All posts by Mike Urban

6 (BIG!) Ways to ENSURE a GREAT Time for Your Wedding Guests

June 17, 2016entertaining guests, wedding reception tipsMike Urban

It’s easy to get wrapped up in planning every detail of your wedding to make sure it fits you, but what about your guests? Use these tips from the pros (us!) to make sure your guests, and you, have a GREAT time at your wedding reception.

Give them ALL the information up front

Use your invitations and a wedding website to give your guests all the information they need (above and beyond dates and times): parking (and any fees), local hotel information, and any other helpful information that can assist them as they travel to your wedding.

Put out the red carpet

Make your guests feel appreciated at your wedding with a lot of small touches. Go out of your way to welcome your local and out-of-town guests with small gifts and outings. Use signs and other small tokens to welcome them to your wedding ceremony and reception.

Keep the talking to a minimum

Ask your “toasters” to keep their toasts short and sweet. Long wedding toasts can put a real crimp on your guests’ good time, and delay the real wedding reception fun.

Pull out all the entertainment stops

We’ve never heard a wedding guest say, “That wedding was so awesome. We had nothing to do!” Ensure that your guests have fun on your big day. Book a great DJ as soon as you can (the best DJs book fast-here’s how to decide if your DJ is top notch). Get a photo booth to give your guests something to do when they’re not dancing—and so they have a memento from a great time. For your youngest guests (the kids!), give them coloring sheets, crayons, and other fun games and entertainment that they—and their parents—can appreciate.

Conspire for a surprise

Part of the fun of hiring one of the best wedding entertainment companies (DJ or band) is the potential to plan a big surprise that none of your guests know about. Whether it’s a surprise first dance, or a flash mob, or…. (shhh!) another fun surprise, make sure you plan it well advance with your DJ or band to make sure it goes flawlessly during your wedding reception.

Keep them fed

Don’t stop feeding your guests once dinner is over. Schedule a course of late night snacks that’ll keep your wedding guests dancing (another reason to hire an awesome DJ) and having fun throughout your wedding reception. Talk to your caterer about options, or make arrangements for a food truck or vendor on your own—your guests’ll thank you when they’re having fun.

25 Questions You Should Ask Your Wedding DJ

May 24, 2016choosing a wedding dj, steps for hiring a wedding djMike Urban

As with every part of wedding planning, it pays to be thorough when hiring your wedding DJ. After all, your wedding DJ can make or break your wedding reception so it’s important to hire an experienced, professional DJ (learn how to tell if your DJ fit that bill)—and one that you can afford. To find out if your DJ fits all those criteria, we’ve compiled a list of questions to ask your wedding DJ so you can ensure that you’re hiring the best that fits your budget.

Introduction

“Is my wedding date available?”
“How long have you been in business?”
“Do you have any references?”
“Do you offer any other services (lighting, photo booth, etc.)?”
“Can you do….” (Ask this question if you have a really special request)

Cost

“What is your final total cost?”
“How much of a deposit is required and when will the balance be due?”
“Do you charge overtime fees?”
“Do you charge a travel fee?”
“What is your cancellation policy?”

Logistical Concerns

“Do you carry Insurance and can you provide proof of Insurance?”
“When do we meet with you to discuss details of the wedding?”
“Do you have back up DJs and equipment available?”
“What time do you arrive?”
“What kind of electrical needs does your equipment require?” (for an outdoor wedding)

Services

“What do you offer as part of your wedding package?”
“Is dinner music included in our package?”
“What songs are included in your wedding DJ playlist?”
“When do you need information from me?”
“Do you have a wedding DJ checklist that I can write my favorite songs and songs I do not want played at my reception?”

Questions about the Wedding DJ (who will actually be at your wedding)

“Will the DJ be in formal attire?”
“Will the DJ act as Master of Ceremonies (MC)?”
“How many years wedding experience does my DJ have?”
“How do we contact you?”

If you have a busy schedule, add another question to your wedding DJ checklist for your initial meeting with your wedding DJ: “can we meet via the internet or over the phone instead of in person?”

In addition to a list of questions, do your research about your prospective wedding DJ. Check their social media sites for reviews, and contact any references they give you. Make sure you have a DJ with a back-up plan for emergencies, and experience that can make your wedding reception the memorable night you’ve always dreamed of.

10 Tips to Help You Enjoy Your Wedding Day

May 10, 2016smoother wedding day, tips for enjoying wedding dayMike Urban

You put a LOT of time and effort into your wedding day, so wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy it? Here’s a few tips from pros that have been to a ton of weddings (us!) that can make your wedding day smoother, giving you the chance to enjoy it.

Book early, and book quality.

A level of trust can go a long way toward relaxing and enjoying your wedding day. If you have confidence in the DJ you’ve chosen, or have seen them in action, it’s easier to sit back and let them do their thing—and do it well. Same goes for your caterer, photographer, and any other vendors. Use friends’ recommendations, online reviews, and questions to choose the right vendors for your big day, and don’t procrastinate. The best of the best book quickly. Contact them early to make sure you get the best so you can relax on your big day.

Appoint ‘helpers’ and give them jobs.

Don’t be a bridezilla. Ask friends and family for their assistance throughout the day. If they accept, give them a specific task they are responsible for. This is the perfect job for a take-charge friend or family member that you want to be involved in your wedding. Don’t feel like you need to be in charge of it all, and that you need to put out every fire. Ask friends or family you trust to help getting family members to photos, assisting with babysitting (if needed) during the festivities, passing out payments to vendors and performers (make sure you choose a trusted friend or family member for this task) and any other small details that need to be done that day.

Prepare, prepare, prepare.

Get as much wedding planning accomplished as early as possible (here’s a helpful checklist for the wedding planning process) or hire a wedding planner that can organize all your details. If you still owe vendors payment, or have ‘thank you’ gifts for soloists and other people who are part of your big day, pay in advance over the phone or online, or put the money in envelopes a week before the wedding day. A few steps of preparation during wedding planning can limit the amount of ‘to-do’s’ on your special day—making it even more relaxed and special.

Schedule and keep meetings with all the important wedding day players.

To make sure that all your wishes are known and make sure your vendors are coordinated, keep your scheduled meetings with your vendors so you can tell them what you want and what you don’t want. For example, for your DJ meeting, make a playlist of songs you want played…and don’t want played.

Don’t schedule too tight.

As great as preparing for your big day is, make sure you have down time to enjoy it. Don’t schedule your time so tight that you’re rushing from place to place. We know a couple that wanted to get pictures at a scenic park that her family had taken pictures at it in the past. However, when the schedule didn’t allow, they scrapped the idea to ensure that the day went smoothly and wasn’t hectic.

Listen to the voice of experience.

Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations from your vendors; after all, you hired them for their experience. Now, rely on it. Make your preferences known but don’t be afraid to put important items (i.e. play list for the evening, photo stances) in their capable hands.

Communicate with EVERYONE.

Don’t rely on texts and other people to spread the word about all the details and specifics. Take special care to communicate with your guests by creating a wedding website and putting together comprehensive invitations. For your wedding party and family, send out emails or messages to EVERYONE with a full schedule. This allows everyone involved to plan ahead and anticipate where they need to be to make the day run smoothly, and cuts down on the amount of individual communications you need to send out.

Have an emergency kit for ANYTHING that could come up.

Pack extra cosmetics, a sewing kit, umbrellas—anything you think could come up on your wedding day. Go through your day in your mind, and picture all the worst case scenarios and what you can do to fix the problem. In the same way, hire vendors with the same mind set, such as photographers and DJs, with back-up equipment and personnel for those “just in case” situations.

Be flexible.

Even with all the planning in the world, things are bound to go wrong. The internet is full of stories that go wrong, so be flexible and go with the flow as much as possible. Even with all the planning in the world, those “just in case” scenarios always seem to arrive. Keep everything in perspective and try not to let them ruin your special day.

Have fun!

Dance, circulate, have fun with your friends…this is your special day, so make the most of it—and enjoy it!

How much should I pay for wedding entertainment?

April 26, 2016cost of a wedding DJ, wedding entertainment costMike Urban

A wedding budget is one of the key elements of wedding planning; it can also be one of the most frustrating. You don’t want to pay too much or too little for your wedding cake, food, or your wedding entertainment. Because the cost of wedding bands and DJs vary greatly, it’s hard to know how much is the right amount to pay for your wedding reception entertainment. While there is no right answer, there are a few tips to keep in mind when deciding how much you should pay for wedding entertainment.

Keep it all in perspective.

As much as you want to save money, remember that the important parts of your wedding are what you and your guests remember. In the case of wedding entertainment, it may be tempting to save a few hundred dollars on a cheaper DJ, but remember that wedding entertainment is only a small percentage of your overall wedding budget and has a HUGE impact on the enjoyment of your guests. If your budget is tight, be strategic where you spend your dollars. Allocate the majority of your budget to areas of your wedding that make the most impact on your guests: food, entertainment, venue, etc.—and enjoy a memorable wedding night with good food and entertainment.

Make sure to ask your band or DJ about all the costs.

To make sure you stick to your wedding entertainment budget amount, ask your band or DJ about all the total cost. Many companies or bands quote you an amount that doesn’t include set-up, take-down, or overage fees (such as when your reception runs over the allotted time)—or choose a wedding DJ that doesn’t have any of those painful charges. Your goal is to keep your guests dancing and having fun—why would you want to be charged for a successful wedding reception?

If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Does that quote from a wedding DJ seem to be too cheap to be real? Remember the old adage, “if it seems too good to be true…” when hiring a wedding DJ. If the amount of the quote seems low, there is a good chance that the DJ is an amateur and the quality is going to be subpar. Amateur DJs (you know, “the friend of a friend”…) tend to have low-quality equipment and no back-up plan (what if the DJ gets sick or the equipment breaks?). A low quote is only one sign of an amateur DJ; be wary of any DJ that doesn’t have a business address or can provide references (or shows any of these other signs of a bad DJ).

Keep in mind the total cost of a DIY solution.

With all the wedding costs adding up, it can be tempting to go the DIY route for wedding entertainment. Make sure you factor in the total cost of DIY wedding entertainment: the equipment, cost of songs, time spent compiling a play list and trying to run the equipment during the wedding reception (wouldn’t you rather be having fun?), and the lack of a back-up time in case of a breakdown. Evaluate all the costs, including time, when you select the right wedding entertainment for your special day.

Find other ways to save money—without compromising the fun of your wedding reception.

Reasonable amount of wedding favors, an off-season wedding date, a creative wedding desert—all these ideas (plus a few more) are ways to save money on your wedding. For more ideas on how to trim your wedding entertainment budget (while still getting the best wedding DJ), or to get a quote on wedding entertainment for your big night, contact us. We can give you a number and advice about your wedding entertainment, so you can have an awesome wedding reception without breaking the bank.

5 Signs of a BAD Wedding DJ

April 21, 2016choosing a wedding dj, red flags of a bad wedding dj, steps for selecting a wedding djMike Urban

Let’s just say it: your DJ can make or break your wedding reception. That’s why it’s SO important to take steps to carefully choose your wedding DJ long before your big night. Start by contacting potential wedding DJs with a list of questions, and don’t just hire a DJ based on price. This is one of the most special days of your life, and you don’t want a reception gone sour because of a cheap DJ.

To start “weeding out” bad wedding DJs , narrow your pool of prospects by requesting a meeting. Eliminate the DJs from your list that don’t have a set business address (they probably don’t have back up equipment or DJs just in case of emergency either—just one sign of an amateur DJ). Once you’ve set up a meeting with your potential DJs, look for “red flags”—signs of a BAD wedding DJ—when you meet:

No customized play list. Everyone’s version of “good” songs is different, but it’s up to the DJ to ask about the songs you want—and don’t want—at your wedding reception (more information on how to craft your wedding playlist here). Avoid DJs who don’t ask about your preferences. There’s a good chance they use the same play list for every wedding (definitely a sign of a bad DJ!).
No “extras.” What separates a good wedding reception from a great wedding reception is the atmosphere. Select a DJ that can set the atmosphere with stellar equipment (and back up equipment) and extras that send your night over the top, such as lighting, sound, and fun entertainment options (like a photo booth).
No questions. The right DJ for your wedding reception asks questions and plans accordingly, such as questions that can help coordinate with other vendors and influence your reception schedule. If your prospective DJ is not asking questions, that DJ is not the right wedding DJ for your special day.
No reviews or references. Don’t hire a wedding DJ that doesn’t have experience, or has a bad history at wedding receptions. If your wedding DJ can’t provide references from couples happy with their services, or their online reviews don’t wow you, cross their name off the list. You don’t want to experiment with a rookie, mediocre DJ on your big night.
No dancing. If the DJ can’t get the guests dancing at another wedding, what makes you think your reception is going to be different? Ask friends and family for recommendations for a DJ that did an excellent job of entertaining and keeping the guests dancing. Ask them about what they’ve witnessed at weddings where the DJ was at. Then, book early. Don’t wait to get on the calendar of a good, experienced DJ. The best DJ’s calendars fill up quickly, and you don’t want to be stuck with a DJ that shows all the signs of a bad wedding DJ.

6 HUGE Perks of Hiring a Wedding DJ

March 30, 2016benefits of a DJ, wedding DJ perks, wedding entertainment optionsMike Urban

Band versus DJ? DJ versus DIY wedding reception music? It’s one of the first decisions every couple must make when planning their wedding reception. We’ve broken down the pros and cons of bands versus DJ’s before, but now we’re delving into the specific advantages of hiring a wedding DJ for your big day; specifically, a professional wedding DJ, because there is a difference—a difference that can impact the quality of your wedding reception.

Personalization

Because they are not confined to a certain genre of music, a DJ can personalize your wedding music to your specific tastes (and your pet peeves)—and your guests’ tastes too. A DJ can honor any requests from your guests, from your uncle’s love of the classics to your friends’ more modern tastes.

Dinner music

Many DJ’s provide complementary dinner music as part of their services, giving your wedding dinner a special ambiance—and one less thing for you to worry about on your already-busy big day.

Emcee

A DJ is a built-in emcee for your evening; a coordinator that can work with your venue and vendors to make sure your evening runs exactly as planned. A good professional DJ can make sure your videographer or photographer (or both) are in the right spot for special moments such as your first dance or a father-daughter dance.

Budget

If your wedding budget is a consideration—or if you want the best “bang for your buck”—a DJ checks off all the boxes. Not only is a DJ less expensive than a band, a DJ typically performs longer (such as during dinner) and includes more extras in their dinner package, such as lighting, a photo booth, etc.

Back-ups

We’ve all heard the wedding nightmare stories when a vital piece of equipment breaks or someone can’t come or… If you hire a professional wedding DJ, you not only get an experienced DJ but the reassurance that two of those scenarios won’t happen at your wedding (at least when it comes to your reception entertainment). Professional DJ companies not only have excellent equipment, but quality back-up equipment and another experienced DJ for those “just in case” emergency situations.

Extras

Most DJs offer a package with bonus entertainment options (contact your preferred DJ for information about their specific packages): extra lighting, an enhanced sound system, photo booth—all the extras you need to put your wedding reception over the top.

Renting a Photo Booth: How to Rent the Best Photo Booth for Your Party

March 15, 2016party photo booth, photo booth rental, renting a photo booth, wedding photo booth rentalMike Urban

Party entertainment can make or break an event. It can also make it memorable—and produce unforgettable mementos, especially in the case of a photo booth (who hasn’t made funny faces in a photo booth?). Renting a photo booth can take any kind of event to the next level, including (but not limited to!):

Wedding
Anniversary party
Birthday party (sweet 16, 30^th, etc.)
Quinceanara
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Corporate events

Tips for selecting a photo booth company

It’s all the rage to make your own photo booth right now, but that’s a decision that can be risky if something goes wrong—and it’s a lot more work. Renting a photo booth has a better chance of success if you are picky about your photo booth rental.

Choose a company that can provide references.

Research your photo booth rental company before you confirm your rental. Check out their social media page reviews, and ask for references when you request information about renting a photo booth.

Make sure you’re renting photo booths that are reliable.

Not all photo booths are created equal. Contact your photo booth rental company and ask for information about the photo booth you are interested in renting (remember, there is more than one type), the reliability of the equipment, and any extras included in the photo booth rental (i.e. An Enchanted Evening provides a scrap book and video messaging). Asking all these questions limits your chances of break downs at your event, and gives you all the information you need to make an informed photo booth rental.

Ask about back-ups.

Ask your photo booth rental company if they have a back-up plan just in case something goes wrong with the equipment at your event. Break downs do happen, and that’s why it’s important to use a photo booth rental company with back-up equipment. Add that to your list of questions when you contact the photo booth company—and be ready for the fun that ensues (and the pictures of the fun) from your photo booth rental.

35 of our Favorite Photo Booth Ideas

February 23, 2016photo booth entertainment, photo booth hats, photo booth props, photo booth rentalsMike Urban

Photo booths are becoming more and more popular at weddings, anniversary parties, birthday parties, school dances… The sky’s the limit with occasions just right for a photo booth, and photo booth prop ideas! Here’s a few of our photo booth prop idea favorites:

Mustaches on a stick
Masks
Super hero capes
Glasses (the sillier you make this photo booth idea, the better)
Fans
Sombreros
Clown noses
Large frame with event date on it
Balloons
Chalk boards (this photo booth idea can be customized by your guests!)
Lips on a stick
Confetti
Feather boas
Berets
Top hats
Grass skirts
Flower necklaces
Mardi Gras necklaces
Crowns
Cheese heads
Mickey Mouse ears
Trophy
Tutus
Headband with antennas
Pirate hat
Antlers (perfect for a holiday party!)
Santa hat (perfect for a holiday party!)
Gloves
Foam finger
Bow ties
“Diamond” necklaces
Fake rings
Paper flowers
Cowboy hats
Ties on a stick

Photo booths are a great way to remember those fun, crazy, and a (little bit or a lot) silly moments. To make sure you get and keep those memories, rent a quality photo booth so you don’t have to deal with random breakdowns or—worse!—a night with a photo booth and no pictures. You, and your guests, will be thankful you do—and grateful for all your fun photo booth props.

8 Tips for an Awesomely Fun Wedding Reception

February 9, 2016wedding dance tips, wedding reception, wedding reception entertainment tipsMike Urban

Trying to plan a memorable wedding reception? We’ve been privileged to be part of a few wedding receptions (or 10 or 1,000 or so…) Though each wedding reception is uniquely different, there are some steps you can take when planning to make your wedding reception an incredible and unforgettable night of fun.

Don’t put off hiring the best wedding reception entertainment (you want the best!).

The saying “if you snooze you lose” is very, VERY relevant to wedding reception entertainment. To get the best, and have a GREAT time, make sure to book your wedding entertainment early—as soon as you have a date, time, and confirmed wedding venue.

Set up kid fun zones.

Hire a babysitter to watch kids in another room, or set up tables with coloring books, crayons, and paper table cloths specifically for your youngest guests. If the weather is nice, you can also keep them entertained with bubbles and fun yard games.

Limit the time of wedding toasts, and photo slideshows, and videos, and…

There is such thing as too much (really!). To keep your wedding reception running smoothly, and your guests in a good mood, keep your dinner slideshows, toasts, and other dinner entertainment to a minimum. Finally, don’t get so caught up in your dinner program that you don’t allow time for your guests to enjoy each other’s company and talk.

Plan more food than just a dinner.

If you want your guests to have a good time and stay on the dance floor, plan on fueling their dancing moves with refreshments throughout the evening. Ask your caterer to set out finger foods periodically, or order a pizza (if your wedding venue allows) late in the evening.

Hire a GOOD DJ for the perks.

A good DJ is worth their weight in gold (read how you can tell the difference between amateurs and good DJs here). In addition to keeping your dance floor going, a DJ can also offer ceremony music, an emcee for the dinner and dance, a coordinator with your photographer and videographer (so they get the good shots), lighting, and an awesome sound system.

Give your guests more to do than just dance.

Since you’re providing your little ones coloring tables and fun time, do the same for the adults (minus the coloring books). Rent a photo booth (or contact a company that includes photo booths as part of their entertainment package) for a documented night of fun.

Surprise!

Give your guests a pleasant surprise at your reception: something unique that fits you and your fiancé and no one else knows about. It could be a choreographed first dance, a memory-filled table, video full of thank you’s, or a surprise ride for your first wedding night.

Enjoy yourself.

Relax. Have fun! Your awesome wedding reception is the culmination of all your hard work. Dance the night away with your friends and family and enjoy every second.

7 Money-Saving Wedding Hacks

January 26, 2016saving money DJ, tips for saving money on your wedding, wedding budget, wedding planning tipsMike Urban

When you’re crafting your wedding budget, the list of wedding expenses can get really, really long—and so can your desire to save money as you plan your wedding. It can be done, and done without your guests noticing if you’re smart about getting the most out of your wedding budget.

Prioritize your wedding budget.

What is really important to you and your fiance? Allocate the money in your wedding budget accordingly—and to areas that have the most impact. Your guests are most likely going to remember the setting, food, and fun they had at your wedding, so make those vendors your top priority. Your goal is to save money while still hosting a very special night, so make sure you don’t make price your only factor in choosing entertainment for your wedding reception. Your guests will thank you later—and you’ll avoid one of the top wedding regrets.

Ask about package deals.

When you contact your vendors, ask about package deals if you use one or more of their services. For example, if you want photo booths and a DJ at your reception, choose a DJ that offers both as a package deal. This not only consolidates your costs; it also consolidates your time researching and contacting vendors as you plan your wedding.

Schedule your wedding day off-season.

As long as you don’t schedule your wedding on a holiday, you’re likely to get cheaper rates for your venue and other vendors if you schedule your wedding during off season. Sorry, that means no June dates. Remember, even if you do plan your wedding during the less popular days of the year, make sure you book your vendors early to make sure you get the best wedding DJ, fantastic caterer, beautiful venue—all for a cheaper cost.

Get married on a Friday.

Actually, you can get cheaper vendor rates for getting married any time between Sunday and Friday. Think of hosting a Friday evening wedding, a Saturday luncheon, a Sunday brunch, or weeknight fun to get discounted rates from your DJ, venue, and other wedding vendors.

Save on décor.

If you want to cut your church or reception décor costs, choose venues that don’t need a lot of décor. Consider venues with a fantastic view or beautiful atmosphere. Another tip for saving money on your décor is to select one venue for both your ceremony and reception so you can use the décor for both parts of your big day. Holding your wedding at one venue also eliminates transportation costs.

Be creative with your cake—by not having one.

If you haven’t been dreaming about your wedding cake all your life, or you really don’t care for cake, ask your fiance about alternative ideas for a wedding desert. For a brunch style wedding, order a pancake-layered cake or donuts that you can make into a beautiful display. Hosting a summer picnic? Simplify with a selection of summer pies, or pumpkin pies for a fall wedding. Macaroons and cake pops can also make a sweet impact on your guests. We’ve even seen pictures of cookies, truffles, and candies that looked absolutely sweet. One couple even had their guests bring deserts for a pot luck effect; the guests were exchanging recipes and sweets. If you do decide to go this route, make sure you actually save money on your non-cake alternative.

Don’t go nuts on the wedding favors.

Wedding favors are a sweet gesture, but make sure that you’re reasonable when placing your order. Not all of your guests are going to take your wedding favors, so don’t order an extreme amount of wedding favors for the occasion. To save more money, keep your choice of favors simple to keep the cost of your wedding favors low.