Perhaps more than any other sort of celebration, weddings are full of traditions and trends. Most of us have a picture of the ideal wedding solidified in our minds: a groom in a black suit, a bride in a stunning white gown, plenty of flowers, friends and champagne. Beyond the basics, things can get a bit more inventive however, depending on the wedding. For example, DJ services often help to define the more unique style of a wedding, and design can vary quite a bit. But even the littlest elements of a wedding – like the wedding rings themselves – can move according to trends and traditions.
For many of us, wedding bands are also firmly defined: basic yellow or white gold bands with very little in the way of glitz or glamour. However, there are actually more options than many people realize when it comes to wedding and engagement rings, and it’s certainly worth taking a look at some of them if your own wedding happens to be approaching. Here are some noteworthy trends in wedding and engagement rings this year.
Wedding Ring Traditions
Multi-Diamond Engagement Rings
The standard image of an engagement ring tends to be a simple metal band topped with a beautiful diamond. However, in recent years a trend has emerged toward multi-diamond engagement rings. Even these rings can come in a variety of styles, many of which are available at popular stores like 77 Diamonds. For example, consider eternity rings – rings featuring tiny diamonds around their entire surfaces, symbolizing continuity and eternal love. Or, consider trinity rings, which feature two smaller diamonds flanking a larger, central stone.
Diamond Wedding Rings
Sticking with diamonds, another trend in wedding rings is for diamonds to be used in the actual wedding bands, rather than simply engagement rings. Generally, wedding bands with diamonds in them just have 1, 3 or 5 very small diamonds set in the bands at even intervals. And, though this may initially sound like jewellery meant for women, many men are beginning to opt for diamond-set wedding bands as well.
Gemstone Engagement Rings
While diamonds are still, and will likely always be, the standard for engagement rings, gemstones are also becoming quite trendy. Like Kate Middleton’s famous sapphire ring, gemstone engagement pieces can be elegant and beautiful, and offer very attractive alternatives to the standard diamond concept.
Mixing Metals
Another very popular trend for wedding bands is to mix metals for fun and interesting patterns. White, rose and yellow gold, as well as alternative metals like titanium and platinum, are all popular in wedding bands, and mixing them in patterns can make for very unique and original jewellery. For example, one popular option is to have a silver-coloured metal (white gold, titanium, or platinum) in the middle of a band, with small stripes of yellow or rose gold on the outsides. However, there are also more elaborate options, such as swirling or basket woven patterns.
Wedding Candy Cart – Roped Off With Party Streamers to Save for After Dinner
If you are planning on having a candle table at your wedding reception, here is a neat little idea I saw last weekend.
While DJ’ing for a wedding at The Hilton Garden Inn on Hoosick Street in Troy, NY, I saw the following neat little idea.
The newlyweds had a wedding candy cart arranged as part of the party favors. As a special thank you gift from the bride & groom, they decided to work their candy cart into the actual table place cards, for a little fun. (Ever watch a sweet-toothed guest salivate before they even walk in the door?)
Killing two birds with one stone, they printed the place card information on the candy bags; each individual guest name, along with the number of the table where they wanted the guest to sit.
Of course, the bags followed the color scheme and set the mood sitting just outside of the hall on a decorated table. As the people signed in on the guestbook and grabbed their bags, this sweet idea also created anticipation for the candy cart later on.
What a great idea! Below are some pictures of this creative idea in work.
Your wedding DJ’s set up should not look like a flea market explosion
HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR DJ IS GOOD OR BAD
Being in the disc jockey and entertainment business now since 1994, there are some things that I consider to be traits of a BAD DJ. These are practices that we, personally, stay away from.
If you are in the market for a DJ and, perhaps, able to see one operate live in action, there are a number of things you should really look for. There are many wedding DJ’s that care very little about the appearance of their presentation, despite the elegance of the wedding hall/venue.
PAYING ATTENTION TO FINE DETAIL – Having worked all around Capital Region as a DJ (and in the entertainment field all over the country,) I have seen the effort first hand that goes into creating a romantic and eye-catching room for wedding receptions and other formal occasions. Therefore, I can’t understand why “professional DJs” would under mind these efforts with their lackluster actions, but they do.
As a DJ from from the Albany, New York area, there are many things that may work here and may not work somewhere else in the world. However, the traits defined below and the following picture gallery could very well indicate a bad DJ.
Before you select a wedding DJ, the single most important element relating to the success in your entertainment value of your reception, ask to see pictures or videos at weddings, ask for references. If you are not sure if your DJ prospect is bad or not, here is a list of things to look out for when trying to identify “The Dad Wedding DJ”:
Top 10 Signs of a Bad Wedding DJ
1) WIRES, WIRES, & MORE WIRES
Nothing gets me more wired than seeing a lots of wires. You should really NEVER see much of any wires, at all. This mess is an eyesore and lacks professionalism.
2) TALKING UP RECORDS
A mobile DJ is not a radio DJ. Too much talking, especially during dance time, slows the fun and kills the dance floor. Your audience does not need to hear the artist names and the title of the song they are about to hear.
3) “LOOK AT ME!”
Stealing the spotlight is wrong. While a wedding DJ is, in fact, booked to entertain, the newlyweds are not looking to pay for a four hour stand up comedy act, or someone trying to use their event as a commercial to further their business.
Shameless Self Promotion
A DJ’s personality should be peppered in as a season, but not the main course. Some DJ’s really just like to hear the sound of their own voices, and chime in with way too much to say. They attempt to be funny and always try and get the last word in like Ron Burgundy. This steals the spotlight from the bride on her special day.
DJ’s also should NOT ADVERTISE DURING YOUR WEDDING! That means they should not have a massive banner or sign promoting their business during your wedding. Who wants a DJ commercial in half of their wedding pictures? They are being paid to work for you, not to promote their business / name during your time.
At very most, a business card can be handed upon request, but further self promotion is cheesy and shameless.
4) DEAD AIR & NO BLEND
is absolutely terrible. A second or two of silence between songs is just enough to entirely kill the dance floor. Dead air gives the reluctant dancer an immediate reason to sit down. If the DJ is using a laptop but there is dead air between every song, they are probably not using a professional DJ program. Shame on them. (One way they try and hide this is to talk between EVERY song so they can cut the slow fade. See if you can catch this!)
5) MIXING IT UP
A DJ should never play the same type of music for extended periods of time.
Lots of little “rock blocks” of many particular types of music / genres is the best way to keep diverse crowds happy as a whole. A good host wants everyone to have fun, not just a select few. Therefore, your DJ should put in a little something for everyone all through the night.
Just a mustache…
6) JUST A MUSTACHE
Just a mustache is bad. You can have one with a beard or a goatee, or even perhaps the exception: a Fu-Manchu Hulk Hogan-style mustache, if you really really think you can rock it. However, the Chuck Norris mustache by itself is a “no-no.”
If your DJ has just a mustache, look out! No matter how bad-ass your DJ may profess to be, he is not Tom Selleck, he is not Burt Reynolds, and he certainly is NOT Chuck Norris.
7) TOO MUCH TO DRINK DJ
If your DJ goes right to the bar when he gets there, this is bad. I can see one or two maybe, but when your DJ is stripping on the bar like Coyote Ugly… please…
8) DELILAH SHOW PLAYLIST
Have you ever been to a wedding that is all old 80’s love ballad songs (like Richard Marx) even after dinner? Too many old slow tunes is LAME! Out of date, means out of touch with today. That means your general base of guests will be hearing music that they do not relate to.
9) “I KNOW BEST”
If during a planning session, your ALBANY NY DJ or any DJ in the world gives the impression that he doesn’t take requests well or even at all, run far away. Some DJ’s think they have created the all-purpose, one-size-fits-all golden playlist, and their agenda is to force it on you. While your DJ’s expertise can really help in the creation of a playlist, they NEED TO BE FLEXIBLE. It is your night, and you are paying them to play music that you want to hear.
Bad DJ’s default to outdated schtick like The Chicken Dance, Celebrate, We Are Family & The Last Dance…
10) THE CHICKEN DANCE
Maybe 30 years ago you could say, “this is my jam,” but not today.
With all the modern activity / line dances that are out now, there is no reason to ever play this horrible track at a wedding, unless there are like 30 preschool or grade school kids in attendance.
If the bride & groom absolutely love this dance and have requested the DJ to play it, that is one thing. But when the DJ defaults on this song on his own accord, and follows it up with “Celebrate,” and “We Are Family,” then ends the night with “Last Dance,” your DJ is officially an OLD FART…
THE SEARCH FOR A GREAT ALBANY NY DJ
Below are some pictures of bad DJs. It pains me to see flea market explosions , gear purchased at Job Lot, and out-dated eyesore set-ups that kill the atmosphere. There is no excuse for it. Cables should always be hidden. Lighting hardware shouldn’t dominate the room, and speakers shouldn’t come from The Salvation Army.
If you choose a wedding DJ in the Albany NY area that will not bring the traits you see listed above or in the pictures below, drop us a line. You can reach via phone or TEXT at 518-506-3305. Thank you!
Having been the DJ for a number of events at 235 Hoosick Street, in Troy, NY, I an safely say that The Hilton Garden Inn is a great place to have your wedding, in and around the Troy, NY area.
COCKTAIL LAYOUT – One thing that I really like as a DJ is the layout. The main event hall is perfect for a wedding with a cocktail hour at hand. A portion of the hotel is sectioned off so that there are no real issues of interaction with guests staying at the hotel not related to the wedding.
The event kitchen, the wedding hall and the bar for the cocktail hour are all removed from the room and hotel business.
As you enter the event wing of this newer hotel in Troy, NY, there is a long wide hall in front of the dining room. There is a branch off of the walkway perfect for horsderves, with a comfy sofa area that even has a large screen television. This area even has a private restroom area for events, separate from hotel guest use.
At the end of the hall there is another opening, which allows for additional entertainment in front of a full bar. This place is perfect for wedding vendors, or activities. One thing I have seen that works well is having a photo booth or magnet shoot in this area.
Hilton Garden Wedding Dining Hall
DINING ROOM – There are actually two rooms that can be used, with a folding divider partition down the center. What I have experienced as a disc jockey there is usually weddings with around 150 people or so in one section of the hall. (The use of half of the alloted space seems perfect for most weddings that I seem to take part in.)
The room is carpeted with a slightly-raised removable dance floor (provided by the hall). The acoustics are great for music and the tables always look sharp.
STAFF – The event organizers do a great job. The wait staff is really funny, too. Setting up, they have a good time with each other and are good people. They even danced a little here and there while waiting on the guests.
FOOD – I’ve had both chicken and prime rib there. Both were very very good! No complaints!
OTHER GOOD STUFF – You are also looking at an ample parking lot for any crowd, The Recovery Room bar built into the hotel for an after-party (for those who want to keep the night alive when the DJ is done,) and even rooms to stay in when the night is over.
Without hesitation, I recommend The Hilton Garden Inn on Hoosick, Troy, NY to be considered for your wedding!
Hey, Lady ChowChow! DJ Kenny Casanova here, wedding DJ extraordinaire. I was surfing the web and saw that you were questioning if the Capital Region was “happening.” Being a mobile disc jockey in Troy, NY, I get to see some very interesting places and meet some very interesting people all around the area that you call Upstate. I would like to, therefore, chime in about your recent post about happening areas in the Capital District, and note that it is, and not just in the areas that one would think to visit.
While the Big Apple is the city that never sleeps and seemingly always has something going on somewhere, The Capital Region is also happening, and not just in the so-called “hot spots.” Areas in and around the state’s capital of Albany are making an impact and not just by the creation of great new businesses and eateries popping up within the cornerstone city of Albany, NY.
Saratoga Springs has a huge and continually growing list of must-see places. Schenectady is starting to really step up it’s game with all the recent face-lifts downtown. And it is also now “happening” in the ever-growing Troy, NY.
For a long time, Albany was really the only real town to go to for Capital Region “happening” happenings, but it seems, as of late, it’s neighbor, Troy, NY is also becoming “the place to be.” Here are a few reasons that The Capital Region is in fact happening, in Troy, proving that the area, as a whole is worth taking a look at:
The Charles F Lucas Confectionery & Wine Bar
1) CHARLES F LUCAS CONFECTIONERY – Lady, first off, you hit sugary nail right on the head with your recent review. You are correct that the Lucus Confectionery & Wine Bar is a delicious place to grab a glass of wine with friends. They have a great wine list, with a vast import selection that allows wine drinkers of all makes the means to find something that they will personally enjoy.
The cheese offerings at the Charles F Lucas Wine Bar are not cheesy, to say the least, and the sweets menu compliments the attitudes of the staff and owners: “comfortable and engaging.”This truly is one of the newest happening spots to break out in Troy, where people go who want to try something new.
2) BROWNS BREWING CO. – Another place the Troy traveler will want to try is Browns Brewing Co. If you are feeling more like beer instead of wine with weekly live entertainment, and interested in looking for a micro brewery with great food to boot, 417 River street is where it is at.
At Brown’s Brewing Company, they have an impressive selection of homemade brews including Oatmeal Stout, Pale Ale, Brown Ale, Porter, Whiskey Porter, Tomhannock Pilsner, and my wife DJ Maria’s personal favorite Cherry Raspberry Ale. Order one of these pints in a membership mug (well worth the money) along with a hot pretzel and you are good to go!
(Brown’s Brewing Company is also the host of Revolution Hall, a musical venue that also pinch hits as an in-house catered wedding hall. Here is a recent review I wrote up on it, looking at Browns as a Wedding Venue.)
3) DINOSAUR BARBQUE – What is happening? “The Tres Amigos” Bar-BQ sampler at Dinosaur Barbque in Troy, NY., that is what! Ironically overlooking a beautiful section of the Hudson River in what many refer to as “the best biker bar around,” this BBQ joint embraces individuality.The wait staff dress respectably, while at the same time showing off body art and piercings. However, they present each customer with excellent service and arguably the best barbque around.
Even though Dinosaurs Barbque has other locations regionally, they are not at all corporate high brow. Dinosaurs is all about the local scene. They book local entertainment, host live events and are really becoming part of the Troy, NY scene. Carrying their own competitor Brown’s beer on tap, the atmosphere is one you won’t want to write off in your Troy visit, and if you choose, you can even write on their bathroom wall, as that is encouraged, as well.
Mexican-Irish Food at Its Finest
4) JOSE MALONE MEXICAN IRISH RESTAURANT – Lady ChowChow, I don’t know what ethnic cuisine you prefer, but at this location, it doesn’t matter…If you want the best in Mexican-Irish cuisine? (Insert ethnic joke here ___________. I could hit all kinds of stereotypical jokes here, but it is way too easy.)
Chef Ryan Cusack is the cultural mash-up mastermind behind this Mexican Irish . His blend of of mouth-watering Mexican & Latino dishes with Irish favorites makes this a place you have to experience to understand. If you want originality, this is the place to be, Jose Malone’s serves Irish Bangers & Mash with a guacamole. This odd cultural mash-up is also quickly becoming known for their original margaritas and their once-a-week tapas menu.
Jose Malone is seemingly the perfect place to eat corned beef burritos, get drunk and have a siesta with all your friends. This, too, is a definite cultural melting pot in Uncle Sam’s hometown that you won’t want to miss.
What the hell? They even have a live Bluegrass music night?!
Where You Can Play skee ball in a Bank Vault
5) FOOTSY MAGOOS – One of the few places near Albany where one can find “pickleback shots” and a great peanut butter white Russian is also in Troy. Footsy’s, making it’s home in what used to be a savings bank, has a good selection of Scotch and Beers that you can easily bank on.
BEWARE: Do not be blind to Old Man Magoo’s little hole in the wall. This place is happening.
Whether you are hungry, thirsty, or just looking for a place that you can go to to have a good time with friends, this is a pace that is worth investing your night at. This oddly-decorated little place has a decent shepherd’s pie, pictures of professional wrestlers and playing cards shellacked to the walls in the men’s room, and a skee ball inside the steel vault from the old bank.
Villa Valenti Pub has great food & fun weekly entertainment
6) VILLA VALENTI PUB – Over on Pawling Ave is a pub with great food and a rich history; perhaps one of the oldest and well-known pubs in Troy, owned formerly by Academy Award winner Maureen Stapleton & her brother John. Winning wing awards yearly, Villa Valenti Pub has a huge pizza take-out business, great pub fare, a beverage list that can’t be beat.
The Pub also mixes their great food & spirits with weekly entertainment. There is an Open Mic night. There are live bands. They have a weekly game-show like trivia game steeped in prizes and they also feature the area’s hottest Karaoke Jam with old school music videos and every game playing on the 27 big screen TVs. This is the happening “place to be” for a great mix of food & fun.
So is the Capital Region happening?
Your thoughts?
Lady ChowChow, I challenge you to come back to Troy, NY sometime soon and give a few of these happening places a try. Then you will know, first hand, why Troy, NY is helping to better make The Capital Region a happening place!
PS – Don’t forget The Brown Bag!!! (Pineapple Salsa Burger!)
For more on Troy, NY and also party planning tips & wedding information in The Capital Region, check out DJ Kenny Casanova’s blog.
