A while back I saw an episode of “Masters of Reception”, a show dedicated to wedding receptions.  This one particular episode basically was about a wedding being the one day out of a year that people want to be treated like royalty. So why is it that so many wedding professionals feel the need to tell them what they are going to do instead of asking them what they want to do?

What makes your event successful is when your vendors take time to get to know you and what you envisioned for your event.  Instead of them saying “no” to what might actually be a simple request, they should say “Let’s see what we can do for you”.  If you really want to have that  unique event, hire professionals who really know what it’s all about….You and your guests!!  After all, a little extra can go a long way.

It seems more and more DJ companies are jumping on the band wagon of an all-inclusive package with DJs, Photo and Video. But what are they really offering and what are you really getting?  I decided to research this information a little further. What I found was rather disturbing.

One company I researched, I went through their pictures of DJs and saw your typical headshot photos. I then looked through the photographers and videographers and that’s when I was surprised. The DJs were also photographers and videographers, OR is it the photographers were also DJs and videographers. The point being what are they? What is their expertise? What are they really good at?

Another example is some companies will offer photography or videography as a service, but really they are a booking agent. They have a handful of companies that they will sub-contract out to do your event. This raises the question, Do you know what you are really getting?

It’s important to ask all the necessary questions to find out what you are really getting and who is really performing the service.  At DK Productions you will know exactly what you are getting.  Our DJs are DJs and Photographers are Photographers.

What makes a wedding cheesy?  Put simply? Lack of Relevance. Now what exactly does that mean? Well first when someone wants something we should ask why.  If they don’t want something we should also ask why. It’s just as important.  Most times a bride and groom come into my office and say they think lights, a game, props or a dance are cheesy.. Even sometimes they say the garter/bouquet is cheesy, overdone, tacky etc…When that happens I can tell them why with almost 99% accuracy.

Usually what happens is the Bride and Groom saw something at another event and they either got turned off by it, saw it way too many times, or just want something completely unique that fits them (which is the most popular reason I hear lately). The same thing applies to the music. Program your music to be “all about the bride & groom”.  If a bride and groom say they don’t want the dances or garter and bouquet, we need to get a sense for why they don’t want it and offer an alternative solution.  Then give it relevance.

From the introductions to the last dance there needs to be relevance. I can’t tell you how many times someone comes in and says “please don’t play old time rock n roll or celebration”, “don’t play the electric slide or chicken dance”. They aren’t saying it because they really think the song is cheesy. They are saying it because just about EVERY DJ is playing it (or at least every dj they saw). A wedding lacks relevance if everything we are doing is just for the sake of doing it because it’s a wedding. To me that’s what makes a wedding (or DJ) cheesy. Most people take the statement “All About The Bride” to mean the bride does or gets whatever she wants, and she can. After all it is her wedding! However, as wedding professionals we need to make it a true statement.  The only way to do that is by giving it Relevance. Then (and only then) is it really “All About The Bride”.

Ever been asked the question who’s your Hairstylist or where you get your nails done?  I’m pretty sure you would know the answer if someone did ask.  Well whenever I run into a bride who already has their DJ I ask them who? The answer I get is astonishing. “Ummm I can’t remember” seeming to be the most popular. It begs the following questions:

1.) Did the company make a proper lasting impression on them? If not this could have catastrophic effects. If they can’t remember their DJ because he didn’t make a lasting impression, what do you think that says about how their event will be? If any impression is made it is more likely to be a negative one.

2.) Is the DJ building a relationship with them?  More than likely the DJ company has had no further contact with them between the day they booked up until they day of their wedding. This really doesn’t encourage much of a relationship building process between the Bride and her DJ.

And finally,

3.) Have they even met their actual DJ?  Most companies with multiple DJs use a salesperson to do the consults or the business owner performs this task.  The actual DJ is not present.  The problem with this is you can see all the videos, read all the testimonials, but until you’ve actually met your DJ you won’t have that personal connection with the one you’ll actually be working with.  Unfortunately a month before your wedding could be too late to develop any type of relationship with the DJ for him or her to know what your expectations are.

In the end it’s all about relationship.  If you don’t build a relationship with your DJ, or even your Photographer or Video Specialist, your wedding could suffer!  Don’t let this happen to you.

Have you ever been to a wedding where it was too loud near the dance floor, but not loud enough on the other side of the room? Perhaps you watched a wedding video but couldn’t quite make out what the best man was saying during his toast. These types of disasters could have easily been avoided IF the entertainment and/or videographer was using a wireless broadcast system such as the one that DK Productions uses.

This type of a system allows us to do two things:

1.) We can transmit to a wireless speaker(s) to the other side of the room.  This allows us to balance the volume so that it is even across the entire room rather than blasting the sound so it’s deafening on one side and still barely audible on the other.  In the end we are creating a nice pleasant listening environment for all your guests.  If the need arises we can even send it to another room where there would otherwise be no sound.

2.) If you are having a videographer we can provide them with either a wireless receiver pack or a frequency code (if they have their own). With this capability the videographer can capture the audio from our system without having to use an external mic that could create distortion or feedback.

Any companies using wireless should also be using frequencies in the 600Mhz range or the “B” range. Avoid companies using the “A” range as their is a lot of interference there, and the “C” range (700Mhz) is now illegal as it is mandated by the FCC for emergency use only. I don’t think you want the fire dept. and police dept. showing up at your event or  broadcasting over the speakers! Be sure to talk with your entertainment and/or videographer specialists to be sure they are wireless ready! If not then give DK Productions a call.

 

One year ago today, I photographed a wonderful couple. You could tell just by looking at them that Meg and Dave were so in love.  The weather was just perfect, and they had a beautiful ceremony outside at Amarante’s Sea Cliff in New Haven.

Dave is a firemen, so it is a big part of their life. So onside of their beach theme, Meg had cool little ideas that incorporated that into their day. (And it was all a surprise for Dave!) Meg also chose songs for the reception that were fire themed! Their family and friends were so welcoming, by the end of the evening I felt like part of the family!

 

I love stories about details that make the day even more special to the couple. I thought this story was so sweet (and cool) I’d share it with all of you. It’s about Meg’s wedding dress….it was taken from the back of the wedding program, and was penned by Meg’s hand…..

 

The Dress

My oldest brother Joe lived in the orient for many years. When he was there, he had beautiful silk drapes made. At the age of 37, he passed away after a long battle with cancer. The drapes were sent to my mother, where she hung them in the living room. I fell in love with the silky material. I would drape the material around myself, and say that it was so beautiful, and that it would make a wonderful wedding dress.

The running joke amongst the family and friends was that I was going to get married in those “curtains”. When friends visited they would say “Gen, she’s not getting married yet…the curtains are still up!”

When Dave asked me to marry him, I knew that my dress had to be made out of those curtains. I designed the dress and had an amazing seamstress bring it to life.

So, you see, as my two brothers walk me down the aisle today, you will actually be seeing all three of my brothers participating in a day that is most important to me.

I made the medallion on the bodice of the dress with lace from my mothers wedding dress, the curtains and the beads. The rhinestone piece in my hair is from my Grandmother, and I carry the handkerchief that my mothers mother gave to her on her wedding day.

Today is a day when all family and friends who cannot be here physically are here with us in thoughts and spirits.

-Meg June 20, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reception Love…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And another cool part of the night was meeting Dominic Chianese! (Uncle Junior on the Soprano’s/The Godfather II, ect) He’s is a family friend of Meg’s. Mr. Chianese and his wife were super nice…and I was stoked to have my picture taken with him!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Of course my favorite pic of the night:

 

And Lastly…Meg and Dave’s wonderful testimonial:

Connie was wonderful , the pictures were wonderful and the day was wonderful. I’d recommend Lyrical Lens to anyone getting married. Connie was flexible, cheery, wonderful and you can tell she loves what she does. My husband and I both thought she was fantastic.

~Meg&Dave

 

HAPPY 1ST ANNIVERSARY GUYS!  THANKS FOR THE HONOR! <3 LUV YOU!

 

 

 

Vendor Info:

Venue: Amarante’s Sea Cliff (www.amarantes.com/weddings)

Photography: Lyrical Lens Photography (www.lyricallens.com)

Entertainment: DK Productions (www.dkproent.com)

Cake: Creative Cakes by Donna (www.cakesbydonna.com)

Make-up and Hair: Melinda at Beautymarks Salon (www.mybeautymarks.com)

 

This is the last installment of the awesome engagement sitting we had with Sarrah and Colin at Lyman Orchards. We put together this Photofusion slideshow as a surprise for them. So excited they looooved it!! Thought I would stick it up here for all to enjoy!!

<3Connie

While we were out shooting Sarrah and Colin’s engagement shoot I decided to do something a little different as a surprise for them. (And Sarrah even said I was mean for not even giving her a hint…) hahaha. But I’d do it all over again because their reaction was so funny I could hardly contain myself…and to think I just did this one messing around, trying it out for fun. And they loved it!

I have to thank Dave Krevalin (www.DKproent.com) for coming to hang out and  shooting some video. And Nikki Boone for coming along and shooting with me! (<3 u guys!)

If you missed the last installment of Sarrah and Colin’s shoot you can catch it here: http://blog.lyricallens.com/2011/06/10/colin-sarrah-e-session/

This is part one of 2….

Enjoy.

<3 Connie

Sarrah and Colin are a amazing couple…so much fun to be around. And although they aren’t a hugely “romantic” couple, you can totally feel the chemistry, and the love when they are together.

For their engagement session we went to where Colin proposed, Lyman Orchards, in Middlefield, CT. ….ahhh so sweet…i know….

We had a great time walking around, and thankfully started early, because by noon…it was scary hot..and poor Colin in his sweater vest…   They were great in front of the camera, and such a beautiful couple. Which totally makes my job easier!

They braved the nasty storm last night to come in and see all the cool stuff from their session. (which i will be featuring all of the rest shortly…so stay tuned!)

And thanks to Nikki Boone for coming to shoot with me!!

Till next time, here’s some of my favs from the session…

<3Connie

 

 

The last couple months has been so crazy and mind blowing. I attended a bunch of seminars through the CT PPA that were awesome. It’s great to follow photographers who’s work who I admire, and that totally inspire me. But, listening to those same photographers in person…is really so amazing, and even more inspiring. I’m not even sure I can explain it. It was awesome to have the reassurance that the things I’ve been wanting to do for so long (and was told that it wasn’t “proper business conduct”)…I was actually correct in where I wanted my business to go. Sometimes you just have to put on your big girl bathing suit, plug your nose, and jump in!

And to top it all off, it was great to spend time with other CT photographers, to talk shop and share ideas. (it’s scary…but many photographers don’t like to network.) I loved meeting new friends…it was just an amazing experience. I’m still buzzing. (and still going through tons and tons of notes…)

 

I won’t bore you with all the gory details…But it was just a great learning experience, not only business-wise, but personally as well. Both Justin and Mary Marantz and Zach and Jody Gray are such amazing photographers, and it was interesting to listen to how they each work their marketing, and their client experiences. And how it works for each of them.  They also helped us understand how we  can implement  the things they do in our business as well.

 

I have been following Jasmine Star for awhile now (I’m a huge fan)….her images are amazing. She’s smart, funny, and easy to relate to. I was so excited to hear her speak. ( Yes, the happy dance was done. My kids can attest to the dorkyness of it all….) She changed my whole outlook on my job, my business and my way of thinking. I came out of her seminar on cloud nine…so excited, that I could barely speak. I called a close friend and talked a mile a minute until I couldn’t breathe anymore. Then blabbed some more! (And this is my favorite picture!!!

 

THEN….I took one of my new associates (Nikki) to see Sandy Puc and Jerry Ghionis. (She had a great time…and I was happy that she went with me!!) I’ve seen Sandy 5 times, learning a ton of new stuff every time. That woman is a marketing genius!  Jerry is one of the top 5 wedding photographers in the world. (Again, a huge fan!) Listening to him talk was easy. He did a great job talking about how to make every bride look and feel beautiful. And he also talked about changing the way you think, and how it will result in more amazing images. (and his wife is beautiful and super sweet!)

 

I love to learn…If I ever get to the place where I think I know it all, then I should quit my job. I love trying new things. I love my job. I love my clients. <3

I also learned that I’m a horrible blogger!! And I’m trying to get better at that!

‘Till next time…

<3Connie