Time to 'fess up. Our DJs aren't really DJs. Not in the way most folks think of DJ's anyway. They don't dress like DJs (Black Tie DJs always wear tuxedos), they don't steal your thunder or think they are rock stars, and when it comes to multitasking these guys are ninja quality. Of course, they know how to select and play the music you and your guests want from our private catalogue of over 75,000 tracks. But we are infinity and beyond than just music.
We supply all our DJs with a completely identical, comprehensive digital music library – available to search at www.BlackTieProductions.com. We have so much music that we could play a different song 24/7 for over a year straight. That's way better than any iPod-all day, any day!!
We consider ourselves even better than Ryan Seacrest with keeping up on new releases. Yep, we got that. And that. And that too! Just like radio stations, we have subscribed to a music service since 2000 that updates our music weekly in 16
different genres.
· Current Dance/Top 40
• Current Country • Traditional Country • Oldies—40’s
thru 60’s • 70’s Disco • Classic Rock N Roll • 90’s Hits • Big Band • Polkas • R&B• Retro 80’s • Group Participation • Ethnic • Rap/Hip Hop • Funk • Modern Rock • Swing • Island • Motown • Contemporary Jazz• Classical • Blues • Waltz/Ballroom • Soul • Easy Listening • Folk • Latin
Scan our website for more.
Black Tie DJs don’t just sweat the big stuff; they sweat the small stuff too so you don’t have to. Many small details play a part in making your day special, and our DJs are trained to keep a watchful eye on all of them. Examples include:
• Who is going to release tables for dinner? • Who will pour champagne for the bridal and parents’ tables? • Who will set up for the dollar dance? • Who will have your bridal flowers for throwing when you need them? • Plus so many others. Your reception is many small events rolling up and folded and then layered into one big supa dupa mega ultra event. Think of the best burrito you have ever had but even better. Way better!
Small details, certainly, but crucial in creating the perfect evening. Left unorganized, such details create “down time,” during which your guests may become restless. (Let’s get to the party part, please!)
Your Black Tie DJ will take care of these details and many others, always keeping a couple of steps ahead- we call this staging. We believe that Black Tie’s attention to detail, organization, and professionalism will make a significant difference on the outcome of your reception, and we are sure you will agree. Check out our online reviews. One of the most mentioned items in our reviews is how organized we kept the event and how this attention to details made EVERYONE feel so at ease. It's your day, and it will go by so quickly. Let us take care of the details. Believe me.
We got this... Yes! Yes! And Yes!
The wedding ceremony is over. Your head is filled with unforgettable memories. Meryl Streep herself could not have delivered your Oscar worthy line the way you did. And in only two short syllables too—“I do.” Genius. You nailed it! (Where are you going to display your award?)
Yet the day is far from over. There’s a reception to immerse yourself in. This is when your Black Tie Productions DJ—again think Superman in a tuxedo—leaps into action, clearing even the tallest wedding cakes in a single bound. It's your day... Your way. PERIOD!
There are ten Black Tie Productions stages to a perfect wedding reception:
1: HERDING CATS Before the Guests of Honor (...That’s you!) arrive, floating on the magic carpet of their emotions, your DJ will already have arranged your plan with the Caterer, Bartender, Photographer, Videographer, and any other vendors. The butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker are unlikely to be in attendance, but if they were, your DJ would make sure they, too, knew exactly what was to be done. What you don’t want is to have your evening choreographed in the style of the Three Stooges. That is not going to happen. Ear pulling, eye poking, and face slaps are not our style.
: GRAND ENTRANCE Everyone is so excited you have arrived! It's time for the main attraction. We have prepped your guests and staff prior. We will greet the newlyweds and wedding party on arrival to organize the grand entrance. As a variation on this theme, black sheep of the family may be smuggled out of the wedding car and into the hall under a blanket. (You supply the blanket.) From being introduced like the Detroit Pistons to a simple walk in and applause, we can make your grand entrance unforgettable. It's your way thru the doorway. Take a deep breath and “let's get ready to rumblllllllle!”
3: THE GENTLE ART OF PRE-DINNER MINGLING If time allows, following the grand entrance, the newlyweds can mingle with their guests. For those unfamiliar with the proper etiquette here, Black Tie is considering running mingling classes next fall. (Our class credits are transferable.) We can inform your guests that dinner is to be served and that they should take their seats. We will already have poured Champagne for the toasts.
We will coordinate with the person chosen to give the dinner prayer and make sure the best man and maid of honor know that toasts will immediately follow. Again organized and straight to dinner. You and your guests are starved! (In all honesty, we need to get something pronto to soak up the alcohol from the open bar your guests took full advantage of. Cheers!)
4: FORMAL INTRODUCTIONS, PRAYERS, TOASTS When the caterer is ready to serve dinner, your DJ will formally welcome your guests on behalf of the couple. The prayer follows, then toasts and/or other announcement. After that, your DJ will inform guests that they will be released by tables to attend the buffet or that they should remain seated if you are providing a sit-down dinner. If your caterer does not release tables, your Disc Jockey will be glad to serve as Maitre’d. (Your DJ will NOT accept cash tips from your Great Uncle Otis to be released first. Maybe second but not first!) Bon Appetit!
5: CUTTING THE CAKE - Nice or Naughty? Will the cake fly? Will it be sweet and cute? Or has one of you had a secret plan the entire time and been practicing smashing twinkies in a friend’s face to perfect the one opportunity? We shall see! After dinner comes the traditional cutting of the cake.
We will inform the photographer, videographer, and your guests of this activity, especially if your plan includes cutting the cake with a chainsaw. Then there is time to mingle with guests or to finish any additional formal pictures the photographer may need (note that if a chainsaw has been used or the newlyweds decide the entire cake is for throwing, there will be a short break of about an hour while the floor… ceiling… walls… guests and/or couple are hosed down). This could get interesting. We will make a last call for the buffet if needed. **We highly recommend that you engage our services from the moment your guests start to arrive. This way, your DJ will have full opportunity to organize and execute a perfect event from the beginning. Perfection takes time.
6: THE DANCE OF YOUR LIFE About 20 minutes after the cake cutting is a good time to begin the long awaited dance of your life -the first dance as a married couple. We will call the newlyweds forward, along with the parents and bridal party. There are many different ways to conduct these dances. Here’s the traditional sequence:
Dance one: Parental dance
Here, the couple honors their parents. These dances can be done together in one song or separate with a total of two songs. It can act as a second giveaway. You want to bring a box of tissues to the dance floor. It’s a tear jerker. (Our advise for the bridal party is to stay calm and cry like babies.)
Dance two: Newlywed’s first dance
The dance you have dreamed about. The newlywed’s first dance as a couple. This dance usually is a solo dance and only involves you and the person you love the most. A very special moment for a special couple. It’s just the two of you. (And a hush comes across the crowd.)
Dance three: Introduction of the parents and bridal party
The newlyweds remain on the dance floor. (You look perfect together right where you are.) There are many different ways of conducting these dances. You can start with the Argentinian Tango and segue into the Cha-Cha Slide if you want, though we think traditional is better. Most would follow up with the parents and bridal party joining them on the dance floor.
7: ‘EVERYBODY GET UP SO WE CAN GET DOWN!’ At this stage, we invite your guests to join us on the dance floor. Your DJ will play a few songs, varying the tempo so we can interact with your guests and get them up and moving. Usually music that is familiar with all ages. It's time to start working off the fabulous dinner and wedding cake (think Zumba in formal wear).
8: YOU’D THINK IT WAS TOO EARLY TO START THROWING THINGS But that’s exactly what happens next! Here’s the part where people start throwing things about. Don’t blame us—it’s traditional. We will involve as many of your guests as possible but we suggest you have an age limit. Sixteen and above works well, but if there are enough children aged 12 and under, we can have a Teddy Bear Toss especially for them, held before the throwing of flowers.
~Throwing the bouquet
In the words of Beyoncé, “ All the single ladies, put your hands!” The tradition is that the person who catches it will be next to marry. We will keep an eye out for any over-eager guests so desperate to get hitched they’ll place other participants in a variety of WWE Wrestling holds to get their hands on those flowers. We may need a whistle! (Make sure someone is videotaping. We may also need instant replay.)
~Throwing the garter
Ooooh yeah! Step one remove garter. Step two, toss. This, too, can get ugly or at least messy. Guests seem to think they can multitask with a beer in one hand and catch the garter with the other. Again messy! Have a mop ready. Depending on the exact consumption of booze by this point, it is possible that “one person” will already be wearing the garter as a headband, with the bouquet tucked behind their ear. Believe us. It happens.
9: THE DOLLAR DANCE The final event is the dollar dance. Prior to this event, we set up an area and gather all supplies. We also advise that this event should not take too long. Suggested supplies for the dollar dance: include liquor for shots (...or jelloshots!), mints or candies, and disposable shot glasses. If a funnel is involved, we do recommend a chair nearby for the newlyweds. This could take some time.
10: THE END OF FORMALITY… But Not The Evening. The end of the dollar dance signals the end of formal activities (if you are not having a dollar dance, all formal activities end after the throwing of bridal flowers and garter). Your DJ will then ensure that your guests are entertained until late. This could get a little crazy. Get the cameras out. History is about to be made-or what we call it here at Black Tie... EVIDENCE!
That concludes Black Tie’s light-hearted introduction to wedding receptions. We hope you enjoyed it. Talk to your Black Tie Production DJ to arrange your own special format. With our online planning form on our website, you will have complete control over the entire proceedings. On average, the traditional format takes 2 - 3 hours to complete.
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