October 12, 2009
I recently overheard the recessional song ”Friday I’m in Love” by the Cure and thought it was genius! It’s fun & upbeat so you can use it as your recessional or switch it to an acoustic version as your processional.Your guests will recognize immediately and make the connection (and think you are impossibly clever too).
Posted in — ceremony, friday weddings, music, nyc wedding, wedding, wedding new york
July 21, 2009
We created a shabby chic wedding theme for Carol & Ed’s wedding day at Perona Farms in Andover, NJ. The eye candy photos below are from Mariann at Blue Daisy Weddings - she is such a talented photographer and always a dream to work with. The pink and violet color palette was started with these spectacular invitations by Inky Livie. Florals were done by Stem and Company and featured a mixture of crystal and silver vessels gathered from antique shops and flea markets to really emphasize the shabby chic theme. The beautiful violet pintuck linens set off the vibrant centerpieces and were courtesy of Laurie at Cloth Connection.
Sachiko Yanase worked her magic and did fantastic hair and makeup for all of the ladies and the super-friendly Mike Burns from Infinite Video captured the day on video as it unfolded. Marge Fitts provided the angelic harp music for the ceremony and cocktail hour and DJ Medina had the guests dancing all evening. The night closed with a jaw-dropping fireworks display by Celebration Fireworks.
For more amazing photos of their day, click here and stay tuned for even more photos as they become available…especially photos of their amazing shabby chic lounge area!
Thank you Carol & Ed for letting us be part of your amazing day!
Posted in — attire, BEP Weddings, ceremony, cocktail hour, colors, decor, flowers, invitations, music, photography, reception, videography, wedding
May 21, 2009
As a follow up to our last post…here are my top favorite processionals for our non-traditional brides! It’s so tough to pick just 5 since they can vary widely depending on your music taste but, here’s a start to get you inspired.
May 12, 2009
Here are some ideas for processionals for a traditional wedding to get your mind thinking outside of the “Canon in D” box!
Stay tuned for some non-traditional processional ideas!
March 22, 2009
We designed a festive holiday party for Reval, a financial software company here in New York, where a ”Havana Nights” Cuban theme spiced up the frosty December evening.
Guests arrived at the Harbor Room of Battery Gardens Restaurant and were greeted by butler-passed mojitos and festive music by DJ Medina, Manhattan’s hottest latin music DJ. The room was illuminated with vibrant pinks and greens thanks to Prestige Lighting and tables boasted centerpieces of tall cylinder vases filled with limes and monstera leaves.
Bright pink table runners combined with lime napkins from Cloth Connection created a sizzling contrast to the centerpieces and a perfect replica of a 1950s Cadillac was made by TracyCakes for all to enjoy. La Rosa Cubana provided hand-rolled cigars throughout the evening while guests dined on traditional Cuban fare. After dinner all were entertained by Fuákata, a Cuban Salsa-Casino dance performance group directed by Christopher Rogicki.
Immediately following the performance, guests were invited to learn salsa from the experts with a mini dance lesson and put their new-found skills to the test the rest of the evening! At the end of the evening, each guest was given a Cuban music CD so they could continue their salsa dancing at home!
Posted in — BEP Events, cocktail hour, decor, inspiration boards, lighting, music
August 15, 2008
Our guest blogger today is Mike Abbate from Skyline Orchestras – one of my favorite live-music performers! When it comes to having an amazing reception, experience is key. Read on for his Expert Opinion!
It’s no secret that a great live band puts an affair in a whole different class of its own. There is one thing that is a common occurance, no matter what type of affair. When the party is in full swing, you want your guests to be dancing!
We always want to get the party going as soon as possible with dance music. Sometimes people are shy to be the first ones up and have not had enough to drink quite yet. In my experience, when people are hesitant to get up and dance, I’ve learned that changing the pace of the music is the right choice. A very famous ballad is the key to getting guests dancing every time! When I say every time, I mean every time I’ve needed to do this we have seen instant results! It’s magic! Can you guess the name of that tune? Hmieucad loyedm (the unscrambled answer is at the bottom)
As a last piece of advice: take the time to come out and see live showcases of your band. Meet the musicians and singers, and see exactly what you’re getting so you can evaluate the group on the spot. Seeing them in person means no guess work.
…want to know what the magic song is? Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers!
If you’re planning a wedding in the New York City area, come and check out Skyline Orchestras! Not in the NYC area? Request a DVD of their performances. Visit their website at http://www.skylineorchestras.com/
July 2, 2008
Whether it’s a major corporate function or a joyous engagement party, be sure to check the acoustics in the room before you book the venue and/or entertainment. Many a best man’s toast has been ruined because the heartfelt and long-practiced words were swallowed up or echoed throughout the hall because of the grand 50-foot ceilings of the venue. Don’t cancel your venue just yet though! Bring in a qualified DJ or band leader to test the acoustics of the room. Many times, musicians can control for these types of situations if they are aware ahead of time. Or, you can consult the venue to see what sort of measures can be taken to fix the sound.
May 20, 2008
If you’ve been to more than one wedding, chances are you know exactly what song I’m talking about. Pachelbel’s Canon in D is the most requested processional at weddings and it’s used so much any string quartet can play it by heart. Here are some suggestions for those couples who want to change it up a bit:
Classical: Still want a string quartet? My favorite is “Meditation from Thais” by Massenet. The lovely, soaring melody is perfect for a processional and is the perfect alternative to Canon in D.
Something Spicy: Try the sumptuously romantic Spanish guitar solo “Romanza” by Anon. This gorgeous piece adds a sense of intimacy and passion to your walk down the aisle.
Flowerchild Bride: Ask your parents and they’ll agree that “Longer” by the recently departed Dan Fogelberg is the ideal choice. Easily done with piano and vocalist but can include acoustic guitar and even string quartet/brass.
Just like the Movies: Pick an easily-recognizable theme from a movie to create a romantic touch. The Princess Bride theme “Once upon a time…Storybook Love” or an acoustic version of the classic Dirty Dancing “Time of my Life” are two that I suggest.