By Olivera Entertainment:
Smart scheduling for your special event is a key element. Factors to consider:
1. Smooth transitions from one part to another ensures you use your guests’ time wisely. Keep the party
moving, and your guests will be appreciative and return for your next event.
2. Compose an entire spreadsheet for the event, including each specific movement, action, and timing by every vendor involved. This will help you identify moments when you can overlap items, and ensure
you are prepared every step of the way.
3. Whether speeches or announcements are long or short, have them in writing, and determine exactly
when and by whom each item will be delivered.
4. It is advisable to have each emcee and speaker practice with the microphone immediately preceding the event.
5. Make sure the person scheduled to speak is staged correctly at the proper time and ready to go.
6. Give the audio and video people a complete copy of the spreadsheet, to ensure all information is heard and seen as you have planned.
7. If planning an event during rush hour, add a half hour earlier start time for everyone with a specific time schedule.
8. Set-up time is prior to the event. Make sure the area or room is available for set-up, and the set-up will not interrupt the event in any way.
9. Transportation and hotel arrangements need to consider the time of day and length of travel to ensure
attendance at the event is prompt.
10. If contracting a dance band for your event, consider using a few of the band members for cocktail and dinner music, rather than hiring separate musicians, helping keep costs down.
You can contact Olivera Entertainment at HuntCountryCelebrations.com.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Wedding Traditions and Customs
By Lynn Pirozzoli, VP of Hunt Country Celebrations and CEO and Owner of the Black Horse Inn. Acknowledgements to Linda Vaughan Special Affairs LLC, an event planning company. www.special-weddings.com.
Do you ever wonder why a particular wedding custom is practiced? Many couples incorporate customs into their weddings but often do not know the origins of these traditions. Here are some common, and not so well known, customs and traditions:
Wedding Gown Color: The original wedding gown was red. In Chinese culture, red symbolizes luck for the couple. Pakistani brides often wear red on the third day of the wedding celebration, when the marriage rites and ceremony are performed. In Biblical times and during the Middle Ages, blue was a popular color for wedding gowns because it was the traditional color of purity. Today the color is represented in the practice of “something blue” for the bride on her wedding day. In ancient Greece and later during the Victorian era, white was worn to represent purity and innocence.
Wedding Veil: Originally, Roman brides wore veils. Traditionally, brides were thought to be particularly vulnerable to evil spirits, and it was believed that veils disguised brides and protected them from evil spirits. In early European times, marriages were arranged and brides were bargained. Once the transaction and ceremony were completed, the marriage was irreversible. Often, the bride’s father would veil her until after the ceremony so that the groom would not see her, just in case he was not pleased with the arrangement.
Bridesmaids, Best Man and Groomsmen: It was once thought that both the bride and groom were vulnerable to forces of evil; therefore, the best man’s duty was to protect the groom on his way to the church. Groomsmen and bridesmaids were dressed in attire similar to the bride and groom in order to confuse the evil spirits until after the ceremony took place.
Wedding Flowers: Traditionally, the bridal bouquet had different flowers, each with special significance (i.e. roses for love, lilies for virtue). In ancient marriages, the brides carried herbs beneath their veils to symbolize fidelity. Greek brides carried ivy as a symbol of never-ending love. Orange blossoms, the world-renowned wedding flower, were chosen by the Spaniards to represent happiness and fulfillment, because the orange tree flowers and bears fruit at the same time. During earlier times of “primitive marriage,” when the fear of demons was common, brides carried stinking garlands of herbs and spices for the purpose of frightening off evil spirits.
Jumping the Broom: This is an African American tradition that began during slavery when couples were not allowed to marry. The couple would hold hands and jump together over a decorated broom. If they could jump and land together, it signified their marriage would last. Today, many African American couples still jump the broom after they are pronounced husband and wife and before the recessional.
Ring Finger/Wedding Ring: Egyptians believed the Vein Amoris or “Vein of Love” ran from the heart to the third finger of the left hand. The diamond was a popular gem for the wedding rings of the ancient Greeks because they believed that the stones were teardrops of the Gods and reflected the flames of love.
Do you ever wonder why a particular wedding custom is practiced? Many couples incorporate customs into their weddings but often do not know the origins of these traditions. Here are some common, and not so well known, customs and traditions:
Wedding Gown Color: The original wedding gown was red. In Chinese culture, red symbolizes luck for the couple. Pakistani brides often wear red on the third day of the wedding celebration, when the marriage rites and ceremony are performed. In Biblical times and during the Middle Ages, blue was a popular color for wedding gowns because it was the traditional color of purity. Today the color is represented in the practice of “something blue” for the bride on her wedding day. In ancient Greece and later during the Victorian era, white was worn to represent purity and innocence.
Wedding Veil: Originally, Roman brides wore veils. Traditionally, brides were thought to be particularly vulnerable to evil spirits, and it was believed that veils disguised brides and protected them from evil spirits. In early European times, marriages were arranged and brides were bargained. Once the transaction and ceremony were completed, the marriage was irreversible. Often, the bride’s father would veil her until after the ceremony so that the groom would not see her, just in case he was not pleased with the arrangement.
Bridesmaids, Best Man and Groomsmen: It was once thought that both the bride and groom were vulnerable to forces of evil; therefore, the best man’s duty was to protect the groom on his way to the church. Groomsmen and bridesmaids were dressed in attire similar to the bride and groom in order to confuse the evil spirits until after the ceremony took place.
Wedding Flowers: Traditionally, the bridal bouquet had different flowers, each with special significance (i.e. roses for love, lilies for virtue). In ancient marriages, the brides carried herbs beneath their veils to symbolize fidelity. Greek brides carried ivy as a symbol of never-ending love. Orange blossoms, the world-renowned wedding flower, were chosen by the Spaniards to represent happiness and fulfillment, because the orange tree flowers and bears fruit at the same time. During earlier times of “primitive marriage,” when the fear of demons was common, brides carried stinking garlands of herbs and spices for the purpose of frightening off evil spirits.
Jumping the Broom: This is an African American tradition that began during slavery when couples were not allowed to marry. The couple would hold hands and jump together over a decorated broom. If they could jump and land together, it signified their marriage would last. Today, many African American couples still jump the broom after they are pronounced husband and wife and before the recessional.
Ring Finger/Wedding Ring: Egyptians believed the Vein Amoris or “Vein of Love” ran from the heart to the third finger of the left hand. The diamond was a popular gem for the wedding rings of the ancient Greeks because they believed that the stones were teardrops of the Gods and reflected the flames of love.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Bridal Tip: Music As a Role Player
By: Olivera Music Entertainment
1. The role of music for a special event requires careful planning in order to achieve your desired
goal. Each event is unique, as is the role of the musicians unique. Consider the following
scenarios:Atmosphere, and more atmosphere. It may change throughout your event, and the music
needs to change alongside it.
2. From solemn to lively, or a mix anywhere in between; what tempo do you envision throughout your
event?
3. Is there a theme? Let the music accompany your decor to enhance and give life to your theme. There
are endless possibilities.
4. Is the music to be strictly background? Is the music for background with a bit dancing? Is the music
meant to get everyone on the dance floor? Is the music a featured act looking to capture everyone’s
attention? Is the music meant to make everyone clap their hands?
• The music sets the tone at a special event. Make it memorable!
1. The role of music for a special event requires careful planning in order to achieve your desired
goal. Each event is unique, as is the role of the musicians unique. Consider the following
scenarios:Atmosphere, and more atmosphere. It may change throughout your event, and the music
needs to change alongside it.
2. From solemn to lively, or a mix anywhere in between; what tempo do you envision throughout your
event?
3. Is there a theme? Let the music accompany your decor to enhance and give life to your theme. There
are endless possibilities.
4. Is the music to be strictly background? Is the music for background with a bit dancing? Is the music
meant to get everyone on the dance floor? Is the music a featured act looking to capture everyone’s
attention? Is the music meant to make everyone clap their hands?
• The music sets the tone at a special event. Make it memorable!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The White Mare for the Grooms Procession in Southern Asian Weddings
By Midge Harmon - Harmon's Horse Drawn Carriages
The most important factor in choosing a horse to use for the groom to ride in his procession: Is the horse quiet? Has she been accustomed to the music, cymbals, dancing, and general activity of the Procession? She also should be used to wearing the brocade saddle cover, head and tail dressing, and the brocade breast collar.
A great many Southern Asian groom in this country have never ridden a horse before so they need to have a horse that is quiet and will not intimidate them. The horse handler should be experienced in this type of wedding procession to help give security to both the horse and the groom and to anticipate what is going to take place. This is the most important day of the groom's life and they do not need to be upset by a horse that is dancing around because of the noise and commotion. They want a nice quiet ride with all their family and friends proceeding them on the way to meet the bride's father and family.
The most important factor in choosing a horse to use for the groom to ride in his procession: Is the horse quiet? Has she been accustomed to the music, cymbals, dancing, and general activity of the Procession? She also should be used to wearing the brocade saddle cover, head and tail dressing, and the brocade breast collar.
A great many Southern Asian groom in this country have never ridden a horse before so they need to have a horse that is quiet and will not intimidate them. The horse handler should be experienced in this type of wedding procession to help give security to both the horse and the groom and to anticipate what is going to take place. This is the most important day of the groom's life and they do not need to be upset by a horse that is dancing around because of the noise and commotion. They want a nice quiet ride with all their family and friends proceeding them on the way to meet the bride's father and family.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Welcome to Hunt Country Celebrations Bridal Tip Blog!
This is one of the most exciting times in your life! At Hunt Country Celebrations we have experience in all kinds of weddings, and different members to make your life much easier.
On March 18th, from 12 to 4 pm. we are hosting our Bridal Show & Expo. You'll find every vender you can imagine and lots of ideas.
Keep checking back here for our Bridal Tips and like us on Facebook to follow tips and special offers. Our page is Hunt Country Celebrations. And visit us on the web at HuntCountryCelebrations.com.
On March 18th, from 12 to 4 pm. we are hosting our Bridal Show & Expo. You'll find every vender you can imagine and lots of ideas.
Keep checking back here for our Bridal Tips and like us on Facebook to follow tips and special offers. Our page is Hunt Country Celebrations. And visit us on the web at HuntCountryCelebrations.com.
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