquet Toss Song Ideas

2011-01-24T09:06:00.000-08:00

The glowing spotlight is shinning softly on you and all eyes casted your way. Your hands hold a modest, yet gorgeous bundle of flowers and you are about to throw it all away, and move on to the next wonderful chapter in your book. It is now that magical moment for you, the bride in white.

Everything is just how you imagined it would be. Your dress is perfect. Your hair is lovely. However, the silly DJ cracks a stupid joke to match his song choice and plays something ridiculous and seemingly unrelated, all because you didn't specify and left it up to him.

You bite your lip and think, "I knew I should have told him what to play!"

Don't worry! If you are still planning, there is still time.

There are countless songs out there, and it is overwhelming, but you do not half to reinvent the wheel. So what can you actually pick for a song? Here is a popular listing of Top Bouquet Tossing Songs where you cannot go wrong!

• Another One Bites The Dust - Queen
• Dancing Queen - Abba Girls
• Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
• I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
• Ladies Night - Kool & The Gang
• Man! I Feel Like A Woman - Shania Twain
• Respect - Aretha Franklin
• All I Wanna Do - Cheryl Crow
• Chapel of Love - Dixie Cups
• Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
• Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison
• So Many Men, So Little Time - Miquel Brown
• Single Ladies - Beyonce
•This one is for the girls - Martina McBride
•Wishin' and Hopin' Ani Difranco (My Best Friends Wedding Soundtrack)
•"Sex in the City" theme song
• American Woman - The Guess Who
•Bootylicious - Destiny's Child
• Diamonds are a girls best friend - Marilyn Monroe
• Dirty - Christina aguilera
• Don't want no Scrub - TLC
• Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - The Police
• Express Yourself - Madonna
• Funky Town - Lipps Inc.
• Girls, Girls, Girls - Motley Cruew
• Hey Ladies - The Beastie Boys
• Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar
• Its Getting Hot in Herre - Nelly
• Its Raining Men - The Weather Girls
• Just a girl - No Doubt
• Ladies Night - Kool & The Gang
• Lady Marmalade - Pink, Mia, Lil' Kim, Christina Aguilera
• Let's Get Loud - Jenifer Lopez
• Like a Virgin - Madonna
• Milkshake - Kelis
• Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman - Britney Spears
• Oh Its so Quiet, Shhh (Zing-Boom) Bjork
• One way or another blondie
• Our Day Will Come - Ruby and the Romantics
• Perfect Day Hoku - Legally Blonde Soundtrack
• Red Neck Woman - Gretchen Wilson
• Shoop Shoop Song - Cher
• Single White Female - Chely Wright
• This one's for the Girls - Martina Mc Bride
• Touch Me, Tease Me Case - Foxy Brown
• What a Girl Wants - Christina Aguillera

Plan The Perfect Wedding - Thinking of your guests on your day

2011-01-24T06:26:00.000-08:00

Some brides remember drawing themselves with veils in crayon in preschool. Others remember practicing a new surname on the back of a a high school notebook. It seems that just about every bride-to-be has dreamed about getting married practically since they were little girls. They all seem to want the same quality; perfection. However, the reality is ...dreams do not always unfold into reality.

Can this really happen? What exactly can a bride do to help her happy visions actually come to fruition?

A wedding reception is like a quality research paper. To make for a great one, research has to be done. But before you do any research, you need to focus on finding the right questions, before you can try to find answers. First off, the bride and groom should identify "The Big Question" and then decide on a thesis (an answer) they are both comfortable with.

Perfection. Can it really happen? Yes, but only with the right nindset. The only real way to be happy with your reception is if all the people around you are happy. The big question, therefore, then should not be "What do I want?" but rather, "What do I want for my guests?"

By asking this question every time you plan an aspect of your party, you are planning from the guests' perspective. Planning using the "Big Question" instead of something more selfish and meaningful to only you, will spawn a number of sub-questions that go along with it like, "what do I want my guests to say when they sit down?" and also, "what do I want my guests to say when they walk out the door?"

People say location is everything, but I would argue there is another component to the equation. Demographics. Thinking about who is going to be there before you actually plan, will make your reception "the best wedding of all time." Different people like different things and you have to have a happy medium of what they will like and what you will like too.

Be a good host and your party will be good. It is just that smimple. Realizing that you are trying to accommodate all of your guests' wishes from a great wedding reception is only the first step. Next, you have to do your research. Your homework is to find what really makes you happy, and also makes every guest attending happy as well.

Because wedding receptions happen everyday everywhere , it is safe to say thousands of reception options have been created and your answers are out there. You just have to find them. Using this planning philosophy can work in every area including food, entertainment, music and even the overall look & layout of the decor.

Be unselfish and be kind. Let's apply this unselfish planning thinking from the guests' perspective to one particular aspect of the reception: The Cake. While you may absolutely love the idea of a classy cream cheese carrot cake, Uncle Charlie may absolutely HATE IT. That doesn't mean you have to be unselfish and not have carrot cake, it only means you have to think outside of the box.

If you want to be happy, ask yourself questions from their point of view. What would my guests like to see in a cake? How can I make everyone happy? In this case, why not try WEDDING CUPCAKES. Have you heard of this? You tier up a wedding cake display with many different types of cup cakes, in displayed in the shape of a traditional wedding cake. Everyone, including you and Uncle Charlie is now happy.

As a Wedding DJ, I tell my clients that if you really want to have your guests look back at attending "the best wedding ever," keep them in mind as much as yourself. Happiness breeds happiness. Playing your favorite songs is important and fine, but remember to always involve some of your guests' favorite songs as well-even when they might not involve the same types of musical tastes. Find the happy medium, it is out there.

Steven Tyler Begins on American Idol

2011-01-18T05:11:00.000-08:00

Some question now whether or not Steven Tyler is softening in his old age, accepting a chair to sit behind a different microphone with no trademark scarves, at the table at American Idol. Can the Boston Bad Boy live up to his “Screamin’ Demon” image, saying words of encouragement to pop star hopefuls?

One of my earliest rock memories was sitting on a dock in summer camp listening to “Dream On.” I remember first hearing of a band that the DJ on an old transistor radio called, “The Bad Boys of Boston,” when I was probably six or seven. I remember the camp counselor saying that song wasn’t their current hit and I really needed to hear “Walk This way,” which later became one of my all time favorites. I remember him praising the group. “These guys are ahead of their time. Some people call Steven Tyler a “Mick Jagger” rip-off, but they will all be wrong, because Aerosmith is a bad-ass local band that will rock forever.”

He was right. Forty years later, they are still touring hard. However, Tyler’s new gig is making heads turn.

Stephen Victor Tallarico, better known to the rock world as Steven Tyler, has one of the most distinct voices in the music industry. He is a credited songwriter, with more hits than most bands will ever see. His high-energy performances in bright, colorful outfits with trademark scarves hanging from his microphone stand pump the crowd like no other. Can he sit and make comments on the next William Hung act and keep his hard rock legendary status?

He has been on the record to say he will not just tell someone, “You suck!” in a Simon kind of way. What will he be like then?

Time will tell. In my opinion, it could be really cool for Aerosmith fans to see him in a different light. I’m not a big American Idol fan, but I will check it out to see how he comes off.

Wedding Planning Season has Begun

2011-01-11T05:37:00.000-08:00

In a Troy Record blog last week, I posted information that encouraged you to plan six months or more ahead of time to book your DJ, and up to a year ahead of time to secure your hall. That means if you are planning on getting married in the prime time availability slots; summer on a Saturday might, you really need to start moving now! So why now?

The holidays are now finally behind us. For most of us, we have all opened our presents, made our gift returns, made our New Year's resolutions and already broke them. People are now sensing that it is time to get back to life, and back to reality. The urgency is setting in for many soon-to-be brides and grooms; the big wedding is sneaking up fast.

Last week we had about 3 to 5 wedding inquiries/consultations a day on the average, with anxious brides looking to secure particular dates. Even with three DJ's at The A+ DJ Service, we have already experienced a few conflicts on specific dates and may have to turn a few couples away to the wolves. This means that everywhere, inquiries are being placed.

If you start planning now for a summer wedding locally, you should be all good and you will get the place and the DJ and the caterers you want, but as the saying goes, "if you snooze, you lose."

DJ Kenny Casanova

PLANNING YOUR WEDDING DATE EARLY

2011-01-03T07:26:00.000-08:00

Just a heads up for anyone who is planning a wedding for the new year... Picking the right day and booking even six months ahead of time is not always going to guarentee you will get the location(s) or DJ that you want.

BOOKING CHURCH & HALLS - Bigger cities are easier and you do not need as much time. In medium and bigger cities, with six months advance notice, you generally can find something good, but not always the exact hall you are looking for. If you have a place in mind that you absoletly must go with, you may need to allow for more notice. In smaller towns, however it is a different story.

When there are less venues available, you definitely need to book the church and/or hall first -and much earlier than six months. If there is a popular place that you have in mind, it could be difficult to get the prime time which often is 5:30 pm and after on Saturday, during May thru October. Only about 24 people will grab up a Saturday night for any particular spot during this time frame. And if your town is very small with only one or two places that could hold a decent wedding, reports show that some people may start booking it up even a full year ahead of time, or even 18 months.

BOOKING YOUR WEDDING DISC JOCKEY or BAND - Once you have selected your reception and ceremony location contracted, you can book the entertainment. From my experience, six months advance notice for booking isn't bad when booking a DJ service that has multiple DJs at it, but it is a crap shoot when you are specifically trying to book one particular DJ name for your wedding. I find that at the six month point mark, 50 percent of the time I am already booked when a bride is requesting me by name.

For entertainment booking like Disc Jockeys and bands during the prime time season of spring to fall on a Saturday night, the early birds start planning in the fall for next early spring or summer and they usually get who they want. People who wait until after the new year sometimes grab who they want, but it doesn't always work out that way. If you are looking at a Friday or a Sunday party and/or in the ealry spring or later in fall, less booking advance time maybe needed. (You also can often save some good money as well. Make sure and ask for a discount as halls and entertainment companies often will give you something for filling empty spots or time slots that don't fall into the prime time category!)

DATE SELECTION - Now that you have this information, what should be the actual date? The safest dates usually fall between spring and fall and usually Saturday nights so that your guests have Sunday to get back to work, or recover. However, wedding dates in the North East drop off dramatically after fall. Think about it. Most brides do not want to drop $10,000 on a party where guests could potentially get snowed in. Booking in this time frame of Spring to Fall on a Saturday night means you usually have to pay full price. This is prime time for halls, catering companies, Disc Jockeys and Bands.

Anytime before May 1st and after November 1st is an easy date to get and could save you money in hall/catering due to discounts. Make sure your date doesn't conflict with Thanksgiving plans, as you do not want to compete with other plans that your guests may have. Dates that sound good like Halloween, Christmas and New Years or even the Saturday before Veteran's Day (so people can turn it into a long weekend) may seem like a good plan, but remember, that means your guests may have these dates for something else and will ultimately not make it to your special day. Always check with family members, parents or other significant people so you know that that there are no conflicts.

For example, a Halloween-themed wedding can be fun, but if it actually falls later in the day to eveneing on the 31st, think about how many parents will not come because they want to take their children out to trick-or-treat.

A Look At The Old School DJ...

2010-12-23T10:38:00.000-08:00

A long time ago (back in the day)... In a party or Disco... Far, far away...

Back in the day, before sampling machines and computers that let you digitally manipulate a drum sequence on a track, DJ’s used to do have to manually create beats live by using something that is now called “Beat Juggling.”

Beat juggling occurs when a DJ engages in playing a section of a song on one turntable, and at the very moment that the beat ends, cueing it up on a duplicate record, on another turntable. This was often done to extend a part of a song that a DJ particularly liked; perhaps one that really got people dancing. Beat Juggling was also used in order to create unique songs, using multiple turntables and one or more mixers.

What did this mean for prep-work? This meant that DJ's had to carry big bulky records to every event, and quite often, two copies of many of the same albums!

It is said that beat juggling with a small section of a beat is looped using two copies of the same record was first done by Kool DJ Herc at a disco club in 1973. The idea caught on and later was refined by other early hip hop DJs like Grand Wizard Theodore (first DJ to scratch in 1977), Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa.

DJ! Cut it up one time! ...“Scratching” came about by mistake, as the DJ was cueing up the next beat and enjoyed the sound that it made. This eventually became the artform that it is in the hip hop world today.

Afrika Bambaataa. Also known as The Godfather of Hip Hop" - produced one of the first major breakdance tracks called, Planet Rock. He invented turntable techniques that eventually spread throughout the world. The first song with beat juggling and scratching to hit the mainstream charts was by mixed by Grand Mixer DST performing on the turntables in Herbie Hancock's dance track, "Rockit.” As a result, scratching and turntablism was exposed to the masses.

The Elvis-Themed Wedding!

2010-12-20T11:07:00.000-08:00

Want your wedding to be unforgetable? Add a theme!

Here is an nifty idea… How about a wedding that is "fit for a King" pardon the pun? An Elvis Presely-themed wedding can be as classy, or as crazy as you would like it to be. This idea can do it all.

Elvis had many different looks over his time here on earth. He was a pop sensation, rock-n-roller, cowboy, Las Vegas swooner, and heart throb, depending on when you look at him. And you cannot forget his Blue Hawaiin period, which will bring in a whole different element to any wedding reception.

But what about the ceremony? What can you do if you are not really into the Elvis theme during the vows? Well... If you still want the classy traditional tuxedoed look for your wedding ceremony and really only want the Elvis theme for the reception, the easist way I have seen to incorporate it is by dressing only the goormsmen of the wedding party’s feat in Blue Suede Shoes. Then, all you have to do is match the shade of blue for the bridesmaid's dresses/gowns!

Ready to go the next step? Make the ushers dress as Elvis impersonators for the big day! And how about changing up that traditional bridal march to a balladand walk the aisle to Elvis singing “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”.

Once the reception kicks in, anything goes. Peanutbutter and banana sandwich horesdurves are a must! Also, add some 50’s sunglasses on every table and some hawaiin leighs.

Thanks you very much, Mama!

Office Holiday Party - Door Prizes

2010-12-13T05:40:00.000-08:00

Door prizes rock. It is not unheard of for office parties these days to charge a little bit more for their party admission so that door prizes can be given away, in raffle form.

My partner, Maria DJ (of MariaDJ.com), she just did a great one for ITT where they gave away a laptop and iPods, and all kinds of cool gadgets! There isn’t always that much left over revenue for super high-end prizes, but with a little planning, door prizes can still happen and they can still be fun. Last weekend I did one with gift certificates to places like Dunkin Donuts, Home Depot, and Target. People ate them up, on the edge of their seats, waiting for me to read the winning numbers.

There is a fine line, however, between giving out LOTS of door prizes so that everyone gets something, and also watering down the prizes too much so that they are not appreciated.

At a recent office holiday party that I DJ’ed and MC’ed for, they tried something new this year. Rather than giving away 4 or 5 gift certificates at about 20-25 a piece for various locations, they gave away a load of 5 dollar ones.

In the end, people didn’t seem to care as much and weren’t excited, as the give-away was kind of drawn out and with not much pay off.

Just a thought!

Wedding DJ vs. Do-it-Yourself DJ

2010-12-08T19:00:00.001-08:00

The otherday, I received a an email to a link by a friend saying that I was about to lose my business. The message posted on a message board explained how to DJ your own wedding. It is true that you could save money, but at what expense? I just thought I would throw a few thoughts at you on why I believe that the professional DJ is needed especially at a wedding, at all costs.

1. While the iPod itself may cost less than a professional wedding DJ, how do you plan on amplifying the music? Sitting around an iPod dock isn’t going to cut it. To rent professional equipment, you come very close to some DJ’s actual price.

2. If you are planning on anything traditional at your wedding, you know that you will need a sound system, including microphones for things like speeches, toasts and/or blessings.

3. An iPod cannot speak and offers no interaction with the guests. A good DJ hypes up great introductions, instructs on custom activities and also special announcements. If you have a crowd that needs prodding to jump up and dance on their own, an iPod will just sit there and allow the night to unfold into a boring reception.

4. The professional wedding DJ also acts as a wedding planner/organizer. An iPod doesn’t know when is the best time to toast, dance, eat, drink and/or cut the cake actually is. , etc. Experience is something that can’t be pre-programmed.

5. A professional wedding DJ doesn’t just play random “shuffled” songs. The good DJ looks at the audience at hand, reads the crowd and constantly adjusts the music selections to get or keep people dancing.
6.Finally, what happens if your rented equipment fails. Do you want to rent an additional backup system to have on hand?

If you are having a laid back small reception, you may be able to get away with supplying your own background music. However, if you are hoping for a crazy party with dancing, energy and excitement, no machine can replace a man.

Drop me a line with any comments! I would love to hear them. ken@theDJservice.com

New Black Eyed Peas song samples Dirty Dancing Track

2010-11-29T11:19:00.000-08:00

The Peas have just given their fans a taste the album's first single dance track "The Time (Dirty Bit)." This track samples the iconic theme from "Dirty Dancing," "(I've Had) The Time of My Life."

"You should expect deeper, a little bit darker electro beats and a little bit more of relationship issues on this one, a little bit more touching on that." Fergie told MTV News. "But darker beats and a lot of funny stuff, as well, a lot of funny stuff." Fergie said the song, “sort of sums up the current vibe of our group.”

The new album will be released on November 30th.

Wedding Planning Options...

2010-11-25T08:23:00.001-08:00

PLANNING!!!

Not everyone can afford a real wedding planner, and quite often, some people do not even want one. Sometimes it would seem the quote “the more the merrier” when it comes time to do some wedding planning, however, for some, this may not be the case. In more cases than not, having “too many cooks will spoil the brew.”

Most often, people can help and everything will be just fine and turn out exactly how you wanted. However, wedding party members or relatives who either take it on themselves to become part time wedding planners can either become an asset to you, or can actually be a source of stress.

There are a few things to think about when bringing friends and family in for additional help.

1. Are you deciding for yourself what you are expecting the extra person to get done?
2. Do you really want to give them ultimate control, or rather guided direction? It is best to ask a few people for help with one small goal, then to put a lot on one person and have someone feel like they are actually in charge. If you put a family member “in charge” things may not go exactly your way, with the wrong person at the helm.
3. Has the person in question been helpful before, or are could they potentially be overly opinionated and pushy in times of stress?
4. Can you risk the friendship? I have heard horror cases where differences in taste result in problems. Weddings are stressful and can cause all sorts of in-fighting.
5. Does your spouse REALLY like the idea of the person helping?

So if you choose not to have Aunt Bertha run things now… You are not alone. If you have rented a hall that often books weddings, usually there is a person in charge of things that go with your expense. Use them!!! (Remember, however, they also have their own agendas as far as things to cut corners and save money. One way they do this is to push to have the cake cut earlier so that they can send staff home.

Also your wedding DJ is often your best bet for party planning at the reception. If they are a professional, not only will they be able to read your crowd and play all the songs you want, as well as others will enjoy, but they will organize the events along with your caterer and photographers so that everything comes off without a hitch.

Black Eyed Peas being sued for stealing music without permission

2010-11-11T07:25:00.001-08:00

November 3, 2010 - Looks like the Black Eyed Peas are in for another lawsuit. In 1999, Bryan Pringle submitted this song, "Take A Drive" to Interscope Records, the same label as Will I.Am and Fergie. Back then, almost nobody heard the track. Today, there is a very similar track all over airwaves, everywhere.

Musician Bryan Pringle is now accusing someone of stealing his track "Take a Dive", and end up transitioning the hook into the pop group's smash hit, "I Gotta Feeling." Bryan copyrighted the song in 1998, and then sent his unreleased demo along to many record companies, including Interscope, EMI and UMG.

The group has been engaging in what the lawsuit calls “a pattern and practice of intentional copyright infringement with respect to the unlawful copying of songs of unknown or lesser-known artists”.Bryan is now seeking damages, net profits from the sale of the song, and future credits and royalty payments.

Whenever a DJ or producer uses a sample in a song these days, laws mandate that the original artist gives permission and gets credit, after a negotiation of whatever that credit may be. Both the owner of the song and the artist on the sample are allowed to reap the benefits. However, it looks as if The Black Eyed Peas have taken some costly shortcuts.

Here is the track in question:

Here is The Black Eyed Peas track:

This is the group’s second lawsuit like this and we hope the courts figure everything out. The first one, , was recently just re-filed by musician Phoenix Phenom, with their original track in question called, "Boom Boom Dynamite."

DJ Kenny Casanova dropped a line to MC Hammer, a rapper from the early 80s who found great success in legally using a sample from Rick James' mega-hit "Superfreak" with, "U can't Touch This." MC Hammer stated that he had not heard of the lawsuit and requested a link to the track in question. After that we asked him what he thought and he stated, "Will I.Am is my very close brother." That was it. LOL!

Anyhow, check it out for yourself and let us know what you think!

Halloween Wedding!

2010-11-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

As you probably already know, I am a huge theme-wedding fan, set to have my own on a pirate theme come next April. This past Saturday, I DJ'ed a Halloween wedding in Grafton NY that was great fun.

Something interesting that I would like to share; groups of people came in themes to match the tables!

We had a Superhero table, complete with Batman,Superman, Clark Kent, Wonderwoman, Spider-man, WOlverine and a Transformer to boot.

We also had an WOnderland Table, with Alice, the Queen, The Mad Hatter, and a Door Mouse.

Ane one other cool table was The Wizard of Oz table, with a male bearded Dorthy, The Lion, The Witch and a person actually dressed as a chuck of the yellow brick road!

Great fun was had by all!

Roles of a Wedding DJ

2010-10-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

Since DJs have become such a popular choice for weddings, they are no longer a guy who just “plays music” at your reception. These days, the wedding DJ has transformed into a full-fledged organized entertainer, with many responsibilities.

With a good wedding DJ, you get an emcee (M.C.) who keeps your guests happy and having fun, and you also get a coordinator who also, for the most part, acts as a wedding planner in many cases. Most professional DJs who don’t just play in bars, understand the import role that organization and planning plays.

In most cases, your DJ , handles all the important announcements so that your guests know what’s coming up next during your reception. Don’t fool yourself. This is not an easy task. The ability to communicate well with large crowd is a talent. Knowing what to say, how to say it tastefully, and what professional voice to use is difficult.

The best way to judge if your DJ will communicate well with your audience is really listen to your first conversation with your prospective disc jockey on the phone. Do they know what they are talking about? Is your DJ clear? Do they make sense? Do they sound like they have several experiences to pull from?

Your first conversation can help you get a sense of your DJ’s personality and can help you decide on whether or not you should even think about setting up a meeting. Also, ask for multimedia website information, such as pictures and videos that might portrait your DJ-in-question in action at an actual wedding.

Your DJ is also responsible for the music and the flow of the evening, as well as take on the role of event coordinator. This includes the all the stuff that happens like the grand entrance introductions, the first dance, the father-bride dance, mother-groom dance, the cake cutting, and the garter/bouquet toss.

INTERACTIVE WEDDING RECEPTION DANCE FUN

2010-10-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

Have you been to a wedding lately? Was it good or bad? If you answered “good,” there is a good chance that the DJ had a good part of helping you come to this answer.

It is funny how a lot of weddings have so many similarities, but can still be good or bad. There are many traditional activities that happen at most all receptions. The first dance, the bouquet toss, father & bride dance, mother & groom dance, toasts and the cake cutting… we have seen these all time and time again. But these activities alone do not make the wedding reception a night to remember. If you really want people to have fun, your guests need the option to interact.

Dancing Activities are important. Some will argue that group dances are hokey and there are a number of them that really, really are. One example is the dreaded “Chicken Dance”. I personally, hate that song! However, there are some that are very modern and can do wonders for getting people out of their seats.

Even if you as the bride and groom absolutely hate dance activities, these are great ice breakers. If you can sacrifice a couple of songs to the majority of your group and and moving, it may be worth it in the big picture. If you get the people up and dancing with The Cha Cha or Electric slide, they may very well stay up there for the rest of the night.

There are many activities you have at your disposal as options. Others include The Cupid Shuffle, The Apache, The Mississippi Mudslide, The Conga, Souljaboy and The YMCA. Also, there are dollar dances, the freeze dance, The Limbo, the twist, and anniversary dances – where the DJ calls out numbers of years married to leave the dance floor, until the couple that had been together the longest remains.

Wedding Recption Money-Saving Tip: Centerpieces

2010-10-13T06:20:00.001-07:00

I had to put this money saving tip up as a blog the moment I heard about it. While it is not really my idea, I must admit, it is a good one that I needed to pass on.

Since most brides & grooms book their weddings on a weekend, be it Friday, Saturday or Sunday, they are probably not the only ones using that hall over those days. While it is not always probable, it is certainly possible to have up to four or five other weddings in the very same room you are renting on the same weekend. Most Halls book out their popular rooms for parties in blocks like this:

A - Friday Evening
B - Saturday Morning toAfternoon
C - Saturday Afternoon to Evening
D - Sunday Morning to Afternoon
E - Sunday Afternoon to Evening

Think about that for a second. Do I need to even say where I am going with this? If you, or your the other bridal party(s) are sharing the same colors, or are open to working together, why not share the center pieces and split in on flowers? If you end up splitting in with only one other wedding, that right there is a hefty 50% off on your flowers.

Of course, you will not be able to give the centerpieces away, but honestly, as a wedding DJ who provides great music to the very end of the night, quite often, people do not always want the burden of bringing home the centerpieces anyhow, as I have seen many wedding receptions end with the flowers being left behind.

If this money-saving tactic works for you, the only flowers you have to pay for in face value is the wedding bouquet that the bride will toss. :)

Chosing a DJ or Live Band for Wedding Receptions

2010-10-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

DJ Kenny Casanova of Albany NY - When to chose a DJ or Live Band for Wedding Receptions
Two weeks ago at a hotel on Western Ave, I talked with a cool bartender who had been serving drinks there at weddings for almost twenty years. He said he remembered a time when everyone booked bands and has since seen the trend switched to the selection of the right DJ for the majority of reception entertainment. There are still great bands out there and sometimes they really make the wedding special. But we wondered, “What caused the switch of most brides & grooms these days, over to DJs?”

I think it goes without arguing that the music chosen can make or break any traditional or non-traditional wedding celebration. The food can be really “awesome” or totally “suck,” but it only lasts as long as it takes to eat it. Your musical entertainment is the heart and soul of the party and consumes 75 percent or more of the overall spotlight. The music selection and the dancing that this ensues it ultimately what will send your guests home with a smile or a frown. People remember a good meal, but people never forget a good time.

When people plan a wedding today, they have to really decide if you want a live band or a DJ. It is all personal taste. While both options are the main source of entertainment for a wedding reception, they both offer different things.

The main advantage of hiring a band is to create an impressive visual impression. A good band can really create a great deal of entertainment, as the guests can enjoy the music as well as watch different musicians interact and “put on a show.”

On the flip-side, while a band can bring tons of cool atmosphere to your party, it is safe to say that any band booked will lack the diversity of music that a decent professional DJ brings to the table. Simple enough, a good DJ can download a song before the reception to expand his collection in seconds, while a band has to practice for days to learn how to play a new track out successfully. The learning curve in music is not always an easy one, and bands usually charge when you request a song that is not part of their set.

In the age old debate of Band vs. DJ, there are a number of other important pro’s and cons for both to consider. Which type of entertainment you choose suits your budget personal taste, guest demographics, space allowances, and your dancing ability to bring forth the very best in killer dance moves. Keep an open mind, and consider the following issues:

Atmosphere

The music you select sets the tone. If you want a fast fun party with lots of dancing you will want a DJ or band that regularly accommodates this need.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Have you ever told someone “I like all kinds of music” when someone has asked your favorite genre? Whether you choose a live band or DJ, be sure they can play slow and fast, and old and new songs. If you want to involve everyone in the celebratory mix, then changing things up is the way to go. If you decide to book a band, it is important to make sure they are not only good at one genre or type of sound. You want to try and keep everyone happy.

Budget

In the price war, the DJ almost always wins. While prices vary depending on the band, no matter how you look at it bands will generally be more expensive than a DJ, since there are more people to pay. While there are exceptions to this rule, such as celebrity DJ’s, and bands trying to get their name out there, for the most part, the DJ will be cheaper.

Space Wanted

If your heart was set on an 12-piece jazz band, you really need to check with your reception hall, as the site may have restrictions on the space needed to accommodate such a request. There is also the consideration of electrical power supply needed and noise limitations, so make sure you stay in contact with your event planner at the hall so that you are not planning something that needs special accommodations that cannot be met.

Do Your Homework!

Finally, no matter which way you go, you really need to do your homework. It is best research reviews or to actually go and see a DJ or band, live and in action before you sign a contract, or give a commitment. Completing your homework will give you an idea of how they work the crowd and read the crowd. Ask for referrals from the last few weddings the band or DJ played. Consider your first-dance song a test. If the band doesn’t know it and is unwilling to learn it, or the DJ doesn’t own it and is unwilling to get it, move on!

DJ Kenny Casanova Albany NY Wedding DJ

When to Cut the Cake at Your Wedding Reception

2010-09-27T10:28:00.001-07:00

So… When do we cut the wedding cake?

The activity of celebrating the wedding cake has been an important part of the wedding reception since the days of Ancient Rome. During that time period, things were a little different. There was no stacking and there was no crazy decorating. There was, however, a simple wheat cake crumbled over the bride's head and into her hair. Sound odd? There was a reason. Wheat at this time to this culture was a symbol that represented bounty, so this messy tradition was carried out to ensure her fertility.

Today, many things have changed at the wedding reception. While we may seem more civilized to pour crumbs over the head of the new bride, we do carry on a twist to the old cake tradition. Instead, now the bride and groom hold a knife together and cut the cake together. In some cases, the groom lovingly smashes the cake in the glowing bride's face; Not a far cry from the old tradition after all. This new tradition continues with the top of the layered cake is now saved for the bride and groom to eat, one year later on their first anniversary.

The first wedding I ever DJ’ed at where there was no cake cutting happened last week. Do you have to cut the cake? Technically no. However, cutting the cake gives your guests and your photographer a great photo opportunity and lets them all celebrate your marriage with you, and your creativity of cake choice.

There seems to be a constant battle, of late, between the DJ and/or wedding planners and the wedding hall/ caterers on when the best time it is to cut the cake at your wedding reception. Well, what is the answer?

Traditionally, the cake should be cut towards the end of the evening. After eating a big meal, dessert isn’t always right on the guests’ minds, but could be after an hour or two of dancing. Some also choose to do the cutting right after the dinner so that everyone can dance the night away without any interruptions, but again, the cake often isn’t eaten then, if at all, until later.

One thing to keep in mind… If you do notice that, during your reception, the hall is seeming to nag you for the cake to be cut and eaten right away, they probably have a hidden agenda. Having the cake cut early is often a cost-cutting factor; the hall can send home their extra staff and save money on payroll!

Whatever you chose to do, do what feels right for you! Here are some song ideas to play while the cake is being cut:

Destiny – Jim Brickman
Can You Feel The Love Tonight? – Elton John
Recipe For Making Love – Harry Connick, Jr.
I Got You Babe – Sonny and Cher
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
Thank You – Led Zeppelin
The Sweetest Thing – U2
Sugar, Sugar – The Archies
Wedding Song – Bob Dylan
Unbroken – Tim McGraw
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Ain’t That A Kick In The Head – Dean Martin
Chapel Of Love – Dixie Cups
Love You Madly – Cake
Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
When I’m Sixty-Four – The Beatles
Love And Marriage – Frank Sinatra
That’s Amore – Dean Martin
Grow Old With You – Adam Sandler
Eat it – Weird Al Yankovic
After All Is Said And Done – Beyoncé Knowles & Marc Nelson
1, 2, 3, 4 – Plain White T’s
‘Cause I love You – Lenny Williams
Whatever It is – Zac Brown Band
One Love – Bob Marley
Here and Now – Luther Vandross
I Do (Cherish You) – 98 Degrees
Cut The Cake – Average White Band
All My Life – K-Ci & JoJo
Yummy Yummy Yummy – Ohio Express
Sweet Emotion – Aerosmith
Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – Four Tops

Wedding Reception Group Photo Opp Activity

2010-09-20T05:15:00.000-07:00

Sounds simple, but this almost always never happens. You mean to plan for a great big “everybody picture,” but you just don’t seem to find time between the business of the whole day. Why not actually stop everything for a second during the party, and create a memory that will last a lifetime?

Last week, we actually took time out of the fast-pace dancing to set up a time-slot where everybody lined up for a group shot, behind the bride and groom. The shots were incredible!

If you have a decent disc jockey, you can easily make this a fun activity. It is true. You do have to be careful with this, because any stop in pace can slow things down. This is why the bride and groom had their DJ do announce the photo opportunity immediately after the cake cutting sequence, when things slow down anyhow.

It seems to me that the extra three minutes were, in fact easy to recover from. Everybody stayed right out on the dance floor and moved right into a fast dance.

What do you do when someone pulls a fire alarm at your wedding?!

2010-09-13T07:08:00.000-07:00

DJ Kenny Casanova is “Burning Down The House!”

True story… Last weekend, I had three weddings; a Mexican Salsa Reception in Saratoga at Tiznow, a Pakistani Wedding at Best Western in Albany, and a Six Flags Lodge Reception in Lake George, NY. There is a first time for everything.

At the Six Flags wedding reception, the guests settled into their seats for dinner right after the cocktail hour and the intro. They were just about to enjoy their salads, when all of the sudden a loud siren sounded with a blinking white strobe light from wall.

Whhhhoooop! Whhhhoooop! Whhhhoooop! A recorded voice followed the shrill alarm. “The fire alarm device has been activated. All guests, please evacuate the building.”

At this point, the wedding coordinator for the hotel ran up to me to inform me that all was okay. “A five-year-old boy pulled an alarm.” He said loudly over the siren. “It’s a false alarm. However, the alarm is going to have to run its course.”

“Ugh,” I replied. “How long is that going to take?”

“I am not sure,” he replied. “Maybe fifteen minutes? Can you make an announcement and ask the guests to stay seated?”

“Okay. I will try.” I said. For one, one of the piercing alarms was right behind me over my head, and for two, there were others around the room annoying the attendees.

I grabbed the mic and people who were gathering objects looked over at me. “Ladies and gentlemen, do not worry it is a false alarm,” I said. “The cake is not going to melt and my equipment is not going to burn, so let’s try and make the most of it.”

I quickly browsed through my computer and found “Burning Down The House” by The Talking Heads and pulled it up. A few faces started to laugh.

Now, mind you, you usually do not want to play loud dance music while people are eating, but I needed a way to entertain and cover up the annoying backdrop and the salads weren’t cutting it. The talking heads was a good start. The next step was to get the people on the dance floor to make them forget that a peaceful first course probably wasn’t going to happen for the moment.

Shift gears to a hot set… “Disco Inferno” by The Tramps, “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis, “Burning Love” from Elvis, and Buster Poindexter’s “Hot, Hot, Hot.”

The guests had a blast. Somewhere in the middle of the last song, the alarm ended and everyone went back to their meals.

Later on, the manager said, “Kenny Casanova saves the day!”

Also, the Lodge was really cool about everything. They gave the guests a free hour of open bar, that they wouldn’t have had otherwise, as well as an extra half hour of hall time at the end of the night.

In my opinion, it made the night better and a fun memory.

Good times.

Planning your wedding location...

2010-09-06T05:48:00.001-07:00

I just thought I would give everybody a little heads up when it comes to planning the locations for your wedding ceremony and reception.

From experience, I have learned that the weddings that have had the smoothest transitions from ceremony to reception have been at the same location, or under ten minutes away. I know this sounds simple, but it doesn't always happen.

I have seen many wedding receptions run late, due to, in part, the transition between ceremony and reception. We already know that pictures typically transpire during this time, and that the bride and groom will be engrossed in what usually becomes a lengthy photo shoot. Depending on the circumstances, the photo shoot alone can be the cause of upsetting anxious guests and also end up running overtime charges by the hall and other wedding professionals waiting at the reception hall. To avoid further wait time, it really is best to plan for the ceremony to be very nearby the place of reception, whenever possible.

Rule of thumb; you really only want about an hour to an hour and a half at the very latest between the ceremony end time and the reception start, and that includes the cocktail hour within that window frame. Just keep in mind, that everyone is waiting to be with you on your special day.

Wedding Reception Bridal Bouquet Toss Tips

2010-09-03T04:44:00.000-07:00

Tradition has every bride throwing the bouquet behind them, at some point during their wedding reception. What is this all about? Well, this tradition is supposed to bring good fortune to the lucky single woman who catches the flowers, as she is then destined to be the next one to marry and live a long happy life, just as the bride. Along with the flowers, goes the responsibility of taking the garter that the single male counterpart caught, in a silly exhibition set to music. This activity happens nine times out of ten. We have all seen it before. There are, however, a few things to think about when organizing this activity.

If you predict that there are going to be a lot of children attending your wedding reception, you may want to set aside something for them to do, so that they have a special moment for them during the bridal bouquet toss. I have seen a number of tosses where a child has caught the flowers, and an older man catches the garter. As I DJ, I call this “Deliverance” or the outback Ravena, NY moment. The old man then has to put the garter on a young girl. Can you say, “creepy moment?”

One thing you can do to avoid this and keep the silly fun on the up-and-up, is to exclude children under 16 or so from participating. But then, before the bride tosses her wedding bouquet, toss something else just for the kids. You could toss a stuffed animal in bridal regalia, or a teddy bear or even a special smaller bouquet of flowers just for this segment. It is another great photo opportunity!

One other thing to think about is your crowd participation factor. Sometimes your guests are all about jumping in there for a good time, but sometimes, “eh.” If you really want to have everyone lining up in your groom garter/ bridal bouquet toss, then there is only one answer. BRIBE THEM.

Have your wedding disc jockey hold up a prize that you have provided for the catchers. While a dance with the bride or groom might be nice, remember, cash is king. Then, your participant base will grow, and you will have great pictures and memories for years to come!

Wedding Reception - Shot Glass and M&M Favors...

2010-08-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

I saw a real nice and simple favor at a wedding over the weekend. I thought it was a pretty cool idea and I thought I would share it with you all. On every table was a shot glass, printed with the Bride & Groom's first initial in big letters, "J & D" (for Jamie & Daniel) and the wedding date printed underneath it.

Inside the shot glass was a square of lace tied up, holding a handful of specific colored M&Ms.

Again, simple idea, with a nice keepsake.

Creating a Loungy Wedding Cocktail Hour

2010-08-25T04:42:00.000-07:00

Loungy Wedding Cocktail Ideas & Music List
If you are planning a classic “Loungy” cocktail hour for the period of time before the dinner is to be served at your wedding reception, the possibilities are endless.

Try serving martinis with poker chips and and playing cards tossed around on the tables as decor. Sunglasses will aslo give tuxedo wearing guests that extra added “Rat Pack” feel. But what ever you do, you have to set the atmosphere with music.

To really have that “loungy” feel, you need a great mix of Jazz , Ballroom dance, 40’s / 50’s Swing, Big band, and Blues, along with some more modern light rock, Broadway, Motown, and Pop.

Here is a great list of songs to pull ideas from and create your own playlist:

All The Things You Are – Sinatra
Almost Like Being In Love – Ella Fitzgerald
American Patrol – Glenn Miller big band
Armando’s Rumba – Chick Corea
As Time Goes By – Peggy Lee
At Last – Etta James
Autumn Leaves – Duke Ellington
Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
Begin The Beguine – Artie Shaw big band
Bei Mir Bist Du Schön – Benny Goodman
The Best Is Yet To Come – Tony Bennett
Bewitched – Linda Ronstadt / Sinatra
Beyond The Sea – Bobby Darrin
(Along Came) Bill – Jane Monheit
Black Coffee – Julie London / Janice Siegal
Black Orpheus (latin) – Paul Desmond
Bleeding Love – Boyce Avenue
Blue Bossa – Kenny Dorham
Blue Monk – Thelonious Monk
Blue Skies – Ella Fitzgerald
Body And Soul – Coleman Hawkins
The Breeze And I – Sonny Clark
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Bye Bye Blackbird – Miles Davis
Can You Feel The Love Tonight – Elton John
Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis
Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man – Lena Horne
C’est Magnifique – Ella Fitzgerald / Sinatra
Cheek To Cheek – Eva Cassidy / Fred Astaire
Come Away With Me – Nora Jones
Come Fly With Me – Sinatra
Cottontail – Duke Ellington
Dance Me To The End Of Love – M. Peyreux
A Day In The Life Of A Fool – Paul Desmond
Desafinado – Stan Getz
Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me – D. Ellington
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore – D. Ellington
Don’t Know Why – Nora Jones
Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree – Glenn Miller
Don’t Wait Too Long – Madeleine Peyreux
Dream A Little Dream Of Me – Mama Cass
Embraceable You – Nat King Cole
Fever – Peggy Lee
Fly Me To The Moon – Frank Sinatra
A Foggy Day – Les Brown
Footprints – Miles Davis
For Sentimental Reasons – Patti Page
The Gentle Waltz – Oscar Peterson
Giant Steps – John Coltrane
The Girl From Ipanema – Antonio Carlos Jobim
Gone With the Wind – Ella Fitzgerald
Green Dolphin Street – Bill Evans
Have I Told You Lately I Love You -
Rod Stewart
Have You Met Miss Jones – Ray Brown
Hawaiian Wedding Song – Elvis
Hernando’s Hideaway (tango) – Charlie Byrd
How High The Moon – Stan Kenton
How Insensitive – Pat Martino
How Sweet It Is – James Taylor / Michael Bublé
I Could Not Ask For More – Sara Evans /
Edwin McCaine
I Could Write A Book – Harry Connick, Jr.
I Get A Kick Out Of You – Sinatra
I Got The Sun In The Morning – Judy Garland
I Left My Heart In San Francisco – Tony Bennett
I Only Have Eyes For You – Sinatra / Kay Starr
If I Were A Bell – Ella Fitzgerald
I’ll Dance At Your Wedding – Peggy Lee
I’m Beginning To See The Light – Bobby Darin /
Diane Schuur
I’m Putting All My Eggs In One Basket – Ella
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
In A Mellow Tone – Duke Ellington
In The Mood – Glen Miller
Inchworm – John Coltrane
Inseparable – Natalie Cole
It Had To Be You – Harry Connick Jr.
It Might As Well Be Spring – Ella Fitzgerald
It Was A Very Good Year – Frank Sinatra
It’s All Right With Me – Ella Fitzgerald
It’s Only A Paper Moon – Nat King Cole
I’ve Got A Crush On You – Linda Ronstadt
I’ve Got The World On a String – Frank Sinatra
I’ve Got You Under My Skin – Michael Bublé
Jeanine – Kenny Burrell
Joy Spring – Manhattan Transfer
Just One Of Those Things – Dinah Shore
Killer Joe – Quincy Jones
A Kiss To Build A Dream On – Louis Armstrong
L.O.V.E. – Natalie Cole
Lady Is A Tramp – Ella Fitzgerald
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Luck Be A Lady Tonight – Bill Evans / Sinatra
Lullaby Of Birdland – E. Fitzgerald / S. Vaughan
Mack The Knife – Bobby Darrin / Ella Fitzgerald
Memories Of Tomorrow – Dave Anderson
Misty – Ella Fitzgerald
Moon River – Henry Mancini
Moondance – Van Morrison
Moonglow – Diane Martinson / Artie Shaw
More Than You Know – Judy Garland /
Jane Monheit
My Favorite Things – Dave Brubeck
My Foolish Heart – Tony Bennett / Bill Evans
My Funny Valentine – Bobby Darin
The Nearness Of You – Nora Jones
New York, New York – Liza Minnelli / Sinatra
Nice Work If You Can Get It -
Rosemary Clooney
Night And Day – Lena Horne
Night Has A Thousand Eyes – Horace Silver
A Night In Tunisia – Dizzy Gillespie
Now’s The Time – Charlie Parker
O Pato – J. Gilberto
One Note Samba – Jobim / A. Gilberto
Orange Colored Sky – Natalie Cole
Our Love Is Here To Stay – Dinah Washington
Peel Me A Grape – Diana Krall
Pennies From Heaven – Goodman / Peggy Lee
Pick Yourself Up – Ella Fitzgerald
Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars – Jobim
Recordame (latin) – Joe Henderson
Route 66 – Nat King Cole
S’ Wonderful – Gershwin / Sinatra
Satin Doll – Duke Ellington big band
Sing, Sing, Sing – Benny Goodman
Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding
Smile – Charlie Chaplin
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes – Helen Forrest
So Nice (samba) – Jobim
Some Day My Prince Will Come – D. Brubeck
Somebody Loves Me – Ella / Tommy Dorsey
Someone To Watch Over Me – Linda Ronstadt
Somewhere OVer The Rainbow – IZ
Song For My Father – Horace Silver
Spanish Eyes – Al Martino
Stand By Me – Ben E King
Stormy Weather – Rosemary Clooney
Straighten Up And Fly Right – Nat King Cole
Strangers In The Night – Frank Sinatra
A String Of Pearls – Glenn Miller big band
The Summer Wind – Michael Bublé / Sinatra
Summertime – Lena Horne
Sunrise, Sunset – traditional
Sunny – Classics IV
Sushi – Oscar Peterson
Sway – Dean Martin
Sweet Georgia Brown – Benny Goodman
Sweetheart Swing – J.J. Saecker
Swinging On A Star – Bing Crosby
Table For Four – J.J. Saecker
Take Five – Dave Brubeck
Take The ‘A’ Train – Duke Ellington
Taking A Chance On Love – Jane Monheit
Temptation – Diana Krall
That’s All – June Christy / Michael Bublé
That’s Amore – Dean Martin
The Show – Lenka
There Is No Greater Love – Ben Webster
They Can’t Take That Away From Me – Bennett
Till There Was You – The Beatles / Peggy Lee
Too Darn Hot – Ella Fitzgerald
Tuxedo Junction – Harry James big band
Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
Waltz For Debby – Bill Evans
Watch What Happens (latin) – Tony Bennett
Watermelon Man – Herbie Hancock
The Way You Look Tonight – Garland / Sinatra
We Are Family – Sister Sledge
Weekend in New England – Barry Manilow
What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
What The World Needs Now – Dionne Warwick
When I Fall In Love – Linda Ronstadt
You Make Me Feel So Young – R. Clooney

DJ Kenny Casanova - is a professional wedding reception mobile dj and professional wrestling ring announcer out of Albany, NY and Troy, NY. You can email him at ken@theDJservice.com.

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Wedding Idea - Remember a Loved One Who Is No Longer With Us.

2010-08-16T08:22:00.001-07:00

It is a very thoughtful idea for the bride & groom to want to honor a relative, loved one, or family member who is no loger with us. The key to making this happen effectively is to keep it classy and in the spirit of celebration. You do not want to depress the members attending your wedding reception by causing something that could envoke tears, but provide something that will at as a visual representation of the missing person that celebrates their life.

This is not hard to do, as you really end up with countless tasteful options. I have seen annotated pictures and photo album displays, a small table setting with a plaque that held many names, a stand-up photo cut out, a poetry reading, a song dedication activity from the wedding DJ, a special lit candle and/or lighting presentation, an insert on a slide show, and countless personable things that meant something to the person no longer with us.

Whatever you choose, it is a great idea. Just keep in mind that it is very important to not dwell on the loss, but to smile, toast and celebrate the person for their contributions in life to the couple's happy day. Afterall, they would have wanted it that way.

DJ Kenny Casanova - is a professional wedding reception mobile dj and professional wrestling ring announcer out of Albany, NY and Troy, NY. You can email him at ken@theDJservice.com.

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How to Hire A Wedding DJ

2010-08-13T04:43:00.001-07:00

Over the years, I have seen a lot of trepidation from customers who want to hire a DJ for their wedding. They have already decided that hiring a band is limiting, but they don’t know really what extra stuff a DJ will bring to the table. It is true. There are a ton of people out there who consider themselves “Disc Jockeys,” but they all offer many different things. There are a number of things to look for, to make sure you pick the right DJ for your wedding ceremony and/or wedding reception.

If you are in The Capital District, you are already going to hire me of course! So the rest of this article is for the rest of the world. (Just kidding!) …There are a number of questions and things to think about when hiring a DJ. Here is my Top 10 list of topics:

1. DO THEY KNOW MUSIC? Make sure they know about the music you like, and also the music your guests like. This is very important. If they are not very familiar with songs or artists across many genres, the music you get may not be what you are looking for.

2. PERSONALITY. Are they fun? Are they professional? Are they willing to meet you face to face if possible before hiring them? Will they share stories of experience, or pictures of them DJ’ing in action?

3. REQUESTS Do they have a huge library? If so and they are able to provide your party with pretty much any song ever, how good is their ability to screen requests? Make sure they are willing to take requests and customize the night for you and your guests. However, make sure they have a plan on eliminating song that people may ask for that you do not want at your reception.

4. CUSTOMIZABILITY. Can they cater to your specific needs, or do they force you into buying everything by saying everything is included? Individual packages are the key to finding an affordable DJ. If you don’t care about karaoke and lights and a smoke machine, but it is all including, you are probably being charged for it. Ala carte when the prices are reasonable could save you good money and get you exactly what you want without paying more.

5. EXPERIENCE ACROSS THE BOARD. Weddings have a little bit of every demographic. Try to find someone who has been doing it at least 3-5 years, and not only at a bar scene. Bars these days hire ANYONE, and the demographic is not exactly what you will find at your wedding.

Your DJ should have experience across the board and be able to tell you stories about all kinds of different parties that they have worked for. Sweet sixteen’s and school dances mean they can handle your young guests without a problem. Holiday Parties and other events may prove young to middle age is no problem. Anniversary and retirement parties mean they have experience in catering to older clientele. Make sure they have good experience in all categories and all your guests will be satisfied!

6. FAIR PRICE. Look around and see what other experienced DJ’s are charging. Find the DJ who seems right for you and in the ballpark.

Cheap DJ – Very cheap quotes may spell inexperience or desperation and could destroy your party. Make sure you know exactly what kind of gear the DJ uses, and also what kind of experience they have. Do they have different packages available? What do they do at weddings that make them worth looking at?
Expensive DJ – Overpriced DJ’s, on the other hand, may warn you not to go with any DJ who charges under, say $700, or whatever the overpriced DJ wants to charge you. They may say that under a certain price means a DJ is “not a professional” or “will do a lousy job.” This is ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. This only said to command more money and scare you into hiring them. Using fear tactics and negativity to try and secure your business is NOT GOOD BUSINESS. Trash talking other DJ’s openly is also a bad sign.
7. PROFESSIONALISM. Can they actually blend the music together? Some DJ’s have moved over to laptop set ups which can be great, but if they do not have professional DJ programs, then there could be gaps of “dead air” between songs. Ask about this first, as dead air in any dose can kill your party.
Do they offer something in writing? Do they have professional gear? Do they have a web site or something you can look at? Do they have a business card? Do they have back up DJ’s and or equipment available? Or is it only them with one set up? Can you see them publicly in action somewhere?

8. FLEXIBILTY. The DJ cannot be “stubborn” or “set in his own way.” They are there to serve you and do what you want. If you do not want The Dreaded Chicken Dance, then don’t let him tell you that is going to happen!
Are they okay with playing music that they do not like? Some DJ’s refuse to play certain songs, because they feel it may not get them gigs by potential customers at your party. However, if this is the case, then they are more worried about their image than they are doing a good job for you. They are there to work for you, not be a commercial for themselves. Make sure they will do what you ask them to, within reason. At the same time, make sure they do also know what is appropriate to play and professional. As Ali G says, “Respect!”

9. REFERENCES - Ask for references! Duh!

10. FUN AND CLASSY? – Can they do both? It takes a great DJ to be good in both departments. If it is your special day, you will probably want some seriousness, as well as craziness to remember.

DJ Kenny Casanova - is a professional wedding reception mobile dj and professional wrestling ring announcer out of Albany, NY and Troy, NY. You can email him at ken@theDJservice.com.

Our site... www.TheDJservice.com

Our Facebook... Kenny Casanova

Our Twitter... Kenny Casanova

How to save money on Wedding flowers

2010-08-09T17:07:00.001-07:00

They say it can't be done. Flowers are often a very inportant and very expensive part of a wedding ceremony/reception decor. There are ways, however, to save in this department.

If you are low on funds after paying the DJ and the hall, before you even talk with your florist, pick a color scheme rather than a particular flower. Then you can ask your florist to choose whatever is available in your palette at the best prices out there. If roses are a must have, you can always have more roses on the head table, than on the guest tables, for example, and supplement another red flower there insead. You should be keeping in mind what is in season.

While you probably won't be able to save money by creating your own arrangements because of time, if a friend is willing, you can save a bundle by ordering in bulk from a wholesale or farmer’s market. Also, some Votec classes may be willing to make a classroom assigment out of it!

Wedding Reception Introduction

2010-08-04T06:05:00.001-07:00

The wedding reception introduction is a huge part of the fun to come. You want to make sure that the your grand entrance sets the mood for the night. There are many ways to make an impression here. Lots of people today are really mixing it up and having some crazy dance-oriented multi-theme-song entrances, while other like to go with something more traditional.

Here are some popular entrance song selections:

Wedding Party Reception Entrance
• St. Elmo's Fire
• Carmina Fortuna
• Rocky Theme -Gonna Fly Now
• It Had to Be You
• Twilight Zone
• Mission Impossible Theme
• Olympic Fanfare – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
• White Wedding – Billy Idol
• Star Wars Imperial March Theme

WHatever you choose, remember, it is a song that will set the mood for the evening. Below is an entrance I did recently for a great couple to Chris Brown's "Forever", at The Museum of Dance in Saratoga, NY.

Dim tent reception? Add paper lanterns!

2010-08-02T18:53:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I did the DJ work for a great little wedding at The Bucksteed Manor in Washinton, MA.

The Bucksteed was like a cross between a bed-n-breakfast and a mini-resort. It had a main eating hall, little cabins, a tent perfect for the reception, a barn gutted and turned into a full bar, and a nice gazebo for the ceremony.

The entire backdrop is wooded area surrounding a nice open field.

The massive tent had a line drwan up high in the center with large white circular paper lanterns, each with a soft glowing single watch battery-operated LED light. These lanterns provided a nice glow to light everything up with a ton of class.

THe paper lanterns where cheap but looked awesome. Another great idea that needed to be shared.

Themed Alternatives to Wedding Place Cards

2010-07-26T16:00:00.000-07:00

You know the little cards that lead you to your table at the wedding reception... Well, they do not need to be cards anymore. As I wrote in a previous blog about a month ago, I recently saw a couple use lit tea candles with their guests names printed on the candle holders. This isn't the only alternative option out there, especially when a them is involved.

At a beach-theme reception, you can really have a blast. Seashells with names printed on them, perhaps from metallic ink pens are a novel idea, as are decorative stones. Other people may choose to actually decorate coconuts with their guests names on them, as well. Other ideas can include mini-ships in a bottle, messages in bottles (open slips of paper read through the glass), or other various sea-related statuettes.

A vegas theme could involve poker chips with names on them, or even large playing cards!

Music-friendly? Another neat idea includes cd's (compact discs) with the couples names printed on them, with music for later listening. How about a 45 record with names on them for the older guests?!

It is really worth stopping by the dollar store and seeing what you can whip together! You will be surprised, and hopefully, so will your guests!

The Ultimate Willy Wonka Theme Party Idea Blog

2010-07-21T16:10:00.000-07:00

First off, let me say my sister is nuts! So when she recently called me and asked if I could draw an Oompa Loompa without a face on a foam board, it didn’t seem like an unusual request from her. I completed the task with ease (see picture below.)Little did I know that she was planning a ridiculously huge theme party for her two kids’ birthdays: WILLY WONKA STYLE!

Willy Wonka? You mean the creepy chocolate guy? That’s right and it was a huge success. Rather than to try and write up everything I saw, here is some of what my sister, Kathy Bechand, wrote up about it – with photos: How to Throw the Ultimate Willy Wonka Birthday Party. http://www.squidoo.com/wonka-party

Tags: candy, kids party

Wedding Recption Locations in Capital District

2010-07-13T04:54:00.000-07:00

Planning a wedding? Hello Wedding Reception in the Capital District seeker! I am a local DJ and often have to pinch hit as a party planner. From time to time, customers ask if I recommend any locations for wedding receptions and big parties, so I decided to put together a list.

Here are some great locations to check out, if you are planning your wedding reception. I have broken them down kind of into regional areas, rather than alphabetical order, to help you get an idea. It is all still a work in progress. For regional locations so far, I have Albany, Averill Park, Troy/Cohoes/Latham, Schenectady, Eastern Points towards Mass, Clifton Park/Saratoga and a few more. If you know of a good one or would like to see your own establishment on this list (which will soon become a tab on my website) drop me a line at ken@theDJservice.com.

Thanks!
DJ Kenny Casanova
www.theDJservice.com - 518-506-3305

~ALBANY AREA~
Shaker Ridge Events Ltd
802 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville, NY - (518) 456-4251
http://www.shakerridgeevents.com

Albany Marriott
189 Wolf Road, Albany, NY - (518) 458-8444

German-American Club of Albany
32 Cherry Street, Albany, NY - (518) 482-5845?

Albany Clarion Hotel
3 Watervliet Ave Ext., Albany, NY - (518) 438-8431

La Serre Restaurant
14 Green Street, Albany, NY - (518) 463-6056

Crossgates Restaurant-Banquet
225 Washington Avenue Ext, Albany, NY - (518) 456-0261

Italian American Community Center
757 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY - (518) 456-0292

West Albany Italian Benovolent
50 Exchange St, Albany, NY - (518) 482-4731

Best Western- Albany Airport Inn
200 Wolf Rd, Albany, NY - (518) 458-1000

Jack's Oyster House Inc
42 State Street, Albany, NY - (518) 465-8854

The Desmond Hotel Albany
660 Albany Shaker Rd, Albany, NY - (518) 869-8100

~AVERILL PARK, NEW YORK~
Paolo Lombardi's Ristorante
104 West Sand Lake Road, Wynantskill, NY 12198 - (518) 283-0202
http://www.paololombardis.com

Crystal Cove Weddings
38 Old Route 66 - Averill Park, NY 12018 - (518) 674-0703
http://crystalcoveweddings.com

Lakeview On Crystal Lake
4 Old Route 66, Averill Park, NY - (518) 674-3363

Crooked Lake House, The
NY Route 43 & 66, 2339 SR 43, Averill Park, NY - (518) 674-3894

Averill Park & Sand Lake Fire Co
35 Eastern Union Turnpike, Averill Park, NY - (518) 674-3077

West Sand Lake Volunteer Fire
3697 Old State Highway 43, West Sand Lake, NY - (518) 674-3677

~ SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK ~
Mallozzi's Banquet & Ballrooms
1930 Curry Road, Schenectady, NY - (518) 355-0340

Maple Ski Ridge
2725 Mariaville Road, Schenectady, NY 12306 - (518) 381-4700
http://www.mapleskiridge.com

Mohawk Golf Club
1849 Union St, Schenectady, NY - (518) 374-9121

Stadium Golf Club
333 Jackson Avenue, Schenectady, NY - (518) 374-9104

Woodlin Club
49 Mohawk Avenue, Scotia, NY - (518) 399-3117

Riverstone Manor
1437 Amsterdam Road, Glenville, NY 12302 - (518) 382-8322
http://www.riverstonemanor.com

Millstone Food and Spirits
654 Saratoga Road, Burnt Hills, NY - (518) 384-3812

Glen Sanders Mansion
1 Glen Avenue - Scotia, NY 12302 - (518) 374-7262
http://www.glensandersmansion.com

Birch Hill Catering
One Celebration Way - Schodack, NY 12033 - (518) 732-4444
http://www.birchhillcatering.com/catering.htm

The Lodge on Echo Lake
100 Hudson Street - Warrensburg, NY 12885 - (518) 623-5599
http://thelodgeonecholake.com

Comfort Inn - Glenmont
37 Route 9W, Glenmont, NY 12077 – (518)-465-8811
http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-glenmont-new_york-ny219

~EAST TOWARDS MASS~
Herbert's At Birch Hill Cater
1 Celebration Way, Castleton On Hudson, NY - (518) 732-4444

Gateways Inn & La Terrazza Restaurant
51 Walker Street, Lenox, MA - (413) 637-2532

Rookwood Inn
11 Old Stockbridge Road, Lenox, MA - (413) 637-9750

Best Western Cobleskill
121 Burgin Dr, Cobleskill, NY - (518) 234-4321

Blantyre
16 Blantyre Road, Lenox, MA - (413) 637-3556

Stockbridge Country Inn
26 Glendale Rd, Stockbridge, MA - (413) 298-4015

A Taste of Europe
3630 State Route 145, Cobleskill, NY - (518) 296-8000

The Quarry Steakhouse
100 New York 81, Coxsackie, NY - (518) 731-8914

~ TROY/COHOES/LATHAM ~
Clarion Hotel at The Century House
997 New Loudon Rd., (Route 9), Latham, NY - (518) 785-0931

Captain JP Cruise Lines
278 River Street, Troy, NY - (518) 270-1901

Michael's Banquet House
1019 New Loudon Road , Latham, NY 12047- (518) 785-8524
http://www.michaelsbanquethouse.com

Century House - Hotel/Restaurant/Conference Center
997 New Loudon Rd - Latham, NY 12110
Local: (518) 785-0931 - Toll Free: 1-888-674-6873
http://www.thecenturyhouse.com

~SARATOGA / CLIFTON PARK~
Comfort Suites
7 Northside Drive, Clifton Park, NY - (518) 373-2255

Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs
232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY - (518) 584-4550

Georgian Resort & Conference Centre - Lake George
384 Canada Street, Lake George, NY - (518) 668-5401

The Boathouse Restaurant
3210 Lake Shore Drive - Lake George, NY 12845 - 1-800-853-1632
http://www.lakegeorgelodges.com

Vegas Theme Wedding Reception

2010-07-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

Ding, ding, ding! “Vegas Party Theme at a wedding? We have a winnerrrr!”

I short time ago, I DJ’ed a wedding reception at The Western Turnpike Golf Club in Guilderland, NY that had a “Las Vegas theme.” The bride said that it was the only way she could get the groom to buy into having a hand in the planning. All in all, she was right. By the end of the night, the guests had a blast and it was a very different and memorable party for all.

Thinking of planning something similar? You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Here are some ideas that they used, as well as a few others I have seen…

The shuffling of the cards. The rolling of the dice. The spinning of a silly roulette wheel. Aside from the obvious playing of must-have lounge lizard music like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Louis Prima and other Italian American oldies, decor will be your key. The visual plays an enormous role part in getting over the theme and in this case, you don’t have to spend a lot to get that sweet cheesy Vegas feel.

If you really want to sell the idea to your guests, buy a bunch of playing cards and poker chips from the dollar store. Then, go nuts. At this reception, they scattered the loose cards and chips everywhere around table centerpieces, by the guest book, on the gift table and on pretty much any flat surface available. A special colored poker chip can also be taped underneath one chair at each table to signify who gets to bring home whatever casino-related centerpiece you can dream up.

As far as clothing is concerned, black felt gangster hats and jeweled tiaras are also a must to keep in hand! Maybe even get a Money Boa for the bride. Another idea is to put a bunch of cheap black sunglasses on the tables. Because a number of people will be wearing tuxedos, a lot of the pictures will end up having that monkey suit and sun glasses combination that The Rat Pack made famous.

Another great idea this group had was to make massive eight-foot cardboard cut-outs of playing card suits and put them in the corners of the room. The diamonds and clubs and spades were all made out of painted cardboard with a cross section in the back of each to help them stand. The heart was right near the head table. Each fixture was outlined and finished in glowing white Christmas lights.

For invitations that scream Las Vegas, attach the actual invitation to a playing deck of cards, poker chips, or dice. If you are really creative, a custom caricature, kind of like the walls at Delmonico’s Steakhouse on Central Ave might be fun. Portrait the bride and groom as casino dealers or mafia, or a lounge singer and a showgirl. The couple could also be the King of Diamonds or the Queen of Spades!

This party opted for a massive candy table. Have you ever seen these? The colors really got over the feel of the party and there were loads of packets of bogus bills and dice beads mixed throughout to keep them in the Vegas mindset! During the dancing, it was funny to see guests throwing the money around and “make it rain in the club” to various hip hop songs later in the night.

The decorations really turned the hall into the Vegas strip! Aside from the playing card suits, they hung slot machine backdrops and a big Las Welcome to Vegas sign on the wall.

For Vegas themed favors, you can get custom printed poker chips, or make dice out of card stock and fill them with goodies.

Last but not least, someone had secured two HUGE appliance boxes and wrapped them in white paper, then painted black dots on them. They created a gigantic pair of dice that sat off to the right of my DJ set up. It was great!

Have fun with it and don’t be afraid to be different!

Ten Tips for Planning a Succesful Wedding

2010-07-06T05:53:00.000-07:00

As a wedding DJ, I have seen many things go wrong. These were little tiny problems to start and could have been eliminated easily, just with a little planning ahead of time. Here is a top ten list of ten important things to think about in order to plan a fun and succesful wedding for all.

1. Think of EVERYBODY
I cannot say this enough. Even though it is your special day, you have to think about your guests and be a humble host, as anyone who throws a party should. After all, a good host puts others needs first. Do guests know what to expect? Are you planning your wedding for on a holiday that friends and family may have other obligations to? Are you a vegan and forcing your guests to eat food they are not comfortable eating to make a statement? Do you love hardcore music and do not care what the others think? Try your best to make everyone happy.

2. Be Yourself
If the couple is not all about classic music and being overly elegant, planning much of the reception as such may not be the right thing to do. You may want to go for more up beat fun stuff right from the get-go, during the cocktail hour. Also, some couples are now making the grand entrance into the cocktail hour to enjoy the festivities and then heading out for some pictures before they eat.

3. Don't Waste Money
The wedding industry is a money making industry, with lots of avenues to indulge in. There is a lot of good advice out there, but remember, people will also profit from it. Shop around and do your homework! Budget means budget. If you have a number, stick to it!

4. Know who is running the show!
There are two people running the show. One is the officiate, the minister or justice of peace. His/her personality will come out in the ceremony. The other is your DJ/band, who plays a very important role in whether the guests will say your reception was fun, or not.

5. Be prepared for ANYTHING
Most people don’t want to believe that something could go wrong at their wedding, so they do not plan for it. If it is an outdoor wedding, make sure that you have an alternate location in case of rain. Keep phone contacts on hand for vendors and people with important roles.

6. Don't Lose Perspective
Don't get caught up in so many small details and traditions that you don't spend enough time on what's important. Keep the big picture in mind. If something doesn’t go exactly as planned, this is okay. Nothing ever does! Just remember, it is a celebration. Make it work.

7. Careful Having a Heavy Party the Night Before
It’s not always a good idea to plan crazy bachelor/bachelorette parties for the night before the wedding, if people with important roles tend to get carried away. The last thing you need is to wake up with a headache, or upset stomach. Too much drinking the night before is not always a good idea.

8. Bride & Groom Team planning
Wedding planning can and should fall on the bride and the groom together. If one becomes too overbearing or selfish, it can make for an awful night for the other. Ask yourself, did I listen?

9. Seat Guests Effectively
Your wedding is no place to try and mend broken bridges between guest. Forcing enemies to come together by seating them together is probably not going to work and not a risk you should try taking. Also, try and keep older people away from the DJ or band, as they often do not like louder volume levels. For more ideas on seating, see my other blog.

10. Don't be afraid to be different
Traditional weddings are all the same. Don't let your wedding reception fall into the regular pattern. If you do, your wedding will blur into the rest. Never be afraid to be different! A good idea is a good idea, even if it bucks tradition.

_____

DJ Kenny Casanova - is a professional wedding reception mobile dj and professional wrestling ring announcer out of Albany, NY and Troy, NY. You can email him at ken@theDJservice.com.

Our site... www.TheDJservice.com
Our Facebook... Kenny Casanova
Our Twitter... Kenny Casanova

Three Tasty New Trends in Wedding Reception

2010-06-28T17:56:00.000-07:00

COCKTAIL HOUR ENTRANCE
An interesting new trend for wedding receptions and cocktail hours is for the bride and groom to actually be announced fifteen minutes or so into the cocktail hour, so that they can enjoy the spirits, as well. As everyone knows, a tasty drink or two can really make the party fun. If the bride and groom get done with their pictures quickly enough, why not?

THE CANDY CART
A sweet new treat in weddings is the Candy Cart. A scrum-dilly-icious candy buffet adds fun and color to any wedding. This new trend has a table on wheels that looks like it was heisted straight out of Wonka’s Chocolate factory. The cart is covered with large glass bowls and vases over-flowing with goodness. Little baggies allow for all of your guests to pick what kind of candy they want and take it home. Kids and adults love taking home little bags of loot so that the sweetness of the reception continues long after the DJ has packed up.

HONEYMOON GIFT REGISTRY
Enough said. Just like any other type of gift registry at a store or on Amazon, friends and family members purchase parts of the bride and groom’s honeymoon. If it is not the obvious plane tickets or hotel room credits, it could be a show, an expensive dinner or a tour bus ride at the point of destination.

Wedding Reception First Song Ideas

2010-06-24T05:41:00.001-07:00

Sometimes it is tough to reinvent the wheel. If you are planning your first dance, here is a great list of ideas:

• You Are My First, My Last, My Everything - Barry White
• Take My Breath Away - Berlin
• The Rose - Bette Midler
• Our Love Is Here To Stay - Billie Holiday
• Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
• She’s Got A Way - Billy Joel
• We’ve Got Tonight - Bob Seger
• You Are My Special Angel - Bob- Helms
• If - Bread
• Everything I Own - Bread
• Heaven - Bryan Adams
• True Love Ways - Buddy Holly
• Tonight And Forever - Carly Simon
• You’re The Inspiration - Chicago
• Lady In Red - Chris DeBurgh
• Longer - Dan Fogelberg
• Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
• Can You Feel the Love Tonight - Elton John
• Friends - Elton John
• The One - Elton John
• Your Song - Elton John
• Can’t Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
• Always - Erasure
• At Last - Etta James
• Let It Be Me - Everly Brothers
• Songbird - Fleetwood Mac
• The Best Is Yet To Come - Frank Sinatra
• The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra
• If I Loved You - from Carousel
• As Time Goes - - from Casablanca
• Some Enchanted Evening - from South Pacific
• Somewhere - from West Side Story
• Love Theme To Romeo & Juliet - from Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet
• Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You - Glenn Medeiros
• Here We Are - Gloria Estefan
• Beautiful - Gordon Lightfoot
• It Had To Be You - Harry Connick, Jr.
• So This Is Love - James Ingram
• Up Where We Belong - Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warrens
• You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker
• Woman - John Lennon
• I Swear - John Michael Montgomery
• Chances Are - Johnny Mathis
• Beautiful In My Eyes - Joshua Kadison
• So In Love - K.D. lang
• Don’t Know Much - Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville
• Amazed - Lonestar
• What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
• Here And Now - Luther Vandross
• Dream A Little Dream - Mamas & the Papas
• Hero - Mariah Carey
• Grow Old With Me - Mary Chapin Carpenter
• Embraceable You - Nat King Cole
• Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
• When I Fall In Love - Nat King Cole
• Marry Me - Neil Diamond & Buffy Lawson
• When A Man Loves A Woman - Percy Sledge
• After All - Peter Cetera & Cher
• Glory Of Love - Peter Cetera
• Wedding Song - There is Love - Petula Clark
• Perhaps Love - Placido Domingo & John Denver
• Forever and Ever, Amen - Randy Travis
• You Are the Everything - R.E.M.
• I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore - R.E.O. Speedwagon
• Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
• Tonight I Celebrate My Love For You - Roberta Flack & Peabo Bryson
• Truly, Madly, Deeply - Savage Garden
• Kiss From A Rose - Seal
• Dreaming Of You - Selena
• From This Moment - Shania Twain & Brian White
• You’re Still The One - Shania Twain
• If I Never Knew You - Shanice Wilson & John Secada
• True - Spandau Ballet
• You Are The Sunshine Of My Life - Stevie Wonder
• I Believe - When I Fall in Love - Stevie Wonder
• Ma Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder
• Give a Little Bit - Supertramp
• Eternal Flame - The Bangles
• I Will - The Beatles
• In My Life - The Beatles
• Something - The Beatles
• We’ve Only Just Begun - The Carpenters
• In The Still of the Night - The Five Satins
• I Only Have Eyes For You - The Flamingos
• A Groovy Kind Of Love - The Mindbenders
• Oh, How The Years Go - - Vanessa Williams
• Will You Marry Me? - Vonda Shepard
• Hold Me - Whitney Houston & Teddy Pendergrass
• One Moment In Time - Whitney Houston

Am I missing anything? Drop me a line.

DJ Kenny Casanova - is a professional wedding reception mobile dj and professional wrestling ring announcer out of Albany, NY and Troy, NY.

Our site... www.TheDJservice.com

Our facebook... Kenny Casanova

DJ Kenny Casanova - is a professional wedding reception mobile dj and professional wrestling ring announcer out of Albany, NY and Troy, NY. You can email him at ken@theDJservice.com.

Our site... www.TheDJservice.com
Our Facebook... Kenny Casanova
Our Twitter... Kenny Casanova

Finger Food Wedding Reception - AN APPETIZING BIG HIT!

2010-06-22T10:52:00.000-07:00

I was the disck jockey for some good people out of Schenectady, NY this past weekend, hosted at a nice little restaraunt called The Cella Bistro. The bride and groom’s favorite thing about past wedding receptions that they had attended was always the appetizers.

Hors d'oeuvres, hors d'oeuvres and more hors d'oeuvres!

From every party to wedding they have ever attended, it seemed that these two had a huge interest in the fun food, rater than the actual sit-down. They liked mushrooms, and wonton shrimp and crab cakes and friend veggies and jumpo shrimp, you know, all the yummy stuff.

So what did they do? The made EVERYTHING APPETIZERS!

That is right. There was no real sit down, but there was soooo much good finger food and hors d'oeuvres around that you never even missed it.

The mass grazing was a good time by all.

French-Canadian "Wedding Sock Dance" Custom

2010-06-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

I learned something over the weekend at a wedding reception that had an Irish-American bride marrying a French-Canadian groom. While weddings in Canada are very similar to those here in America, there are some very different French Canadian Weddings Customs that occur just north to us. I realized this when I looked out to the dance floor to see the groom’s older sister hiking up her dress and dancing with the ugliest socks on I ever did see! Looking at a pair of feather adorned rainbow socks with sparkles and fully-woven separated toes, this prompted me to do a little research on the nuptials of our northern neighbors.

Canadian wedding customs are all about a warm and friendly get together with friends and family, despite sometimes cold northern temperatures. Because Canada is an immigrant country by nature, the mixing of English and French wedding customs with the traditions of many other cultures is common. For the most part, a great deal of French Canadian wedding celebrations is very similar to what you would see in the United States. There are, however, a few differences.

In parts of Quebec, where the main language spoken is French, for the ceremony, the groom isn’t kept away from seeing the bride until she walks down the aisle. It is customary, rather for the groom and his friends and family to meet the bride at her home on the big day. The new couple then drives to ceremony with the bride’s parents. A large procession of cars, much like you see in the states at a funeral, move together, decorated for the wedding celebration to come. The line of cars is not calm and reserved, however. In a parade-like tour through the entire town, the people in the cars honk their horns and yell good wishes out to town’s people. After the drive, the entire wedding assembly enters the church together.

At the reception, we see an introduction and a toast, before a nice dinner. After everyone eats, the dancing begins. There is one French-Canadian tradition, however, that I saw this weekend that was very new to me. It involved the unmarried brothers and sisters of the bride and groom.

Later on in the wedding reception, apparently, if the groom has older siblings who are still unmarried, they must down elaborately colorful ugly socks, and dance to a special tune. It seems that the the socks symbolize the siblings still having “cold feet” and this is why the younger brother is marrying before them. The sillier the sock dance is however, the better, as the guests respond more favorably to nonsense. Much like the American “Dollar Dance,” the guests throw money at the feet of the sock dancer(s) and the money is then given to the bride and groom, to offset costs and help them in their new home together.

DJ Kenny Casanova - is a professional wedding reception mobile dj and professional wrestling ring announcer out of Albany, NY and Troy, NY. You can email him at ken@theDJservice.com.
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Wedding Seating: Tea Candle Place Cards

2010-06-09T06:55:00.000-07:00

Yet again, I saw a different thing this weekend that I thought I should share with you all. At a reception at Franklin Terrace in Troy, NY, I saw Place Cards printed on small candle holders with a lit tea candle inside.

You know those little cards you see at the front of the hall at the beginning of the ceremony? Yeah you do. Place cards are the little folded business card-like slips of cardstock that have the guests name printed on them, directing them to their assigned table for the reception.

The wedding I did had the cutest little little tea lights with professionally printed names on each one and the table number, as party favors for the guests to bring home with them as a momento. These particular ones had a white crest with the guests' names printed on it in gold with a black outline. Beneath the names was a table name, each with a synonym for love like, "PASSION" and "ROMANCE."

It was really cool to see everyone surround the table and look for their candles! Then, on by one, each person carefully brought their little candle keepsake to their destination table. The line of people was soothing and fun!

Neat idea!

Wedding Music Choice - Set An Atmosphere

2010-06-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

Of course, the bride and groom’s song choices outweigh anyone else’s at the wedding. However, it is still very important to try to incorporate lots of music that their guests will enjoy. Think about it for a second. Who wants to put on a wedding where people hate the entertainment!?

The purpose of playing music at all is to set an atmosphere. Therefore, the real logic behind planning your reception music should be to create an atmosphere where people will have fun, rather than expose your guests to music you like.

Throughout the years, wedding receptions have changed. They are vastly becoming the party dancing part of the wedding, while the ceremony holds the classy and more serious peaceful part of the day. Therefore, the trend now for receptions is to be far more upbeat and fun. If this is the atmosphere you want, the possibilities of song choices are endless. However, picking songs that ONLY you like can be a big mistake.

Most bride and grooms want to select songs that are special to them. Sometimes the songs relate to how they first met or the couple’s first date, or perhaps some other memorable event. It is very important, to do this, however, if the whole playlist are “special songs” to the bride and groom, they may not be special to everyone else.

If you want to have a finger on the playlist, as you plan songs for the wedding reception, seek out a second opinion from friends or family. With the internet, you can easily send out emails and get a feeling for what people will like.

If your overall goal really again is to create a fun, dancing atmosphere, you really have to pick songs that people can dance to and songs that people like to dance to. Even if you do not like “dance music,” if your guests do, you will need to pick songs they like to get the atmosphere that you are looking for.

WEDDING COLORS

2010-06-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

Usually, as a DJ for wedding receptions, I get the linen from the hall and match up my stuff as best as possible. It is funny though. Colors are really changing up.

Remember something borrowed and something blue? At first we only saw hints of one color on a bride. A little color maybe in the hair… A blast of color in jewelry… These accents made a nice touch, while still allowing the bride to wear her traditional white, at a traditional white wedding. However, many different colors have been creeping into the scene more and more, with all the new brights and eccentric patterns just as we see in today’s fashion trends. Just as we see people breaking the norm at many receptions, today’s bride who wishes to buck tradition is throwing the color rules out the window.

Just as brides and grooms are breaking it down on the wedding dance floor in the middle of a slow song all over the internet, today’s independent woman is no longer a follower. She is no longer silent. She doesn’t want to go along with the crowd. She wants to be different. She wants to make her day memorable. Today’s daring bride wears what she wants to wear, and sets a trend.

Out of Albany, NY, but willing to travel, I was the Disc Jockey for a recent wedding in Rochester, NY. At this particular wedding, I was pleasantly shocked to see that each bridesmaid had a different pastel color on, as I was calling the introductions over some Black Eyed Peas. The dresses were, in fact, the same cut and style and matched the vest on each of their individual escorts, but none of the dresses were the same color. White at this one was reserved for the bride, however, I am seeing brides dropping this tradition more and more!

What Will Everyone Think? I read that historically, white wedding dresses weren’t the norm until after Queen Victoria wore a white dress for her wedding. Okay, I am just the DJ, and not any sort of fashion plate, but I can tell you this. Not all brides are following the Queen anymore! Brides who are choosing colored gowns, are doing so for many other different reasons.

Quite often, in a world that sees second marriages as commonplace, for today’s bride who wants color but doesn’t want to be too obvious, I have been seeing washed out and faint colors on the dance floor, mixed into in their traditional white dresses. I have also seen very faint colors, it almost still looks white; almost as if someone washed a bright colored sock in with the gown.

Wedding dresses in the palest of pink or the lightest of blue add color, but aren’t looked at as inappropriate and don’t make the groom look as if he is marrying Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.

One denominator for color choice has often been selection to match the season. Spring brides are choosing pale pastels, while those marrying in the summer choose deeper shades of similar colors. Those getting married in autumn are choosing yellows, golds and even shades orange, like my friend Pete, who recently got married on Halloween 2009, which fell on a Saturday.

However, from what I hear, it is the daring trend-setting winter bride who often chooses to make the boldest statement. Last winter, I had a bride in a bright red dress, with a red veil to match. (And yes, she looked like she raided Lady Gaga’s VMA closet.

My opinion on this? The wedding is all about the bride. I think the bride looks beautiful with whatever she chooses to wear, as long as she feels good in it and wears it front of a DJ at the reception, rather than a band!

Wedding Magnets : And attractive wedding idea for invitations & party favors!

2010-05-27T08:31:00.001-07:00

As a mobile DJ, you see some really neat ideas from time to time, but none have struck me as much so as what I have been seeing more and more of this summer.

With printing capabilities increasing with technology and color printing cartridge advancements, a new trend is definitely hitting the professional wedding industry. This new wedding trend is quickly becoming a magnetic attraction to the guests, because this new trend is magnets with photos.

One new magnet prop is showing up before the wedding. I have seen “Save The Date” magnets sent out to guests to announce their wedding right from the start. These are usually business card size with just the date and the bride and groom’s names on them. They can however be bigger and more elaborate.

Magnets can also be used for the invitations themselves. If you look up on google.com keywords “magnets”+”Weddings” you will see that many specialty printers are now offering some really cool magnetic stock for invitations. Companies like Magnetstreet.com, MagnetQueen.com, Wedding-Magnets.com and SaveTheDateMagnet.com are all just the tip of the iceberg for companies that are beginning to specialize off of this growing new idea. They have some great stock images to pick from, as well as cool ideas for customization.

At the reception itself, many people are now opting to make the magnet-making process itself as part of the fun and towards the provision of wedding favors. Photo Magnet creation actually becomes an activity. An additional photographer can be hired with on site capability and the proper equipment to provide refrigerator magnets as party favors to the bride and groom and/or all your guests with their images on the magnets.

At a recent Albany, NY wedding I played music at, the magnet photographer set up a photo shoot area in a corner complete with lighting and a backdrop. Couples and friends alike could then go over for the shoot and immediately, within seconds, have a decorative portrait of the participants in hand. The magnets can either then be set aside for the bride and groom, or kept as a favor!

The possibilities are endless!