Little Flower 70th Anniversary Gala Benefit

On Valentine's Day, Little Flower Catholic High School in Philadelphia heald its 70th Anniversary Gala Benefit at The Crystal Tearoom. We did uplighting, a GOBO on the dancefloor and provided a plasma bar.

Thanks to Costello Photography for the images!

-Becky

Honoring the Philadelphia Police

In our industry it can be very easy to lose sight of what’s really important in the grand scheme of things. To us, there is nothing more gratifying than helping our clients have the wedding of their dreams. We dedicate our time and energy to making sure they and their guests have an amazing time dancing the night away. At this time, we think it is important for us all to take a step back to thank and recognize the men and women who dedicate their lives to keeping us safe.

Last Friday night, February 20, we were honored to be able to take part in the Philadelphia Police Highway Patrol Reunion at the Southampton Room in Northeast Philadelphia (P&P Caterers). The event was not only a reunion for past and present highway patrolmen and women, but it was also a fundraiser to benefit the families of fallen officers, Sgt. Pat McDonald and Officer John Pawlowski. This event was planned months in advance and just so happened to fall on the date of Officer Pawlowski’s Funeral. Many of the officers attending had been up since 4:30 a.m. preparing to lay their fellow officer to rest, but they all came together, and found the energy to throw an amazing event.

We felt it was our duty to help the Philadelphia Police in anyway possible. We uplit the room in blue to add to the overall look and a number of our staff members and DJs attended the event.

There was a lot of money raised for the families and it seemed as though everyone had a great time given the circumstances.



We were also honored to work with the Highway Patrol last October to put together a tailgate benefit in honor of Sgt. Pat McDonald. We helped to raise over $3000 by raffling off two Phillies World Series Tickets. You can view the video here.

Day in and day out the men and women of the Philadelphia Police Force leave their families to protect us from the terrible crime in this city. We are very thankful for everything that they do, and hope more events can be arranged in the future so we can continue to show the Philadelphia Police how much we appreciate what they do.

-Matt

Two Turntables and a Microphone

The art of being a DJ has changed over the past 30 to 40 years. Back in the 1970’s Clive Campbell (aka DJ Kool Herc) pioneered the DJ block party by setting up his equipment in a park in the Bronx. He viewed his two turntables and a microphone as a single instrument used to make people want to dance. By traveling throughout New York, and throwing parties for the public, some deemed him the world’s first “mobile DJ.”

Over the years the definition of a “mobile DJ” has changed. Today it is very easy for someone to purchase equipment, build a library of music, and then play that music for a group of people. Most mobile DJ’s of today are still playing the same sets they were when they started in the 1970’s & 1980’s. That is why at a lot of weddings you hear the YMCA or Celebration. However, there is much more to being “a true DJ,” than just playing music.

Any “true DJ” possesses two skills that he or she uses to get people dancing. One of the most difficult parts of DJing is being to able to read a crowd. What sets these “true DJ’s” apart from other DJ’s is having the ability to decide which music to play based on how the crowd is reacts to it. Feeding off the energy from a group of people a “true DJ” can take them to the next level by choosing the “right” song to play next. The other skill a “true DJ” possesses is knowing how to mix the songs they choose.

Beat-mixing is a key ingredient for any “true DJ.” Taking one song and blending the beat with another song is what allows people to dance for much more time. The art of using DJ equipment to do live mixes transforms the equipment into an instrument. Without a skilled and dedicated person to play, the saxophone is just a piece of brass; as is any set of DJ equipment. Like any other instrument the DJ equipment needs a person who knows how to use it.

Mobile DJ’s of today can say they have the most elaborate equipment, use the most up-to-date technology available, a computer program that helps them mix and a music library of 500,000 songs, but none of that matters if the person behind the table does not have the skills to use the above equipment effectively.

A “true DJ” does not need the most expensive equipment to get people dancing and having a good time. DJ Kool Herc did it with two turntables and a microphone.

-Matt

Kim and Chris

Kim and Chris had a beautiful wedding reception at Talamore Country Club! Kim was a beautiful bride and her and Chris look so happy!

Thanks to Lee Sereni of Lee Sereni Photography for the images.

-Becky

I just got engaged! Now what do I do?

I recently sat down for lunch with a close friend who is newly engaged. During our meal she said she was overwhelmed with the hundreds of decisions she has to make in the upcoming year. It got me thinking about how hard it must be for a “newly engaged” couple to plan a wedding if they have never planned an event before.

In our day and age there are so many different ways of gathering information. Before our lunch meeting my friend hit the news stand to buy every wedding magazine she could find. National and local wedding magazines are a great way to get ideas and find information on different vendors in the industry. From the editor’s depiction of the latest trends, to pictures and suggestions from local experts, a bride-to-be can get ideas for every aspect of her wedding.

The web is also a great source for wedding planning information. Not only can a bride-to-be find information about the latest trends, hot spots and ways to save, she can also chat with other brides-to-be and past brides on websites like TheKnot.com, WeddingChannel.com and MyWedding.com. Unfiltered e-information can not only help the bride-to-be decide what she does want at her wedding, but perhaps more importantly, it can also help her figure out what she does not want.

I personally believe that the best way to gather information about different vendors is to ask everyone and anyone about their experiences with them. Wedding planners, such as Perfect Weddings, The Queen of Hearts Wedding Planners and Proud to Plan, can offer a great wealth of knowledge about specific vendors or just planning in general that can help alleviate some of the stress. Reception sites also work with new vendors every week, ask them who they work with regularly and who they recommend. A solid recommendation is just as good, if not better, than any advertising a company can do.

Overall the best way to save yourself stress in planning your wedding is to start early. Give yourself plenty of time to shop around. Meet with different vendors, ask them all of your questions and make sure you’re comfortable with them and the quality of service they can provide. All the time spent in planning is carried out within a 7 hour period (ceremony & reception). The magic happens when it all comes together and the only thing left for you to do is show up,look beautiful, and have fun.

Good luck with the planning!
-Matt

Hi all

Sorry for the lack of posting, we've been busy booking new events and working on new things. Here are a few pictures from a wedding we did last year. As you can see, DJs come in all sizes!

Thanks to Nathan at Lightyear Studio for the images!


-Becky