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.
Virtual Wedding Guests Ideas – Streaming your wedding to anyone, anywhere, on iPads, Laptops and even cell phones.
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:
The Sheldon iPad-Head idea could be perfect for your virtual wedding guest
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.
Virtual Wedding Guest Booth
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.
The Laptop Table of Virtual Wedding Guests via SKYPE
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!
Because of technology, you can now stream your wedding live to anyone, anywhere for free!
5) FullWebcam 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.
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.
Ed Sheerhan tops this 25 List of Modern Wedding Songs
WEDDING MUSIC LIST WITH VIDEO LINKS FOR 2015
There are so many LAME cheesy old wedding song lists on the internet, that from time to time, I wonder if people are actually writing new DJ lists or just passing along the same irrelevant out-dated crap. Can you say Delilah Show?
Here is 2015 list of songs that could work very well at your wedding for those of you looking for modern new songs that you can slow dance to.
TOP 25 WEDDING MUSIC LINK SONG LIST FOR 2015
Most of these songs are tracks released this year, or maybe a year or so old, but you certainly won’t find oldies here:
Classical music versions of rock music for your wedding
This article is a list of rock and pop songs that would be great for your wedding ceremony. A fresh way to to add a little rock to your ceremony without changing the serious atmosphere that you would like to set is to play some classical and acoustic versions of songs that people may already recognize. In doing so, your guests enjoy the classical version of the cover song, but you keep the mood desired for the serious moment at hand.
Vitamin String Quartet – Classical versions of rock music
Wedding Ceremony Song Artist Idea List
Apocalyptica (Mostly Classical Versions of Metallica)
Bond
JACK Quartet
Kronos
Vitamin String Orchestra
LaSalle Quartet
Manneheim Steamroller
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Philadelphia String Quartet
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
The Arditti Quartet & of yesteryear, .
The Section Quartet (Fuzzbox and other pop.rock covers by Coldplay etc)
Vitamin String Quartet Wedding Ceremony Song List
Pretty much every track released by the Vitamin String Quartet could turn out to be a really good choice for music at your wedding ceremony. However, here are some standout choices for wedding ceremony music that come to mind by the Vitamin String Quartet.
“A Moment Like This” (originally by Kelly Clarkson)
“Because You Loved Me” (originally by Celine Dion)
“Breathe” (originally by Faith Hill)
“Candle in the Wind” (originally by Elton John)
“Dare You to Move” (originally by Switchfoot)
“Fallin'” (originally by Alicia Keys)
“Fireflies” (originally by Owl City)
“Head Over Feet” (originally by Alanis Morissette)
“Hero” (originally by Mariah Carey)
“Hey There, Delilah” (originally by Plain White T’s)
“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (originally by Aerosmith)
“I Wanna Love You Forever” (originally by Jessica Simpson)
“I’ll Be There” (originally by Mariah Carey)
“In My Place” (originally by Coldplay)
“In Your Eyes” (originally by Peter Gabriel)
“Love Story” (originally by Taylor Swift)
“My All” (originally by Mariah Carey)
“My Heart Will Go On” (originally by Celine Dion)
“She Will Be Loved” (originally by Maroon 5)
“Standing Still” (originally by Jewel)
“Sweet Surrender” (originally by Sarah McLachlan)
“Take My Breath Away” (originally by Jessica Simspon)
“The Only Time” (originally by Enya)
“This Kiss” (originally by Faith Hill)
“Wait For You” (originally by Elliot Yamin)
“When You Believe” (originally by Mariah Carey)
“Where You Are” (originally by Jessica Simpson)
This article is a list of acoustic songs that would be great for your wedding ceremony or reception (for dinner or first dance.) A great way to to add a little class to your wedding is to play some acousic versions of songs that people may already recognize. This way, they enjoy the different version, but you keep the atmosphere that you are trying to set for the moment.
The right selection of an acoustic cover song can satisfy the musical tastes of both young and old. I new pop song can be stripped down by Daughtry, and played on an acoustic guitar. Then, the next thing you know, some of your older guests may be tapping their foot along to a song written by Lady GaGa. (Check out Daughtry’s Poker Face.)
I have also plugged them before here, but I really like Boyce Avenue. They take new pop songs, and some classics that everybody love, and turn them into great cover tune acoustic versions. Here is a list of some acoustic music that you may want to use for your wedding:
ACOUSTIC WEDDING SONG LIST
Acoustic Wedding Songs – Boyce Avenue is a great option!
Ani Difranco – Wishin’ and Hopin’
Alanis Morissette – King Of Pain
Bruce LAsh – Lithium
Boyce Avenue – ANYTHING YOU CAN FIND!!! (Suggestions, Teenage Dream, Disturbia, We are Young, Umbrella, Firework, Grenade)
Cat Power – Sea of Love
Cat Power – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
Daughtry – Poker Face (Lady Gaga)
David Cook – Billie Jean
Fridav Hertzen – Run This Town (Jay-Z, Rihanna)
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Somewhere over the Rainbow
Jamie Cullum – Please Don’t Stop the Music
Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah
John Mayer – Free Falling
Johnny Cash – Hurt
Kay Pettigrew – The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (Will Smith)
Kings Off Cash – A Little Less Conversation
Mat Weddle – He ya
Megan Nicole – The Cave
My Midnight Mind – Ride Wit Me (Nelly)
Obadiah Parker – Hey Ya
Ray LaMontagne – Crazy
The Kooks – Pumped Up Kicks
Tyler Ward – Teenage Dream
Tyler Ward – E.T.
Walk off the Earth – Somebody That I Used to Know
Feel free to reproduce this list and/or article as you may, with credit to DJ Kenny Casanova and www.thedjservice.com.
CLASSICAL COVER TUNES –
Another interesting option could be to play some Vitamin String Quartet who actually take modern music, and turn it into beautiful classical arrangements. Check out our other list at HERE
Affordable Wedding DJ Ideas – South Schenectady Fire House Banquet Hall
A WEDDING HALL AND FOOD FOR UNDER $1,000?
Looking to really save yourself some money on your wedding and still have it come off great? It can happen if you plan everything correctly.
A recent affordable wedding I DJ’ed at South Schenectady Fire House Banquet went perfectly and was classy, to boot. The hall is new, super clean, has all the facilities you need and a full kitchen. It also comes complete with the tables and chairs needed for about 100 people. And, most importantly, they allow for outside catering (this is key).
The bride and groom had to quickly put their special day together, due to a life threatening health situation with a family member. They wanted their loved one to be able to attend and didn’t have a whole lot of time to save.
HOW TO BOOK A GREAT WEDDING (HALL & FOOD) FOR ABOUT $1,000!
Here is what they did:
1) They contacted and rented the South Schenectady Fire House, and was able to rent the hall for $300. This was a great place to have the wedding because, across the street is a fabulous Italian restaurant called Canali’s.
2) They then had Canalis Restaurant (at 126 Mariaville Rd, Schenectady, NY) provide the catering, just the food as a pick up order for 100 people or so. The food bill came to under $700.
3) Next, during the cocktail hour, someone went over and picked up the food. Then, they served dinner buffet style.
4) They did their own bartending (beer and wine).
5) They cleaned up the hall themselves.
Now mind you, they did not have anyone serve the food, but the quality was as good if not better than many of the big name wedding halls in the area.
What can we learn from this?
If you can find a hall that lets you bring in your own catering, you can save a whole lot!!! What you are typically paying for at an expensive wedding hall is serving, clean up and facilities. Finding a nice place like The South Schenectady Firehouse with a great restaurant nearby that will cooperate with time is a game changer!
Affordable Wedding DJ Ideas – South Schenectady Fire House Banquet Hall
Affordable Wedding DJ Ideas – South Schenectady Fire House Banquet Hall
Affordable Wedding DJ Ideas – South Schenectady Fire House Banquet Hall
VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE MOHAWK RIVER COUNTRY CLUB IN REXFORD, NY (NEAR CLIFTON PARK, 15 MIN FROM ALBANY)
Watch our video above and learn more about this great wedding venue. Only 15 minutes from Albany, it is a great location, but still away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
This hall is a great elegant place with onsite ceremony and all the amenities you need to make your wedding a success. www.mohawkrivercc.com
