PWG Spring Bridal Show

The Perfect Wedding Guide’s Spring Bridal Show is next Sunday, March 14, 2010 at the Overland Park Convention Center. The show runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with spectacular bridal gown fashion shows at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. 

Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment is participating and will be supplying the sound and music for the runway show. Our booth will be located directly behind the last row of seats in the center viewing area. We’d love to have you stop by to say “Hello.”

 Tickets for the PWG Bridal Show are $10 at the door or $6 in advance, on-line or You Can Get A Pair Of Tickets From Us For FREE!!!

I’ll send one (1) pair of tickets to the first five (5) Brides that email me with their mailing address. There’s no obligation but you’d better ask for them by Wednesday to assure that they get to you on time. Send your email to ron@ronruthweddings.com.

And, if you’ve never been to a Bridal Show, check out our articles filled with some great “Bridal Show Tips”  to help you make the most of the experience.

We’ll see you at the show!

Creating An Academy Award Winning Wedding Ceremony & Reception.

Through Part I and Part II of this article, Brides and Grooms were introduced to the similarities between the production of an Academy Award winning film and the creation of an equally entertaining and memorable Kansas City wedding ceremony and reception. 

In short, everyone involved in a couple’s wedding day activities plays some role from lead actor and actress to supporting cast, extras, audience or technical support.  And we looked at how films utilize the 3 act structure to draw the audience into a story, convey a plot line filled with distinct moments that they will find interesting and intriguing as it builds in intensity towards an emotional, memorable conclusion. 

To appreciate the comparison between a blockbuster film and a wedding, simply think back to the last great movie you saw and remember how excited you were to tell your friends about it the next day. Did you act out various parts while you described the story? Did you share those moments that scared the heck out of you, made you laugh out loud or brought a tear to your eye? How happy were you when your friends had finally seen the movie and, at last, you were able to share your feelings about the ending, hoping there will be a sequel while confidently proclaiming that it was the best movie ever made? 

Now, just for the fun of it, think back to the last wedding reception you attended. What memories  did you enthusiastically share with your friends the next day? Did you tell them how exciting it was when the wedding party and Bride and Groom were introduced? Did you share the romance and sense of awe you experienced during the newlywed’s first dance or how touched you were when the Bride danced with her father? Did you talk about the incredible fun you had and about all of the wonderful moments that took place that you had never experienced at a wedding reception, but were an undeniable reflection of everything you had come to know about the Bride and Groom? Did you share how disappointed you were that the evening had to end and how you hope to be invited to another wedding reception that is just as much fun? Do you still remember it as the best wedding reception…ever?        

In all likelihood, few people will ever talk about a wedding reception in the manner described above. Why? Because even though those moments may have occured, they weren’t presented in a manner that made anyone want to pay attention. The good news is, there are creative ways to ensure that guests are solely focused on what is important, the Bride and Groom and their celebration! 

There’s no reason why a wedding can’t be just as exciting, engaging and memorable to guests as an Academy Award winning film is to an audience. I’ve been involved in more than a few of those kinds of celebrations. All it takes is a little imagination, a willingness to create an extraordinary celebration and an appreciation for the entertainment process that talented experts of the big screen have been practicing for over a hundred years. 

Take the definitions of the 3 act structure for films and translate it into a wedding reception. 

Act 1 is still the “set-up” and begins the moment guests arrive. It’s where the Bride and Groom’s “story” or event opens and the guests are introduced to the characters, situations, backdrop, locale, etc. It is where interest is created and where the guests will discover the basis of the storyline provided and ponder where it may take them. What takes place in Act 1 acts as the “hook” or the reason for the guests to genuinely care and try to anticipate what excitement lies ahead rather than looking for excuses to leave early. 

Act 2 is of greater importance and the very foundation of the celebration. It is at that point where the guests should feel intrigued and where they are fed more and more entertaining information that leads to  a higher level of interest and encourages their imagination, for at least a few minutes, to push the outside world aside. For a wedding celebration, this act presents the core moments and where guests are invited to participate on a number of emotional levels and the love, romance and joy of the formalities play out.

Act 3 is of greatest importance. Here is where a wedding reception comes to a climax and hands the guests the pay-off they’ve been anticipating…the opportunity to party with the newlyweds and dance the night away! The inventive tools used to create the essential moments are what entice the breathtaking, jaw dropping, happy sensations that seamlessly guide family and friends to a plausible, memorable and all too soon finale.  

Over time I’ll fill in some of the blanks that will bring couples closer to producing an award worthy wedding celebration. I’ll provide a number of imaginative and innovative ideas to help Brides & Grooms create their “hook,” develop a storyline that engages the guests and produce a foundation for a wedding celebration that will take home the honors in all categories! 

In the meantime, enjoy the 82nd annual Academy Awards on Sunday, March 14th, 2010. I hope your favorite movie wins!

Suggested reading: “The Best Wedding Reception…Ever!” by Peter Merry. Your guide to creating an unforgettably fun wedding reception and available at amazon.com.

Creating An Academy Award Winning Wedding Ceremony & Reception.

In Part I of this article we looked at a Bride & Groom’s attendants, family, friends and the wedding professionals they have acquired and compared the value of their participation in creating an extraordinary wedding ceremony and reception to the contribution a cast and crew makes to the success of an Academy Award winning film. There are definite similarities between the 2.

A great movie, of course, is made up of more than just talented actors and actresses and technical wizards, it also contains an emotionally engaging and compelling storyline. Without it, audiences would head for the doors way before the closing credits rolled. Why? Because the characters weren’t interesting or believable and a connection was never made between the viewer and what was taking place on screen. In other words, there was no persuasive reason to invest the time in watching beyond the first 10 minutes.

The same can be said about a Kansas City wedding reception. If the guests are not made to feel connected emotionally early in the event, they have no reason to stay beyond the meal. Think about the last wedding reception you attended. What is your greatest memory of that event? If you can’t come up with one by the time you’ve reached the end of this sentence, odds are there wasn’t a persuasive reason for you to hang around other than the free alcohol. For some couples, perhaps that’s enough. But for others on the most important day of their lives, the thought that their guests are spending more time looking at their watches instead of enjoying themselves, is extremely disappointing.

In order to understand how a Bride & Groom can take a lesson from legendary filmmakers to create an unforgettably fun wedding reception, we must first explore how an Academy caliber movie is able to engage an audience through the story telling process. 

Screenplays, much like live theatre and yes, even Kansas City wedding receptions, have 3, very distinct acts. 

Act 1 is the “set-up” or where the story opens and the characters, situations, backdrop, locale, etc. are introduced to the audience. It is where interest is created and where the audience will discover the basis of the storyline and ponder where it may take them. What takes place in Act 1 acts as the “hook” or the reason for the audience to care about the characters and try to anticipate what will happen next rather than looking for the closest exit. 

Act 2 is of greater importance and the very foundation of the story. It is at that point where the audience should feel intrigued and where they are fed more and more information that leads to a higher level of interest and encourages their imagination, for at least a few minutes, to push reality to the side. Most screenplays add all possible dramatic or comedic value to the plot in this act, which defines it as the core part of the script.   

Act 3 is of greatest importance because this is where the story comes to a climax and gives the audience the pay-off they’ve been anticipating. The tools implemented to create this obligatory moment are what entice the breathtaking, jaw dropping, arm rest grabbing, belly laughing sensations that seamlessly guide the viewer to a plausible and memorable finale.  

In Part III of this article, we’ll look at how the 3 act structure of an Academy Award winning film translates to an award worthy wedding celebration that will amaze a Bride & Groom’s guests for years to come.

Creating An Academy Award Winning Wedding Ceremony & Reception.

With the 82nd annual Academy Awards coming up this Sunday, March 7, 2010, I thought it might be fun to look at how the most unique and personal Kansas City Wedding Receptions have many of the same elements of entertainment and technical assistance as an Oscar winning film. And, couples will be happy to know that they don’t need the budget of James Cameron’s “Avatar” to put their wedding reception in contention as the greatest event of the year.

First, consider that a movie is made with the assistance of a production crew that includes writers, producers, directors, set designers, stage hands, make-up artists and costume designers, cameramen, cinematographers, composers, musicians and a slew of other technically gifted individuals.

A wedding ceremony and reception is created with many of the same talented specialists but with different titles. A Kansas City wedding ceremony and reception production team might include a wedding consultant and a wedding planner as the director(s). The set-designer would be the florist, decorator, up lighting tech,  linen suppliers, etc. The stage hands are the service staff provided by a venue or caterer. Make-up artists would fill much the same role as in a movie but the costume designer is replaced by the bridal gown designer, retailer and seamstress. And then there are the photographer and videographer that take on the cameraman & cinematographer responsibilities with the harpist, string quartet, DJ or band acting as the orchestra to form the soundtrack of a wedding ceremony and celebration.  Depending on the Bride & Groom, they may also be the producers (providing the financial resources) or share producer responsibilities with their parents.

Of course every movie is shot in a location that adds the ideal, visual backdrop to the story, similar to wedding ceremonies and receptions that take place in a location where the site’s intricate beauty or simplicity best fits the needs, personality and style of the newlyweds.

What motion picture would be worthy of Hollywood’s most coveted prize without the outstanding and memorable performances of it’s lead actors, supporting cast and extras? Obviously, the Bride and Groom are the stars with a supporting cast that includes the bridal party, the parents and grandparents, the guest book and gift table attendants, ushers, flower girl & ring bearer, just to name a few. But unlike a movie, where the audience is nothing more than an observer, at a wedding reception the audience, or rather family and friends, are invited to be much more interactive and would fill a dual role that includes that of ”extras.”

It’s important to note that most Academy Award winning films are rarely nominated, or win, in just one category. That fact speaks to the unprecedented commitment of every participant, at every level in the making of a film to create an unforgettable entertainment experience that is emotionally captivating and that makes a powerful impact that influences the “Oscar buzz.” 

The same is true of couples that want an Academy Award quality wedding ceremony and reception. Everyone involved must come together with a singular purpose…to create extraordinary memories through a storyline and presentation that engages it’s audience with laughter, love and excitement, all to produce an “award winning,” wedding day celebration and inspire a lifelong “buzz” all of its own.

But the comparison doesn’t end here. For more, come back for “Part II” of this article!

Attention Chicago Wedding Professionals! “The 3 Keys To Disney’s Success and Your Wedding/DJ Business” is coming to the Chicago chapter of the American Disc Jockey Association.

When: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. 

Where: Doubletree Hotel, 2111 Buutterfield Rd.,  Downer’s Grove, IL 60515  

Description:

Walt Disney World is the #1 vacation destination in the world with over 45 million annual visitors…70% are return guests. It can be said with certainty that Disney knows the secret of making their guests happy.

Join Ron Ruth, owner of Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment in Kansas City, Wedding Entertainment Director™ and self-professed “Disney Geek” as he shares the details behind Disney’s 3 keys to achieving quality customer service at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, each essential in maintaining the parks’ reputations for being “The Happiest Place On Earth.” 

Ron will show you how the Walt Disney corporation became the standard bearer of excellence, utilizing the important elements of Courtesy, Efficiency and Show. You’ll also learn the secrets to Disney’s brand, a 55 year tradition for providing park guests with unexpected magic and exceeding expectations.  

And, with a little imagination, you’ll walk in Walt Disney’s shoes and discover how you can incorporate these same, highly touted customer service elements into your Wedding/DJ business…distinguishing your company as the leader in innovation, entertainment excellence and exceptional client satisfaction.

All Chicago area Wedding Professionals are invited to this fun and valuable presentation. For additional details and registration, please visit the Chicagoland ADJA web site!

Getting Your Gifts Home!

Yesterday morning, I had the pleasure of spending a few minutes with Francie Feinberg, Director of Catering at the Doubletree Hotel in Overland Park, KS. We got together to talk about Overland Park wedding receptions we share in common but somewhere along the way, our conversation turned to items that sometimes get left behind at the end of a wedding reception.

Although it is not uncommon for me to find an abandoned bow tie or camera sitting on a table after the guests have headed home, Francie pointed out a number of wedding reception mementos that are often forgotten at the end of a long evening of partying. She went on to  explain how she reminds couples in advance of their event of  the importance to have someone assigned the task of collecting these valuables at the conclusion of their wedding reception.  

Just as a groomsman or a father may have been assigned the duty of returning all rental tuxedos, the most efficient way to make certain that no bow tie gets left behind is for Brides and Grooms to prearrange the responsibility of a “room sweep” at the end of the evening with a family member, friend or the venue’s staff. And, it would be a great help for those chosen to have a check list from which to work. If the venue is to be responsible, a check list is of greater value to be sure that valuable items do not, inadvertently, get thrown out.  

It’s not only a good idea for the Bride and Groom to know who will be gathering the items on the list, it would also be helpful to predetermine where all of those items will go.  (i.e.: parent’s home, hotel room, friend’s house, etc.)

What follows are 25 of the most common items that Kansas City Brides & Grooms will want to include on their list.

The Obvious:

• The Gifts
• Leftover cake & the top tier of the wedding cake (often frozen until the first anniversary)

Note: Some venues will hold the leftover cake in their refrigerator overnight. Still, somebody needs to be responsible for picking it up the next day to avoid it being thrown out.

Items the Bride & Groom or Family May Have Provided:

• Bride & Groom’s Champagne flutes
• Cake knife
• Cake topper
• Leftover party favors
• Centerpieces / Candles
• Disposable cameras
• Monogrammed cocktail napkins
• Floral arrangements brought from the church
• Guest book
• Personal and/or Engagement photos
• Specialty linen

Often Overlooked Items Found On, Under or Around The Head Table:

• Bride’s veil
• Bride’s dress shoes
• Tuxedo parts (jacket, suspenders, cuff links, button studs, shoes)
• Bride’s and/or Bridesmaid’s bouquets
• Purses
• Cell phones
• Cameras

Miscellaneous “Lost & Found” Items Left By Guests and Found On or Around Dining Tables:

• Overcoats
• Purses
• Cell Phones
• Cameras
• Suit / Sports Jackets

One final, very important note to add, make certain to look under the gift and cake tables for items that may have been stored there. And, look under the head table for items that may have been accidently left behind.

Additional items that you think should be included in the above list are welcomed in the comment section below.

Rodney Cortes and Stacy Bolf celebrate their recent engagement at Super Bowl XLIV in Miami, Fla.

Good Morning America announced the winner of “The GMA Extreme Proposal Challenge” this morning. It’s a nice story that ends with the Groom, Rodney Cortes,  surprising his Bride, Stacy Bolf, with a proposal at a Super Bowl party.

Although congratulations is due the happy couple and as memorable a moment as it may have been for them (which is all that really mattters), I’m not sure, in the scheme of a National contest that touts the word “Extreme,” that this one hits that mark.

What do you think? What is the greatest or most “extreme” proposal of marriage story you’ve heard? Maybe it’s your own!

via Good Morning America Weekend’s Extreme Proposal Challenge – ABC News.

Right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.

Their invitation read: “Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.” And on that Valentine’s Day, 2009, Craig & Kelli Morford began their journey to a lifetime of happily ever after when they exchanged vows at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel.

Guests perform a Broadway tune on thier way to the buffet.

Craig & Kelli’s wedding celebration was an incredibly happy event, three years in the making from the day they met on April 15, 2006. It was attended by over 100 of their closest friends and family, a vast majority from out of town. And, although their evening was a memorable affair with a number of very personal touches and emotional surprises, there are 3, personal favorites of mine that stand out as unforgettably fun moments. These are also great ideas that any Bride and Groom can adapt to their own Kansas City wedding reception.

Kelli is a local actress with a love for Broadway style musicals. Each dining table was “themed” after her favorites and those in which she had performed a role, including “Oklahoma!,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “West Side Story,” to name a few. When the guests heard a familiar song played from their table’s musical, they knew it was their invitation to make their way to the buffet. 

An extraordinarily entertaining first dance.

It was so much fun to see a great many friends and family entertain Craig & Kelli by breaking into song, impromptu dance routines and a little over-acting as they headed off to fill their plates. It was a far more enjoyable way of getting everyone through the buffet, without long lines. And, it created a tremendous amount of laughter.   

After dinner and at the conclusion of their unique “Love Story,” Craig & Kelli amazed their guests with an extraordinarily entertaining first dance, creatively choreographed to Michael Bublé’s “That’s All.” It was beautifully done and every eye in the room was focused on them. Who would have thought that Craig, a computer programmer, could be so light and nimble on his feet? 

Finally, as a tasty and amusing tribute to their vows, Craig & Kelli provided a late evening treat of fresh baked pretzels. Next to the delightful delicacies was a clever sign that read “We Tied The Knot!” 

The pretzels were such a fun idea; I now suggest them as an affordable and witty alternative to the traditional wedding cake. 

Fresh baked pretzels to celebrate tying the knot!

Thank you once again, Craig & Kelli, for inviting me to act as your Wedding Entertainment Director. On behalf of Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment and Cornerstone Photography, congratulations on your 1 year anniversary! 

May the happy memories of your very special day remain vivid for many years to come.

Happy Anniversary Craig & Kelli!

8 Steps To Contracting Kansas City Wedding Professionals

It’s safe to say that almost all of us could share an experience we’ve had with a contractor we’ve hired or product we’ve purchased that did not perform as promised. For the most part, we learn from those occurrences and vow never to let it happen again.

Truthfully, however, we also know that more times than not, had we been a bit more diligent in the first place, these unpleasant incidents could have been avoided. If we had only asked more questions, inquired deeper, been more specific as to what we wanted, actually checked references and read the small print contained in the contract or guarantee.

It is human nature for the vast majority of us to be trusting individuals. We want to be able to place faith in others that have displayed a propensity for being honest and forthright. But, sometimes good intentions can go terribly awry.

Couples planning their Kansas City wedding can often get caught up in the joy and excitement of  the occasion. But, with the number of Wedding Professionals they will contract for their special day, they also become, in essence, the CEO of a small business. Although difficult, it is important to separate emotion from the business decisions that will need to be made. 

Over 99.999% of Wedding Professionals are genuinely committed to assuring that your expectations are exceeded. Unfortunately, there is that very minute segment that operate more like a Vegas casino with only one purpose in mind…to take your money. The reality is that they can exist because they are able to take advantage of unsuspecting Brides and Grooms.

Here are 8, simple steps to help you contract the best Wedding Professional for your wedding and avoid disappointment. (Note: Be sure to add your own, wedding planning experiences in the comments section below.) 

1. ) Always arrange a time to meet, personally, with the Wedding Professionals that most interest you to discuss your day before signing a contract. Make certain that you’ve also met with the individual that will be assigned to your event  and require that a guarantee, ensuring their “participation,” is written into the agreement, even if it is the owner of the company.

2. ) Be cautious of any vendor that begins the conversation by telling you what they do before asking what you want. As you get into the planning stage of your wedding, you may find that their expertise is limited and they are unable to “deliver” in areas that are important to you.

3.) Beyond the request to see samples of previous work and posing the typical questions of “How long have you been in business?” and “Are you insured?”, ask questions that will bring out the skill level of the Wedding Professional. Ask about their most successful wedding and how they achieved it. But, also ask about their greatest wedding challenge or mistake and how they overcame it. 

4.) If a fresh approach to your wedding is important to you, inquire about any ongoing training or education the Wedding Professional pursues or has achieved and to what professional associations they belong. In short, think back to your last job interview and what was asked of you in regards to your education and accomplishments.      

5.) There’s no way you can predict every glitch, but consider what could go wrong and ask each Wedding Professional what they’ll do to prevent or respond to problems. As an example, if the DJ’s equipment should “crash,”  will he/she have back-up equipment readily available? If the photographer should become suddenly incapacitated,  do they have an equally skilled replacement that can take their place at a moment’s notice? Don’t over think it, just appreciate that Plan B can be just as relevant as Plan A.  A true professional already does!

6.) Make sure you have a signed contract before writing a check for the retainer and make sure the contract addresses everything important to you, as well as the promises (especially “incentives”) offered by the vendor. Although you only get one shot at your wedding day and no amount of restitution can ever fully repair any “damage” caused, a contract is your only remedy in case something goes wrong.

7.) Besides insisting on a binding contract, always ask for a list of the Wedding Professional’s former clients. With so much information available on the internet, the step of speaking to references has become a lost art. Remember that anyone can say anything they want about a business on-line, rants and raves, while protected by the cloak of anonymity. In other words, don’t believe everything you read. 

8.) When you contact past clients, go beyond the standard “were you happy” questions. Ask them things like, “What did they do to make you happy?” “Is there anything that could have been better or that you would have liked done differently?” And, “How quickly did they respond  to your questions & needs?”

In general, do your “homework” just as you would (or should) do for any major investment you have made or will make in your life. It may take a bit longer, but the end result will be much more enjoyable.

Your comments, questions and experiences welcome!

The Coach's Guide To Wedding Planning

I’m always intrigued by new books that come out about weddings, especially wedding planning. I’m sometimes amused that too often the authors of many, so called, self-help wedding planning books have a.) never planned a wedding themselves, b.) haven’t planned a wedding in years or c.) have only worked with couples that have exorbitant wedding budgets that most Brides and Grooms could never consider.  

 So, a few weeks back, while surfing the web, I stumbled across a new book titled “The Coach’s Guide to Wedding Planning” written by Lisa L Spahr.  There were 2 things about this particular book that caught my interest.

 First, Ms. Spahr is a newlywed living in Pittsburgh, PA, having married this past May, 2009. So, her book is written from the perspective of someone that has recently “lived” the wedding planning process. Second, she is a Master’s level psychologist and life coach, which means she helps individuals who want to live a better life. I was curious how the latter would translate into helpful information that Brides could use as they plan for their special day.

According to Ms. Spahr, “I loved the (wedding planning) experience! It was enjoyable, stress free and a dream come true. My skills as a coach helped to make the planning and wedding overall so enjoyable and rich.”

 When “The Coach’s Guide to Wedding Planning” arrived at my office (autographed, no less), I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was not the size of an epic novel, filled with a ton of “they done me wrong” horror stories about Wedding Professionals or a typical, ”because I did it this way, it must be the only way” approach to enjoying the ideal wedding celebration. 

In fact, Ms. Spahr has put together a very concise, 41 page, 14 easy step, outline that any Bride can use to aid them in enjoying the wedding planning process. And, even as a guy, I noticed that it is written in a very calming “voice,” as if she planted subliminal messages throughout that say “It’s OK. Everything is going to be fine. Really.”

From establishing priorities, selecting your vendors, who to invite and who not to invite (one of my favorite sections) to delegating responsibilities, taking time to relax and avoiding drama, Ms. Spahr has captured the realities that every REAL Bride experiences. And, she’s done it in a way that is easy to read and follow. She’s even sprinkled in a few suggestions and anecdotes from other newlyweds that can also be quite helpful to anyone planning a wedding, especially Brides with a limited budget or those that just don’t want to break the bank before they say “I do!”.    

 ”The Coach’s Guide to Wedding Planning” can be read in one sitting, so even Grooms will like it…especially if it is strategically placed in one particular room in the house. And, you might be able to fool him into thinking it’s a book about bowling since the cover photo (the only choice that the author made that I question) depicts Ms. Spahr bowling  in a wedding dress.  

In the end, I think the author’s note on the back cover sums up my review quite eloquently: “The process can be stress-filled or blissful–it’s your choice. If you opt for blissful, ‘The Coach’s Guide to Wedding Planning’ is for you.”   For what it’s worth, I’d have to agree!

 To learn more about the book, visit  ”The Coach’s Guide to Wedding Planning” blog.

To purchase “The Coach’s Guide to Wedding Planning”  ($10.95 + shipping), visit the Spahr Consulting bookstore.