I am super excited for the Golden Globes tomorrow! Just finished re-watching a video of the 2018 Oscars. The show was well put together & just about as flawless as a show can go. Great come back from the 2017 Oscars, in 2018, they presented all the awards to the actual winners right the first time! I especially loved the surprise Jimmy Kimmel pulled for the people that were at the Chinese theatre. What a heartwarming way to express thanks to the movie going public – way to go Jimmy! Fun as the Oscars were, detailed planning, preparation and rehearsals which were likely not as much fun had to precede the show & a detailed programme had to be established & followed.

Time is of essence in a big show like the Oscars so much that winners are only given about 45 seconds to present their speeches. After time is up, the band starts playing to say – times up – let’s keep the programme going! Should you have your band or DJ do the same at your wedding reception?  I suggest not! Long speeches are not usually an issue at weddings anyways because unless they have amassed some “Dutch courage”, most people like to get a speech over & done with as quickly as possible. If it’s your mother in law whose speech goes too long, however, make sure your MC knows to protect your interests, let her say her speech as long as she wants – time can always be gained elsewhere, i.e. anyone else’s speech can be cut shorter!

Having a written programme for your wedding ceremony & reception might sound unnecessary, (winging it sounds more easygoing &  fun), but a written wedding programme goes a long way in making & keeping your special day special. It helps remind you of things you might otherwise forget. Even a handwritten programme works – you can make photocopies for the people that will need it. I suggest you have two wedding programmes – a general one for the wedding guests outlining the order of events & a detailed one for the MC, DJ photographer and other professionals working your wedding. In Lethbridge, Alberta, you can arrange to get a programme professionally printed and copied at a nominal cost –  from places like Kopiko: 1103 Mayor Magrath Dr. S, Lethbridge, AB T1K 2P9 http://kopiko.ca/  Copy Express:  #130, 3120 32 Street South – Lethbridge, Alberta – Next to Costco http://www.copyexpress.ca/printingandcoping/ & Staples: 1103 Mayor Magrath Dr S, Lethbridge, AB T1K 2P9 https://stores.staples.ca/ab/lethbridge/ 501-1st-avenue-south . Places where you can get printing done in Medicine Hat include: Minuteman press http://medicine-hat10.minutemanpress.ca 857A 16th St SW Medicine Hat, AB T1A 4X4 & Staples https://stores.staples.ca/ab/medicine-hat/1910-strachan-road 1910 Strachan Rd SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 4K4.

At Applaud Entertainment, we meet with couples well in advance of the wedding date, run them through a survey and record all the information we need before about the wedding. Our detailed survey forms have helped up make many weddings flawless with or without a formal written programme in Lethbridge, Waterton, Medicine Hat & Taber, Alberta as well as other locations.  Seasoned professional DJs will usually ask for programme related details & help you build a programme that way if you didn’t already have one. You should be cautious when hiring a DJ who does not express interest in programme related details.

For your DJ & MC, some of the things important to include in a detailed programme are:

• Wedding Ceremony location & start time
• Ceremony end time
• Details of music to be played at each part of the ceremony & approximate duration of the music or marker when it should get faded out if not playing the whole song
• Wedding reception Cocktails start time
• MC’s name and contact information – the DJ & MC should meet before guests arrive and discuss the programme – a good DJ Service company like Applaud Entertainment makes that happen without your involvement after getting the MC’s contact information.
• Time of arrival for bride & groom
• Bride & groom entrance song
• Bridal party entrance song & introductions –  make sure the MC checks and practices correct pronunciation of first and last names. If Applaud Entertainment DJs or MCs for you – we’ll take care of that
• Diner start time
• Time for starting speeches – list of presenters in the order they’ll present
• Time for starting the Slideshow if you’re running one. It’s a good idea to combine slideshow with dessert serving if not looking to get it done at another specific time. Make sure to assign someone to conduct a dry-run/ practice run of the whole slideshow before guests arrive & check slideshow sound. Big shows like the Oscars run flawlessly because sound is checked well in advance, rehearsals are conducted & back up systems are in place in case of issues. At Applaud Entertainment, we can intergrade the sound from your slideshow into our state of the art public address (PA) system and make sure the sound from it is crisp – we always ask for access to the slideshow prior to the start of the reception so we can try it out & eliminate glitches. Need help creating a slideshow – we can do that for a nominal fee. We also rent out projectors and projector screens for customers looking to book any of our packages. Please Call or text us at 403-393-8858 or 403-3938818 or e-mail info@applaudentertainment.com if you have any questions.
• Time for 1^st dance, name of song & the artist that performs it. Details on whether you want to dance to the whole song, have the DJ invite the audience to join partway through the song etc. At Applaud Entertainment , we ask you those questions because details matter to us. We pay attention to details like the producers and directors of the Oscars do. We so this because we care about making your day special!
• Parent dances if doing them
• Songs you want played & when if you have specific times you want them played
• Bouquet toss – time & song. At this time in the reception, it’s usual for the DJ to run the mike, but ok for your MC to do it if you so choose
• Gutter toss, shortly after bouquet toss – any special song you want played
• Cake cutting  – time & song
• Time for last call
• Last song of the night

At Applaud Entertainment, we ask if there are any songs or genre(s) you strongly object to. We list these & make sure not to play them. Please give your DJ this list . It would not be nice to hear a song that brings back bad memories or takes you to a bad place on your special day.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog! I hope it will be  has of help.  The Oscars reminded me of the value of being intentionally organized, having a following a detailed programme. All the best with your wedding preparations!

About the author:

Archie is co-owner & DJ at Applaud Entertainment based in Coaldale, 10minutes east of Lethbridge, Alberta. He has been DJing since 1999 & enjoys providing a great service. Any Questions or comments, please complete & submit the form below, call or text Archie at 403-393-8858 or e-mail him at archie@applaudentertainment.com