Author: Kenny Casanova

518-506-3305. Affordable Wedding DJs in Latham, NY. Huge library of new music & classics. Digital Photography & Lights.

Party planning got you down? Ids there a big wedding reception in your future at, say, Hotel Indigo, The Century House or Michael’s Banquet House, or The Best Western Albany Airport Inn, just down the road from Latham Farms and Guptill’s World Famous Rollerskate Rink (where I love to buy my ice cream in the summer)? Do you think that you need “The Ver Best” in music entertainment and disc jockey services for your party in Latham, New York, due to the crazy guests that you are inviting ???

Why settle for a lame old santa-bearded disc jockey who only wants to play “We are Family” and “The Chicken Dance”? DJ Kenny Casanova can proove to you why he is “The Bee’s Knees of all DJs and Emcees” & why DJ Maria is the Capital District’s #1 female wedding DJ!

As a wedding and party specialist, DJ Kenny Casanova and TheDJservice.com brings to you:
•200,000 song library
•Music Video Package
•Professional Gear Bose L1 Stick & Peavey
•Digital Slideshow Projection
•DJ/MC experience since 1996

•Voted Capital Region #1 wedding DJ
•Radio Personality Experience
•Ring Announcer Experience: WWF / WWE
•Sports Broadcasting Experience
•Karaoke & with huge track library
•Huge Laser Show
•Professional Photography “The DJ Cam”
•Interactive events, dances, & activities
•Very affordable prices!!!

Call us a line at 518-506-3305, or email us at ken@thedjservice.com. We will give you information on how we provide affordable fun, experience, and great music for your special occasion!

Check out www.theDJservice.com for more information!

HOW TO MAKE CANDLE PLACE CARDS

Place cards…. They are the little folded business-card-looking thingies with the guests’ names directing them to their assigned table. At a recent wedding that I was the DJ for the bride and groom decided to go a different route, as discussed in another one of my recent blogs Themed Place Cards at http://thedjservice.com/2010/07/themed-alternatives-to-wedding-place-cards/.

At this reception, they decided to trade in the paper for fire. They used little tea lights in votive candle holders with the printed names on each one. 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.

When purchasing the following materials, it is very important to use tealights in place of the actual votive candles that often come with the holders. Using actual candles will result in the outside to hot to the touch. Tealights will getting warm but will not be uncomfortable to hold as the guests bring the place card alternative back to their table.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DIY CANDLE PLACE CARDS

MATERIALS NEEDED:  Tealights /tea light candles (enough for each couple), Plain glass votive holder (Candle holder cups), light -medium weight transparent vellum (thin paper is best), Laser printer, double-sided tape roll;

1) Get the proper measurements…. Measure the votive candle holders to determine the height and length around the cup. Make a template of the shape of your label. Note that even the most plain votive holders will have a slight curvature, so expect the template to be in an arch-like shape.

2) Set up the template… Set up Microsoft Word or PhotoShop so that you can space your guests names and your actual table numbers the right distance. You can probably get about three templates to a page with room to spare.

3) Print out the sheets… Use the template you made in step one to cut the right shape out of the larger sheets of vellum. Organize the labels, as you set them aside after printing.

4) Open shop… Set up a big workstation with all your materials at a table and make sure to enlist help. Even one extra person will cut your time in half, or more! Wrap each printed label around the votive and trim accordingly. Depending on your printer, you make need to be careful that the ink is dry, and you do not smudge the names during this process. When the label is lined up correctly, it will lay out smooth and flat. Apply the double-sided tape and put aside.

5) Quality control… Keep all the candles in front of you. This will allow for an overall consistent appearance of the candles and give also it you a preview of what they will look like all lined up at the wedding.

Make sure to light candles no more than 30 minutes before your guests come to pick them up to ensure long lasting light.

(PHOTO CREDIT – http://www.weddingwindow.com )

10 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY AT YOUR WEDDING

There are many ways to cut corners at your wedding so that you don’t have to break the budget to meet your vision of your very special day. However, sometimes people cut in the wrong places and, in the end, the guests can tell.

Here is a list I created using tips from clients who were married around the area and found ways to make some real good savings without sacrificing from the desired vision of the special day. This is a totally doable top 10 list of ways to save money on your wedding; a list that actually works:

 

With it spelled out on paper, you both know what is important. This allows for everyone to be on the same page.

2. LIMIT THE GUEST LIST, BOTTOM LINE – Forget about corner-cutting on the DJ, the decorations, or the dinner, those are only savings that amount to pennies on the dollar…  The best way to really save is to be ruthless with your head count. Keeping the guest list down as best as possible will drastically reduce your wedding cost, overall.

The Sefik’s, a fun couple from Clifton Park, NY got married at Mallozzi’s Wedding Hall in Schenectady. They pointed out that, “most caterers, venues, restaurants and banquet halls charge per-person.”  They noted that if you have a 150 guests and can cut it down to 125, there alone you will save about $1,300.

So how do you do this?  One tip if you see your guest list is getting out of hand, omit children and coworkers.  Making category cuts across the board is the best way to make people not feel that they were being singled out.

3. FOOD & DRINK – Research all of your options and do not be afraid to ask questions.  The Bovairs of West Sand Lake, NY who got married at Lakeview on Crystal Lake in Averill park, NY, recommended that you, “consider a buffet instead of a sit-down meal, or break tradition all the way. Why not go with a dessert reception, or a brunch or luncheon instead of a multicourse meal?”

Some people actually go with an all appetizer / finger food reception now.

Alcohol – Eliminating or limiting a traditional full bar to one or two hours will really cut costs.  The Bevans got married at Herbert’s at Birch Hill in Kinderhook. Alternatives include serving beer and wine only, but not serving alcoholic mixed drinks.  at all or only pouring a champagne toast.

Depending on the local laws and the rules at your reception hall, if you are able to buy the liquor yourself and then hire someone to pour it — the savings potential is enormous. If you can, in fact, bring your own booze, you can even return any full bottles that your guests don’t drink in the end.

4. Location, location, location.   There are boat-loads of options for low-cost or no-cost locations, including local and national parks, forest preserves, your own back yard or that of a friend or relative.

Paul Diamond who got married at a nice little restaurant called, Cella Bistro in Schenectady, NY  said, “Unthought-of restaurants are usually a under-rated option.  Many establishments would love to have your business and, at the same time have gorgeous tables and chairs, and décor. You could save a bundle, all around.”

Also, by choosing a location that allows outside catering or you to bring your own booze, you are also opening up the potential for great savings! Saratoga’s Museum of Dance and Pryne Hall of Latham both allow for these potential savings, for example.

5. Wedding Attire – Here’s where you have many options for stretching your bridal dollars. You don’t have to buy at a traditional bridal salon. You could purchase a gown at an outlet or from a department store in the special occasion’s off-the-rack area.

Sarah Ward who got married at The Franklin Terrace in Troy, NY by Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) said, “You can score a pre-owned gown at sites like preownedweddingdresses.com and oncewed.com.

6. FLOWERS –   If you choose to wed in a location that is already naturally decorated,  you will see big savings. To set a stylish mood without much work, plan the wedding to take place in a garden, art museum or even at a beautifully-gardened home.

Saving on flowers – Choosing flowers that have bigger buds means you’ll need fewer stems, thereby helping your bottom line.

Self-proclaimed “hippies,” The Losaws of Hudson Falls, NY got married at The Glen Sanders Mansion in Scotia, New York. They planted 200 bulbs months before their wedding, and then married right in the middle of the fully-blooming cheerful yellow tulips.

7. INVITATIONS  – You don’t need to print invitations up on thick paper and chalk up another $500 bill. Invitations are definitely an area where do-it-yourselfers can show off their skills and can create great savings by pocketing the difference in costs.

Orvin Bennitt and his wife-to-be will be getting married at The Edison Club in Rexford, NY this summer. They showed me their announcements. They printed their wedding invitations on their computer, and I would have never have guessed!

8. GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS  – Think of it as cost-free outsourcing. Posse up your friends and play to their strengths.  Some people may have a creative inner-circle of peers who will want to donate services to you! This could be in the area of music for the ceremony, or even for photography!

Also, befriend teachers! Try calling a few schools if you want a decent student ensemble to play your wedding ceremony music! Or call your votec (like Capital Region Career & Technical School of Albany, NY) and get the floral class behind your wedding as a school project!

Initiate an Officiant  –  Are you looking for an intimate ceremony that has meaning AND affordability at the same time? Consider having your vows administered by a relative or friend, like the Carbones did at The Inn in Saratoga. Web sites like Universal Life Church (ulchq.com) and Esoteric Interfaith Church are two organizations that “ordain” laypeople so they can officiate weddings, legally.

9. Embrace The Off-Season  –  Wedding receptions that don’t fall during peak months will help you save big bucks.  The Bucklands got married at a popular location called Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs, NY early in April. By doing so, they estimate that they were able to negotiate a savings of nearly $3,000!

10. Lose The Limo –  “Transportation can be a huge cost,” says Mike Brooks, who got married at Crystal Cove in Averill Park, NY. “Since my bride wasn’t obsessed with having a vintage car drive us one mile to the reception, we just borrowed my friends’ SUVs to shuttle the bridal party and family. Nobody noticed the difference.”

I have also seen this work at a wedding reception taking place at The Lighthouse in Schenectady, NY. Ask around and save!

Olde Tater Barne in Central Bridge, NY Venue Review

We have been DJing weddings for almost 15 years and I still had not had an opportunity to do a wedding here. I guess I was missing out!

If you too like the idea of a rustic wedding as many brides are, that is, getting married at a venue that makes you feel like you are on the set of “Little House on the Prairie,” then you may want to give the Olde Tater Barne a gander.

LOCATION: First off, for those of you not in the know, Central Bridge, NY is only a hop skip and a jump away from Schoharie, NY, so it’s not a bad trip from Albany or Schenectady at all.

ATMOSPHERE: The Olde Tater Barn, aside from having a great location set aside for an onsite ceremony loaded with flowers also has a massive cornfield behind the barn. It was fun to see the photographers really taking advanage of this backdrop. At one point, they had the bride and groom gou out into the stalks and took some really great pictures from within the crop itself!

Much like Pat’s Wedding Barn in Troy, NY, the barn is rustic, but has all the modern amenities to really keep your guests comfy in all seasons. A massive door also opens up on the side of the barn and allows for a great little cocktail reception spot.

On our particular wedding, there was tons of dancing on the ample dance floor and great food and drink for all provided by the in house catering service. Below are some more pictures! If you would like to check out there site at Olde Tater Barne, please do!

WEDDING DJ REVIEW OF A GREAT VENUE IN AVERILL PARK NY

If you are looking for a beautiful location only 15 minutes away from Albany, NY, the Old Daley Inn’s Crooked Lake House Wedding in Averill Park NY may be right for you. Having provided disc jockey services here on a number of occasions, we would love to DJ your special day at this venue.

This all-inclusive venue provides outside locations for ceremony, as well as inside. It has two pianos, a full bar like you would see at your favorite tavern, and a rustic feel that is very popular in the wedding industry today.

CEREMONY – With the crystal clear Crooked Lake acting as a beautiful backdrop, you can have your ceremony outside overlooking the water, or inside in a rustic ballroom with a stone fireplace and gorgeous piano.

COCKTAIL HOUR – With a complete old-fashioned bar, you can belly up to the bartender for your favorite drink requests, or sit on comfy couches, by another fireplace, overlooking the water.

MULTIPLE ROOMS – The Old Daley Inn has a number of different ready rooms for all your needs, with great hardwood flooring.

 

RECEPTION HALL – Tiered reception hall with an elevated platform for the head table. Perfect for fine dining and dancing.

 

OVERALL RATING – We love this hall. I totally recommend it. The staff offers great support which additionally helps make this a great potential place for your special day.

HOW TO THROW A TOTALLY RAD 80s THEME WEDDING – A checklist of ideas

Have you been to a bunch of weddings and can’t really remember one from the other a few years later? There is a way to really make your special day stand out, and have fun at the same time. At what cost? How about, $19.80. Having a theme-based wedding set in the 80s can be awesome. This campy era saw the rise of the King of Pop Michael Jackson, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Duran Duran, and even one-hit-wonders like Flock of Seagulls.

Here is a comprehensive list of 80s wedding theme ideas that can really help you make your 1980s wedding theme a success.

INVITATIONS – Setting the mood immediately, when you send out your RSVP’s, do it 80’s style. A good way to get inspiration for this is to take a look at 80s pictures on a Google search and work with your invitation printer. Looking at images will give you a glance at the neons and pastels that were trademarks of this time frame. It will also bring some ideas into the mix. Any 80’s color schemes and images that you choose are fine are fine, but most important of all is to remember to tell everyone to dress 80s, and/or come dressed as their favorite 80’s star.

ENTRANCE – Rides with style were everything in the 1980’s. If you can find one, it may be a perfect blast from the past to use a DeLorean as your limo! (One complete with a flux-capacitor would be even more so ideal.) Also a customized A-team van, a Trans-Am or any iconic 80s ride would be unforgettable. Imagine how “def” a Knight Rider entrance! Word!

CLOTHING – Television proved to be the driving force behind 1980’s fashion trends. No matter what you go with, first and foremost, black and white lace like Madonna for the brides maids would be classic. For the groomsmen, think Duran Duran and Miami Vice; pastel colored jackets with sleeves rolled up to the elbow.

Encourage your guests to engage in the fun too. Have them dressing up in bleached and torn up jeans, neon legwarmers with excessive makeup, and sport some crazy 80’s teased up hair. For accessories, dig up some jelly bracelet’s, Swatch-watches, and Risky Business sunglasses.

Typically, some guests will not want to dress up, but will wish they did after they see all the fun the other guests are having, once they get there. For those who do not come prepared, make sure to have extra of jelly bracelets on the tables, and a stashed duffle bag full of ugly neon bright t-shirts, fishnet gloves and punky wigs.

The 80s was not only hair bands and rock. Hip hop became really popular in the 80s. The guys could dress up in the Adidas jumpsuits and big gold chains and sunglasses. Girls in the baggy overalls, big buckle belt and stupid fresh gold jewelry, you know, def dookie ropes.

DECORATION OPTIONS

Again, I cannot stress enough to you that looking at pictures is going to be one of the greatest ways to come up with ideas that you will want for your wedding reception. You may want to put pink and blue streamers all over the room. Or, perhaps, how about decorating with neons and pastels, like blue, yellow, pink, and green balloons?

If you are going to go 80’s, why not go all the way. Posters and pictures of Back To The Future, Silver Spoons, The A-Team, and The Ninja Turtles are a must, pinend up everywhere you can. (Make sure you check with theh all before pinning up anything. If they are against this, you can always use foam boards and make little displays.) How about tossing garbage pail kids collecting cards all over the tables? Old Teen Beat magazines, and pull-out magazine posters. Vintage 80’s clothes like a Michael Jackson glove or jackets, Cabbage Patch Kids , cardboard cutouts, and don’t forget movie posters like Pretty in Pink, Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles.

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 & TABLES – At a recent 80’s wedding I was the disc jockey for, they had decorated their tables with eighties albums and 45’s, including Like a Virgin, Pac Man Fever and Olivia Newton John’s “Physical.” As a centerpiece, a basket full of 80’s junk like magic eight balls, rubik’s cube, pop rocks, Star Wars and He-Man toys and what ever eBay can help you with. A basket full of 80’s retro junk is totally awesome.

But how can you give your centerpiece away? Well, how about a Rubik’s Cube Contest? (They now have pretty decent Rubik Cube knock-offs at the dollar store. Maybe these would make good party favor answers as well?) While the Rubik Challenge can be done several ways, probably the quickest payoff is to award the winner as being whoever can solve the most sides done within one song. The Rubik champion will then get the centerpiece.

TALK THE TALK – 80s WORD LISTS – Why not put 1980’s dictionary sheets around the dinner tables? In the 80’s, “Valley Girl” speak totally took off in a big way, dude… ‘fer shurr.

ACTIVITY OPTIONS

While you can still have a blast with your traditional flower and garter toss festivities working in songs and styles of this theme, there are other 80s activities you can do as well. For one, 80s lip synch contests could be a great option. Since many people will be dressed up anyhow, you could put the spotlight on a few of your guests and hand them a microphone… if you dare!

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.)

Name that 80’s theme – is also fun. Before the dancing portion of the reception, have the DJ play a sample of an 80’s television show theme song, first correct guess, wins. (Double the prize if they can name the ARTIST!)

Pepsi Challenge Drinking Games – How about Pepsi Challenge. (Coke vs. Pepsi. Can you tell the difference blindfolded? Pour some rum in one of them and really get the party going.)

Video Game Challenges – A lot of people rent photo booths for weddings now. The photo booth has really turned into an up-coming fun past time at weddings. How about renting or even buy an authentic 1981 Pacman arcade game and setting that up in the corner?

ATARI! If you can’t afford a legit Arcade game, Atari Inc. recently released a new game system with the feel of the original Atari system. It is black and wood grain and also has the original joysticks. The new classic system easily plugs directly into the a/c jack of and runs on AA batteries… it gives the feel of the old joystick and the games are not updated at all

…imagine having a Space Invaders, Asteroids or Combat contest using the original joystick, on a big screen TV, or digitally projected on the wall.

MUSIC IDEAS – Thanks to the early music video-playing channel, MTV, a defined style came into existence. If you choose to go this theme, everyone will be able to join in on the fun. Yes, back then, MTV played Music videos.

A year or two back, I put up an awesome music list post to help you pump up the jam, appropriately. Here are a list of songs you may have heard and seen watching MTV back in the day. CLICK HERE TO OPEN LIST