…I was looking through some DJ websites as of late, and I thought some of the setups were interesting to take a look at.  Much of the time – you do not get to preview your DJ’s setup until you walk into your reception.  First, here is my setup:

My Setup

Notice the lack of visual wires, equipment, etc.  It is very clean and blends right into the background.  Did you even notice the speaker?  That is the Bose L1 – and it is very powerful with amazing room coverage!  The only piece of equipment you do see is my Apple Macbook Pro – and that is because I am sponsered by Apply (JUST KIDDING!  I wish…)

Now, let’s look at some other DJ setups that have been posted online:

This is an amazing shot of a bride and her bridesmaids dancing – but what ruins this photo is the DJs messy setup.  Wires on the ground and in front of the table, a microphone and other table clutter, a bag on the floor, and the ever classic big box Mackie speakers.  I know for a fact an amazing photographer took this shot – but its a DJs lack of consideration for his setup that detracts from what should be a great image – and memory.

While it is very compact – it just screams messy!  Think of it this way – with a beautiful hotel room and fancy seat covers – the DJ setup looks like a orange pole with skateboard stickers on it!  Does this say “elegance” to you?  How much fun will your wedding be if one of your elder or younger guests trips on a wire and falls hard into the dance floor?

Could you imagine never seeing a setup on a DJs website – and then walking into your reception with music playing on four computer speakers and a sub?  Your home theatre sound system probably plays louder then this.  This is an important lesson:  Anyone can put pictures of a smiling bride and groom on their website – Google Image Search is made for this! – but if the DJ doesn’t put photos of their setup on their website – ASK FOR THEM!  Not having a photo of their setup is INEXCUSABLE!

And our final photo (there were many to choose from, but this one made the cut):

I am sure by now, you get the point.

Tony Schwartz Wedding Tips of the Day Wedding DJ Setup

Hello All,

It has been a while since I have posted an entry here – I have been completing several projects and new venutres, met with many brides and grooms, and have DJ’d a few weddings along the way!

As many of my readers and clients may know, as of 2010, my company changed to an LLC under the name of Tony Schwartz Productions, LLC – the umbrella company of my entertainment venture. I have a better design and vision of what I want my entertainment company to be known for – Tony Schwartz Weddings is still the wedding division – and I have been frantically working to create about six new website for each venture – most which are close to completion.

One of these websites is my new company blog – which will replace this blog. Featuring not only giglogs, but also industry news and a section called “The Positive Vibes”. This blog will be informative but also have a personal touch – something I wanted to incoporate due to the personal aspect of this business. Just as I want to get to know my clients, I want them to get to know me – and “The Positive Vibes” will be the section that will accomplish that goal.

From this post forward, all giglogs and entries can be found on that website – http://www.tonyschwartzproductions.com/blog – this blog will soon be removed – but not before the following announcement:

I will be redesigning my wedding website.

Yes, it’s probably the fourth time in two years – but I have a distinct vision – and the current website was very close to that vision – but not quite there. I will soon be building that website and have no timeline to when it will be complete. But it will be complete and online before 2011.

So that’s all for now – it’s time to get back to planning for 30 quality weddings this summer – it’s going to be a lot of fun – celebrate life!

-Tony

Tony Schwartz Uncategorized

Looking for a premier wedding DJ in the Puget Sound area?  Click Here!

On a beautiful Puget Sound Sunday in April, Brittney and Luke were wed at Lake Union Cafe in Seattle, Washington.  As I have blogged before, Lake Union Cafe is a beautiful, romantic venue that is perfect for a couple looking for an intimate, elegant wedding.  And of course, we made it fun for Brittney, Luke & their closest family and friends.

After a beautiful ceremony ran by Jeff Lee, Brittney and Luke enjoyed some personal time with their family and friends while we had a brief cocktail period on the main floor.  When it was time to introduce the wedding party, “Motownphilly” by Boyz II Men set the mood as we roasted the wedding party members with jokes supplied by Brittney and Luke.  After giving everyone a second to catch their breath, I narrated Luke & Brittney’s “Love Story” as they entered to a standing ovation.  Supplied with a microphone in advanced, Luke thanked everyone for coming out – and even had a few jokes of his for his family & friends!

After dinner, cake cutting, and toasts, we allowed Brittney and Luke to socialize with their guests – sometimes during the dinner portion of the night, there simply isn’t enough time.  When ready, Luke and Brittney shared a special first dance, and then Brittney danced with her father, while Luke and his mother late joined them mid-dance.  After tossing the bouquet and garter – it was time to open the dance floor.  I felt it best approriate to start with a slow dance – and from there, we turned it up a notch and everyone danced and socalized the night away!  From hits from the 60s, 80s, and today’s pop music – we mixed and mashed with a little bit of club DJ style (Brittney’s Man of Honor is a club promoter and Brittney would often go to his events) until it was time for the final dance.

During our planning consultations, we discussed how we would end the night – and after their honeymoon plans had changed – we rehashed those ideas and came up with two ideas of how to end the night – depending on how many people were still there at the end of the night, being as it was a Sunday wedding.  With nearly every guest still in attendance – we went with the “Circle of Love” exit – where Brittney and Luke would share the final dance as guests circled around – and on their cue, they would go around to each guest and thank them for coming out.  Some beautiful photos were taken by Marv Heston, their photographer, and it was the perfect intimate ending for their wedding.  It fit the venue, it fit the client’s guests, and it fit the end of a perfect day for Brittney and Luke.

Vendors:

Dann – Lake Union Cafe – www.lakeunioncafe.com
Marv Heston – Photographer – www.hestonweddings.com
Kendra Yaple - Loves Me Flowers – Florist – lovesmeflowers@yahoo.com
Robbi Broussard – Cakes – 253-859-2812
Jeff Lee – Officiant

Simplified Itinerary

Ceremony
Cocktail Period
Grand Entrance
Welcome & Thank You To Guests
Dinner
Cake Cutting
Toasts
First Dance
Father/Bride & Mother/Son Dance
Bouquet Toss
Garter Toss
Open Dancing
Last Song of the Night
Farewell & Congratulations!

Photos:

Tony Schwartz Giglogs Lake Union Cafe, Seattle Wedding DJ, Wedding Giglogs

Supplied by Jody & Jen of J&J Photography – www.jandjphotography.com

During the Dinner Hour

Open Dancing

Yours Truly

Tony Schwartz Uncategorized J&J Photography, Seattle Wedding DJ, Tacoma Wedding DJ

Looking for a premier wedding DJ in the Puget Sound area?  Click Here!

Wedding season has started – and what a party Kurt & Erin had to kick it off!  Hosted at the Pioneer Pavilion in Puyallup, WA – 200 of Kurt & Erin’s family and closest friends traveled from around the country (and the world!) to share in a night no one will forget!

The Pioneer Pavilion is one of the toughest venues to play because of the acoustics – but equipped with my Bose L1 and my two Bose L1 compacts in the corners, I finally am satisified with the sound – it was an audio bliss & nirvana at the same time.  Terri with Act 3 Catering said she never heard the sound at the venue so clearly – and the entire staff loved the sound check with Phil Collin’s “In the Air Tonight” playing in the background.

But this night was about Kurt & Erin – another couple I will never forget and love so much!  We kept the reception very straight forward and classy.  Hosting an open bar and buffet, Erin and Kurt assigned table numbers and we invited tables to the buffet by random draw – which got guests and vendors involved.  For the table that unfortunately was last to be released, I presented (and surprised!) them with two boxes of Girl Scout Cookies – a thank you for being patient and understanding!

After toasts and cutting the cake, it was time to dance – and that they did for two hours straight – playing hits from all the decades of music – from everyone singing along to “Brown Eyed Girl” to both grandmas and Erin and Kurt’s friends getting low to Flo Rida’s “Low”.  It was a night that I wish would never end – but when it finally came to a close, everyone cheered and hugged and wished Erin and Kurt their best wishes!

Video Testimonal:

Vendors:

Sarah Harris – Pioneer Pavilion – http://www.cityofpuyallup.org/services/pioneer-park-pavilion/ – Erin & Kurt decorated it perfect, the room layout was great, and the staff is very courteous and helpful!  If you take the time and do it right, it can be a wonderful place to host a wedding.
Jen & Jody – Photographers – Wonderful twosome team, can’t wait to see the photos! – www.jenandjody.com
Act 3 Catering – Delicious Prime Rib!  The staff is one of the best – friendly and courteous! – www.act3catering.com
Celebrity Cakes – Does anyone not use Odette?!?!  Simply the best! – www.celebritycakestudio.com

Simplified Itinerary

Cocktail Period
Grand Entrance
Dinner
Toasts
Cake Cutting
First Dance
Father/Bride Dance
Mother/Son Dance
Longest Married Couple Dance
Bouquet Toss
Garter Toss
Wedding Party Dance
Open Dancing
Dollar Dance
Last Song of the Night
Farewell & Congratulations!

Tony Schwartz Giglogs Pioneer Pavilion, puyallup wedding dj, Seattle Wedding DJ, Tacoma Wedding DJ, Wedding Giglogs

I came across this blog post of a bride’s experience with a DJ company that promised her everything the “pros” offered – but at half the price!

Source:  http://www.weddingbycolor.com/s00n2bemrsb0lton/milestones/117440

Wedding Music And Songs

M.I.A DJ!!!

Tony Schwartz Wedding Tips of the Day Hiring A DJ

…do your homework on them!

This cannot be stressed enough – professional services – videographer, photographer, caterer, entertainers, etc. – range not only in price and quality – but also in the after-the-wedding experience as well.

The Video Link:
http://cbs3.com/services/popoff.aspx?categoryId=5&videoId=98055@kyw.dayport.com&videoPlayStatus=false&videoStoryIds=98055@kyw.dayport.com&videoTime=&stationName=KYW&

The best categories to save in money?  Flowers, decorations, centerpieces, invitations, etc.  Professional Vendors?  Never.

Trust me, as someone who has had to “Get Jesse“, the frustration and time wasted over consumer issues like these are not worth it!

Tony Schwartz Wedding Tips of the Day

Looking for a premier wedding DJ in the Puget Sound area?  Click Here!

Clint and Karen are a lovely couple that celebrated their wedding vows at Thornewood Castle on Feburary 20th – and I was honored to be a part of their day.

There is a bit of a background story to this wedding – and why it holds so dearly in my heart.  After Christmas of 2009, both Karen and Clint became sick with H1N1.  Karen recovered, but Clint didn’t recover as easy – please see his story here:  http://www.king5.com/news/H1N1-patient-miraculously-recovers-in-time-to-make-his-wedding-83514612.html

While Clint was not at 100% – he was definitely up for his wedding day!  And in addition to a wonderful celebration of love, it became a celebration about life and friends and family!

Thornewood is a unique venue, and we planned the reception around the different “zones” for.  I placed a wireless speaker in the dinner room, so background music and announcements could still be heard by all.

The reception was very straight-forward – simple and elegant.  The itinerary is below!

Vendors:

Mironda – Thornewood Castle – www.thornewoodcastle.com
Melenda – Photographer – Very nice lady, can’t wait to see the photos! – melenda29@msn.com
Jessica – Videographer – We go all the way back to junior high! - jrluppino@gmail.com
Maloney’s – Florist – Wonderful, wonderful flower arrangements that fit the Castle just right – www.maloneyfloral.net
Snuffin’s Catering – one of my personal favorites!  The staff is one of the best – friendly and courteous! – www.snuffins.com
Celebrity Cakes – Odette makes the best cakes in the Tacoma area – moist and delicious! – www.celebritycakestudio.com
Annemarie Juhlian – Officiant – one of the best officiants I have worked with.  Professional, organized, and passionate about getting to know her bride and grooms – www.annejuhlian.com

Simplified Itinerary

Ceremony
Cocktail Period
Grand Entrance
Dinner
Toasts
Cake Cutting
First Dance
Father/Bride Dance
Longest Married Couple Dance
Bouquet Toss
Garter Toss
Open Dancing
Last Song of the Night
Farewell & Congratulations!

Tony Schwartz Giglogs Tacoma Wedding DJ, Thornewood Castle

I will be in Las Vegas through Thursday night for Mobile Beat Magazine’s Mobile DJ Conference 2010! I will be learning about new gear, new ideas, new trends, and much more – all which will directly benefit my clients!

As a wedding specialist, I am very excited to bring my brides the latest ideas, innovations, and interactions that make my service one of the area’s best!

I will be available by phone and email – so if you are in need of discussing your wedding with me – please feel free to call me at 253-988-8095 or email at Tony@TSWDJ.com

Have a great week!

Tony Schwartz Uncategorized Mobile Beat DJ Conference

Here it is!

Well, to be perfectly honest with you – every vendor on WeddingWire.com pretty much won this “award” – but I do like WeddingWire.com as a resource for brides and grooms.  The number one reason I like it?  The reviews are real, from real brides, and they are very honest.  If someone posts a bad revew, and even if a vendor wants to dispute it, it is still made public and isn’t deleted.  WeddingWire will not delete a review unless its proven untrue – for example, I had two reviews once for clients I never had nor wedding I never performed at, so they were removed – but every other review is from my real clients – and they are real thoughts and opinions.

View my WeddingWire page at www.weddingwire.com/TSWDJ

Tony Schwartz Uncategorized WeddingWire