wedding

Red-Wedding

Sustainable Weddings Are An Awesome Trend

Sustainable Weddings Are An Awesome Trend

Trends come and go, but something like sustainability is a concept that should grow. Events can create a lot of waste. Thankfully, there are some things you can do and the choices you can make to reduce the footprint your wedding leaves on the planet.

Eco-friendly weddings are a perfect theme or backbone for San Francisco brides, California weddings all over the state, or nuptials across the country.

Here are some things to consider.

Sustainable Weddings Use Digital Invitations

It may not seem like a huge issue, but your save the date cards and RSVP announcements all end up in the recycling center or landfill. You can save some money and the environment by creating a digital system to communicate with your guests.

Why not make an app or website for your wedding and refer people to it for RSVP? Even if you have to send out physical notices to some of your friends and family who aren’t tech savvy, you’ll reduce your overall paper pushing.

Sustainable Weddings Ask, Can We Compost?

Did you know that San Francisco sends less trash to landfills than any other major US city? If you provide specialized receptacles at your wedding, guests can sort their trash into compostable and noncompostable waste.

Contact SFEnvironment.org to learn about collection requirements. They may have some ideas about how to implement sorting and collection during and after your big day.

Another route to take includes reaching out to local businesses like Common Compost. They offer collection services to area restaurants among other services.

Finally, see if the venue that’s hosting you already has a composting service set up. That’s a huge bonus!

Sustainable Weddings Require A Chat With Your Florist

We don’t want to be a downer, but flowers can carry a big environmental weight. Some things you can do to reduce this includes opting for plants instead of cut flowers and giving them away as favors to your guests. Larger plants or living arrangements make wonderful gifts for your wedding party and parents of the bride and groom.

Ask your florist if they have ideas about more sustainable options including skipping the foam or incorporating a sustainable trend like sola flowers into your event.

Sustainable Weddings Give Forever Favors

Another unfortunate reality about wedding preparation is that many people throw away their wedding favors when they get home after the party. You can avoid this with a little careful planning.

Skip favors altogether or choose something guests can consume. Candy, petit fours, artisan spices, and spreads, and even coffee or teas have a greater chance of being used, not tossed.

One of our favorite ideas are the cards that come pre-loaded with seeds embedded into the biodegradable cardstock. Your guests can keep them around until the weather is nice and plant them!

Yet another idea is to mention in the card that instead of a favor, you’ve made a donation to an organization like Arbor Day in honor of each of your guests. They’ll use the funds to plant trees which reduce carbon emissions and fight the greenhouse effect.

Sustainable Weddings Soar With Green Wedding Planners

Choosing an eco-smart wedding planner will eliminate a lot of the brain power needed to green up your wedding. Ask potential candidates if they’ve given any thought to sustainable weddings or, better yet, search planners that advertise proficiency in this area.

Great Brainstorming Sesh!

Any of the local companies we’ve linked to in this article are simply suggestions to get you started. We aren’t affiliated with them nor are we endorsing them specifically by including them here.

Once you’re done going green and its time to think about equipment rentals, a wedding DJ, sound and lighting, give us a call! We offer other event services like videography and photography as well. We would love to be a part of your unforgettable day.

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Does Your Special Event DJ Have These Essential Skills?

Does Your Special Event DJ Have These Essential Skills?

It’s hard to choose the right special event DJ. There are some obvious things you’re looking for, like a bonded, insured DJ. It’s also apparent that you need a DJ who has good reviews from clients. But choosing a really great DJ means considering a few things outside the obvious.

Many clients make assumptions about professional DJs that seem like essential qualities, but you can’t just assume your DJ will be professional, on time, and fun to engage with. In addition to these qualities, there are some other tips we want to share about finding the right special event DJ.

Hopefully, these will help you in your search!

Essential Special Event DJ Skills: A Keen Musicality

Your special event DJ doesn’t just need a great catalog of music to choose from, they need a keen sense of musicianship. That means they understand music, how to flow songs together, and even how to make their own mixes. You may think these things are ‘a given’ for all working DJs but that’s sadly not true.

You can find out if your DJ possesses these skills by talking to former clients or reading reviews. You can also tell your DJ what types of music you and your guests prefer, and ask if they have any suggestions that spring to mind.

They should be able to offer at least a few suggestions!

You can also ask for live footage of them working an event because that can tell you quite a lot!

Essential Special Event DJ Skills: Easy Communication

Good communication is truly the first ingredient for a successful relationship with your vendors. Is your DJ easy to talk to and engaging with you? Do they seem excited and as if they enjoy their work?

While it’s never a great idea to change the game plan as you go, how does your DJ react to this when it has to occur? Do they prompt you with questions to find out the information they need?

All of these things are good signs that your DJ has experience, enjoys their work, and isn’t an unpleasant control freak. Music is supposed to be fun, after all! Although events are stressful, a professional DJ with good experience can roll with some changes without coming off as rude or distant with clients.

Essential Special Event DJ Skills: Engaging Stage Presence

If your DJ is enthusiastic and positive when they speak to you, it’s a good sign that they’ll also be good on stage. Are they gregarious? Do they seem like a natural performer? These are qualities that are going to make a difference on the day of your event!

If you’re booking a DJ to play ambient music for your corporate event, this may be less important. If you’re looking for a wedding DJ, however, choose one who can get the crowd engaged and dancing!

Essential Special Event DJ Skills: Professional Appearance

Your DJ needs to be clean, presentable, and professional looking. That doesn’t mean they should be stuffy, but they have to make a good appearance for your guests. Thankfully, this is something you can tell right away. But don’t be afraid to ask some questions about their staff and techs.

You have a right to get to see anyone who may attend your event to help the person you’re making the arrangements with.

Essential Special Event DJ Skills: Flexibility

We like to stress to clients that the more we know, the better we can help them. This is always true and to accomplish it, you want to keep changes to a minimum. That said, they do happen and your DJ should understand this.

Flexibility isn’t just about changes, either. Sometimes it’s about the size of the venue or unique challenges to running sound in the location you’ve chosen.

Do yourself a favor and pick a DJ who can handle these issues with aplomb. It goes back to that communication issue!

Of course, we’re available to work your event in the San Francisco area and would love to help you. If you need a trustworthy, pleasant presentable DJ who knows how to have fun while being professional, contact us!

 

 

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How To Brainstorm Fresh Ideas For Events: Inventing Wow Factors

How To Brainstorm Fresh Ideas For Events: Inventing Wow Factors

Whether you’re slightly stuck on how to plan your first event or feeling the burn out as a busy event professional, wow factors matter. Once you have the essential structures taken care of, you’ll want to spend time inventing a way to set your event apart.

You can accomplish that in several ways and we are here today to fire up your inspiration. This quick read will hopefully get your creative juices flowing!

Find Fresh Ideas For Events: Work With Vendors With A Reputation For Excellence

No man or woman is an island. Holding a successful event takes a team and each member of that team has insight that the others may lack. This is one reason that choosing vendors with stellar reputations is crucial.

When you select a professional vendor for your event, they have experience that breeds insight. Maybe they’ve seen the fun a photo booth can bring to a corporate event. Perhaps they know about a killer rental company with the most amazing seating arrangements for a steal. You won’t know unless you pick a leader in the field and foster an open, communicative relationship with them.

If you aren’t sure how to find these types of vendors, ask your colleagues, your venue, or even use online review systems like Yelp to narrow your search.

Find Fresh Ideas For Events: Go Beyond The First Page Of Google

While the idea behind Google’s ranking system is to give you the most accurate results for your query, sometimes it delivers the most popular results. That leaves you with the exact same ideas as everyone else who searches.

When you’re hunting for event planning inspiration, don’t be afraid to skip the first page of results. After all, you want bold ideas that are fresh. There could be something really special lurking a little further down the search page. This is a good area to be a trendsetter in.

Find Fresh Ideas For Events: Attend Events Yourself

Do you have the time and budget to attend a few local events yourself while you’re planning? This is an awesome way to get ideas! Event planners can regularly sneak in a few here and there- many are even low cost or free.

Don’t be afraid to take notes while you’re there and feel free to take contact info from vendors you see doing a great job. You can follow the event on social media to see how they campaign, too.

If you are planning your own wedding, you can still try this tactic. Ask the venue if there are any events coming up that are open to the public. For instance, wine tastings, silent auctions and charity events give you an opportunity to see how the venue ‘works’ in person and pick up all kinds of valuable tips from other planners.

Find Fresh Ideas For Events: Take A Tip From Marketers: Imagine You’re An Attendee

Marketers often create something called a customer persona or ‘ideal avatar’ to help them get inside the minds of their target audience. You can modify this tactic for your event as well.

Make a list of the types of people who will attend. For instance, “Professional Women In Their 30s” could be one group. Another could be “The Groom’s Family.”

Now, brainstorm separate interests these people have. Sure, you’ll be doing some guessing but it’s a more educated guess than a shot in the dark. Hopefully, you’ll see some patterns or easy ways to incorporate a few things from each persona that your guests will remember for months, if not years, to come.

If you’re really stuck, don’t forget what a valuable resource crowdsourcing can be! Your potential attendees can give you their own ideas for events- ones they’re likely to enjoy.

 

Music Matters_ How The Right Event DJ Can Elevate Your Event

Music Matters: How The Right Event DJ Can Elevate Your Event

Music Matters How The Right Event DJ Can Elevate Your Event

Music is one of the most memorable parts of any event, however, it’s often overlooked. First of all, you want the sound equipment at your event to be suitable for the space. This is something an event DJ can really lend expertise to.

Next is the music you’ll select. For weddings and parties, these choices are often deeply personal. For corporate events, the psychology and objectives behind musical selections are different but no less important.

Today we’re exploring some things you should think about on the technical side as well as why music matters for your branding during professional events.

Things To Consider And Discuss With Your Event DJ

The following consideration list will help you have a meaningful conversation with your DJ.

Type Of Event

Planning your wedding? You’ll have a list of songs that are special to you and important to include. Make sure to provide that to your event DJ. Corporate event? Talk to your professionals about their recommendations for engaging, soothing background music.

Venue Requirements

Is your event indoors or outside? This, and the size of the space makes a huge difference for your event professional. A professional DJ will have all of the necessary equipment to suit the space. This is a huge benefit to hiring a DJ in the first place. Many, like Diamond Sonic, also include event rental equipment to suit any needs. They can speak with the venue to find out exactly what’s provided and what you need to rent from them.

Matching Tempo To Tone

Background sound and music impact the mood of any gathering and may also set the pace for festivities. The right tempo can inspire people to dance or help them relax. Some music can even boost creativity and make people feel more social. Professional DJs can pick music that is best suited for the specific requirements of your event.

Themed Event Music: if your event has a particular theme, your music can reinforce this. Because event DJs are so experienced, they have a huge knowledge base to pull from and can help you identify an appropriate soundtrack.

How An Event DJ Can Help You Decide on Music For Corporate Events

Music for business events is largely something that goes unnoticed in the background, but there are moments when you want it to stand out. Furthermore, just because something isn’t standing out doesn’t mean it isn’t having a subconscious effect on your audience.

Corporate event music should include a mix of relaxing music, energizing but unobtrusive music, and tracks that hype up your audience for certain speakers or brand reveals. Music can help shape the energy of group meetings, business dinners, conferences and trade shows while giving these events an air of sophistication.

Instrumental music is often the best choice, but there are so many styles to choose from. Classical and house music, for example, are vastly different although often instrumental. Your event DJ can help you make the right choices.

Your Event DJ Is A Valuable Resource When Choosing Music For Weddings And Parties

Weddings, anniversaries and planned social gatherings give an opportunity for you to share your personality with your guests. You’ll probably have a list of songs you’d like to hear. If you are concerned that your choices won’t last from start to finish, however, your DJ can help. Once you provide them with your ‘must haves,’ they can choose complementary music to mix in, extending the right energy from the moment guests arrive until they leave.

You might think you want to choose every single song, but once reality hits you could soon find this more stressful than you expect. Let your DJ help with this and speak with them about accepting requests from your guests to keep the party going.

Whether you want to be very involved in your event music selection or prefer to hand those reigns over completely, the right event DJ is a valuable resource.

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Wedding Videos: What Are Your Options And Price Points?

Wedding Videos: What Are Your Options And Price Points?

With all the planning that goes into your wedding, you might think choosing a videographer is enough. Unfortunately, there are a series of decisions you need to make during the planning for this as well! Luckily, these decisions truly empower you and ensure you’ll receive a high-quality film that celebrates the moment you and your partner come together.

One of the crucial decisions you’ll make about how your wedding is captured is the length of the final wedding video.

Short Form Wedding Videos

The lowest in cost, short form wedding videos are a highlight reel of your special day. They often clock in at around 5 minutes. We hit all the high points and save you costs by doing less editing work compared to longer format videos.

Is longer better? That all comes down to personal choice and what is most important to you. Ask your videographer to show you samples of their work. You can compare their short, medium and long form content so you know what to expect.

Some key points include the way short form wedding videos flow. For instance, the day’s events may appear out of chronological order. This happens because your videographer and production team are telling a story with your video.

A short form film’s goal is to construct a cohesive representation of your celebration of love. A good wedding videographer has the experience and creativity to identify the most important parts of a wedding and keep them off the cutting room floor.

Medium Form Wedding Videos

A medium format video is, you guessed it, longer than a short one. It can be up to 20 minutes and includes more of the ceremony and toasts.

This is also a cost-effective option, falling between the cost of short form and full length videos. Again, this is because of the amount of production work involved due to the length of the final footage.

Many couples find this a perfect balance for them since it shows more special moments and is still concise and affordable.

Here is an example of a medium length video we created for Anusuya and Chris.

Full Length Wedding Videos

A full length wedding video includes the full ceremony and full toasts. They are 40 minutes long or more.

The most robust and therefore most expensive option, for many this is still the best value. If you can’t bear the thought of missing a moment of your memories, it’s worth investing in a professional full length wedding video.

The Knot actually recommends a wedding video package long enough to include the entire ceremony.

So don’t skimp on ceremony coverage in order to get more reception coverage out of your four-hour video package. In fact, the ceremony is a good reason to splurge on a second shooter. Also, build in time for your videographer to capture the guests arriving before the ceremony—it’s one of those moments you’ll miss on your wedding day that will be fun to watch afterward. – The Knot

Size Of The Team On Site

That quotation is not only great advice for most couples. It also brings up another important choice. How many shooters do you need?

This affects the cost of your wedding video but enables you to see so much more than with one videographer. A larger video team captures many moments from different perspectives. A single videographer, while the most economical option, is limited.

Making The Decision

Our clients often find that a mix of styles fits them best. If you need all your nuptials, splurge on multiple shooters during the ceremony and dial that back at the reception. Most people can skip photo montages and guest interviews because they rarely beat the toasts anyway. Making a pro and cons list can really help you decide.

Also try putting yourself in the position of sitting down to watch your video a year from now. What will mean the most to you then? Those are great things to plan to include!

We’re here to help you along the way. If you have any questions just contact us or request a quote!

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5 Tips for Your Perfect Wedding Video

The desire for the perfect wedding video is completely understandable! We’ve all seen those wedding videos that didn’t turn out quite like the bride and groom hoped.  You can avoid that entirely and capture the sweetest moments of your big day, when you hire an exceptional film maker. There are just a few key elements to look for that can help ensure the process is a success from start to finish.

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