The 25 Days of Christmas (Megasound style) Day #1

from June Hoffman and Erik Michaels of Megasound

We at Megasound know that the holidays are busy and filled with many commitments and obligations. We want to be Santa’s Elf and take the days leading up to Christmas to share twenty-five helpful tips, hints, and lists for your wedding planning. We hope that you enjoy these gifts. Whether your wedding is in Fort Wayne or elsewhere; if you need additional assistance with your wedding, just give us a jingle!

Day #1 - Contracts

Make sure that you have one detailed contract with each of your wedding professionals. A detailed contract protects you as well as the vendor from misunderstandings (on potentially important things such as dates, times, locations, who, what, etc.). If you are signing the contract in person with the vendor, make sure that you have a copy including both signatures for your records.

If you are mailing a contract and retainer (or deposit) to the vendor, make sure that the contract is completely reviewed and then signed. If a signature is missing from the contract or check, you risk delay in processing and you could potentially lose your “spot” with that vendor. It is also important that when mailing to the wedding professional, that both the contract and check are sent together. Keep a copy of what you sent and make sure that the vendor acknowledges receipt of the contract and check within a reasonable amount of time.

Contracts are important for all parts of your wedding. Insist on detailed contracts for all aspects of your wedding including church, limo, cake, dresses, DJ, reception venue, caterer, photographer, etc. Happy planning!

“Say Hey (I Love You)” is a Celebration of Love

by June Hoffman of Megasound

While I was doing music research for a recent wedding, I found a new song suggestion. Talk about stumbling across a totally fun and exciting last dance song! “Say Hey (I Love You)” by Michael Franti and Spearhead is a tropical celebration of dance and exemplifies the excitement of love. This song would be an upbeat way to round out the end to any wedding reception or destination wedding.

Musical Inspiration for Your Wedding

by June Hoffman of Megasound

You can find a lot of inspirations for your wedding reception music. These selections should be a springboard for different ideas on a wide variety of music. I hope that these help make your special day an awesome celebration!

Cocktail/Dinner Music Selection – “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra

Classic Slow Song – “You are so Beautiful” by Joe Cocker

Funky – Retro Tune – “She’s a Bad Mama Jama” by Carl Carlton

Wedding Cheese – “The Chicken Dance” by the Emeralds

Sizzling Dance Floor – “Krazy” by Pitbull featuring Lil Jon

“Couples Only” – “Lucky” by Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillat

Let me know if you need other song ideas for your wedding reception. We can brainstorm ideas to find those artists and songs that will work best for you.

Song Suggestions for Your Reception

From June Hoffman of Megasound

Creating a fun and meaningful reception playlist may seem a daunting task. Weddings are comprised of traditions and celebration and a wide array of guest ages. The following song suggestions will hopefully spark your musical genius and assist you in adding entertaining options for all guests to enjoy at your wedding reception.

Another helpful hint: utilize your DJ/MC's skills to help in the song selection process.

Cocktail/Dinner Music Selection – “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra

Classic Slow Song – “At Last” by Etta James

Funky – Retro Tune – “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry

Wedding Cheese – “YMCA” by the Village People

Sizzling Dance Floor – “Boom, Boom Pow” by the Black Eyed Peas

“Couples Only” – “Kiss me Thru the Phone” by Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em featuring/Sammie

If you need help creating your wedding reception play list, drop me a line.

Why Would You Desire 100% Horn-loaded Loudspeakers for Your Wedding Reception?

by Erik Michaels of Megasound

For those of us who are not acoustic engineers, the debate over which type of loudspeakers are best for a particular use may not seem like much of an issue. However, loudspeakers are what transform the electrical signal sent to them into sound and will change the sound you hear more than any other part of a sound system. You may think that a loudspeaker is a loudspeaker, but that is just like saying that a DJ/MC is a DJ/MC. We all know that some are better than others and the same holds true for loudspeakers as well.

Horn-loaded loudspeakers offer you better sound than bass reflex loudspeakers.
1. Horn-loaded speakers are more efficient at converting the electrical signal sent to them into sound energy, so they require less power to create a given sound volume.
2. These speakers project their sound much further than other speakers. Have you ever noticed when you took your own loudspeakers outdoors that the sound coming from them seemed to "evaporate"?
3. Most loudspeaker designs for home use employ either bass reflex or acoustic suspension as their design, and since they are designed for the average-sized living room, they work very well as long as they are in that size of a room. Your wedding reception hall, however, is much bigger and will require larger speakers in order to create that same sound as what you are used to in your living room. This is one reason you would want horn-loaded speakers as opposed to other types of speakers.
4. Another reason that horn-loaded speakers are better is that they create less distortion. Since horn-loaded enclosures are more efficient at creating sound in the first place, they require far less power to achieve a certain volume (sound pressure level). This means that one doesn't have to push the amplifier as hard and therefore reduces cone breakup, which causes one form of distortion. While there are other forms of distortion which are also reduced, what you will hear is more crystal clear sound than from other types of loudspeakers. In fact, most sports stadiums utilize horn-loaded speakers for these very same reasons.

The reason most DJ/MCs do NOT use horn-loaded loudspeakers is because of their size and cost. Yes, they are generally larger than bass reflex speakers, which also means that they are heavier. They are also more expensive than bass reflex speakers. However, their excellent sound quality and superior projection qualities make them a much better choice in all but the smallest reception halls.

In fact, horn-loading is so popular that even most professional bass reflex speakers utilize horn-loaded midrange and high frequency (tweeter) drivers. Unfortunately, the all-important bass driver is left out. As a result, a subwoofer is then required to produce the "chest-thumping" bass which can easily be produced utilizing horn-loaded bass drivers. Once again, utilizing 100% horn-loaded loudspeakers produces less distortion, provides further projection, and gives you more accuracy than similar-sized bass reflex speakers.

What’s Your DJs Backup Plan?

by Erik Michaels of Megasound

Why should you use an entertainer who provides backup equipment?

While you are considering who to hire to provide service for your reception, keep in mind that not all MC/DJs are created equal. In our previous article regarding experience, we highlighted the difference between MCs based on their experience. Likewise, many inexperienced MC/DJs do not have backup equipment installed, hooked up, and ready to go as part of their package. Even experienced service providers (who DO have backup equipment) can still experience problems during weddings due to equipment failure. However, an MC/DJ who has backup equipment on-site can prevent most problems from becoming a nightmare.

Having backup equipment at your reception such as an extra amplifier, microphone, and CD player can make all the difference if one of those devices fails. Electronic equipment can fail at any point in time. Just because an entertainer tells you that they have backup equipment does not necessarily mean that the equipment will be on-site, hooked up and ready to go. If an amplifier fails and the backup unit is in the entertainer's vehicle, it will still take some time for them to bring the unit in, hook it up, and turn everything back on.

As an example, without an amplifier, the loudspeakers are silent. For your protection, this should be the minimum backup provided by any DJ. A true professional will also care enough to provide a backup microphone and some sort of backup source of music as well (a backup CD player or similar device).

Unfortunately, many DJs leave backup equipment out as a means to save money. While this may also save YOU money, you run the risk of ruining your wedding night as a result. As the old saying goes, "You're better safe than sorry."

Fashion Show from a New Perspective

I got to help out my friends at the Wedding Place yesterday. I was in charge of the “tea-room” style fashion show at the Sycamore Hills Golf Club bridal event.

What does that mean for a person who is used to playing music and MC’ing a runway show? It means making sure the models arrive, get their dresses in order, show them the logistics of the room, go over the commentary and music with the DJ, and make sure they look “put together” when they hit the runway.

With the help of dressers and staff, and only one zipper malfunction, we shared lovely bridal fashions and bridesmaids attire with the brides and their guests. It certainly takes a well-balanced team to create such a beautiful presentation. It is a very thrilling to fluff Tomi’s trains as she modeled the bridal gowns. All and all it made for a new experience to add to my collection.

Guests Follow Your Lead

The “first dance” opens the dance floor. All of the wedding traditions follow. When it is really time to hit the dance floor, most guests tend to follow the lead of the bride and groom. Even the most entertaining band or DJ can only play 15 to 20 songs an hour. So if you have spent a great deal of time working with your entertainment source, you should be able to select music that you enjoy as well as selections that help everyone celebrate your new union.

No one formula is used to create the “right” mix of music for a wedding reception. The biggest concept to get your hands around is what you want on your dance floor. Do you want guests of all ages dancing to familiar tunes as well as upbeat selections and sweet love songs? Or do you expect your guests to hang out listening to songs you can only bob your head to or sit back taking it all in?

If you like the idea of guests dancing the night away, you may want to consider how much dancing you enjoy. The reception is really a time to take pleasure in and create musical moments to remember for years. Take the time to mingle as well as dance with your guests. Even the shyest couple can participate in the Anniversary Dance (also known as a “generations” dance) or a Snowball Dance.

Weddings tend to bring out all types of participation dances. I have written in the past about “the YMCA”, “the Electric Slide”, “Cha Cha Slide”, “Cupid Shuffle”, and others. Interaction and involvement in the wedding reception makes guests feel welcomed and part of the whole celebration. I am not condemning or condoning “the Chicken Dance” or “the Hokey Pokey”; but they bring guests from one to 101 out to a common place. It may just look a little dorky, but sometimes shaking body parts is all part of the fun.

You know your family and friends better than a DJ or band. So work with your wedding professional ahead of time to talk about favorite fast tunes and slow hits that will get guest involved in your celebration. You may even enjoy dancing around the room acting like a train conductor.

Enjoy your planning; enjoy your celebration!!