“Groomology” is a book every Groom should not only read, but keep with him as a reference throughout the wedding planning process. It’s an entertaining look at serious ways Grooms-to-be can be active participants in the planning while helping their Brides-to-be avoid so much unneeded stress.  

As a guide to “what every (smart) Groom needs to know before the wedding,” it’s filled with extremely helpful and useful information. Plus, did I mention, it’s entertaining!

Like the Grooms that have borrowed the book from me, most engaged guys will enjoy the rather quick read. One of its unique selling points is that it is written from another guy’s perspective. You won’t be hearing Martha Stewart or any other so-called, female wedding expert in your head as you get into the meat of information that is sure to win you accolades from your Bride for years to come. 

The author, Michael Essany,was the host of  “The Michael Essany Show” on E! Entertainment Television. As a recent groom himself, Essany saw the need for an intelligent guide that would help the couple plan their wedding together.

“Groomology” Contents:

Let “Groomology” show you how becoming a partner in the wedding process can make the whole event more enjoyable, meaningful, and memorable. Time and time again, soon-to-be husbands only tackle what the bride-to-be has told them to do. “Groomology” outlines these traditional Groom’s duties but goes a step further to instruct Grooms in the art of getting involved.

Grooms Will Learn The Best Strategies For A Happy Bride Including: Being Sensitive To the Bride’s Needs and Worries. Taking Over Tasks the Bride Doesn’t Want. Understanding How Much Work Goes Into It All. Reducing Her Stress. Giving an Opinion. Letting Go of an Opinion. Being Creative. The One Thing He Needs to Do…(More “Groomology” contents). 

For more information about “Groomology,” including excerpts from the book, visit the listing on Amazon. Then…buy the book! You AND your Bride will be glad you did!

The Overland Park Marriott
Proudly Presents:

An Entertaining Workshop For Every Bride & Groom!

Please Attend As Our Guest:
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
from
6:00pm-8:00pm

At the
Overland Park Marriott (Map)
Grand Pavilion

Admission: FREE

You and your guests will have the opportunity to meet Ron Ruth, owner of Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment and one of the most sought after Wedding Entertainment Directors™ in the Midwest.

Ron will share his helpful tips, creative ideas and insider’s secrets of using…

to design and create an extraordinarily fun wedding celebration
that your family and friends will rave about for years to come.

To RSVP please contact Christina Cook, Catering Sales Executive, at 913.338.8626
or Christina.Cook@marriott.com.

Come and experience The Overland Park Marriott’s Chef’s culinary delights and discuss your
Wedding Reception, Rehearsal Dinner, Bridal Shower, or Luncheon with a Marriott Certified Wedding Planner. Prepare to be inspired by the striking, contemporary design
that now embodies the Overland Park Marriott.

To RSVP please contact Christina Cook, Catering Sales Executive, at 913.338.8626
or Christina.Cook@marriott.com.

Recently Added: Exciting news from the Mojica Photography blog. Loraine Mojica McCall writes: “I will be there as well, and will give all attendees a free digital portrait after the workshop. Even if you think you’ve already planned everything for your wedding, it will be worth your while, plus you’ll get a free professional portrait for your FB profile.”

Love it or hate it, the “Money Dance” remains a popular custom at wedding receptions throughout the Midwest. In the Kansas City area, the “Money Dance” is also referred to as the “Dollar Dance” or “Honeymoon Dance.” No matter how it’s named, however, it ultimately means that guests, who wish to dance with the Bride and Groom, at a specifically designated moment in the reception, must “pay” for the privilege.

Very few Brides and Grooms are ever “on the fence” when it comes to choosing to include the “Money Dance” in their wedding reception. Many couples decide very early on in the planning process that it is a “cheesy and tacky” formality and adamantly rule it out without hesitation or regret. The “Honeymoon Dance” simply does not fit their personality and style and that’s OK.

But, there are also couples that enthusiastically look forward to the opportunity to spend a few, personal moments with their guests on the dance floor while, at the same time, graciously accepting the generosity of their family and friends to help them with their honeymoon expenses.

At Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment, we assist with the “Dollar Dance” at about 50% of the weddings where we perform. And, those couples that have chosen to embrace the tradition have held their receptions in every conceivable venue from modest halls to lavish hotel and country club ballrooms.

The custom of the “Money Dance” was originated in America in the early 1900’s by the European immigrants who wanted to assure that the young couple had a few extra dollars to get them started on their future together. It has endured in certain areas of the United States, while many other regions are less familiar with the tradition.

Along the upper east coast, some believe that the custom of a “Dollar Dance” has its direct roots in both the Italian and Polish heritages, two groups of people who appreciate a good time and love traditions.

The aim of this article is not to convince anyone to include the, “Money Dance,” “Dollar Dance” or “Honeymoon Dance” in their reception…like that would even be possible. But, if you’ve already made up your mind that you wish to make it a part of the festivities, here are a few things you should know. 

Here in the central Midwest, a successful “Money Dance” (not just in dollars and cents) relies on 3 key factors; timing, presentation and time allotment.

TIMING: If you plan to have a “Dollar Dance” at your reception, it should be a part of the natural flow of events. We suggest that it be held after the traditional, dancing formalities but before the bouquet and garter toss. All of your guests, particularly older family members who will surely want to participate, will still be in attendance. And, few, if any, of your guests will have had so much to drink that you have to hold them up while they step on your toes. Plus, your photographer will still be on hand during the “Honeymoon Dance” to capture those special photos of you with your closest friends and family.

PRESENTATION: A talented Wedding Entertainment Director™ or highly experienced Kansas City wedding DJ can help you find extremely creative, engaging and entertaining ways to introduce the “Money Dance” into the planned activities of your reception. Make sure to ask him/her to share those ideas with you if you want your “Dollar Dance” to be just as much fun and memorable as the rest of your reception. If presented properly, your guests will not only be anxious to dance with the 2 of you, they will “pay” handsomely for the pleasure.

TIME ALLOTMENT: You’ll also want the “Money Dance” to move along at a pace that allows you enough time to thank your dancing partner for coming to your reception without the conversation turning into a long and drawn out exchange. A dance with each new partner should only last about 20-30 seconds. Overall, we suggest that the “Dollar Dance” take no longer than about 15 minutes to complete to keep other guests from getting bored.

The background accompaniment to a “Honeymoon Dance” is usually a series of back-to-back slow songs, played at low volume levels to allow you to comfortably converse with each guest while dancing.

The Best Man & Maid/Matron of Honor are generally given the responsibility of collecting the money for the Bride and Groom. The minimum donation for the “Money Dance,” of course, is one dollar, although larger denominations are routinely contributed.

Regardless, those guests who join in the “Dollar Dance” are happy to be able to share a dance with the newlyweds on their wedding day.

“Fun Wedding Reception Ideas” By Guest Blogger & Friend…Tamara Sims.

Planning a wedding can be challenging for many Brides so it is important not to lose sight of the fun and creativity when planning your big day.  Here are a few fun wedding ideas that I hope will bring out your “playful” side during the planning process:

Did your Ceremony take place on the Beach? Why not have your DJ create a custom cocktail hour complete with exotic drinks and Island Music to really put your guests in the mood. You can even incorporate shells and sand in your centerpieces along with your favorite flowers.  And don’t forget to show your destination wedding video to your guests at your reception.

Do you love the city? The next time you are downtown, bring your camera and take fun photos at your favorite spots throughout the city. The photos can be used to name your tables at your reception…how fun would it be to have your guests seated at the Navy Pier Table (complete with a photo of the two of you on the Ferris Wheel) or the Wrigley Field Table (with a photo of the two of you sharing a hot dog)…the possibilities are endless.

Are you a Foodie? Sit down with your caterer to create a menu that reflects some of your favorite cuisine.  What about a sushi station or taco bar during cocktail hour?  Or maybe the chef can recreate a dish from your favorite restaurant to share with your guests.  Or perhaps you have a sweet tooth like me!  Try something interactive like a Crepe Station, Make your own Blizzard Station, or Chocolate Risotto Station prepared on site by the Chef.  You are only limited by your imagination!

Share your ”playful” wedding reception idea with the world in the comment section below!

Tamara Sims is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Something 2 Dance 2 DJ Entertainment in Chicago, IL, which she proudly owns along with her husband and Wedding Entertainment Director, Jay Sims.  She has over 20 years experience in the wedding industry and loves to create wonderful wedding memories for her Brides & Grooms.  To learn more creative wedding ideas, please visit Tamara’s Blog:  http://www.something2dance2.com/blog/

The Wedding Industry Networking Group (WING) Presents:

“Disney’s 3 Keys To Success
and Your Wedding Business”

Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 
at 6:00 p.m.

Lawrence Masonic Center (Map)
1301 E 25th St., Lawrence , KS

Admission: FREE To ALL Wedding Professionals
No Pre-Registration Required!

 Would you like to know how your wedding business can experience the same level of customer loyalty and unparalleled success as the Walt Disney Corporation, the leader in business excellence?

 Walt Disney World is the #1 vacation destination in the world with over 45 million annual visitors…70% are return guests. There’s no denying that Disney set the standard for making guests happy. That’s why hundreds of corporations from around the world and from every conceivable industry invest heavily into learning and emulating the Disney way. 

Join Ron Ruth, owner of Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment in Kansas City, Wedding Entertainment Director™ and self-professed “Disney Geek” as he presents “Disney’s 3 Keys To Success & Your Wedding Business.”  Ron will share some of the details behind the components Disney utilizes to assure   the delivery of quality guest care at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. These keys are not only essential to Disney’s 55 years of success in the theme park industry, they are the cornerstone to their reputations as “The Happiest Place On Earth.”

You’ll learn how the Walt Disney Corporation became the standard bearer of excellence in creating happiness for their guests by utilizing the essential service elements of Courtesy, Efficiency and Show. You’ll also hear a few of the secrets to Disney’s long standing 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 business…distinguishing your company as the leader in innovation, exceptional client satisfaction and business excellence.

From Peter Merkle , President of Chicago Chapter of the ADJA -
“You want to find out what makes Disney so successful? You want to see how these success principles apply to your business?

Ron Ruth puts it all together. He shows you the reasons why Disney maintains their status. He shows you best practices that work for Disney (and makes it interactive!). All throughout Ron Ruth makes it informative and entertaining for you.

He puts people in the seats and keeps them there all throughout the presentation.

I highly recommend Ron Ruth for an engaging, well thought out and well presented topic.

“To all who come to this happy place, welcome …” And to all who come to this happy presentation, you will be welcome. It’s a must see!”

Jay & Laura Hackett were married on Saturday, June 19, 2010. They celebrated their happiness at the Ball Conference Center in south Olathe, KS with 250 family and friends.

Jay & Laura Hackett - June 19, 2010

Kansas City Wedding DJ and certified, Wedding Entertainment Director™, Ron Ruth, was invited to serve as Master of Ceremonies and provided the entertainment and music for the celebration.

Ball Conference Center - Olathe, KS

Jay's Groom's Cake. What a hotdog!

Jay & Laura wanted a wedding reception that would be fun, personal and memorable for everyone. They were not disappointed.

To kick off the festivities, the 12 members of the wedding party entered the ballroom to specially selected, upbeat music that Jay & Laura chose for each couple. The guests were then treated to a fun, personalized introduction that included a story about each attendant. Those signature intro’s created a ton of laughter and the first of many incredible memories of the night.

After dinner, Jay & Laura kept the excitement and laughter going, participating as contestants in a very special version of the “Newlywed Game,” where the guests provided the questions. It was a hoot!

And, there’s no way that those in attendance will ever forget the telling of Jay & Laura’s “Love Story.” It was just one of many highlights of the evening. But, there was no topping Jay & Laura’s extremely romantic and unforgettable first dance to “Lucky” performed by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat.

The guests had so much fun with the activities and formalities that Jay & Laura selected, that they stayed late into the evening to party with the newlyweds.   

In the end, Jay & Laura’s “amazing” wedding reception can best be summarized in their own words.

"The Crossfader Show"

Ron Ruth will be the featured guest on “The Crossfader Show” on Monday, July 5, 2010 at 2:00pm (CDT). Watch the live video stream @ http://tinyurl.com/269cola. No log in or registration required.

If you’re a wedding industry professional, join show host, Jose Heredia, as he interviews Ron about his fun & engaging presentation, “Disney’s 3 Keys To Success & Your Wedding Business.”

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.

Ron Ruth, owner of Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment in Kansas City, Wedding Entertainment Director™ and self-professed “Disney Geek” will share the details of Disney’s 3 keys to 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 discuss how the Walt Disney corporation became the standard bearer of excellence, utilizing the important elements of Courtesy, Efficiency and Show. He’ll also fill you in on a few of the secrets to Disney’s 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 business…distinguishing your company as the leader in innovation, excellence and exceptional client satisfaction.

Stay up to date with “The Crossfader Show” by “liking” their page at http://www.facebook.com/TheCrossfaderShow or visit “The Crossfader Show” web site.

The magic of a Disney fairy tale always begins with a “Once upon a time” moment that leads to a “Happily ever after” ending…even when it’s least expected!

Days before their marriage, a couple finds an old family vacation photo from Disney World with both of them in it.

Read more on the Disney blog.

Matt & Rachel Fowler celebrated their happiness with over 200 friends and family on Saturday, June 5, 2010, at Drexel Hall in Kansas City, MO. Kansas City Wedding DJ and certified, Wedding Entertainment Director™, Ron Ruth, was invited to act as Master of Ceremonies and also provided the entertainment and music for the celebration.

Matt & Rachel Fowler Celebrate Their Happiness!

Matt & Rachel’s “Love Story,” just one of the fun activities they chose to include, began 25 years ago when they, both, attended the same grade school, then middle school, high school and, oh yeah, the same college. Throughout those many years, they remained nothing more than casual friends. Fate & destiny did not realize a possible connection for the newlyweds until their high school’s 10 year class reunion in 2007.

Just 18 months later, Matt & Rachel were engaged! He proposed to her by one of the fountains on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City on New Years Eve, 2008.

At the conclusion of the personalized wedding party introductions, which included lots of fun information about each attendant, Matt’s father offered a toast that was, well…you would have had to been there to fully appreciate.

Matt & Rachel selected hot pink and black as their colors. Instead of the traditional wedding cake, they served yummy, dessert shots to their guests.

Matt & Rachel’s first dance as husband and wife was to ”The Luckiest” by Ben Folds.

In the end, everyone had an unforgettably fun time and Matt & Rachel were extremely happy. How happy? Check out the video below.

You can celebrate your happiness with an extraordinarily entertaining and memorable reception, too! Contact Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment at ron@ronruthweddings.com or 816-224-4487 for a personal, no-obligation, entertainment consultation. We’ll share the rest of what Matt & Rachel had to say about their wedding reception and tell you more about some of the other, fun activities they chose to include in their one-of-a-kind wedding reception.