"Canditto" Camera

found on Brides.com
I think this is a great alternative to the photo printer idea I posted a while ago.

Let's face it. The days of leaving disposable cameras on tables are over. You end up developing 25 cameras worth of pictures of your ring bearer's belly button. Instead, get all of your guests' best photos instantly with Canditto. The company will set up a kiosk at your reception where guests can simply insert the memory card from their camera to "drop off" all of the digital pictures they took at your wedding. At the end of the night the machine will automatically produce a CD or digital media stick for you and your hubby to take home.

Invite guests to bring their digital camera before the big day and have your band or DJ remind party-goers to visit the kiosk before they leave for maximum benefit. Have a groomsman upload the photos to your iPod before you leave for your honeymoon so you can see how much fun all of your guests had right away.

Visit canditto.com to rent yours now!Permalink

A Midsummer Night In The Manor House

Ellen & Curt
July 24, 2009
Manor House at Commonwealth
Horsham, PA
Web Site

I absolutely LOVE the Manor House at Commonwealth National Golf. There is nothing quite like the feeling of celebrating a reception in a facility designed to feel like a home away from home. In my opinion, it's the more unique facilities that encourage guests to really relax, unwind, and just "be themselves".

Ellen and Curt's photographer, Ken Lee of Marsella Studio, is someone I always enjoy working with. He not only takes great photos, but is someone I can count on to always be nearby, ready to capture the next important moment.

I can't tell you how many times I have searched for a missing photographer... It's a little stressful.

Do you see the video below? That was the second song played after the bridal party was introduced and Ellen and Curt shared their first dance. You read that right. The second song after the first dance.

Their friends and family came to party!

From dancing to singing to laughing and shouting, there was activity on the dance floor nearly all night long! By the way, Curt... I personally enjoyed hearing you and your best man singing some Bonnie Tyler. It's been awhile since I've played "Total Eclipse of the Heart".

Congratulations, Ellen and Curt!



Click here to see some photos from their reception!

Agenda

7:00-7:55 PM Cocktail Hour

7:55 PM Grand Entrance
Parents: "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith
Bridal Party: "Forever" by Chris Brown

8:00 PM First Dance
"Then" by Brad Paisley

8:05 PM-8:15 PM Open Dancing

8:15 PM Blessing & Toasts

8:25 PM-9:35 PM Dinner

9:00 PM Bride & Father Dance
"Somewhere Over The Rainbow..." by Iz

9:05 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"Through The Years" by Kenny Rogers

9:35 PM Cake Cutting
"(How Sweet It Is) To Be Loved By You" by James Taylor

9:40 PM-12:00 AM Open Dancing

11:55 PM Final Song
"Take Me Home Tonight" by Eddie MoneyPermalink

Elaine & Michael's Review is in!

Elaine & Michael
July 11, 2009
Brandywine Manor House Inn
Honey Brook, PA
Web Site

Mike and I are very happy with the job Steve did at our wedding. We knew going into our wedding what a wonderful DJ Steve is since he has done several of our friends and family members weddings. He is very lighthearted and easy going. I felt he hit the nail on the head with the songs. I had specified several introductions and song combinations that I felt might be difficult for Steve to be able to do. He did exactly what I had asked and hoped he would do and more! My wedding day was perfect and Steve helped make it that way. I would definitely recommend Steve to anyone who wants to have a GREAT time at their wedding!

Click here to read more about Elaine & Mike's reception!Permalink

A Book for Grooms

I whole-heartedly endorse this book. I'm reading it now and genuinely enjoying it!

Grooms, find time to read a few pages each day. You will NOT regret it. You might find some info in there that affirms some thoughts you already think/feel about your fiance...

And, there might be some other info in there that will just blow you away...

From their web site:

"Finally, you can understand her!

Women: complicated and impossible to understand? The bestselling author of "For Women Only" teams with her husband to offer men the key to unlocking the mysterious ways of women. Through Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn’s national scientific survey and hundreds of interviews, "For Men Only" reveals what you can do today to improve your relationship.

What makes her tick? What is she really asking (but not actually saying)? Take the guesswork out of trying to please your wife or girlfriend and begin loving her in the way she needs. Easily. "For Men Only" is a straightforward map that will lead you straight into her heart."

Permalink

An International Event in Ivyland

Megan & Jamie
July 18, 2009
Spring Mill Manor
Ivyland, PA
Web Site

Located in scenic Bucks County, Spring Mill Manor greets every guests with a large comfortable reception entrance with twin staircases and marble floors. Very nice.

Megan and Jamie had selected Bella Pictures to chronicle their wedding day via photography and videography. They did an awesome job! It was a real pleasure working with two seasoned professionals who were always on top of things.

This was an AWESOME wedding! Everything flowed along nicely, mostly due to the tireless efforts of the banquet director, Joan and her amazing staff. Joan runs a tight ship!

Megan and Jamie had wedding guests joining them from around the world! If I remember correctly... there were guests from England, Ireland, and even Paris!

There were several things that stood out at this great celebration, but one of the biggest was Toby the Dancing Machine! Megan and Jamie had a young relative from jolly old England who put on a dancing display to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean".

The dance floor was bursting at the seams from the moment dinner ended until the last song was played! I really enjoyed looking out at the dance floor at any given moment and seeing a sea of smiling, laughing, and genuinely thrilled faces!

Congratulations, Megan and Jamie!



Click here to see some photos from their reception!

Agenda

6:30-7:25 PM Cocktail Hour

7:25 PM Grand Entrance
Parents: "Walking On Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves
Bridal Party: "Go Daddy-O" by Cherry Poppin' Daddies
Bride & Groom: "Crazy In Love" by Beyonce & Jay-Z

7:30 PM First Dance
"When You Say Nothing At All" by Alison Krauss

7:35 PM Blessing & Toasts

7:40 PM-9:00 PM Dinner

8:15 PM Bride & Father Dance
"Time To Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman

8:20 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler

9:05 PM Cake Cutting
"Sweetest Thing" by U2

9:10 PM-11:30 PM Open Dancing

9:55 PM Bouquet Toss
"American Woman" by Lenny Kravitz

9:57 PM Garter Removal
"Hot In Herre" by Nelly

10:00 PM Putting Garter Back On
"Hoochie Coochie Man" by Jeff Healey Band

11:25 PM Final SongPermalink

Best of Project Wedding

This morning, we had a very pleasant surprise arrive in our mailbox.

The professionals at Project Wedding notified us this morning that Silver Sound had been selected as a winner of the 2008 Best of Project Wedding awards.

To be honest, I was not familiar with Project Wedding until this morning. After taking a brief look at the web site, it looks similar to Wedding Wire and includes reviews!

Check it out here: projectwedding.comPermalink

A Countryside Celebration in The Brandywine Valley

Elaine & Michael
July 11, 2009
Brandywine Manor House Inn
Honey Brook, PA
Web Site

The Brandywine Manor House Inn is an elegant and historic 1730 manor house in beautiful Chester County, surrounded by gently rolling meadows, an illuminated lake, country gardens, and towering trees. It's a beautiful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and a great setting for a beautiful wedding.

The owners of Brandywine Manor House Inn, Gordon and Nancy Eck, are really great, hands-on hosts. They are some of the most pleasant people in this industry, who really care about the comfort and complete satisfaction of every one of their guests. It is always a pleasure to spend a little time with them before the events to catch up on things.

In addition to working alongside the very talented Andrew Huth, I also had the honor of working once again with the AWESOME catering staff of Robert Ryan Catering. Their food, service, and attentiveness to detail and presentation are OUTSTANDING!

Elaine and Michael had partying in mind when they began planning their reception. Elaine went as far as to purchase some sombreros and tell me about a creative and fun way to get everyone up on the dance floor!

I have been entertaining wedding for over 15 years and have NEVER had a bride who took so much initiative and had the foresight to plan for that moment where we would transition from dinner to dancing. She's very creative!

Here's something else I should mention... While making my way around the room, I discovered that there were FIVE COUPLES in attendance for whom I had provided wedding entertainment! That is easily a record for me!

Congratulations, Elaine and Michael!



Click here to see some photos from their reception!

Agenda

4:00-4:55 PM Cocktail Hour

4:55 PM Grand Entrance
Parents: "Celebration" by Kool & The Gang
Bridal Party: First couple - "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson
Second couple - "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas
Third couple - "Don't Cha" by Pussycat Dolls
Fourth couple - Working For The Weekend" by Loverboy
Fifth couple - "Mountain Music" by Alabama
Sixth couple - "Take Ya Home" by Lil Bow Wow
Seventh couple - "Apache" by Sugarhill Gang
Bride & Groom: "It Takes Two" by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock

5:00 PM First Dance
"Everything" by Michael Buble

5:05 PM Blessing & Toasts

5:10 PM-6:25 PM Dinner

5:55 PM Bride & Father Dance
"Ballerina Girl" by Lionel Richie

5:57 PM Bride & Stepfather Dance
"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

6:00 PM Groom & Mother Dance
"Have I Told You Lately" by Rod Stewart

6:25 PM Cake Cutting
"Your Love" by The Outfield

6:30 PM-9:00 PM Open Dancing

7:30 PM Bouquet Toss
"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper

7:35 PM Garter Removal
"Bad Bad Boys" by Miami Sound Machine

7:37 PM Garter Toss
"Another One Bites The Dust" by Queen

7:40 PM Putting Garter Back On
"I'm Really Hot" by Missy Elliot

8:55 PM Final Song
"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'olePermalink

More photos from Jessica & Lloyd's wedding

Did you read about Jessica and Lloyd's wedding at Cairnwood? (link)

I just found some photos taken by Cliff Mautner that he posted on his blog! (link)

They are awesome! Check them out now!Permalink

Bicycle, Bicycle...

Jenny & Charles
July 4, 2009
Villanova Conference Center
Radnor, PA
Web Site

Much like the weddings they host (where two people become one), the Villanova Conference Center and Montrose Mansion are two beautiful hosts combined into one extravagant facility. The circa-1914 stone mansion is is set on wooded acres and is surrounded by ponds, gardens, sculptures and plenty of backdrops for an outdoor ceremony.

It is always a distinct pleasure entertaining alongside the very talented staff at VCC, especially when working with my good friend Tim Sweeney.

Tim can be seen (at any given moment) moving around the room, helping to expedite and deliver flawless events. He is truly great at what he does!

To be honest, I didn't expect the crowd to be so energized! They filled the dance floor and stayed there all night! It's groups of friends and families like this that make me look like a better DJ than I truly am. It was a great reception!

If you look at their photos, you'll see two bicycles, decorated with ribbons and two license plates that read "JUST" and "MARRIED". At 10:00 PM, they mounted their bicycles, waved "goodbye" to everyone, then rode away. Since they're both triathletes, it was pretty iconic of their relationship. Awesome.

Congratulations, Jenny and Charles!



Click here to see some photos from their reception!

Agenda

5:00-6:25 PM Extended Cocktail Hour

6:25 PM Grand Entrance
Bridal Party: "Gamble Everything For Love" by Ben Lee
Bride & Groom: "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love" by Barry White

6:30 PM First Dance
"Angel" by Jack Johnson

6:35 PM Blessing & Toasts

6:40 PM Combined Parents Dance
"Let It Be Me" by Ray LaMontagne

6:45 PM Cake Cutting
"When I'm Sixty-Four" by The Beatles

6:50-7:40 PM Dinner

7:40 PM-10:00 PM Open Dancing

9:00 PM Bouquet Toss
"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper

9:05 PM Garter Removal
"You Sexy Thing" by Hot Chocolate

9:10 PM Garter Toss
"Hey Ya" by Outkast

9:15 PM Putting Garter Back On
"Hot In Herre" by Nelly

9:55 PM Final Song
"Bicycle Race" by Queen

Villanova DJs - Steve CrocePermalink