Category: New Trends and Ideas

SPIRAL WEDDING SEATING

Who wants their wedding to be just like everyone else’s? If your answer is, “Not me!” – then here is a real neat idea that you may have not seen before. How about shaking up your ceremony seating? Instead of the typical straight row layout for your chairs, remove the element of what everyone expects.  Put your own “spin” on your wedding ceremony!

You can still have a beautiful traditional wedding ceremony, yet be creative with your seating at the same time.  Sitting your guests in a completely different arrangement than they are used to sets the mood for the rest of the night.

Spin your guests head and set a fun and unique tone!

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WITH SPIRAL / CIRCULAR  SEATING

1) WEDDING PARTY POSITIONING:  Think about where your bridesmaids and groomsmen will stand and in what formation. In some seating arrangements, there may not be room for all your attendants to stand alongside you and your groom. Worry not as  they can always be seated, instead.

2) FUN GUEST CONFUSION: Guests are accustomed to facing forward and know exactly where the couple will be positioned. Alternative layouts may leave guests guessing where the best seats are!

3) USHER ROLES: Once guests arrive, you don’t want them to be confused or hesitant to sit because they’re not used to the seating layout. Whether you have ushers directing guests or signage explaining the set-up, make sure you communicate to guests what your expectations are for them.

4) PICTURES: Whenever planning a location for your wedding, always think background. It is important to pay attention to what is behind you as your backdrop for your ceremony photos. Consider where your photographer will be positioned to get the best shots and what you’ll likely see in the background in those images.

5) SOUND:  How tight or loose your spiral is will affect how well people hear the wedding officiant. If you want everyone to hear what’s being said, think about how far away the furthest guest is to be seated from the action.

6) WHERE IS YOUR AISLE? You’ll need to figure out the best place to position your walkway; one that makes the most sense for the ceremony. Angling your wedding party to enter the wedding ceremony may need to be strategic.

7) ALTERNATIVE SHAPES: These could include horseshoes, complete circles, or squaring off the edges of circular seating arrangements.

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR OWN SPIRAL WEDDING CEREMONY:

…And now for a little motivation!

Last year was a rough one. The holidays are finally behind us now. We have opened our presents, made our returns, made our resolutions and probably already broke them. A bunch of celebrities died. A bunch of Hatchimals didn’t hatch. BUt we made it through all of that, somehow regardless.

Now it is time to get back to reality. For some of us, the big wedding is only around the corner and waiting to plan because it could bring some headaches is a bad idea.

I too often hesitate to do something that can be stressful. Hell, sometimes I sit in the parking lot of the gym and fiddle with my phone, because I know the gym is going to hurt a little. However, if we take this approach with planning a wedding, it could impact the success of your wedding in the long run.

IT IS TIME TO PLAN YOUR WEDDING NOW!

In other places throughout this blog, I posted information that encouraged you to plan six months or more ahead of time to book your DJ, and up to a full year ahead of time to secure your hall/catering service. That means if you are planning on getting married in the prime time availability slots; summer on a Saturday might, you really need to start moving now!

Yoda once said, “There is only do, or do not.”

If you wait until the last minute, you may have to settle for something you do not really want for your special day. Last week in the Albany NY area, we already had days with about 3 to 5 wedding inquiries, speaking with anxious, but prepared brides looking to secure particular dates. They could be competing for day with a location that you have in the back of your head, or a vendor that would fit you perfectly.

Even with four DJ’s at TheDJService.com, we have already seen conflicts on dates and may have to turn a few couples away. There are only so many good companies servicing the Albany & Troy, Saratoga Springs & Schenectady NY area. Get a move on it!

If you start planning now and you will be all good! Just pick up the phone and call.

WEDDING COMING UP? THERE IS AN APP FOR THAT!

Put down that massive three ring binder and take a look at your smartphone.  It’s time to throw away the paper and streamline your special day by going digital!

Wedding apps are becoming more and more the “in-thing” among bride & groom smartphone users. You already must know that there is a boat load of hard work involved in planning your special day. The planning and organization you need to throw a successful wedding is unnerving to say the least. Well, worry no more. There is an app for that!

Thanks to the countless app developers out there today, you now have various wedding applications in all categories that will allow you to get more things done quickly and better.

ALBANY NY DJ OFFERS HIS TOP 10 WEDDING APP LIST

1. WedPics – This is our top wedding app pick of them all. It not only gives your guests all of the information needed surrounding the event, but it also connects them to your registry and acts as a drop box for your guests to post an unlimited amount of wedding pictures. WedPics is the absolute best photo & video-sharing app, collecting them all in one place. Invite your guests via email, text or Facebook.
2. iWedding: This is a really good DIY wedding planner app. With this download you can go and plan every little detail about your wedding. It helps you manage wedding activities, details and even your wedding guest list.
3. Wedding Gawker: WeddingGawker.com is a great web site for ideas and now has an app. This one brings its ideas for couples to your iPhone to make your wedding unique and fun.
4. Wedding Planning Complete: This tool is great! It keeps track of your checklist, budget, guests list and also offers a fun wedding countdown ticker.
5. WeddingHappy: This happy tool gives you everything. It has vendor contact information, plus loads of tools to make sure all bases are covered for your special day.
6. The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner: The Knot helps you to organize your wedding by offering an all-encompassing checklist, budget keeper and plenty of fresh ideas for your wedding. It also has a countdown feature.
7. Wedding Countdown: Want a simple reminder app for your wedding? This app allows you to track how many days are left before the big wedding day.
8. Appy Couple –  This tool like WedPics allows people to share their own wedding photos and socialize before, during and after the event. It also lets guests RSVP and make travel arrangements. (There is a charge)
9. Wedding Dress Look Book: This app is specifically designed for the bride looking for a specific dress.
10. Wilton Cake Ideas & More: This app provides you with great ideas specifically for your wedding cake.

KEEP YOUR WEDDING WARM

Let’s face it. Nobody likes a cold party.

One of the things that leads a wedding to success is when the hosts, the bride and groom, think of every little detail and make their guest comfortable. Here is a nice little added touch that can actually increase the length of stay time attendance in your older demographic.

It’s an easy idea, not unlike the wedding flip flop basket.

MAKE YOUR OWN WEDDING BLANKET BASKET

All you do is put a basket within plain site and fill it up with a number of cheap cozy blankets. A couple of tips:

• –  Roll up each blanket into nice bundles
• –  Use ribbon or twine to tie off bundled blankets
• –  Line the inside of the basket
• –  Add a sign so people recognize the intended use
• –  Enjoy!

FIVE THINGS YOU CAN DO IF A LOVED ONE CAN’T ATTEND YOUR WEDDING

The world is now flat. In today’s modern world, technology plays a massive part in how people share moments like weddings with their friends and family around the world. The internet brings us all closer, when we can’t be there physically.

Many social media outlets are all making the world a smaller place. Weddings are starting to pop up among these resources to connect people who otherwise could not make it to the newlywed’s special day.

Think about it. With today’s technology, people can easily allow real-time streaming of any real life event – FOR FREE. If a loved one can’t be present, people can now just open their event to mobile devices to anyone, anywhere.  This is a great idea for couples who want to include more and more people in the wedding and do not have the resources to pay for every guest to be present.

Whether your wedding is at The Crossgates Banquet House in Albany, NY or if you are planning a destination wedding at Humming Bird Hall at Montego Bay, Jamaica, a virtual wedding guest is an awesome option. Virtual wedding guests can save you and your guests money because it cuts down on travel. A virtual wedding makes it so no matter where in the world your guests sit, they can still watch your wedding ceremony unfold live on the World Wide Web.

FIVE TECHNOLOGY IDEAS TO BRING A GUEST CLOSER TO YOUR WEDDING:

There are many different ways to use mobile devices to create virtual wedding guests. Below is a very detailed DIY recipe link for beginners  on how to stream your own Virtual Wedding for free:

1) The iPad-Head Virtual Wedding Guest

If you are a Big Bang Theory fan like I am, you may remember this. There was one episode where Sheldon didn’t want to leave the house, so he slapped an iPad-like tablet on top of a coat rack with a hanging shirt on it and created some kind of relay device on wheels to escort him around, without ever leaving the house.  This is a very primitive form of The Bruce Willis film, Surrogates, however, the iPad-Head idea may be all you need to make your wedding stick out.

Apple has created the technology to allow for a very easy way for a virtual wedding guest to attend your wedding from afar. Try setting up iPad-heads on fake bodies and sit them right in chairs at the ceremony or reception. Then, have your guest run Facetime and it will be like they are actually there! They can talk and interect with other guests, as well as the bride & groom.

2) Streaming Wedding Reception Booth

Here is an idea, in case you want more fun activities at your wedding reception. Set up an area in your reception hall  and time set aside just for live interaction with virtual guests, online.

To create your own “Virtual Guest Booth Stream Station,” prop up either web cams, laptops or iPad/tablets so that virtual guests see the action from the virtual wedding guest booth, and also video chat with those who stop by.

SMART TVs – There are also Smart TVs now that makes creating a stream station even easier. Samsung has a TV that has a camera built into top frame, much like a laptop camera. They even have Skype built into the platform and a Skype button on the remote control. The age of the Jetson’s is upon us!

The more decorative and fun the booth display turns out, the more apt people will be to interact with your virtual wedding guest.

3) Video Toast with Virtual Guest – Digital Projection:

As a wedding activity, set up a special virtual toast maybe to take place before the best man’s speech. What you can do is get a PowerPoint / Digital projector and actually broadcast a Skype video call, or Google Hangout to the rest of your live guests. Then, have the virtual guest stream a toast to the whole room.

4) The Virtual Wedding Guest Laptop Table:

Whenever we had a big get-together at my grandmother’s house for a holiday, we always had “the kids table;” a place where only the kids sat. Borrowing from this idea and if your virtual wedding guests are game, you can set aside a whole table just for laptop virtual wedding guests. Put each laptop at  each table setting and make it so each webcam allows each guest to see each other through a single-face platform, like Skype.

While a program like Zoom would work better than this because of its multi-user platform, this allows for walk-ups at the live event to interact with the people on on the laptops. It also makes for a great experience!

5) Full Webcam Stream Virtual Wedding : 

So you want to just stream your wedding for many guests to enjoy? Great idea!  There really is something to be said for “keeping it simple.” Do some surfing and select a streaming video website. Several websites allow you to stream live from free web streaming sites.

You probably do not want to have the added stress of setting up and checking on the virtual wedding web cam throughout the night. Therefore, it is probably a good idea to ask a close friend or family member to fully accept the responsibility and go through a practice run with them.

More…

Need more information on how to stream your wedding? Click here for our blog on “How To Stream Your Wedding Online For Free” …  and you will get all the info you need.

Have fun with the creation of your virtual wedding guests! Whatever you choose to do, this idea will increase the chance that more of your loved ones will be present for your special day!

– DJ Kenny Casanova is an Albany, NY Wedding DJ. If you are interested in booking DJ Kenny Casanova, call or TEXT 518-506-3305.

WANT FUN? ADD CONFETTI!

Here is a unique idea to add to your wedding or event? How about a customizable confetti bar? This is a great conversation piece and activity that also serves a purpose for decoration. The confetti toss can then be a great group activity for the introduction of the bride and groom, or the first dance of the evening, perhaps.

Here is how you can add this fun decoration and group activity to your wedding or event:

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN DIY WEDDING CONFETTI BAR

1) SECURE ONE-COLOR CONFETTI ASSORTMENTS – Buy a bunch of different confetti samples from a party supply store, or better yet cut up special papers yourself!

2) PREPARATION – If you are making your own confetti , look for cheap different lightweight (low pound) paper at your favorite art store. Then use paper shreaders, paper  cutters or even hole punchers to render the individual confetti pieces. A combination of different methods to manifest the confetti will make for more unique assortments and better results/

3) PLACE INTO SERVING BOWLS / VATS – Once you make pure piles of one color confetti, display each batch in some kind of serving bowl/container.

4) ADD SIGNS – Let the guests know what the bar is for, and also inform them when they should launch the confetti.

5) ANNOUNCE BAR – Have your DJ announce the concept of the bar to your guests during cocktail hour before the bride and groom have arrived so that there is plenty of time for guest to mix and match their own custom confetti mixes. Part of the fun of this wedding idea is that people have the time to mix and match a baggy full of confetti so that they can throw a batch of their own hand-selected mixed confetti.

This can really be a great activity, but please make sure to first check with y our catering hall/location to make sure that their are no restrictions on confetti. (Some halls don’t allow it.) Here are some pictures below to better help you visualize the potential of a wedding confetti bar.