Raleigh DJ Company, Top Notch DJ Service offers event planning tips, song recommendations and DJ thoughts to assist entertainers, event planners, future brides and grooms, wedding planners and fellow dj's.
Oh, those frightful
Holiday parties. You know the one's. They require you to dress up and
mingle, there is usually a sit down dinner, a speech from a leader/boss man/CEO
and perhaps a white elephant gift game, or prize drawing and that's a wrap. Not only
has Top Notch attended numerous events such as these, Top Notch has
unfortunately also serviced these events. With
the Holidays approaching quickly (exactly 36 days as I write this
until Christmas 2016) I have been requested by a number of past
customers for a new blog article focusing on some of the more recent
holiday entertainment and games that Top Notch DJ Service
incorporates into our Holiday and End of the Year Parties. Without
further ado, below is a list of just a few popular activities you
will find Top Notch DJ Service including in our 2016 Corporate Holiday
events.
Jingle Box-
Top Notch DJ Service Holiday Games - Jingle Box
How to Play: Jingle Bells
(or Sleigh bells) are placed in present or gift boxes. The game hostess
should have between 5-9 different present boxes for this game to
work well. Different quantities of the bells should be placed in
each box. Participants can determine the amount of bells in each box
by shaking and rattling the box so that the bells will ring. Participants are allowed 1-2 minutes to arrange the boxes in the correct order from the
least to the greatest number of bells. (Hint- for an
even more exciting game, require the participants to be blind folded
while they attempt to arrange the “Jingle Boxes”
2.
Saran Wrap Ball -
(compliments from website Awesome Jelly for posting this idea)
Saran Wrap Ball- picture from www.AwesomeJelly.com
How to Play: This
game does require some prep work as the party host will need to
create this enormous ball of saran wrap. Be sure to include fun
Christmas Candies and treats throughout the wrapping of the ball,
along with 1 major key prize in the center of the ball that all
participants will be eager to obtain. How to Play: Participants must
either sit or stand in a circle. The first chosen participant may
begin unraveling the ball, meanwhile the participant beside him/her
should have a roll of dice and attempt to roll doubles. Once the
participant rolls doubles the ball is passed to them and the dice to
the next person in the circle until all gifts in the Saran Wrap are
acquired and the ball has been completely destructed.
Image from the move "A Christmas Story"
3.
Holiday Movie ID-
How
to Play: Participants are formed into groups and are given either
buzzers, bells or chimers to ring in their answer. The party host
should state a list of buzzwords. These buzzwords can be various
words, items or phrases from specific famous Holiday movies. Along
with the list of buzzwords, the host should state a buzzword that is
in fact NOT a part of the Holiday movie category. The first group
that identifies the holiday buzzword that does not belong receives a
point. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. An
example would be
“Category: A Christmas Story”Buzzwords: Red
Rider, Bunny Suit. “I Triple Dog Dare You”, Elf on the Shelf.
The buzzword that would not belong would be “Elf on the Shelf”
4.
Right Left Gift
Exchange- (also known as the The Grinch Gift Game) (original idea for game credited to Diva Girl Parties & Stuff)
How To Play: A short speech or holiday story is composed and
read by the party host that MUST include the words “Left” and
“Right” repeatedly (such as “When Santa left Bobby's home, he
jumped in his sled and immediately went right to Jenny's house, he went right
through the chimney and left only 3 presents” Participants must be
formed into a circle with unclaimed gifts in their hands. As the
party host reads the story, every time the word “Right” is read,
the participants must pass their gifts right, similarly when the
word “Left” is read, participants must bass their gift left.
When the story has concluded participants can keep whichever gifts
they are holding.
Image from "How The Grinch Stole Christmas"
NOTE:Alternative versions of this activity includes reading the story "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and passing the gift one direction when the word "Grinch" is read, meanwhile passing the gift the other direction when the word "Who" is read (such as Whoville, Cindy Loo Who, etc)
How to Play: This
game is basically similar to “Junk in the Trunk” which Top Notch
plays at various pool parties, birthday parties and other types of
events. 2-5 empty tissue boxes are required along with string or
belts and jingle bells. Jingle bells should be placed in each tissue
box and tissue boxes are attached to the participants prior to the
start of the game. Participants must shake their hips in the attempt
to shake all of the jingle bells out of their box. The first to
shake all of the bells out within 1 minute wins!
Conclusion: Holiday Party games are not
only great Ice Breakers for any corporate or holiday event, but many
also incorporate teamwork, camaraderie and fun memories between
working peers. The result is not only good stories for water cooler
chat the next week at the office, but a shared sense of enjoyment
outside of the working environment for all involved. Along with the
activities listed above, Top Notch does utilize a number of
additional ideas and activities for Holiday parties that can be found
in a prior Top Notch post by clicking here.
Need More Help?
For even more games and
ideas, please feel free to contact Top Notch directly at
topnotchdjservice@gmail.com.
Thanks for reading!
Top Recessional Wedding Songs recommended by Top Notch DJ's
Picture of Nathan & Ashley Magiera from their wedding recession at Shady Wagon Farm, NC
The Recessional. A matter of minutes that bring an experience
and feeling immediately after a bride and groom have exchanged vows, sealed
their love with a kiss and are pronounced husband and wife. The recession is
also the initial moment of celebration for the bride and groom as well as their
guests. After all of the seriousness, nervousness and pressure that may arrive
with the ceremony, including walking up the aisle, the recession is finally a
bride and grooms time to turn, face their guests and say to the world “We Did
It!!”. Despite this fact, the song selection chosen for the ceremony recession
for a bride and groom is quite often overlooked. It’s understandable. A bride
may spend her time and efforts in finding that perfect song for her and her
bridesmaids to walk down the aisle to, meanwhile, the song selection after the
ceremony is often forgotten or neglected to be chosen. That’s where Top Notch
comes in!
Drew & Brittney Hutchins. Photo by Liz Grogan Photography
The reception has begun. It's
cocktail hour and guests are busy mingling, chatting and enjoying
drinks and horderves. The original plan was for guests not to be
seated. In fact, the bride and groom even opted to skip a plated meal
as they did not desire for their guests to sit through their wedding
reception. I hear the words “Dj, The Bridal Party has arrived.
There is not a wedding coordinator hired so they have asked for you
to assist them in coordinating their entrance, first dance, etc, can
you please leave your station and advise them in their Bridal Suite
located on the 5th floor”. Top Notch has performed
hundreds of weddings with the absence of a wedding coordinator. The
result of this is usually the DJ (aka us) stepping in to
control and assist in coordinating the overall flow of the event and
or reception. So, in this case of course I obliged, assisted the
bridal party and the wedding reception went fabulous.
Oh Wait! Let's rewind. There is a part
of this story that should be worth mentioning. The bride was awake at
the crack of dawn on her wedding day with her bridesmaids at the
venue setting up decorations, bringing in the wedding cake, stocking
up the beer and liquor and ultimately preparing for as much as she
could for the event. The conclusion of the reception was more of the
same, no grand exit, simply a “congrats” from the wedding guests
as the bride, groom and bridal party stayed behind to clean up the
venue. I see this scenario far too often. So much work. So much
preparation. So much effort placed into the event and one of the most
common statements I hear soon "wedtobe's" say is the following “I'll
Just be Glad When It's Over”. It's Your WEDDING DAY WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT HERE!! One should savor the entire day and relish in all of the
wonderful, magical moments that a monumental occasion such as a
wedding should be. That's why today's message focuses on the multiple
reasons why a bride and groom should hire wedding planner/day of
coordinator to assist them in scheduling, planning and running their
“Big Day”.
Reason # 2- They Can Save you Money-
Wait? What? How so? An event planner costs money correct? In
actuality, Yes, of course hiring an event planner will require you
and your fiance to shell out a few extra dollars from the wedding
budget, however, trusting in the experience, and relationships of an
event planner can often save your wedding budge overall. For
starters, wedding and event planners know where to find the best
deals on items for your wedding day. Instead of the bride ordering
things directly through amazon or other specialty shops for specific
items that she has seen on Pinterest (yes this happens quite often),
a wedding planner may advise a bride or groom of a local shop or
store that can offer the same or similar product at half the price.
Additionally, wedding and event planners are familiar with the
standard rates for the majority of vendors that are hired for a
wedding. They can advise a bride and groom if the quoted price for
entertainment, photography or catering is high, or low, and often
their relationship with specific vendors will allow a bride and groom
to receive that vendors service at a discounted rate. Top Notch for
example often immediately provides a discount for specific weddings
and events that certain event planners are involved in planning
around the area. Oh, and let's not forget to mention the critical
point that wedding planners are usually
phenomenal for managing and
halting the overspending of a wedding budget.
That's 1 Stressed Bride and Groom
Reason # 3- Save Stress- Planning a wedding
can take a large amount of effort. Additionally many facets of the
wedding planning process can feel much more like homework rather
than a glamorous and fun duty in prepping for the “Big Day”.
Take the example mentioned at the beginning of this post. So much
stress could have been eliminated from the bride and groom if an
event planner was hired to assist them in coordinating and
performing the numerous actions their wedding required them to
personally handle.
Wedding Fires are bound to occur
Reason # 4- Save Sanity (when the fires
start)- On a wedding day something is almost guaranteed to go wrong.
It is inevitable. The ceremony could be delayed because the mother
of the groom does not arrive on time, the wedding cake is neglected
to be put at the reception to be cut for all to see (yes that
actually happened at a recent event), a bridesmaids dress suddenly
does not fit (I've seen this one happen too), the things that could
go wrong are endless. The solutions to solving these fires that will
arise will often be the newlyweds responsibility if an event
coordinator nor wedding planner is not present. Countless times I
have personally seen a bride frustrated at friends, loved ones, etc
on her wedding day because small items or requirements were
forgotten or slipped through the cracks. When a bride learns of these dilemmas during the ceremony or reception the result is her ultimately pulling away
from enjoying the event she has worked so hard to prepare for.
Wedding planners can serve as the “Go To”person, the designated
problem solver, the “Superwoman” that may resolve the dilemmas
before the small flame issues turns into fires that potentially
ruin a wedding. Top Notch performed a wedding earlier this year
when an assigned party neglected to bring the alcohol they were
responsible for providing. The result lead to the Groom leaving the
wedding 20 minutes prior to the ceremony start time to pick up
alcohol, and the ceremony being delayed nearly an hour. This example
is only one of many scenarios, Top Notch has seen that would have
easily been avoided if an experienced wedding planner was hired to resolve such rising situations.
Reason # 5- Save Your Experience &
Memories- A wedding is undoubtedly one of the most important days of
an individuals life. It should be full of positive emotions such as
fun, love, joy and excitement. Furthermore, the lasting impressions
after a wedding should hopefully be the same. When a wedding planner
is hired, the duties listed throughout this post are handled
appropriately. Worries of stress, time, schedule coordination,
money, and problems that may arise throughout the day are not placed
on you nor your spouses shoulders. The result is a bride and groom present
physically and mentally in the thrilling moments of their “Big
Day”. Additionally, their lasting impressions and memories of the
day will more than likely be similar, optimistic, and positive
recollections.
In Conclusion:
To enjoy the wedding day or to
run around frantically with responsibilities on your wedding day,
that is the question. Please understand, this post is not to deter
future brides and grooms that do not desire a wedding planner, it is
only to accentuate the tremendous assistance a wedding planner can provide to a wedding or event. It should also be noted that NOT ALL VENUE COORDINATORS that are present at a wedding are
assigned the responsibility of assisting a bride and groom. A venue coordinator and wedding planner can certainly be two different things, with different obligations in assisting a wedding or event. With that
being said, below are a few local wedding and event planners that Top
Notch recommends and works with on a regular basis. I invite all
future "wedtobe's" to research and even contact the below listed
parties to determine the many additional wedding services Top Notch
may have neglected to mention in this post. As stated in the title,
the above actions and duties of a wedding planner are from this DJ's
point of view only. As always, thanks for reading!
Event Planners Top Notch
recommends:
Happily Ever After
“Oh yay, a wedding, I can't wait to
attend so I can sit at a table for the evening” said no one ever!!
Top Notch understands that a level of importance, elegance,
structure, and class must be displayed at a wedding, however, this
does not mean your wedding reception has to be BORING. Too often, Top
Notch works with future brides and grooms that initially desire a
“magical” evening entailed with a beautiful ceremony, a nice
cocktail hour, wonderful fellowship, accompanied love music to fit
the occasion (played by the band or DJ) and a delectable dinner
followed by fun and dancing. Although the above described scenario is
always the ultimate goal, sometimes a lengthy ceremony or cocktail
hour, long dinner hour, and an array of slow paced love jams, can
actually bore your guests. Why not liven things up with a number of
activities, and games for your guests to play? Below Top Notch DJ
Service shares a number of great ideas and activities your wedding
guests can enjoy. PLEASE NOTE: You will not find the “ever popular
Shoe Game in this post, instead you will hopefully discover a list
of vibrant, fresh, and even quirky ideas that your guests may find
unique, memorable, and ultimately enjoyable.
I-SPY- Recently played at a Top
Notch DJ Service wedding for Brandon & Natalie (see wedding clip here) this activity is an excellent way to keep guests young and old
amused. Furthermore, by making the activity a contest with a guests
prize, and involving engaging items, guests are more prone to
participate. Additionally, with a multitude of social media, photo
sharing, and even wedding apps now available, guests can photograph
the items and a winner can be determined directly from one's smart
phone. It is suggested to provide guests with at least 8 but no more
than 15 items that they are required to locate and the more
interesting items = the more fun for the guests. Examples Top Notch
has seen for this game in the past include “The Groom in a Diaper”
(guests had to find his baby photo), “the officiant dancing”,
“Something Borrowed & Blue” and more. The first guests to
post the wedding photos onto the wedding app or social media
platform (instagram, facebook) that you are using is the winner!
Plus this allows the bride and groom to suddenly have numerous,
entertaining photos from their wedding day instantaneously.
Say Cheese for the Guestbook! - In
substitute of having wedding guests sign a guestbook, the wedding
attendees are instead allowed to take a photo which they can glue to
a scrap book and then sign their names and include their best wishes
for your wedding day. This activity works well, when there is a
particular person assigned to operate either a Polaroid camera, or
an immediate print and scan machine (click here for ideas).
Furthermore, while posing for the camera, a copy of the picture can
be printed for each guests to take home as a keepsake. To expand on
this concept for additional fun incorporate a photo booth or photo
props for guests to utilize
He Said/She Said or “Was it the
Bride or Groom”Game - This activity can be played during the
reception and is similar to the Shoe Game, however, it does allow
for all wedding attendees to be involved. How to Play: Rare Facts or
Statements are provided to the Emcee/Host about the Bride and Groom.
Wedding guests are then divided into teams (usually by the numbered
table they are at for Dinner) and are asked a list of questions. The
teams must be determine if the question pertains to the Bride or the
Groom. Each question= 1 point. Top Notch usually prepares 10-12
questions with the intent of asking 10 questions, but having 2
questions as a bonus round/tie breakers when needed. To make this
game more thrilling, it is exciting to provide guests with a fun
prop to answer their questions such as a Barbie/GI Joe per table to
represent the bride and groom, stuffed animals that are clearly boy
or girl, or even an image of the bride and groom glued to the front
and back of a lollipop or similar type stick (like the image on the right).
Music Video Marryoke- Don't worry,
this activity isn't exactly karaoke, instead it consists more of
famous reenactments and dance moves all caught on video. For this
specific concept to take place at a wedding either a hired
videographer, or an assigned person (that preferably knows how to
work a video camera) is designated to film the guests. A specific
space in the reception venue should be allotted for this activity.
The directions are simply this: Guests are required to do their best
impression, of a dance move from a popular film, TV show or even
music video. Examples may include the dance to “You're the One
that I Want” by John Travolta and Olivia Newton John from the move
Grease, the Macarena, or even the new “Whip/Nae Nae” dance
sensation. A video camera with tripod is needed along with an Ipad
or some type of device to allow guests to review the dance moves of
their chosen reenactment scene before they are filmed. Allow guests
to receive a copy of their dance (if they desire) and this make's
for hilarious video footage that the bride and groom may keep. It is
important to mention, this activity is successful if only 1 or 2
movie or dance scene reenactments are chosen for guests to
duplicate(deterring certain guests from choosing random acts that
are not comical or music related) and the bride and groom make it a
requirement for all guests to participate.
For an example of a Marryoke clip, check out this video!
Marryoke At It's Finest!!
Chinese Fortune Tellers- There are
2 types of fortune tellers that Top Notch has seen at weddings, they
are “Origami” (also known to some as Cootie Catchers (see an
example by clicking here) and then there are Chinese Fortune Tellers
with sticks which are great fun for wedding guests during cocktail
hour as guests are finishing dinner. Fortune sticks with painted
numbers on them are placed in a barrel at each dinner table and 1
guest at each table is assigned to be the “fortune teller”.
Guests may draw sticks and advise the assigned fortune teller the
number painted on their specific stick. The “fortune teller”
using the provided “fortune teller pamphlet” can then provide
the guests drawing the sticks their fortunes based on their numbers.
For more information or a brief tutorial of this activity, see
below!
I know, I know, some may have the
notion that the Wedding Day should be about the bride, not the
wedding guests. In a sense, this is true, but the wedding guests are
present on a bride's “ Big Day” to share the experience, the
moments, and the memories with the bride and groom. With that being
said, wouldn't it be great to ensure that they have a great time
while attending the event as well? With activities planned such as
those mentioned above, not only is the wedding filled with amusing
activities for all of the guests, but they will most likely have a
more favorable, fond, and pleasant memory of their time at your
wedding reception when it's all said and done. For additional ideas
and activities, feel free to send an email to
topnotchdjservice@gmail.com. Thanks for reading!
Pictured: a photograph of Castle McCulloch taken by www.weddingmapper.com
Music, a play list and mixes prepared for the event? CHECK!
All equipment packed up and ready to go? CHECK! Knowing your venue and you’re
destination? CHECK! You’re all set right? WAIT! Let’s revisit that last
question again as this is not only a question that many musicians, DJ’s and
even event planners fail to grasp, but it can also lead to your largest
challenge in preparing for an event. So do you know the venue? The question
posed is not simply referring to the name of the location “The Boondocks on 4th
Street” for example, nor is it inquiring that you’re familiar with the address
location. In order to be 100% prepared before an event it helps tremendously if
you know and understand the layout, the structure, the ins and outs, the sets
ups required and even the challenges that may await before you even arrive at a
venue. Although I myself am very guilty of not thoroughly researching all
venues before an event, below are the top 5 reasons Top Notch strives to
research and recommends that all entertainers know their venue before
performing.
1. Equipment- Knowing the venue prior to arrival
can provide great insight as to what equipment to use for the event. Does the
size of the venue require 2 speakers or 4-6? Additionally, the height of the
ceiling may determine which lights as well as even which light stand could
work. Tall scanners that must be placed on a stand and are heightened to shine
on a dance floor will obviously not be effective nor very useful at a venue
with low vaulted ceilings. Furthermore, while on the topic of lighting, if
uplighting is required, it’s always a good idea to know the size of the room so
that the number of lights needed to appropriately illuminate the space can be
determined. Lastly,
alongside speakers and lighting, becoming familiar with the venue prior to the
event start time may assist you in understanding if there are any additional
items that may be required or supplied for the event such as a table, linen,
extension chords, etc. Radio personality and Mobile DJ, Frank Carbone of CWDJ’s
states “I visit each (local) venue and for those that are not local “I call to
gather information about the venue and hopefully gather pictures of the event
space so I can plan accordingly” to insure that he is never in a bind due to a
venue. (visit Frank Carbone's DJ site at http://www.carboneworld.com)
2. Timing- An article was written here in the Top
Notch blog about timing back in January. Timing is a huge, critical factor for
Dj’s and in regards to a venue, the same concept applies. I hear stories and
have actually witnessed fellow DJ’s running late for events, not because they
neglected to allow the proper time for the set up of their equipment, but they
neglected to anticipate the challenges that the venue contained which
ultimately slowed them down and made them tardy. A venue can offer a number of
challenges that could deter an entertainer from setting up on time including
traffic, parking (traffic and parking are always large issues that can swallow
up unexpected time in downtown Raleigh), the floor of the building that your
event may be held on, and if there is an elevator that is not only available,
but also functioning, Becoming familiar with the venue may help you anticipate
these challenges and therefore allow prompt time for your set up.
3. “The Surprise Factor”- The “Surprise Factor”
also known as the “oh SH!T factor” is all too familiar with DJ’s. The concept
applies usually prior to an event when a complication or obstacle is present
that could have been foreseen. Recent examples for Top Notch involving the
“Surprise Factor” include 1. A wedding coordinator contacting Top Notch for Ceremony
music assistance at a wedding only to learn that no power outlets were present
on site at the venue, 2. A wedding venue designated guests to dine for dinner at
a specific space on their facility where they provided their own speakers and
sound equipment only to learn that it was malfunctioning so there was no music nor speakers for dinner and toasts at this wedding and 3. Even being stuck in an elevator at a popular
downtown wedding facility only to learn later that a select portion of
elevators will open and close but are not functional on the weekends (thank
goodness someone found me!). All circumstances could have easily been avoided with
further research, communication and learning of the updates and layouts of the
venues before
the events.
4. Security and Trust- Going out of your way and taking the extra effort
and time to research and even visit a venue builds an extra sense of trust for
the event planners, coordinators and even the bride and groom of an event. It
shows you care enough about their event to learn the ins and outs of their
chosen venue and allows you to potentially meet the venue owners, event
planners, etc that could be on site. Furthermore, as their entertainer or DJ,
you may think of questions or recommendations that you could provide to the
owner of the facility or even the event planner for your event such as where
the dance floor could be placed, the best spot for the DJ and speakers, etc. "I definitely research a venue and love to get a floorpan if one is available state's local friend, fellow DJ and Curtis Media Operations Manager, Joel Gillie, "it take's the stress off of me if I know the layout and I know where I will be, and when the bride mentions specifics about the venue it's good if I know what's she's talking about" he goes on to say. (check out Joel at www.joelgillie.com)
5.Confidence- Lastly, and incontestably, by
performing the necessary research and understanding of a venue it will
ultimately provide you as the performer with more confidence, less stress and a
more optimistic outlook on the event. Knowing that you have done your homework, prepared and should
not have to fret over equipment setting up, timing or surprise factor issues
will create an ease to your persona through the evening. Any entertainer will
affirm that having that this additional peace prior to an event makes a world of
difference.
Of course it is impossible to predict all issues and
dilemmas that could occur at an event, however, being as prepared as possible
is essential as a professional entertainer. This preparation does include
understanding more than just the name and location of a venue. As an
entertainer, we have plenty to worry about like equipment, intoxicated patrons,
timelines, and of course, entertaining just to name a few. Don’t let the
dilemmas that may meet you at your next venue delay you in setting up or
working to your full potential. Out there lies small, low vaulted ceiling
spaces, broken elevators, and a number of venue conundrums that we will
undoubtedly confront. The more research and prepared you are for these circumstance’s,
the less of a predicament the problems will seem and you therefore will come
off as a professional!
4. Right Left Gift Exchange - (also known as the The Grinch Gift Game) (original idea for game credited to Diva Girl Parties & Stuff)How To Play: A short speech or holiday story is composed and read by the party host that MUST include the words “Left” and “Right” repeatedly (such as “When Santa left Bobby's home, he jumped in his sled and immediately went right to Jenny's house, he went right through the chimney and left only 3 presents” Participants must be formed into a circle with unclaimed gifts in their hands. As the party host reads the story, every time the word “Right” is read, the participants must pass their gifts right, similarly when the word “Left” is read, participants must bass their gift left. When the story has concluded participants can keep whichever gifts they are holding.
