Archive for the ‘Wedding Planning Tips’ Category

When it comes to selecting music, a few things come to mind.  First and foremost, the songs you choose for your “Spotlight” dances and your ceremony, will tell your audience a story about you.  Secondly, you know your “Core Audience” the best (family & friends), you know what songs or type of music they will dance to, or not dance to.  I suggest picking 10-15 “Must Play” songs for your DJ, as well as creating a “Do Not Play” list of songs or genres of music.  Lastly, when it comes to the open dance floor, ask yourself if it’s recognizable, and can people dance to it?  More on that later…

The Grand March

It’s the tempo setter for the night, have your DJ announce your Bridal Party in style!  Enter the room to “At Last” by Etta James and lull the crowd to sleep, or enter like rock stars to Joe Satriani’s “Crowd Chant” (It’s played whenever the MN Wild score).  Remember, the songs you select, tell your guests a story about you!

Cross-Generational Music

You want a night club party, your bridesmaids want a night club party and the groomsmen may want to bro-it-out, but don’t leave out the people who brought the best gifts.  In other words, people with grey hair like to party too…  Just ease them into it.

What works in the car, may not work in the bar

Here’s an example:  Katy Perry’s E.T., did huge in digital sales and radio play, and you couldn’t escape it, but you can’t dance to it…  unless you’re a Kardashian.  My favorite radio station is 89.3 The Current, but I would say that most of the music played is not danceable.  I’ve discussed music with hundreds of clients, and my heart goes out to the great music lovers out there (especially those who fancy punk, old-school hip-hop, folk, and alt music) but trust me, the stuff we love doesn’t work at weddings.  If you decide to play “cool” music at your reception ask yourself if it’s recognizable, and can people dance to it?

Bride & Groom Dance

I’ll just say this, stop searching YouTube or Google for “The Best First Dance Song”, or “Popular First Dance Song”….  Those are other people’s songs!  What’s your song?  When you first met, what song fit the most back then or even now?  Maybe it’s a goofy song you both like, or it’s a metal song you want to head-bang to, maybe you don’t like the spotlight and want everyone to join you for your first dance, or maybe you’re both not into music, is there a memorable song from a shared favorite movie?  Maybe you’re undecided on two different songs, play both.   Whatever song you select it will tell the story YOU want to tell.  So what’s your story?

The Father/Daughter Dance

There are other songs besides “Butterfly Kisses” and “I Loved Her First.” Try to think about what you’re father’s favorite song or artist is, or ask him to pick the song HE wants, after all, he may have had a big part in financing your special day!  I have to mention this…  ”Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton?  Really?  Please investigate what the song is about…  Please!

The Mother/Son Dance

Yes it’s YOUR big day, but building some “equity” with your new Mother-In-Law, and letting her select the song won’t be forgotten.

Bridal Party Dance

Take inventory of your Bridal Party, are they all friends or are they strangers?  If they don’t really know each other that well, select a mid-tempo or even upbeat dance tune.  Also, you may want the Bridal Party to dance with their dates who have been probably seated next to strangers and feel excluded. .. It’s a nice touch!

Dollar Dance

I suggest leaving the music up to your DJ, but we do want to know if you want a “short” 2-3 song set, or if you’d like to accommodate enough time based on your guests participation.  Obviously the more people that line up, the more time it takes.  It just may pay for the new shoes you bought for your honeymoon!  Now some brides feel awkward like it’s “shaking-down” their invited guests, but in reality it’s tradition, and gives people more face time with you and your husband.  If you decide to select the music try to shy away from the “Intimate/Romantic ” songs…. Can you say awkward?

To Chicken Dance or not to Chicken Dance?

The Hokey Pokey, The Electric Slide, YMCA, etc., are not cool songs; however, they do get your guests on the dance floor.  You aren’t required to participate, but these songs are usually only played at weddings and people love them.

 

In summary put some thought into your songs, pick 10-15 “Must Plays”, highlight the “Do Not Plays”, pick a couple “Group Participation” songs, and don’t forget “Cross-Generational” music … This will give your DJ an opportunity to “read/play to” the crowd, take appropriate requests, and infuse your “Must Plays” in an order that makes sense so everyone goes home with sore feet!

Happy Planning Everyone!

-Midwest Sound Wedding DJ – Minnesota

Unfortunately this is not an uncommon statement to hear from future Brides as they consider their wedding entertainment options…

If this applies to you, here are some important questions you may want to ask yourself, and your “DJ” friend…

• What happens if they get sick, get a flat, have their equipment stolen, or simply don’t show up? What happens if their equipment fails ? It’s very important to have a backup plan!  Midwest Sound DJ Entertainment provides a full backup staff for each event, including on call technicians, backup DJ’s, and supervisors ready to field any problem that may arise.

• How many weddings have they DJ’d? Maybe they can play the “Club Bangers”, but can they play “Cross-Generational” music? Many of our DJ’s also have club experience,  but they also have the special professional skills and knowledge necessary to deejay a wedding. A DJ’s job is always, of course, to bring people together in joyful celebration. It requires different  skills, however, to do this for a Bride and Groom, along with a group of their friends and family at a wedding.

• Do they have an event planning form of some kind? Every wedding is different, and it’s extremely important that you have an opportunity to choose what happens (or doesn’t!) throughout your big day, then discuss it with your DJ. We provide music and event planning forms, have a full time Music Director on staff, and your DJ will call you the week of your wedding to go over all the details with you

• Is this the person you want to rely one for one of the most important days of your life?

• Do they have insurance? We do! Many of the leading Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Greater Minnesota venues require that all vendors carry liability insurance.

Now if your “DJ” friend has instilled confidence that he or she can make your marriage celebration all that it should be, then go for it! The point isn’t that it’s impossible for you to have a reliable friend with the right skills to help facilitate your big day, it’s that you should make sure you do before you put your trust in them!

If you’d like to explore the added benefits of hiring a professional disk jockey, please contact us so we can learn more about your event!

-Midwest Sound DJ Entertainment – MN

 

 

 

 

 

 

No, we are not talking about the classic wedding song “Mony, Mony!” We are speaking of the cost of weddings today. Not every family has an unlimited wedding budget and yes, it does feel good to get a great deal on top quality wedding vendors, decorations and supplies. Midwest Sound has always taken a common sense approach to pricing. Contact us today and let’s talk about your budget! For more money saving ideas check out this link: SAVE MONEY ON MY WEDDING!

Planning weddings can be hard and stressful when it should be joyous and wonderful. Here are some tips to ensure joyous and wonderful from our friends at the Embassy Suites: (click here to view)

Check out a new wedding blog  just for brides! It’s called “Brides Like Us” and it’s geared toward wedding tips, trends and more great information. This week featuring the Twin Cities best DJ Entertainment company’s Up lighting division. Check it out: www.brideslikeus.com

Midwest Sound DJ Entertainment was awarded the MNBride Best Of 2011 award for Best Ceremony Music, and we would love the opportunity to help make your wedding ceremony a memorable success!

Each Wedding Ceremony DJ package includes:

        – A professional DJ

        – A portable sound system which includes a microphone, set up in advance by your DJ

        – Fully customizable music of your choice to be played during your ceremony

Our music department is also happy to help you select your ceremony music! We have a vast collection of ceremony selections and the experience and expertise to help you find just the right songs for your ceremony’s special moments.

 Please contact us to find out more! 

 

-Best Minnesota Wedding DJ-Midwest Sound

Hello Everyone! We hope that your winter has been going great; spring is just around the corner!

We wanted to take a moment to mention that Midwest Sound offers not just wedding reception dj entertainment, but also wedding ceremony music packages that include a professional dj, speakers, microphones, and ceremony songs of your choice. Our music department can also help you pick out some of your music- we have a vast collection of ceremony music and the experience and expertise to help you find just the right song for your ceremony’s special moments.

We are also happy to coordinate  with your officiant, other musicians,  and loved ones speaking during the reception to make sure your ceremony music and audio is just so.

Midwest Sound was awarded the MNBride Best Of 2011 award for Best Ceremony Music, and we’re looking forward to working with other great couples in the future to make sure that their wedding ceremonies and receptions are a success.  Please contact us to find out more!

-Best Wedding and Ceremony DJ – Midwest Sound

 

We are excited to announce Midwest Sound DJ Entertainment has won the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012. This prestigious award is determined by reviews from your past clients and recognizes the top 5 percent of local Wedding Professionals from the WeddingWire Network. Their are many DJ entertainment companies in and around Minneapolis and St. Paul. And to be named the best wedding DJ company is an honor.

We are humbled to have been chosen. We have the honor of working with hundreds of brides every year and we are referred by many wedding venues and Catering Directors. SO thanks to everyone for making this possible! We hope to see you soon.

 

Greetings!

We hope that you had an excellent Summer and Fall 2011.

Congratulations to all of the couples who had their wedding over the Summer!

We had the opportunity to deejay so many great events in Minnesota and Wisconsin  and want to thank everyone who chose Midwest Sound DJ Entertainment as their dj of choice this year!

For those of you just starting to plan for 2012 and beyond, here are some quick tips we’ve learned in our 35 years as wedding professionals:

1) Start with the Spot

Getting your ceremony and reception locations chosen is the gateway to all other things wedding planning. Many wedding vendors won’t be able to provide you with an accurate quote until you’ve answered two key questions for your big day:  where and when.

For info on some of the best wedding locations  in Minneapolis, St.Paul, the Twin Cities, and Greater Minnesota, check out our Venue Partners Homepage:

http://www.midwestsound.com/event-venue-partners.php

2) Get an early start!

Most of the wedding vendors you will need offer discounts for couples who reserve early,  and often base discounting on availability.  If you feel great about a particular vendor, go for it! You will save time and money, and will make the months before your wedding relaxing, rather than stressful because you haven’t made your final decisions.

3) The Vendors You Choose Should:

-Be Experienced.

-Be Reliable.

-Give you options and expert advice.

-Have a backup plan, on-call staffing, and a supervisor you can contact directly the day of your wedding.

4) Attend  Bridal Shows

If you’d like to meet the best wedding companies in your area “face-to-face”, check out a bridal show!

Not only will you get a feel for the staff that make up the companies you are considering, but many vendors offer a bridal show discount for couples that reserve at the show. You can compare, contrast, and check vendors off of your list- all in just a few hours!

Best of Luck with your planning everyone!

-Midwest Sound DJ Entertainment

p.s. Whoa! Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Gobble-Gobble…