Camelot Party Rentals

As a DJ, I am usually contacted later down the list of professionals that a bride & groom use for their big day and as such many of their choices on other professional services have already been made. But I am always happy to give ideas and recommendations when asked for, as it is yet another way I can contribute to the event's success.  I don't give out referrals lightly- I need to see their work firsthand and know them as people before I wholeheartedly recommend them to my brides & grooms.  I try to find and recommend people and organizations who like me who strive to exceed expectations.  In the wedding business, anything short of that is unacceptable.

For years now I have worked side-by-side with Camelot Party Rentals, sometimes without even knowing it.  They provide tables and chairs, spectacular place settings and gorgeous linens, and most importantly to a DJ, tents for shade and protection from the elements and dancefloors for me to fill with happy guests.  Usually when I get to a venue, their crew has already been and gone, their amazing handiwork on display already, so I don't get to put a face to their hard work.  However over the past few months I have gotten to know Regina Barker, Camelot's Outside Sales Manager and have had the pleasure to chat with her about wedding and event ideas as well as general business in northern Nevada.  She is a super example of a company sending a talented individual out into the local organizations and associations with the idea of making Camelot a true partner in the area.  Indeed, Regina is a member of the Victorian House, Weddings of the West, NACE, and the Chamber of Commerce as well as many other professional organizations.  She is Camelot's liaison for community events such as Susan B. Komen and other great causes.  She grew up in nearby Susanville and has gone to school and worked in the Bay Area, Tahoe and Reno for all her life.

Regina and one of Camelot's tables & settings here at the Victorian House

She is constantly giving back to the community and her vast network of friends and associates in various ways that gives Camelot an even more stellar reputation than they already have.  She gave a talk today at the Victorian House meeting about extending your network both in person and through social media and how that can be applied to business and charitable functions.  She is a great asset to the Victorian House, Camelot and the Reno/Tahoe wedding and event industry in general.  

So when I have a bride wondering about how to pull off that meadow wedding at her grandfather's ranch, or where she can get a dancefloor at the last minute, or if she should get a tent for the Tahoe beach wedding just in case those notorious summer thunderstorms make an appearance, I'll know whose number to give her.  

Jason & Christine at Arrowcreek with Take the Cake Events, Zinser Photobooth, Tiers of Joy Cakes, Steve Dutcher Photography, the Stylish Scribe, I Thee Wed, Reno Tux Shop and Allies Flowers

Being a wedding DJ means that I get to be a part of a something that is bigger than myself- the love, commitment, laughter, tears and fun of a special couple's most important day.  To be able to share and contribute to that couple's achieving their perfect wedding and reception is an honor and I take it very seriously, and to be able to work with other wedding professionals who feel the exact same way as I do is both refreshing and inspiring.  Such was the case at the wedding and reception of Christine & Jason.

I met Jason at an Open House at the Victorian House early in 2012.  Open Houses at the VH are fun, casual affairs where prospective brides and grooms can speak to various event professionals in the house without feeling pressured and while learning all about venues, services and ways to make their events pop and stand out amongst other weddings.  I had the pleasure of talking with Jason for quite some time and learned that he and his fiance were studying at UNR and were on a definite budget.  He also told me all about his future as a United States Army Officer after school and impressed me not only as a bright young man but also as a deeply patriotic one as well.  After talking with him for a while I thought to myself that I'd really like to be a part of his & Christine's day, and I hoped that their budget would allow for a DJ, even with the military discount I'd extend to them.  Then fate, karma or a higher power intervened.  Jason, along with dozens of others, had signed up for our Grand Prize Drawing where all of the VH vendors gave free or deeply discounted services for a couple's wedding day and literally seconds after we finished our conversation, his name was drawn, winning the Grand Prize!  Not only would I be deejaying their wedding, I'd also get to work with a lot of great people in doing so!

My view of the ceremony through the fireplace

Months later, everything came together on a snowy late-December evening at Arrowcreek Country Club.  An outside wedding was ruled out but Blake and his crew at Arrowcreek put together a beautiful space inside next to the fireplace for the ceremony, and Pastor Kris Dahir presided over an eloquent and personal ceremony.  The wedding party was composed completely of guys except for the flower girl and Christine- there were groomsmen on Jason's side and Bridesmen on Christines. Very cool! The tuxes were provided by Tesla at Reno Tux Shop and all the guys looked very sharp. The flower girl had some adorable, last-minute jitters, walked partway down the aisle, panicked, and then sought the refuge of Pattye from Take the Cake Events.  People chuckled and went "awww" and then Christine walked down the aisle to a baroque version of "Canon in D" in one of my favorite dresses of 2012, an off-white gown that really set her hair and eyes off (I don't usually comment on dresses, as I don't have any fashion sense and all my brides are gorgeous, but this dress really hit a nerve with me...).

Christine's bouquet was from Allie's Flowers in Carson City and it and the other flowers were beautiful.

After the heartfelt ceremony by Pastor Kris, the newly-married couple left to Iz's "Over the Rainbow" and we all moved to the dining room.

Pattye and Cassie from Take the Cake Events are fantastic.  They provided day-of coordination and were involved continually behind the scenes making sure everything went more than smoothly.  To have the peace of mind that they provide is priceless on your big day.  They were there before I arrived and still there after I left, and I arrive early!  As guests moved to the dining area, Trevor from Zinser Photobooth went into action, welcoming them and making their evening even more fun and special.  In the dining room, each place setting included a special program/menu provided by the amazing Jessica at Stylish Scribe and I heard many compliments about them.  I had the pleasure of working with Steve Dutcher of Steve Dutcher Photography for the first time and he and his second shooter were very professional, pleasant and extremely innovative in the shots they took.  Blake from Arrowcreek was there all day as well, very accommodating and helpful, and his staff was very friendly and efficient.

Dinner was served to strains of "Be Our Guest" and afterwards champagne and cider was poured for some very personal and heartfelt toasts.  An amazing toast was given by Jason's brother and Best Man Scott who had everyone rolling with laughter with his witty observations.  One of the top two toasts of 2012, in my opinion, and there were dozens of extraordinary ones this past year.  Then the newlyweds moved over to the gorgeous and delicious Tiers of Joy Cake and proceeded to smash a some of it into each others' faces to "Can't Help Falling in Love"...

Their first dance as husband & wife!

The action then moved to the adjoining room with the dance floor.  The dancing began with the B&G's first dance, Jason Mraz's "Lucky' and then into an Anniversary Dance where the married couples kicked it up to Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight". Lots of great songs and dancing followed, with the nearby Zinser Photobooth in constant use.  I was happy to play Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are"  for Jason's folks and to see them transformed back to newlyweds and taken back to their wedding day, if only for a few minutes.  Again, what a great job I have!  To work with other amazing vendors, to help people relive magical moments, and most importantly to help make the bride & groom's day exceed their expectations.  Who knows?  Maybe 30 years from now I'll be playing "Lucky" for Christine and Jason at their son or daughter's wedding.  You never know...

The Victorian House: Reno & Tahoe's Wedding HQ!

I haven't taken the time lately to blog about the best wedding and event vendors in the Reno-Tahoe area and beyond- my fellow Victorian House members!  I am extremely lucky to be doing something I love and to be surrounded by like-minded, amazing professionals who strive to be the best they can be at their various professions.  The meetings, get-togethers and shared wedding experiences really make me feel close to these folks, and I don't exaggerate when I refer to everyone as the Victorian House family.

The concept of the Victorian House was put together by Evan Zinser of Zinser Photography, Zinser Photobooth and Reno Boudoir Photography.  As well as being the visionary of TVH, he is also an amazing photographer who strives to    make every client a client for life.  His work and personal ethics are exemplary and whether he is shooting your wedding or providing the latest in Photobooths for your function, customer service is always his number one concern.  He and his staff can also make your future husband's dream come true with Reno Boudoir Photography.  What an amazing wedding or anniversary gift a tasteful portrait or photobook would be.  Something that will catch your beauty in this moment in time and remind him of your wedding forever.

The Victorian House is supposed to be a gathering of the best vendors in their specific field, one-stop shopping, if you will, designed to take the stress out of event planning, and Cassie and Pattye can make it even easier on the frazzled bride and groom with Take the Cake Events.  They go above and beyond and can plan the whole event or just show up the day of and lend a huge helping hand.  I love their enthusiasm and organization, and you will too. Save yourself headaches and hours of frustration and get in touch with them- the earlier in the process the better.  They are such a pleasure to work with!

Jessica of the Stylish Scribe is the person to talk to if you envision something more than ho-hum, everyday invitations, save-the-dates, menus and programs.  The Stylish Scribe has truly innovative ideas for anything paper, yet her prices are similar to the boring invites you can get anywhere.  Why not put some of your personality into the invitations or table cards and whatever else you need?  Opening one of Jessica's invitations sets the tone for the entire celebration- your guests will know right off the bat that this will not be an ordinary wedding.  Instead it will be an event that is special from the Save-the-Dates all the way through the big day, unlike anything else they have attended.  What a way to start off your dream day!  Check out the Stylish Scribe online and start your dream today!

David and his team at I Do Massage give brides-to-be and everyone else amazing massages at really reasonable rates.  Their room in the VH is an island of tranquility and they will even come to you on your wedding day.  What a great gift to give to your bridal party or to yourself to relax before the big day!  They also take regular appointments and I can say they are very proficient at what they do.  My wife, for example, has had back problems for the past few years and she tends to take the stress off her back and put it on her shoulders, neck and elsewhere.  I Do Massage relieves that stress and she feels better for days afterwards.  Highly recommended!

The Grove at Southcreek is an amazing venue, but most people are unaware that their fantastic food can come to your event, even if you aren't at The Grove.  Their catering service is top-notch.  Shaka and his staff prepare everything from BBQ to haute cuisine and everything is delicious.  Even simple items like steamed or grilled vegetables are amazingly delicious!  Let their Event Manager Samantha help you design a menu that will have your guests going back for seconds and thirds!

I have deejayed close to 650 weddings now, and one characteristic that I always find disappointing is that while most cakes look spectacular, the vast majority do not taste as good as they look.  They run the gamut from almost inedible sheetcake with tasteless frosting to cakes that are good but still lack that certain wow factor.  Well look no further!  It is possible to have a cake that looks amazing and that tastes even better than you thought possible in a wedding cake.  Let Leigh Anne & Tesla at Tiers of Joy Wedding & Celebration Cakes blow you away with their made-from-scratch flavors that will have your guests coming back for seconds.  Every flavor is outstanding but my two personal favorites are Champagne and Chocolate-Peanut Butter.  Why get a cake if it's not amazing both inside and out?  Tiers of Joy will make sure it is both.

Reno Tux Shop is your source for contemporary tuxes for all of your bridal party at prices that can't be beat.  Tesla & Joshua will make all of your groomsmen appointments quick and easy, and when you combine meetings with other professionals in the house, you save all kinds of time.  Why go to a tux shop across town, then visit a bakery miles away, and then meet your DJ at a third location when you can do all of that and more in one simple visit?  With the highest quality tuxedos, a huge selection, low prices with deals on multiple tuxes, and above-and-beyond service why go anywhere else?

Pastor Kristopher Dahir at I Thee Wed can customize your ceremony for your tastes and beliefs and make it a ceremony that everyone will remember for years to come.  What I like about Pastor Kris is his ability to make everyone feel at ease during his ceremony.  He truly cares about the couple and even offers marital counseling before the big day to help make their upcoming matrimony one that they'll be celebrating decades from now.  He doesn't just say some words on a page- he believes in the sanctity of marriage and in the bond that they are making together.  Even mishaps are handled by him with ease and care.  One wedding I witnessed, a bridesmaid locked her knees and tumbled during the vows.  Kris, without being flustered at all, went to her aid, told everyone what was happening and that it was something happens often, and joked with and soothed the bridesmaid (and the bride & groom) until everyone was able to continue.  He flawlessly led everyone right back into the ceremony and people didn't talk about the mishap afterwards but about how beautiful the ceremony was.  That's the kind of officiant Pastor Kris is and will be for your big moment.

Cathy from Alie's Flowers & Gifts is a talented florist and one of our core team-members at the VH.  Unlike many wedding florists who work out of their homes, she has a successful shop in Carson City which is open year-round and serves both Carson City and Reno.  Why is this important?  Because many "professional florists" don't have things like insurance, business licenses, and even a knowledge of current flower costs and availabilities like a true storefront florist will have.  I have done many weddings where the flowers were not what were ordered, envisioned, or just plain awful.  Sometimes they don't show up at all!  When you have no reputation of excellence like Alie's Flowers, you can promise the world and deliver what you'd like.  Cathy knows which flowers she can get, what they will cost and will give you a fair price because she deals with these issues every day.  Many florists will drive to Sacramento the day before your wedding, hoping the wholesaler has the flowers they have promised you.  Don't risk your day on a picture in someone's book when you have the stellar reputation and expertise of a full-time florist who will make your floral dreams a reality.  Alie's Flowers- great service, fair prices, and no worries!

Michael & Sons Fine Jewelry and Native American Art is a Northern Nevada institution and the latest member of the Victorian House.  Their expertise with engagement and wedding bands is only exceeded by their exemplary customer service and love for what they do.  Whatever your need, they can help.  They can even help you realize your dream ring with custom design so that your ring is as unique as you are.

Craig & Vickie Musni at Ever After Creations Video are awesome videographers, super parents, and above all, great people.  They feel like family after you meet them and that is the way they conduct themselves at the weddings and events they capture.  People open up to them and they record not just the typical shots but the entire vibe and feeling of your event.  Their production values are top-rate and they can even do a quick edit where you and your guests are watching the getting ready and ceremony footage at the reception!  That is really special, as most companies take weeks just to deliver rough edits.  Unlike some other companies, EAC Video has vast experience with weddings and other events whereas others might be able to count their clients on one hand.  Don't be a learning experience for your videographer; instead be another amazing wedding shot by the best, to play over and over to relive your day.  Contact Craig and Vickie for a package that fits your needs and prepare to be wowed!

Carolyn at All About Honeymoons is a travel guru specializing in getting the best honeymoon for your style and budget.  Being a honeymoon specialist allows her to get you packages normally unavailable, even online.  Whether it is a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or even a house overlooking the beach in Nicaragua, she can tailor your trip to your likes and needs.  And as a travel agent she receives her compensation from the airlines, cruise lines and hotels, leaving you with no expenses for the incredible amount of time she takes making sure you get the perfect honeymoon at the best price.  Recently I became a client. For our 25th anniversary, Carolyn planned an amazing European vacation that we still are glowing from.  Her advice and ideas helped make a trip become a trip of a lifetime.  Why trust your honeymoon to some fuzzy pics on the internet?  All About Honeymoons will take care of you and your spouse and make it a trip to remember forever.

Cleaning is a service that most people overlook when planning their wedding.  If you get married at a unique venue, sometimes the end of the night comes and you & your relatives are stuck cleaning off tables, putting up chairs, and gathering all the accouterments that must be packaged up and returned to vendors.  Things like tablecloths, silverware, plates and vases, just to name a few.  Then the floor has to be spotless and maybe the kitchen and bathrooms too.  Do you really want your bridesmaids and parents cleaning toilets and emptying trash cans?  Kathleen and her crew at Just In Time Cleaning can come in at the end of your reception and take care of all this and more for less than you'd expect, and less than a deposit.  You and yours can go on to an after-party or just relax after an amazing day.  I worked with Just In Time at an outdoor wedding, and they went above and beyond, setting up decorations prior to the reception, helping the caterer, and even gathering all the gifts to bring to the bride & groom's parents home the following morning.  And they do home and commercial cleaning too.  You can't go wrong with Just In Time Cleaning!

I don't often recommend other DJ companies.  I set my standards very high, and to tell you the truth, the majority of deejays out there are either wannabe radio jocks with egos as big as their hair, untrained newbies who bought the equipment but don't have a clue how to run a wedding, and finally the wedding crashers who have decided to settle down with some equipment and hit on guests professionally.  These are the deejays that give our business a black eye, but believe it or not, there are deejays out there who are consummate professionals who will keep your reception flowing and the dance floor busy all night.  Larry Williams from Reno Tahoe DJ Company is one of these.  He is first and foremost all about customer service- he has even written a book about it that you can get on Amazon.com.  He believes is extensively training his other deejays so you won't have a rookie presiding over your day.  Finally, he has a "Love Story" presentation that he does that is unique and that many rave about.  To sum up: he is a professional in a sea of part-timers and that is why you should   give him a call or send him an email.  When I am booked, Reno-Tahoe DJ Company who I refer people to, and I don't put my reputation on the line lightly.

Finally, if you want a band at your reception or simply a musician or two to play you down the aisle, consider Nichole at Bon Fete Live Music.  Nichole has artists and bands to fill any need for any aspect of your day, and she goes above and beyond in order to pair you with the right musicians.  As a DJ, I don't see many bands, but I work with quite a few harpists and guitarists and Bon Fete can give you a wide variety to choose from.  Choose Bon Fete for all your live musical needs!

Come by the Victorian House at 216 Stewart Street in downtown Reno and meet some or all of our family of professionals.  We'd love to be a part of your celebration!

What Could Go Wrong?

The Victorian House is holding its monthly 'Save the Bride' event today and the theme is "What Could Go Wrong?"  After close to 650 weddings, I've seen miscues and mistakes galore, and for the most part, it hasn't mattered a bit.  When you bring together the various ideas, vendors, and people that a wedding combines, you are bound to have some things that don't go to plan.  But that can be a beautiful thing!  You want your day to be unique- to almost have a life of its own.  If you prepare for the big things that my go wrong and don't sweat the little ones that do, your day will be like no other wedding day, as unique and memorable as the love that you and your future husband or bride have for each other!

Samantha Duran of The Grove at Southcreek wrote down the following possible issues and advice to alleviate them, and it is great advice from a coordinator who deals with things like these week in and out:

·       The little things:  Hair out of place; minor spills?  Solution:  These problems are easily manageable when your maid of honor, mother, groomsmen or wedding coordinator provides an EMERGENCY WEDDING KIT.   Having bobby pins, tide bleach sticks, matches, tissues, deodorant, Tylenol, tape, bottled water, band-aids, etc handy could save a “bridezilla” moment…or two J

·       Bride feeling faint:  Brides need to remember to EAT in the morning.  Of course feeling too full or bloated is never good before trying to slip into a wedding dress, but plain, nutritional food is essential in getting through a long day of hair, makeup, photos and dancing (and of course, that whole marriage thing!).   Examples: smoothies, light breakfast foods, salad, and WATER.

·       Décor disasters:  When the bridal party is spending all day getting ready, it is easy to miss the vendor deliveries if there is not a wedding coordinator present or someone at the venue to greet them and double check that everything is ok.  Sometimes, even if incorrect orders are caught, it is too late to change anything.  If a cake turns out more blue that it should, or the caliliies end up being daisies, this could be a potential disaster.  Preparing ahead of time by triple checking orders when made, having a point of contact handle the deliveries with ample time to fix a problem should it arise are a few ways to steer clear of disaster.

·       Weather, oh weather:  The solution to the outdoor ceremony fear of bad weather is always PLAN B.  Can the ceremony be moved to an inside location?  Can a tent be rented in enough time as the forecast predicts? 

·       The overall riding solution to what could go wrong is to have the attitude that NOTHING IS PERFECT.  Weddings should be, and are, perfectly imperfect.  Someone sneezes during toasts, Uncle Bob had one too many martinis, or the flower girl cries the whole way down the aisle.  At the end of the day, all that matters is that vows are exchanged and that a new life together was created; no matter the surrounding circumstances.

Samantha Duran- The Grove at South Creek   

Save the Bride at the Victorian House- Maximizing your Bridal Fair Experience

Please join us at the Victorian House in Reno on Saturday January 21st from 2-4 pm for a free "Save the Bride" Event.  You can meet the Victorian House wedding professionals and learn about making the most of the sometimes chaotic wedding shows and bridal faires.  Then join us at the American Heart Association's Reno Fantasy Wedding Fair on Sunday January 29th at the Grand Sierra Resort and put your new strategies in practice!

Tommy & Randee at D'Andrea Golf Club with Zinser Photography

Receptions at D'Andrea are always special with the thoughtful staff, delicious food, and breathtaking views and when you pair these things up with a gorgeous bride, a terrific groom and some great Victorian House vendors, you have a guaranteed phenomenal evening.

Randee was stunning in her dress from Alfred Angelo and the rest of the bridal party looked amazing as well.  When I played "Canon in D" by the Angels of Venice, she emerged from around the balcony and there was an audible intake of breath and a huge smile on Tommy's face.  The wedding was officiated by Pastor Kris Dahir who always does an exceptional ceremony and it was a very memorable one.

Taking much better pictures than these were Evan and Kinsey Zinser of Zinser Photography.  They are awesome wedding photographers and just great people to boot.  They treat every event they photograph as if it were their own family and regularly go above and beyond to exceed their clients' expectations.

One of Randee & Tommy's more unique ideas was to have the rest of the bridal party enter to the theme from "Star Wars", a very regal and upbeat song.  But then they entered to the "Imperial March" from The Empire Strikes Back, which everyone cheered and loved.

Randee and Yours Truly

Lots of popular dance songs were played, but I enjoyed the fact that Randee and her family really enjoyed '80s funk- Dazz Band, Kool & the Gang, Cameo etc.  so a lot of classic R&B and hip-hop was danced to.  Once again, thanks to Stef, Savannah and the rest of the super crew at D'Andrea, and congrats again to Tommy & Randee!