Updates on the way

Ok!   Now that the wedding season is winding down a bit,   I should be back to updating this!    I have imgaes from the whole seasons venues,   including pictures of the Regarda Place in Newport RI,   Spinilli’s in Lynnfeild Ma,   and many many more!

Top 10 Questions to Ask a Wedding DJ

Deciding which DJ you want to hire for your wedding may seem like a relatively simple decision among the myriad of ones you will make while planning your wedding.  After all, don’t they all do the same thing – play music?  Although that may seem true, the reality is much different.  DJs hold a crucial role in your wedding.  In fact, studies show that guests remember the entertainment after a wedding more than any other element.  Hiring a bad DJ can make an otherwise wonderful celebration a disaster!  Thus, it is imperative that when hiring a DJ you do your homework.  In addition to researching reviews, there are several questions you should ask a DJ.  The following is a list of the Top 10 Questions I suggest asking a DJ:

10.    Do you offer a written contract?  As with all wedding vendors, it is essential that the DJ provide a detailed contract.

9.    Will you be the DJ at the wedding?  If not, will we be able to meet the DJ will be at our wedding?  There are several large entertainment agencies that employ dozens of DJs, all of whose skills and personalities vary greatly.  As the couple getting married, you must be able to meet with the actual DJ performing at your wedding prior to signing a contract.

8.    How long have you been a DJ and how many weddings have you performed?  Again, it is imperative that you hire someone with experience.

7.    Will you be available to meet again before the wedding?  A great deal of planning goes into having a great wedding.  Your DJ should be just as committed to making your special day wonderful and be willing to meet with you at least one additional time prior to your wedding.  As a side note, the DJ should be available to discuss necessary details by telephone and email throughout the entire planning process.

6.    Have you performed at our venue before?  If not, how will you prepare for it?  Venues vary greatly and often require DJs to set up their equipment in certain ways.  Moreover, the structure of the venue may have an effect on the sound, which DJs need to take in to account.  If your DJ has never performed at your venue, ask if he/she is willing to tour ahead of time.

5.    What is included in the cost of my event?  It is very important that you know exactly what you are paying for.  For instance, are there overtime charges?

4.    What is your style?  All DJs have their own distinct style.  Some like to be the center of attention while others stay low key.  You should never hire a DJ who has a different style than you desire.

3.    Do you have references?  Always speak to at least one other couple who has had the DJ perform at their wedding!  Ask them what they thought was best as well as what they would’ve liked to be different.

2.    Can we submit a “Do Not Play List?”  Many couples have certain songs they simply do not want to hear.  A good DJ will respect the couple’s wishes no matter what!

1.    What will you do if there is an emergency and you are unable to perform?  Unfortunately, emergencies happen.  However, a good DJ will have a well-established back-up plan in place.

About the Author:

This is the second of a yearlong series written by Robyn Powell, founder of Robyn Plans.  Each article will provide advice for couples on how to survive planning a wedding and will include many practical tips.  Robyn Powell, founder of Robyn Plans, did not take the “typical” approach to forming an event planning firm.  She began her career as a social worker.  She later attended law school and then practiced at a Boston firm.  However, after helping others plan countless weddings, parties, and fundraisers, and constantly hearing “you should really consider being an event planner,” Robyn could no longer deny her passion for event planning.  Thus, with her strong attention to detail, love for planning, and creativity, Robyn Plans was born.  As a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants, Robyn keeps up-to-date with the latest industry trends through their monthly newsletters and continuing education seminars.  Robyn Plans currently serves all of New England, offering services to meet all couples’ needs.  For more information, visit Robyn Plans at www.robynplans.com or email Robyn at robyn@robynplans.com.

Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner

Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner

 

10.       Saves time – Planning wedding takes enormous amount of time.  In fact, the average couple spends well over 200 hours planning their special day.  A good wedding planner will save you time and energy by researching vendors, taking care of the many, many details, and coming up with various creative ideas to make your wedding amazing!

 

9.         Saves money – Weddings can be extremely expensive.  However, by hiring a wedding planner, couples can save a great deal of money.  Because wedding planners provide so much business to vendors, they are often able to negotiate discounts for their clients.  Wedding planners are also well-versed at helping couples set budgets and sticking to them.

 

8.         Saves relationships – Weddings are very stressful.  This stress often results in many arguments for couples as well as with family members and friends.  Wedding planners have been there time and time again and know how to avoid such problems before they begin as well as act as a buffer when there are conflicts. Wedding planners are also able to take on the responsibilities often assigned to loved ones so that everyone is able to enjoy the wedding.  Remember, you still want a relationship with your mother well after your wedding!

 

7.         Ensures dreams are made realities – Most have been dreaming of their wedding day their entire life.  Wedding planners work for the couple and ensure that all desires are met (and often surpassed)!

 

6.         Offers advice – Wedding planners have planned countless weddings and know exactly what works and what doesn’t.  They are also knowledgeable on wedding etiquette.  Furthermore, wedding planners are able to recommend competent vendors, based on personal experience.

 

5.         Acts as the “go to person” – The average wedding has at least 22 different vendors.  Combine that with the entire wedding party and all of the guests and that is a lot of people with questions and concerns!  By hiring a wedding planner, couples can simply tell others “talk to the wedding planner!”

 

4.         Creates schedules – There are so many events leading up to the big day!  Couple that with the many things that happen during the wedding and who can keep track?  The wedding planner can!  Wedding planners are well-versed at making detailed itineraries for all involved (including other vendors) and making sure that everything happens on time!

 

3.         Handles crisis – Whether we like it or not, most big events involve crisis.  Who really wants to deal on their wedding day with the bakery not delivering the cake on time or the flower girl throwing a tantrum?  No one!  Wedding planners know how to handle all unforeseen circumstances.

 

2.         Orchestrates from rehearsal through the end of reception – Do you want to be responsible for organizing rehearsal or making sure the bridal party is properly lined up?  How about making sure that the guest who had a little too much to drink departs safely?  Wedding planners orchestrate from rehearsal through the end of the reception, ensuring everything goes off without a hitch!

 

1.         Minimizes stress and maximizes fun! – Hiring a wedding planner ensures that you will have a worry-free and stress-free day, thus, allowing you to enjoy your day like your guests!

 

About the author:

 

This is the first of a yearlong series written by Robyn Powell, founder of Robyn Plans.  Each article will provide advice for couples on how to survive planning a wedding and will include many practical tips.  Robyn did not take the “typical” approach to forming an event planning firm.  She began her career as a social worker.  She later attended law school and became an attorney in Boston, where she continues to practice poverty law.  However, after helping others plan countless weddings, parties, and fundraisers, and constantly hearing “you should really consider being an event planner,” Robyn could no longer deny her passion for event planning.  Thus, with her strong attention to detail, love for planning, and creativity, Robyn Plans was born.  Robyn Plans currently serves all of New England, offering services to meet all couples’ needs.  For more information, visit Robyn Plans at www.robynplans.com or email Robyn at robyn@robynplans.com.

Interesting artical in the Boston Herald

Here is the link to the article in the Boston Herald about how the current economics is effecting weddings.   I would love to know what everyone thinks about this.

New Blogs!

I don’t know what is worse,  my addiction to chocolate or my addiction to blogging!  Probably my addiction to blogging!   Here are a few other sites that I have been writting!  

I created a personal site, Kim Calakoutis at home.   Basically the point to this site is so I have a place to put all the stuff that shouldn’t go here!   http://kimcalakoutisathome.blogspot.com/

Then the studio needed a new blog, since this was originally the studio’s blog, and it has been taken over!   I am actually really happy with the way the studio blog has come out!   www.kcstudionews.com.   This week the studio is getting a new portrait website too!   So far it is coming out so cute!  The only holdup on the site is the hosting companys support so far has been terriable! 

While I was at it I created my husband’s icecream shop a new website/blog.   www.socsicecream.com.   The site is very cute!  

This is it though, I am going to start to get so busy with wedings, there will be no more creating websites for me for a while!   But I will have to let you know when the portait site is ready!

General Hospital Weddings

 Ok, anyone who has seen the forum can’t miss the fact I am a huge General Hospital Fan!   So when I was looking at GH on Utube I founds this video of great General Hospital Weddings!   Of course I had to share it!  

New Videos

We added a whole section, 4 pages,  of very cool wedding videos.  Everything from wedding dresses, to bridal hair and make-up, pre-wedding workouts, and wedding music.   Check it out here!  

Boston Globe Magazine’s Restaurant Survey

Are you a restaurant connoisseur?

Boston Globe Magazine’s Restaurant Survey 

Click here and place your vote

We are thinking of adding a forum to this site and would like your imput

Wedding Weather

I was reading our wedding plus  and they mentioned the Farmers Almanac   The farmers almanac is a fun thing to check out when you are getting married!   It is fun to see what the weather was like previous years, and it is also helpful to find out the time the sunsets!  If you have some time and you haven’t done it, I would go check it out!  

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