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Wedding Tips and Blog Wedding Tips / Blog
2011-05-06
New for Spring 2011!
No Interest - Easy Payment Plan
We know when planning a wedding - all the final payments come at the same time - and you still need to pay your everyday bills too!
We've made it easy. Why not make smaller payments for your DJ services - over time. There's a 90 day, 120 day and even a 150 day plan to fit you.
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For example: Let's take a 7 hour All-inclusive package with a 90 day plan.
You pay the $275 Booking Fee then pay only $195 every 30 days for 3 months.
With the 120 day plan - your payments drop to $147 every 30 days for 4 months.
It's only $117 every 30 days for 5 months with the 150 day plan.
The best part is - there is no interest on the payments. Just make your final payment no less then 10 days prior to your event.
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Let us make it easy for you to get our award winning, personal DJ services. Why settle for average. It's your day- you deserve it!
Call 403-852-1980 to get started.
2011-01-25
Calgary, Alberta - January 25th., 2011
WeddingWire™, the nation's leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Sound Celebrations has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire™ Bride's Choice Awards™ - 2011 for Alberta Wedding DJs!
Recognition for the Bride's Choice Awards™ - 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire™ newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire™, the largest wedding review site in the nation.
Sound Celebrations stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire™ community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.
"WeddingWire™ is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire™ community", said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire™'s Chief Executive Officer. "With the annual Bride's Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire™ has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Sound Celebrations for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year."
We are happy to announce that Sound Celebrations is among the very best Alberta Wedding DJs within the WeddingWire™ Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire™, Martha Stewart Weddings™, Project Wedding™ and Weddingbee™. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride's Choice Awards™ - 2011.
For more information, please visit our WeddingWire™ Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/sound-celebrations-calgary/6e415d3d3917f711.html.
For more information on the Bride's Choice Awards™ - 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.
About WeddingWire™, Inc.
WeddingWire.com, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire™ offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire™ also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire™ provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire™ Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), ProjectWedding.com and Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).
2011 Bride's Choice Award™ Winner - Alberta Wedding DJs - Sound Celebrations
2010-09-29
Music at your wedding or event
Copying music onto an iPod™ type device or burning custom cds is a great way to save money at your reception. BUT you should know that copying music for anything outside of your own personal listening does require a license.
A SINGLE EVENT LICENSE is available from AVLA.
AVLA is a collective of the record labels and artists who own the copyright on their sound recordings. Buying a license for only $50.00 will allow you to make copies of their copyrighted sound recordings for your event. This has no relation to the SOCAN fees which are usually billed to you by the hall or venue.
What happens if you don't bother? AVLA has inspectors regularly visiting banquet halls and other liquor licensed establishments. Since illegal copying is a violation of the copyright laws, they have the right on behalf of the record labels to litigate for damages. Paying the $50.00 is a better route!
DJs also require a license from AVLA if they are burning their own custom cds or have music in a laptop. Make sure your dj is licensed and you will have one less worry on the day of your big event.
See www.avla.ca
CD-Rs as Party Favors or Bon-Bonieres
You are heading down the wrong path if you have chosen to create compilations of favorite songs as wedding favors.
Burning discs for anything other than your personal use is illegal, even if the discs are conceived as gifts. Basically, it infringes the rights of those involved in making the recordings.
While anyone would agree that music is an integral part of any special day, save the CD compilations for private use.
copyright AVLA
The following a post from a musician who receives income for the work he has done from the AVLA and SOCAN.
"As a musician part of my income and lively hood comes from royalties gained from my music being played on radio, broadcast, and in clubs. SOCAN has always taken care of my best interests. In a world of free file sharing and piracy the record companies are failing and the artists are barely able to survive to produce their craft. Pay your tariffs if you want to be able to play or broadcast music. Pay the artists who work to produce this music as a means to make a living and feed themselves and their families. If we can't survive then the artists will stop producing and there will be no new art, no new songs, no new hits, and no more music."
By working with a AVLA licensed professional, the hard work of these very talented and creative people will be respected and rewarded.
Dateline: Calgary Herald - Sunday, August 1st., 2010
Weddingbells' annual reader survey reveals the most recent wedding day facts and trends, from Canadian brides prepping to walk down the aisle.
It was conducted online from February 18th. to March 12th. by Nooro Online Inc. A national sample of 1,241 readers participated in the survey,
Average expected cost of a wedding is $20,129 (up from $19,279 in 2009).
Budget breakdown based on anticipated costs:
Reception venue - $6,922 Bridal gown - $1,093
Bridesmaid dress - $263 Bridal / bridesmaid shoes - $112
Wedding bands (rings) - $1,761 Photographer - $1,727
Videographer - $754 Stationary - $302
Wedding cake - $324 Florist / decor - $821
Transportation / limo - $533 DJ - Musicians - $824
Guest favors / gifts - $343 Honeymoon - $3,448
Average wedding size is 141 guests. Average age of an engaged woman is 29.
74% of couples already live together before getting married.
Weddingbells' editor-in-chief Alison McGill weighs in on wedding trends:
Strapless gowns continue their "tried and true" reign as they have for the past 15 years.
Purple flowers, from deep, richly coloured parrot tulips to pastel lilacs, are big. All-white bouquets, i.e. with hydrangeas and roses, "never go out of style."
Food stations, rather than sit-down dinners, are popular. Locally grown produce lends an eco flair.
Hawaii remains the dream destination. Individualists opt for Morocco, Italy, Greece and even India.
2010-03-20
How to avoid the 6 mistakes couples make in shopping for a DJ.
1. Don't assume it's "just music".
Music plays an important part in all of our lives and should be an important part of your wedding day.
When you watch a movie, the music helps you feel the emotions; think of "Jaws"™, "Rocky"™ or "Indiana Jones"™.
Your Father / Daughter dance, for example, is full of emotion. You and your Dad, as well as your other guests, are thinking of the time your Dad first heard he was to be a father, the day you were born and he first held you, your first words, first day at school, first date... Why not work with someone who knows this and can help you choose the right type of music for this moment.
Also, DJs these days can assist you with the lighting of your room as well as provide video services for your slideshow and other services.
2. Don't base your decision on price alone.
In Alberta, prices for DJ services can be all over the map. No two DJs provide the same service, nor do they have the same business models and cost structures.
Some great DJs have spouses with jobs or have full-time jobs outside of their DJ service. These DJs may be able to provide a more competitive price because they have a household income model for their service. Another DJ may have several DJs working for him on any given night and can compete on price because of the volume of clients he secures. The opposite can be true as well. The DJ who works may only be looking for the higher paying clients with which to work on his precious weekends off and the multiple DJ service may have higher costs to support those working for him due to training, payroll, etc.
Ask to meet or talk to the DJ who will be working with you before you book. Choose one whom you like and feel will work well as part of your team.
3. Don't fall for 'hype'.
If they say they are the best, biggest, longest, etc....; call them on it. According to whom? Most DJs will consider themselves the best at some or all aspects of the job. Do they have awards? Do they hold any certification? Is this a third party or just an in house claim?
Don't be pressured in to making a quick decision. You don't have to agree "tonight", if the price goes up tomorrow. If you've chosen someone you truly trust and like, they will never have to try tacky sales tactics to get your business. If they like you as well, they will want your business whenever you decide.
It's your DJs job to have a variety of music for the good of all your guests. It's his / her job to take you and your guests requests and play them if they are appropriate. And, the DJ you chose should get people up dancing, keep them there, or at least, have them leave your party feeling entertained. These are not selling points for the company, it is what you are hiring them for and it is their responsibility.
4. Don't pay for 'extras' that should be included in the price proposal.
In the 21st. century, a DJ should have a wireless microphone and some means to connect your slideshow to his equipment. This should not be an extra fee.
Your DJ shouldn't give you a base price then offer an upgraded sound system option because you have more people than the standard equipment can handle. If you need higher powered speakers and amps to make your party sound good, it should be in the price. Your caterer would never give you the option of serving 150 people for one price and offer you a upgraded meal package to serve the next 50 people. You need to feed 200 people, here's the price.
5. Get written contracts and get promises in writing.
I've had too many calls from people just days before their wedding in a panic. Their DJ has 'un-booked' them because a call came in on the same day - for more money. Get a contract and put some money down to secure your date.
Get all the contact information from them too, business trade name, mailing address, associations the company is a member of, their business or GST number. All of these will allow you to get some recourse if the DJ does not show up.
If your agreement does fall though, a written agreement can assist you if you take the DJ to those professional associations or in extreme cases to court for a remedy.
If something is offered get that in writing too, even if its just a quick e-mail or text. List everything and note the quantities and prices of each extra service. If it's lighting, list what type if light and how many, so there will be no surprises at your venue.
6. Don't try to "do it yourself".
DIY DJ or having a guest control the music is a bad idea. It may seem like a savings but in the long run a DJ service will save you money.
If you put together a song list and library of music it can be time consuming and costly. There will be different ages of guests and a variety of musical tastes. An experienced DJ not only has the music, but he will also play it in an acoustically pleasing way that will be best for the energy and flow of your event.
To rent a high-fidelity sound system can run in to the hundreds of dollars and, usually, you will have to set it up yourself, taking up more time. Most venue sound systems are used for the amplification of the human voice, like your MC. These systems seldom are sufficient to play high quality music through. The speakers in the ceiling are't designed to provide low frequency bass needed for dancing music. Think of how weird music sounds on your telephone. DJ sound equipment is built to produce sound very close to the range of the human ear.
Copying music onto an iPod™ or burning CDs for anything outside of your own personal listening is a violation of the copyright laws. This has no relation to the SOCAN fees billed to you by the venue. The AVLA has the right on behalf of the record labels to litigate for damages.
Why risk it? Hire a professional who is a member of the AVLA and pays a yearly fee to the record companies and music the artists through their membership.
Video one of the Top 10 Trends for 2011 / 2012 according to getmarried.com
8. Video Integration into Events
We've all seen the photo montages of your childhoods during dinner but the next phase in video at your event comes in several different forms. Video DJ's are immerging, allowing your dance party to dance to the visuals of the music videos and ceremonies are being broadcast on screens for better viewing from the back.
 
Sound Celebrations can provide the video equipment to allow you to:
See your love story in photos set to music with dynamic fades, wipes, zooms and pans.
Add classic music videos from the 70's, 80's and 90's to your dance.
Colin Cowie Sez: Opt for a Fantastic DJ
In a set of recommendations on GetMarried.com, 7 Tips For The Budget-Savvy Bride, acclaimed wizard Colin Cowie Tip #4 is:
#4. Opt for a fantastic DJ
Instead of a big orchestra band, find a great DJ who can create great background music and just as easily keep the guests moving on the dance floor.
These days, when most couples shop for music, they usually have a preference: Band, orchestra or DJ. However, as Colin suggests, if a bride's budget is not sufficient for a great band, it should still be large enough for a great DJ.
Music plays a disproportionate role in the success of a wedding reception.
 VS. 
See the full article here: http://www.getmarried.com/articles/index.php?id=344
Wedding Survey Statistics |
*After the Vows
72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment.
Almost 100% say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment.
During wedding planning, Brides say their highest priority is their attire, followed by the reception site and caterer - reception entertainment is among the least of their priorities. Within one week after their reception, 78% of Brides say they would have made the entertainment their highest priority!
When asked 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment.
65% of all couples that chose a band to entertain at their wedding said, if they had it to do over again, they would have chosen a disc jockey.
*These statistics were published in St. Louis Bride & Groom Magazine in
2003. Sources include: Simmons, 2001; USA Today, 2002; National Bridal
Service, 2001; The Knot, 2002; Brides Magazine, 2001.
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To DJ or not to DJ: Why an iPod™ Wedding is a Bad Idea
 In this economy, why spend money to hire a professional DJ when you can do-it-yourself with a portable music player?
Seems tempting, but before you decide to forego hiring a DJ for your wedding, beware - an 'iPod™ wedding' can be a lot more costly than you may think.
A professional DJ brings a lot more to your event than just music - they get the party started and know how to work the crowd.
They know how to play music that will be fun and appeal to a crowd consisting of everyone from small children to grandparents and everyone in between.
After renting everything you need to DJ your wedding with an iPod™, you likely will have spent just as much as it would cost to hire a reasonably priced DJ.
Read full article here: http://www.eventective.com/blog/weddings/2009/04/16/ipod-wedding-is-a-bad-idea/#more-456
This video is copyrighted property of the ADJA, All rights reserved.
As is often the case in society, some things or ideas become trendy with little thought to practical implementation. A few years ago, it was the idea of a "sponsored wedding" that somehow everyone would want to donate their services to you in the hopes of getting business from others. Sounds like a good idea, but never really took off because all the vendors realized that a sponsored wedding only generated more requests for sponsored weddings, not more business for them. So people that overspent on some items counting on the reception being paid for by others soon were in trouble as their budget was gone and they were still missing major parts of their event program.
Today, the trendy topic is DIY receptions by using an ipod and a rented sound system instead of a professional wedding entertainer, the DJ. This idea is fraught with peril, because a great event is more than simply gear and music. It is the talent that a qualified professional brings to the event that matters most. It is what allows for a smooth flow to the event, with no embarrassing surprises. A Professional DJ from an association like the ADJA provides you with confidence that your event will flow smoothly and will be an event that you, your family and guests will never forget, instead of one they would like to.
In order to show you, the consumer the effects of using an iPod™, we decided to let video tell the story. What you are about to see is real. It is video from an actual wedding where they chose to use an iPod™. The video is untouched other than to insert some dialogue slides from time to time. We hope that by it you will clearly see what happens when you gamble your event success on an iPod™.
"Raising the standards of DJ entertainment in Alberta." |
