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!”

"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.

Kansas City NACE Meeting Attendees (from left to right):

Oscar Perdroza (Oscar Pedroza Studios), Wade Nelson* (Complete Music), Lon Lane (Inspired Occasions KC), Deborah Nichols (Intercontinental Hotel KC-Plaza), Marc O’Leary (Marc O’Leary Weddings), Sarah Mentzer (Intercontinental Hotel KC -Plaza), Sharon Miller* (Hallbrook Country Club), Steve Weaver (Celebration Party Rentals), Brandy Thorton* (Marriott Hotel – Overland Park), Tricia Clement* (Agenda Kansas City), Jenny Hagey* (Marriott Hotel – Overland Park), Bryan Young (Catering Plus), Pex Kotz (Marriott  Hotel – Downtown Kansas City), Patti Gehring (Signature Weddings), Doug Partridge (Classic Catering), Ron Ruth (Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment), Lisa McMachen* (Marriott Hotel – KC Airport).    

* = Kansas City NACE Chapter Board Member

Attending a Kansas City NACE meeting is always fun, interesting and educational. Lon Lane, President/Owner of Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions KC, was the keynote speaker and gave an informative presentation on transforming simple pleasures into exciting and memorable events. 

Lon Lane, President/Owner, Lon Lane's Inspired Occasions KC

And, of course, another great reason to attend a Kansas City NACE Chapter meeting…the food!!!!

The Overland Park Marriott Hotel Served Delicious Hors D'oeuvres...

...Delectable Sweets...

...Scrumptious Desserts...

...And More Irresistable Goodies!

Work For A Win-Win Solution

Imagine, you’re a couple planning your wedding, and you’re looking for the perfect wedding professionals that match your style, have great experience and referrals, and are within your budget.

Let’s say you’ve come across a professional that fits the first two criteria and you absolutely LOVE their work. You’re also certain that they can meet your every need and you think they are just the coolest person(s) ever!

Aaaand then they share their fees for their services…and, unfortunately, they are out of your budget. What do you do?

Many Brides and Grooms I speak with will take an “oh well” attitude and move on. They keep searching, but that one perfect, wedding pro keeps popping into their heads. As they shop, they compare all others to that one awesome individual and it becomes increasingly apparent that no on else will do.

So, here’s a thought.

Instead of giving up on your perfect choice and, perhaps, settling on second best, you do have a couple of options! Which option you choose will depend on just how far that vendor is out of your budget.

My first bit of advice is to contact them and explain what it is, specifically, that you love about their service, but don’t be afraid to let them know that you just don’t have quite that much to spend.

If your budget and their pricing are hundreds or maybe thousands of dollars apart, ask for a referral! As a wedding professional, myself, owner of Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment in Kansas City, MO, I’d always prefer to find a way to work with couples that really want to work with me. But, I can also point you in the direction of someone that has a similar style that you might like just as much, will meet your needs, but is in your price range. And, you can still be confident that they will perform in a professional manner and do a great job.

Another possibility is that the vendor may offer associate services. They may have an assistant or associate that has been trained by them, works in a similar style, but is more affordable.

I have an associate Entertainment Director (her name is Carrie…she’s super awesome…but more about her another day) that has worked many, many wedding receptions with me. Most importantly, I am completely confident in her ability to plan, direct, entertain and exceed expectations at wedding celebrations. There are times that she’s a much better fit for a couple on a tight budget.

You may also find some wedding professionals, like me, that will try to work with your budget! If there is only a small discrepancy between what you have to spend and the fee, let them know what part of their services you love, that you really want to hire them and ask if there’s any room for negotiation. My mama taught me that it never hurts to ask! They may be willing to work with you a bit. But, be prepared to bend your budget a bit for them, too.

Personally, I want nothing more than to assist couples that truly appreciate my work.

Let’s say, regardless of the company, the DJ entertainment package you want is $500 more than what you have budgeted. Depending on the popularity of the date of your wedding, you should not be afraid to ask if there may be a reasonable, “middle ground” that is mutually agreeable. They bend, you bend and you both win. Keep in mind, however, that it is not fair (or nice) to ask any wedding professional to negotiate if you are not willing to make concessions, as well.

Another possibility is to consider the importance of each item you want to include in your wedding reception and the impact (and expense) that those amenities will have on creating lasting memories. In other words, in what areas might you scale back a bit that most of your guests will not really notice, let alone remember?

As an example, I am a DJ that is also a certified, Wedding Entertainment Director. I offer, literally, dozens of creative options. Some can be quite time consuming to prepare for in order to provide a quality performance. How much you may invest in my services depends greatly on all of the options you may want to include in your wedding celebration and the amount of time that must be dedicated to helping you realize your dream. Perhaps you can do without 1 or 2 to make my services more affordable to you.

Important Note: You’ll have a better shot with negotiating if your wedding is during the off season (November – March) or on a day other than Saturday.

One word of caution, Only enter into negotiations if you really, truly LOVE the vendor’s work and you REALLY…REALLY want to hire them for your wedding. If they simply have no room to negotiate, don’t take it personally.  Like you, wedding professionals have budgets they must meet, expenses they must pay and depend on their salaries for their livelihood.

If all else fails, just go back to “Plan A” and ask for that referral! Either way, you’ll benefit.

The original inspiration for this post came from a blog article written by Kristen Kaplan, a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants and owner of Simply Stunning Events in Nashville, TN. I appreciate her permission to borrow from the essence of her article, “Vendor Pricing & Negotiation,” to create this post.

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!

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.

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.

You’re Invited To:

You're Invited To "The Magic Behind An Extraordinary Wedding Celebration!"

Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment presents an entertaining and informative workshop for EVERY Kansas City Bride & Groom that wants their wedding reception to be unique, personal and fun!

Registration proceeds to benefit Wish Upon a Wedding, enriching lives by granting wedding and civil union ceremony wishes to terminally ill individuals at locations throughout the United States.

No matter your budget, you can enjoy the wedding reception of your dreams. Popular, Kansas City Wedding Entertainment Director™, Ron Ruth, will share the tips, tricks and secrets of how you can use…

…Detailed Planning

…Personal Touches

…Emotional Surprises

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

When: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 / 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Hilton Garden Inn Hotel / 19677 E. Jackson Dr / Independence, MO 64057

Cost : $5.00 (Proceeds benefit Wish Upon A Wedding)
Grooms Admitted FREE With Their Bride!
Advance Registration Only!

Additional Information and Registration Here!

Ron Ruth is a certified, Wedding Entertainment Director™, owner of Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment and has authored and presented a number of seminars and workshops designed to assist Brides and Grooms enjoy extraordinarily fun wedding celebrations. Ron has also been a featured speaker at regional DJ conferences and local, professional associations.

WeddingWire.com Brides Choice Award 2010

WeddingWire.com Brides Choice Award 2010 Winner

Kansas City, MO – January, 20, 2010

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for exceptional, Kansas City Wedding Reception DJ Entertainment. The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment is among the very best Wedding Reception DJs in Kansas City and within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds

Thank you to the many Brides and Grooms that placed their trust in my service and performance, for sharing their experience with others and for nominating me for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables engaged couples to search, compare and book over 100,000 reviewed wedding vendors nationwide, from wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. In addition, WeddingWire has partnered with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) to provide its network of local vendors and online wedding-planning tools in the Weddings section of www.MarthaStewartWeddings.com. For additional information, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.