Trying to plan your perfect day?
Look over these articles Shawn Steele has written for the Erie Times News.
Why Should We Have Our Reception Here?
Choosing Wedding Vendors
How to Find the Right DJ for Your Big Party
Where Should You Get Married?
Why Should We Have Our Reception Here?
OK, you found the perfect location for your wedding ceremony, what's next? You should immediately find a location for your wedding reception and book it. The following guidelines should help in your search.
Questions to ask yourself
• What are your specific needs?
• Do you have any past experiences with a certain location?
• What is your budget?
What are your specific needs? Have you thought about a themed event? Make sure to ask the venue about their rules and regulations.
• Are you allowed to decorate or bring in anything such as chair covers, alcohol or a special food item?
• How many guests will the room hold comfortably?
• Is there enough parking? |
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• You may want to choose a location with rooms located in the building or near by to accommodate your out of town guests or someone who may have been celebrating a little too much.
It is hard to discuss a reception location without talking about food because most halls prepare their own. Make appointments with three to five predetermined venue locations. Try to make your appointment times when the hall has already set-up for an incoming wedding, this will give you an idea of what your wedding reception could look like. Make sure to bring your fiancé and a parent or two. Ask (ahead of time) if you can sample any of the entrees. Decide on a buffet or sit-down dinner? How many courses are you planning on? Ask if there will be any increases or hidden fees after you sign a contract.
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While you're there, look around the facility, check for cleanliness. Ask how many staff members will be assisting your guests that night, and how they will handle any special requests that you might have. Is there a separate location for your cocktail hour?
Do you have any past experience with a certain location? Have you been to a wedding reception before and thought, "Wow, this would be a great location for my wedding someday!" This is a great place to start. What did you like, or more importantly, what didn't you like about that venue? Don't be afraid to ask people you know who recently got married about their experience with a location or the service. After all, "word of mouth" is the best way to gather information for your important decision. |
What is your budget? According to FashionViews.com, The average cost for a wedding in the United States is $27,000. So, you have to decide where your reception is going to shine. Do you want to spend more of your budget on the church, the hall, your entertainment, the food, or photography and video? Many people cut corners when it comes to their reception, just find out what is most important to you first, then work down your list from there.
My personal opinion is this; you live only once, so a wedding, much like graduation and your birthday is a time to celebrate. You are actually buying a memory that will last a lifetime, so choose wisely, live a little and have no regrets.
Shawn Steele is an Erie DJ. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your wedding, contact him via his Web site www.DJSHAWNSTEELE.com.
To view this article on GoErie.com, please click here.
Choosing Wedding Vendors
You’ve secured the church for your ceremony and the hall for your reception, now what? Concentrate on your vendors. Your vendors list might include entertainment, photography, videography, catering, cake, flowers, limousine, wedding apparel, etc.
If you’re looking to have a Rolls Royce wedding, but you have a Chevrolet budget, you’re going to have to get creative. Decide what part of your wedding will be most important to you and your fiancé. If you are going to shop on price alone, be prepared for the old saying… “You get what you pay for.” Does this mean that the most expensive vendor will be the best choice for your wedding? Absolutely not, but the cheapest isn’t always the best either.
Do Your Homework
Set up appointments and meet with at least three of each vendor; this will give you a sample of what services are out there, and how they might differ. It takes time, but you will educate yourself, and feel as if you have made an informed decision regarding your wedding day. You should have your concerns and questions written out for each wedding vendor. A few basic questions you might consider are:
• Are you available for our date?
• What happens if something goes wrong (Do they have a back up plan)?
• What are your terms if we need to cancel?
• How much if any, of a deposit do you require?
• How much do you charge (any hidden fees)?
• Why should I hire you over anybody else in your profession?
Experience is a must
Ask the vendors if they do this as their Full-Time job, or is it a hobby for them? It is a good bet that a Full-Time vendor is constantly looking for new and better ways to help you on your wedding day. Here is something that should be going through your mind the entire time you are meeting with the vendor: Does he or she really care about you and your day?
Get free samples
If you are dealing with a food item, set your appointment for a time when sampling is available. If you are dealing with entertainment, ask if they are performing anywhere that is open to the public, so you can come and see them. If you are dealing with photography or videography, ask to see their work. I think you get the idea here. Don’t just take the word of the professional over the phone, do a little research, even “Google” their business or individual names. Find out what others have to say about them. A testimonial from a past client may be the most important piece of information collected to make your decision.
It is important to keep in mind that if a particular vendor is popular, they may be booked a year or more in advance, so be prepared to place a deposit in order for them to hold your date. Like any grand event, your wedding has to be planned. A good vendor will have a contingency plan in place, and may be able to offer you some wedding advice to some questions that you may not even have thought of. |
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SHAWN STEELE is a local DJ in Erie, PA. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your wedding, contact him through his web site at www.DJSHAWNSTEELE.com.
To view a clipping of this article taken from the Erie Times News Sunday Living section, please click here.
How to Find the Right DJ for Your Big Party
The DJ sets the tone for your entire wedding reception---choose the right one and your wedding will be a fun event that guests will long remember; choose the wrong one and, well, let’s say the party may be over before it gets started.
There are several really great DJs in the Erie area; your challenge is to find the perfect match for you. Since this may be the first time you’ve ever had to look for a DJ, here are some questions you’ll want to be sure to get the answers to:
Does the Dj have experience?
Don’t believe anyone who tells you that they are the best in town. Let their clients say it for them. Ask for references and contact them. Sure, this will take a little of your time, but you will find out if he or she is qualified, and how good of a job they have done in the past. Try to get recent references (within the past 90 days).
Does the DJ do this Full-Time?
Is this a person who performs once a month or does he or she perform almost every Saturday of the year? Find out how much of their business is committed to weddings, and how much is committed to performing bars or other kinds of events? Do you want a professional or a “friend of a friend” to perform at your wedding? |
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Do they enjoy what they do?
This may not sound like an important question, but do you think that someone who doesn’t really love what they do will really do the best job? A great DJ knows that this is one of the most important days in your life, and they keep that in mind until the last note is played. They will plan every detail of your wedding reception with you, so that there are no surprises, and they will constantly work behind the scenes so that everything will be hassle-free.
Does the DJ work for you?
You have probably had an idea of what your wedding day would be like since you were young. Make sure that the DJ can do what you ask of them. If, when you express your wishes, you are getting answers such as “maybe” and “I’ll let you know,” you may want to keep looking until you find someone who gives you answers such as, “yes” and “definitely.” Make sure the DJ you choose uses contracts and be sure to get everything in writing. Also, make sure that you know (and it states in the contract) exactly who will perform at your wedding (and if substitutes are permitted).
These four questions will help you make an informed decision when it comes to hiring the entertainment for your wedding reception. Never just ask, “How much do you charge?” When you’re looking for a new car, you don’t just look at the sticker price do you? No, you look at the car first, and then the price. Look at the DJ first, and then look at their price.
Congratulations on your engagement, and best of luck to you both.
SHAWN STEELE is the owner of Memories In Motion Music and Entertainment in Erie, for more information, visit www.DJSHAWNSTEELE.com
To view a clipping of this article taken from the Erie Times News 2007 Bridal Guide, please click here.
Where Should You Get Married?
So you’re recently engaged; now what? Pick a date, buy yourself a wedding planner and get organized. Then decide on where your ceremony and reception will be held, and book both. Sometimes choosing a location is more difficult than choosing a date because if neither is available, then you may have to move your special day a week or two to accommodate your dreams. In this article, we will discuss the location of your wedding ceremony.
What do you need to know when looking for a location to have your ceremony? First, take into account the religious background of both you and your fiancé. Secondly, decide if you are going to have a formal or an informal affair. And finally, decide roughly how many people will attend. Keep in mind that you should have one usher for every fifty guests.
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Do you both attend the same church now? This may be a great time to start attending one. If you are from different religious backgrounds, it is possible for one of you to convert to the other’s religion if you so choose, just make sure to schedule yourself enough time to meet all the requirements of the church or synagogue. Sometimes your immediate and/or extend family will have some advice about the wedding ceremony location, so make sure to weigh all options and opinions. Remember, before making any good decision, your first job is to gather information.
If you can not decide on a church, than it may be more appropriate for you to have your ceremony at a neutral location and/or with a non-denominational clergy member. Often times the hall that will be hosting your reception is also suited to handle your ceremony, just make sure to meet the requirements of your state. Weather permitting, you could choose an outdoor location with a stream, lake or even waterfalls as your background. |
Regardless of the location that you choose to get married, here are some questions you should be asking…
• What time can we get in to decorate?
• What are we responsible for as far as setting up chairs, a podium, etc.?
• Are we able to hold a rehearsal the night before?
• May we decorate with our own flowers?
• May we choose or bring our own music for the ceremony (i.e. sheet music, musician(s) or DJ)?
• What is your policy if we want to have pictures and/or video taken during our ceremony?
• What will this cost us?
• Do we have to be out at a certain time?
Finally, ask yourself this question “How does this location make me feel?” After all, the location you choose will ultimately be a memory that will last a lifetime.
Next month I will discuss about how to choose the right location for your wedding reception. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your wedding, email us at info@djshawnsteele.com. We will try to research and get some professional advice for you.
If you are truly having trouble deciding on a location, or anything to do with your wedding day, then take one sheet of paper, and on one side write down all of the benefits to that location, and on the other side write down all of the drawbacks to that location. Be honest with yourselves, and try to come up with every reason for or against that location. When you are finished, the column with the most reasons will have made your decision for you. This really does work.
SHAWN STEELE is a local Wedding DJ in Erie, PA. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your wedding, contact him through his web site at www.DJSHAWNSTEELE.com.
We'll give you the memories you've always wanted!
Info@DJShawnSteele.com
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