BLOGS 5 Unique Wedding Cake Ideas to Make Your Big Day Pop!

July 10, 2023

Getting married? Congratulations! Now that the planning is in full swing, it’s time to find the perfect wedding cake. Say goodbye to boring plain white icing and hello to modern, unique designs that will make your special day pop! Whether you’re looking for something with a bit of flair or something truly out-of-the-ordinary, this blog post has five creative ideas for you to choose from. So without further ado, let’s dive right in and get cake shopping like never before!

Classic Tiered Cake – a traditional look with a modern twist

Are you ready to take your celebration to the next level? Look no further than a classic tiered cake! While this design is timeless, it’s anything but ordinary when you add your own unique touch. Choose from endless custom decorations like fresh flowers, intricate piping, or even your favorite cartoon characters. The tiered design creates a show-stopping centerpiece that’s as delicious as it is beautiful. So why settle for a plain old sheet cake when you can indulge in a classic tiered cake with a modern twist? Your guests will be impressed, and your taste buds will thank you.

Naked Cake – perfect for couples who want to show off their cake flavor without overdoing it on decorations

Looking for a cake that’s simple yet still full of flavor? Enter the naked cake. This trendy dessert strips away all the fuss of elaborate decorations and frosting, leaving only the delicious layers of cake and filling exposed. Not only does it showcase the flavors of your cake, but it also provides a rustic and charming look. It’s no wonder that many couples are opting for naked cakes as their wedding dessert of choice. So, if you want a cake that’s both elegant and understated, consider baring it all with a delicious naked cake.

Custom Shaped Cakes!

Let’s be honest, when it comes to weddings, the cake is always the star of the show. And what better way to make a statement with your dessert than with a custom-shaped cake? Whether you opt for a delicate butterfly design or a bold heart shape, your guests will definitely take notice. Plus, it’s a fun way to inject a bit of personality into your big day. So forget the traditional round cake and think outside the box with a custom design that will have your guests snapping pics and drooling in delight.

Cupcake Tower – Perfect for those who want something different, a cupcake tower can be fun and unique while still offering everyone a yummy treat!

If you want to add some pizzazz to your dessert table, then a cupcake tower is the perfect way to do it! Not only does it offer a fun and unique twist on traditional desserts, but it’s also a great way to personalize your event. Instead of having a traditional cake, why not mix it up with an array of cupcakes in different flavors and designs? Plus, with a tower, everyone can grab one and go, making it a great option for large gatherings or parties. So, if you’re looking for a delicious treat that’s both festive and practical, then a cupcake tower might just be the way to go!

Geometric Patterns – add an air of sophistication to your wedding dessert table

When it comes to weddings, the classic tiered cake is always a crowd-pleaser, but if you’re looking to add a little pizzazz to your dessert table, consider geometric patterns. Not only do they give off a fashionable and sophisticated vibe, but they also bring an element of fun to the celebration. From sharp triangles to perfectly imperfect shapes, the options for geometric patterns are endless. So whether you’re a lover of clean lines or a fan of abstract designs, there’s a geometric pattern out there for you. So why not shake things up and try something new for your wedding? Your guests will surely be impressed with your cutting-edge dessert table.

With all these different cake and dessert options, you’re sure to find the perfect option for your special day. From classic tiered cakes to customized shapes and patterns, your wedding cake is a representation of your unique personality as a couple. Whether you choose something traditional or modern, stylish or simple, there are endless possibilities when it comes to turning your cake dreams into reality. And don’t forget the cupcakes! Cupcake towers always bring just the right amount of fun and flair to complete your wedding day look. So if you’re looking for something sweet that looks as good as it tastes, then give some of these delicious options a try today!

Rounding out your wedding experience with Everlasting Productions

Between having a special wedding cake and all the decorations, every ceremony needs special entertainment! At Everlasting Productions, we specialize in creating everlasting memories of your big day. Offering DJ services, videography, and a number of other goodies in between, Everlasting Productions is here to make your wedding one for the ages. And don’t just take our word for it, our reviews speak for themselves!

So if you’re looking to have the wedding of your dreams, please visit our website and book your event with Everlasting Productions today!

BLOGS Spring Weddings: A Crash Course to Planning

February 13, 2023

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Spring weddings are always a blast! With winter coming to a close in March, it’s best to get a headstart on your wedding planning. With fun colors, new wedding trends for the year, unique design choices, and more, here’s what you need to know if you’re planning a wedding this spring!

Themes for Spring Weddings

Think about it — with the world emerging on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic, on top of great weather on the way, spring weddings are an amazing way to reunite families and friends for one joyous occasion! That being said, there are a number of wedding themes you can go with this spring. Let’s take a look!

Nature Themes

When it comes to spring weddings, one of the first ideas you may have is to have an outdoor wedding! Let nature inspire your wedding with an outdoor ceremony and photos that reflect the changing colors of the leaves or flowers blooming around town. You can also include animals (like butterflies) in your decorating scheme or even incorporate them into your outfits!

Furthermore, you can include more nature-esque accents like a tree swing and a floral arch. Round it out with ideal outdoor furniture like wicker chairs! Less is more when it comes to cultivating an elegant atmosphere for your spring weddings.

Smaller Weddings

Though we are coming out on the other side of the pandemic, you still may want to consider a smaller wedding this spring. Why? Well, to be blunt, you probably just don’t want 95% of the people there — and there’s nothing wrong with that! Skip out on inviting Aunt Betty’s third cousin once-removed and opt for a more intimate gathering.

On top of the intimacy, smaller weddings are often more personal. They can also be more affordable, since the guest list is smaller, and you won’t have to rent out the entire venue. This makes it easier on yourself if your budget is lower than expected or if something unexpected happens (like a last-minute change in your guest list).

Plus, too many people can get in the way of planning and/or the outdoor experience (shall you go that route). With fewer people involved in planning your wedding day comes more flexibility for making decisions about things like seating arrangements or how long events will go for. You’ll also save money on things like cake cutting fees as well as any extras that may not be included in their standard package (think: additional table linens or chair covers).

Brunch!

Did someone say brunch?! And who doesn’t love brunch? Skip the full-day buildup to the nuptials and opt for a brunch celebration. When it comes to spring weddings, what better way to take advantage of the nice weather and the outdoors than with a brunch theme? You can even have an open bar, endless mimosas, and plenty of brunch-themed eats to top off the afternoon!

Choosing the Right Setting

We’ve talked a bit about the outdoors in this blog, simply because we can’t get enough! Choose a venue that is in a beautiful location. The scenery is just as important as the facility itself, so look for venues with scenic views or natural beauty surrounding them. Whether it’s mountains, waterfalls, forests or fields of flowers, whatever speaks to you personally is what will shine best!

You can also get a bit avant-garde with your choices! A unique setting adds something extra special to your day; whether its historic architecture or an unusual backdrop like trees growing right through walls…the possibilities are endless!

Spring Wedding Dress Ideas

Spring weddings are the perfect opportunity to go all out with your wedding dress. Some ideas to consider include:

Floral themes
A dress with a bow
Mini-dress
Incorporating animals (like butterflies, as previously mentioned) onto the dress

The dress is the most important part of your spring wedding day. Ultimately, should be unique to you and reflect your personality, so exercise your creativity here!

Spring Weddings with Everlasting Productions

To completely round out your spring weddings, you need a full-service wedding event company. With experienced DJs that work with clients to cultivate the best possible playlists and a résumé that speaks for itself, Everlasting Productions is here to take your wedding to the next level! To learn more about our services, please visit our website and contact us today!

BLOGS 2023 Wedding Trends: What to Expect

January 9, 2023

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With the new year underway, there are plenty of new trends that are about to emerge in the wedding industry. From strapless wedding dresses to hashtag puns, we’ve seen it all over the years. But what should we expect for the new year? Here are some potential 2023 wedding trends we suspect will come into play this year.

2023 Wedding Trends Include Outdoor Celebrations

If you’re planning a wedding for 2023, one of the biggest wedding trends that are emerging include outdoor celebrations. As the world is coming out on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York Post reports that we will begin seeing a plethora of outdoor events as many couples say “I do.”

Lauren Kay, executive editor of The Knot, told the New York Post…

“Outdoor celebrations continue to be popular with indoor/outdoor venues taking top billing. Villas are the buzzword among global wedding planners with Italy being the most desired destination for I dos.”

So when attending a wedding in 2023, be sure to be dressed appropriately for the weather, pack some extra sunscreen, and don’t forget the bug spray!

Authentic, Real-Time Photos

Over the past decade-and-a-half, social media and smartphones have reinvented the way we capture the moment. Professional photography will always remain a mainstay for weddings (and for good reason!), but authentic, real-time photos will be one of 2023’s biggest wedding trends going forward.

People have long used platforms like Instagram to refine genuine moments with filters and other fun decorations, but with the rise of platforms like BeReal, authenticity seems to be the move going forward. Expect a lot of pictures that are blurry and captured in real-time.

Diana Romo, founder and lead planner at Diana Romo Weddings, says that “The style nixes poses and focuses on imperfections,” and that couples are opting for “minimal direction or interruptions” (via PureWow).

Wedding Dress Embellishments

Of course, how can it be a wedding without the real star of the show: the wedding dress?! Every year, the wedding dress seems continual evolution, and 2023’s wedding trends will prove no different. In fact, 2023’s wedding dress will follow suit with an embellished approach.

Take, for example, Kourtney Kardashian’s magnificent wedding dress that was embroidered with a floral border and a depiction of the Virgin Mary. While a more extreme case of embellishment, many couples within the year will follow with unique embroidery. You could always take a page out of Hailey Bieber’s book — where she simply embroidered the words, “Till Death Do Us Part,” onto her dress.

Anticipating Wedding Trends with Everlasting Productions

One thing that we know won’t change amidst 2023 wedding trends is the need for a full-service wedding event company. At Everlasting Productions, we bring the sounds, the vibes, and the entertainment to keep your guests delighted all throughout the entire wedding!

With years of experience and many happy clients on our résumé, Everlasting Productions has proven to be the leaders in wedding entertainment. To learn more about our offerings, please visit our website and contact us today for more!

BLOGS Hosting a Winter Wonderland Wedding

December 12, 2022

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Planning a wedding for the winter? Why not go for a Winter Wonderland wedding?! With beautiful aesthetics, charming decor, and endless possibilities to go all out, these types of weddings are perfect for the creative types! Winter lovers rejoice — here’s what you need to know when hosting a Winter Wonderland wedding and how to truly make it pop!

Nailing the Aesthetic

When planning a Winter Wonderland wedding, it’s important that you nail the aesthetic! From the visuals to the music to the food, there are so many moving parts you have to take into account — but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming!

When it comes to decor, you should probably opt for shimmery visuals. Think: paper that illuminates like white snow on Christmas Day, eye-catching silverware, and bright colors that inspire like the hopes of a beautiful holiday season.

Here’s what you need to know when planning such a wedding.

Winter Wonderland Wedding Flower Choices

If you’re planning a Winter Wonderland wedding (or any wedding for that matter, you’ll obviously have to take the flower choice into consideration! We suggest that since you’re going for the winter theme, white flowers are some of the best choices you can make! White flowers give the perfect accent to your wedding. With its wintry overtones, white flowers can make any room bloom with the serenity of snowfall.

You can also opt for pink plum blossoms! These are perfect to add a little subtle contrast to the winter wonderland vibe. It’s a pink that’s not too warm, but rather cool and inviting — thus presenting an extraordinary essence to top off your Winter Wonderland wedding aesthetic.

Creating the Perfect Menu

In case you missed it, it’s cold out during the wintertime! That’s why when planning a Winter Wonderland wedding, it’s best to curb the cold foods for your dinner menu.

Instead, opt for hot foods that bring about feelings of coziness and comfort. Consider hors d’oeuvres that include flatbreads, bruschetta with different combinations (think melted cheese and beyond), grilled shrimp, and sweets. In fact, The Manor has a great lineup of potential finger foods for your big day — including bacon-wrapped cream cheese jalapeno poppers!

For starters, opt for some warm and hearty soups. Then, for the main course, opt for traditional meals but with a twist! Consider the following:

Wood-fired pizza
Glazed salmon
Herb-roasted chicken
Sweet potato succotash

Setting the Stage

Lastly, you’ll need to consider the room’s overall vibe for your Winter Wonderland wedding. For the bride’s dress, consider satin fabrics and potentially a faux-fur shawl to accompany the wintry aesthetic of the wedding (and to combat the cold, obviously!). Men needn’t go all out.

For the overall vibe, opt for wooden tables and any outside ornamentation such as branches to accent the environment. Decorate the tables with silky fabrics and various eye-catching glass containers and silverware throughout to maximize visual appeal. On top of that, finding a venue with a beautiful chandelier is great — as it adds that perfect cherry on top of the wedding. The more glass, the better!

BLOGS 5 Wedding Favors to Wow Your Guests

October 10, 2022

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Though not necessary, wedding favors are always a great addition to any wedding celebration. They’re a sweet gesture that shows gratitude and appreciation for your guests — so, if you can, why not reward them?

You don’t need to go above and beyond, either. If your budget allows for it, consider these 5 wedding favors that will wow your guests and leave them talking for years to come.

Chocolate Bars Make Wonderful Wedding Favors!

If you’re looking for unique wedding favors, try chocolate bars! They’re easy to order online and come in a variety of different styles and flavors. On top of that, they’re universally loved, and you can choose from an array of different styles and flavors to match your theme.

Another great idea to round out your chocolate bar endeavors is to personalize them! There are plenty of vendors online that can make your confectionery vision come true. Consider adding your wedding date over a sophisticated background to make for a memorable visual. Moreover, you have the choice of either dark chocolate or milk chocolate. Either way, everybody wins!

Bottle Openers

Bottle openers are another great choice for wedding favors. They can be used for opening wine bottles, liquor bottles, and pretty much any bottled beverage without a cap. There are many different styles of bottle openers available including ones that look like keys, guitars, and even the Millennium Falcon from “Star Wars!”

With bottle openers, you have an infinite number of possibilities when it comes to customization, as they come in different shapes, sizes, materials and colors and can be used again and again. Give your guest bottle openers as wedding favors and they’ll be thinking of you every time they go to crack open a bottle — creating lasting memories to come!

Personalized Wine Label

This one’s for all our wine lovers out there!

Personalized wine labels are a sophisticated way to show your guests that you have put thought into the gift they are taking home. They can also be a perfect option if you’re on a budget and don’t have much money to spend on favors. In fact, if your budget is tight, focus on the quality of the wine label rather than the wine itself.

There are many ways that you can personalize these little treasures, including:

Your name(s) and date of wedding
Names of the bride and groom
A fun quote or wordplay (for example, “Wine is constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy” — Benjamin Franklin)

Leather Luggage Tags

Do you have any travelers amongst your friends and family? Leather luggage tags should be on top of your wedding favors list then! Luggage tags are a fun way to add some whimsy to your guests’ gifts. They come in many styles and can be customized with any font, so you can find one that matches the rest of your decor/crowd aesthetic.

Colored Pencils

Colored pencils are simple yet effective wedding favors to give your guests of all ages. They’re small and portable, making them easy to pack around. You can give them away as a gift or use them as party favors by putting them in decorative boxes with ribbons around the lids or spines of the containers, which makes for an even more elegant presentation.

If you want to get really fancy (and if your budget permits), you can even personalize your colored pencils further by printing out names on stickers and attaching them to each individual pencil (this would work best if you have kids at your wedding). This way when people take their gifts home from your reception they’ll know exactly who gave it to them!

Colored pencils are also useful for creating art projects such as pictures or drawings using different shades of color, so there’s no shortage of ways these fun little items can be used around the house!

The Everlasting Productions Promise

While we don’t offer wedding favors, Everlasting Productions is committed to creating… well, everlasting memories for your wedding! With a number of services — from DJing to photography to video production — Everlasting Productions provides you with an experience that you’ll surely never forget for your big day.

To learn more about our services and what we do, please visit our website and contact us today!

BLOGS Pros and Cons to Hiring a Full-Service Wedding Event Company

September 12, 2022

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If you’re planning a large and extravagant wedding, chances are you’re probably looking into hiring a DJ, Photographer, and other vendors. Of course, you’ll want to provide your guests with an unforgettable experience — and what better way to do so with a full-service wedding event company?

Though you may get services such as a DJ, a photo booth, and photography, you should still be wary of your choices. Here are the pros and cons to hiring a full-service wedding event company rather than multiple individual vendors.

Pro: A Full-Service Wedding Event Company Can Save You Money

Hiring a full-service wedding event company has several advantages — one being that it can save you money. These companies are cost-efficient in the fact that, instead of outsourcing work to each individual vendor (including photographers, DJs, and caterers), a full-service company provides all of these services for one flat price.

If you opt for individual vendors, those prices will quickly rack up by the end of your wedding expenditures. Plus, aside from its cost, managing individual vendors can be quite the headache — especially when there’s so much to worry about for your big day.

Pro: It Can Save You Time

On top of the headache it provides, hiring individual vendors can also be a huge time waster. To break it down, consider the amount of time doing your due diligence will take. From research to contact to trial period to payment, doing so for each vendor could swallow up a huge chunk of planning time. Add that with around 3 to 4 vendors and you’re looking at hours upon hours of wasted time.

With a full-service wedding event company, all of these spectacular wedding services are housed under one umbrella. In turn, you won’t be spending as much time researching, contacting, and offering trial runs to one person each.

Con: You Can Potentially Sacrifice Quality

As is with most services, with the pros come the cons. With a full-service wedding event company, you do run the risk of sacrificing quality when it comes to each service provider. For example, you may love a company’s photographer and the work they do, but their photobooth may be faulty and can potentially spoil part of your wedding.

Consider having a phenomenal DJ as part of the package, but the photographer’s work is not up-to-par. Generally, you get what you pay for, so if you choose to go with a less expensive full-service wedding company, keep in mind that some of the vendors could possibly not meet your standards and expectations.

In hiring individual vendors, you have full autonomy to choose providers that are up to your standards — with the trade-off being your time expended.

Con: A Full-Service Wedding Event Company May Not Be Flexible

When hiring a full-service wedding event company, another con you have to be aware of is lack of flexibility. Consider this situation: your wedding runs longer than usual and you need a DJ to keep playing music and keep the energy up. What happens if the DJ can’t stay late?

No matter how much money you offer, it still may not sway them into sticking around for the rest of the night. And what happens if the photographer has to leave at a certain time? Where will those precious late-night memories of your wedding go?

These are just some of the circumstances to consider when hiring a full-service wedding event company. You never know how your wedding will pan out, so having that flexibility is key for your vendors!

Hiring Everlasting Productions for Your Wedding

At Everlasting Productions, we are committed to make your wedding a day to remember. With our impeccable DJ service, photo booth, video production, and more, our experts are dedicated to creating an unforgettable wedding experience for you and your guests.

To learn more about our services and rates, please visit our website and call us at 516-307-0874 today!

BLOGS Tips for Choosing a Wedding Photographer

August 8, 2022

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Planning for a wedding is no easy task, especially when you have so many moving parts to take account for. Whether it’s remembering to invite everyone you know or coordinating with an event planner, wedding planning can certainly be difficult. Luckily, choosing a wedding photographer doesn’t have to be.

In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the tips and tricks you can utilize to score the best wedding photographer possible. Here’s how!

Check Their Portfolio

Before choosing a wedding photographer, the first thing you’ll want to do is check out a prospective hire’s portfolio. Here, you should take into account what exactly you want out of a wedding photographer.

Analyze their photo style. Take a look at elements such as angling, lighting, staging. Other elements to be aware of include form, shape, size, color, line, depth, and texture. Understanding these elements and how they can really make your wedding photos pop and stand out can be really useful.

You’ll also want to ask yourself: what kind of lighting are they using? Do the photos look professionally taken? Are they using high-quality cameras? It’s also good practice to check their background for reviews that highlight a potential hire’s strengths and weaknesses.

Understanding Your Wedding’s Needs

Are you planning on having a huge wedding or a small one? Does it call for an elaborate photo and stage setup, or are you opting for something simple? Being honest with your wedding needs will help you in choosing a wedding photographer. In fact, depending on the size of your wedding, you may even need a full team of photographers.

Also, your guests should be in mind when choosing a wedding photographer. As they may want to see the pictures and receive Thank You’s afterward, ask yourself how you would like your photos delivered. Would you prefer physical or digital copies? Glossy images or matte? Would you like them framed? And since we live in the social media age — what are the best means of delivering these photos to your guests online? Consider turnaround time as well!

It is also important to make sure you and your photographer are on the same page about time. Having your photographer leave hours before the end of the wedding is a situation absolutely no one wants to be in. Make sure you are in constant communication with your photographer to make sure they’ll be able to stay for the majority of the event. Leaving an hour before the end is generally acceptable.

Offer a Trial Run Before Choosing a Wedding Photographer

When choosing a wedding photographer, you’ll want to weigh your options. One way you can go about such is by offering a trial run.

Once you settle on a photographer that may fulfill your needs, use this time to offer a trial run. A good time for a trial run would be your engagement photos — as you can test out a photographer’s (or studio’s) capabilities, see what services they offer, and how their customer service is.

Don’t Focus on Price

Lastly, don’t focus on price when choosing a wedding photographer. It may seem like an obvious choice to actually focus on price, but good quality photography and service is subjective and cannot be labeled.

If you want to shell out money for a huge photo studio, you still run the risk of receiving phoned-in photographs and/or shoddy service. Furthermore, a cheaper photographer may not be up to par when it comes to your standards — be it through their equipment, experience, or even customer service.

Let quality be the deciding factor in your wedding photography endeavors!

Everlasting Productions’ Commitment to a Successful Wedding

A successful wedding is a combination of many factors — and we here at Everlasting Productions want to help you bring your dream ceremony to life! With our experienced DJs and unparalleled service, Everlasting Productions brings the sound and makes sure that your wedding is a night you’ll never forget!

To learn more about Everlasting Productions and how we can make your wedding special, please visit our website and book us today!

BLOGS How a DJ Signifies the End of an Event

July 25, 2022

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Some events can feel like they last a lifetime that leave many wondering, “Is it over yet?” As an event planner, it’s important to hire a DJ that not only knows how to read the room, but also knows how to wrap an event up naturally. Here’s how a DJ can signify the end of an event.

Reading the Room

It’s easier said than done, but a good DJ can signify the end of an event just by reading the room. For example, if you’re DJ’ing at a club, take note of the partiers in the room and examine their behavior. Are they high energy or are they starting to gas out? Do you notice if people are showing signs of tiredness (heavy breathing, slower movements, etc.)? Are people slowly dispersing from the dance floor?

Whichever the case may be, you’ll want to control the room’s dynamics and leave a good lasting impression before the energy fizzles out.

Verbally Communicating with Clients

When signaling the end of an event, you’ll have to take a number of different factors into account. Consider this situation: your time on stage is running out and the crowd is tiring out. How can you wrap the event up? Well, you have a couple of options here.

One of the most straightforward ways to do so: verbally communicate with your clients! As you start playing your concluding songs, give the crowd a heads up with ample time (and thank them!) that the event is coming to a close. Think along the lines of: “We’re going to be wrapping in 10 minutes, we want to thank you all for coming out and making tonight one to remember!” This will give them time to begin exiting the dance floor and gathering their belongings.

Furthermore, when talking to the guests, you can weave in a message to the event gatherers, which will guarantee a pop from the crowd. Think: “Let’s give it up for the bride and groom one more time!” or “Let’s wish him Happy Birthday once more!”

Selecting a Final Song

While it may seem like a pressing issue, selecting a final song to end an event isn’t necessarily the be-all, end-all when signaling the end of an event. Despite such, it is a concept to be aware of depending on your type of gig. Consider this: you’re DJing at a 2000s hip-hop night. After running through a selection of high-energy songs, you’ll eventually want to segue into something at a slower tempo.

Lowering the tempo, however, isn’t necessarily indicative of an event’s end; rather, it’s a prelude of. Once that lull in energy is created, you can rope listeners and guests in one last time with a track they’ve been waiting to hear all night. So if we’re doing 2000s hip-hop night, you might opt for OutKast’s “Ms. Jackson” or Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” — songs that are easily identifiable by the masses. This will ensure one last burst of energy and leave a lasting memory of the event.

Tips to Signal the End of an Event

On top of verbally communicating and selecting an appropriate final song, you can begin slowly fading the music out by lowering the volume as time goes on. Eventually, that will dissipate the energy in the room and alert the audience the event is wrapping up.

And depending on the venue, once the final song of the night has been played, you can play some really low background music while everyone gathers their belongings. This is another chance to play something recognizable — like the “Friends” theme song.

Everlasting Productions’ Commitment to Excellence

At Everlasting Productions, every one of our team members brings many years of experience from under their belt. From weddings to birthday parties to school dances, we here at Everlasting Productions have done it all and have created everlasting memories for all — and we can do the same for you!

To learn more about how Everlasting Productions can elevate your next event, please visit our website and contact us today!

BLOGS 4 Tips for Holding an Outdoor Wedding This Summer

July 11, 2022

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As the summer shifts into full gear, many are looking to host an outdoor wedding — and who can blame them?! With beautiful weather, a wonderful atmosphere, and music curated to the audience’s needs, there are many factors to consider when holding an outdoor wedding this summer.

Good Practices for Holding an Outdoor Wedding

So you’re planning an outdoor wedding? Great! It’s a beautiful time to tie the knot, but as is with all wedding planning, you’ll need to stay on top of all the moving parts when planning an outdoor wedding. From maintaining optimal comfort for your guests to monitoring the weather, being prepared for potential pitfalls during your wedding. Furthermore, coordinating with your guests during the summer months — a time where most people go on vacation — is imperative.

Here’s what you need to know when holding an outdoor wedding this summer.

Check the Weather

This is most certainly a no-brainer, but checking the weather ahead of time will allow for key preparation before holding your outdoor wedding. When selecting a date, consider using a reliable weather outlet like weather.com or climate.gov and look at historical data of that day’s weather. Has it been characteristically rainy that day? Does it get sweltering hot? What about the humidity? This will allow you to make well-informed decisions when selecting the day of the wedding.

Beyond the historical data, you’ll obviously want to keep an eye on the upcoming weather as well. Weather.com offers a monthly look at the weather, so you can keep tabs on any potential weather changes as your big day approaches.

It’s also a good idea to avoid the hottest part of the day. As the sun is generally the highest around 3 p.m., consider holding your event in the later part of the afternoon/early evening.

Provide Ample Shade

On top of checking the weather, you’ll also want to provide ample shade for your guests. It’s summer, so it’ll be warm of course! Coordinate with your wedding venue to ensure that there are amply shaded areas on premises for your guests.

Consider the number of children who will be attending, for example. As many will be running around for the most part, leaving them with some shaded areas will give them an opportunity to cool off from under the hot sun. If there aren’t naturally-shaded areas with trees and other sources, you should probably invest in setting up a tent (and perhaps some fans to go along with them) to shield wedding guests from the hot sun.

Encourage Sunblock Use

When holding an outdoor wedding, encourage guests to use sunblock prior to the ceremony.

One of the biggest dangers of prolonged sun exposure is the dreaded sunburn. According to the Mayo Clinic, too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun “increases the risk of other skin damage, such as dark spots, rough spots, and dry or wrinkled skin.” Furthermore, symptoms include “Changes in skin tone, such as pinkness or redness,” “Pain and tenderness,” and in severe cases, “Headache, fever, nausea and fatigue.”

The American Cancer Society (ACS) advises that people should use “broad spectrum” sunscreen that protects not only against Ultraviolet A (UVA), but also Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that UVA and UVB rays have been, respectively, tied to skin aging and skin burning. Avoid this by choosing the appropriately labeled sunscreen.

You’ll also want to consider the Sun Protection Factor (SPF). While no sunscreen completely protects your skin from all UV rays, choosing a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher is highly recommended. The ACS says that “SPF 15 sunscreens filter out about 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 sunscreens filter out about 97%, SPF 50 sunscreens about 98%, and SPF 100 about 99%.”

Carefully Choose the Wedding Catering

When holding an outdoor wedding, you’ll need to be mindful of the catering. With the sun’s heat, you’ll want to have refreshing foods for your guests. Think fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and lighter meals. Avoid foods that don’t mix well with the weather, like hot soups and foods that are overly spicy. You’ll probably want to cut back on the steaks and red meat (depending on how thickly cut), too, as it can leave guests feeling sluggish throughout the day.

There’s also nothing wrong with opting for grilled foods. You can opt for more wedding-appropriate foods than the traditional burger and hot dog combo like grilled fish, thin-cut beef tenderloin, and more. You can also get really creative with kebabs!

Holding an Outdoor Wedding with Everlasting Productions

Once you have the venue and catering set for your outdoor wedding, you’ll have to consider the sounds of course! In fact, a good DJ can either make or break your event. Don’t settle for less.

With Everlasting Productions, we bring a team of experienced professionals who will keep the energy flowing throughout the night and make your outdoor wedding an experience you’ll never forget. To learn more, please visit our website and get in touch with us today!

BLOGS Establishing a Song Selection with Your DJ

June 13, 2022

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Curating a soundtrack for your special event can be challenging. Whether it’s a wedding, birthday party, or graduation, establishing a song selection with your DJ is crucial to ensuring a successful event.

Catering to everyone — from the young child to the grandparents in attendance — and maintaining the room’s energy comes down to a carefully-chosen song selection. Here are some tips you should consider in creating that perfect soundtrack!

Set a Meeting with Your DJ

Before your special event, it’s best practice to schedule a consultation with your DJ to go over the song selection. There are plenty of fine details to be ironed out to host a successful event, so holding a meeting with your DJ can help remediate any issues beforehand.

Common issues that can spring up during an event include an energy lull, not maintaining the interest of the crowd, and haphazardly playing songs on the fly. In meeting with your DJ before the event, you should establish a song selection that will avoid these pitfalls. Preparation is key!

You should also let the DJ know what kind of songs you want to hear, as well as songs you don’t want to hear. A “Do Not Play” list goes a long way!

You’ll also want to highlight the range of demographics of your party’s attendance. Consider factors like age, race, ethnicity, and gender when establishing a song selection. What gets the 5-year-old in attendance pumped up will most likely differ from what’ll get the 70-year-old grandfather excited. Try to find a sonic middle ground that’ll bridge the gap for all those in attendance!

Establish the Tone of the Event

Once you have the demographics sorted, the next step in curating the perfect song selection is establishing the tone of the event. What exactly is the occasion? Is it a birthday party for a 10-year-old? A party for a college graduate? A quinceanera? Informing the DJ of this will allow the performer to make the most informed decisions regarding the song selection.

As a DJ, you should then consider song qualities that’ll keep the crowd dynamics leveled throughout the night. Throw in a healthy mix of upbeat songs to have the room jumping. Keep the slow jams for when the audience begins to tire out (you’ll notice this when the dance floor begins clearing out and people start sitting down). Mid-tempo songs are perfect to segue from high-energy to low-energy music, and vice versa.

Another element to consider is the timeframe of your song selection’s release. Are you catering to millennials? Throwing in some iconic throwback songs from the 1990s and 2000s, for example, can ensure a big reaction from the audience. On the other hand, if it’s a party of Gen Z’ers, you can throw on some 2000s and 2010s hits. And who can forget about the TikTok crowd?!

Set Boundaries with Your DJ

Lastly, one of the biggest steps you can take in establishing a song selection is setting boundaries with your DJ. This mainly is a timing issue, which can partially be circumvented by choosing songs that are of appropriate length. DJs should also be hypervigilant of their allotted amount of time and should coordinate with the event hosts and venue to remain within their appropriate timeframe.

On top of that, if your event calls for multiple DJs, you should make it very clear about set times and what songs will be played by other DJs. If there’s an opening act, that opener should avoid playing the top hits that should be reserved for the headliner. Instead, openers should rely on throwbacks and mid-tempo tracks while ultimately setting the tone for the night.

Establishing a Song Selection with Everlasting Productions

Everlasting Productions is a DJ service based out of Melville, New York. With over a decade of experience and a team of fully dedicated professionals, Everlasting Productions is sure to bring you a memorable experience — curated song selection and beyond!

We even offer services such as a photo booth and giveaways alongside dedicated photography and videography — thus making your party last a lifetime! One satisfied customer said of Everlasting Productions, “They did music for my ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. My family and friends were on the dance floor the whole time and only had amazing things to say.”

To learn more about how Everlasting Productions can bring your party to life, visit our website and contact us today to learn more!