DATES TO KNOW BEFORE PLANNING YOUR WEDDING IN 2014 –
If you want success at your wedding, attendance plays a big part.
There are a billion things to think about when planning your wedding in Albany NY or around the world, but what some people do not take into account is the importance of the actual date selection itself on the calendar.
NEVER NEVER NEVER select a wedding date because that is the only day a wedding hall has open. There could be a reason it is open that nobody has booked for that day! Do your homework and figure out what else could be happening that day before selecting.
What are the days around they day you are thinking of choosing? What other things could be happening on this date that could create competition? Choosing a “Holiday Weekend Wedding” can totally have it’s pros and cons, but however, sometimes the nostalgia is not really worth it, in the end.
THE PROS OF PLANNING A HOLIDAY WEDDING –
1) HOLIDAYS ARE EASY TO REMEMBER
2) HOLIDAYS HELP PROVIDE YOU WITH A THEME TO FOLLOW
3) GUESTS MAY HAVE OFF OF WORK – Another great thing about planning a holiday wedding is that your guests will have an extra day off of work 9usually a monday) for recovery and travel time. Or, a holiday weekend can allow for a better Sunday wedding, which incidently, is often more affordable that a Saturday wedding works out to be.
THE CONS ON SELECTING A HOLIDAY FOR YOUR WEDDING –
1) TRAVEL INCREASE – Traveling costs are traditionally more on holidays, bottom line. Your costs and the the cost for your guests’ airfare traveling and/or hotels are often higher on holiday weekends, due to supply and demand of travelers.
2) GUEST ATTENDANCE – Choosing a holiday wedding might hurt your wedding guest attendance list. Let’s face it. People are creatures of habit, and nobody likes change. Some families have other regularly scheduled commitments and traditions for on-going standing holiday weekend and, more often than not, these are traditions are ones that some people would not want to change, no matter what the cause.
Holiday Inn Express Wedding of Latham NY
HOLIDAY WEEKENDS FOR 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014 Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, February 17, 2014 Washington’s Birthday
Monday, May 26, 2014 Memorial Day
Friday, July 4, 2014 Independence Day
Monday, September 1, 2014 Labor Day
Monday, October 13, 2014 Columbus Day
Tuesday, November 11, 2014 Veterans Day
Thursday, November 27, 2014 Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, December 25, 2014 Christmas Day
3) RELIGIOUS DAYS –
While you may or may not recognize a number of religious holidays, your guests might. Think about religious holidays when choosing your wedding date. There may even be church restrictions on if you are allowed to marry at these times, so you may have to make some calls if you go against this one.
Palm Sunday
April 13, 2014
March 29, 2015
March 20, 2016
Easter Sunday
April 20, 2014
April 5, 2015
March 27, 2016
Passover (begins at sunset the night before)
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Friday, April 22, 2016
Friday, April 22, 2016
Tisha B’Av (begins at sunset the night before)
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Rosh Hashanah (begins at sunset the night before)
Thursday, September 25, 2014, until nightfall on Friday, September 26, 2014
Monday, September 14, 2015, until nightfall on Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Sunday, October 2, 2016, until nightfall on Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Yom Kippur (begins at sunset the night before)
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Hanukkah (begins at sunset)
Wednesday, December 17, 2014, until nightfall on Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Monday, December 7, 2015, until nightfall on Monday, December 14, 2015
Saturday, December 24, 2016 until nightfall on Sunday, January 1, 2017
DJ TIPS – MORE WEDDING DATE SELECTION TIPS
COSTLY HOLIDAYS – Valentine’s Day will make your floral bill shyrocket, and New Year’s will make your venue more too!
PERSONALLY SIGNIFICANT DAYS – Check your own calendar for college reunions, family weddings, anniversaries or other events, like big conventions or festivals in your city (call your local chamber of commerce), and any annual occasions that involve your family or close friends.
HOLIDAY WEEKENDS – Holiday weekend weddings have pros and cons. You’ve got an extra day for the festivities (and recovery!); plus, a Sunday wedding is often less expensive than a Saturday one would be. However, costs of travel and hotels may be higher. And if you’re looking to marry around Valentine’s Day, be wary of your floral bill, especially if you’ve got your heart set on red roses — they’ll likely be more expensive than at any other time of the year. Likewise, reception sites often charge a higher fee for a New Year’s Eve wedding. Also consider the impact of a holiday weekend on your guest list: Some families have standing plans or traditions that they’d prefer not to miss.
Our repeat customer and good friend AshMac getting married at 60 State Place in Albany NY
WEDDING AT SIXTY STATE PLACE IN ALBANY
By now, you have probably heard of Key Hall at Proctors in Schenectady. It is a super nice looking place that is a former all-marble old antique bank. Many people like it for it’s classy look, despite the acoustics being “echoy” since it is entirely constructed in stone. A similar marble bank venue to Key Hall has recently opened in Albany, NY, however, I like Sixty State Place even better!
THE LOOK
Today, the historic National Commercial Bank and Trust of Albany has been transformed into a classy ballroom for luxury events and social engagements. Restored in 2013, Sixty State Place combines the most modern amenities with the elegance of the building’s historic origin to give you the best of both worlds for your wedding or special event.
In 1902, the historic bank hired York and Sawyer to create a “temple of finance.” Over 100 years later the exquisite styling and details are still evident. Now customers can create the backdrop of their events in the uniquely to showcase their dream theme and design.
THE ACOUSTICS
One of the things for me, a mobile DJ, that really sets apart Sixty State Place from Key Hall is the painstaking effort Sixty has taken to make sound NOT AN ISSUE. Their beautiful 45 foot ceilings in the main ballroom would have created an acoustical challenge without the extra added steps they have taken. For one, their are well-camouflaged sound absorbers everywhere, to diminish the “singing in the shower” feel you would have had without them.
Rising to the challenge, their sound engineers “designed a built in custom audio system that ensures every person within the space hears the same steady, intelligible sound.” This means as a mobile DJ or band, you can plug into Sixty’s system and be heard all over the establishment with ease.
GREAT FOR A WEDDING YOUR WAY
SPACE – Sixty State Place believes in giving each client the opportunity to create their own perfect event. There are some really neatrooms downstairs and an additional backroom off the main ballroom. These extra options allow for cocktail hour, bridal suite, and photo booth opportunities that other halls don’t always allow for.
FOOD – Clients are guided through the event planning process, but given the freedom to select the vendors, layouts, menus, color schemes and event schedules of their choice. All professional licensed vendors are welcome to participate in events in their facilities, including wedding/mobile DJs, bands, photographers, photo booth services and even INCLUDING CATERERS – which means you can pick whatever food services you wish! There is a full kitchen for your vendor of choice, as well as a nice bar and cocktail area downstairs.
MY RATING – I would not hesitate to recommend this hall to anyone. The event organizers are SUPER HELPFUL! I give this place a 9 out of ten, only because of a potential parking issue for massive parties. However, at the wedding I was the DJ for over the weekend, the bride and groom reserved a private lot behind the facility and there was no problem for anyone, so it can be done.
If you found this review helpful, please consider us to DJ your event! Our number is 518-506-3305. Here are some SIXTY STATE PLACE WEDDING pictures:
Wanting to attend a Bridal Show in Albany, NY, but you can’t? Here is our virtual vendor table pitch so you don’t have to leave your seat!
WEDDING DJ SERVICES
Our 15 years of providing DJ services for weddings in the Albany NY area will lead your reception to success. Our number one priority is setting the atmosphere that you want to create. Planning your special day is just as important as the reception itself. Our worksheet process allows you to have a hand in customizing your night. You can spend 5 minutes, or 5 hours – it’s up to you! Whether you want a classy setting or a hot mess shindig, we will help your wedding day vision become a reality.
“Are you looking to bring in the right entertainment for your wedding? Selecting the “right DJ” really means everything to a fun wedding.
We let YOU customize the song selections so you are not stuck with a default playlist that does not represent who you are. You also can customize!
If you want to bring a great “DJ Show” to your reception and wish to book an affordable wedding disc jockey with a huge library of new music & classics, and one who allows you to fully customize the playlist, then we could be right for you!
Thank you! And we would love to talk to you about your wedding, if you are up for a call.
Here is our business card: CALL/TEXT – 518-506-3305 – EMAIL – ken@thedjservice.com.
Thanks for stopping by our “virtual vendor table.” Take a look at these pamphlets here, buddy! You will see that we provide:
• Giant library w/ Billboard Top 100 Hits; 1947-Now
• Extensive DJ/MC experience from 1996
• Option to Customize Your Playlist
• Huge Laser Show
• Uplighting Packages
• Voted Capital Region’s #1 Karaoke KJ
• Radio Personality Experience
• Ring Announcer Experience: WWF / WWE / MMA
• Sports Broadcasting Experience
• Affordable Digital Photography Package
• Many Interactive Events, Dances, & Activities
• Digital Projection & Photo Slide Show Package
• Music Video Package – All tracks with Music Video
• Professional High End Gear; Bose L1 Stick
QUALITY / #1 in The Area – We are quite often ranked #1, voted the best in The Capital Region many years for our services. If you need top quality in music entertainment and disc jockey services for your party in our state’s capital, Albany, New York, look no more! Dance if you want, sing if you dare…
In the Black Eyed Peas smash hit single, “I Gotta Feeling,” we hear the words, “Mazel Tov.” Even if you have no Jewish background, you probably can guess that this term is associated with celebration. This term, however, is the same term used with “The Breaking Glass Jewish Wedding Tradition.”
The breaking of the drinking glass occurs at the end of the Jewish wedding ceremony when the groom stomps down on a glass to crush it, and thereafter the guests shout, “Mazel Tov!” Have you ever wondered where the breaking glass Jewish wedding tradition comes from and what it means?
There are many explanations of why we do this and where the actual Jewish wedding tradition came from. Here are a few of the most popular explanations:
Superstition: A loud noise is thought to drive away evil spirits that may slow down the celebration.
Consummation of Marriage: A breaking of the glass represents symbolically the virginal bride giving herself to the groom and the consummation of the marriage.
Fragility: The glass symbolizes the love of the bride and groom and breaking the glass shows how this love is fragile, so it must be cared for that it not be broken.
Broken World: A reminder that although this couple came together as a strong single union, the world as a whole is broken and needs mending done, together.
Foreverness: A broken Jewish wedding glass is forever changed, likewise, the couple are forever changed by the marriage and take on a new form.
Many Children: Be Fruitful. A hope that your happiness will be as plentiful as the shards of glass…or that your children will be as plentiful as the shards of glass.
Sadness/Joy: A reminder that even in times of great joy that there is sadness. That life will bring sadness as well as joy.
So which do you choose? Couples should choose the interpretation that resonates with them and this will make that part of your ceremony more meaningful. Many couples like to include a brief explanation in their wedding program that describes which interpretation they have chosen and what it means to them.
Any glass may be used for the Jewish wedding glass, although most couples choose a special glass, perhaps colored glass. Make certain the glass you choose is not too thick. (Remember, it needs to be easily broken when stepped on!) It is typically wrapped in a cloth napkin to avoid dangerous flying glass shards. Sometimes it is enclosed in a pre-made cloth bag.
How To Make Personalized Wedding Candle Place Cards
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.
When I got married, I got my groomsman a bunch of watches and we put out some random shot glasses for the wedding favors. I didn’t exactly know what to get so they basically got the same things. I had no idea that there were resources out there that could help me customize and get together individualized gifts but my groomsman could appreciate even more that would reflect well upon their personalities. Here is one site that does just that:
Right now they have free shipping over $75 and a huge selection of personalized stationary to add to the wedding favors and bridal party gifts. Check it out!
