Main Street Cupcake’s Co-Owner Sarah Forrer.

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Though Something New Entertainment DJs, MCs, and lighting designers have served a variety of events, over the past few years, at which Main Street Cupcakes was responsible for the sweets (this makes sense, because of the logical overlap between brides and grooms who want an extraordinarily personalized entertainment experience on their wedding day and brides and grooms who want a gourmet taste experience at their wedding receptions) — DJ AJ9 (and the rest of the Something New Entertainment team) first encountered Main Street Cupcakes‘ Sarah Forrer in person in January of 2012.

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It’s understandable, since bakers and disc jockeys don’t always interact a lot in our “natural habitats” as part of our normal schedules of work — we’re just not at the same place, very often!  However, at this particular chance encounter, Sarah was a fellow vendor exhibiting at the debut Boutique Bridal Bazaar, and a fellow glowing pregnant lady, as well!

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Below is an adorable photo memory from that first meeting also featuring the also-then-pregnant Heidi Baumgart of Heidzillas Wedding Coordination.

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Main Street Cupcakes’ Sarah Forrer, Something New Entertainment’s DJ AJ9, and The Zilla, Herself, of Heidzillas Wedding Coordination.

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Really — that is a stylish preggo trio, is it not?

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All cuteness aside — in addition to now being Mom to two, Sarah is a driven business woman with a solid reputation for sweet treats.  She’s also a smart cookie with claim to Ohio’s FIRST specialty cupakery.  Sarah was just featured at the Female Entrepreneurs Summit presented by Cleveland Business Connects Magazine in late April.

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Main Street Cupcakes Presented on a Tiered Display Tray for a Christening.

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A Main Street Cupcake.

Cupcake Wedding Cake from Main Street Cupcakes.  Photo by ZMedia.

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Sarah’s Very Own Cupcake Wedding Cake from Main Street Cupcakes!

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About Main Street Cupcakes: Main Street Cupcakes is Ohio’s oldest cupcake shop, with a fourth location on the rise soon, and selling wholesale to vendor partners from Australia to Hawaii, Main Street Cupcakes continues to be an ever evolving company with a major focus on packaging it’s gourmet buttercream frosting and cupcake mix. Sarah has helped lead the company to four Best of Cleveland awards with Cleveland Magazine as well as stories in both local and National publications including Cleveland Crains, USA Today, and Health Magazine. Sarah has represented Main Street Cupcakes live on National TV with HSN since 2009 as well as other programs such as Good Morning America.

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Gourmet Cupcake Mixes and Buttercream Frostings by Main Street Cupcakes

Sarah and Brian’s Plum Purple Lighted Monogram with Key Motif Designed by Something New Entertainment to Match Their Wedding Stationery.

Ever wonder how a Something New Entertainment lighted monogram design goes from dream to reality?  Read ON for a glimpse into our design process!

Your designer will ask you a series of questions about the existing design elements that you’ve already planned for your wedding — though we want your lighted monogram or gobo to stand out as a focal WOW factor, we also want it to compliment the rest of your event and really look like it belongs there.

We’ll ask you about colors, themes, icons, imagery, and fonts that you may already be using in your Save the Dates, invitations, menu and escort cards, or programs.  If you have a stationery designer, we’ll work directly with them, too to ensure that everything coordinates.

Case in point: here’s how we created Brian and Sarah’s perfect lighted monogram for their beautiful modern wedding at the Club at Key Center, pictured above!

First, we contacted Sarah to ask about her existing design elements.  She quickly replied with a photo of her wedding invitations:

Brian and Sarah’s Beautiful Wedding Invitations, Designed by Blue Envelope Boutique.

Since Sarah and Brian were holding their reception at the Club at Key Center, their designer at Blue Envelope Boutique had incorporated a key motif.  Their color was sort of between an aubergine and a plum purple.

Next, DJ AJ9 contacted the team at Blue Envelope Boutique to coordinate a few elements of the design, since they were producing some additional stationery to be used at the reception, as well.  We spoke with Rachel Trem, who — by the way — besides being very talented is also sweet and EXTREMELY responsive.

DJ AJ9′s Final Design for Brian and Sarah’s Lighted Monogram to Match their Wedding Stationery by Blue Envelope Boutique.

Then, DJ AJ9 produced a monogram design proposal for Sarah and Brian, incorporating the same fonts from their invitations and stationery, as well as their colors, and a key motif.  Guess what?  They loved it!  Perfect match!

Finally, here’s the finished product: the Lighted Monogram projected on their dance floor!  Paired with a room full of purple uplighting, this was an absolutely stunning effect!

The Final Product — Brian and Sarah’s Lighted Monogram Projected on their Dance Floor at the Club at Key Center.

If you have a question for DJ AJ9, write to DearDJAJ9@SomethingNewEntertainment.com.  If your question is chosen to be featured, you’ll win a Something New Bride tee shirt!

Comfortable Guests Are a Key Ingredient in a Great Party! Photo by Amanda Campbell.

Frequently, weddings are the first time that a bride and groom are personally responsible for and invested in dozens of people’s comfort. Sounds heavy, right?  Relax! As we at Something New Entertainment try to remind our couples often, this is one day of the rest of your lives, and there’s no hurdle a good plan can’t clear.

Our DJs and MCs do more than just play music — and we help couples plan far more than the disc jockey services and uplighting of their wedding receptions around Northeast Ohio. We’re more holistic, which is why you could have caught us recommending to one couple that they provide chairs for every guest during their ceremony, and why we suggested to another bride and groom that they be prepared to provide each guest an umbrella since they didn’t want to make other rain contingency plans.  Dry, well-rested guests — comfortable guests — are a key ingredient in a great party!

Umbrellas Provide Protection from Wind, Rain, and Sun.

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The beauty of ensuring guest comfort is this: While it might seem on the surface to be a daunting task, most of your steps are actually suuuuuuuuper simple and rooted in the common sense we all possess. It doesn’t take David Tutera to figure out why shade is so nice on a hot, sunny day!  That being said — if you’re considering hiring a wedding planner to help you with logistical concerns, such as guest comfort, we can recommend quite a few!  A great wedding planner (like a great MC) is worth his or her weight in Gold Jordan Almonds, at least.

To make YOU more comfortable in your planning process, I present to you a compilation of suggestions — simple things you can do to make sure everyone from Grandma to your best friends are happy as clams at high tide on your wedding day:

• If you’re marrying outside, don’t forget to tell your guests! (If they don’t know, they won’t know to wear sunscreen, proper attire and the like, noted my friend, Amanda Cursaro, who does wedding planning and owns baci designer stationery + events out of Cuyahoga Falls.)

Water! A MUST HAVE for Every Celebration

• Definitely plan for thirst, rain and sun. Provide bottled water, provide for a place to go if Mother Nature adds MORE water to the mix, and provide some place for shade.

• If there will be a gap between your ceremony and reception, give your guests something to do. (And try to keep it limited to an hour.) Consider especially your out-of-town guests, who may feel lost in the area and may not have a home to return to during the interlude. Start the cocktail hour as soon as you can and serve appetizers and drinks. And if you opt not to do the cocktail hour, ask an in-town guest if s/he would open up her/his home to those who’ve traveled. Keeping your guests fed and watered really can make a difference in your reception later on, since guests that have not eaten can be tired and cranky!  This does not make for a lively dance floor!

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Hors d’oeuvres can literally SAVE your celebration.

• Provide a timeline that creates a sense of continuity for your guests and tells them where they need to be from one minute to the next. Also consider providing shuttles around town and valet parking (because it’s never much fun to walk a mile in heels just to get inside!).

• Don’t squish and overbook your tables, reminds Heidi Baumgart of Heidzillas wedding planners. And put a little extra thought into where you seat your guests who don’t really know anyone else. For example, Heidi and her husband once attended a wedding where the couple thoughtfully seated them with food industry people – fitting, given he’s a restaurant manager.

• Another big thing Heidi sees her clients doing increasingly is providing restroom amenity baskets. For women, these baskets can offer Band-Aids, tampons and nylons. For men, it could be combs and some Axe body spray. For both, think breath mints!

A Temporary Respite from Halitosis, Low Blood Sugar, and Dry Mouth.

• Assume your lady friends will not make the most sensible decisions regarding footwear (it’s a given, isn’t it?), and follow this growing trend: Provide flip-flops for them — what a great favor!

• Finally, Amanda recommended, try to book hotels for your guests closest to the reception, since that’s where they’ll go afterward.

Easier yet, entrust Something New Entertainment or any one of these planners to ensure guest comfort down to the detail!

Photograph by Brightside Photography

And the bottom line: Keeping your guests happy and comfortable means they’ll stay longer, which means you’ll have more people cheering as you smash cake in each other’s faces and more people to dance with when Something New Entertainment starts playing your “must plays.”

Share YOUR ideas: what are you doing for your wedding to make sure your loved ones are comfortable?

Self-Portrait by Larry Spencer of Spencer Photography.

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The Something New Entertainment team first met Larry Spencer of Spencer Photography through our mutual association with Today’s Bride Magazine and Shows and through our mutual friendship with Wedding Planner Brandi Hamerstone of All Events Planned, but we really hit it off because of Larry’s great personality and KILLER eye for light!

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As lighting designers, we’re always happy to meet a photographer who exploits that light for all it’s worth!  Quite literally, photography is sometimes game of “catch” between the DJ, MC, Lighting Designer, Couple, Guests, and Photographer — and the photographer is the one doing all the catching!  We create a lighting design that carefully considers the existing light in the space to create a lightscape for a photographer to “catch” and our Master of Ceremonies works with our Disc Jockey to help the couple, family, and friends create memorable moments in time throughout the evening for the photographer to “catch.”  The very best in the field know that their awareness of the light and action around them is what enables them to “catch” the light, “catch” the moments, and capture them on “film,” to enjoy forever.  And Larry?  Larry is indeed one of the very best, as his many accolades attest; just check out his bio at the end of this article.

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It’s common among talented visual artists who communicate through images to sometimes be less-communicative through the spoken word — that’s where we get the quiet, brooding, “tortured artist” stereotype — but nothing could be further from the truth with Larry, despite his somewhat pensive self-portrait, above.  ;)   Larry is very, very passionate about his art, of course, but he’s also quick-witted and excitable — the kind of person that talks about his work and describes it so thoroughly and so well that you start to get really excited about photography, yourself!

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This characteristic is probably why Larry is a sought-after public speaker in the photography community both locally and beyond.  Larry serves as an educator to his peers, offering seminars independently, as well as through several professional organizations including Professional Photographers of Ohio (PPO) and the Akron Society of Professional Photographers (ASPP).

A Dramatically-Lit Wedding Portrait by Larry Spencer of Spencer Photography.

Getting Dressed. Mom helps Bride into her Wedding Gown. Photo by Larry Spencer of Spencer Photography.

Getting Ready. A Beautiful Bride Puts on her Shoes. Photography by Larry Spencer of Spencer Photography.

A Bride and Her Mirror Image by Larry Spencer of Spencer Photography.

A Stunning Bridal Portrait of a Bride in her Wedding Gown by Larry Spencer of Spencer Photography.

A Beautiful Moment Photojournalistically Captured. Photo by Larry Spencer of Spencer Photography.

Cheers! A Toast Captured by Larry Spencer of Spencer Photography.

Capturing the Light. Photo by Larry Spencer of Spencer Photography.

Cause to Celebrate. Photo by Larry Spencer of Spencer Photography.

DJ AJ9: What do you look for in a great DJ and what are your DJ pet peeves?  How can your DJ “co-workers” help you, hurt you, or irritate you throughout the day?
LS: The best DJs know that it’s a group effort amoungst all of the vendors. They work with all of the vendors to ensure that the client’s experience is smooth and enjoyable.  The really good, experienced vendors understand that the only thing that matters is the client’s satisfaction. All elements must work together in order to truly make that happen. And, although we can be very passionate about our individual duties, if we remain client-focused, I don’t see how we can go wrong. And, I’ve seen you with rolled up sleeves. That’s some serious business!

About Larry Spencer and Spencer Photography: Larry Spencer is President/CEO of Spencer Photography Inc. Larry has been a professional photographer for over 13 years. Larry obtained his Master Of Photography (M.Photog) degree from the Professional Photographers of America and is an Ohio Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) . He has gone 4 for 4 the last 3 years in PPA Print Competition earning Bronze, Gold, and Silver status respectively. He has ranked in the Top 10 Professional Photographers in the state of Ohio by PPO for the last 2 years in a row.  He won the Robert Graetz Memorial award at the 2011 and 2012 PPO state competition for the highest scoring wedding print (he scored a 97 at PPANE Regional’s in Connecticut in 2011).  He also won the Professional Photographers of Northwestern Ohio award for the most outstanding wedding image in that same competition for both 2011 and 2012.  Larry had 2 images in the top 10 in the  “Wedding” Category in 2012 PPA Grand Imaging awards (He placed 2nd and 7th).  He has twice ranked in the top 25 in the Creative Asia International Print Competition being the only American in the Top 25 in 2012. Larry has been featured on a number of blogs and magazines and also appeared on the Cleveland morning television show “New Day Cleveland”. To date, Larry has 4 PPA Loan Prints and one Fuji Masterpiece award.  He currently resides with his fiancée, Marie, in the Cleveland area.

Amy and Chris’s beautiful lightscape in orange and hot pink at the Pavilion at Falls River Square. Lighting Design by Something New Entertainment.

On Saturday, October 13, 2012, DJ AJ9 had the honor of serving as the Officiant and Master of Ceremonies for Amy and Chris’s eclectic wedding and reception at the Amphitheater and Pavilion at Falls River Square. Something New Entertainment also provided disc jockey and sound services, as well as a beautiful pink and orange lighting design with a custom lighted monogram.

The day began with a beautiful a handfasting ceremony at the outdoor ampitheatre at Falls River Square — just steps away from their reception venue.  Amy and Chris began to weave a tapestry made from strips of cloth given by family and friends, lit a candle to honor loved ones and friends who were unable to attend because of passing or distance, were serenaded by relative Mary Kay and by their guests, and exchanged vows and rings, before the final knot was tied using seven strands of braided colored cloth representing challenges and joys in their lives.

Be sure read a full transcript of their touching ceremony and see photos of the ceremony!

Afterwards, it was on to the PARTY!

The couple started things off with a high energy grand entrance before going directly into their first dance… a very traditional first dance… or so it seemed for the first approximately minute twenty of the song, when… well… they kicked things up a few notches with a quick transition into a choreographed custom music mix like you’ve never seen, before!

Amy and Chris’s First Dance Fake-Out Just After the Grand Entrance!

Amy and Chris’s First Dance Fake-Out Just After the Grand Entrance!

Looks like fun, right?  Well — it was!  Check out the videos, below, to see MORE of their fabulous first dance fakeout!  Check out the highlight of the most exciting part of the dance, below, as well as the full dance, just below that!

After dinner, it was on to the CUPCAKES from Main Street Cupcakes!

Cut the cake! Lighting Design by Something New Entertainment. Cupcakes by Main Street Bakery. Photo by Amanda Campbell.

Then, DANCING!!!!!  This was a great, feel-good party with a very lively dance floor!

Dancing! DJ, Sound, and Lighting Design by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Amanda Campbell.

Dancing! Disc Jockey and Upighting Design by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Amanda Campbell.

Dancing! DJ, Sound, and Lighting Design by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Amanda Campbell.

Dancing! DJ, Sound, and Lighting Design by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Amanda Campbell.

So — how’d it go? Ask Chris and Amy! Watch their video feedback, below!

PRELUDES:

Various by Vitamin String Quartet

“Songbird” by Eva Cassidy

“The Luckiest” by Ben Folds Five Sung by Mary Kay Daniels

BRIDAL PARTY PROCESSIONAL:

We Are the Champions performed by Vitamin String Quartet

FAMILY AND COUPLE PROCESSIONAL:

Can’t Help Falling In Love by Ingrid Michaelson

GIFTS PRESENTED TO PARENTS:

For Amy and Chris, family is very important. They both have the amazing luck and privilege to have two sets of very supportive, kind, and loving parents. As they start their lives together, they will continue to strengthen their relationship with their parents and families. Amy and Chris want to express love and gratitude to their parents for holding the key to their journey and for continuing to strengthen all the love and expectations that they have for their future.

Our family is a circle of love and strength.
With every birth and every union, the circle grows.
Every joy shared adds more love.
Every obstacle faced together makes the circle stronger.

THE CHARGE:

Amy and Chris, this ceremony is the outward token of your sacred and inward union of hearts, which the church may bless, and the state may make legal, but which is a union created by your loving purpose and kept by your abiding will.  It is in this spirit and for this purpose that you have come here to be joined together, today.

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.”

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.

MEMORIAL CANDLE:

There are many people who could not be here today. There are many loved ones who have passed who we know are here with us today. There may even be some people here today who are only here in body but not in heart or in spirit. We would like to especially mention Ray Sylvester, John Rehs,

Mary Kay sings “Ave Maria.”

WEAVING OF THE TAPESTRY:

There are many ways to represent the unity that two people chose. For Amy and Chris their unity includes so much more than just the two of them. While their unity is strong, it is stronger with the love of their friends and families. This tapestry represents how their bond is so much stronger with the love and support of all of you.

We invite you to sing along with “Weave.”  The words are on the back of your program.

Mary Kay sings “Weave.”  All join in.

VOWS:

DJ AJ9: Amy and Chris have written their own vows and will now share them with each other.

Chris’s vows to Amy…

Amy’s vows to Chris…

EXCHANGE OF RINGS:

Do you each have rings?

From the earliest times, the ring has been a symbol of committed love.  A ring is a circle with no beginning and no end.  The unbroken and never-ending circle symbolizes a commitment to love that is also never-ending. So may your love for each other be, a circle with no beginning and no end, complete forever.

Amy, take the ring which you have selected for Chris, place it on Chris’s finger, and say these words:

 This ring, a gift for you, symbolizes my desire that you be my partner, from this day forward.

Chris, take the ring which you have selected for Amy, place it on Amy’s finger, and say these words:

            This ring, a gift for you, symbolizes my desire that you be my partner, from this day forward.

Let these rings serve not as locks binding you together, but as keys, unlocking the secrets of your hearts for each other to know, and thus bringing you closer together forever.

Chris and Amy’s Handfasting Ceremony at the Ampitheatre at Falls River Square. Officiated by Something New’s Own DJ AJ9. Photo by Amanda Campbell.

HANDFASTING:

Amy and Chris have chosen to dedicate themselves to one another in a Handfasting.  This is an ancient Celtic betrothal ritual of literally fastening their hands by tying them with cord.

Many handfasting ceremonies, like this one, acknowledge the bitterness along with the sweetness of our passions.

You may recognize that this tradition was the origin of a number of terms we use commonly, today, including “giving a hand in marriage,” “to tie the knot” and “binding agreement.”

The term “handfasting” comes from the Norse “hand-festa” which means “to strike a bargain by joining hands,” and that is where we being.  Therefore, Amy and Chris, will you please join hands?

Know now that since your lives have crossed, you have formed ties between each other. The promises you make today and the ties that are bound here will cross the years and will greatly strengthen your union.

With full awareness, know that you declare your intent to be handfasted before your friends and family. Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?

Amy & Chris: Yes, we seek to enter.

DJ AJ9: I bid you look into each others eyes.

Amy, will you honor Chris?

Amy: I will.

Chris, will you honor Amy?

Chris: I will.

DJ AJ9: Will you seek never to give cause to break that honor?

Both: Yes.

DJ AJ9: And so the binding is made.

(The First cord is draped across Amy and Chris’s hands.)

DJ AJ9: Amy, will you share Chris’s dreams?

Amy: I will.

DJ AJ9: Chris, will you share Amy’s dreams?

Chris: I will.

 DJ AJ9: Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes?

Both: Yes.

DJ AJ9: And so the binding is made.

(The Second cord is draped across Amy and Chris’s hands.)

DJ AJ9: Amy, will you share Chris’s laughter?

Amy: I will.

DJ AJ9: Chris, will you share Amy’s laughter?

Chris: I will.

 DJ AJ9: Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?

Both: Yes.

DJ AJ9: And so the binding is made.

(The Third cord is draped across Amy and Chris’s hands.)

DJ AJ9: Amy, might you ever burden Chris?

Amy: I might…

DJ AJ9: Is that your intent?

Amy: No.

DJ AJ9: Chris, might you ever burden Amy?

Chris: I might…

DJ AJ9: Is that your intent?

Chris: No.

DJ AJ9: Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?

Both: Yes.

DJ AJ9: And so the binding is made.

(The Fourth cord is draped across Amy and Chris’s hands.)

DJ AJ9: Amy, might you ever cause Chris pain?

Amy: I might…

DJ AJ9: Is that your intent?

Amy: No.

DJ AJ9: Chris, might you ever cause Amy pain?

Chris: I might…

DJ AJ9: Is that your intent?

Chris: No.

 DJ AJ9: Will you share each other’s pain and seek to ease it?

Both: Yes.

DJ AJ9: And so the binding is made.

(The Fifth cord is draped across Amy and Chris’s hands.)

DJ AJ9: Amy, might you ever cause Chris anger?

Amy: I might…

DJ AJ9: Is that your intent?

Amy: No.

DJ AJ9: Chris, might you ever cause Amy anger?

Chris: I might…

DJ AJ9: Is that your intent?

Chris: No.

 DJ AJ9: Will you together take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?

Both: Yes.

DJ AJ9: And so the binding is made.

(The Sixth cord is draped across the Amy and Chris’s hands.)

(The knot is tied)

DJ AJ9: The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords, but rather by your vows. For as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union.

PRONOUNCEMENT:

In as much as you have consented together in this ceremony to live in in committed love with one another and have professed your vows in the presence of this company by the giving of these rings and by the fastening of your hands, by the power vested in me by the two of you, by your families, and by this company, I now pronounce you partners in love, life, and shenanigans!

You may kiss!

Family and friends, it is my great pleasure to introduce to you for the very first time as a newly-committed couple: Amy and Chris!

RECESSIONAL:

Don’t Stop Believin’ performed by Vitamin String Quartet

Warm, Orangey-Amber for Adelaide and Paul’s September 2011 Wedding Reception at the Lodge at Fieldcrest Inn in Canton, Ohio.

The Something New Entertainment Team has received several inquiries, as of late, from some of our clients with (what the wedding industry would generally classify as) “rustic” venues, asking about lighting design in their barn, cabin, vineyard, stone castle, or outdoor area.

This article features photos from some of our work at the area’s most popular rustic venues, including — the Cabin at Patterson Fruit Farm’s Orchard Hills Center, Glenmoor Country Club‘s Medieval Castle-like main hall in Canton, as well as the Barn at Conrad Botzum Farmstead in Akron, the Lodge at Fieldcrest Inn in Canton, and the main hall at Happy Days Lodge in Peninsula.

In addition to these lovely venues, we’ve also worked on events at Strip Steakhouse‘s George Clifton Barn in Olde Avon Village, Brookside Farm in Louisville, the Barn and Gazebo in Salem, The Orchard House at Mapleside Farm in Brunswick, the Columbia Ballroom in Columbia Station, Gervasi Vineyards in Canton, Ohio Prestwick Country Club, and many others.

A Subtle, Warm White Uplighting and Pinspotting in the Grand Hall at Glenmoor Country Club in Canton, Ohio.

Several of these clients noted that they hadn’t seriously considered lighting design for their event, previously, because (though they loved the look of uplighting) they thought it “wouldn’t work” in their venue but that they were encouraged seeing some images online of some of the designs we have done specifically for rustic venues.  If you’re curious about some of our past work, as well, check out our Pinterest board dedicated to Rustic Lighting Designs.

Warm, Orangey-Amber for Adelaide and Paul’s September 2011 Wedding Reception at the Lodge at Fieldcrest Inn in Canton, Ohio.

Just like our process for planning decor for “traditional” venues like hotel ballrooms and banquet halls, the decor designs we create for using uplighting, pinspotting, globe lights, drapery, and lighted monograms in barns, cabins, vineyards, stone castles, and the great out-of-doors are always planned with special mind to the specific architectural features of that space — colors and textures of the walls, columns, and carpets; the pitch and height of the roof; as well as what practical lighting already exists in the space and how you plan on using those lights for illumination as the sun sets.

Bistro Style Globe Lights at Happy Days Lodge’s Bridal Event in January of 2013.

For some rustic spaces, lighting design becomes an essential part of the practical lighting for the space!  Many barns were not — in fact — built with wedding receptions in mind (ha ha), and their existing lighting may be dim and inadequate once the daylight passes.  In fact, several of our lighting design options have been added over the years at the specific request of clients in outdoor or semi-outdoor spaces in mind — in particular, our globe lights, pictured, above.

However, even if your venue doesn’t *need* lighting for visibility purposes (many do not) — just keep in mind what DJ AJ9 has become somewhat known for observing:

“My clients don’t ‘need’ lighting because they can’t see; they ‘need’ it, because it’s fabulous.”

Golden Amber Uplighting Inside the Barn at Conrad Botzum Farmstead.

Though many of the examples, pictured, are in warm shades of soft yellow, amber, and gold, there are plenty of examples of other colors (including red, lavender, and more) featured on our Pinterest Board, too — keep in mind that (depending on when you’re reading this) Pinterest is the most up-to-date place to see updated photos, too.

So — to answer the question — YES!  Lighting in your rustic setting can be every bit as fabulous as in any other setting, especially with Something New Entertainment’s wide range of lighting options custom designed especially for your space!

If you’re one of our brides or grooms who’s been waiting and wondering in the dark about lighting design for your rustic wedding, cower in the shadows no longer!  Contact us, today, and let’s start working on YOUR little slice of fabulous, together!

For more ideas, check out our Pinterest Board, as well as the gallery, below!

Today, the team at Something New Entertainment pauses to honor the passing of Eric Reed.

I received the call in the early morning on March 27, 2013 that Eric Reed had passed, and — in the days since — I have found myself often reflecting on my brief but poignant interaction with this kind man and his family.  Yesterday, April 2, 2013, friends and family celebrated his life in a service at Maher-Melbourne Funeral Home in Mayfield Heights.

This past winter, we worked with Heidi Baumgart of Heidzillas, Genevieve Nisly from Genevieve Nisly Photography, Doug Kereszturi of Attention to Detail Wedding Films, the Orchard Hills Center at Patterson Fruit Farm, Touch Supper Club, and L’Nique Linens to quickly pull together in short order a surprise renewal of vows for our industry colleague photographer Colleen Reed and her husband Eric Reed on Saturday, January 19, 2o13.  Heidi contacted me seeking a Master of Ceremonies, DJ, and lighting design for the event.

I hope you will take a moment to pause, with us, and to honor the love of Colleen and Eric Reed by watching their vow renewal video by Attention to Detail Wedding Films and taking a look at some of their beautiful photos by Genevieve Nisly Photography.  My hope is that the experience will enrich your life as it has enriched ours.

Colleen and Eric Vow Renewal – Enhanced Same Day Edit from Attention to Detail Wedding Film on Vimeo.

We chose a vibrant red uplighting design to compliment the natural, rustic colors in the wood-panelled room, as well as Eric and Colleen’s red, black, and white color scheme.

The vow renewal was officiated by Kevin Horak of The Church in Aurora.

GANGNAM STYLE — played twice at young Ethan’s request.  I felt this was appropriate — after all, Twice is Nice!

Having the privilege to participate in this event as a Master of Ceremonies was a great and special challenge. Even in my brief acquaintance with Eric and Colleen, I became quickly effected by their deep love and affection for one another, as well as the tragedy that loomed over that love and their family. At times, this made it difficult to keep my composure, but — even still — being honored by the presence of an enduring love such as theirs gave me some perspective on my own life and my own marriage.  I am so very grateful to have been granted this experience of being able to know them and to be with them to witness the renewal of their vows on this cold winter day.

Here’s to love!

Anna-Jeannine “DJ AJ9″ Herman

Custom designed lighted monogram by Something New Entertainment.

On Saturday, December 7, 2012, we (DJ Justin and DJ AJ9) had the pleasure of providing Master of Ceremonies Services, Disc Jockey Services, Sound, Hot Pink Uplighting Design, a Lighted Monogram, a Starfield Effect, and a Cloudfield Effect for David and Colleen’s fairytale wedding at Elm Ridge Party Center.

David and Colleen have a touching modern love story — two kind souls who found a perfect match through the magic of the internet — and we really enjoyed getting to know them and making their special day extra memorable.

Check out these stunning photos of their stunning event.

Colleen and David’s Opening Lightscape — Hot Pink Uplighting around the room and on our custom facade, plus cake pinspotting, a lighted monogram monogram designed to match their favors. Lightscaping by Something New Entertainment.

Colleen and David’s Opening Lightscape — Hot Pink Uplighting around the room and on our custom facade, plus cake pinspotting, a lighted monogram monogram designed to match their favors. Lightscaping by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Memory Productions.

Colleen and David’s Love Story — Hot Pink Uplighting  by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Memory Productions.

Colleen and David’s Cake Cutting — Hot Pink Uplighting by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Memory Productions.

Colleen and David’s Cake SMASH — Hot Pink Uplighting by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Memory Productions.

Scene change! The cake is moved to clear room for dancing — Hot Pink Uplighting by Something New Entertainment.

The bridal party’s surprise choreographed dance to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, complete with the low-lying fog cloudfield effect — Hot Pink Uplighting and SFX by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Memory Productions.

The bridal party’s surprise choreographed dance to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, complete with the low-lying fog cloudfield effect — Hot Pink Uplighting and SFX by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Memory Productions.

Check out this great VIDEO of their Bridal Party Dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” too!  A great watch!

Another use for the low-lying cloudfield effect — a romantic fairytale ending! Hot Pink Uplighting and SFX by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Memory Productions.

A romantic fairytale ending! Dance on a cloud. Hot Pink Uplighting and SFX by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Memory Productions.

David crawls to retrieve Colleen’s garter! Hot Pink Uplighting by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Memory Productions.

David crawls to retrieve Colleen’s garter! Hot Pink Uplighting by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Memory Productions.

David retrieves Colleen’s garter! Hot Pink Uplighting by Something New Entertainment. Photo by Memory Productions.

For a video overview of David and Colleen’s special day, check out his great footage by Creative Concepts Video:

Colleen and David from Creative Concepts Video on Vimeo.

We are thrilled to announce that Something New Entertainment has, again, been honored with an award — this time, for our summer internship offerings!

Following our nomination in January, Something New Entertainment’s Internship program has been named “Coolest Internship” in the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education and Cleveland Business Connects Magazine’s Expy Awards.

Education is at the forefront of our mission for growth — both by bettering our staff’s skills as DJs and MCs, as well as through offering hands-on educational opportunities for the next generation of event professionals and theatrical technicians, designers, and producers.  For those reasons, our participation in the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education’s Entrepreneurial Internship Program was important to our team, particularly DJ AJ9 (who — by the way — was a also finalist for Best Intern Mentor), who’s never really shaken the “teaching bug.”