According to a recent article found on Business Insurance, event planners are showing a trend of NOT insuring their events. According to research, the article suggests that many of the 50,000 event planners across the country are independently operated and will only get insurance for an event at the client’s request.
Photos of some of our outdoor ceremonies & nearby beach weddings
But like anyone else, we are only human and cannot control everything. For example in last August, Hurricane Irene had ruined more than 6,000 weddings across the east coast according to a report from CNN Money. The average cost of a wedding is about $30,000 and about a whopping $70,000 in New York City.. ouch!
So would you consider insuring your wedding or large gala event? As we all have learned throughout life, poop happens and so does the weather. Although we always can hope for the best for anyone’s big day, we can only do just that. Hope.
It’s no surprise how quickly technology emerges and integrates into our daily lives. Although it has its advantages and disadvantages, today we ask the question of the role of technology in the wedding industry.
Is it improper to send out wedding invitations via E-mail or through a digital medium versus a traditional paper invitation?
Although every wedding has its own circumstances and variations based on the couple, we decided to analyze the pros and cons of each side.
Digital invitations:
Pros +
+1: No postage stamps required.
+1: Environmentally friendly. No paper required.
+1: Inexpensive. Many websites will let you customize your own for little to no cost.
Cons –
-1: If you are looking to invite the grandparents, they are probably not tech savvy.
-1: Mass E-mail distribution sites can sometimes be marked as spam and can get lost in cyberspace.
-1: Depending on the style of the message, can set the tone in a cheap way. A traditional wedding with an e-vite? Not so much.
Paper invitations:
Pros +
+1: are easily created and customizable to the couple’s theme/ personality. No template required.
+1: are portable for guests driving to your location for both the church and the reception.
+1: understandable by all ages and do not come with a computer incompatibility error.
Cons –
-1: postage stamps, card paper, and any specialized calligraphy writing will add up $$$ very quickly.
-1: depending on if one makes the invites or buys them, one has to consider gas and labor.
-1: takes longer to deliver and receive RSVP. Bridal party will have to develop manual system of RSVP.
Ok ladies let us be real here. When it comes down to your NJ wedding just about every girl wants to walk down the aisle looking like a glamorous princess from the top of the sparkling veil that sits on bride’s head to the last inch of satin fabric covering the pinky toe. As we all know as females, beauty does not come without its price whether through monetary expense or physical pain. But how much pain should a bride endure on her special day to look like a princess?
Recently released by Parisian designer, Vouelle has showcased their bridal sneakers during Paris Fashion Week. Not to say that we are against being comfortable in all, but do it with some class. There are some more classic looking shoes available on the market that can do the job with flair.
One of the most interesting and fun ways to make your shoes unique is to consider color. If you are looking for that “something blue,” shoes could be the fun element to include with it. This is also an especially helpful option to consider if you have a dress that is off-white or ivory.
Of course everyone has their own personal tastes and makes their style unique. Here we have some photos of what some of our brides have worn on their feet while dancing the night away at our central NJ wedding reception halls.
Participants who book at any of the Hotels Unlimited facilities will receive a VIP card that will entitle them to exclusive deals and savings that cannot be provided anywhere else. Brides and other event planners can only get a Sound Connection VIP card by booking a Hotels Unlimited event, and can only get a Hotels Unlimited VIP card by booking a Sound Connection event. This card is designed to bring savings and is ready for use.
Happy Friday everyone and the unofficial last weekend of summer at the Jersey Shore. :-/ Although summer is almost gone, we start pulling out our warmer clothes and jackets and get ready for the weather ahead. With the cold, brings the holidays and the families together. Each season has its advantages and beautiful colors that come with it.
What do Batman, Superman, Indiana Jones and a bride all have in common? Each has their own cued theme music. They take command of the center stage and stride into the crowd as the music plays in the background.
Whenever anyone plans a big NJ event the music can completely set the tone. Today Hotels Unlimited met with Jason Jani from Sound Connection Entertainment. Jason has been providing Hotels Unlimited with the latest beats since 2000. Hotels Unlimited is proud to announce in this exclusive interview that Sound Connection Entertainment is our #1 preferred vendor for the latest in music and entertainment for your NJ Wedding and NJ Corporate event.
How long have you been DJ music industry?
I have been a DJ for 16 years. I have done everything from private events to nightclub events, remix production and radio production work. Have done over 2000 events in my life and over 1000 wedding receptions alone.
How did you get started with Sound Connection Entertainment?
I founded Sound Connection 11 years ago. At the time, I was working with different night clubs and I was asked to do a lot of private events. Back then, a lot of private events consisted of doing the staple line dances and doing mostly interactive stuff. Not that I was against any of that, but I wanted to do something different and that was how Sound Connection was born. When I got invites to do weddings, social events, and corporate events I wanted to do a more modern unique presentation. We really wanted to do something that was outside of the box.
What inspired you to get into the industry?
That is a really good question. It’s really interesting to see how the industry has changed now from when I started. When I started, I thought of it as a fun creative job. As I evolved as an entertainer/ DJ, my responsibilities have taken on different forms as a business owner and with the event planning and production aspect. It has evolved so much and it still continues to do so. At SCE, we try to draw inspiration from anything. Movies, concerts, Broadway, industry conferences, music videos, and pop culture are all creative influences to us today.
What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is getting to know people and understanding their unique vision. When I meet with a client, it’s not just a business relationship but a personal relationship too. My favorite part of the job is at the end of the event seeing that everything the clients have envisioned is brought to life or surpassed. It’s fun to see the younger guests on the dance floor all night and the older guests too. It’s the combination of people at the end of the event that say ‘this is the best event I have ever been to,’ ‘It was perfect,’ etc - that makes all our effort and hard work worth it.
What separates Sound Connection from other music and entertainment companies?
Sound Connection Entertainment is different because of our staff. We are fortunate to have a very creative, talented and dynamic full time staff. We also aren’t limited to preparing our events a certain way. Everything that we do surrounds the clients’ ideas and vision. Everyone has a different idea of perfect and what they want for their event. We take the time to understand what that is and materialize it to perfection while keeping people entertained and happy. There isn’t anything we can’t do and we are not afraid to try new things for people. When a client comes to us with an incredible idea, the Sound Connection difference is we try to incorporate the idea into the production for that evening. Our events are as unique as our couples.
Sound Connection entertainment offers more than just music. What other features do you have to enhance the event experience?
Some of the enhancements that we offer include lighting and light-scaping. We will use lighting design to transform both the look and feel of the room. We can change the lighting with the mood and the feeling of the room. For example, when the bride is sharing the dance with her father the room goes pink. When the groom shares the dance with his mom, the room goes blue. When they cut the cake, the room goes white. If we know it is a fall wedding and everyone is eating dinner, we will light up the walls in reds, oranges, and yellows, and it is constantly changing so that the landscape in the room will always be changing and will always be different.
We also offer drapery which can transform any traditional wedding venue into something you would see in Miami or New York City. We will hang fabric up against the walls which really complements the lighting features we offer and it gives the room a new dimension. It really surprises people with how classy it looks, and how it accents the venue in a different capacity. Multi-media presentations, Lounge Furniture, Digital Photo booths, Atmosphere elements, and custom audio production are all services offered by Sound Connection
How long does it take to prepare for an event?
Every event is different so it depends on what the clients’ needs and services that they require. On average, I would say we put in about 20 to 40 hours per wedding production that we do. Some are more than that, others are less. It really depends on the framework or vision of the client. Some couples might want custom voice-overs, custom remixes, lighting design, venue touring, setting up equipment and even appointments that can sometimes last two to four hours.
What is your favorite genre of music?
From a DJ perspective, I am an open format kind of DJ. I am open to any form of music. I can go from 70s, 80s, 90s, top 40, house, rock, to hip-hop in one night.
When I am in my car, I will listen to something different to get a feel of what is going down in pop culture, but recently the 90s station is making a huge comeback for me. If I could only pick one music type though, I would say the dance music because of my club DJ background.
It is almost the end of summer and for most that means back to school season is in full swing. In order of celebrating the season we have decided to honor our NJ Teachers for all their hard work and dedication year round. We have extended our NJ Wedding Deal for teachers who book their wedding now through September 30, 2011 will save 10% off the wedding.
Recently, we interviewed Alina from Doubletree Tinton Falls for her advice and expertise on NJ weddings and events. She offers her wisdom and advice on how to save money on event favors.
For more information, please check out our wedding packages at the Sterling Ballroom website.
It is hard to believe, but today is the first day of August. My, how time flies! Here atHotels Unlimited Banquets, we have a new deal to spark the flames for a NJ wedding–winter wonderland style. Although when people book weddings they think May through July, a winter wedding can bring the families together in a warm setting. Just think, while everyone is home for the holidays and sitting around the dinner table with the warm smell of roasting pine over the fire with the enticing aroma of cranberries and baking cinnamon. Mmmmm! What a perfect time to bring families together than through a celebration of love.
With our new Winter Wonderland holiday deal, any new bookings between now and August 31, 2011 will pay only $55 for our Grand Package for all weddings booked for January- March 2012 and 2013. Hotels Unlimited will also offer any new bookings 50% off their room block for all guests. In case if the weather is bad, guests do not need to stress and can safely spend the night with us.
Today, Hotels Unlimited met with our friends from our partnered bakery, Chocolate Carousel located in Wall, NJ. Chocolate Carousel is an old-fashioned bakery specializing in wedding cakes, occasion cakes, stuffed cupcakes, desserts, cookies, pastries, homemade chocolates/novelties, favors and more. We interviewed the owner of Chocolate Carousel, Lisa for a behind the scenes look into how a wedding cake is made and what special touches we can create for our clients throughout the Ocean County, Monmouth County and Mercer County areas.
How long have you been baking and designing cakes?
I have been making and designing cakes professionally for 10 years.
How much time does it take to make the average wedding cake from start to finish?
It is funny how many people ask me that question. That is a tough one since every cake is unique. Each cake is done in stages and varies in time based on design elements and flavor choices. I would say on average it takes about 8 hours.
How many flavors of cake and icing do you offer?
Through the Hotels Unlimited packages, couples are offered a choice of yellow cake, chocolate cake, or a layer of each. Additionally, the package includes 14 different filling options including mousses, puddings and fruits. Couples can choose between butter cream or whipped cream icing for white or ivory designs and fudge or chocolate butter cream icing for chocolate designs.
Chocolate Carousel also offers a number of additional cake and filling flavors which can be added to Hotels Unlimited packages at an additional cost (upgrade charge).
Do you make any gluten-free cakes?
We do make gluten free cheesecake, chocolate torte, yellow cake and chocolate cake. Typically if there is a gluten allergy, this special cake will be served in additional to the wedding cake.
What is the most popular flavor combination for a wedding cake?
In wedding cake, the most popular is the yellow cake with chocolate mousse filling or chocolate cake with raspberry and vanilla mousse filling. Most people like the mousse filling because it is a light filling and the perfect ending to a big meal! However, with so many flavors available, I see many different flavor combinations come together.
Which flavor of cake is your favorite?
I am definitely a dessert lover and have a different favorite flavor everyday. I would say today is chocolate cake with peanut butter filling.
What wedding design elements are you finding are most popular?
We pride ourselves in offering our clients the ability to customize their cakes. In fact, we have over 1100 cake designs into our portfolio to help inspire couples. This year, monograms are very popular as well as inscriptions on cakes. I have had clients choose to inscribe a verse from their favorite song or poem on their cake or write their names or a series of words on their cake.
More timeless designs include scrollwork or pearl dots which are more classic elegant. At Chocolate Carousel, these designs are all hand piped in homemade buttercream adding a beautiful artistic finish to our cakes.
What was the strangest design that you have made on a cake?
There are two that stick out in my mind. I did a Nightmare Before Christmas-themed wedding cake. The cake was iced completely in black and covered in spider webs and cocoons. I also did an antique style wedding cake adorned with hundreds of handmade sugar roses and finished with Yankees bobble heads guys on top.
What is the strangest flavor combination that you have done?
Banana cake with German chocolate filling, and then a pineapple icing. This seemed like an odd combination to me but the bride and groom loved it and that is what counts!
