DJs can make or break a wedding. I don’t know if my company (Complete Music Video Photo) really wants me to say that but it’s true. Wedding DJs have a tough job, all eyes are on them for hours, and if the crowd isn’t dancing or the reception isn’t flowing well it usually falls to the DJ to fix it and if he/she has to fix it then most people would think the DJ failed. A wedding is a BIG deal and feeling solely responsible for the success or failures of such an event can be really stressful.  That is why I wanted to dedicate this one blog entry to DJs in general and more specifically one DJ who won  OMAHA DJ OF THE YEAR….Tay Westberry.

Since corporate is headquartered in Omaha, I actually know Complete’s DJ of the Year and I felt compelled to let people know what an awesome DJ and person he is. How you become DJ of the Year isn’t very easy, he’s been with us for just over a year and a half and he’s generated the most referrals (he’s requested a lot) has some of the highest evaluation marks a DJ can have and an outstanding attitude.

Tay cracks me up every time he comes in, when he’s not working working his three jobs he stops into the office to say hi and is always in the best mood, it’s hard not to be happy around him.

I made Tay sit down and tell me why he thinks he won DJ of the Year:

” I work hard and I honestly strive to be the best DJ I can.  I love the responsibility and the stress of making someone’s wedding day perfect, they rely on me and I like that, I do everything I can to make everything perfect.

Tay definitely sums it up well as to why he thinks he won, but I prefer this comment from one of his brides:

“If you were already booked on the day of our wedding, we would have changed the date to make sure you could be our DJ”  BTW she said this to him one year later when she saw him at a grocery store, so obviously Tay made a great impression.

Tay loves being a DJ and plans on being one for years to come (lucky us!!) and we at Complete are so flipping proud to have him on our team!

Yeah…I know this is a cheesy blog post, but when good people do good things I’m a firm believer they should get recognition.

Cheers

I’m thirsty and I’m bored. I’m bored with all the tasteless, uninspiring drinks that I get served at bars, parties, weddings and what have you. My safe bet drink, the Vodka Press, is becoming my annoying friend, I tolerate her because she’s been in my life for years but I don’t really get anything out of it.  I’m desperate to be woo-ed by a drink and dare I say WOW-ed by one?

Out of shear desperation and selfish motives I figured I’d search for drinks that I could actually enjoy while simultaneously giving you the bride, ideas for a signature drink at your wedding, which I think is as important as having a wedding photographer or DJ! Yes, to me booze and fancy booze is pretty far up there on the important list. And while you’re drinking your fancy pretty drinks make sure to have the photographer catch all your guests’ sweet moves-on or off the dance floor.

Starting this set of drinks with my first love….Vodka.

Goose Starlight: 4/5 Grey Goose  1/5 Maraschino  1 part POM  1/3 Passion Fruit syrup 1/5  white grapefruit juice and of course a Star Fruit.

drooling...Grey Goose you're such a flirt!

Goldenrod: 1 part Grey Goose 1/2 part Elderflower Cordial 1/4 part lemon juice  4 parts champagne edible flowers for garnish..they used pansies here.

So classy, Even if you don't know it, you're drink does.

La Vie En Rose: 1 1/2 parts Vodka  1/2 vintage port, 1 part lemon, 1/3 part simple syrup 1 part rose champagne. Foam recipe: 14 parts raspberry puree 4 parts water 2 tsp gelatin.

Might be a tough one to make..but looks AMAZING

Butterfly Martini Cocktail: 1-1/2 parts Citron Flavored Vodka 2 parts white grape juice 3 basil leaves, shredded 3 mint leaves, shredded 1 tsp Elderflower Cordial 1 tsp fresh lemon juice 1 lemon rind Edible flower to garnish

It you love me you'll make this for me.

Fresh Berry Lemonade:  1 1/2 part vodka Fresh squeezed lemonade 5 raspberries 1tsp sugar.

so...pretty

Beach Bum: 2 parts Grey Goose La Poire flavored vodka crushed iced 1/2 part cointreau 1 part fresh lime juice 1 part maraschino liqueur dash of grenadine and mint:

nom nom nom

I knew there were awesome drinks out there that I had never tried or even imagined possible. So here is my sincerest pledge to you: I pledge to try each and every one of these drinks. And report back all the grisly details, through sickness and or in health I will accomplish this challenging task. Because if anyone is going to sacrifice themselves for the greater good…it should be me.

Cheers,

Guilt, it creeps up on you when you least expect it. It makes you feel bad for the stupidest things; like not wanting to wear the puke colored taffeta dress your great aunt’s sister’s cousin made one hundred years ago; or having to just say “no” regarding…well, just about anything.  Guilt, can lead you down a path of making all your decisions based on what other people want ,and in the end you’ll end up having someone else’s wedding, not your own. Truly, guilt should be a dirty word.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t listen to suggestions or get as many opinions as you can personally handle. But everyone has a vision of what they want and unfortunately it can get diluted. We’ve all heard the phrase “too many cooks in the kitchen… Well we could say here there are “too many brides in the wedding.” If you have something set in your mind trust it,  just don’t be a big B about it.

To help counteract the inevitable guilt I’ve come up with a list of things you SHOULD NOT feel guilty about when it comes to YOUR wedding.

1. What you will or will not wear. Your mother’s dress, your great aunt’s cousin’s dress it doesn’t matter whose it used to be, you don’t have to wear it.

2. Theme/colors, while I’m a firm believer in getting opinions regarding this, don’t let your vision get trampled. If you want your bridesmaids in a leotard and tutu because you’ve always had a vision of a Swan Lake Ballet wedding then by God girl you go get yourself a ballet wedding. (currently shuddering in disgust at the possibility of this…but hey, not my wedding)

3. Saying no to kids or the plus ones.  It’s your wedding and don’t you dare feel bad that you don’t want people to bring their children or a guest with them. Children count as mouths to feed,  and that’s money that can be spent somewhere else, same with the plus ones. That friend from college who you invited that usually has a stable of men or women around doesn’t need to bring their flavor of the week…

4. This one’s a little more general, but it has to do with your vendors. Whether it’s your florist or DJ, photographer or caterer, while they are professionals and do have a wealth of knowledge, that doesn’t mean they get to trump your vision. Listen carefully to what they suggest though, a lot of times they can take your vision to the next level (the really good ones can) but don’t let their knowledge intimidate you either.

5. Budget, don’t get pushed into spending more than you want or can afford. Money is a hard one to speak up about. You may just want to hide your head in the sand and come out when the coast is clear (that is what I currently do regarding my bills…you mean it didn’t pay itself??) but it’s YOUR wedding and maybe you or others are paying for it, so feel free and do not feel guilty when you may have to say the words “I’m sorry, but we can’t afford it.” There is nothing wrong with that.

I’ll leave you with wise words from a best friend of mine when guilt gets you down BAAAAAD and you’re looking for a hug when no one is around  and for the guilt to go away. Do this:

step1: place right hand on left shoulder
step2: place left hand on right shoulder
step3: smoosh arms down onto chest and squeeeeeze (twisting side to side from the waist while doing so is optional)

Step 4. Breathe and keep breathing.

Cheers,