The Wedding Coordinator

A bride and groom (and sometimes their families) play the role of host at a wedding. This is a substantial task, made more complicated by the duties of overseeing the event. Enter the Wedding Coordinator.

Planner

A wedding coordinator's job often starts with the planning phase. A wedding planner can make your wedding thoroughly memorable to your guests by assuring that they are comfortable and cared for throughout the festivities. A good coordinator brings each couple's vision to life, making the wedding a reflection of who they are. Your coordinator should have an eye for style and decor. As the planning progresses, you can rely on your coordinator's expertise to foresee potential pitfalls and difficulties (and avoid them in the planning stage!)

Organizer

Much of the work that goes into a wedding involves organization. From preparing a comprehensive timeline to sequencing vendor arrivals for maximum efficiency, a coordinator provides the framework that gives a polished feel to your wedding. Your coordinator provides perspective: keeping in mind the big picture while taking care of the smallest details. They can help you prioritize your budget -- assuring that the things that are important to you are given adequate consideration.

Coordinator

During your wedding, your coordinator becomes your operations manager, freeing you to play the gracious host or hostess, and enjoy your wedding with your guests. Look for a coordinator that is pleasant and professional -- calm, cool and collected at all times. In addition to being the point person and chief problem-solver, your coordinator captains your team of vendors. Effective interaction with vendors ensures that those working your wedding are taken care of, which allows them to do their best work.

This is what Cirkl Productions is all about -- taking on the responsibility of overseeing your wedding, so you can enjoy your wedding with friends and family. Our reputation is based on inventive planning and seamless execution. We work closely with each client from start to finish, ensuring a realization of your vision and an enjoyable experience.

Tel. 707.291.3274

www.CirklProductions.com

NOT ALL DJ's ARE CREATED EQUAL

There is so much more to being a wedding DJ than simply playing music. Music is an important tool used by wedding DJ's to create a memorable celebration. Weddings, by nature, can be intricate and require careful balance and a broad range of skills. Here are some things to consider when hiring a wedding DJ:

1. Planning- Pre-planning with your DJ allows you to create the ideal timeline and build the perfect playlist. "Adequate consultation time allows me to really get to know my clients," says David Janowski, co-owner of Premier Productions. "Most people don't want a cookie-cutter wedding. As we plan together, I get to personalize each wedding. In the planning process, I make sure the bride and groom have time to enjoy the party with their guests, among the formalities of the wedding day."

2. Music- Wedding guests are a diverse group of people, often with very different musical tastes. A skilled wedding DJ will establish a comfortable flow -- from the time your guests arrive through the last dance. According to Clay Mitchell, co-owner of Premier Productions, "Matching music to a diverse crowd engages all your guests. Often this means considering the older generation in the beginning of a dance party. As the evening continues, we can shift the musical selections to cater to the younger guests (often your friends)."

3. Technology- Cutting-edge technology allows a wedding DJ to ensure that your event runs smoothly. From computerized sound systems (for instant requests and customized playlists) to wireless speakers (for total sound coverage without a mess of wires), hi-tech equipment provides a seamless musical experience. Extras like sound systems designed specifically for wedding ceremonies, to satellite speakers with independent volume control (providing even, comfortable sound levels) are the icing on the cake.

4. Master of Ceremonies- Good pacing allows your wedding to not feel rushed, yet keeps the momentum moving. In an average six-hour wedding, an experienced master of ceremonies provides smooth transitions which are key to a successful event. As with music, your DJ/MC uses the microphone as a tool, keeping your guests informed and guiding the crowd throughout the celebration. As with music selection, wise and subtle use of the microphone allows the DJ to CREATE the party, not BE the party.

5. Personality- Realize that your DJ will be working closely with you on your wedding day. It is important that you find the right fit -- a DJ whose personality fits well with your own, and makes you feel comfortable. Premier Productions offers a free initial consultation.

Tel. 707.570.2013

www.Premier-Productions.com

Have you ever gone to a wedding or concert and wondered "did the bride put up those lights?" or "did that rock star put up that big sub?" Typically, the answer is no, and one has to wonder "Who did that, and where did the stuff come from?" Welcome to the world of event production!

Event production companies exist all over the world to help anyone (from brides to rock stars) create an experience to remember. Several exist locally (including The Lux Productions in Napa where I work) and can easily be located in your local phone book. Hiring one can be as simple as picking up the phone and calling! And what they can do for you can make the difference.

Production companies are brought in by a client to provide that added flair their event might need. Our job as production specialists is to make sure you don't have to worry about the details and stress of producing an event. We can provide the correct mood lighting, audio support for speeches or music, or video equipment for presentations and slideshows. Some companies specialize in a specific area; others like The Lux are capable of providing a complete package for a client's needs.

Hiring a production company might sound daunting, but doing so can make the difference. Public events are all about presentation, and letting someone professionally design and manage yours can make the difference. By doing our job, we let you focus on your job - enjoying a successful event!

Tel. 707.224.8995

www.TheLux.com

Wedding Rentals- The Key to Creating Your Vision

Wine Country Party and Events provides high quality rental products and services to over 100 couples getting married each week in the Wine Country. As an industry leader, we are happy to provide the following insight.

There are two basic approaches to wedding rentals, and these depend on your choice of venue. A full service site (such as a hotel) will present you with very different rental needs than a "create-your-own" style venue (a private property, for example). Each has a varying amount of flexibility, as well as varying levels of responsibility. Often an outdoor venue requires more infrastructure type rentals, such as tenting.

Making a reception area with tenting can be an effective way to create a unique space for your party. Though less permanent than a building, a tent provides many opportunities to customize the look and feel of your reception. With proper planning, a tent can provide just the right touch.

Rental equipment is an effective tool for creating the look and d&ecor you desire. Your design ideas are imprinted on your wedding through your rentals .

For such a crucial part of your wedding, a trusted leader in the event rental business like Wine Country Party and Events is an invaluable resource. "Our visit to Wine Country's show room is honestly one of the most fun and exciting parts of planning my client's weddings," says Cirkl of Cirkl Productions. " Wine Country's staff is extremely helpful- they are on top of the latest trends, and very accommodating. When it comes to making bride's vision's a reality, Wine Country Party and Events is the top."

As the number one wedding market in the nation, demand for top quality rental equipment in the Napa/Sonoma Wine Country can be heavy. Reserving your rentals well ahead of time will assure that you get exactly the look and feel that you want.

We look forward to helping you develop a better understanding of your options and more confidence in your final decision.

Tel. 707.940.6060

www.WineCountryParty.com