Sac DJ Ron Davis

Avoid these Top 10 Blunders!

2012-01-29T21:53:00.001-08:00

Meredith Bodgas of the KNOT offers these great tips:

1. Try not to get attached to your flower choices.
When you book your florist a year before your wedding day, he can only guess which blooms will be available for your wedding. If you have to have, say, asters, you could be disappointed. Instead, choose backups to your main blooms and add them to your contract. Think in terms of colors and shapes instead of specific flowers.

2. Think twice before you send save-the-dates to everyone.
Until you mail out invitations, your guest list isn't final. And it shouldn't be: Friends you're close with when you get engaged may be mere acquaintances by the time you get hitched. Reserve save-the-dates only for those guests you know will be invited, like your families.

3. You will regret it if you skip videography.
Photos only take you so far: Videos let you hear your voice tremble as you say your vows and watch your friends tear up the dance floor. With more people documenting your wedding, you'll see things you may have missed on the day.

4. Be careful not to blow your fashion budget on your dress.
Maybe you have $1,500 set aside for your look. That doesn't mean you can buy a $1,500 gown! Tack on tax, and if you're not buying off the rack, you could get charged for shipping. You might need alterations, too. Consider your undergarments, shoes, hair accessories and jewelry when budgeting as well.

5. Avoid micromanaging your vendors.
You're choosing talented pros who understand your vision, so let them do their jobs! We know it's tempting to control every detail so you're guaranteed to love the results, but you won't have the time, and you certainly don't have the experience your vendors do. After your initial meetings, trust the pros to get it right. And, you know what? They almost always will.

6. Think hard before you pick your attendants.
Your bridesmaids should be your closest friends. Period. They can also be your sisters, cousins, aunts and even your mom, but they have to be people you'd trust to be there when you most need them. You don't know new friends well enough yet to be sure they'll support you in tough situations (every bride encounters one at some point), and picking people because a family member demands it or so you and your man will have an even number of attendants are also decisions you'll likely regret.

7. Please restrain yourself from telling everyone your plans.
It's so hard not to talk about your wedding. Try. The more you share, the more opinions you're going to get about your choices, whether or not you ask for them. Plus, part of wowing your guests is surprising them. If they already know that you're changing into a different dress for dancing or sending guests home with a batch of your grandma's cookies, they won't be quite as impressed on your wedding day. If that's not enough to deter you, talking about your plans means opening yourself up to copycats, who may actually be marrying before you do. The last thing you want is your friend stealing your idea for your surprise grand finale.

8. Seriously, stop booking your salon appointments last.
We get it: You want as much beauty sleep as possible, and you don't want your 'do to fall out or your makeup to fade before you walk down the aisle. But guess what: Busy stylists will likely get to you late if you're last in the chair. Schedule your appointments in the middle of your attendants'. It's not a big deal for a bridesmaid to switch to a less complicated (read: quick) hairstyle if she's pressed for time. That's not an option for you.

9. Don't even think about speeding through photos.
Speaking of not having enough time, any less than an hour isn't enough for a portrait session; an hour-and-a-half is closer to ideal because you'll look more relaxed in your pictures (and those first few never come out as well as you hope). Squeezing photos into the first half-hour of your cocktail hour will make you anything but at ease. If you refuse to see your groom before the ceremony, take pictures separately beforehand so the only shots left to take after the ceremony include both of you.

10. Avoid "hiring" a friend instead of a pro.
Sure, your pal was the king of the mix CD back in the day, but that doesn't mean he'll make a great wedding DJ. Same goes for your friend who won't leave home without her Flip — this doesn't make her a videographer! Even on a tight budget, you're much better off paying a vendor with experience to take care of the biggies, like the music and the food. Don't you want your friends to enjoy your wedding instead of having to work through it, anyway?

What does a Pro DJ do???

2010-11-30T23:48:00.000-08:00

What does a pro DJ do?
A good Wedding Entertainment Coordinator (DJ/MC) does many things. Let's go with a list:

1. I listen. I listen to you describe your event. Are you describing an elegant affair or a more informal gathering? Elegant does not mean "not" fun and informal does not preclude formalities. You set the tone and create the vision for your event. Once I understand your vision, I can suggest ways to help you create your unique celebration.

2. I suggest. Perhaps you'd like a harp player for your ceremony? Maybe a saxophone, flute or trumpet soloist or small chamber group? Perhaps traditional pre-recorded soft classical music? How will the intros go? I did one last summer where each couple in the wedding party being introduced had their own song. Each tune had a special meaning for them. It took a long time to make the mix but it came off great. At the end of the wedding party intros, the music faded into the bride & groom's 1st dance song and after being introduced, they went straight to the (now) soft-lit dance floor for their 1st dance. As far as the planning, time lines, music selections, etc., there are many tools I have for planning your reception. My online wedding reception planner is actually fun to use! You can work on it and save your work until it's complete and then, with the push of a button, have it sent directly to me via email.

3. I listen. I listen again to your music choices and help you find just the right mix of music for cocktails, dinner & dancing. Using my online music selection software, you and your fiance can put any song into a MUST play, PLEASE play or DO NOT play category. With the push of a button, your choices are emailed directly to me. Fun stuff!

4. I suggest. Working with my understanding of your vision (do you want lots of dancing or a mixture of mingling/dancing?), and my experience of dealing with dance crowds, I may have some suggestions for your song list.

5. I coordinate. Before your event, I contact every listed vendor and verify time lines and activity schedules.

6. I produce. At the event, I communicate with each vendor to help your event run smoothly. Before I announce that dinner is served, I have already verified the caterers are ready. I speak directly with the photographer before each major activity so that no moment is lost. I am your onsite coordinator. If you have a "day-of coordinator" onsite or the venue provides one, I work closely with them to ensure a stress-free, smooth flow of events.

7. You party! Once we transition into the dance party, I mix your song requests with those of your guests. I take requests via text message or live! It seems everybody is texting these days so that's a great way for them to communicate with me during the dance.

I use and highly recommend this great new book by the "King" of Wedding DJs Peter Merry: It's called "The Best Wedding Reception...Ever!" and is full of great ideas to make your event unique, elegant and fun.

Click here for more info on this great reference book!

Producing Entertainment for Wedding Ceremonies & Receptions is just one of the many services I offer. I also produce entertainment for:

* Anniversaries
* Birthday Parties
* Corporate Events
* Bar Mitzvahs
* Karaoke Contests
* Any Celebration!

Have fun! Who's hungry???

2010-10-20T13:27:00.001-07:00

Can't decide who gets to eat first at your reception? Since buffets are so popular at wedding receptions, why not come up with a fun way to decide when each table gets to eat?

Of course the bride and groom should be served at their table, but after the wedding party and parents have gone through the line, who's next? How about asking your MC to find someone willing to sing for their meal? The first table with a singer willing to serenade the bride and groom gets to eat next! I provide the wireless mic and the subject matter (songs with the word "love" in them or songs from the 80s or disco era) and they provide the talent! "Sir, that was a fantastic rendition of Boogie Shoes. Your table is next in line at the buffet table."

Public Shows

2010-08-19T21:20:00.000-07:00

Although I'm primarily a DJ for weddings and other private functions, I perform in the Sacramento area at public shows with my bands or as a DJ. Here is a listing of my upcoming public shows:

Tuesday, Feb. 7-My 17 piece dance/swing Big Band is playing at JB's Lounge at the Red Lion Hotel, 1401 Arden Way, Sacramento. We play from 7:00 - 9:00 and there is no cover charge. Happy hour drink pricing and app. specials during the show! Prior to our shows, I can demonstrate some of my Live Music DJ services I perform at wedding receptions!

Top 10 Wedding Trends for 2010

2010-02-12T20:40:00.000-08:00

According to Natalie Bradley, the bride attraction expert, here are the top 10 new wedding trends for 2010:

1. Colors: Aqua & Chartreuse.

2. Location: Ditch the hall, go with a backyard setting or museum.

3. Downsize: No more than 3 members per side for your wedding party!

4. Variety is the spice: Choose your colors but let each bridesmaid choose their own style of dress.

5. Go vintage: Accessorize with large pearls or a 1940's style dress.

6. Recycled wedding dress. www.EncoreBridal.com
7. Who made the cake? Ethnic or vintage style cakes are in!

8. Unique cake toppers. Bride and groom in "natural settings":

9. Going green. Less guests use less energy. Use same location for ceremony & reception. Serve locally grown and/or organic food.

10. Cash is king. Some think this is out of bounds, but ask guests for cash instead of gifts. Be specific about reason: "We need to save for a house."

Sacramento Wedding Network

2010-02-11T21:48:00.000-08:00

Who do you trust? How do you find a good vendor for your wedding? The best recommendations are word of mouth from friends or trusted businesses. That's why we started an elite network of wedding vendors in the Sacramento area. Anyone can have a website or blog or buy ad space in a wedding magazine. When you get an association of like-minded high end professionals, it can be a very valuable resource for you. Our one-stop shopping internet wedding vendor "mall" is here: www.SactoWeddings.com We've got DJs, Bands, Photographers, Videographers, Chocolate Fountains & Favors, Invitations, Officiants, Venues, Party Rentals, Photo Booths, any service or product you may need for your event.

Sacramento Wedding Network

2009-09-25T15:43:00.001-07:00

Who do you trust? How do you find a good vendor for your wedding? The best recommendations are word of mouth from friends or trusted businesses. That's why we started an elite network of wedding vendors in the Sacramento area. Anyone can have a website or blog or buy ad space in a wedding magazine. When you get an association of like-minded high end professionals, it can be a very valuable resource for you. Our one-stop shopping internet wedding vendor "mall" is here: http://www.sactoweddings.com/ We've got DJs, Bands, Photographers, Videographers, Chocolate Fountains & Favors, Invitations, Officiants, Venues, Party Rentals, Photo Booths, any service or product you may need for your event.

Sacramento ADJA Chapter Fundraiser

2009-07-16T17:24:00.000-07:00

On July 31, the Sacramento Chapter of the ADJA had our annual fundraiser and raised more than 10,000.0o for the Shriner's Hospital of Northern California. We had the event at Sunset Whitney Country Club and the evening included dancing, dinner, raffles, etc.......Thanks to all who attended. We had almost 300 people at the party!

For big fun, go small.....

2009-06-13T23:38:00.001-07:00

Are you trying to stay within a budget for your wedding? Do NOT go "cheap" on your entertainment, photographer, venue or catering. Instead, cut your guest list in 1/2.

I teamed up with The Beda Place recently for Julia & DJ's wedding with a guest list of no more than 60. We had the ceremony outside and the dinner/reception inside. It was a very enthusiastic and fun crowd and you'd have thought we had over 100 people with all the noise they made.

One special moment was the playing of a song David (DJ) had recorded with the help of one of his groomsen, who is a rapper. It was an original song and we played it before the couple shared their first dance together.

Here's an idea: Take your guest list you have now of over 100, and cut it down to 60 for your wedding day. One month or so after the wedding, when you've settled in after your honeymoon, have a casual gathering and invite everyone from the original guest list to a park for a picnic. You can all look at photos or videos of your event and help your cousin start the planning process for her upcoming wedding. Of course she'll invite you!

Continuing Education

2009-06-04T07:38:00.000-07:00

Although I've been a wedding DJ/MC for over 15 years, I still attend seminars and conferences in order to get new ideas and improve my performances.

One such conference was held recently at the new Sunrise Event Center near Sacramento. The AFWPI sponsored the day of seminars by the wedding industry's leading experts on marketing, sales, internet communication and new wedding trends.

Andy Ebon, the wedding marketing expert, presented the keynote address and also an in-depth seminar on blogging. In fact, he posted a blog live during his class about my services. You can view his blog here: http://wedding marketing.net/blog/.

Wedding Vows.....I now pronounce you.....

2009-04-03T22:24:00.001-07:00

A wedding ceremony can be a very spiritual, religious or personal experience. It can be all 3 as well. One thing every ceremony should be is unique!

Every couple should want their ceremony and vows to be as unique as their relationship. It should match their personality and lifestyle. One option I offer, either as a planned event or in case of emergency, is for me to officiate their ceremony. I am an ordained minister and authorized to "sign off" on a marriage in any jurisdiction.

Are you looking for ideas for your ceremony and vows? Check out this great website: http://www.myweddingvows.com/wedding-ceremony/a-lasting-love

I also refer you to Rev. Jeri Murphy, one of Sacramento's most popular wedding officiants:
http://www.revjerimurphy.com/

Fore!

2009-03-26T19:55:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a great venue for a wedding & reception! Mike and Maryann were married on March 14 at the Stockton Golf & Country Club. After the ceremony on the first tee (both Maryann & Mike hit it right down the middle), the reception was held in the big ballroom overlooking the course and the river. A Mariachi Band played during cocktails and for part of the dinner hour. "Who Let The Dogs Out" seemed to be a big hit during the dance due to an inside joke with the families. Great fun for sure!!!!

Gig Journal/Sacramento DJ

2009-02-20T10:22:00.000-08:00

Wedding DJ....This month started with a wonderful wedding at Vizcaya, one of my favorite venues in Sacramento! Feb. 7 was the date and the couple, Kim & Jacob Jamison really appreciate live music so I mixed my live music DJ services with DJ dance music at their reception. The ceremony featured a fantastic harp/flute duo called Music A Due. We had almost 200 guests in that room and it was a fun night!

On Feb. 14, Valentine's Day, my big band performed as the Guy Lombardo Orchestra at Feather Falls Casino in Oroville. The booking agent is a singer in Houston, TX so he came along and sang about 14 songs with us in the style of Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra & Harry Connick, Jr.. We did 2 sets that night and may return in the future to play for their monthly Sunday evening big band dance party.

And what Feb. would be complete without a Mardi Gras gig? The Dixie Dudes, Vacaville's favorite dixieland band, played our annual (6th in a row!) party at Genentech. We mixed in a few polkas for good measure. The beer was cold and the music hot!

Wedding Supplies

2009-01-27T13:02:00.001-08:00

Putting on a wedding reception or any large party requires lots of planning and "stuff". Where's the best place to get your needed party supplies?

After doing lots of research online (doesn't everyone??), I can recommend this company as a great place to start. You'll get ideas on everything from planners to cake toppers to shoes and even party games for the bridal shower!

Gig Journal/Jazz & The Movies

2009-01-26T00:29:00.000-08:00

We had a nice evening of "cocktail" jazz on Friday night, Jan. 23. The Sacramento Grand Ballroom at 629 J Street is a unique setting for a reception. This was Kaiser's recognition celebration and the party theme was "Hollywood". The former bank was decked out with typical Hollywood statues and landmarks. One of the bars was at the corner of Hollywood & Vine!

I played trumpet, bass trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone and alto sax. With pianist Tom Whinnery, we played a little more than 3 hours of easy listening jazz, swing and some 'show' tunes like "As Time Goes By". This was a large gathering with more than 400 guests.

Kids! Kids! Kids!

2009-01-13T10:24:00.000-08:00

What to do with the kids at your event? You're planning a wedding and you have lots of family members & friends who have kids. What are your options?

Here's an idea: Contract with a specialty service like Special Event Nannies that provides a fantastic alternative to the kids vs. party dilemma. If the venue is large enough, they can care for them during your reception in another room. If not, renting a local hotel room is a great alternative. Bring the kids to the ceremony and once they arrive at the reception, they can go have their own little "play wedding" themselves. http://SacDJ.com/

Why they don't sell DJs at the Dollar $tore!

2009-01-12T22:55:00.000-08:00

"What do you charge to do a wedding?"
"What is your hourly rate?"
"How much to DJ my wedding next summer?"

These are some of the most popular first questions I get when someone contacts me to inquire about my services.........
Sure, budget is a factor in every buying decision we make, but should it be a primary decision when you're trying to find a good DJ/Emcee?? Are we all the same? How do you find a good one within your budget?

The Dollar Store DJ Story>>

Do they have DJs at the $1.00 store? The $1.00 store is for products where quality isn’t a factor. All bleach is bleach. All duct tape is duct tape. All candy is candy. All greeting cards are greeting cards. All helium balloons are the same. All school supplies are the same. All gift bags are the same……..

DJs are NOT in an aisle at The Dollar Store. All DJs are not the same. We are a service, not a product. In fact, DJs are THE most important service professional at your wedding or special event! We can make or break the party. Before you hire a DJ, meet with them to make sure you like their personality. They are bringing their personality to your party! If it’s a destination wedding or impossible to meet in person, talk with them via phone more than once to get a sense of their communication skills and personality.
Check for credentials all professional DJs should have such as liability insurance and a business license. Ask about the equipment they will use. Does it look good? How does it sound? Can they provide professional quality wireless lapel (hidden) mics for the ceremony and wireless hand held mics for the toasts?
For more suggestions, see my DJ Hiring Tips or my Rates page.

http://SacDJ.com/

DJs Vs. Bands

2009-01-08T16:06:00.000-08:00

Should you get a DJ or a band for your reception? Why do most wedding planning guides list "DJ" as your only entertainment option?

Vs.

DJs provide the entertainment for approx. 85% of all wedding receptions. Why is that? Space is the major consideration. A band requires up to 10 times the stage area when compared to a DJ. Sometimes having a band is just not possible. Music selection is another major concern. Even the very best bands only have 100-120 songs in their active library. Some bands may "reads charts" and carry 500 or more tunes with them, but that pales in comparison to the modern high tech DJ who has access to an average of 10,000 or more songs at his fingertips. However, the energy a good dance band can generate is far superior to even the best sound system playing CDs, records or mp3 recordings! The most important difference between a band and a professional wedding DJ is the coordination/Emcee ability level. There are a ton of great bands out there playing weddings that don't have an accomplished front man/Emcee who is capable of handling toasts, first dances, coordinating behind the scenes, etc. Most wedding DJ/MCs are hired because of their ability to handle the coordination of the time line, the announcing of the wedding party and bride & groom, facilitating the toasts and generally keeping the event running smoothly. Of course the best of both worlds would be a live band & an experienced wedding entertainment DJ/MC!! The DJ/MC would be there to help coordinate the events and during the band's breaks, he could "DJ" songs your guests would like to hear that your band doesn't perform live.
As a musician/band leader and wedding specialist DJ/MC, I offer many packages that include both a band & DJ/MC.

To contact me directly via email: ron@SacDJ.com
http://SacDJ.com/

Lights, Camera, Action!

2009-01-08T10:09:00.000-08:00

This is the VUE II Moonflower LED (My favorite effect!)

Lighting is a great way to make your reception special! I recently upgraded my light show and now offer a special lighting package ($225.00) to help create a "club" atmosphere on your dance floor.

Big or small, a dance floor will look & feel much more inviting with this colorful club atmosphere. I use only the highest quality "Chauvet" brand lighting effects and my complete show features not only the dancing Vertigo, but a very cool looking red laser, a "DJ Squeeze II" which changes colors and shapes to the beat of the music AND my favorite, the Chauvet Vue II Moonflower LED light!

Depending on the floor plan of the room, I can direct the lights to the ceiling or the dance floor.

Here's a cool video of the Chauvet Vue II in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fhl91NTis0

This is the "dancing" Vertigo!
http://SacDJ.com/

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway???

2009-01-07T15:15:00.000-08:00

Did you know there's a TV show on the E Network called "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway??? It's a behind-the-scenes look at weddings from around the world. Most have some sort of drama attached to it. The episode I filmed in San Francisco last fall is scheduled for broadcast this Feb. or March. The 'hook' for this wedding was the fact that both families lived oversees and most were not able to attend the small ceremony earlier in the year. They wanted to have a 'real' wedding with a unique twist. The couple has triplets and I suggested we have a trumpet trio for the ceremonial music, one trumpet for each baby! I did the DJ/MC work for the reception at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel on Union Square and our Sacramento Wedding Trumpet Trio did the ceremony.

The epsiode began running on May 5, 2009 and will be rerun from time to time all year. It's officially called "Three's Company" and is part of Season 9.

Sir Francis Drake Hotel

About your wedding....How do you plan YOUR wedding? Entertainment is a HUGE part of any successful event! Do you ask your DJ or band leader how they want to coordinate the time line and select the music or do you tell them what YOU want and ask how they can create YOUR vision? A good entertainment coordinator (DJ or band leader) will listen to what YOUR vision is and suggest ways they can make that happen for YOU.

So to answer the question: It's YOUR wedding!

http://SacDJ.com/