A thank you from Stephanie & Dave.

Dan and I both had the pleasure of working along with Stephanie & Dave for their wedding this past June, Dan as their Dj and I as their Wedding Coordinator. 

Yesterday we received a couple of thank you cards and we wanted to share them with you.  If you are interested in a sneak peek of how their wedding day turned out, I blogged it with photos a couple of months ago. (http://soundsofdistinction.blogspot.com/2010/07/stephanie-dave-june-26th-2010.html)

Here is the first card.

Dear Dan,

Thank you so much for the unreal job you did DJing our wedding.  We still get comments on how fun our wedding was & how our guests at the end of the night kept begging for one more song!  We were so happy you were able to play all of Dave and I's favorite songs!

It truly was a night to remember!

Thanks again!

Stephanie & Dave Collet!

And here is the second card.

Dear Laura,

Thank you so much for the amazing job you did on the day of our wedding. All the behind the scene tasks you did, did not go unnoticed!  Our day ran like clock work because of you and we were both able to enjoy our special day knowing you were there to handle any problems that arose. 

I cannot thank you enough!! You made our day extra special!!

Thank you again,

Dave & Stephanie Collet

Thank you Dave and Stephanie for having both Dan and I as part of your Wedding day.  It was an absolute pleasure getting to know you both!

Dan and Laura Forbes.

September 11th, Veronica & Dan's Wedding

I had the pleasure of working along with Veronica & Dan for their phenomenal wedding reception held at the beautiful and historic Alton Mill. (http://www.altonmill.ca/)

This wedding was straight out of a magazine with no details spared.  The amazingly hip & rustic location to the elegant decor & ambiance, created this spectacular event.  The Ceremony was out doors with a setting of maple trees in the background just starting the transformation of fall.  A cocktail reception was held in the Millrace room and Waterfall Courtyard where guests enjoyed the music of an amazing Jazz Trio.

The dinner reception was held under a Marquee in the Annex Courtyard where I took over for the evening. It was beautifully uplit with our Ambient Decor Uplighting to accentuate the natural beauty of the Historic Buildings ruins.  A dance floor was set up under the stars where unfortunately do to this Falls weather we were unable to use.  This was the only downside to the amazing reception.  Dinner was catered by an amazing Chef, Ezra from Chez Vous Dinning (http://www.chezvousdining.com/) and let me say first hand that it was amazing.

After diner, the reception moved back down stairs to the Millrace Room where I was able to work my magic.  The dance floor was packed from their first dance to the end of the night.  I cannot say in words how fun this reception was for me, it felt like I was hanging out with friends all night and playing all of my favorite music.

For the professional video & pictures visit Still Motion's Blog @ http://stillmotionblog.com/2010/10/28/veronica-dan-the-colonel/ and http://stillmotionblog.com/2010/10/25/veronica-dan-the-colonel-food-photos/.

I wish to congratulation Veronica and Dan once more and thank them for choosing me to be a part of such a magical day.

Laura

Wrapping Up Wedding Season.

This years Wedding Season is soon wrapping up for us.  After mid November we have Weddings scattered throughout the winter and we move more into our Corporate and School events.

This years Weddings have been fabulous!  Our couples have been amazing to deal with and they  have all been completely creative in designing amazing yet individual events.  We have designed a way to incorporate our clients musical taste into every event no matter how obscure and it has worked at every event.  What a way to capture the guests from the moment they arrive.

Some of my favorite moments have come from the entertainment that was incorporated into the events that I was lucky enough  to be a part of.  Lion Dances, Drum Dances, Horas, Belly Dancers, Live Bands, Balloon Animal Artists, Caricature Artists, Photo Booths, Impersonator and More.

The trend that I noticed most this year was that couples were choosing ways to entertain thier guests that was above just the DJ.  What a treat for everyone involved.  I think this started for alot of clients who have been through so many weddings over the past few years and wanted something more from their own.  I also believe that with the growing online resources, people are exposed to so many more options and ideas.

With your event, you are only limited by your imagination.  Go the extra mile while planning your next event and give your guests something special to remember.  Even better, find a way to capture the special event so you can share it with family and friends for years to come!

September 3rd, 2010 - Andrea & Chris

We had the absolute pleasure of working along with Andrea and Chris for their recent wedding at they Royal Ambassador.  Not only were they both fantastic and beautiful people, their families were just as nice.

We provided ceremony music, reception music and an amazing uplighting display.  Everything went off without a hitch and we kept a fun and full dance floor all night!

Andrea sent me this quick message just a few days ago!

Hi Dan!


Thank you so so so much to you and Laura! You two were so amazing - I had such a great time! Excellent music selections - I think it was the best music at a wedding by far! We had absolutely nothing but compliments with Vitamin String Quartet - Excellent suggestion!

Thank you so much once again - You did a fantastic job! :)

Andrea

 
Here is a letter that was sent to us this week from Barbara Bean, the mother of the bride, who helped with alot of the planning of this spectacular event.

Dear Dan & Laura

We are now into the middle of September - and the wedding of Andrea and Chris is well behind us.  All of the planning and preparations for such a long time suddenly came to life on September 3rd at the Royal Ambassador in Caledon - and it was over in one day.  But what a spectacular day it was!  There is not one thing about the entire day that I would even dream about changing - or improving.

Everything was absolutely perfect~

Dan and Laura, I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful atmosphere that you created for the entire wedding of my daughter and new son-in -law - from the Ceremony right through to the Last Dance.  You assisted them tremendously in making choices of music for their wedding - and they were so happy with how unique the music for their special day was.  It was not just another wedding - it was 'their' wedding - designed  just for them.

We were very pleased, as well, with the Ambient Decor Uplighting that you provided for the evening reception.  This is an incredible product - and does so much.  The pink glow around the room certainly complimented their theme, and highlighted the already beautiful venue, creating  a breathtaking atmosphere - one that we will remember for many days to come.  It is hard to imagine what we would have missed, had we passed on that.  As I mentioned earlier, it was all so perfect!

Thank you Dan, for taking care of the emceeing for the evening - you did a great job!  I appreciated having you look after this, so that I did not have to impose on any of our guest.

Laura, I am so happy that you were also able to join us for dinner and the evening, as well.  I hope that you enjoyed yourself.  I have seen a couple of the preview pictures from the photo booth - and you looked pretty happy.  All of the vender's who assisted us turned out to be Number One - it was like dealing with friends.

In closing, I just have to say 'Thank You' one more time. You assisted greatly in making my daughter's dream come to life - and your services were much appreciated.  If anyone is ever asking for a recommendation for Disc Jockey services - "Sounds of Distinction" will be Number One on our list.

Yours truly,

Barbara Bean

Here is few pictures of the event!

My very good friend and one of my favorite Photographers Jennifer Images was their that day with her assistant Lisa.  We had so much fun taking part in their Funky Photo Booth that they had set up and so did all the guests, it was packed all night.  Check out Jen's Blog for a sneak peak at some of the great pictures that they captured! www.jenniferimages.ca/blog

 Here is my favorite!

 

 A huge congratulations going out to Andrea & Chris!  We had so much fun being a part of such a wonderful day!  We wish you countless years of happiness!

July 10th, 2010 - Crystal & Larry's Wedding

On July 10th, 2010 Dan had the honour of DJ/MC'ing Crystal and Larry's Wedding reception at Wooden Sticks Golf and Country Club in Uxbridge.

They were a delightful couple and the reception went off without a hitch.  A full dance floor all night and tons of amazing memories were made.

Here is a review that Crystal sent us over this morning... definitely worth bragging rights!

I didn't even get a chance to meet Dan when I booked him - but I didn't have to! We met a few DJs and from the moment I talked to Dan over the phone - I knew he was the person we were booking with. He was SO kind and I was so impressed with him from the very first time we spoke. He was patient and really put time in to answering all of my questions and not only that - he actually talked to me about music in general and how he got started and showed a genuine interest in getting to know my husband and I better. Then came our wedding night. He took requests, he played songs we loved and even managed to find a song that was so special to my family. I was actually supposed to send him the song, as it is not a popular song that is easy to find. With all that was going on and all of the things to do - I forgot to do so. I was disappointed with myself because it was my grandfather's song who passed away 4 years ago and I knew it would have meant a lot to my family. Dan looked up the song on his own initiative and made sure it was on his playlist. Dan also did our MC'ing.


He was so smooth and really keep things flowing the entire night long. I provided a few songs that I really wanted and gave him an idea of what we liked and he impressed! Something else I noticed about Dan was that he had a smile on his face the entire night. Even in our photos! He really enjoys what he does and, I think, takes great pride in his job. Naturally, his love for his work shines through when you see him in action. He kept people dancing all night long and family members also commented on how kind and approachable he was when they made requests. When he needed to take initiative he did and when he wanted to make sure things were ok with Larry and I - he did that also.


We had a small glitch in our slideshow (that had nothing to do with Dan) when my bridesmaid tried to get it started. I'm not sure if it was a cord issue or an issue with my ancient laptop - but Dan immediately was there to see if he could solve the problem and offer a hand. It was up and running in no time.

Dan and his wife work as a team and in all my email correspondence Dan's wife Laura was also a pleasure to deal with. All of our questions went answered in a timely fashion and we even had special entrances that required a little more planning and they both were up for the challenge :) I highly recommend Dan from Sounds of Distinction. If anyone had any questions about my experience with Dan of Sounds of Distinctions, I can be reached via email. 

Crystal & Larry - July 10th, 2010

Stephanie & Dave – June 26th, 2010

I had the pleasure of coordinating Stephanie & Dave’s Wedding this June. The Ceremony was held at the beautifully restored Aurora United Church and the reception followed at the renowned King Valley Golf & Country Club.


Here is a glimpse into their day and some of the professionals who helped them achieve a perfect Wedding day & Reception.


Simple, Elegant & Romantic is how I would describe their Wedding. As you will see the tied the reception together using a soft shade of blue, and butterflies throughout, from the cake, to the center pieces, to a heartfelt gift to the guests.


King Valley is an amazing venue; stunning facilities, beautiful grounds and great staff. I cannot say enough great things about my time there.





The Wedding Cake was created by Aaron Sickle of Tier Delight. Not only was it absolutely beautiful, it tasted amazing. All four tiers were different flavours; vanilla butter cream, pecan caramel chocolate butter cream, chocolate banana butter cream & dark chocolate with a chocolate butter cream (my personal favourite).





The bouquets, boutonnieres, centrepieces & floral arrangements were from City Florist. Hydrangeas were the main ingredient in setting the summer stage for the ceremony & reception.





The decorator was Ti Amo who transformed the head table, cake table, and receiving table as well as the chair covers. This added to the warmth and beauty of the reception hall.





The DJ was my favourite person in the whole world and one of the best in the industry, Mr Dan Forbes from Sounds of Distinction Entertainment. I know I am bragging but truly it was an amazing reception. He captured the crowd right from the dinner music straight through to the end of the night where the guests were still on the dance floor asking for one more song.





Shannon from Little White Dress was the photographer along with his second shooter and assistant Robyn. What a pleasure to work along with and well a picture can tell 1000 words and speak for itself, so please visit their website & enjoy, as they will be up on his Blog soon.


Here were a few special touches that made this reception stand out.


Stephanie’s father grew maple trees from seed and gave one away to each couple who attended.


During the ceremony and cocktail hour Dave’s Uncle, an amazing pianist, and cousin, a stunning vocalist, wowed the guests and put a personal touch into the day’s events.


The Master of Ceremonies was Dave’s Aunt who was an amazing speaker. She held the crowd’s attention and truly helped make everyone feel welcome and special; just as Stephanie and Dave would have wanted.


The families were both genuine and kind. Dave and Stephanie are blessed on both sides to have such amazing and supportive families.


Thanks again to Stephanie and Dave for having Marvelle Events as a part of your Wedding Day!

Blue Six Creative | Wedding, Engagement & Lifestyle Photography

Once again we give you one of our favorite vender's... Blue Six Creative! We asked them a few questions and a bit about what makes them rock.




Blue Six Creative is a collective of photographers who are passionate at what they do and push themselves to photograph people in a different point of view and also come together to support the group and the photographers inside. Each photographer has their own unique style and technique with some overlaps with other photographers. We also have different pricing between our photographers, so we can try and cater to clients with different budgets. We welcome people to view our main website at www.bluesixcreative.com and to check out our blog where you can see our current work (www.bluesixcreative.com/blog) We would appreciate if you follow us on facebook and join our fan page to see special promotions, new work and to simply hang out with us. ( http://www.facebook.com/Blue.Six.Creative.Photographers )



1. Why do you love being a Wedding Photographer? Our wedding photographers get a buzz off shooting a wedding for a client and watching how the day unfolds. By being there and the ability to move around freely and shoot as the wedding unfolds allows for us to be "storytellers". Then when the client views the images from the wedding and shows appreciation to our work allows for the loop to close on the event and the process. Engagement photography is very interesting and rewarding also... since it allows us to get closer to the couple and show off their relationship through pictures and emotion. Therefore, by hanging around with a couple and shooting some images of them as a couple and getting to know them through the entire planning process makes us more connected with the couple on their wedding day where we can see all the planning come together as we sit back and watch as an observer trying to focus on the little details and all the interaction of the day.



2. How did you get into the Photography Business? All of our photographers got into the business for just the simple love of taking photos to freeze life and preserve it. Some of our photographers enjoy traveling the world on trips (before they have kids) and enjoy photographing different cultures and some of our photographers are at the point in their lives that family and kids are important and they spend a great amount of time photographing their own personal lives. One of our photographers is a national newspaper photojournalist and he enjoys shooting in a unique and natural way. The great things with shooting weddings is... WEDDINGS ARE A BLAST! They are all different and unique and also different cultures changes it up a bit and makes it exciting with the new traditions we learn along the way. (Who doesn't love to go to weddings?)

3. What has been your favorite Wedding that you have captured? Last fall we received a email from a bride asking us if we would be interested in shooting a "surprise wedding"? Sure... what do you mean surprise? It happened to be that they couple got engaged and didn't tell one sole! Not even a best friend... and not even their parents. What they planned is the groom would email everyone they knew and invite them to an Art Gallery in the Distillery District where everyone would be inside and behind a curtain in a room. Then the couple would casually walk into the gallery and he would then propose to her in the gallery and everyone would come out to have a little celebration with drinks and finger food. So without anybody knowing that they were about to attend a wedding... everyone trickled into the venue before the couple and waited until they were completely "bam-booze-ald" (if that is a word) that a wedding would break out and they were all guests to this unique wedding. It was so cool to be at the venue acting like staff of the venue with our cameras hidden right before the "reveal".

Also, if we had to pick an engagement session that was really neat to capture it would be this one that we just did: http://bluesixcreative.com/blog/julia-kyle-in-love-sneak-peek/



4. Where do you see your company going in the next 5 years? On the same path that we are going. Just building it one client after another and trying to do more for the client than they expect. We also are trying really hard to connect with wedding professionals that we love that bring a certain vibe to a wedding. Many brides come to us for advice since they connect with us early in the process.. so it's nice to help them along and offer advice and past experiences to help them shape their wedding into something unique and memorable.

5. Why do we love you? What makes you special? Photographers in Toronto are hard to find and narrow down. We all have different styles and they way we edit the pictures after. Not to mention we all have different packages that range in price-points. Then once you find one... are they free for your wedding? We have a collective of photographers and if we single one out... we know that their shooting style might not match some people that hit our website and view their images. On the other hand... it works the other way also when that photographer will get singled out by a bride planning and we hear that their stuff is different than the other photographers websites. We love to work with people who love our style. It's a hard question to answer since each of our photographers are different. One of the really cool things is that we work on a team in the collective and we come together to help out the other photographers if they are shooting a challenging event and need some help. We just like how we are together and we help each other.



Thanks alot for answering our questions! We look forward to working along with you again real soon!

Wild Orchid Creations Blog - Jack & Ye's Wedding

Wild Orchid Creations was the photographer for the wedding Dan was at a couple of weeks ago. They blogged about their experience and included some great photos.
Here is what they had to say!

Ye and Jack had a small, intimate wedding at Fantasy Farm. When we first arrived and were supposed to do family portraits on the grounds, it started to rain. It frightened us, but luckily the rain stopped just in time for the ceremony and provided Ye and Jack with gorgeous weather after all.


The bridal party performed a very funny choreographed dance for everyone:

To see pictures visit this link: http://www.wildorchidcreations.com/blog/



www.wildorchidcreations.com

Another Great Wedding Weekend

This weekend was a busy one, but a wonderful and fun one as well.

I would like to start by congratulating both of our couples, we were honored to be a part of their weddings.

Crystal & Larry, were married on Saturday at Wooden Stick Golf and Country Club in Uxbridge. What can I say other then 'Thank You' for having me there! You both we so amazing and fun. Your reception definitely reflected both of your personalities and it was such an amazing party! I can't wait to see all of the pictures that James Lee took!

Ye & Jack were married on Sunday at Fantasy Farm in Toronto. You both were so kind and nice. You had a beautiful ceremony and the reception suited yourselves and guests perfectly. Thank you for having me be there to provide the music for such a lovely event. I loved the bridal party dances, such a great touch!

On behalf of Laura and I, congratulations again!

Ambient Uplighting - HOTTEST NEW TREND

We are so excited to inform you that we have recently purchased Brand New LED Uplighting! This is the Hottest 2010 Trend in Wedding Decor. We have two brand new packages available so please be in touch to add this to your event booking!



This lighting effect is amazing for adding ambiance to your venue; whether your venue is a Banquet Facility, Restaurant, Gallery or a Marquee Tent this will alter the mood and add the extra punch to transform your event.



Choose the colours to match your theme or even bridesmaid dresses, or you can choose rotating colours. We can set them to rotate to the beat of the music or do a gradual fade from one colour to another... the options are endless.



Stay tuned for our new website to be launched soon!

Chris & Lisa - July 3rd, 2010

Here is a quick e-mail that was sent over to us this morning from happy newly weds!

Hi Dan,

I just want to thank you for doing such an amazing job. I think the mix of everything worked perfectly! I kept hearing people say they have never heard such good music at a wedding. I just want to thank you again and I hope you had a nice visit to our little city.

Thanks again!

Chris & Lisa

This past Saturday, we had the honour of travelling to Chatham to be a part of Chris and Lisa's wedding day. They held their reception at the Retro Suites, an amazing and funky venue in the heart of Chatham. It is a hotel that has multiple rooms that are decked out in different themes... apparently Jay Leno's favorite place to stay while visiting Ontario.



They had a smaller reception with just over 80 guests and really wanted a dance club feel with tons of Top 40 and really danceable music, so that is exactly what they got. The dance floor was packed all night long with still over 30 people wanting to keep the party going at the end of the night.




To top off the evening, they had a candy buffet full of childhood favorites such as 'Fun Dips', 'War Heads' & 'Big Foots' which helped with the long ride home on Sunday.



Thanks again Chris and Lisa for having us as part of your amazing reception and we wish you all the best in the future!

Cheers,

Dan and Laura

A Terrific Night at The Alton Mill with the Orangeville Rotary Club

I was lucky to be invited to participate with a terrific bunch of folks from the Rotary Club of Orangeville Highlands last evening. The event was at the Alton Mill (a totally unique venue for your next special occasion!) The following is a Thank you Email Posted from Cynthia Rayburn (Coordinator):

I would like to thank you for a wonderful evening at the Alton Mill last night.

A thank you to everyone who brought appetizers, salads and desserts (we had a feast for a king); Dave for the kabobs (and stickless kabobs), Alex for the wine (I am wowed with every new bottle you introduce me to) and Cathy, for being our Clubs official photographer (I can’t wait to see the photos). A special thank you to Mark Grice from the Hosstyle Gallery at the Alton Mill for helping us create OUR masterpiece; Julie Lockyer from the Alton Mill for assisting and giving us tours; Dan Forbes from Sounds of Distinction for the fabulous music, and Tammy Schneider from SNAP Dufferin for taking some photos of our evening.

It was wonderful to enjoy an evening with great friends; thank you for an amazing evening! Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Yours in Rotary,
Cynthia

The Rotary CLub of Orangeville are a terrific bunch doing terrific things to help!

Article in Snap Dufferin - May edition

Here is another article that was in the Snap Dufferin Paper this month. To see more pictures and read the article in full please visit the site www.snapdufferin.com

David Tilson MP and family and the Music is Timeless program entertained a full house of residents and staff at the Avalon Retirement Lodge over the Easter holidays. Guests were treated to delicious holiday snacks, and a free performance - a great way to spend an afternoon with friends and family that was enjoyed by all!

DJ Dan and daughter Dawn with resident Lee Lloyd enjoy the Music is Timeless program

Please contact us to learn more about 'Great Music is Timeless'.

What is with the lack of Blogs lately?

There is a very good reason for our lack of blogs lately... We welcomed our little boy to the world on Tuesday, April the 20th. He weighed in at a whopping 9 lbs! Everyone is doing well, but are trying to get back into the routine of blogging!

Chase Lawrence Forbes

Article in Snap Dufferin

Just saw this online and wanted to share it with you all!

Spring Fling Dance

Residents at Lord Dufferin Centre enjoyed the program 'Great Music is Timeless', provided by Sounds of Distinction. Lots of toe tapping and more than a few decided to take a twirl around the dance floor. A great way to celebrate the first day of spring!
www.lorddufferincentre.ca

To visit this article online, please visit www.snapdufferin.com

Cheers,

Dan and Laura

'Great Music is Timeless' Spring Fling Dance - Lord Dufferin Centre

Saturday, March 20th was the official first day of Spring and we helped the residents of The Lord Dufferin Centre welcome it's return by hosting a Spring Fling Dance as part of our 'Great Music is Timeless' campaign.


As always we made this a family event so we brought along our 3 year old daughter who was right in the middle of the dance floor with all of her friends. From old romantic classics, to some big band jive, to more modern dances like the Macarena, everyone had a wonderful time. We were visited by Snap Dufferin (a local newspaper) and we look forward to seeing all of our friends get a moment to shine in the next issue.


We would like to send out a Thank You to the staff of LDC for putting together such a wonderful evening and to the volunteers (Shirley and Brian)for all of there help and enthusiasm.

Dan and Laura

February 6th, 2010 - Kevin and Nora

Here is a brief note from Kevin and Nora. They were married on February 6th at the Old Mill in Toronto and Dan had the pleasure of providing the music.




Dan,

Thank you for doing such a great job at our wedding. The music was great. Everyone loved the selection and had a blast.

If you ever need a reference we'll be happy to provide one.

Talk to you later.

Kevin

The Alton Mill - A Unique New Venue

We are delighted to blog about the Alton Mill. The magnificently-restored Alton Mill is a heritage destination in the scenic Caledon Hills. Winner of a National Achievement Award in 2009, it is now home to a dynamic arts centre featuring artists' studios, galleries and shops, a heritage exhibit and café. The site hosts gatherings of up to 120 guests in a variety of special event spaces.

The Mill has everything you need to host your beautiful and unique Wedding reception. Waterfalls, architecture, art galleries, historic buildings and beautiful grounds are just the starting point for what you will discover in Alton.



They have the Millrace Room that you can book to host your more intimate affair, perfect for Weddings or other sit down events for up to 80 people. This is located in the lower level of the mill and has a beautiful courtyard attached. From the courtyard, you can make your way to look out over the millpond, or enjoy the waterfall. The natural stone work accompanied by the wooden beams in this room leave the need to decor almost minimal.



They also have the Annex Courtyard. Originally the mill's wool storage building, this 4,000 square foot exterior courtyard space, surrounded by majestically restored stone walls is perfect for large events. It can accommodate over 150 people under a 40’ x 80’ marquee tent.

The Alton Mill has our vote for the coolest and most unique venue in the area. Definitely worth looking into for your Wedding or next event! Visit it online at www.altonmill.ca

Cheers,

Dan and Laura

Lord Dufferin Centre - Thank You

As I am sure you are aware from previous blogs, we are part of an initiative called "Music is Timeless" where members of the CPDJA are traveling to senior residences and providing music for the residents to enjoy. We take nothing in return but the feeling of making a difference in someones day.

Here is a lovely thank you note that we received from our friends at Lord Dufferin Centre last week.

March 2010

To Whom It May Concern:

We have recently had the pleasure of having Dan Forbes of Sounds of Distinction come in to entertain our residents. I was so impressed by the effort he put in to making that afternoon a wonderful event. Dan provided our residents with a number of songs that evoked many memories. He was very professional, friendly and accommodating.

We look forward to Dan’s return where he will entertain our residents at our Spring Dance. I have no doubt that with Dan’s knack for finding the right music to suit his audience that our dance will be a great success. I trust that you too will enjoy the Sounds of Distinction.

Sincerely,

Mary Ann Parsons
Service Coordinator

Once again we have enjoyed our time there and we look forward to returning in a couple of weeks to help celebrate with our new friends, the return of spring.

Dan and Laura

Kevin and Nora's Wedding - Feb 6th, 2010

Nora and Kevin tied the knot on February 6th, 2010. They held their reception at the Oldmill in Toronto where Dan had the pleasure of working along with them as their DJ. It was a intimate wedding with a fun party! Dan kept the music going and guests dancing all night. Here is a picture of Dan at work that night!



They are a fantastic couple and we wish them the best as they adjust to life as husband and wife. Thank you both for having us a part of your special day!

Cheers,

Laura

Horizons Event Centre - Orangeville Ontario

We are proud to blog about this new venue in the Orangeville Area, Horizons Event Centre. In 2007, it was decided to take what was once a large bingo hall and turn it into a functional and tasteful banquet facility. The remodelling process began in 2008 and they opened the door for the first event in 2009. They have spent much time and effort in decorating and changing of the appearance. They have recently added an outdoor gazebo and garden area to host outdoor ceremonies, making this a once stop shop for all of your wedding needs.

Horizons is a multi room banquet facility and the largest in the area, boasting a maximum seating capacity of 390 persons for banquets and up to 430 for corporate functions. The room can be divided into 3 separate rooms all with seating capacities of over 100.

It is conveniently located just minutes from Orangeville on Hwy 10, just north of Hockley Road.

For more information please visit www.horizonseventcentre.com or call 519-415-5500.

A Thank You from John and Erica - September 26th, 2009

We received this very nice thank you card yesterday in the mail from a wonderful couple who we had the pleasure of working along with for their wedding back in September. They held their reception at Sleepy Hallow Golf and Country Club in Stouffville Ontario and Laura kept the dance floor full all night long. My event that evening was near by and finished earlier so I had the opportunity to join Laura later that evening for the last portion on the reception.

Here is what they had to say!

Dear Dan & Laura,

Thank you so so much for all your help on and before our wedding day! You guys made it run so smoothly, it was amazing! We received so many compliments on the music and we had to pass that along to you! You guys are amazing! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

John and Erica

Since their wedding in September, we have already been back to help them with a community dance they were organizing in December and look forward to working with them both again.

Thank you for taking the time to send over such a lovely card.

Cheers ,

Dan

Results by DesignINK - Brenda Winter

Brenda is the Creative Director of Results by DesignINK, a fabulous company local to the Orangeville area that specializes in being 'Your One-stop, First step for Marketing Materials, Advertising and On-line Opportunities'. There is so much that she can do for you, but the only way to is to see for yourself by visiting her online! www.ResultsByDesignINK.ca


We asked Brenda a few Questions about herself and her business, here is what she had to say!

1. Why do you love working in Graphics, Print and Web Design?

Because it allows my creative side to get out and run amok! Seriously, I have always loved the creative process and there is something fulfilled in me every time I bring a concept to life for my clients. I have been told I have made a difference for them. You can't beat that kind of job satisfaction! Today, everything marries into one another, now more than ever, consistency is important across all platforms, I can offer my clients one-stop shopping, reducing the risk that colours, messages or consistency may be compromised.

2. How did you get into this business?

It's funny how the Universe brought me to where I needed to be. I grew up being told I would never make any money in the artistic field so I traded in my dreams and worked as a professional in the computer and technology industry for a number of years, then in sales and marketing and then "fell" into a dream job. I was art department coordinator for a local telephone book. I was really good at what I did. I drew heavily on my business and marketing experience and worked intuitively from there. I as nailing the look and the message almost the first time out on 99% of the jobs, every sales rep wanted me handling their client's file. I grew out of that position when I realized there was no room to grow. I started Results By DesignINK in 2003 and haven't looked back. I have met so many wonderful and inspiring individuals that have trusted me with their business. I have also rescued some entrepreneurs from jobs that were really botched. That is really empowering stuff.

3. What is your favorite aspect of your Job?

ALL OF IT! More specifically, finding a client who is really enthusiastic about the process and watching their delight as the creative starts manifesting into something tangible.

4. Where do you see your company going in the next five years?

With the Internet - I will expand from my local market into the surrounding cities. Diversify, Diversify, Diversify! I have met some wonderful people in my industry and those that service my industry. Forging great cross-relationships has worked for each of us and it has expanded my awareness and my tools in terms of what I am able to offer my clients. I expect that to continue to grow. I am aware of the opportunities of networking (real networking) and have some very happy clients who are referring me to others. As far as print marketing goes, there are different opportunities presenting themselves now that I have perceived a new way of doing something old. Being hungry for new ideas, having an open mind, listening to others, growing beyond my comfort zone has opened doors for me and I trust the journey through those doors to be an awesome experience.

5. Why do we love you? What makes you special?

I'm special because you're special; you love me because I love you.
Seriously - law of attraction. Like minded people connecting to like minded people. Also it helps that I'm good at what I do. I have yet to come across a project I couldn't handle. If I don't know something then I have someone on my team who does. AND I LEARN ALL THE TIME! My enthusiasm is genuine. I want you to succeed and I love to be a part of that in any way that I can. I thrive on connecting good people to good people and share the limitless opportunities that surround us EVERY DAY!



Thank you Brenda! I am sure we will be seeing you again soon!

Dan and Laura!

Featured Article on the WPIC Blog!

Here is a link to an article that Laura wrote for The Wedding Planning Institute of Canada (WPIC) regarding The Canadian Professional Disc Jockey Association (CPDJA) and why you should be hiring a professional DJ company for your next wedding!

It is currently being featured on their blog! Check it out!

http://wpic.typepad.com/wpic/

NightinGail Photography - Gail Kenney

Gail is a truly gifted photographer based out of the Barrie area. She captures weddings in a phenomenal style and is wonderful to work along with. Check out her website at www.nightingailphotography.com and in the meantime, here are the questions we asked her and her responses.



1. Why do you love being a photographer?

I have the best job in the world. I love being able to photograph people and transform those fleeting moments in a life into a format that will become a timeless precious heirloom. I have always loved taking pictures and being a photographer has allowed me the opportunity to provide creative images for those special moments in peoples' lives like weddings. Because I am such a people-person, my business has specialized in photographing weddings and life-style portraits.



2. How did you get into this business?

I actually "fell" into the business. I have always loved photography and had been taking photos ever since I was a little girl. When I got married, I realized that I wanted to put my "hobby" into capturing those special events like weddings. I wanted to be the person on the other side of the camera who could get just the "right" image that makes the statement for each particular event. I was strongly encouraged by my husband to use my talent to open NightinGail Photography and that was five years ago. I have never looked back!



3. What is your favorite wedding that you have ever captured?

That's a hard one. I have a lot of favourites but I guess the most unique weddings are the ones that really stick in my mind like Edmund & Eve's. She had one of the most unique gowns I had ever seen and she had planned such a special surprise for her husband - an antique car to drive them around after the ceremony at the haunted church - St. Columbekill in Uptergrove.



4. Where do you see your company going in the next five years?

We are growing! I now have two second shooters who work with me on a regular basis. We are also expanding our home studio and will be moving into a new location, hopefully in the fall. In five years, I want to be photographing even more special friends and clients!




5. Why do we love you? What makes you special?

I am an extremely passionate person who gives 110% of myself to each and every client's wedding day. I custom design all of our albums and make sure that my clients are 110% satisfied with the outcome of their day, their prints and canvases and their albums.

I am the "real" deal and what you see, is what you get - trustworthy, reliable and honest in all of my business and personal dealings with friends, family, clients and business associates. I also have a great laugh and do see the humour in most situations!



Thank you Gail! We are looking forward to working with you this upcoming season!

Dan and Laura Forbes

10 Tips for a Greener Wedding!

1. Shorten your guest list – the more guests that you invite to your wedding, the greater your carbon footprint will be for the event. The more people that are on your list the more food that will be consumed, the more miles that will be travelled and the bigger your venue will have to be to accommodate your wedding.

2. Time of Year – The months of April, May, September and October typically in our Canadian climate will take less energy to heat/cool your venue, therefore leaving a smaller carbon footprint.

3. Ceremony & Reception Venue - Consider an outdoor wedding in the park or at a beautiful natural spot so you can take advantage of nature’s décor and reduce the amount of added decorations. Have the reception at the same location, or at least nearby to shorten guest travel and reduce car pollution.

4. Choose Local Vendors- By using a local Photographer/DJ etc. You will lower the carbon footprint by having less travel involved with your oh so important vendors. Also work with vendors that are digital, leaving less paper trail.

4. Wedding Dress and Tuxedo - Consider one of the following: buying a vintage dress and tuxedo from a resale clothing store; buying an organic silk/hemp wedding dress; wearing a simple dress or suit that you can wear again. Have your dress made by family or friends. If you are buying new, at least buy your dress from a Canadian (local) manufacturer.

5. Invitations – Consider printing your invites, thank you notes, programs and all other related items for your wedding on handmade seed paper so that your guests can plant the invitations and enjoy the flowers that grow from them. You can also encourage your guests to recycle the paper and make that your keepsake from the wedding. Also think of using less paper by using a postcard for the replies and forgoing the envelope and creating a wedding website with all the necessary information so that you do not have to do too much printing. Remember... 1 invitation, 1 envelope!

6. Flowers – Consider using a florist that uses flowers from local and/or organic farms or use a wildflower grower at your local farm market to create bouquets & table arrangements. Try to find potted plants instead of cut flowers for centerpieces and guests can take them home to plant and watch your love bloom!

7. Food – Consider donating the food left over from your reception to a local soup kitchen or shelter instead of throwing it out. This will assist them to feed so many persons that rely on them for a daily meal and it will reduce the waste produced from your celebration.

8. Jewellery - Work with a jewellery designer that uses all recycled beads and materials to make all the jewellery for the bridal party. Another great option would be to make the jewellery yourself or have the wedding party get together to create it.

9. Favours - Choose something recycled, or a bulb/plant that can be re-planted, or do a donation to your favourite charity in the place of favours.

10. Gifts - Ask for donations/monetary gifts instead of traditional wedding gifts. This will cut down on waste, and lower car pollution from shopping.


Dan and Laura

What it means to be Canadian

Every time the Olympic Games are on, I feel a sudden burst of Canadian Pride. These Olympic Games have me over the top. It is partly due to the games being held in Canada, but also watching how our athletes are handling themselves. I have never witnessed a more humble Gold Medal winner than Alexandre Bilodeau, and his teammates who did not finish on the podium were still absolutely honoured to share in his glory.

It is not just the sports that have me feeling pride in being Canadian, it is the way our nation represents itself as a whole. We are a proud and dedicated country; we will continue to encourage anyone who shows initiative. We are proud of every Canadian who has been successful and we root on those who are trying hard to succeed.

In my personal, public and business life, I try to be a great Canadian. Whether it is holding open the door for someone, congratulating another on their success, being humble in my own, and doing random acts of kindness with no need for recognition... I am a proud Canadian!


Laura Forbes

Irina Photography - Irina and Mihkel Fortey, Photographers Extraordinaire!

Irina and Mihkel are a fabulous couple and have mastered the art of photography, giving you a truly amazing package when booking a Photographer for your wedding. Take a minute to visit their website at www.irinaphotography.ca, you won't be disappointed.



1. Why do you love being a photographer?

I have a fascination with history and documenting it in photographs. This is my way of freezing moments to share with others. I also love working with people and hence, it has lead me to cater to documenting weddings and family portraits.


2. How did you get into this business?

My university degree is in Business and Economics which was my first love. While studying a friend recommended a job in a photolab, which I took at that time ... well that changed my life! I absolutely fell in love with the process and soon after began photographing everything and everyone I knew. After my graduation from Business School, I went on to study photography and 2 years later had my certification. Today, I specialize in capturing people at their most beautiful moments in life.


3. What is your favorite wedding that you have ever captured?

This is a hard question, as every wedding has a special connection to me. It's always an honor to witness a couple or a new family interact in front of my camera. I am blessed to have the best job in the world!





4. Where do you see your company going in the next five years?

I am a believer that opportunities are always around the corner. Every industry has its ups and down, as well, new technology continues to change the market. Just as film and prints has moved to digital and files I feel it is important for the industry to share its knowledge for the betterment of the consumer.


5. Why do we love you? What makes you special?

Anything less than perfect is unacceptable, that's my philosophy! My client know they will get my full attention with every wedding or portrait commission! Because I care about my work, my clients always go home happy.



Thank you Irina! We are looking forward to working with you again this upcoming season!

Dan and Laura

Jennifer Images - A Terrific Photography Experience!

Jennifer has been a longtime friend of ours in the Wedding Industry. We work with her numerous times every year and we are always amazed at the quality of her work. Check out her website at www.jenniferimages.ca



1. Why do you love being a photographer?

Photography is such a gratifying field because it allows me to express my creativity.

Being a photographer also allows me to see things, people and places that normally would be off limits to me.

It is a very exciting career.


2. How did you get into this business?

My very first job at the ripe old age of 15, was a sales position at Blacks cameras.

There were a few good benefits to that job, such as getting to demo all of the new cameras and gear.

This is were my passion for photography began, and continued for many years.

Of course it wasn't until many years later, with thoughts of choosing a different career path than the one I was on, that photography as a business entered my mind.

I guess you could say that once I realized what I didn't want, I knew what I did want.



3. What is your favorite wedding that you have ever captured?

There are a few weddings that really stand out in my mind, but honestly my favorite wedding, would be the wedding of Justin and Laura, at the Old Mill in Toronto, On April 4th, last year.

Justin and Laura were really genuine people, whose kindness and friendship have remained in the minds of Lisa (my second shooter) and myself .

The family bond they all had for one another and the way that they so readily added us to their list of friends was unforgettable.

4. Where do you see your company going in the next five years?

Over the next five years Jennifer Images will continue to be a personal company, that won't lose site of the importance of the relationships we form with our clients.

While our style will continue to grow, it is those personal relationships with our clients, that are the key to our definition of success.

Mutual respect, honesty and friendship are what make our clients comfortable during our sessions, and what ultimately produces the best images.

5. Why do we love you? What makes you special?

Why do you love me?

Because I'm genuine.

You love me because I believe that human relationships are so very important, even in the business world.

You love me because I'm reliable and responsible, and I do what I say I'm going to do.




Thanks Jennifer, I hope those who visit our blog will take the time to learn more about you and business. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Cheers,

Dan and Laura

Our Visit To The Avalon Retirement Lodge

This morning, we participated in our first outing on behalf of the CPDJA's 'Music is Timeless' program at The Avalon Retirement Lodge in Orangeville. As I am sure you have read on our previous blog about this program, it is a movement that has been set in place to enhance the lives of those who are in facilities such as The Avalon.

Music is timeless, I know this first hand from watching the reaction of the seniors today and seeing the excitement and energy in our 3 year old who was dancing up a storm for their entertainment. A gentleman I was speaking with, was to thankful for someone to come in and 'liven up the joint' and provide classic tunes and restore some old memories. There was singing, toe tapping and even a little dancing today which was amazing to see. I look forward to returning and spending some more time with my new friends.

Here is a Thank you card that we were given on behalf of the Avalon:

Dan,
Thank you for coming to the Avalon Retirement Lodge for the music is timeless program. We really enjoyed & appreciated the music. It was great to see the residents toe tapping & singing along.
Sincerely,
Nancy
Life Enrichment Dept.
The Avalon Retirement Lodge