Here in the Pacific Northwest, an overwhelming majority of weddings feature a buffet line for the reception’s meal service. However, I’m beginning to notice an increase in the number of weddings I’m performing at that are featuring a plated dinner. This is great to hear!

In my opinion, plated dinners are an elegant alternative to the buffet line. Conversely, in my experience, they also take longer to complete; sometimes up to two hours or more for 150 guests. In short – ironic pun not intended! – that’s less time for dancing and celebration…

…if you do not format your reception’s itinerary correctly and leverage time.

Simply put, you cannot run a buffet-style itinerary – Grand Entrance, Buffet, Toasts, Formalities, Dancing – when opting for a plated dinner. Well, technically, you can, but it’s a huge mistake. It often leaves minimal dance floor time at the end, and guests become antsy as they have to wait for everyone to be served and then sit through toasts, formal dances and cake cutting.

Plain and simple: that sucks.

So, allow me to introduce the Plated Dinner Itinerary.

The key to plated dinners is understanding the format (i.e. how many courses and how served) and having EXCEPTIONAL communication with the banquet captain and wedding planner/coordinator, if applicable, before AND during the reception. I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH.

Let’s assume a two course plated dinner with a salad course and entrée course, as well as a champagne toast. As a disclaimer, I’m basing the proceeding from what has worked well for my clients based off my near decades of experience as a EMS DJ a Fort Wayne Wedding DJ who has experience. Here is how I would script the evening, with notes as necessary:

• Cocktail Hour
• Grand Entrance
• First Dance and/or Welcome & Thank You and/or Blessing

The latter two are optional, yet encouraged where appropriate  The First Dance is strongly recommend here as most believe that the dance floor should be opened by the bride and groom. While there are no rules, it’s always good to follow best practices. With everyone already on their feet as you enter, First Dance photos always look better with guests standing in the background.

• Salad Course

As soon as the opening formalities are done, servers will begin to place salads at tables, which can take anywhere from ten to fifteen minutes. As this happens, the Master of Ceremonies is preparing both fathers, as well as the mother of the groom, for their upcoming roles. As soon as the last table has been served, the Banquet Captain notifies the Master of Ceremonies, who then introduces the first father for his remarks.

• Informal Toasts by Father of the Groom/Bride

For the guests, these toasts are done with beverage in-hand. The Father of the Bride should speak last, as it makes for a better segue into the Father/Bride dance.

• Father/Bride Dance
• Mother/Groom Dance
• Open Dancing & Socializing

Here is why I cannot stress enough the need for excellent communication between the Banquet Captain and Master of Ceremonies before and during the reception. Most catering staffs will use this time to bus the salad plates before serving the entrées. Open Dancing here is not meant to be loud and uptempo; slow selections at a softer volume level are consistent with the elegant and romantic atmosphere that come with plated dinners. Elder guests will appreciate this! This time can also be used by the bride and groom to start the meet and greet process before re-seating for the entrée course.

• Entrée Course

Brides and grooms this is key: please resume meeting and greeting tables as soon as your meal is finished. By this time you’ll have met a majority of your guests, champagne will have been poured, both your Maid of Honor and Best Man prepped for the toasts and ready to go.

• Formal Toasts by Maid of Honor & Best Man

After these toasts, I like to lead with a segue to direct attention to the dance floor. “The Longest Married Couple Dance” works well here, as does a “Dollar Dance” or “Wedding Party Dance”.

• Open Dancing & Socializing

Music tempo should now be a nice mix of classic and contemporary selections at a mid-tempo pace for those that would like to dance, but not too loud for those guests that are still finishing their meal or socializing with the bride and groom. It’s all about reading the room and reacting appropriately here.

Also, take a moment to appreciate the difference here. In the buffet-style format, the entrées would finally have been finished, and we’d just now be starting a four toaster sequence followed by cake cutting, a dessert social and possible sunset photos, and then three formal slow dances. The plated dinner format has leveraged a lot of that time and we already dancing and celebrating!

• Cake Cutting

Just wait for the natural time to segue to this – there is no need to do this immediately after the entrée course, unless the cake is to be served as a part of a dessert course. But since we have opted for a two course plated meal, we’ll discuss that variation later.

• Bouquet & Garter Toss

Since the cake table is usually off to a side or corner of the room, this directs attention away from the dance floor. Hence, we use the Bouquet & Garter Tosses as a segue back to the dance floor, immediately after the couple has cut the cake.

• Open Dancing
• Last Dance

And that’s it!

If there is a third course, say dessert or sorbet, the itinerary can be further modified to leverage time. Also to note: this is just a generalized template. The dinner format and formalities you choose to include, among other factors, may dictate a better way to leverage the time. Hiring a skilled Master of Ceremonies who is experienced at designing entertainment itineraries around plated dinners will be money well spent.

We are a Fort Wayne, IN wedding DJ company that started in 2009. When you work with EMS DJ you will meet your Fort Wayne Dj which will be me (Eric Smith), Jason Flemming, or Clint Davis. We are a wedding team that do over 100+ weddings a year in Fort Wayne, IN, 30+ corporate and holiday parties in Fort Wayne, IN, and 40+ school dances (high school dance, middle school dance, and elementary school dance) in Fort Wayne, IN. You meet with your DJ to ensure we make the right fit with the client. At EMS DJ, a Fort Wayne DJ weddings we work with many vendors that are valued in the community and highly recognized! Set up your appointment for your wedding dj by contact EMS DJ at (260) 460-7546 or contacting us today. We look forward to being your Fort Wayne DJ! You can receive a quote today from EMS Disc Jockey a Fort Wayne, IN wedding disc jockey.

Remember this #1 Rule when planning your Wedding…IT”S A CELEBRATION!! So, Don’t over think it. If you allow the planning of your wedding to stress you out or ruin the process, you don’t need to be having a wedding. Allow yourself to be in the moment, to enjoy the process, to leave behind the things you don’t need, to accept the things you cannot control or change, and to have fun! It’s Your Wedding, don’t allow relatives or friends to have too much influence, such that it takes away the “you” part of your wedding. You NEED a Venue, Food, Alcohol, Entertainment, a Minister/Rabbi/Officiant, Photographer, and some flowers…you should strongly consider a Month Of Coordinator, A creative designer/florist, a videographer, and a cake/dessert baker. Beyond that, there are things you might want, which will make the event more fun and memorable, but start with the things you know you need and get that part under control. If you’re a busy/highly successful person, you should hire someone (a Professional Wedding Planner) to help you design the decor and timelines and to help hire the vendors, but you probably already know that if you’re a highly successful person. Finally, the entertainment, (which we are biased about) is crucial to the “memorable” and “Fun” factor…choose wisely. If you’re one of our current or previous clients, hopefully you feel that you made the right choice! CELEBRATE, LOVE, DANCE, and LIVE Happily Ever After! Happy Planning friends!

When planning the entertainment look towards EMS DJ a Fort Wayne wedding dj. We give you a Fort Wayne fun atmosphere, Fort Wayne wedding experience, and meet with your EMS DJ in person for you Fort Wayne dj wedding.

Review Our Packages We have done over 100+ weddings a year in Fort Wayne. I (Eric Smith/Owner) understand that not every wedding in Fort Wayne is going to be the same or need the same as the previous couple. Jason, Clint, and myself have come together and put together some amazing packages that allow for EMS DJ to really stand out from the competition in Fort Wayne. As a Fort Wayne Dj for weddings we have come up with a 5 hour music package, unlimited hour package, and amazing extras for special packages. We do not hide our prices from you as we stand proud to tell you what we offer! Check out our Fort Wayne Dj wedding packages clicking here!.

Meet with us Every Fort Wayne Dj has a great attribute about them. As you know if we were all the same life wouldn't be fun. We love sitting down with couples that have their wedding or event coming up in Fort Wayne, IN. Me (Eric), Jason, or Clint will sit down with you and discuss your wedding in detail. We will also show you what we do and how each of us interact with the crowd at your Fort Wayne Dj wedding. Call us today at (260) 460-7546 to set up a time and meet with 1 of us.

Enjoy the evening We will meet 30 days before the event to receive all information down to the last minute for your Fort Wayne Dj wedding. We then call you a week before to confirm everything to make sure we are on the same page. As a Fort Wayne wedding dj we know attention to detail matters and want to make sure you feel at ease and ready to have fun at your Wedding Reception. If questions arise while planning call us at (260) 460-7546.

DJs, with their music selection and announcements, truly set the tone at your reception, so make sure you set aside time to interview your prospective DJs (in person when possible). Listen (and watch) how your prospective DJ responds to the questions below. Then ask yourself if this person is a good fit (Is he likeable? Does she understand what you’re going for? Does he go above and beyond or just enough to get the job done?). You’ll know whether or not he/she sits well with you. Go with your gut. It’s better to do lots of interviews and find someone who you know will represent you well than to hire someone who you’re not completely comfortable with. Believe me, your guests won’t remember everything from your wedding, but they’ll remember the music (especially if it’s bad!).

1. Soo.. why did you become a DJ?

   If your DJ has a passion for sharing music and loves creating fun dance moments, it’s likely that preparing for and creating those moments will be a top priority for him/her. If it’s not obvious that they put the music first, you might not be getting the type of expertise that you want. Anyone can buy equipment and say they’re a DJ company, but not everyone provides expert song selection and flow. Make sure they care about choosing music that fits you and your wedding before you sign the contract.

2. What are your favorite wedding songs?

   You can learn a lot about DJs from their favorite wedding songs. Have you heard his/her favorite songs at every wedding you’ve attended? Are they mostly country while you’re mostly indie? If the songs they suggest aren’t your cup of tea, tell them…now. A pro DJ will go above and beyond to find songs that you’ll like and work well with your guests regardless of their own music preferences. It’s just that if you find a professional & experienced DJ whose favorite wedding songs are songs you’d want played at your own wedding, you’re one lucky duck!

3. How many weddings have you DJed?

   How long have you been DJing? It’s ok if your DJ hasn’t done a hundred weddings, you just want to know that they’ve done at least 10 awesome weddings before and have every intention of doing many more. If they’ve done 100, that’s great. If they’ve been doing it since 1792, that’s.. well, that’s for you to decide. Doing at least 10 weddings gets the kinks out of setup issues and the general flow of weddings. Knowing this along with answers to the other questions can help you justify the price you’re willing to pay.

4. Will you have any assistance at the wedding?

   Having an assistant or second DJ at your wedding is usually well worth the extra cost. Setup and breakdown of the heavy professional equipment is much quicker, guests requests are better accommodated, vendor cooperation is smoother, and you don’t have to worry about giving the DJs a restroom break (: Just make sure assistants are listed in the contract as well.

5. What if you’re sick or unable to make it to my event?

   Accidents happen. Better safe than sorry.. Make sure you’re comfortable with your DJs contingency plan. Many will have backup DJs and a system in place for communicating your music preferences. Many won’t. This is something you want stated clearly in the contract.

6. May I see photos of your setup?

   Unfortunately, every DJ setup was not created equally. Some have light-up panels (or facades) that they use to cover up their equipment. Others have compact podium-looking equipment. We’re not fans of either of these setups and you might not be either. Regardless, it’s a good idea to see photos of his/her DJ setup so you’re not surprised with flashing disco lights or a multi-colored DJ booth at your reception.

7. What is your equipment malfunction backup plan?

   Will you have backup equipment onsite? I attended a wedding years ago where the DJ showed up as guests were arriving, couldn’t hook up his equipment to the venues’ speakers, and obviously had no backup plan. After a while, they hauled their stuff off and left. The bride was in tears, the guests ate without music on, and the reception was over very soon after. It’s crazy. I know. True story! I think it happened so that I would never forget the importance of backup equipment… ever.

8. What is your wedding attire?

   Along with event attire, make sure to ask about what they’ll wear for setup. Setting up DJ equipment is a sweaty process that involves heavy equipment, so most DJs won’t be in formal attire during the setup process. Just make sure their attire meets your approval for early guest arrivals.

9. Do you do ceremonies?

   You might have this covered by classical musicians, but if you’re holding your ceremony outdoors or at the your reception venue, you might still want a little help from your DJ. Extra speakers, microphones, and other equipment can usually be added to your DJ’s workload for less than the cost of renting. Many couples are breaking away from traditional ceremony music and using instrumental versions of their favorite songs.

10. Are you insured?

    They should be able to email you a copy of their insurance certificate without much effort. Not all venues require it, but it’s nice to know if your DJ company is investing in the health and longevity of their business and ultimately, their service to you.

11. Can you walk me through your service contract?

    You’ll want to look it over together, ask about anything you don’t understand, and go over extra fees like overtime or setup charges to make sure you know exactly what to expect.

12. How will you handle guest song requests?

    Make sure they are willing to match guest requests up to your “Do Not Play” list and general music preferences. Also, pro DJs have thousands of songs in their digital libraries and don’t need to lug around CD cases. If you’d like for guests to get in on the action before your big dance party, ask them to request songs in advance through your wedding website or your DJ’s website. Many DJs allow guests to make requests online in advance through a wedding specific link they provide to their couples.

13. What’s your mic style?

    Can you give me an example of how you would introduce us at the reception? This is a simple way to get a feel for his/her mic style. The DJ should ask you questions about you and your wedding to get a feel for the formality and tone of your wedding, because his/her tone should of course fit your event. We generally like DJs to sound like their best selves talking to a room full of their own friends and family.

14. How do you encourage guests to dance?

    Some DJs will teach instructional dances (think Cupid Shuffle), while others would never do such a thing. Get a good feel for whether he/she prefers using the mic, good music selections, or both for getting the crowd up on the dance floor before making your decision.

15. What’s your song selection process? Do you use a set “wedding music” list?

    Your DJ should be willing to put together custom song lists created especially for you based on your preferences and the vibe of your wedding. These lists might be labeled “cocktail hour”, “dinner”, and “dancing” and include more songs than you’d have time to play. This is great if you’d like to approve a pool of songs ahead of time and leave the actual day-of picks to the pro that you hired. It’s like cake tastings, but for your music.. music tastings. I seriously might’ve just coined a new term..

We are a Fort Wayne, IN wedding DJ company that started in 2009. When you work with EMS DJ you will meet your Fort Wayne Dj which will be me (Eric Smith), Jason Flemming, or Clint Davis. We are a wedding team that do over 100+ weddings a year in Fort Wayne, IN, 30+ corporate and holiday parties in Fort Wayne, IN, and 40+ school dances (high school dance, middle school dance, and elementary school dance) in Fort Wayne, IN. You meet with your DJ to ensure we make the right fit with the client. At EMS DJ, a Fort Wayne DJ weddings we work with many vendors that are valued in the community and highly recognized! Set up your appointment for your wedding dj by contact EMS DJ at (260) 460-7546 or contacting us today. We look forward to being your Fort Wayne DJ! You can receive a quote today from EMS Disc Jockey a Fort Wayne, IN wedding disc jockey.

Wedding Day Emergency Kit

When it comes to your wedding day, better safe than sorry should be your mantra! Having all your just in case necessities handy can turn a disaster into a laughable moment. On the big day, consider all the problems that may occur, for example, from forgetting to put deodorant on to spilling something on your wedding dress.

To help you out, we’ve round up some must haves in your emergency wedding kit. Stash it in your dressing room, and have one of your bridesmaids in charge of it. (Hey, they are here to help!)

1. Blister Block & Band-Aids - All day in heels can be a bummer on any occasion and we can’t have it rain on your big day! To make sure you can make it to your first dance in heels (even if its for a few minutes,) pick up some blister-blocking balm & band-aids. You can rub it on your heels & toes to reduce friction from your shoes.
2. Antacids - Keep a pack of Tums or Pepto Bismol on hand in case you get some last minute nerves, or the hors d’oeuvre don’t agree with your stomach. The antacids will quickly relax an upset stomach in seconds.
3. Bobby Pins - Even the most secure up-do can sometimes get out of hand, and fall flat as the day wears on. To keep everything in place, a bit of bobby pins can easily do the trick.
4. Dry Shampoo - If the bobby pins don’t do the trick, have some dry shampoo with you. After dancing all night, you could use a quick touch up after a sweat session. This will be a total game changer.
5. Tissues & Make Up removers – Crying at your own wedding is a given so be sure to have some tissues by your side as well as some make up removers to give your face a quick retouch.
6. Nail File - Breaking and chipping your nails is inevitable, even if you got your nails done the day of your wedding. Filing down the chipped nail can erase a broken or chipped edge.
7. Deodorant - It’s a pretty busy day, there will definitely be a few things that you may forget to do. If it happens to be putting on deodorant, fear not – you’ve got that in your emergency beauty bag.
8. Make Up - Perfect for a quick touch up after a tearful ceremony or after your maid of honors speech.
9. Blotting Papers - Lets not deny it, everybody’s face can get a bit oily after all the activities of the day. Certain lighting and excess dewiness can give off an oily looking face in photographs. These blotting papers will come in handy when you need a quick touch up.
10. Tied to go stick - There tends to be a lot of red wine flowing at weddings. A tied to go stick can be your ultimate savior from any wine spill disasters.

Now that you’ve heard our wedding day emergency kit must haves, remember that it’s all about being prepared and having the most stress-free day as possible! What would they recommend to keep in your emergency bag?

We are a Fort Wayne, IN wedding DJ company that started in 2009. When you work with EMS DJ you will meet your Fort Wayne Dj which will be me (Eric Smith), Jason Flemming, or Clint Davis. We are a wedding team that do over 100+ weddings a year in Fort Wayne, IN, 30+ corporate and holiday parties in Fort Wayne, IN, and 40+ school dances (high school dance, middle school dance, and elementary school dance) in Fort Wayne, IN. You meet with your DJ to ensure we make the right fit with the client. At EMS DJ, a Fort Wayne DJ weddings we work with many vendors that are valued in the community and highly recognized! Set up your appointment for your wedding dj by contact EMS DJ at (260) 460-7546 or contacting us today. We look forward to being your Fort Wayne DJ! You can receive a quote today from EMS Disc Jockey a Fort Wayne, IN wedding disc jockey.

EMS DJ, Fort Wayne Wedding DJ, Wedding DJ Fort Wayne

We are a Fort Wayne, IN wedding DJ company that started in 2009. When you work with EMS DJ you will meet your Fort Wayne Dj which will be me (Eric Smith), Jason Flemming, or Clint Davis. We are a wedding team that do over 100+ weddings a year in Fort Wayne, IN, 30+ corporate and holiday parties in Fort Wayne, IN, and 40+ school dances (high school dance, middle school dance, and elementary school dance) in Fort Wayne, IN. You meet with your DJ to ensure we make the right fit with the client. At EMS DJ, a Fort Wayne DJ weddings we work with many vendors that are valued in the community and highly recognized! Set up your appointment for your wedding dj by contact EMS DJ at (260) 460-7546 or contacting us today. We look forward to being your Fort Wayne DJ! You can receive a quote today from EMS Disc Jockey a Fort Wayne, IN wedding disc jockey.

As your wedding in Fort Wayne is becoming closer there are many things to think about including:

1. Ensure you tell your Fort Wayne DJ what songs you want to have
2. Ensure you tell you Fort Wayne DJ what songs you do NOT want to have
3. Have your Fort Wayne Wedding DJ layout of what order you want everything
4. How you want your Fort Wayne Wedding introduced into the reception hall

EMS Dj is your Fort Wayne wedding dj and willing to assist you for all your event and party needs!

 

Wedding Songs of Mother Son and Bridal Party Dance in Fort Wayne, IN

by EMS DJ a Fort Wayne DJ

Mother Son Dance for weddings, Fort Wayne, IN

1.  My Wish - Rascal Flatts
2. What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
3. A Song For Mama - Boyz II Men
4. Simple Man - Lynrd Skynrd
5. In My Life - Beatles
6. I Hope You Dance - Lee Ann Wormack
7. Beacause You Loved Me - Celine Dion
8. Over The Rainbow - Israel
9. You'll Be In My Heart - Phil Collins
10. Stand by Me - Ben King
11. Days Like This - Van Morrison
12. Have I Told You Lately - Rod Stewart
13. You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban
14. Forever Young - Rod Stewart
15. Don't Blink - Kenny Chesney
16. Like Jesus Does - Eric Church
17. That's What Mammas Do - Jason Matthews
18. Never Alone - Jim Brickman
19. Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
20. How Sweet It Is - James Taylor

Bridal Party Dance for weddings, Fort Wayne, IN

1. Wobble - VIC
2. Cupid Shuffle - Cupid
3. I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
4. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
5. Happy - Pharell Williams
6. What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
7. Harlem Shake - Baauer
8. Friends In Low Places - Garth Brooks
9. Sexy And I Know It - LMFAO
10. Dance With Me Tonight - Olly Murs
11. We Are Family - Sister Sledge
12. This Is How We Do It - Montell Jordan
13. Raise Your Glass - Pink
14. You've Got A Friend - James Taylor
15. Make You Feel My Love - Adele
16. Best Day Of My Life - American Authors
17. Twist And Shout - Beatles
18. I Don't Dance - Lee Brice
19. Forever - Chris Brown
20. Copperhead Road - Steve Earle