On Sunday April 18th, I had the privilege of being the Master of Ceremonies for Ron and Yin’s wedding reception that was held at Cairnwood Mansion in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania.  It was an incredible spring day for the outdoor service, which took place on the terrace of the mansion.  Their ceremony was decorated with dazzling floral arrangements designed by Flower Sculptures.  Mickey Young, of Journeys of the Heart, conducted a serene ceremony.  I provided all of the music for the event, and I think everyone would agree that Yin looked breath taking when she walked down the isle.  After the proceedings, the guests, while enjoying hors d’ouevres, had a chance to explore the elegant, historic mansion during cocktail hour. Afterward, the party moved into the Great Hall, beginning with unforgettable introductions of the parents, flower girls, ring bearers, a bubbling bridal party, and, for the first time as husband and wife, Ron and Yin.  The bride and groom left the entire crowd, including myself, in utter amazement with a well rehearsed first dance. Once the performance ended, the room erupted with applause.  Next on the agenda was dinner catered by Robert Fair Catering. Terri and her team did a flawless job providing amazing food throughout the entire wedding.

One of my favorite parts of a wedding is that first moment when it’s time to get everyone up to dance.  Usually, I will play a slow song to open the dance floor. At that moment, many think to themselves “No big deal right? Who doesn’t mind a nice dance with someone special?” Then before anyone realizes what’s happening, I end the slow song and kick it into top gear.  We at Cutting Edge work really hard before the wedding with the bride and groom so we will know exactly what songs will get everyone shaking and moving out on the floor.  This group was awesome; just take a look at the pictures snapped by John and Doris of Costello Photography!

Congratulations Ron and Yin. We at Cutting Edge Entertainment, I in particular, would like to thank you for allowing us to be part of your wedding day.  We wish you all the best in your life together.

-Richie

Photos courtesy of Costello Photography – www.costellophotography.com

Cairnwood – www.cairnwood.org

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

The song “Makin’ Whoopee” was composed in 1928 by Walter Donaldson with lyrics by Gus Kahn, and was originally written for the Broadway Musical Whoopee.  The title, and the song itself makes no bones that Makin’ Whopee is a euphemism for sexual intimacy, and I can only imagine that it was considered quite risque for it’s time.  The song begins harmlessly enough, singing of weddings, honeymoons and early marital bliss, but quickly changes to the realities of babies, diapers and other inferences of responsibilities.  One definition I read even referred to the tune as “a dire warning, largely to men, about the ‘trap’ of marriage”.

Makin’ Whoopee has probably been played by DJs at thousands of weddings, and although it will probably continue to be played at thousands more,  a closer look at the lyrics makes me ponder if it should.

“Makin’ Whoopee”

Another bride, another June
Another sunny, honeymoon
another season, another reason
for Makin’ Whoopee

A lot of shoes, a lot of rice
the groom is nervous, he answers twice
It’s really killin’, that he’s so willin’
to make whoopee!

Picture a little love-nest, down where the roses cling,
Picture the same sweet lovenest, think what a year can bring.

He’s washing dishes, and baby clothes
he’s so ambitious, he even sews
But don’t forget, folks, that’s what you get folks
for Makin’ Whoopee!

Another year, or maybe less
What’s this I hear? Well can’t you guess?
She feels neglected, and he’s suspected
of Makin’ Whoopee!

She sits alone, most every night
He doesn’t phone her, he doesn’t write
He says he’s “Busy”, but she says “Is he?”
He’s Makin’ Whoopee!

He doesn’t make much money, only a five-thousand per
some judge who thinks he’s funny
Says “You’ll pay six to her”

He says: “Now judge, suppose I fail?”
The judge says: “Budge, right into jail!
You’d better keep her; I think it’s cheaper
Than Makin’ Whoopee!!

Personally, I think the song is harmless, and the fact that it’s a standard that’s been around for years and been covered by artists like Eddie Cantor, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Rod Stewart gives it a classic chic that make the second part of the song somehow humorous and socially acceptable.  It’s been in movies like The Fabulous Baker Boys where Michelle Pfeiffer does a very sexy rendition sprawled across a piano, Sleepless In Seattle in a duet by Ricky Lee Jones and Dr. John, and two Woody Allen movies (Everyone Says I Love You and Husbands and Wives).  Cookie Monster even did a version on Sesame Street called “Eatin’ Cookie“!

Is it just cute irony, or is it bad taste?  Again, I like the song personally, particularly the Ray Charles live version where he injects his own name into the line “Ray, son, right into jail” and then asks the audience  “You know what I’ve been doin, don’t you?” and the crowd goes wild.  I laugh to myself every time I hear it.

So I pose the question to the reader… Is Makin’ Whoopee “okay to play” or is it best left alone? What do YOU think?

-Craig

Photo courtesy of  Scott Spitzer Photography & Design
www.scottspitzer.com

Guest blog by Joe Pulcinella

As a photographer, I want every bride to have the most awesome photos she’s ever seen. I want her to cry when she sees them. I want her mom and her friends to cry. I want families to to cherish that moment in time when they were all together with smiles on their faces. I want grooms to say, “Wow, I really DO look like DeNiro!” Trust me on this one. I’m a guy. That’s the way we think.

However, as much as I love to make people happy, it makes me sad to hear someone tell me, “Oh, I wish I had hired a better photographer. My pictures were awful and I never did get my album.”

Okay, now back to your wedding. You’re doing the best you can within your budget. But how do you prevent yourself from becoming that bride who is unsatisfied with her photographs? Here are some tips that may not be what you read in the bridal magazines:

1. Be in love with great photography. Look at a lot of photographer’s websites. Familiarize yourself with the state of the art in your area. Only after you do can you critically interview a photographer.

2. Ask to see an album that is indicative of what she is doing now. A photographer should grow and mature with each passing season. If she’s perfectly content to show you a three-year-old album, then she might be a little too content with herself as an artist. She may be on cruise control for your wedding and not willing to push her creative envelope.

3. Visit the photographer in his studio. Seeing his studio will tell you a lot about him. I can tell you that most work out of their homes but even though, he should still have a comfortable space devoted to meeting with clients and to the actual post-processing work that is required to complete your job. Unless you are meeting with a photographer who is based far from you and you offer to meet him half-way, a photographer that uses Starbucks as his meeting space should be suspect.

4. Ask what she does to further herself as an artist. Most photographers do consider themselves artists and should be forever striving to be better with each passing season (if not each wedding). Does she shoot things other than weddings? Does she enter print or album competitions? Does she attend workshops given by more well-known photographers? Does she share her knowledge with other less-experienced photographers? A photographer that does these things will be proud to tell you that she does. If she changes the subject, she may not be a serious photographer.

5. Hire the photographer that does the type of photographs you want. If a photographer advertises himself as an unobtrusive photojournalist and his albums show that, then expect your photos to reflect that style. And if you choose to hire a photographer because his style looks more like fashion photography, then you should expect him to be more hands-on in his approach to lighting and posing. Don’t expect one to be the other.

6. Don’t be afraid to readjust your budget to get what you want out of your wedding. Magazines sometimes give hypothetical budgets broken down by percentages for things like venues, flowers, photography, etc. This is not set in stone. If photography is very important to you, then devote a little more to it. As cliché as this sounds, your wedding photos will be the only part of your day that will be with you the rest of your life.

I hope this article will be a good starting point for newly engaged couples. Planning a wedding is kind of a big deal and I truly want you to get the most out of your day as well as your dollar.

Joe Pulcinella
Photographer
www.photojoe.com


I think it was about four years ago that I first met Joe Pulcinella at an industry event. He’s been in the biz for about twenty years now, doing architectural, commercial and event photography (the sign of a well rounded professional). A native of Philadelphia, Joe belongs to several professional organizations, and is himself a recent newlywed, as well as a father of three. Joe and I had been chatting about ‘industry stuff’ one day when I suggested he guest post for us on our DJ blog and share his thoughts on what brides and grooms should look for in a photographer… That was two days ago. Joe emailed me this yesterday. Gotta love a guy who gets it done. Thanks Joe!

-Craig

Photo courtesy of Joe Pulcinella

We are excited to announce that the WeddingWire Network has chosen Cutting Edge Entertainment to receive the Bride’s Choice Award™ 2010. This award recognizes the top five percent of local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service and professionalism.

The Bride’s Choice Awards™ are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds (brides and grooms) through extensive surveys and reviews, which means our past clients have spoken on our behalf and selected us to receive this honor.

We would like to express our thanks and gratitude to all of our past clients for your business, for choosing us to provide DJ entertainment at your wedding reception, and for helping to make  Cutting Edge Entertainment one of the top Disc Jockey companies in the Philadelphia area.

www.weddingwire.com

I mainly photograph weddings but I am always in ‘photographer mode.’ When I walk around, I look for different locations that could be used at some point in the future with one of my brides (or models), I look how the light hits people around me (after all, photography is writing with light).

Case in point. The following picture was taken inside a garage. I once parked at this location and when I saw the lines and architecture I said to myself that one day, when I would have a bride around this area, I would stop by and use it.

Ansel Adams once said: “You don’t take a photograph, you make it”.  Sometimes that means that all I have to do is to capture the beautiful moment that unfolds in front of me:

… other times it means that I might need to give you some directions and put you in the best light:

All the while having fun with it.

A photographer friend of mine that I highly admire told me: “You don’t have to be the best; You just have to be better than last week”.

That is what I’ve been doing for the past six years.

Muchas gracias Sr. Craig (in an Antonio Banderas accent),

-Valentin




As far as photographers go, Valentin (or Mr. V as I call him) is top notch.  His stylized work and creative use of light brought a new flare to our blog in the latter part of 2009, and we look forward to Mr. V and his photography being a big part of the Cutting Edge Entertainment blog in the future. Thank you Mr. V, for all of your contributions.

-Craig Sumsky

Please be sure to check out Valentin’s work at his site and blog
www.jean-valentin.com

Become a fan of Jean Valentin Photography on facebook
www.facebook.com/JeanValentinPhotography

Follow Jean Valentin Photography on twitter
http://twitter.com/jeanvalentin

Whenever we meet with a bride and groom and review the agenda for their wedding, we always make it a point to ask what their courses are.  I think one of the most puzzling reactions I ever get is when I ask “Will you be having a Caesar or garden-style salad?”  I’ll get that look from the bride as if she’s wondering “Why the DJ cares what type of salad will be served?”

A caterer once told me that if a Caesar salad is left at room temperature for too long, it will wilt.  This basically means that because it is covered in Caesar dressing it might be less crisp to the bite.  When I, or one of the other Cutting Edge DJs ask a bride about what type of salad they are having, it is because in that particular situation we feel that timing is key, and we would like to make sure the guests get their salad fresh and crisp, rather than wilted and soggy.

Another caterer later explained to me the difference between a served and a plated salad.  Sometimes, the salad or some other appetizer type pre-entree course may be already sitting at the guests seat when they sit down.  Other times the waiter or waitress might serve the starter course.  Again, each situation calls for an awareness on the part of your DJ to be mindful of timing.

Along the way, an experienced DJ learns how to achieve a rhythm with the other event professionals.  Working with the caterer, the photographer, the videographer or the wedding coordinator assures smooth sailing and a successful reception.

At Cutting Edge Entertainment, we will do our part to make sure your salads don’t wilt.  We promise.

Photo by David Hershy

Photo courtesy of Meryl Snow of Feastivities Catering
http://www.feastivitiescatering.com/

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Adam Brand has been with Cutting Edge Entertainment since 1997 and showed a remarkable ability very early on.  He was DJing his own events by his freshman year in college, and now – a graduate of Drexel University – is one of Cutting Edge’s most requested and respected DJs.

So why say ‘The coolest DJ in Philly?’  Just because he is.  Cool as a cucumber.  On job days, Adam rolls up to the office in his sporty B.M.W. 328Xi (incidentally the nicest car of any employee at CEE) as if he was James Bond rolling up to headquarters.  He’s smooth personified,  and it carries over into the way he handles an event.  Not only is Adam is a flawless beat mixer, with a diverse and extensive knowledge of music, he is also a talented MC with years of experience. He has a very cool and likable demeanor that has managed to land Cutting Edge Entertainment on countless preferred vendor lists in and around Philadelphia.

Adam’s air of confidence is quite justified, as he knows what he’s doing and never skips a beat (no pun intended).  He represents Cutting Edge well, and one of his greatest strengths is his almost corporate approach to an event. With a degree in Business Administration and Management Information Systems, Adam has an impeccable knack for organization, and his music programing at events is meticulous and well planned out.  From the first song played at cocktail hour to the last song of the evening, Adam’s music choices are well crafted, and his uncanny ability to read the dance floor ensures fun and excitement – but without the cheese.

As with all Cutting Edge Staff, Adam meets with his clients prior to the event, developing a strong rapport with his clientele (we usually refer to our customers as clients, but with Adam you just have to say clientele).

Whether it be a wedding, bar/bat mitzvah, or corporate event – large or small – Adam manages them all with the same enthusiasm and attention to detail.  One bride – whose wedding Adam recently performed at – said “He listened to me, and made sure every request I made was played, while doing a great job of knowing just when to play a particular song.”

Adam isn’t cool just because we say he is, but because it’s the word clients use to describe him… and that speaks volumes.

Photo by Jean Valentin

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

I just finished an interesting two-part article written by Elizabeth Oakes at Examiner.com titled “An iPod Wedding: Should I Or Shouldn’t I” (See article here – Part One and Part Two).

I must say I agree with much (but not all) of what she says, as I have had first hand experience helping out a few iPod brides, where in nine out of ten cases, the bride ended up hiring our DJ service.

Now don’t get me wrong, as I can certainly see the merit of an iPod being the music source at a wedding reception that is more of a cocktail party with fewer guests at a smaller facility, but at a larger reception I see obstacles which just cannot be overcome by an iPod.  What I hope to do in this article is to paint a bigger picture, without using scare tactics.

Scenario One: A bride calls me and explains that her wedding is three weeks away.  She and her groom have put together a play list on their iPod, but just realized they hadn’t thought of how they would amplify it so that their one hundred and fifty plus guests could hear the music, as well as a microphone so their best man could make the necessary announcements.  I gave her our price to rent such a system, including drop off, set up, break down and pick up, and she then asked how much it would be to just hire a DJ with all of that included… the difference was nominal.  She then asked what it would cost for her to buy the same equipment, and I explained that the powered speakers (powerful enough to handle that size crowd), speaker poles and decent cordless microphone would run her in the ballpark of $2,000.00, but she quickly nixed that idea, not just for cost but because she didn’t want to deal with shopping for sound equipment much less the set-up and break down.  She called the next day and hired a DJ.

Scenario Two: A bride calls me, and in this scenario decides to contract us to provide the amplification system for her iPod wedding.  Afterward, she phones me and asks what it would have cost for her to have just hired a DJ. My curiosity getting the best of me, I ask why and she goes on to explain that although the cocktail hour and dinner went well, when it came time for dancing she felt that she could have used a DJ to help play the right selections in a better order, and that she, the groom, and several of the bridal party ended up fielding requests and having to play DJ, and that she would have preferred just enjoying the evening.  She then went on to say that the best man, who had agreed to make the needed announcements and essentially play ‘MC’ for the night got a little inappropriate after he had had several drinks.  When I told her what a DJ would have cost, she was quiet at first, and then said she should have just spent the extra money.

Scenario Three: A bride and groom have a small dinner party at a restaurant and have no expectations for dancing as there isn’t a dance floor.  The facility has a house system that allows them to hook in their iPod and play music through the ceiling speakers.  No fuss, no cost, everyone wins.

There are certainly many more scenario possibilities, as these are just three that stand out in my mind.  Like any other decision regarding your wedding I think this just requires careful thought and consideration.   In regards to Ms. Oakes reference to DJs struggling to compete with iPods and technology, we certainly haven’t felt that pinch at Cutting Edge Entertainment, and nor have any of the other DJs I speak to.  What I fail to grasp is the hype of the iPod.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my iPod, but I don’t see how it differs from a bride and groom choosing CDs they burned themselves for a wedding four years ago, or cassette tapes they made themselves for a wedding ten to fifteen years ago.  In each case it amounts to a ‘do it yourself’ music program, which has its pros and cons no matter what the technology.

-Craig

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

In a discussion I had recently with one of my DJ employees, he asked me if I thought the song ‘Just A Gigolo’ by Louis Prima (and later re-done by David Lee Roth) was appropriate for a wedding, and my answer – as cliche as it might seem – was “If you question it, then the answer is no.”

Now certainly if it were a request of the bride & groom, it should be played, but I would pose the question of it’s appropriateness in the context of a wedding.  Perhaps if it were used during a garter toss to connotate ‘the single guys’ then yes, but I certainly wouldn’t want to play a song that might infer the Groom was gigolo, or a ‘player of women’ at his wedding.

As a DJ for over twenty years, and somewhat of a music aficianado, knowing lyrics is second nature to me.  When I sit down with a bride and groom or a mitzvah client or any client for that matter to discuss music I see myself as the person they are trusting in for guidance, and sometimes it is important to illustrate for them why a particular song choice may not be the best choice, and 99% of the time it’s pointing out something in the lyrics.

A great example that I cannot soon forget is that of a bride and groom requesting the song ‘Careless Whisper’ by George Michael as their first dance (you know, the ‘bride and groom’ dance that happens at the beginning of the reception).  when they asked I paused for a moment, and then asked if they wouldn’t mind my taking a moment to excuse myself from the meeting for a moment so that I might print out a copy of the lyrics for them to review.  Here is a short excerpt of what i printed…

I feel so unsure
As I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor
As the music dies, something in your eyes
Calls to mind a silver screen and all those sad goodbyes

I’m never gonna dance again
Cause guilty feet have got no rhythm
Though it’s easy to pretend
I know you’re not a fool

I should have known better than to cheat a friend
And waste the chance that I’d been given
So I’m never gonna dance again
The way I danced with you

Time can never mend
The careless whispers of a good friend
To the heart and mind
Ignorance is kind
And there’s no comfort in the truth
Pain is all you’ll find

Essentially, the song is about a relationship where someone cheated.  Don’t get me wrong, musically it’s a great song, it was a popular hit and it’s pretty good to slow dance to, but in the context of starting off your marriage with a first dance to a song about cheating, it’s probably not such a great idea.  When the bride read the lyrics the look on her face spoke volumes, and the two of them chose another song.  The same idea goes for so many other songs as well.  ‘Let’s Get It On’ by Marvin Gaye may be risque for a bride & groom’s first dance, but how awkward would it be as a father/daughter or mother/son dance?

Take some time to think about your song choices.  Most song lyrics can be found on the internet using Yahoo, Google, or some other search engine.  Check out your song and its lyrics before making it a song of significance, and if you aren’t sure about the artist or title, ask your DJ.  A good DJ should always be an invaluable resource for you regarding song choices, if not at the very least a second opinion.

-Craig

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

I just read a great article titled ‘Five Tips On Hiring A DJ’ published on Savvy Scoop, which is the blog for www.OneWed.com.   Here is the link, as you should probably read that before continuing here.

http://www.onewed.com/blog/savvy-scoop/2009/05/20/man-registry-5-tips-hiring-dj

Now I will say that overall it was a good article with good advice, with one small exception… Tip number three.

“If you get the opportunity, visit an event or reception that your DJ is working. This will give you a good read on his etiquette and manners while he’s at work.”

When you hire your caterer, you meet with them during the week to taste food, pick plates, etc.  Your florist you meet with and choose arrangements typically at their floral shop and when choosing a photographer or videographer seeing their work online or meeting with them during the week to look at their product is perfectly acceptable.

So why is it the DJ is put in the precarious position of sometimes being asked (or expected) to allow potential clients to come into someone else’s wedding reception and ‘view’ their work?

Several years ago, Cutting Edge Entertainment decided not to allow this practice anymore.  Now as a consumer myself, I can somewhat understand the reasoning behind the client wanting to observe… but the negatives far outweigh the positives and the risk factor just isn’t worth it.  The bride I have booked – and their wedding – are the focus of the day, and the sale of a new client is in no way to interfere with that.  Oh we tried it in the past, but quickly learned that it was a very bad idea.  Even though we would get an ok from the bride and the hall, it still often times turned out to be a decision I would regret.

1. Just because we ask the ‘visiting potential customer’ to dress appropriately, does not mean they will.  On more than one occasion they showed up in jeans and a casual shirt, and stood in the doorway – ‘looking’ – for close to a half hour.  Brides and caterers don’t like this, nor do I.
2. What a potential client sees at a particular event is specific to that bride & groom’s requests, and in no way reflects how we handle every event.
3. In one instance, the potential client contacted me on the following Monday after upset that the DJ didn’t take time to talk to them.  Again, on the day of a wedding we are there to serve our booked client, not to sell a future client.
4. Many event facilities simply don’t allow ‘observers.’  Being that we are recommended at dozens of facilities that have us on their ‘preferred vendor’ lists, it wouldn’t be a very good idea for us to compromise that relationship.
5.  (This one is the best) Invited a potential client to observe a wedding, turns out the observers were known to the bride and groom and (call me lucky) they didn’t like them.  I had to ask the observers to leave and as you can probably imagine I lost that sale.

I could go on, but the point again is that there is no viable justification for potentially compromising a clients wedding day for one future potential sale.  I have found that when explained to a potential client this way, they are typically understanding and respect our policy.  Do we lose some sales because other DJ companies are willing to allow day-of observers?  I’m sure we do, but I sleep better at night knowing that my company isn’t taking this unnecessary risk.

We seem to do just fine with strong recommendations from event facilities, fellow vendors and past brides.  We invite clients to meet with us at our office to discuss what our company has to offer and show them video footage.  We can also provide references from past brides and in some cases even put potential brides directly in contact with former clients if need be.  Just not on their wedding day.

Most importantly, I can tell brides with confidence that we – the DJ company – will not be inviting anyone to their wedding.  The focus of the day is that client, and nothing else.

-Craig

www.cuttingedgedjs.com