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!

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!

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!