A "Beautiful View" Of Old World Elegance

Eileen & Andrew
June 22, 2007
La Massaria at Bella Vista Golf
Gilbertsville, PA
Web Site

On this somewhat cooler afternoon, there was a nice break from the uncomfortably warm days leading up to Eileen & Andrew's wedding. With their wedding ceremony being held on La Massaria's vast outdoor terrace, a decrease in the humidity and searing heat was exactly what was needed.

La Massaria, the latest addition to Bella Vista Golf Course, is a breathtaking banquet facility created out of the original stables of a farm. Careful attention was paid to keep the stone walls and reuse the barn board and beams from the original structure, that dates back to 1802. This intense attention to detail has resulted in a facility that makes you feel as though you have stepped back in time to the grandiose ballrooms of the past where no expense has been spared.

Eileen and Andrew had invested a lot of personal time in the small details of their reception's presentation. In addition to naming each table after Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream flavors, there were numerous little things that added to the entire event.

When dinner had ended, the dance floor exploded with energy, never thinning out until the very end.

At the conclusion of the night, all of Eileen and Andrew's friends and family members stepped outside and sent the new bride and groom off with a sparkler exit. It was a magical end to an outstanding party!

Congratulations, Eileen and Andrew!

Click here to see some photos from their event!

Agenda

7:00-8:00 PM Cocktail Hour

8:05 PM Introductions
"Sexyback" by Justin Timberlake

8:10 First Dance
"Come Away With Me" by Norah Jones

8:15 Blessing & Toasts

8:20-9:30 PM Dinner

8:40 Bride & Father Dance
"I Loved Her First" by Heartland

8:45 Groom & Mother Dance
"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

9:35 Cake Cutting
"Love You Madly" by Cake

9:40-12:00 AM Open Dancing

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We're Back!

After a few short days in Ocean City, NJ, the Croce family is back.

Last weekend's wedding wrap-ups will be coming soon!

Until then, here's a couple pics from the shore (taken at the BEST pizza joint on the Boards, Prep's Pizzeria and Dairy Bar):

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Vacation!

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The Electric Slide Inventor Strikes Back

From CNET News

The inventor of the "Electric Slide," an iconic dance created in 1976, is fighting back against what he believes are copyright violations and, more important, examples of bad dancing.

Kyle Machulis, an engineer at San Francisco's Linden Lab, said he received a Digital Millennium Copyright Act takedown notice about a video he had shot at a recent convention showing three people doing the Electric Slide.

"The creator of the Electric Slide claims to hold a copyright on the dance and is DMCAing every single video on YouTube" that references the dance, Machulis said. He's also sent licensing demands to The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Machulis added.

Indeed, Richard Silver, who filed the copyright for the Electric Slide in 2004, said on one of his Web pages that the DeGeneres Show had been putting up a legal fight as he tried to get compensation for a segment that aired in February 2006 in which actress Teri Hatcher and other dancers performed the popular wedding shuffle.

The 1998 Digital Millenium Copyright Act governs copyright infringement as well as technology whose purpose is to circumvent measures intended to protect copyrights. Under the DMCA, rights-holders can complain to services like YouTube that content uploaded by users infringes their copyrights.

Silver did not respond to an e-mail sent Friday asking for comment and did not answer several phone calls to his Groton, Conn., home. A representative for the DeGeneres Show declined to comment.

But on the YouTube page Silver himself posted showing the Electric Slide, he wrote, "Any video that shows my choreography being done incorrectly is being removed. I don't want future generations having to learn it wrong and then relearn it as I am being faced with now because of certain sites and (people) that have been teaching it incorrectly and without my permission. That's the reason I (copyrighted) it in the first place."

YouTube has been dealing with a slew of DMCA takedown claims recently. Viacom on Friday demanded the service remove a hundred thousand videos it claimed infringed its copyrights.

Some may find it odd that a dance could be copyrightable, of course. But according to Jason Schultz, a staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, dance moves can definitely be protected under copyright law.

"You can copyright the choreography for dances," said Schultz, "and then enforce the copyright against anyone who publicly performs the dance."

Does that mean that everyone who giggles their way through the Electric Slide with the wedding videographer shooting away is violating copyright? No, but the videographer could be at risk. But Schultz said he believes Silver's claims against Machulis and others who have posted videos on YouTube may be questionable.

"Someone who performs it noncommercially or adds their own artistic flair to the dance has a pretty good fair-use argument that their performance is noninfringing," Schultz said.

Because there are only about 20 seconds of actual footage of people doing the Electric Slide out of Machulis' nearly five-minute video, Silver's claim may be on shaky ground, Schultz said.

"Here, it's such a small piece of the video, and such a small piece of the dance (that) I think if (Silver brought) a copyright lawsuit, he would lose," he said.

UPDATE: Wow. Just a few hours after I posted this story, I was contacted by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF web site).

Apparently, I'm a little behind... The case is already over...

'Electric Slide' Creator Calls Off Online Takedown Campaign

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Quadraphonic Sound At A Wedding?

I'm often asked (mostly by other wedding entertainers) why I bother with all the hassle of setting up wireless surround sound at weddings. It's not as though I'll be playing reel-to-reel Pink Floyd albums...

The answer is actually pretty simple.

Imagine how uncomfortable it is when you're at a wedding and the music is playing so loud you can't carry on a conversation at the table without shouting.

Try to visualize sitting at that same table, carrying on a good conversation, only to look up and realize the bride and groom have cut the cake and you've missed it.

In addition to having a great time, most wedding guests really only want one thing: Comfort. That means the sound, just like the food, needs to be just right.

There is a definite difference between evenly covering a room with an appropriate volume versus turning up a "Wall of Sound". Simply placing stacks of speakers on either side of the DJ's table may cause the people directly in front of the speakers to be blown away, while the guests in the back of the room only hear a whisper of music over the crowd.

When you take your personal time to either select music that you feel reflects your new relationship or you just pick some fun dance music, why shouldn't it be heard? Every guest deserves nothing less than to have the highest quality of sound without experiencing any discomfort or missing any part of the program you have orchestrated.

Don't get me wrong. Surround sound is not always necessary in every ballroom, it is just a nice consideration when you are having your event at locations like The Hotel DuPont. The Hotel DuPont's Gold Ballroom is gigantic, with thirty foot high ceilings and wall-to-wall marble floors, making it a notoriously challenging room when it comes to acoustics.

However, with the right speaker placement, everyone can comfortably enjoy the music and have fun without irritation. Click here to see what I mean.

So, while it is not always fun to assemble quadraphonic sound, some ballrooms deserve that extra consideration. Don't you think so?

Have questions for Steve? Click here to send him an email!

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Dancing In The Delaware Valley

Josette & Shane
June 16, 2007
Concord Country Club
Concordville, PA
Web Site

After an intense start to the summer season of weddings, I really needed to work with a group of friends and family like this one. No one seemed to have anything on their mind other than having fun and celebrating the union of two very awesome people, Josette and Shane.

The Concord Country Club, located right in the heart of the Delaware Valley, is a very elegant setting for any wedding. Nearing 80 years of operation, this ballroom shows no signs of the normal wear and tear associated with older facilities. It is very well-kept and well-managed by a group of professionals who really seem to care about executing a flawless reception.

Lead by the best man, "Vince Vaughn" as I called him, the dance floor exploded into activity the moment dinner had ended. It was pretty obvious that by the time the floor had opened, it was as though the the cork of a champagne bottle had finally been sent flying across the room.

If you take a look at some of the numerous dance floor photos, you'll see that both young and old enjoyed a nice variety of songs including selections like "Twist and Shout" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". Click the titles to see some video!

It was most definitely one of those sorts of events that left the crowd with a good "full feeling" as they left. They hadn't had too much, they hadn't had too little, it was just right...

Congratulations, Josette and Shane!

Click here to see some photos from their event!

Agenda

5:30-6:30 PM Cocktail Hour

6:35 PM Introductions
"Higher Ground" by Red Hot Chili Peppers

6:40 First Dance
"Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton

6:45 Bridal Party Dance
"Into The Mystic" by Van Morrison

6:50 Toasts

7:00-8:30 PM Dinner

8:35 Bride & Father Dance
"Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac

8:40 Groom & Mother Dance
"In My Life" by The Beatles

8:45 Bride & Mother Dance
"I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack

8:50-10:30 AM Open Dancing

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Center City Opulence Defined

Lisa & Steve
June 15, 2007
The Crystal Tea Room
Philadelphia, PA
Web Site

Located in the famous Wanamaker Building across from City Hall, this timeless beauty, with its statuesque hand carved columns and intricate crystal chandeliers, literally takes your breath away.

The prodigious ballroom, capable of holding nearly nine hundred guests, hosted both Lisa and Steve's reception and ceremony. Their officiant was an absolute favorite of mine, Rev. Graham Horn.

Lisa had taken great care in all the details from the wedding cake to the special event lighting. The vibrant illumination breathed new life into an already spectacular ballroom.

Lisa and Steve's guests were mostly made up of their friends, who were all very into the sounds of artists like Paul Van Dyk and Bob Sinclair, two artists who received alot of rotation that evening.

Time seemed to fly by very quickly! It was as if we had just opened the dance floor when it was time to go home.

Lisa and Steve's party could have been carried well into Saturday morning without ever slowing down. They were a very intense group who were very happy for the new bride and groom.

Congratulations, Lisa and Steve!

Click here to see some photos from their event!

Agenda

7:10-7:30 PM Ceremony

7:30-8:30 PM Cocktail Hour

8:35 PM Introductions
"If My Friends Could See Me Now" by Linda Clifford

8:40 First Dance
"A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson

8:45 Blessing and Toast

8:50-10:30 PM Dinner

9:20 Bride & Father Dance
"My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw

9:25 Groom & Mother Dance
"A Song For My Son" by Mikki Viereck

10:30-12:30 AM Open Dancing

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The Shadow Reveal Grand Entrance

From The Best Wedding Reception... Ever! blog - Link

Here is a truly creative way to introduce the Bride & Groom submitted by Mike Anderson of Creative Memories Entertainment in Sacramento, CA:

"Just 5 minutes before the introductions, I guided Kelly & Adam (the Bride & Groom) to the back-stage area without the guests having a clue what we were doing. I lined up the wedding party and instructed them to walk onto the stage and create two lines on each side of the monogram screen for the introductions. Kelly & Adam were sports fanatics so I introduced the wedding party in true NBA style with their heights and the cities they were born in. Once I had introduced the last groomsman, the music changed to their favorite song, “Everytime We Touch” by Cascada.

Suddenly their monogram was enveloped in a bright, white light and two shadowed figures walked in behind the screen standing 12 feet tall. From their shadowed outline, the guests could tell that this could only be the bride and groom shadow dancing to the song. Suddenly, the screen began to rise and Kelly & Adam walked as their crowd of guests jumped to their feet and went ballistic with cheering and applause. This was a truly unique experience for the guests as well as a great way to start the best wedding reception ever!"

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More Than Just A Sports Bar

I have been meaning to post this for awhile.

Champps Americana in King of Prussia is one of my favorite restaurants around.

From the moment you walk in, you are greeted by smiling faces and seated wherever you like. If you're there to watch a football game you can sit in the clubhouse and be surrounded by numerous flat screen TVs showing nearly every broadcasted sporting event available.

If you're more in the mood for something a drop quieter, you can ask to be seated in the porch area. A giant stone fireplace is there for the chilly months, while ceiling fans keep you cool in the summer.

And, if it's a nice day, sit on the outside patio and listen to acoustic guitarists strum and sing while you enjoy a margarita.

The dining room is arranged on risers, culminating in a glass-walled kitchen. With the exception of a couple desserts, everything at Champps is made completely from scratch. Plus, the portions are very generous...

Most people would refer to Champps as a sports bar, but their extensive menu extensive menu goes way beyond burgers and waffle fries. My personal favorite is the popular Walnut-Crusted Chicken.

"Three pan-seared chicken breasts with walnut pieces and hazelnut pecan sauce. With sesame vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, and Tabasco fried onions."

Que magnifique...

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A Sweet Idea

"What better way to get your message across than to say it in Chocolate?"

A Sweet Idea creates personalized chocolate gifts and chocolate party favors for any event, occasion or budget. They also can provide customized printed chocolate live, at your event.

Last night, Silver Sound hosted this month's NACE meeting, and A Sweet Idea was doing a live cookie printing!

It was a very cool concept and generated lots of talk!

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A Wedding In The Heart Of Chester County

Leanne & Kevin
June 9, 2007
White Manor C.C.
Malvern, PA
Web Site

Nearly three centuries ago, in 1711, 165 acres of magnificent, rolling panorama now known as White Manor Country Club were part of a 500 acre tract of land granted by William Penn to the Evans family. Operated since that time by succeeding generations of the same family as a dairy farm, most of the striking views that typify the heart of southern Chester county's exquisite hunt country were preserved and even enhanced when, in 1962, White Manor Country Club bought the land and created its new home.

Leanne and Kevin's boisterous friends and family made it abundantly clear that they were extremely happy for the new bride and groom.

While dinner was being served, I visited each table to introduce myself and get a feel for the mood of the crowd. Nearly every table greeted me with smiles, handshakes, and even some occasional cheering... "YAY, STEVE!"

When the dance floor opened, the guests flooded the floor, singing along with some songs, and grooving to all the rest.

Every song Leanne and Kevin selected had a special meaning for each of the guests, whether it was "Dirty Water" for the Bostonians in the room or "Down Under" for the guests who had traveled to Pennsylvania from Australia.

It was a distinct pleasure working with such a tight-knit family of fun-loving people. The enthusiam and natural excitement of their crowd is the exact reason why I became a wedding entertainment director.

It was just plain awesome!

Congratulations, Leanne and Kevin!

Click here to see some photos from their event!

Agenda

5:30-6:30 PM Cocktail Hour

6:35 PM Introductions
"Sexyback" by Justin Timberlake

6:40 First Dance
"Crazy Love" by Van Morrison

6:40 PM Toasts

6:45-8:00 PM Dinner

7:15 Bride & Father Dance
"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

7:20 Groom & Mother Dance
"My Life" by The Beatles

8:00-10:30 PM Open Dancing

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A Jashn-e Aroosi in Aldie Mansion

Samiyeh & Ron
June 8, 2007
Aldie Mansion
Doylestown, PA
Web Site

Sami and Ron's jashn-e aroosi or wedding reception was held in the historic Aldie Mansion. An ode to the English Tudor manor, this stately 1927 mansion evokes a time in America when craftsmanship reached an art form.

After the American ceremony had finished, Sami and Ron's friends and family adjourned to the Great Hall of the Aldie Mansion for the Persian ceremony. To read about what is involved with a Persian ceremony, click here.

During the cocktail hour, Sami and Ron's friends and family enjoyed some Persian music selections as they mingled throughout the mansion.

Because of Aldie Mansion's layout and it's many inviting rooms, I like to place wireless speakers in each room and outside on the terrace. The wireless speakers play every song and announcement that comes out of the main ballroom sound system.

By fitting each room with sound, you can avoid having guests disconnect from the event. Now, instead of getting lost in conversation and missing the cutting of the cake while standing outside getting some fresh air, the guests are always in tune with exactly what is going on inside.

In addition to the American music that was played when the dance floor opened, we also enjoyed some Persian and Arabic dance songs. I personally happen to like Amr Diab, myself.

From start until finish, all of Sami and Ron's guests were on the dance floor, clapping their hands, stomping their feet, and having a fantastic time celebrating the marraige of two extremely nice and friendly people, Sami and Ron.

Congratulations, Samiyeh and Ron!

Click here to see some photos I took at their event!

Click here to see some professional photos from Lasting Expressions Photography!

Agenda

6:30-6:55 PM Ceremony

7:00-7:55 PM Cocktail Hour

8:00 PM Introductions
"Friday I'm In Love" by The Cure

8:05 First Dance
"Caption" by Copper

8:10 PM Toasts

8:15-9:30 PM Dinner

9:35-11:30 PM Open Dancing

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