The picture was taken and created by King Vincent Storm Photography and Video from West Haven CT. This awesome image was created using a snow machine along with background architectural lighting provided by Music In Motion Entertainment.

This photo was selected as the cover artwork for the brand new online magazine called ” The Current Audition.” This e-magazine is national trade publication of the American Disc Jockey Association. In addition to the photo, the cover article called, ” Running your business, like a REAL business ” was contributed by Music In Motion’s founder, Mike Fernino.

Mike Fernino :  ” I am thrilled and honored to have been selected as author of the cover article for the brand new Current Audition E-Magazine. I’m even more proud that our photo from the Orazetti wedding reception was chosen as the cover artwork. It really makes me proud to be recognized by my national DJ Association. Vinny and Ann Marie from King Vincent Storm did an incredible job with this photo. They should be equally as proud to have their work featured! “

check out the e-magazine at www.currentaudition.com

Visit King Vincent Storm Photography & Video at  www.kingvincentstorm.com

Hi Dave,

I know we have a while to go before we really need to start going over songs for my wedding, but I was just wondering: what’s a money dance? Thanks!
V.

My response:

Hi V!

Thanks for asking! The Money Dance is a controversial wedding tradition! Formerly called a “Dollar Dance“, it’s a very old (early 20th century) ethnic wedding custom whereby the bride and groom would briefly slow dance (about 30 sec. or so) with guests for $1.00. The DJ introduces the dance and plays several appropriate slow songs. Songs that have a “friend” theme are better than those with romantic lyrics. The maid of honor collects for the bride and the best man collects for the groom. In addition to collecting the cash for you, the maid of honor and best man should act as gatekeepers to ensure that the dance with each guest is kept brief.  Timing-wise, the money dance can be done any time after the cake cutting parent dances but prior to the end of the reception.  The Money Dance ends when everyone has had a turn dancing with the Bride & Groom.

It’s purpose is to raise some extra cash for the honeymoon and give your guests an opportunity for some “alone time”  with the Bride and/or Groom. Back in the 80′s and 90′s, the tradition gradually lost its popularity. But some ethnic groups and lower socio-economic classes still do it as tradition and to help the bride and groom financially. The name was changed from “dollar” to “money” because a dollar is worth practically nothing these days!

Advantages: you make some extra cash, you can dance and chat with many of your guests individually, and it’s a great photo opportunity.

Disadvantages: some people think it’s tacky or rude to ask guests for more money after they have already included a substantial sum with your card; and sometimes the dance goes on and on, creating a boring block of time for the other guests.

IMO the money dance is not very popular around here; I probably do one or two of these all year! But, it’s your choice! Ask your fiance, friends and family, especially the older ones, what they think. Then, if you want it, we can introduce it and play appropriate music for it.

Best regards,
Dave

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1431927612709

Recently, I was reading a major wedding publication. ( The name or author will not be mentioned to protect the stupid ) There was an article entitled, ” 10 things that can go wrong at your wedding, and how to prepare. ”

The article started out with #1, and it said,  ” Bring along a sewing kit for accidents.”   # 2 suggested, ” Plan the correct amount of time in between the church and reception so the guests are not having to wait in their cars. ”  Then we get to # 3……….. ” Have your wedding party bring along an Ipod and rent sound equipment in case the DJ does not show up. “ Are you kidding me? Maybe the wedding party should also bring extra cameras, flowers, chips and salsa in case other things go wrong? And what would happen if they actually had to set up the equipment and use the Ipod? Would that wedding be saved? I think not.

This is one of the most ridiculous pieces of bad advice I have ever read in a wedding magazine. A magazine that is read by thousands of couples and trusted as the definitive word in wedding planning! Who lets people author such garbage?

I actually have the answer……….. ” Get a professional! “ It is actually that simple. A professional wedding DJ who is compensated like a professional would not go out to a wedding without a back up plan. At least, you would hope that was the case. The key is to avoid cheap entertainment. ” YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! ”

At Music In Motion, we have a full time network of back up DJs. That means we never over book. There are always a few of my staff available and on call for the weekend events. Their van is loaded and tux hanging up in it. They even have the paperwork for every wedding that goes out during that weekend. This way, they can step up and really provide solid performance, even in the event of an emergency!  A very smart man once said, ” Beware of your backup plan……. You might have to use it someday. ” Backup is the mark of a professional, so maybe this magazine should change # 3 to………..

# 3  ” Hire a professional entertainment provider who has a solid reputation along with a backup plan in place and puts it in writing. “

Trying to do your own wedding entertainment is like trying to do your own dentistry. It will always hurt!   Unfortunately, people realize how important a professional DJ is only after the disaster. But, of course, by then it is too late to get back one of the most significant days of your life! Don’t take chances with your wedding reception. Hire a PROFESSIONAL!

Simply click on the link below to go direct to the ADJA Ipod wedding video.

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If you are on a tight budget, here is some premium advice. Don’t be impulsive when you book with your caterer.    Here’s why………..

The first thing a couple will book is their wedding facility and catering. So many times, the caterer will  upgrade with a couple who is excited to begin the wedding planning process. It is a fact that brides purchase based on emotion, and many wedding service providers use that emotion as an advantage when getting upgrades.  Who actually buys a car with no extras? No one, and it is the same way in the wedding industry.

Now, I am one of those wedding vendors that will encourage my clients to upgrade, so I’m not saying there is anything wrong here.  What I am saying is, don’t blow the budget right out of the box!

A bride and groom book their caterer at $ 89.99 per plate and then add a chocolate fountain, chair covers, martini bar, and venetian table. Now the per plate charge is $ 145 and the couple is over extended. The couple may be forced to get a budget DJ and Photographer because of this impulsive spending spree with the caterer, and that can lead to disaster!

At a wedding I recently performed at, the bride really wanted to add our architectural up lighting, but had over extended her budget with the caterer. The caterer upgraded them to a chocolate fountain package which added $750 to their bottom line, so there was nothing left for the lighting upgrade. Unfortunately, the chocolate fountain was not ready for the  guests until the last 1/2 hour of the wedding, and most guests never got up to enjoy it. They were already stuffed from the 5 course meal and wedding cake.

What would have been a better use of the budget?  Beautiful up lighting, which would have made a complete impression and changed the room atmosphere………..   or chocolate???   Where’s your priorities?

Let’s face it, do chair covers make the difference or an amazing DJ?  Martini bar or an professional for your photographer who will provide images to treasure a lifetime. Not to pick on caterers here, but most suck the bride and groom’s budget dry before they even add another piece of the puzzle on.  That’s like when I get a call from a potential customer who is asking for a low price DJ and has a $175 per plate wedding facility. Getting a high end facility and hiring a cheap DJ is like building a 1.5 million dollar home only to put in Formica counter tops. You just don’t do it!!!

The Best approach when it comes to a wedding budget is to book a manageable package with your caterer and then leave room for the other professionals and services. You can always go back  and add that chocolate fountain later when you know there is money in the bank to pay for it.

A big thankyou to our friends at Classic DJ for sharing this. It had to be seen and hopefully will help other couples avoid the same fate.

Back in 1988, I brought my brother Steve with me to a wedding. He came along primarily to assist with the carrying of equipment, but something unique happened at that event. I had just purchased a wireless microphone and wanted to really see what range I could get out of it, so when it was time for the cake cutting ceremony, I asked Steve to control the music and I would go to the cake with the bride and groom. Success! We had just accomplished crowd interaction, and this would become the norm as we entered into the 90′s.

Now, fast forward to 2010, Steve and I have performed over 2000 weddings together and the 2 person interactive team has evolved. Many of my clients at Music In Motionask why they should consider 2 DJs vs 1 DJ?  The answer I provide is very simple……..

* If your event is in a small room and you want the DJ to be a traditional host / MC from behind the equipment most of the night, or want a more conservative approach, 1 person is all that is needed. However, if you have a larger ballroom, or want interaction from the MC beyond music only, the 2 person presentation can be the right choice. Actually, it’s a must!

Many DJs work solo, and in my opinion, do not ever reach their full potential as master of ceremony. When you watch the Oscars in Hollywood, and Billy Crystal is the MC, you would never see him host the show from the sound booth. He is prominently on stage and engaging the audience. This should be no different from a professional wedding team. The DJ operates the computers, and controls all operation which allows the MC to emancipate away and get out into the audience.

For the bride who wants a ” No Cheeze ” event, a 2 DJ team does not always mean line dances either? A conservative format could still benefit from the 2 person interaction. When the MC gets out onto the dance floor for bridal party introductions, he/she should be in the center of room making eye contact with the audience. This creates an image of “live” entertainment vs Disc Jockey standing behind the equipment. Behold, the essence of interaction. Eye contact and a smile go a long way!

Another big benefit is in the wedding planning and direction phase. If there are 2 DJs, the MC has more time to work and communicate with the bride and groom. At Music In Motion, we do more than just DJ a wedding. We organize and communicate with all the service professionals, so having the extra time to direct the event is a great enhancement and this is achieved due to a 2 person effort. Each person has their role.

Keep in kind that not all 2 DJ teams are a team at all. I have witnessed countless DJ companies with 2 DJs standing together or ( sitting ) behind the equipment for the entire event. This is NOTwhy you are paying them and a savvy bride should seek out a better performance from her entertainment. Why do you need 2 DJs to both stand in place and talk all night???  The answer – You Don’t!  Bottom line, if you hire a 2 person interactive team, the DJs must be ” Interactive.”

If two heads are better than one, I would recommend a 2 DJ interactive team. When done correctly, your event can be so much more than just ” Music. “

I know this is my second article on the photo booth craze in just a few weeks, but I am inspired! Everybody wants one of these things!!! Music In Motion Entertainment is committed to provide the best service to accommodate the needs and wants of our customer base. Not only do we offer a photo booth, we have become a complete Photo Booth company providing not only the booth itself, but a professional tech to set up and run the system. At the end of the photo booth session, the bride and groom or Bar/Batmitzvah child gets a fabulous photo album created from the pictures taken. This makes it worth getting photo booth all by itself!

Now, not all photo booths are the same, and not all providers are playing by the same rules. Just the other day a potential client called and asked how many hours our photo booth was offered for. I told her we offered the 5 hours of her wedding with unlimited photographs. Turns out another service was trying to sell her on a 3 hour package. BIG MISTAKE!

How would 250 wedding guests ever get into the booth in 3 hours?  Do NOT hire a service unless they give you the full 4-5 hour coverage of your event. This way your guests can all get an opportunity to take pictures. Also, look for a service that provides unlimited photos. If a guest wants more than 1 picture, why should they be turned away???

The camera that is used is also very important. Our systems use a Canon 10 mega-pixel camera complete with LED lighting for soft and clear photography. A cheap camera will take cheap looking shots. It’s as simple as that. Our printer is a professional Sony which not only prints very detailed images but completes the photos in 8 seconds! This quick print time will get more people into your photo booth in less time.

Having a staff of 3 service technicians to run our photobooths, they will set up, run, and breakdown the system. With some photo booth rental companies, the user must pick it up and run it. Why would you ever want to do that???

Rule #1….  ” If it seems to be too cheap – There’s a good reason why! “   Music In Motion Entertainment of Seymour Connecticut offers full service, up to 5 hours and unlimited photos. Our rates are very competitive with other suppliers, but the results set us apart from everyone else.

The mark of a professional is the first impression. You can tell instantly when someone takes pride in what they do, and someone who is just trying to make an extra buck. In the mobile entertainment industry (  DJs for short ), there are unfortunately many unqualified choices. So many in fact, that the novice DJ outnumbers the professional 3-1.

Many people find out after it is too late. When the names of the bridal party are all mis-pronounced, or the dance floor is empty, or the DJ says inappropriate things over the microphone causing embarrassment to you and your guests. And most of this can be avoided with one simple technique. Ask to see photos of the entertainer.

Usually, when a DJ has a neat, professional set-up and astetically correct presentation, he takes pride in his/her work. If they take pride in their work, they often will be someone you would want to do business with.

Key things to look for…………..

* How is the entertainer dressed? This is a major indicator of a professional.

* Is the equipment thrown on a table top or is it neatly organized behind a presentation facade?

* Does the DJ use bold colors in his/her set-up that would be a distraction. Tacky is a word I would use here. If the DJ looks cheesy, they often are cheesy.

* Are wires hidden, or neatly taped down? This is a area that must be important to someone hiring a DJ. If wires are exposed and un taped, not only are they unsightly, but a hazard. Accidents can and do happen when wires are not taped down. Can you say ” lawyer?”

Use your first impression instincts. More times than not, your first hunch is the correct one. Always look for someone who is neat because that is a clear indicator of a professional.