Skip to main content
Monthly Archives

September 2017

bride on a budget

Bands vs. DJs

By Budget

Okay … you’re planning your Sacramento wedding reception, and you are a bride on a budget.

As we’ve written in a previous blogpost [“How much to spend on wedding entertainment”], entertainment makes the event.  The question is, what type of entertainment is right for you?

Every event needs music, and  DJ entertainment and bands each have their respective advantages and corresponding disadvantages.

Beware screechy bands!

For example, the energy of live music is a wonderful thing to behold, especially if you have a good band.  There’s the rub.  There are a lot of not-so-good bands around, and sometimes they’re so over-the-top that they steal the bride’s thunder. Or sometimes their sound devolves into the musical equivalent of fingernails on the chalk board. Ouch!  [WATCH the video above!]

Even with a good band, they are limited in the type of music they can play based on their personnel and instrumentation.

You may be a person of eclectic taste.  We had one bride who wanted “All of Me” played for her first dance, but before the night was through, she had us playing “In heaven there ain’t no beer.”  Go figure.

Here’s the thing:  most bands have a limited repertoire. DJs don’t.  We can play practically any song you request.

The sky is the limit with DJs.  Music is sung by the original artists, just the way most people prefer it.

There is another significant advantage with GOOD DJs (which, of course, is all we offer).  They are consummate MCs. DJ Gmix knows how to introduce the wedding party, and he knows how to make announcements and control the flow of events.

This is huge.

It takes professionalism honed by years of experience to master the art, and boy, we’ve got it mastered.

Bride on a budget

For a bride on a budget, which is about all of you, DJs will run half to a third of the price of a band.  That’s why DJ entertainment is the overwhelming choice for wedding entertainment.

babies at weddings

The definitive guide to babies at weddings

By Wedding planning

babies at weddingsGet ready for controversy: babies at weddings.

Your friendships are about to be tested.  If you’re prepared, you can minimize the damage.

I refer, of course, to that timeless issue of whether or not to let your friends bring their babies to your Northern California wedding.

You face two scenarios when it comes to babies at weddings

SCENARIO #1:  The sweet little things alternate between cooing and napping during your ceremony.

SCENARIO #2:  The little monsters scream to high heaven throughout the wedding ceremony.  You have to ask the officiant to repeat the vows a second and a third time before you can hear them over the din.  All of this is captured by your wedding videographer.  Forever.  And we haven’t even gotten to the reception yet!

Whew!

Okay … scenario #1 is the likely outcome.  Scenario #2 seldom happens, meaning infrequently or almost never.

But sometimes it does.

Here’s what to do:  you know your friends with babies.  Are they reasonable when it comes to their kids?  If their baby/infant/toddler gets fussy during the ceremony, will they discreetly step out to avoid disrupting your event?  Or are they the type that believes the world revolves them, their needs, their convenience, and their kids, who by the way, can do no wrong?

If you expect scenario #1, invite away.  If  not, don’t.

If in doubt, simply remember that this is your day, not theirs.

Most people do view marriage as a community celebration

Many brides and grooms love inviting families, complete with their kids.  Wonderful.  But you don’t have to.

Some brides recognize unique situations.  For example, if guests make a trek in from out of town, it may be tough for them to find someone to come in for the weekend to watch the kid(s), especially if a mother is still nursing her baby.

If you’re willing to include children for these reasons, you might want to make arrangements for a side room with childcare in case your guests would rather park their kids than tend to them during either the ceremony or reception.

If you make the decision that you do not want children, do so with this understanding:

  1. It is perfectly just, moral, and practical.
  2. You may have a friend/family member ask for an exception.

How to address the envelope

When sending out invitations, simply address it to the person who is invited:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

or…

Bobbi-Jean Smith & Guest

If kids are welcome, you’ll simply address the invitation as Mr. and Mrs. John Smith & Family.

If babies and kids are not invited, inevitably, your friend, Bobbi-Jean, is going to give you a call with this request:

“Say … you wouldn’t mind if I brought little Clarabelle, would you?”

This is key:  know exactly what you want.  Have a prepared response rehearsed and ready to go.

If you’re willing to make exceptions, then life is simple.  You’ll use Response #1:

RESPONSE #1:  “For you, of course.  Little Clarabelle is such a lovely little doll.  Would you like me to make arrangements for a side room and child care to give you more flexibility during the ceremony and/or reception?”

If you really don’t want babies, infants, or children at your ceremony or reception, you’ll want to use something more along the lines of Response #2:

RESPONSE #2:  “You know, we really looked at this closely with our Wedding Planner.  She really encouraged us to keep the event adults only, and we’re taking her advice.  [But she had a great suggestion.  She said if any of our guests wanted to bring kids, we can make arrangements for a side room and provide a list of reputable child care providers for those parents interested in the service.  Would you like me to forward you the list?]”

If you really don’t want to mess with around with kids, only use the first two sentences above and lop off the section in brackets.

What to do if your friend keeps pushing the issue about babies at weddings

If you have a particularly persistent friend or family member, you know the type who begs:

“Pleeez … couldn’t you make a teeny weeny exception for my sweet little Clarabelle.  She won’t make a peep.  You’ll never know she was there.  Pleeez, pretty pleeeeez”…

… be strong.

Stand your ground.

Calmly and without apology, simply say:

“I understand, Bobbi-Jean, but the answer is no.  We have intentionally planned for an all-adult wedding celebration, and we’re going to stick with our plan.”

You may have a better way to say it.  If yes, think it through and be ready in case you’re put in the uncomfortable situation described above.

Remember, this is YOUR wedding.

Okay, are you ready to sketch out your Northern California event? Give us a call at 916 | 397-6517 or simply complete our contact form. Was this blogpost helpful? Be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends. Thank-you!


 

packed dance floors

How much interaction do you want?

By Dance

 

packed dance floorsWhat single factor will determine the success of your wedding? Packed dance floors.

If you’re like the typical bridal couple, success is defined by the dance floor, but if it is empty, the wedding is considered a failure. And if it is packed, it is considered a success.

If it is packed all night long, well, that is the gold standard for wedding success, at least according to the many couples we’ve worked with over the years.

Party Image specializes in packed dance floors…

… and knows how to motivate wedding guests to get out of their seats.

Here’s the deal, though: each wedding couple is unique.  You’ve got your own personality and your own idea on what defines class, style, and energy.

Some Sacramento and Northern California brides want their reception to have the feel of a dance club, complete with high energy music and fabulous club lighting.

packed dance floors

Proper lighting creates the ambience just right for you

Others like elegance and dreamy lighting right out of a fairy tale, and some like a combination.  We’re flexible and taylor each event to the style of the wedding couple.

You also need to consider the level of interaction you’re looking for from your DJ/MC.  The more interaction, the more dance floor participation.  We are masters at making even your shy guests feel comfortable getting out of their seats and joining the fun on the dance floor, and we’re able to do it without cheezy gimmicks or tacky songs.

And we never, ever make anyone uncomfortable.

How much interaction is right for you?

Let’s talk.  Tell us about some of the music you’d like to hear played at your reception, and share with us your guest list and venue.

Together, we’ll establish the parameters that determine successful weddings.

In our hands, your wedding celebration WILL be a success, complete with a packed dance floor.

ugly bridesmaid dresses

Ugly, ugly bridesmaid dresses in movies and TV

By Gowns

How many women groan when asked to be a bridesmaid?

Their minds go something like this:

“I know she’s going to make me wear an ugly bridesmaid dress that costs me a fortune.  How can I possibly get out of this?  Please, God, do something!  I need help!”

In order to counter the stigma associated with ugly bridesmaids dresses, some brides have resorted to making a pledge to potential bridesmaids, something like this, as I saw on a bridesmaid’s joke card:

“I promise to find the perfect shade of mauve for you to wear.  I promise you will never wear the dress again.  I promise an open bar.  Wanna be my bridesmaid?”

The video above is great fun.  You’ll enjoy the progression of ugly bridesmaids dresses over the years in movies and TV.

Out of all these ugly bridesmaid dresses, here’s my favorite:

Actually, out of all the ugly bridesmaid dresses in this video, my favorite is the one right at the beginning. You know, the one with Jennifer Aniston from the television show, “Friends.”

Here’s my suggestion.  If you don’t want your friends or family members to groan when you ask them to be your bridesmaid, check out this article in Elle Magazine: “27 bridesmaid dresses they’ll actually wear again.” They’ll breathe a sigh of relief knowing you’re watching out for their best interests!

Once you’ve got your gown selected, it’s time to get serious about the entertainment for your event. Check us out right now, because popular dates book ridiculously fast.