We’ve got some more great advice from Michael Anderson, Wedding Entertainment Director™ at Creative Memories Entertainment.

We think Mike’s got some pretty fantastic answers on wedding entertainment…so, Mike, how does a couple find the perfect DJ?

“This is a common question, and I would guess that 90% of brides think to themselves ‘Ok, what am I supposed to ask? I know, how much do you charge?’ Although this is an important question, it may be more important to ask, ‘Are you available for my wedding date?’ Let’s face it, regardless of how cheap or expensive a service is, you are not going to want to book them unless they are going to provide you with the experience and service you want for one of the most important days of your lives.

Below are some great questions to ask to get the ball rolling and find out if the service is right for you.

1. How many years of experience do you have in weddings, and how many weddings do you perform at each year?

2. What will you do to ensure I will have a good time at my wedding?

3. What are some of the unique things you have done in the past for your clients to make their day extra special?

4. Will I get to meet my DJ before I sign a contract and will his name be listed on the contract?

5. Do you have any references of past clients and other wedding professionals who have worked with you?

6. When can we meet to find out more about what you can do for my wedding?

Please keep in mind that you can only learn so much on the phone about a particular company or DJ. It is so important to take the time to meet the DJ in person to make sure their personality, service, and creativity will be a perfect accent to your wedding celebration.”

Thanks Mike!

Stay tuned to Real Weddings Magazine for more guest bloggers with expert tips!

Expert Advice: Spicing Up Wedding Introductions!

Just when we thought Michael Anderson, Wedding Entertainment Director™ at Creative Memories Entertainment had shared all his valuable tricks of the trade, he’s come at a third time with another great tip. This time, he grabs the microphone and discusses..drumroll please…reception introductions!

“You both said ‘I DO,’ the photos are done, now it’s time for the party to begin! We have all been to countless weddings where the wedding party gets introduced with nothing more than their first names and a song in the background, if they’re lucky.

The truth is that this celebration is more like a family reunion for the first time. Although everyone in the room will know who the two of you are, not everyone will know who the wedding party is and why they are so important as to be picked to be in the wedding party.

One way to ensure a great start to your reception and create a lot a fun is to incorporate a custom introduction with the help of your emcee.

A personalized biographical introduction is a great way for your guests to get a glimpse into the memories you have had with the members of your wedding party. You can include information about your relationship to each (relative, friend, how long), where they live, their occupation and /or educational status (i.e. college student, high school student), their relationship status (single/engaged/married), etc. Also feel free to include such information like, what they would be most famous for or most likely voted likely to do in life. The size of your wedding party should determine how much detail you will go into. You don’t want it taking too long or it will lose its appeal. Inside jokes will never come off well as it will leave most of your guests in the dark about the true story behind the story.

If you do choose this style of introduction, it is extremely important that your entertainment vendor fully understands how to do this properly so it won’t be presented poorly. Ask to see video footage of them doing this style of introduction to see what the guests reaction is and how well they present the beginning of your wedding celebration.”

Thanks Mike for the great advice!

Click here to find more great Tips from Real Weddings Magazine

One piece of advice I give my clients before their wedding day is that your guests are there to party with you! Avoid leaving your reception for long periods of time. If your photographer is going to take you out for additional photographs during the reception, inform your DJ before the wedding day and come up with a plan to keep the guests entertained. When couples spend too much time away from their receptions, the guests may assume they have left and think the reception is over. They step outside to see the bride and groom and begin to say their goodbyes. This leads to a chain reaction at the door, and the bride and groom can spend the rest of the reception sending their guests away one by one.
If you are planning extensive group photographs, schedule them after the ceremony and before you make your grand entrance. If a large group of people leave the reception with you, the rest of the guests could feel left out. That will radically affect the positive energy you and your entertainer have worked so hard to achieve. This is going to be an incredible day for the two of you, and you should make every moment memorable.

For years the bridal magazines, wedding planning books, and wedding focused television programs have explored every facet of wedding celebrations except for one…the FUN. Brides are being told to shop for “music” and then when their wedding reception arrives, they suddenly realize that what they really needed was talented and appropriate entertainment. For years I have designed my clients wedding entertainment around the style, and personalities that make them unique. Now everyone can have a secret weapon to create a fun and entertaining wedding reception. I would like to introduce “The Best Wedding Reception…Ever!” by Peter Merry.

      This book is designed for anyone that is looking to create a fun and unique wedding reception. I loved the content in this book so much that I give everyone of my clients that book my services, a complimentary copy of the book. (Only if they promise to read it) If you choose to not use Creative Memories Entertainment, you can still purchase a copy of the book from me for $25, or you can order it from TheBestWeddingReceptionEver.com or amazon.com