Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of working with the good people at The Inn at Saratoga, right off of Broadway Street.
The Inn is a nice little place and I thought I would chime in about it for those of you who may be planning a small wedding celebration soon in the Saratoga area.
While a huge guest list event probably won’t work well there, if you are planning a laid back smaller wedding of 80-90 people or less in this area, The Inn at Saratoga m
ight be right for you. Their accommodations were comfortable for about this many friends and family, in my estimation.
Tent Ceremony in Courtyard
CEREMONY – The Inn at Saratoga has a nice little courtyard with a tent, suitable for smaller outdoor weddings safe from the elements. (On this past Saturday in particular, the tent turned out to be a useful option for the bride and groom, due to the drizzle and wind.)
COCKTAIL HOUR – This faciltiy also has an inside dining hall with an outside porch leading into it from the bricked courtyard. Both the porch and the inside area have bars and room for cocktail hour goodies and snacks, however, my estimation is that the outside bar on the porch by the tent would be the best bet, when weather allows. Outside there is more room for cocktails and appetizers. The inside bar option feels more like a hallway between the restaurant and the wedding dinning hall.
The Inn also has a complete public bar in the front, to compliment its 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 Hall
THE BANQUET HALL – The dinning hall, again, is a venue not made for guest lists of 100 +, however, it is a comfy and fun place at around 80 people or less. There is a small dance floor and enough space to fit eight people comfortably at about ten round tables. They have a little fireplace, as well as a huge victorian-like decorative mirror by the doors that lead to the courtyard.
FOOD – I had the prime rib. It was a pretty tasty hunk ‘o beef, garnished with wild rice and a mixed veggie blend of peppers, green beans, and broccoli. (A little over-cooked for me personally, perhaps, but then again, I like my cow still mooing and running.)
PARKING – Is a little cramped there, as it is many places on Broadway in Saratoga. The Inn makes up for it, however, in that they do provide a free valet service that parks your care and retrieves it upon exit.
HOTEL ROOMS – It also helps that it is an actual functioning Inn and that guests can stay right there, if you they choose to do so. The hotel is located in a very convenient place, right near the nightlife of the city. Nearby is Canfield Casino and Congress Park and the hotel provides free wireless Internet to everyone. Being the DJ for the event, I had no problem downloading an oddball music request. (It’s great when you don’t need a wifi password.)
All in all, this hall is not a bad option if you are looking for 8o-90 people as your guests, at most.
WEDDING THEME IDEAS – A list of different themes to pick from to liven your wedding or event
As a wedding DJ, I have seen a lot of traditional weddings. I have noticed, however, that something makes it hard for me to remember which wedding was which. If you have attended a lot of weddings yourself, did you ever notice that later on they all seem to blend together in your memory?
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT- If you really want your special day to be different and memorable, you have to take a risk and break the norm. Think about it, the traditional wedding with tuxedos and the big white dress and the huge cake is a theme now, in itself. But everyone does the traditional wedding thing, or at least some elements of it. So, do you want to stand out and have your wedding really be remembered? Do you dare to be different? There are many many ways to make your wedding stand out and be different from the rest. One sure way to do that is to add a fun theme to your special day.
PICK A THEME AND CREATE A REAL MEMORY!
KEEPING THE CLASS – Don’t get me wrong. You can keep traditions, but tradition doesn’t have to happen to the point of nausea, anymore. Keep the ceremony sacred, keep the white dress, and keep whatever you want from the traditional guidelines. But remember, guidelines are just that… GUIDELINES. When you add a theme to your wedding, the whole game changes, but you can still make it fancy and elegant, and not just a theme party.
When I got married, my wife kept the white dress so it still felt like a wedding, but the groomsmen rented high-end pirate costumes, rather than tuxes. Since it was a pirate theme, we chose to go for the movie prop look, rather than the easy cartoon-like party decorations that you could get just anywhere. That way, the pirate feel was authentic and not just a silly halloween party.
LIST OF WEDDING / PARTY THEME OPTIONS WITH “HOW-TO” HYPERLINKS FOR MORE INFO:
(A few wedding theme options on the above list are hyperlinks. For more wedding theme ideas, check out our other blogs at www.thedjservice.com/blog )
A Star Wars Wedding is just one of the many themes you could pick!
THEMES REALLY CREATE PARTICIPATION – Adding a fun theme where people actually dress the role or can participate in some fun and different way, makes everyone feel connected. Everything is united under one common idea. This idea fosters creativity and participation at the sime time. People come together and want to help you plan and even decorate. And brides, I have even noticed that when an interesting theme has been added, creative grooms buy into the planning even more. (See my not-yet written future blog here: My Pirate Wedding)
We have become one of the area’s number one choices for theme weddings when selecting a disc jockey. With my past experience in the entertainment field, as well as being a fiction writer, it only makes sense that my creative side does well with theme weddings as a DJ.
The Gourds needed a video for their Snoop Dogg cover, so Kenny Casanova stepped up.
New Video Remix… The Gourds – Gin & Juice
DISCLAIMER: Before viewing… There is some adult language in this song.
The Gourds are an alternative country/bluegrass band that have been playing since 1994. Out of Austin, Texas, they are best known for playing a song that is not even theirs. “Gin & Juice” is a Snoop Dogg “gangsta” rap. The lyrics of the song discuss sex and drugs in the hood. I think what made this cover an underground success is that the content and familiarity of the lyrics to some makes for a whimsical and fun experience when performed over a bluegrass backdrop.
Anyhow, The Gourds are an independent band and did not release a music video for this Snoop Dogg cover. Therefore, I made my own, enlisting a few friends from Jim Henson’s house. Here it is:
In Albany, NY come this time of year, people usually begin to call their wedding DJs and their wedding photographers to plan their weddings. Common places customers are looking for their wedding receptions often include higher-end golf green clubs and also large ski resorts, like Jiminey Peak. However, the early booking seems to be a little late this year.
With all the snow and coldness we have experienced in Upstate NY, party planning as a whole for a while their had been put off a little, for fear of inclement weather. Because of the late start, I expect to see more weddings being scheduled for later in the year, than usual.
It’s not all bad, however. If you are a bride or groom in The Capital Region, you can still be an optimist and look at the positive side of things. Right now in Lake Tahoe, California, the spring/summer wedding season might be one big snow day cancelation altogether! If snow on your wedding day means a lucky sign of fertility and prosperity, Lake Tahoe couples being married today, need to get out and play the lottery.
31 Feet of Snow Hits Lake Tahoe Wedding Hotspot
Yes, ladies & gentleman… Friends family…. This is exactly what over thirty feet of snow looks like, on the ground, at one time. This picture is real. It is not Alaska, or the North Pole, or the icey planet Hoth from the Empire Strikes Back. This shot was just taken in front of Tahoe Donner Ski Resort in California, where they hold many weddings, just like our Jiminey Peak.
Tahoe 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. And it is not over. The Weather Channel says that there is even more on the way.
Can you even imagine driving up to your wedding on a road like this?
Not Your Grandpa\’s Wedding Introduction Song List
NEW WEDDING SONG INTRO MUSIC LIST FOR YOUR BRIDAL PARTY ENTRANCE
There are a lot of “Wedding Introduction Music Song Lists” out there that look like they were written in the early 80’s. The 80’s had some great music, don’t get me wrong, but in my opinion, the majority of people getting married today did not grow up in this era, so most of these songs are no longer relevant.
One reason these old cheesy introduction lists are probably still floating around is because of Google and the overall imortal power of the ominous internet. The other reason, perhaps, is that their are a number of cheesy old wedding DJ’s with brady bunch tuxedos and gray santa beards who do not want to let go of their tired shtick.
The grumpy grandpa wedding dj’s who look look like Doctor Demento love cheezy theme songs like “Axl F” from Beverly Hills Cop, “Power of Love” by Huey Lewis, and Dirty Dancing’s “I’ve Had the Time of My Life.” However, I would argue half of my bride & grooms today have never even seen the movies related to these lame songs.
Do you want an introduction party song that picks up the crowd? Since the trend in wedding receptions has moved from classy slow songs to more of a party atmosphere, most couples are now looking to set this intended tone with their grand introduction, so you are not alone. This list, then, should be perfect for you.
MODERN INTRO SONG LIST
While I have added some of classics to this modern song list, you will find far more songs from the past 10-15 years, and far more that will hype your crowd. “Drum roll please…” (Uggh.) Anyhow, here it is:
Forever – Chris Brown
I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
Viva La Vida – Coldplay
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
Gettin Jiggy With It – Will Smith
I’m A Believer Smash Mouth
Hot & Cold – Katy Perry
Say Hey (I Love You) – Franti, Michael & Spearhead
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
I like It – Enrique Iglesias
Now That We Found Love Heavy D. & The Boyz
Pour Some Sugar – On Me Def Leppard
Hot In Herre – Nelly
Inner Circle – Bad Boys (Theme From Cops)
You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
Big Pimpin’ – Jay-Z Feat. Ugk
Milkshake – Kelis
Kiss – Prince
Super Freak – Rick James / MC Hammer (Combo)
Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe – Barry White
Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy) – Big & Rich
Jump Around – House Of Pain
Womanizer – Britney Spears,
Pony – Ginuwine
Intergalactic – Beastie Boys
Imperial Death March – Star Wars
Thunderstruck – AC/DC
Lets Get Ready To Rumble – Jock Jams
Walkin’ On Sunshine – Katrina And The Waves
Ch-Check It Out – Beastie Boys
Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z
Party in The USA – Miley Cyrus
Everybody – Backstreet Boys
The Final Countdown – Europe
Another One Bites The Dust – Queen
Down – Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne
Calle Ocho – Pitbull
Thriller or Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
I Like to Move It, Move It – Reel 2 Reel
Whip My Hair – Willow Smith
Jump – Van Halen
Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
Get Ready For This – 2 Unlimited
Shake Your Booty – KC and The Sunshine Band
Rocky Theme Song / Eye of The Tiger – Survivor (Combo)
Tubthumping – Chumbawamba
Welcome To The Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
Lets’ Get Loud – Jennifer Lopez
Here For Party – Gretchen Wilson
Enur – Calabria
The Power of Love – Huey Lewis & The News
Here Comes the Hotstepper – Ini Kamoze
Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne
Let’s Get It Started – Black Eyed Peas
Celebration – Kool & the Gang
Walk This Way – Run-D.M.C. featuring Aerosmith
Party Like A Rock Star – Shop Boyz
Right Here, Right Now – Fatboy Slim
Hulk Hogan's appearance on American IdolHere is a review on Hulk Hogan’s recent appearance on American Idol, as well as the show itself. DJ Kenny Casanova is a pro wrestling personality and a professional disc jockey. This makes him the perfect expert to review the recent Hulk Hogan appearance on American Idol. “Huh? Wait. Did you say you are a pro wrestling wedding DJ?”
As you may or may not know, I have had an extensive history in sports broadcasting experience. I was a ring announcer and a pro wrestling personality, including experience with a few announcing spots right here in Albany, NY for the WWE at The Times Union Area. This, of course, coupled with my keen karaoke-laden and disc jokey musical 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 iconic show.
So, enough about me. What did I think of the show? First off, for those of you who missed it, here is a clip of Hulk Hogan’s appearance on American Idol:
Hulk Hogan’s Idol appearance was perfect… Not too short, and not too long. It was just enough Hulkamania to add flavor to the show. 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 TV.
What you actually missed from this clip was a vignette of the two Idol contestants having a mock wrestling match in their hotel 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.
Following up on a previous blog about American Idol that I posted here on whether or not the new judges had what it takes, I have to say that until now, I honestly had lost interest in following every broadcast. 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 challenge this year, due to being overly nice to every contest. It seems that, for the most part, there wasn’t much of any judging going on.
The judges need to show some tough-love, rather than tell everyone that they “loved it.” No one this season had the pistachios to step up and pick up Simon’s slack. Nobody has been brutal enough to tell someone, “you had a poor performance,” when they really did, without couching it in a lame hard-searched compliment. Nobody had the guts to tell someone they suck. That is, until Hogan did a run-in on Ryan Seacrest.
On a positive note, however, I believe that the performance music quality may have been improved by the AI band, and also the singing has been better by some of the singers this year. Also, the entertainment value has gone up. This clip, which I missed live, made me actual wish I was viewing in.
