January 10, 2012 by Joe Broccardo  check out other photos from this wedding at www.joebrophoto.com

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EMM Reception Planner

Every wedding is customized and is personalized to your personality and style.

You can set your itinerary in the order you feel works best for you and your guests.  Todd and his staff will provide you with all the tools and advice to ensure a smooth flow for your wedding day.

There are many factors that determine your itinerary, Your Coordinator, Caterer and Venues requirements.  The following is a suggested itinerary.

1. 1.   Cocktail Hour
2. 2.   Grand Entrance
3. 3.   First Dance
4. 4.   Toasts
5. 5.   Lunch/Dinner
6. 6.   Interaction during dinner, Love Story, Advice Dollar, Meet and greet
7. 7.   Father Daughter Dance
8. 8.   Mother Son Dance
9. 9.   Anniversary Dance
10. 10.                Open Dancing
11. 11.                Cake Cutting
12. 12.                Bouquet Toss
13. 13.                Garter Toss
14. 14.                Open Dancing until the last dance

COCKTAIL HOUR:  Will your cocktail hour be in the same location as your reception area? Will you be attending your cocktail hour or taking pictures? What type of vibe/music would you like.  Rat Pack, Classics, Contemporary, Latin, Indie, Acoustic? 

**With a mixed crowd Todd suggests a nice variety of classics, rat pack and a few contemporary songs. 

GRAND ENTRANCE:  The grand entrance sets the tone for your reception.  It is good to have high energy to start off the day or night.  Here are a few Ideas:

1. 1.    We provide you with a wireless microphone and you introduce your bridal party.  You will be outside of the venue room, so your guests will not see you announcing.  We can also provide a song clip for each couple you introduce.  

1. 2.    You can your Emcee introduce each couple with a sound clip

1. 3.    If you are doing a video package we can have a video of each couple or person in your bridal party on the screen

1. 4.    We can play one song for your bridal party and one song for you

** Customized Grand Entrances will make your wedding reception unique

FIRST DANCE:  You can do your first dance after your Grand Entrance or after dinner.  We suggest doing your dance after your Grand Entrance.  It is the only time at your wedding that guests will be seated and at full attention. 

We can create a customized first dance song clip for you.  Some couples like to start with a slow song and then have a mix with a fast song .  If you book a video package we can also have a slide show running.  We can record you with a special mix for your song. 

TOASTS:  Suggested order of toasts

1. 1.    Father of the bride
2. 2.    Father of the groom
3. 3.    Best man
4. 4.    Maid/Matron of honor

**Some venues, coordinators and caterers like to have salads served prior to toasts. 

BLESSING:  Will there be a blessing?  Who will be giving the blessing?

MEAL AND INTERACTION:  Is your meal sit down or buffet?  Will you give away your centerpieces?  Do you want interaction?

A few fun ideas for your Dinner hour interaction:

1. 1.    Advice Dollar, We have your guests fill out your advice dollars prior to dinner.  Then we take you and your photographer to each table.  The first guest to raise there hand and give you advice will win the centerpiece.  Then we have your photographer take a table shot of you and your guests at that table.  This is a good way to speed up your meet n greet.

1. 2.    Kissing Game, We let your guests know that you will not kiss if they tap their silverware.  The only way they can get you to kiss is if they sing a love or kissing song from their table.

1. 3.    Bridal Trivia, you give your Emcee 10 questions about you and we do Trivia during your dinner hour.  A prize is always fun, some couples give away Starbucks cards, candy etc. for the correct answer.

These are just a few ideas to keep your guests involved.  We are always looking for ways to improve our wedding receptions.  If you have any ideas or have seen activities at other wedding receptions that you want to do, please let us know.

LOVE STORY:  If you choose this special service then the, “Love Story “would be after dinner and then you would have your first dance.

FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE:  You can choose to dance the entire song or have your DJ fade out at a desired point in the song.  If you book a video package we can play a slide show of you and dad during your dance.

MOTHER SON DANCE:  You can choose to dance the entire song or have your DJ fade out at a desired point in the song.  If you book a video package we can play a slide show of you and mom during your dance.

BRIDAL PARTY DANCE:  Choose a fun or a family song.  This is a good way to kick off open dancing.  You can start with your bridal party and then have your guests join in after a minute or so.

ANNIVERSARY DANCE:  Your DJ will invite all married couples to the dance floor.  We play a classic love song of your choice and then have couples exit the dance floor by years of marriage.  The oldest married couple will be the winner and then we have them give you advice.

PICTURE STARTER:  This is a great way to start your open dancing.  We gather all of your guests on the dance floor.  We then have your photographer take a few shots of all of your guests.  We then put on the open dance song to get the party started.

THE DOLLAR/HONEYMOON DANCE:  We have your bestman and maid of honor monitor the lines as we play the songs you choose for this event.  Song selection can be up-beat, love songs, funny songs, theme songs such as…Money for nothing, I want money, Money etc.

CAKE CUTTING:  Your cake cutting is about you and your photographer.  Your photographer will position you and let you know what to do as far as cutting the cake.  We play a song that you choose as we invite your guests to watch you cut the cake and remind them to bring their cameras.  You can also have your guest serenade you with a song as you cut the cake.  Popular sing along songs are, That’s Amore and Sweet Caroline.  Some couples print the lyrics on the back of their dinner menu.

THE BOUQUET TOSS:  We invite all the single ladies to report to the dance floor, as we play All the single ladies by Beyonce.  We then play the song you selected for your toss.  A new popular toss is the multiple bouquet (this is where the bouquet breaks out into 4-5 separate bouquets)  You can also present your bouquet to a special person such as a Grandparent

THE GARTER TOSS:  You can play one song to take off the garter and one song for the toss.  A popular toss is the NFL toss.  You and your bridal party sign and autograph a football.  We then tell the guys that not only are the getting a garter but an autographed football from the bridal party and bride/groom. 

THE LAST DANCE:  How do you want to end your reception?  You can go out with a slow love song, a fast upbeat song or a sing along song such as Don’t stop believing.   Mid tempo songs that start out slow and end fast are Donna Summers Last Dance and the theme song from Dirty Dancing soundtrack, I ‘ve had the time of my life.

THE GRAND EXIT:  Do you want to end your reception on the dance floor?  Or you can do the following

1. 1.    The sparkler exit…have your guests have sparklers lit as you run through them
2. 2.    If your venue does not allow sparklers.  You can use Bubbles, rose petals or your guests can just put up there arms as you run through or stroll them

INTERACTION: We pride ourselves on being entertainers and ride the fine line between fun and cheese.  All DJs that work for EMM are trained to be about our client’s wishes and personalities.  We promise not to be the, “Johnny Vegas guys”.  As the owner of EMM, I like to call it Classy Fun. 

Interactive Ideas

1. 1.    Love Story
2. 2.    Advice Dollar
3. 3.    Kissing Game
4. 4.    YMCA with props
5. 5.    Grand Entrance
6. 6.    Video interaction
7. 7.    Bridal Trivia

Ask Todd about these interactive ideas in your interview or planning meeting.  We also welcome fresh ideas….if there is an interactive event that you would like to do at your wedding please let us know.

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Here is one of our latest reviews posted on Wedding Wire.

DJ Todd was great to work with! He was very responsive and always available to help or ease any questions that I had. He truly has a gift– he can keep the party going and everyone up on their feet. His music selection was flawless and I didnt even have to make countless pages of do-play and do-not play lists. He sat down, got to know us and knew exactly what we wanted and didnt want. He was very open to guests putting in requests and playing a few special songs at just the right moment. The wedding went off without a hitch and I know that DJ Todd was an integral part to that! After the wedding many friends commented on what a great party it was and I have DJ Todd to thank for his special part in that. Book Essential Mobile Music for your special day and you wont be disappointed– it will also be one less thing that you’ll have to worry about

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The OC Wedding Pros Networking Meeting Tuesday, October 11, 2010 – 10:00 am RSVP By October 7th to LifeofthePartyDP@aol.com or call Adele at (949) 922-8932 Join us and other local wedding professionals for a morning of information, networking, collaboration and breakfast.  Meet new business people and see old friends that make up the OC Wedding Pros.  No yearly membership fee. This is a relaxed networking event. Breakfast including beverages $10.00 Location: Occasions At Laguna Village 577 South Coast Highway Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (949) 939-7979 We look forward to seeing you there!

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If you have any questions about these venues contact me through my website at www.emobilemusic.com.

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DJ Mike Fusco kept the atmosphere lively mixing Lady Gaga, Kesha, Britney and the current top 40.  Dawn Hustrulid from Party in a Box catering had Huli-Huli Chicken with coconut- infused  pineapple rice.  Many guests commented on her food and presentation.  Over 1000 guests attended this event making it a huge success.  Here a few pictures from the Party in a box booth and DJ Mike Fusco.

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This was taken from many years of research in the wedding entertainment industry.
This does not reflect DJ service wedding pricing packages.

What you may get for your money when hiring a Disc Jockey.

• $0 to $300 — Friend: with an iPod or really cheap audio equipment.
Very limited and mostly inappropriate music, no mic or MC skills,
no planning, no back up equipment,no prior experience with a wedding,
usually dressed inappropriate, just show up press play if they
show up on time if at all. May help themselves to the bar and
last a few hours before getting drunk, no understanding of wedding
etiquette or protocol.
Result: Bad wedding, you may be very embarrassed.

• $300 to $500 — Hobbyist: – Cheap audio equipment, limited  
and mostly inappropriate music, no mic or MC skills, no planning, no direction, very little to no experience, may not give any announcements, no professional training, likely to be late, or a no show, may drink on the job and hit on you or your guests, dress inappropriately, no understanding of wedding etiquette or protocol, and may use foul language, no back up equipment.
Result: The worst wedding, you will be embarrassed.

• $600 to $800 –> Entry-level DJ: Part-time, less than 5 years
experience, no professional training, basic pro-audio equipment,
cheap lighting system, no back up equipment, very little planning,
not able to meet with you at your convenience, amateur MC and
mic skills, basic announcements, same worn out routine for every
wedding, may take the focus off the Bride & Groom to highlight
himself. Treat your wedding as just another gig to make extra money
on the side. May work for a multi-op company, and could be gone by the
time your wedding date rolls around. You may end up with a DJ
you never met. Could use props i.e. (blow up guitars, wigs, sunglasses
etc.) without consulting you about it first.
Result: Below average to average wedding

• $900 to $1200 –> Professional DJ, Average Ability: Less than
10 years experience, possibly full-time if not a more skilled
part-timer, some professional training, over 200 weddings performed.
Decent mic & MC skills, direction, at least 2 hours of planning with the
Bride & Groom. Good pro-audio equipment & lighting.
Result: An Average wedding

• $1300 to $2000 –> Professional Disc Jockey, Superior Ability: Many years of experience, professional training, very good MC & mic skills, 2 to 3 hour planning session, direction, work as your day of Co-
coordinator, Unique ideas, able to read the crowd, program music well, know music well and play the right kind of music to please everybody, very good pro-audio equipment & lighting with backup equipment. Always dressed appropriately, Understands wedding etiquette & protocol. High standards. Full time pro and passionate.
Result: A great memorable wedding  

• $2500 + –> Polished Entertainment & Superior Professional
Result: The Best Wedding Reception Ever!

A DJ will charge what they feel their worth, if they could get more they would charge more “If we were all really that good, we’d all charge $2500.”

Written by a Fellow Entertainer: Mark Sanchez

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