Five reasons to avoid mail order and drop off photo booths

The Pitfalls of Mail Order Rental Photo Booths: Five Reasons to Think Twice

In an era dominated by social media and the desire to capture every moment, photo booths have become a popular addition to events. While the convenience of mail order rental photo booths may seem appealing, there are significant drawbacks that can turn your event into a photo booth nightmare. In this article, we'll explore five reasons why opting for a mail order rental photo booth might not be the best choice for your event.

1. Limited Customization and Quality: One of the key drawbacks of mail order rental photo booths is the lack of customization options. Many of these services offer a one-size-fits-all approach, limiting your ability to tailor the photo booth experience to match your event theme or branding. Additionally, the quality of the photos and prints may not meet your expectations, leading to disappointment among your guests who were hoping for professional-looking keepsakes.

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3. Technical Issues and Unreliable Equipment: Mail order rental photo booths often rely on shipping delicate electronic equipment to and from various locations. This transit can result in technical malfunctions or damage to the booth components. Even with pre-event testing, there is no guarantee that the equipment will function flawlessly during your event. Technical glitches can lead to frustrating delays, and in the worst-case scenario, your photo booth might not work at all, leaving guests disappointed and event memories undocumented. In addition, the booth you receive in the mail may be scratched up and ugly looking.

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5. Limited On-Site Support: Unlike professional photo booth services that provide on-site attendants to troubleshoot issues and ensure smooth operation, mail order rental photo booths typically lack this level of support. If something goes wrong during your event, you might find yourself scrambling to fix the problem without the expertise of a dedicated attendant. This can create unnecessary stress and detract from the overall enjoyment of your event.

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7. Inconvenient Setup and Removal: Mail order rental photo booths require assembly and disassembly, tasks that are often left to event organizers or volunteers. This process can be time-consuming and challenging, especially if the equipment comes with complicated instructions or is prone to damage during setup. The last thing you want is to spend precious event time struggling with equipment assembly or worrying about dismantling it at the end of the night.

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9. Privacy and Security Concerns: Privacy is a growing concern in today's digital age, and photo booths are not exempt from potential risks. When using a mail order rental photo booth, you may have less control over the handling of sensitive data and images. There is a risk that your guests' photos could end up in the wrong hands, raising privacy and security concerns. Professional photo booth services often prioritize data protection and have protocols in place to ensure the safe handling of images.

While the idea of a mail order rental photo booth may initially seem convenient, the potential pitfalls and drawbacks should not be overlooked. To ensure a seamless and enjoyable photo booth experience for your event, consider opting for a professional service that offers customization, reliable on-site support, and a guarantee of high-quality equipment. By investing in a reputable photo booth service, you can provide your guests with lasting memories without the headaches associated with mail order rental options. Much of the enjoyment with photo booths comes from the service guests receive with a true photo booth rental service. Drop off and mail order booths cannot offer this. A good photo booth attendant will quickly solve any technical problems, help older guests with it's use and offer prop suggestions to those looking to create something different. Memorable Moments Photo Booth offers only the absolute best in service and quality. We have many different backdrop options and dozens of choices for photo artwork. Our props are the best in the industry (we actually design and sell products to photo booth companies globally!).

When the moments matter, make it memorable! Memorable Moments Photo Booth (by the DJ Guy) www.mmpb.info www.thedjguy.info

2023 - The Year of the Photo Booth

The last few years have been all about improving the DJ side of the business. Lighting, gear, branding, customer relationship management (CRM), social presence and more, have all been upgraded and taken  to their highest.

This year, it's all about the photo booth side of the business, starting with a complete re-branding. Ecobooth (a name that was chosen without a lot of thought put into it) is no more. The website that I put up 9+ years ago is outdated and inefficient. A new website, brand and identity will be unveiled next week!

We now have a new booth (two to choose from) that features all the top tier features you'd want. Share photos, GIFs, Boomerangs and video with text, email, air drop or QR code. We also have a large selection of luxury backdrops to choose from. Additional options include AI background removal with virtual background options, digital props, ring roamer (roaming photo booth), neon signs, branding for corporate events and data capture to create client databases

We also have some new fun add-ons like our inflatable booth.

And lastly, just take a look at one of our recent events and you can see that our guests absolutely love the experience they had...

Give us a call or visit us online for ALL of your entertainment needs!

517-404-0418   www.thedjguy.info

How we bounced back from the pandemic, stronger than ever and the road ahead!

It's been quite a while since our last post here. The 2020 pandemic was a business killer for many of us and I'm happy to report that we weathered the storm, prospered in 2021 and hit new records for 2022. Now that 2023 is upon us, it's time to lead from the front with new and innovative experiences being offered to you and your guests!

In the summer of 2021, I found most of my events wanting to be outdoors. This created a dilemma for our new outdoor backdrops. Being nearly 8 feet tall and 8 feet wide, they make a great sail when setup outdoors, even with the slightest breeze. I realized this before ever doing an event and knew I had to do something to not only provide a good experience for my clients, but also a safe one. I created a support system to attach to the backdrop, that would hold it in place while not damaging the backdrop in the process.

I setup for my first event with the prototype in late June. I didn't think I needed it that day, it was hot and there was no wind, but that changed pretty fast about an hour after the event started. The sky got very dark and the wind picked up. The skies opened up and the rain started. The wind got worse and I had to shut down all my gear and move about 15 further into the tent and cover my DJ gear. The rain was driving in sideways and all the tables had their linens blown off. Some of the tent poles around the outer sides were lifting off the ground and none of us were sure if the tent would hold or blow away!

Throughout the whole storm, the one constant was my backdrop! The weather service reported 37 MPH gusts during that storm and my backdrop didn't budge! It was then, that I knew I had created something special. I shared my story and a photo on a photo booth user group on Facebook and had several offers to buy one. This being a prototype, it wasn't very pretty, light or compact.

I began learning Autocad and 3D printing a few months later and by the end of January 2022, I had my first solid product, BackProp. I filed for a patent and I began selling them by the end of February 2022. I immediately started receiving positive feedback on my invention from everyone that purchased it. By the end of wedding season 2022 (which was a very busy year), I had sold nearly 300 of them!

By November, I created my second product (an add-on) which allows you to add stability to your backdrop stand when you use it indoors against a wall (WallProp).

I found a good friend in the owner of the backdrop company I purchase from, Scott Bryan of PB Backdrops. I made plans to attend the International Photo Booth Expo (PBX) in Las Vegas for February of 2023 and Scott allowed me to setup with him, using one of his backdrops to demo my product on. His team is amazing and just about the nicest family you'll ever meet.

            

While I was at PBX, I went to several seminars to learn and grow my knowledge on not only photo booths, but the DJ side as well (MEX, the Mobile Entertainment Expo was taking place with PBX).

I am pleased to be bringing back new ideas, concepts and experiences to offer my clients. One of which I am offering as of today.

The DJ Guy has just added a new service (also available by itself for a premium), Memories Are Calling Audio Guestbook Services. This provides your guests with another entertainment option and offers the bride and groom a unique way to remember their special day with family, friends and loved ones.

This service is currently available to add to your already booked wedding or as a stand alone option based on availability. Please contact us by email or phone to reserve yours today!

5-star rated services for over 23 years in the lower Michigan area. Hundreds of reviews from past clients on our website and social media. Family owned and operated - know who you're hiring! We provide that personal touch that big companies can't!

www.thedjguy.info

info@thedjguy.info
517-404-0418
www.facebook.com/thedjguy

A new year and a new career - PLUS, weddings in 2019

Things are changing - just a little...

For the last 19 years, I've worked as a professional DJ. The first 10 years were part time and jobs were few and far between. Since then, I've turned this into a full time business, providing DJ, photo booth and lighting services for weddings, corporate events, birthdays, school functions and more.

Now after 19 years, I'm going to be scaling back (just a little) and focusing on my new career as a Physical Therapist Assistant. I'll still be available for events on Friday and Saturday, but events taking place Sunday through Thursday will now be booked only if my associate, DJ Travis, is available for that date. 2019 will be the last year I offer slide show services as it seems to be on a down trend, having only had 3 requests for it in 2018 and the entire process is very time consuming.

I do not have any plans to retire from DJing as of yet, but when I do, it will be a 3 year exit strategy and everyone will be aware of it when I make that decision. I don't foresee this happening until at least 2023 (I have a school loan to pay back) and I enjoy what I do.

Enough about me, let's talk about weddings in 2019...

One of the things I need to address (for newlyweds) is the large amount of amateur DJs out there that put a price tag ahead of anything else. I know cost is a huge factor when you're booking vendors and I know you have a budget. But did you know that entertainment is ALWAYS in the top three most remembered things about a wedding? Take a look at this discussion:
https://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/as-a-guest-what-do-you-remember-most-about-weddings/

Knowing that, do you really want to spend the least amount on the entertainment?

Here's a recent price list of what the average (mid-range, meaning reliable and decent) cost of each wedding vendor is in the USA. https://www.theknot.com/content/average-wedding-vendor-costs?fbclid=IwAR2lEpH-MziXYBSF6k8OEP2tBwRdB9-NuuOgFFc2vlKmCD6B64AdDSODIjk

If you didn't read it, the average cost of a DJ is $1231. That's far more than I charge for my entry level package.

I even found out recently that someone was using MY business name with a dollar amount in front of it to lure in couples who were looking based solely on price (please never do that, you won't be happy). He ended up raising his price (and changing the dollar amount on the name) because you CANNOT run a business for those prices. Shortly after, he stopped showing up for weddings with no warning. NEVER EVER choose a vendor based on a low price because it WILL end up ruining your wedding day.

There's another trend I'm seeing of DJs grouping themselves together (sometimes in different states too) so that they can split inquiries coming in. They generally charge more under this "made up company" to cover their additional expenses. Chances are, you can find those same DJs through their own individual companies for a lower price. Nothing wrong with that, but just be aware that you might be paying more for the same exact service and DJ.

Lastly, today's generation prefers to text. I realize that and I understand it's easier for you. The problem is that today's generation is also very visual. I get that because I'm the same way. I'm always more interested in a product I can see. Texting just doesn't work for this reason. I can send an email that has photos, details, pricing and answers all kinds of questions in just a few minutes, but it's impossible to send all that by text. Over the past two years, I noticed a trend of emails going ignored or ending up in spam folders. I now initially respond with both an email and text stating that I have responded by email. It seems to be working well so far.

One more thing I fogot to mention... I'm putting on the 4th Annual Valentine's Bridal Show at Chemung Hills Golf Club on Sunday, February 10th, 2019 from noon to 3 PM. Admission is free with online registration at www.michiganwedding.info

Five Questions You Should Ask Before Booking Your DJ

It's that time of the year again.  The holidays are over, and maybe you got engaged sometime between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.  Now the task of planning the big day begins.  You have to choose a venue, photographer, cake and of course the entertainment!

Here's a few things I'm commonly asked by clients and a few things you SHOULD be asking as well.

1. What happens if you can't make it to our wedding?

Good question.  I have NEVER missed a wedding.  Unless I'm dead, there's no excuse.  Your wedding is the most important day of your lives!  I know that and I wouldn't be where I am today without the great reviews and referrals of my past clients.  This is what I do for a living and I take it very seriously.  I've had some crazy situations come up in the past (a rollover accident with a deer the night before) and still managed to get to a rental facility and make it to my wedding on time.  It's that important to ME.  If something should happen to me, I have other DJs that would fill in.

2. Are you insured?

Absolutely!  Both DJ and Photo Booth are insured up to 1 mil for liability.  This separates the amateurs from the pros.  Always ask your entertainers if they are insured.  If they say no, it's time to call someone else.

3. Do you have backups in case something fails?

Yes.  While we can't carry a backup of every single item as it would be both expensive and require an enormous box truck, we do carry backups of all the essential items such as laptop, cables and so on.  Most DJs use sound systems with active speakers these days, meaning the amplifier is built in to the speaker.  This means that at no time should the sound ever go completely out.  In most venues, our sound system is rarely turned up past the halfway point, which gives us plenty of extra volume if needed.

4. Can we come hear you at an event?

NO.  I'm not sure who had this great idea, but imagine if I invited clients to your wedding to come "hear me".  Doesn't sound like a good idea anymore, does it?  Most of the events I do are weddings.  When I'm working your wedding, I'm focused on that and not trying to sell to the next client.  I do a few charity events from time to time, but they don't include the same type of announcements (if any) that I would make at your wedding.  A better idea for this is in the next question.

5. Can we sit down and meet with you?

Absolutely!  In fact, I highly recommend it.  This is the best way to get an idea of my personality and hear who will be making those announcements for you.  It also allows me to show you some of the things I can do for you and what some of the services I offer, look like.  Many clients meet with the understanding that if they like who they are meeting, they will book the date at the meeting.  I can easily accommodate this.


Written by Ed Altounian
January 4th, 2016

Ready to book your date?  Visit our website: www.thedjguy.info
Call us today 517-404-0418 or email us at ed@thedjguy.info

Five Wedding Gimmicks That Have Got to Go

Haters gonna hate, sure. But there are some wedding decisions that are so "Why?!" that even the least-judgmental guest can't shake 'em off. Here are five of the worst staid traditions.

Releasing Doves
A photo opp that even Instagram can't make look cool, releasing two doves is considered a symbol of unity. For the sake of not diving too deep into PETA territory, let's assume you hire a company that respects the animals' safety. Even after taking proper precautions, there are still only two thoughts your guests will have: 1.) "Those poor birds. How long were they stuffed in that basket?" and 2.) "Am I going to get pooped on?" In a matter of seconds, people are now thinking about animal rights and poop. Not very bridal.

Wedding Favors with Your Name on the Front
We'll get right to it: Put your name on the back or the bottom of whatever it is you're giving out. It's as simple as that. Your guests love you, but no one wants your names front and center in the middle of their home. This is included but not limited to: coasters, candles, ornaments, mini photo frames, luggage tags, and itty bitty boxes. Exceptions to this rule are shot or drinking glasses and photo booth strips.

Dollar Dance
If you've never heard of this, it's a dance during the reception in which guests can pay $1 for a few seconds to dance with the bride or groom. Even if you think this is a sweet tradition, consider the guests who have already spent money on travel and gifts — and how awkward it is that you're asking for an extra buck.

Tiaras
You're the princess for the day. We get it. But must you have a literal crown atop your coiffed hair? Instead opt for something more modest (and stylish) like a headband or flower crown.

Prison Sentences for the Groom
The cake toppers with the bride dragging the groom. The groom's shoes marked "Help" and "Me." A ring bearer carrying a sign that says, "Uncle [Groom], Last chance to run!" It might be funny to a guest in a miserable marriage or your single friend who has never had a serious relationship, but it's otherwise a lame way to demonstrate the bride's authority in the relationship. A confident bride happily in love and having a good time is the very best way to say, "Yep, I'm getting what I want!"

Original Story from Brides Magazine:
http://www.brides.com/blogs/aisle-say/2015/03/cheesy-wedding-trends-traditions.html?mbid=social_facebook

It's been a while and it's been a busy summer!

Some of you may be wondering... what happened to the blog posts and the venue reviews?

Well, to be honest... I've been focused on my clients and improving my offerings.  This summer has been quite busy.  Many of the venues I've done this past summer are either repeat locations that I've already reviewed or private backyard events that wouldn't really help you too much in your planning.

Not everything is old though.  I've worked with a few outstanding vendors this summer and I always want to give credit where credit is due.

I did an amazing wedding at a private campground in Dexter on 8/22/15.  While the scenery was beautiful, there were some issues with zoning and I can't comfortably recommend this location for any event.

The one thing I can say is that the caterer was AMAZING!  If you like grilled food, KING-Q BAR-B-QUE is your guy!  There were so many choices and so many items that could have been done just average, but everything in this arsenal of BBQ barnyard friends was kicked up to an amazing level.

The variety of food isn't reflected in the picture above as I would have needed THREE plates to show everything off.  Pulled pork and chicken, BBQ chicken, ribs, beef brisket, custom sausages, homemade cornbread, homemade coleslaw, mac n' cheese, southwestern veggies, mashed potatoes, grilled veggies, grilled salmon, grilled duck and I'm probably missing a dozen things.  Every bit of it was excellent.

I also had the opportunity to try something new with the lighting.  Tree lighting!

The outdoor bar was themed out very nicely.  An old antique rowboat created the bar shelf to hold bottles.  The background for photos was picture perfect as you can see from this photo (taken with my phone, believe it or not).

I'll try to get a new post up, each coming week over the next month.  While I don't have a lot of new venues to review, there's a few unique ideas and new vendors.

As always, thanks for reading and be sure to visit The DJ Guy on our website and Facebook page.

Nine Tips to Save On Your Wedding

There are a lot of relevant stories in the news from time to time and this is one of them.

I read this article and there are a few points that I disagree with, but most of it is accurate.  I take issue with tip number two, advising brides to negotiate prices with vendors.

Most vendors, including myself, have set prices that are NOT negotiable.  We have to make a living, just like you.  We have bills to pay, in fact, we have more bills to pay.  Insurance, equipment, employees and so on.  Unless you're hiring someone who is NOT a professional, don't expect any negotiation.  You should also expect to get what you pay for.  We have several packages with various prices so that our clients can pick what best suits their needs.  Our DJ services are prices well below the national average of $1150.  In fact, for another $50 ($1200), we're including our photo booth (current special at the time of this article's publication - 4/25/15)

I do appreciate that the article suggests a DJ over a band.  I've worked with bands several times in the past and more often than not, they tend to empty out a full dance floor.

With that being said, here are the tips by PAUL KATZEFF, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY:

• Work the budget. Start by making a list of what you want to include, and then get a price — or a range of prices — for each line item. It's best to ask several vendors what they charge for each product or service. You may want to ask the ones that differ the most why their charges vary.

• Negotiate. Once you have a list of products, services and charges, you can dicker. "Negotiating is a two-way process," said Heather Bandur, of Heather Bandur Events & Designs in the Big Apple. Be prepared to take less of something or downgrade to get a lower price.

• Watch the calendar. Venues and vendors typically cost more during the high season. Consider another time of year.
Ditto for the day of the week. Saturday night is prime time. Switching to a day and time other than Saturday night can save 15% to 20%, Bandur says. That can cut thousands of dollars from your bill. Monday tends to be the least expensive day of the week.

• Use a disc jockey. A DJ can save you up to 90% in music cost vs. a live band. And many guests would rather listen to the original versions of songs than to ersatz covers, Bandur says.

• Cut your guest list. The average number of guests fell to 136 last year from 141 in 2010. If you trim your guest list enough, you can spend more per person and still cut your bottom line, Miles says. Stick with close friends and family.

 View Enlarged Image

• Think a la carte. Compare your venue's prices for items like flowers with an outside vendor's. And rather than order floral table centerpieces for the reception, consider having your event planner reuse the bride and bridesmaids' bouquets from the ceremony as table settings, especially if the reception is at a separate location. Also, do you need a videographer, who averaged fees of $1,794 last year, in addition to a photographer?


• Say yes to another dress. Plan ahead so that you can take advantage of floor sample sales, which can save you up to 80% off prices that averaged $1,357 last year. Also, if you're aiming for separate dresses for the ceremony, reception and after-party, consider a convertible dress for the ceremony whose train, for example, detaches by zipper so the bride can dance in it.

• Avoid frills. Send save-the-date notices by email. With the subsequent actual invitations, forgo embellishments like raised lettering and die or laser cutting.

• Don't outsmart yourself. Think you can save money by selecting an unconventional venue rather than a full-service hotel or function hall? If that funky venue can't provide everything from tables to chairs, cutlery and kitchen equipment, you may have to pay extra to rent them separately.

Read More At Investor's Business Daily: http://news.investors.com/investing-personal-finance/042415-749540-how-to-cut-your-wedding-costs.htm#ixzz3YLaCR2la
Follow us: @IBDinvestors on Twitter | InvestorsBusinessDaily on Facebook

More than just DJ services...

Fourteen years is a plenty of time to build a business and let people know you're an experienced, professional DJ - BUT... did you know we've been offering Photo Booth services for the last two years?  We've also been doing event lighting for the last 5 years!  How about video services?  Yes, we do that too!

Our photo booth is such a big hit with our customers, that we added a second booth last year and added Red Carpet Photo Station service this year!  There's even an option for our corporate clients to add a custom backdrop to get brand exposure!

  

We'll beat ANYONE when it comes to a side by side comparison of our photo booth services, just take a look at the chart below:

When you think entertainment, think of the DJ Guy!  We'll be happy to provide you with only the best - whether it's DJ, Photo Booth, Lighting, Video or any combination of those!

You can visit our new redesigned Ecobooth Photo Booth website at:
http://photobooth.thedjguy.info

Call us or send us an email:   517-404-0418   ed@thedjguy.info

Most requested songs of 2013

There are a few ways to look at this... either these songs are REALLY popular or they're overplayed.  I personally think it's a mix of the two.  Some are overplayed, but many are great songs that bring out the dancing crowd.

What ever you choose to call it, here are the most requested songs of 2013 as compiled from thousands of weddings across the country in 2013 (lists compiled by DJ Event Planner).

Top 25 Most Requested Songs:

1	Journey	Don't Stop Believin'
2	Black Eyed Peas	I Gotta Feelin'
3	LMFAO	Party Rock Anthem
4	Bon Jovi	Livin' On A Prayer
5	Cupid	Cupid Shuffle
6	Neil Diamond	Sweet Caroline
7	Van Morrison	Brown Eyed Girl
8	Maroon 5	Moves Like Jagger
9	Robin Thicke	Blurred Lines
10	Beyonce	Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
11	DJ Casper	Cha Cha Slide
12	LMFAO	Sexy And I Know It
13	B-52's	Love Shack
14	AC/DC	You Shook Me All Night Long
15	Whitney Houston	I Wanna Dance With Somebody
16	Pitbull	Give Me Everything
17	Michael Jackson	Billie Jean
18	Beatles	Twist And Shout
19	Usher	Yeah!
20	Justin Timberlake	Sexyback
21	Kenny Loggins	Footloose
22	OutKast	Hey Ya!
23	Rihanna	We Found Love
24	Pink	Raise Your Glass
25	Psy	Gangam Style

Top 25 Most Requested Songs for Bride & Groom's First Dance:

1	Jason Mraz	I Won't Give Up
2	Brad Paisley	Then
3	Christina Perri	A Thousand Years
4	Hunter Hayes	Wanted
5	Etta James	At Last
6	Blake Shelton	God Gave Me You
7	Elvis Presley	Can't Help Falling In Love
8	Ray LaMontagne	You Are The Best Thing
9	Lonestar	Amazed
10	Michael Buble	Everything
11	Kip Moore	Hey Pretty Girl
12	Lifehouse	You And Me
13	Adele	Make You Feel My Love
14	Tim McGraw	My Best Friend
15	Jason Mraz	Lucky
16	Train	Marry Me
17	Rascal Flatts	Bless The Broken Road
18	Jack Johnson	Better Together
19	Van Morrison	Crazy Love
20	Eric Clapton	Wonderful Tonight
21	Frank Sinatra	The Way You Look Tonight
22	Ben E. King	Stand By Me
23	Al Green	Let's Stay Together
24	Keith Urban	Making Memories Of Us
25	Kenny Chesney	Me And You

Top 10 Father / Daughter Songs:

1	Heartland	I Loved Her First
2	Tim McGraw	My Little Girl
3	Bob Carlisle	Butterfly Kisses
4	Temptations	My Girl
5	Rascal Flatts	My Wish
6	Louis Armstrong	What A Wonderful World
7	Frank Sinatra	The Way You Look Tonight
8	Chuck Wicks	Stealing Cinderella
9	Stevie Wonder	Isn't She Lovely
10	Edwin McCain	Walk With You

Top 10 Mother / Son Songs:

1	Rascal Flatts	My Wish
2	Louis Armstrong	What A Wonderful World
3	Lynyrd Skynyrd	Simple Man
4	Boyz II Men	A Song For Mama
5	Lee Ann Womack	I Hope You Dance
6	Beatles	In My Life
7	Celine Dion	Because You Loved Me
8	Rod Stewart	Forever Young
9	Backstreet Boys	The Perfect Fan
10	DJ Keo	All To You

Venue Review: Fox Hills (Classic Fox), Plymouth, MI

It's not often that I'm at the same venue two weeks in a row.  That was the case the last two weeks though.

Fox Hills (Classic Fox, the older building) in Plymouth is a rustic, well-maintained and beautiful location for weddings.  I was there on September 28th for Emily & Brian's wedding and again the following Friday (Oct. 4th) for Chris & Lauren's wedding.  Both weddings were very different as you'll see from the pictures and descriptions below.

9/28/13

This is the outside of the building.  It's clean, well kept and landscaped very nicely.

The ceremony took place outside (a beautiful day for it) in the gazebo.  The fireplace is in the main room you enter into.  You'll notice it's decorated a bit differently the next week.

Emily and Brian opted for a strolling dinner with various stations throughout the room having different foods.  I didn't take any pictures of the food since each station would have been a different picture and may have looked a little sloppy thanks to my haste in plating.

There were four stations located around the room.  One had beef and chicken tacos with your choice of toppings, another was a potato bar with both mashed and sweet mashed potatoes plus all the toppings.  The third was a hot dog and sausage spread with chili, sauerkraut and everything you could want on top.  The last station was a made-to-order macaroni and cheese bar.  You pick all the ingredients and type of noodle and cheese and they make it for you.  Although, quite simple, the food was very good and had a gourmet touch to it.  While I don't have any pictures, I did however, get a picture of the desserts.  I believe they were brought in by the families, but I don't know if they were homemade or purchase somewhere.  I can say that who ever made them is a true professional!

With the food stations being open for two hours and plenty to choose from, everyone was full and ready to dance.   They had a great time dancing the night away to the very end.

One more thing to note... Jim is the food and beverage manager at this location and I must say that he is hands-on, attentive and there for the guests.  He asked guests if everything was good, if they needed anything and was exactly what you'd expect in a perfect dining experience.  For that reason (and the great food), I highly recommend this location.  Now on to the next week...

10/4/13

The entrance was decorated a bit differently, but the ceremony was still held outside under the gazebo.  Fortunately, the rain held out long enough to complete the ceremony and photos.

Chris and Lauren's reception was a little more traditional, with a plated dinner being served after salad and bread.  It was a chicken wellington with a cream sauce on top.  Snow peas with carrots and red skin mashed potatoes were the sides.  The food was excellent!

Unlike the week before (and the day after this), getting guests to dance was a chore.  They seemed to be more interested in drinking and smoking.  The bartender mentioned that they set a record for most wine drank at a wedding.  The photo booth operator (which they booked long before I was offering photo booth services) also had issues getting people to do photos.  Even the bride said she was disappointed with her guests and that she was very happy with the music.  There's only so much you can do to get people dancing.  If they would rather drink and smoke outside... well, that's a whole different problem.  (The following night was the complete polar opposite with the 20 x 30 dance floor not being big enough!)

Overall, Fox Hills is a great venue, but I've heard that it also comes with a great big price tag.  The food is excellent and the service is great.  If the price fits your budget, you won't be disappointed.

I do have to mention a strange occurrence though...  one of the staff came out on the dance floor and danced with the guests during the Wobble.  I thought this was a little odd and even rude as it's not their party.  This happened with another employee the week before as well.  No one likes wedding crashers and that's what this seemed like to me.  I noticed several of the guests look at each other as if saying "why is this guy out here dancing with us instead of working?"