Entertainment Spotlight: Playlist Event Music

When Beth Tucker and Chris Long were married in 2004, they wanted someone who would simply play music they chose on professional equipment, but that service didn’t exist! Like many people, they chose to create a playlist and do their own music.  Of course, they didn't simply run their MP3 player through a boom box.  They're both tech savvy and used good MP3 managing software and professional sound equipment. Soon, friends who had enjoyed Chris and Beth’s reception were asking them to provide music for their own receptions, and Playlist Event Music was born.

Their goal is to make sure you’re happy and comfortable with your wedding music. Their style is to keep it simple, high quality and dependable.  This way, they’re able to provide an excellent musical experience while keeping costs down.  This also helps them stay small and flexible.  They typically don’t need as much space as a more main-stream DJ. When I asked Chris what he liked best about being in this business, he lit up and grinned, “We’ve had some really cool clients.”

What they do:
• Play the music you and your guests request on a professional high quality sound system. (This isn't simply running your iPod through a boom box!  They have high quality redundant computers and a professional sound system.  

• Their website includes private pages for clients and guests to make requests before the event. 

• You can request anything from main-stream wedding reception music to that funky local band your best friend is in to all twelve and a half minutes of Grateful Dead’s “Fire on the Mountain”.  They trust that you know your crowd and will take direction from you.

• They’re happy to make announcements and keep things running smoothly, and they’ll do it exactly the way you request.

• They'll run the garter/bouquet toss and other games as you request them- no surprises.

What they don't do:

• They do not offer lights or smoke machine.

• They will not take over your reception

• They will not "ambush" you with wedding reception games like a bouquet or garter toss.

Their take on “Dance Party” music is very flexible: "Some crowds love the chicken dance, some hate it! The key is to know your crowd."  Chris does acknowledge that in the beginning of the evening, they can be good ice-breakers.

Advice for couples regarding reception entertainment: "Check in with your band or DJ before the event. It’s all about communication!  Never work with a DJ who doesn’t seek out your input in advance."

Specs:

Style: Low-key personality playing your favorite music.
Experience: In business since 2004
Location: Based in the Madison area, but happy to travel
Price: $200 for setup/takedown plus $100 per hour of music

Website: PlaylistEventMusic.com Check out their Reviews page!
E-Mail:  info@PlaylistEventMusic.com
Phone: 608-770-7977

I Love My Tree Skirt: A case for repurposing your wedding gown

I love my tree skirt made by
Just for You

As Christmas approaches, I have the joy of decorating my tree. My tree skirt was made from the hem of my wedding gown.

My Mother's Gown

When I got married, I wanted to wear my mother's gown. Alas, that was not to be. I'm about 6" taller and of a more "solid" build... Even adding gussets wouldn't have made her beautiful 1950 satin gown look flattering on me... 
Reminiscing about this gets me thinking about the fate of wedding gowns after the big day! So, while I'm reminiscing, I'll offer some options for what is probably the most sentimental garment you will ever wear:
• Hang it in the back of your closet...indefinitely. 

Heritage Garment
 Preservation 

This is what I did for the first eight years- seriously. I know this isn't usually considered an "official" option, but after the wedding, a bride might not want to make another wedding related decision for a while.
Pros: This is the lowest stress option. The only action it requires is putting the dress it on the hanger after your wedding. (Don't keep your dress in a dry-cleaning bag, it can mildew.) If you haven't decided what you want to do with it, this usually doesn't rule out other options!
Cons: It could get eaten by moths, stains may set in, it could get damaged, it takes up space that you might have other uses for. You probably won't be able to sell since the fashion won't be current after a year.

Lake Mills Cleaners

• Have it professionally cleaned and preserved. This is what my mother did- and it almost worked out!
Pros: Passing your wedding gown through the generations can be a beautiful, sentimental memento. Any parent would cry seeing their daughter wearing the heirloom dress on her wedding day. Having your gown professionally cleaned will remove any hidden stains that may show up with time and preserve your gown for your future daughter to wear.

Heirloom Textile Art

Cons: There's no guarantee you will have a daughter. If you do have a daughter, there's no guarantee she will want to wear your wedding gown. If she wants to wear your gown, there's no guarantee it will fit her...(harumph). 

The Patchwork Bear

• Sell it
Pros: Okay, the pros are obviou$.  You may have some visions of paying off some wedding debt, or at least making back some of what you spent on your gown. Here are some resources: Just for You in Verona, does bridal consignment. On line, look at PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, e-bay and Craigslist

Custom Apparel by
 Kay Warnke

Cons: It might not be as easy you think, and it could be a drawn-out process if your gown doesn't sell. The website, PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com says about 40% of their gowns sell on their site.  If you don't have that kind of energy right after your wedding, you can sell it through a consignment shop.  Most consignment shops will only take the current fashion, and they have to take their cut which will decrease your profit!  You probably won't get quite as much for selling your gown as you hoped. 
• Donate it
Pros: You get the large gown out of the closet with minimal fuss or stress.  Someone else gets to wear it!
Cons: This isn't a good option for you if you're sentimental about your gown. Imagine going to a halloween party and seeing someone wearing your wedding gown... and they've slashed the skirt... and dyed it purple. For some of my more offbeat sisters, this might actually go in the "Pros" column, but probably not for most.

• Make or have heirloom items made from the fabric! 

Just for You

This is my favorite option! I had a tree skirt made from the hem of my gown.  It's beautiful! I hope to have other items made as I decide what I want done. "Just For You" in Verona made my beautiful tree skirt. Some items you can have made are tree skirts, ornaments, doll dresses, stuffed toys, christening gowns, hankies, stockings, decorative pillows and quilts!

Pros: You can enjoy your beautiful gown as often as you use the heirloom items. If you have more than one child, you can have several things made and they can each have something. The gown doesn't become a white elephant taking up space either in a box or hanging in your closet.

Cons: Once you start cutting up your gown, there's no going back. You can't buy it back, get it out of the box or let your daughter wear it. 

Wedding Entertainment 101

Photo provided courtesy of Angelic Angles

I wanted to write a quick "Wedding Entertainment 101" article. Unfortunately, even a "simple" list of entertainment options quickly became waaay too unwieldy for a little introduction article. After several attempts I realized that this sort of "intro has been done by others. Why reinvent the wheel? What I want to do is write about some specific details. So, by way of Wedding Entertainment 101, I'd like to refer you to a good comprehensive article written by Lori Voth at Associated Content. Wedding Event Planning: Entertainment Options. It's got a good description of the basics of Live Music vs. DJ vs. DIY. The Knot also has a good article, Reception Music: Getting Started.

Greek Wedding Dance!

Here are some topics you can look forward to here!

• Incorporating your heritage or ethnicity into your wedding entertainment

• Pros and cons of DIY vs. hiring professionals
• ”Dance Party” style music selections — the good, the bad … you know

The Harmonious Wail

Of course, with my contra-dance background, I’m looking forward to introducing many of you to the option of hiring a caller or folk-dance instructor!

The Last Gaspe

Finally, I’m in the process of getting interviews lined up and hope to introduce you to some fabulous local entertainers to consider for your celebration!

Repost: Offbeat Bride | The dowry tradition and how it relates to today's bride

If you're wondering about financing your wedding, check out this lively debate over at Offbeat Bride, and be sure to read the comments!  The focus is on whether or not the brides parents should pay for the wedding, and all that it implies..
 Offbeat Bride | The dowry tradition and how it relates to today's bride
Before I let you go, here's my own take on the subject...
It's lovely when parents are willing and able to help finance a wedding. When a bridal couple accepts financial help, it should be in a posture of gratitude, not with an air of entitlement. Financial help should also be accepted with a clear understanding of what the expectations are.


Your wedding should fit within the framework of your your personal values. Here are some considerations that may effect how you allocate your resources.
• You may highly value staying out of debt. 

Photo courtesy of Sharp Exposure Photography

• One of your values might be your sense of community which might lead to a larger guest list (and potentially greater expense).  
• Your heritage and traditions might be an aspect of your wedding that brings you the most joy.
• You might also value having a green wedding or supporting locally owned businesses!  
• Having a fair-trade celebration might be very important to you.
You might have a really different set of sensibilities than your parents, and it will be important to communicate your plans, hopes and desires with them before they share financial stake in your wedding celebration.  The last thing you want before your wedding is conflict over how much input your parents have after they've bankrolled your wedding!


I recognize that money can be one of the more difficult topics to discuss.  We tend to have a lot of emotion wrapped up in the meaning of how we choose to spend or not spend our money. If the topic is too daunting to discuss, consider talking it over with your fiance, or getting help from your officiant, pre-marital counselor or life coach, whoever you can depend on to help you move forward with integrity and clarity. 


One final thought: Did you know that weddings tend to run significantly over budget?!? I have heard weddings generally run 30% over budget, but I'm having trouble verifying the number... A professional wedding planner can help you stay within your budget and prioritize what's important to you.  Contact Planned Spontaneity.  I can help you celebrate in a way that reflects your style and personal values within your budget.

Repost: HEAD OVER HEELS: PRIORITIZING YOUR BUDGET

I love this article! Nicole Zenner is a friend and a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants.  She offers some great information about keeping within your budget, and also describes how wedding planners can help you stay within your budget!  I can add that I regularly plan weddings with budgets between $10,000 and $20,000, and I always include my services within the budget.  Click below to read Nicole's article!  

- Home - HEAD OVER HEELS: PRIORITIZING YOUR BUDGET

I should have hired me!

Welcome back from summer!  This humble event planner took the summer off of blogging. With all my spare time, I've been running “Mamma Camp”!  My children and I have had a wonderful summer, and my youngest is now mere weeks away from being a school kid- no longer a preschooler.

This month, I had the pleasure of hosting a birthday party for my little five-year-old daughter.  Here's why I should have hired me... Between July 14 and August 14 we had 3 vacations totaling 20 of the previous 31 days away from home- rendering our home a disaster area full of dirty laundry and camping gear.  As party day (August 14) approached guests were invited and the house was cleaned. But...

As one dear friend was dropping off her child, she found me in the kitchen and asked how I was doing.  I replied, “I am now demonstrating why people should hire me.”  I was in the kitchen doing food prep as the guests were arriving. Sometimes life gets chaotic and you shouldn’t have to do it all alone!  The hostess should be able to greet guests and enjoy their company!  It’s the event coordinator, who should be in the kitchen, hanging coats, checking appetizers and making everything run smoothly in the background.

By the way, if you’re a party planner in the Madison area, contact me!  Maybe we can trade services for our personal parties!

Repoast: Offbeat Bride | 15 ways to throw an *affordable* eco-friendly wedding

I know there are a ton of ways to be eco-friendly with your celebration, and it does all depend on your personal values and your sensibilities.  Here is some pretty down-to-Earth advice by Offbeat Bride about being eco-friendly without breaking the bank!- Enjoy!


Offbeat Bride | 15 ways to throw an *affordable* eco-friendly wedding

15 ways to throw an *affordable* eco-friendly wedding

FEATURES By OFFBEAT MEGAN on MARCH 24, 2010 23
TAGS: ECO WEDDING


Click the link above to read their fabulous article!

The First Three Decisions

If you're newly engaged, you’ve probably shared the joyous news of your engagement with all of your friends and family. Once you've been toasted and congratulated, the reality of wedding planning may begin to sink in.  You may begin to ask yourself, "Where do you start?" Here's a hint... All other wedding planning decisions will be easier after you answer the following questions:

1.  What is the style and theme of your celebration?

2.  What is your budget?

3.  How large is the guest list?

First, give some thought to the style and theme of your wedding. This decision will guide you in determining everything from food and venue to attire and favors.  Consider your personal values and background and incorporate them into your theme.   Your wedding is in some ways an introduction.  You and your partner can showcase what’s important to you as a couple!  What a great way to start married life! For a more in depth article on color theme and motif, check out my previous blog post here.

Next, look at your budget.  How much do you want to spend on your wedding?  Look at CostOfWedding.com to see what the averages are in your area, but keep in mind You are not average!  Knowing what others spend is only a starting point. You can create a fabulous celebration that is tailored to your own values within your budget if you can keep perspective about what’s important to you.

Finally, determine the size of your guest list. Advantages of a larger guest list include being able to share your joy with your larger community. Advantages of a smaller guest list include a smaller carbon footprint, and the ability to stretch your budget further. It’s really a very personal decision that needs to be based on what’s important to you. This is also a good time to talk to interested parties (like your parents) about what their expectations are. Create a gathering that is a comfortable size for you and your partner, while still including all of the people you want to share your day with.

Wedding planning can be overwhelming, so please don't hesitate to call for help! Planned Spontaneity has the tools and experience to help you create a celebration that fits within the framework of your personal values, your aesthetic, and your budget!  Contact me today for your free consultation. (608) 446-0346 or events@plannedspontaneity.net. 

Also, as a bonus offer in celebration of re-launching Planned Spontaneity, I'm offering a free budget analysis to the first 4 people who e-mail me a link to this article.  I'm offering a free highly personalized budget analysis- a $200 value!  I'll interview you to determine where you'd like to allocate your resources, and give you a very detailed budget that you can use to create your perfect wedding!  This is completely different from the freebies you can find in any bridal magazine or on the internet.  It is a highly detailed budget that includes all the wedding items you want, and none of the items you don't!  I'll even include the service fees and gratuities as well as postage for your invitations an thank-you cards!

I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Marilee Karamanski,

Celebration Specialist