20 things to remember to pack before your wedding

Today I was going through some old documents looking for something else, and came across this, which I thought might be good information for the magazineI wish I did this way in advance.  I didn’t have one, and I was scrambling around the day before my wedding trying to pack! 

1. Important phone numbers 2. Copies of directions to the reception 3. Prescription medicines4. Extra pair of nylons or pantyhose5. Comfortable shoes6. Clear nail polish (works well for stopping runs in nylons or pantyhose)7. Small sewing kit with scissors and masking tape or hem tape8. Baby powder (absorbs sweat, also a stain remover)9. Tampons and feminine napkins,  and deodorant10. Black socks for the ushers or groomsmen 11. Over the counter pain reliever and antacids, Band-aids12. Toothbrush and toothpaste and mints13. Camera batteries and miscellaneous cords and adapters

14. An iron,  (I really needed this!)15. Hairspray, hair brush, comb small mirror and makeup16. Bobby pins, hair clips, hair ties17. Safety pins 18. Extra contact lenses and cleaner19. Stain stick or stain remover

20. Snacks and drinks

Inside Answers to all your Wedding Music Questions

We asked  Curtis Knight from,  Curtis Knight Entertainment  in Billerica Ma, to help us answer our questions!   Curtis owns one of the largest DJ/Entertainment companies in the United States.  CKE is a solid company with a well-proven track record and a stable future.   They average more than 1,200 events per year and have had more then 5,000 previous brides.    His highly trained DJs have helped to make thousands of brides and Grooms happy, and their Wedding Days a smashing success!   Coming up next, he will be sharing with us his knowledge about what songs are commonly played at weddings.   

Here are his answers to our questions:

1. How long before the wedding should a couple book their DJ?

A year to a year and a half before the date, if possible. The good DJ’s are requested and frequently get booked early, and many clients call us as much as 2 or more years before their event. In contrast, we frequently have a client call us for the first time on the day before their wedding and ask if we have a DJ available to do a wedding “tomorrow”. With 42 DJ’s on the roster we have a DJ available 99.9 % of the time.

2. Do you need to speak to the event coordinator at the event location or see the location in advance?

No. We have been in the business long enough to know our way around. When we arrive at the location, we take a quick look at where to set up and have a 3 minute chat with the coordinator, to be sure we are on the same page, and then we are ready to go. It really is that simple.

3. What time should the DJ arrive?

On the day of your event, unless we are given information that impacts our set up, we arrive one hour before music has to be playing. It takes us about 20 - 30 minutes to load in and set up. We allow the extra time, just in case there is a long access route to get from the curb to where the event is, i.e., a zillion stairs, elevators, etc.

4. Where should a DJ set up?

At the exact edge of the dance floor or dance area. If you stick your DJ far away, in a corner or back against the wall, it directly impacts the connection that the DJ is able to make with your friends and family or co-workers. The closer to the guests your DJ is, the more of an impact the DJ presentation will have. This is a very important detail that often goes overlooked.

5. What does my DJ need to do his/her job?

We need one electrical outlet to plug into, and a 6’ or 8’ banquet style table to set the equipment on. Two tables is optimum for us, but it rarely happens. For an added touch of class, you can make sure that a table cloth and skirt are provided, if applicable and desired.

6. How should a DJ proceed at a wedding?  (We love Curtis’s answer to this question)

you would like to see and then we’re are as involved or reserved as you like. If you simply turn us loose, we read your friends, family, co-workers and feel the mood, and play the right music with the right amount of interaction - Never over the top or obnoxious.

7. Do we need a DJ that will act as an emcee / master of ceremonies?

It is best to find someone that can provide that, if that is what you want. Every Curtis Knight Entertainment DJ is trained to play great music and to act as an emcee to the degree that you wish. You tell us how involved you want the DJ to be. We will be happy to run the entire event and control the flow, or stay in the background and simply play good music., Just let us know what you would like to see.

8. Should I make arrangements to feed my DJ?

We sure think so. Your DJ and your location / food make or break your event. The DJ plays a big part in how your event is enjoyed by your friends and family. It just makes sense to feed the DJ. If you tell us in advance that the DJ will not be fed, we are grateful. This way we can send a lunch with the DJ. It’s a small price to pay, to make the DJ “feel the love”. They will do their best job whether they are fed or not

9. What are the benefits of having 2 DJ’s?

Picture a DJ standing in the middle of the dance floor making announcements, or playing a game, or having a bride throw her bouquet. As the segment progresses, song after song will play, seamlessly - one right into the next. The music is being controlled by the other DJ, that is running the equipment, while the emcee is free to travel through the room, without having to worry about running back to the equipment to change songs or turn mics up and down for toasts, etc. If you can easily afford the 2 DJ price, it’s a nice thing to have, but if you are watching your budget, it is not necessary (maybe 3 or 4 out of 1500+ clients per year choose a 2 DJ package).

10. How many hours are typically needed for a wedding?

A wedding reception should last 5 hours if cocktail hour is one of those hours. If the ceremony is to take place “on site, add one hour for a total of 6 hours. It’s always better to “get in, make your mark, and get out” before your guests get restless, bored, uncomfortable, etc. “Always leave ‘em wanting more !” There are exceptions, but these are basic guidelines.

11. Should I book more time than I anticipate needing, just in case?

We think not. Shorter is almost always better than longer when it comes to the length of an event. Our overtime ( $50 / half hour per DJ ~ $100 / hour per DJ ) costs the same in advance as it does on the day of your event. So we recommend that you commit to an appropriate amount of time, and then add over time in increments of ½ hour, if you want the celebration to continue. We are happy to stay as long as you like, and we have often done events where they continue celebrating for as much as 4 hours of overtime.

12. How involved should I be in planning my event?

There are a few schools of thought. Here are two: 1) You can make all of the schedules and lists, pick all of the music, and be the hands manager of every detail of your upcoming celebration, in advance, and on the “day of”…or 2) You can tell us that you “don’t want to deal” with all of the details, and we are happy to handle the lion’s share of the music selection, making announcements, handling the flow of segments and events, so you can just sit back and enjoy your happy celebration. You can also fall somewhere in the middle, and specify certain things that you want, and leave the rest to us. At most of the events we do, we delicately and sensitively handle nearly every aspect of the presentation of the event.

13. Should I pick the music for my event?

The best DJ’s on the planet will tell you that they do not proceed with a predetermined play list. They read the crowd, and then they experiment and change directions many, many times, throughout an event. For someone to try and set the play list in advance, is very risky. We have an expression: “If you pick your music in advance, your friends and family will not dance.” We feel it is best to give us a list of music that you would like to hear, if it fits the mood. Of course, if you want to pick every song, we are happy to accommodate you.

14. How many songs will my DJ play?

The DJ speed limit is 15 songs per hour. Four hours = 60 ish songs. Five hours = 75 ish songs. Also, of interest, the party / dancing / fun segment of most wedding receptions is the final 2 hours. Two hours = 30 - 35 songs.

15. Can we ask a DJ to play CD’s that my friends, family and I bring?

Yes, if that is what you want. We make sure you have approved it, before we agree to play anything that is handed to us. This way, if there is any questionable content on the CD, it has been approved by you, in advance.

16. Should we allow our dj to accept song requests?

At KNE we are happy to, but…requests can wipe out a dance floor quickly, and sometimes you can never get your dance floor raging again, after you have lost it with a dud song. A good DJ knows when a request is going to make your friends and family sit down. If you tell us to handle requests the way we think best, we will tell people who request questionable songs that we will play it later on in the event, if possible, when there is a lull in the dance floor. This way, we do not risk slowing down the great celebration that you have orchestrated. If you tell us to take all requests and play them immediately, as they are asked for, we will do it without question. We just want to be sure that you know what can happen.

17. Should I have Karaoke at my event?

Karaoke can be a great segment, with beautiful voices, loving dedications and boundless love in the room… or a disaster, with drunk idiots, singing out of tune and using profanity over the mic. And you usually will not know which way it is going to go till your event is over. When you interrupt a dance floor to begin Karaoke performances, many people wince and want to go home. It can also be very entertaining and add a live element that will be remembered fondly for years. If you do decide to have Karaoke, our collection and presentation is superior in every way. Weigh this decision carefully, and ask for more input if you like. We are here to help.

18. Am I supposed to tip my DJ?

Some do. Some don’t. The DJ does not expect to be tipped. By our rough guestimate, about 30 - 40 percent of our esteemed clients choose to tip. It does not mean you are cheap if you don’t. If you choose to tip, the most frequent tip we get is $50, and there is the occasional $100. Again, it is not expected.

19. Why do dj’s charge so much more for weddings, then other events?

Great question. When we provide a DJ for a party, the client calls, we send a quote, they call back, give us a deposit, and we send a DJ to the event. Done. If the event is a wedding. We 1) spend a lot of time on the phone, taking volumes of notes about the wedding day, and every aspect - from song selection to presentation and more. Also we 2 ) set up one or more meetings for the bride and groom and the DJ that will serve them, so they can go over the details, item by item, face to face. 3) If the bride and groom have song requests that are not on our published song list, we spend hours and hours ( and hours and more hours ) finding all of the music they want and preparing it in a logical cataloged order, on CD, in preparation for the big celebration ! A LOT more service and preparation goes into the wedding experience that requires a higher ticket price.

2o. Why is their such a wide range of pricing in the DJ business?

Great question. You can pay as little as $200 for your DJ or $6500 as one of our colleagues in New York does. It comes down to each company owner. We charge a price that helps us grow our business, but is not unreasonably high. Often we are asked to explain why 2 companies in our area charge more than twice what we charge. We are asked what they will get from the higher priced DJ company that they will not get from us. I am never sure what to say, so I just shrug and smile.

Arbonne Products

Anyone out ther Arbonne fans? I am going to see if I can meet with Jennifer to see if I can learn some more.
I am thinking I might really like these products.

Flower Ideas from Fino Fresh Flowers

Yesterday I stopped into Fino Fresh Flowers, in Melrose, for a visit with one of Boston’s most talented florist.    I am not the only one noticing them either!   They have recently been getting some big press!   Carolyn and Janet are sister-in-laws, together they have created something spectacular!
This one is my Favorite

Love the feathers

Great Detail


Ready for Delivery

Asymetrical Ideas

Cute Display

Some of the differnt types of flowers





I am not the only people talking about Fino Fresh Flowers!



Who they are

Canditto - Really Inventive Idea

I love how inventive this idea is.  Canditto is a product which offers a bride and grooms a simple way to save their guests’ priceless candid shots at their wedding.  As guests exit the reception, they quickly slip their digital memory card into the Canditto kiosk.  The machine takes ONLY the pictures taken during the event and creates a CD of memories for the newlyweds. You can check it out at here  

Lots of invitation ideas from Crane Papers

When Collen from Blue Tulip, in Burlington Ma, called me to see if I wanted to send some of my cards for an event they were having I invited myself to the event!    I knew this would be a great way to show a lot of ideas.

Blue Tulip is actually a really cute store, and the website is pretty cute too.   Lots of great gift ideas.   I think I wish I found this place before my wedding, not after!  The desginer, Collen is really great to work with.   When I met her I was so stressed out!   Here are some of the other invitations that can be found at Blue Tulip.    Taupe Gatefold Invitation by Vera Wang  is one of my favorites, but I am always a fan of simple and sophisticated invitations.    This Bronze Shimmer Invitation by William Arthur really caught my attention. 
The invitations here are from Crane Co. 

Black and White.   Right now black, white and pink is popular. 




This was my favorite. I thought it was striking, elegant, and simple

The is the traditional wedding invitation.   Classic never goes out of style

This is a fun one!

Close up!

This is one side of the card

This was the other side of the card

I LOVED this detail!  so delicate.


ke

I really like these trees!

Black and white

green and pink

Rehersal Dinner Idea, Soma Beverly

If you are in the Northshore looking for a great idea for your rehersal dinner check out Soma, Beverly MA.

A Few Dresses

I got to spend some time today talking with Monica from Daals Bridal  I am looking forward to going back to the bridal shop when they have their trunk show.   I have never been to a trunk show before, but I bet I will get some really fantastic pictures of dresses then!

Mother of the Bride Dress, the fabric is a really nice silk

A picture of a picture. This is one of there most popular dresses

Accessories from Daal’s Bridal Center

Accessories from Monica from Daal’s Bridal Center in Haverhill was at the Chelmsford Bridal Showcase at the Radisson Hotel yesterday. Look forward to the pictures from the March 21-22 Anjolique Trunk ShowHair ClipHair ClipTierraNecklace

Shoes (Flip Flops)

Shoes from Monica from Daal’s Bridal Center in Haverhill was at the Chelmsford Bridal Showcase at the Radisson Hotel  yesterday.  Look forward to the pictures from the March 21-22 Anjolique Trunk ShowHere are some previews.   I LOVED these for a summer bride.Bridal Flip FlopsI wish I took more pictures of these.   Next week when I am at Daals I will have to take more of these shoes.  I have to admit, this picture just doesnt do it justice   When I was in Italy last fall, this shape shoes was all the rage

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