For this wedding, we decided to provide some added value to our customers and decided to do Audio Recording while also bringing our HD Video Camera for recording. The product turned out great and really was not that much additional effort in addition to what we are regularly doing. Especially considering that we had two professionals at the helm, me – Matt and Andrew. The video turned out nice after I spent an additional 10 hours of editing. Want to see it? Give me a call to set-up an appointment. I have also included a quick edit of Sam and Andrea’s arrival: (sorry for the small screen format – it runs faster this way)

Besides some add on products that Sam and Andrea wanted, one specific one we brought and set-up for them was from our sister company, Solid Ice Displays. We helped deliver two Ice Sculptures that were made as Swans and when we put the two together the middle made a heart. Andrea did a nice job by procuring rose petals that matched her wedding colors nicely. The reception facility then surrounded the centerpieces in the cocktail room with lots of tasty hors d’oeuvres.

Did I mention we did a live “Cool Video Presentation Display“? YES and Andrea’s mom, Nola, mentioned that it was her favorite part of the reception. About one month before when we sat down with Sam and Andrea, they mentioned they had wanted this presentation so we made arrangements for the photos to be forwarded to me. From that point, I added many edits to the photos along with adding some special effects and synced the show. If you decide that you want this type of presentation, it is important to try to start in the planning process for this in advance. Not only will it give you less stress but it will also provide for a better presentation. I would highly recommend having us bring our giant movie screen and HD DLP Projection unit that we can integrate with our 5,000 watt system. Believe it or not, I have been to places (as an attendee) where the hotel provides this equipment and it either does not work or the sound is awful. Trust me, we put a lot of time into these presentations. Want to see one? Contact me and we can set-up a meeting.

One of the programming items I liked from this past weekends wedding was that Sam and Andrea chose to have their wedding party introduced, then the Cool Video Presentation Display be played and then have their grand entrance. The one major advantage I saw by completing the video right away was that it helped the event flow smoother and enabled their guests to be ready to dance once they were done with their dinner instead of having to wait to get up and be active after dinner.

All in all, it was a pleasure working with Lisa at Forrest Hills Country Club. Her 18 years experience was demonstrated by the leadership and friendliness of her staff. If you are having a larger wedding reception and believe your party will not fit at Anderson Gardens, your next best option might be to take a look at Forest Hills Country Club if you can find yourself a member to sponsor your event.

Notable Vendors:
+ Joe Jann Photography —> Joe and Beth Jann were fun to work with and we both have been in business for many years.
+ Forest Hills Country Club (FHCC) —> Lisa Morrison works hard to make everyone feel at home at FHCC. Let her 18 years experience wow you!
+ Solid Ice Displays —> Custom Ice Sculptures delivered all over from Illinois to Iowa to Wisconsin. They are a custom shop and can sculpt just about anything.
+ DJ Magic Enterprises —> Custom entertainment for your needs. Have an idea? Let us know and we will exceed your expectations one at a time. Get a quote now!

Thursday morning started out with a 45 minute trailer loading session.  Not only were we bringing down our entertainment equipment, but we would also be packing the Photo Montage gear, Ice Sculpture gear, Cameras, and Video Camera.  Once loaded, we were on the road and delivering our Claddagh Ring Ice Sculpture to a good friend, John Hayes of Cafe 20 in Marengo, Illinois, who graciously allowed us to store our sculpture overnight in his walk in freezer. (Thanks John!)  He really came through for us as our facility in Rockford, The Radisson Hotel & Banquet Center, did not have a walk in freezer.  Can you believe that?

One unique thing we did to make Brynn and Andrew’s wedding weekend special was we created a Photo Montage.  This was no ordinary montage though; I ended up using four separate programs to edit our pictures and add our music effects.  Did you know most well prepared photo montages can take up to 10-20 hours of time, while we only charge $150 for that service?  What a deal!

We decided to show the montage at Kiki B’s in Rockford, Illinois during the rehearsal dinner.  This is somewhat more intimate and does not take away from the time at the wedding reception.  Have you ever been to a wedding, eaten dinner and then had to watch a montage?  If the montage is not scheduled at the right time, it can adversely affect the guests’ moods by adding too much time sitting when in actuality those guests are ready to dance.  For this reason among others, we decided to show the montage at the rehearsal dinner.  It was great!

On the day of the wedding, I had no worries as our DJ, Dan “The Man” Beard, was in charge of this wedding.  I met him early in the morning to set-up the reception site and then I promptly drove to St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rockford for the wedding.  Everyone played a role in the wedding: my wife was the Matron of Honor and I was in charge of watching JJ, my mother-in-law’s three year old.  The bride’s mother (kind of like Mother Teresa to some) adopted three children a few years ago and already had raised 5 kids.  Yes, a total of 8 lives blessed by this woman!  JJ did very well for a three year old.  We ended up in the balcony of the church and I was able to record Brynn’s brother Greg singing Ave Maria.  See the video below (and see if you can hear JJ try to sing along).  Being that this was an Irish wedding, JJ and I were pleasantly surprised with the cool sounds and were lucky to have a first row seat to see Greg sing and listen to the bag piper in the balcony.

Before, during and after the ceremony, Dan Royer of Dan Royer Photography, did a great job coordinating all of the family members. All in all, the reception flowed perfectly.  So well that our ending time changed from 8 pm to 11:30 pm.  Yes, everyone stuck around and enjoyed themselves greatly.  Below, I also posted a picture that my brother-in-law’s girlfriend, Hillary of Dallas, Texas, graciously shared with me, showing everyone literally ‘getting down’ and having a great evening.

Vendors:
Banquet Hall: Radisson, Rockford, IL
Music: DJ Magic Enterprises, Incorporated
Ice Sculpture: Solid Ice Displays
Photography: Dan Royer Photography