Regency Lodge Bridal Show

Tuesday, January 18, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 12:37 AM

I must say that I was pleasantly surprised at the turnout at last Sunday's Bridal Show at the Regency Lodge Hotel. I want to thank all the Brides and Grooms that visited the Bandstand Music booth. We are proud to be on the Regency Lodge preferred vendor list for weddings and parties. In this photo Bandstand Music DJ Jared Kuller helped work the booth. Jared is an outstanding DJ and he always represents Bandstand Music in the best way.

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com

Name the Venue - Video Edition

Monday, January 17, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 12:08 PM
For those from the Omaha / Council Bluffs area I want you to know that I appreciate you humoring me with my "Name the Venue" posts. I realize for the people not from the area it is hardly worth playing. And... for those out of towners just know that as exciting as this game is that the prizes leave a lot to be desired. In fact, today's winner will receive a partially used 2" pleatherized lens cap.
Anyway here is the first video edition of "Name the Venue" and Good Luck!

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com

HyVee Rocks... it's that simple!

Saturday, January 15, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 1:15 AM

I have the honor as a Dale Carnegie Leadership instructor to train a lot of managers in the art of confidence, people skills, and communication. HyVee has put tons of their managers through my training and I can't thank them enough. As a result I have built a lot of strong relationships with HyVee and am honored to DJ for their holiday events. Last Saturday the Fremont HyVee had their party at the 30 Bowl (in Fremont). I was asked to be the MC and crowd motivator for the event and let me tell you that I had a blast. From 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. HyVee had the run of the place and the party never slowed down.
Of all the company parties that I DJ I must say that HyVee is one of the most generous when it comes to prize giveaways and employee appreciation.
While at the event a few daring ladies took me up on making them crazy balloon hats (pictured). A big thanks to Brenda M. for bringing me in.

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com

Go Red Sox... Another cool Baseball Grooms cake

Friday, January 14, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 10:23 AM

I just had to take another picture of a baseball grooms cake. This was from my 12/30/10 reception. I think this year that we (Bandstand Music)will be holding a most creative Grooms cake contest. Lot's of good cakes from last year and I'm looking forward to seeing what me and my staff of DJ's run across in 2011.

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com

What did your parents want???

Thursday, January 13, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 10:31 AM

At last weekends wedding I DJed I snapped this photo. It soooo reminded me of when my sister got married. With every wedding reception there may be a few demands from the parents of the Bride and Groom. When my sister got married my parents pretty much stayed out of the way with one exception. My dad insisted that at the reception there would be a guy at the end of the buffet line cutting the meat. In my dads mind having a guy cutting the meat was a true sign of class. To him it made the reception dinner seem official. So every wedding reception I DJ that has a guy cutting the meat I always think of my dad. Did your parents have any requests at your wedding?

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com

Don't Mess it Up... Please!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 10:51 AM

One of the most important times during the Wedding Reception is the "Bride and Groom Dance". As a DJ you want this moment to go flawless. All ears are on your announcement and all eyes are on the bride and groom. And no matter how many receptions I've done when that important moment hits the thoughts still creep in....please music don't lock up, please cd don't skip, please don't be the wrong song, please get the names right. Of course things always go just fine but the thoughts still haunt every time. Maybe it's those thoughts that keep me sharp. I guess the day those thoughts go away I should probably hang up my mic.

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com

Job of a Groomsman

Tuesday, January 11, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 10:12 AM

When I DJ weddings I love having a some fun bantering with the wedding party. Bridesmaids are great because they will usually dance all night which helps to keep the party going. Groomsman on the other hand seem to have a different agendas. For instance it is very common to see a circle of bridesmaids on the dance floor having fun. However... you'd never see a circle of groomsman dancing around in a circle together.
So what's a groomsman to do? Often times the only choice is to take their groomsman gift (in this case it was a glass in the shape of a boot) fill it with beer and let the chips fall where they may. In this photo taken last week this kind groomsman took the bull by the horns, filled his boot and posed for this photo for me. We had a kickin' night.

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com

Bridal Show - In the NICK OF TIME

Monday, January 10, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 12:36 AM

To say we packed in the Brides Sunday at the Bridal Showcase event at the MAC this weekend (Jan. 9th) would be an understatement. I would like to thank all the brides & grooms who came out. The weather outside was cold and snowy in the morning but not enough to really deter anyone from coming to the show. However, once the afternoon hit the snow picked up and things started to deteriorate quickly. By the time I was driving home from the show I was hearing schools were being canceled the next day. It was getting pretty messy out. So... bottom line is that had the weather struck 12 hours earlier I'm sure we may have had a much smaller turnout. I would like to personally thank the weather for delaying until the afternoon to allow for that window of opportunity for the folks to come out to a fantastic Bridal Show.

In this photo you can see the isle was packed. This is a photo I took of just 1 of 6 isles. All the isles at the time were as full as this one. WOW! Great turn-out...

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com

Name the Venue?

Sunday, January 9, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 12:55 AM


I was hit with a bit of nostalgia on Friday night. I DJed at a venue that I had not been at in 10 years. This event was a company party for the Best Western/Hampton Inn employees and was an absolute blast.
I would like to say thank you to all the wonderful people who attended the party and danced their you-know-whats off.
As part of the evenings entertainment they had some folks from a corporate planning event company do a mock "Let's make a Deal" game show and it was a huge hit.
Can you name this venue?

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com

I literally tore up the dance floor....

Saturday, January 8, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 1:48 AM

When people ask Mobile DJ's how a particular event went you may hear a DJ say one of the following phrases:

1. I tore the place apart
2. I burned the house down
3. I raised the roof off the joint
4. I had em' tearin' up the dance floor

I must admit that as a mobile DJ I have been guilty of spouting off these very same comments to curious folk. Well FINALLY (after 22 years in the DJ biz) I can finally say that "I had em' tearin' up the dance floor" and mean it literally. Okay it's true that this dance floor may have been severely lacking in quality but I'll take what I can get...

Person: "Hey Steve... how did your gig go?"
Me: "They tore up the dance floor"

Amen

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com

The Cake Smash

Friday, January 7, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 12:20 PM

In this photo awesome couple Lacey and James (my Dec 30th bride and groom)pose after the cake cutting.

I have talked with so many people over the years about the bride and groom smashing cake in each others face during the cake cutting. It really is a 50/50 response. Either people say it's fun and okay to do and others think it's not a good idea.
There have only been a few occasions when I have seen this get completely out of control. Usually when the cake smearing is done is in a very spontaneous way and rarely gets out of hand.
I say go with the moment and do whatever feels right but Grooms beware of the beautiful bride and the potential for messing up her make-up. I'm just sayin'

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com

Name the Venue? I love grand entrances

Thursday, January 6, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 10:49 AM

When a bride, groom, and their entire wedding party arrive and are announced at the reception we call this the Grand Entrance. It is a fun and exciting way to get the crowd engaged and to start the reception off with a splash. The challenge for us DJ's is to corral the wedding party together as they arrive at the venue. It's not always easy to do and can be chaotic. On warm days I meet and get the wedding party lined up for the entrance while we are outside. On cold days however you've got to get the wedding party inside as quick as possible and line them up.
Venues that have lobbies are perfect for cold nights when you want to get the wedding party inside without all of the guests seeing them. It gives me the chance to line them up in a warm room before being announced as they enter the ballroom. On New Years Eve I was at the venue pictured. This is a photo of the lobby which worked perfect for getting everyone lined up for the grand entrance. CAN YOU NAME THIS OMAHA VENUE?

I am about to finish an article for www.omahaweddingarticles.com with some helpful tips when it comes to pulling off a successful grand entrance. Stay tuned...

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com

Full Dance floors are awesome...

Wednesday, January 5, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 12:00 AM


Any mobile DJ will tell you that an empty dance floor is a horrible feeling. It's like the crowd is just looking at you and you can at time feel helpless. Thoughts of "what's wrong with these people" enter our heads. My goal as a DJ is to make sure that every dance starts with a bang.
The best way to start the dancing at a reception is to invite all the married couples to the floor. It's a great way to celebrate the marriage of the new bride and groom and to remind the other married couples of how great marriage can be.
I've been starting all my dances like this for the last 15 years and it never fails to fill the dance floor for the first dance of the reception.
Last weekend I did three back to back weddings. I was at the Club Convention Center in Papillion on 12/30/10, Indian Creek on 12/31/10, and the German American on 1/1/11. These two photos from the first song of the evening at two of those events.

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com

Name the Venue?

Monday, January 3, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 12:19 PM

Back in 1987 I DJed my first wedding reception at this venue. I was there again last Saturday night 1/1/11. I was set up in the balcony that overlooks the entire room. I absolutely love DJing here and every event I've done at this venue always seems to go well. This venue is located in Omaha. Can you name it?

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com

Bride and Groom Sing

Sunday, January 2, 2011 , Posted by Bandstand Music Inc at 11:41 PM


First off let me just say that the three back to back weddings I did over the New Year Holiday were amazing. Great Brides and Grooms and lots of great pictures for this blog still to come.
My Bride and Groom for my 1/1/11 reception were fantastic. Johann and Jessica were hands down the most enthusiastic couple I have ever worked for. Not only was the dance a hit but they also had me provide karaoke which was a huge hit as well. This photo shows the Johann and Jessica singing a duet of "Stand by me". The guests ate it up and I must admit that I did as well. What a fun night!

Steve Bergeron
www.bandstandmusic.com
www.bandstandmusic.blogspot.com
www.weddingreceptionsecretsrevealed.com