From ABC’s Good Morning America (09/05/10): Tips on how to have the wedding of your dreams on a budget.

Create Advance Excitement For Your Kansas City Wedding Reception With A Save The Date Wedding Video.

At Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment, we have a tremendous respect and admiration for the imaginative spirit. We believe it is the primary ingredient to creating an unforgettably fun wedding celebration. Your imagination is the greatest tool you have to enjoy the Kansas City wedding and wedding reception of your dreams.

But, you don’t have to wait until your Kansas City wedding and wedding reception to show off your innovative style. Create a festive tone, well in advance of your celebration, by sending your family and friends a Save The Date wedding video announcement for your big event!

Save The Date wedding videos are a fun surprise for your guests that can also add an element of excitement to your special day…long before it happens. And, you don’t have to be an expert at film making to put together a wedding, Save The Date video.

What follows are some of our favorite Save The Date wedding videos.

Some are a bit more elaborate than others. But, you can easily incorporate one or more of the best ideas from these videos to make your very own creative and unique, Save The Date video for your fun, Kansas City wedding and wedding reception.

The only limits are your imagination…and maybe your access to a video camera. But, if you can take a photograph, you can still produce a slide show, Save The Date wedding video that your friends & family will want to watch over and over, again.

No Video Camera? No Problem!
Gather up all of the favorite, fun photos of you and your fiancè that you’ve stashed away on your hard drive throughout your relationship. Maybe take a few more pics with the 2 of you holding signs that give hints or lead the viewer to the finalè of your Save The Date, wedding slide show video.

Then, using a software program like Windows Movie Maker or Apple’s iMovie, add the pictures, along with transitions, text and music, to create a personalized, Save The Date wedding video slideshow.

Lights! Camera! Action!
Create an entire “screenplay” that highlights important points in your relationship then capture it all on video!

Let your imagination run wild.

The following example of a Save The Date wedding video is so creative and unique, with so many hits on You Tube that the couple (getting married in just a few weeks) was interviewed on the CBS Early Show.

Here’s the full length version of their “blockbuster,” Save The Date wedding video. Don’t let the “production value” scare you off. There’s more, less “explosive” Save The Date wedding videos to follow.

“Just ‘Roll ‘Em!’”
This Save The Date wedding video makes you wonder if it was scripted or if the couple improvised. It’s so “natural” that people that don’t even know these 2 will want to send them a waffle maker as a wedding gift! And, it’s pretty simple to create.

“Be Kind. Rewind!”
If you like cake, you’re going to love this incredibly fun, Save The Date wedding video. The best part…there’s no mess to clean up at the end of the shoot.

“String Them Along!”
Admittedly, this very short and sweet, stop-motion Save The Date wedding video is so well done that it looks really easy to produce. Our guess, however, is that you’ll need to invest a little bit of time in finding some magical string. Once you do, you’ll probably discover a creative side to yourself that you never knew you had.  The only way you’ll know for sure is to grab your camera and get started.

Words really can’t describe our final, favorite, Save The Date wedding video. It’s safe to say, however, that this couple had fun injecting their individual personalities and style into the final product. We don’t know for sure but we can surmise that their family and friends were probably amazed by the video but not totally suprised by the couple’s performance. It’s an excellent example of incorporating  the most recognizable things about “you” into your Save The Date wedding video to make it fun, entertaining and extraordinarily memorable.

Well, that does it for our favorite Save The Date wedding videos thus far. We’ll post others as they become available that you may find inspiring in creating one of your own for your Kansas City wedding and wedding reception . In the meantime, visit You Tube and check out all of the creative and imaginative Save The Date wedding videos that couples have posted. We were particularly amused by a number of Lego, stop-action videos…like this one!

If you’ve created a Save The Date wedding video for your Kansas City wedding and wedding reception , we’d love to see it! Email a copy to ron@ronruthweddings.com or post a link in the “comments” section.

HOW TO CREATE AN UNFORGETTABLY FUN CELEBRATION!
In 2007, my friend and fellow Wedding Entertainment Director™, Peter Merry, released his self-published book, ”The Best Wedding Reception…Ever!,” the first wedding planning book for Brides and Grooms who want their guests to enjoy an unforgettably fun celebration.

Since its initial release, ”The Best Wedding Reception…Ever!” has received outstanding reviews and extraordinary media coverage , while over 10,000 Brides and Grooms purchased the book to assist them with their once-in-a-lifetime wedding receptions. It also became a must-have reference for countless wedding DJs and other wedding professionals across the country.

MAKING THE “BEST” BETTER!
Peter Merry has now updated “The Best Wedding Reception…Ever!,” adding even more valuable information. ”The Best Wedding Reception…Ever!” features 230 creative ideas for planning a wedding reception celebration that will be filled with laughter and dancing and memorable moments that flow smoothly from one moment to the next.

COMING TO A BOOKSTORE NEAR YOU!
The good news is that it will be possible for nearlyweds to find this incredible resource at bookstores everywhere, beginning October 12, 2010! If you just can’t wait, you can pre-order “The Best Wedding Reception…Ever!” on the Barnes & Noble and Borders Bookstores’ web sites. 

Peter Merry, Author.

PETER MERRY IS COMING TO KANSAS CITY!
But, here’s the best news…ever! You can snag a copy of “The Best Wedding Reception…Ever!“ before it goes on sale to the general public when Peter Merry comes to Kansas City for a series of personal appearances and a very special, “Sneak Preview Release.” You can catch Peter at a number of speaking engagements throughout the metro, from Wednesday, September 15th, through Sunday, September 19th…including the Perfect Wedding Guide Fall 2010 Bridal Show in Overland Park, KS.

CHECK OUT PETER’S BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE.
A short list of Peter Merry’s appearances has been listed in the “Events” section of the Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment Facebook page. Become a fan by “Liking” our page and we’ll keep you posted as to where and when you can see Peter and get your inaugural, signed copy of ”The Best Wedding Reception…Ever!“

Get Your Signed Copy At The PWG Fall 2010 Bridal Show

“The Best Wedding Reception Ever!” also has 101 full color images submitted by 32 highly talented professional wedding photographers…along with 22 real couple profile pages showcasing each couple’s uniquely personalized reception agenda and music selections.

GET A TASTE OF WHAT’S INSIDE!  
These are the Chapter Titles for “The Best Wedding Reception Ever!“…the first wedding planning book for brides and grooms who want their guests to enjoy an unforgettably fun celebration.

Chapter Titles for “The Best Wedding Reception Ever!” from The Best Wedding Reception Ever! on Vimeo.

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/

I wanted the premier article for the new, “Grooms Only” category of the Ron Ruth Wedding Entertainment blog to be informative, fun and to speak candidly to every guy that’s getting married. I’m so glad I stumbled upon our first ever, guest blogger to make that happen. 

“How To Handle THAT Guy At Your Wedding!” by Simon Daykin of The Gutsy Groom.

Throughout the history of weddings there has always been that one guy…the guy who sets up camp at the bar and then does really stupid stuff. He thinks it’s hilarious, but it’s really not. He may steal the mic, try to heckle the speech makers or get too “friendly” with the female guests, bridesmaids or hotel staff. It’s usually a touchy subject on how to handle this type of a fellow so I thought I’d impart some insight to the issue. No, it doesn’t involve large men, big sticks and bruises. But it needs to be addressed and I’m gonna address it! Rule number one…the Groom is NEVER involved, and a wise man once said…”Be nice…until it’s time not to be nice.”

A Planner Can Do More Than Plan

I can’t tell you how many people I have been asked to “cut off” at the bar! I don’t like doing it, but sometimes it needs to be done. Also, most wedding planners don’t come with a guy on staff. Luckily, www.fireflyoccasions.com usually does. If you find yourself having to deal with THAT guy at your wedding, you (as the Groom) never get involved! Your first plan of attack is to go to your planner, let them know what is going on and have them deal with it. This way, you don’t get dragged into the problem, especially if it’s a family member or close friend. This way the planner is the bad guy and your family Christmas dinner will be free of “hey, remember when you cut me off at your wedding…you little wanker” comments. Planners know how to deal with these issues and to be honest, it’s your day, you need to enjoy it and this will not be fun for you in any way shape or form.

You’re Paying Them, So Use Them

The hotel staff is there to help you! So if you don’t have a planner (shame on you) head over to the nearest hotel staff and let them know the deal. It can be the server at your table or you can ask the server to send over the banquet manager. Fill them in on the details and tell them what you want to be done. Don’t leave any room for error. You can ask them to “keep an eye” on the person, or just cut them off. If they are going to cut them off, I suggest having a couple (depending on the size of the guest) of staff at the bar when the barkeep tells the guest the sad, sad news. Things may get heated, but the staff will know what to do. If the guests comes to you after the fact. Tell your guests that the hotel has rules and they were just following them. Again, this shifts any blame AWAY from you and all is well with the world.

When All Else Fails, Call In The Groomsmen

This one can be a bit dodgy so play it by ear and know that I say this as a last resort. Usually coz the groomsmen have also been drinking and may know this guy so it can be tough. But in tough times, you need tough men. You can still have the barkeep cut the guest off, but send the groomsmen over to help escort that guest out of the area. Make sure they get up to their room and let the staff and groomsmen know to keep an eye out for them should they return. If they do see that guest again, head over to the hotel staff, don’t let the groomsmen handle it, unless you trust them! Tell them to be nice…the last thing you need is a “scene” at your wedding. I heard of a wedding were Granny got tasered…seriously, true story!!! And that is not what you want.

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

Everyone loves the sweet nectar, and weddings seem to be a free for all when it comes to drinking, that one event when you can go balls to the wall. Well, not so! Guests need to be respectful of you and your Bride. Sure, get wasted and have a nap at a table if you need to, but don’t go overboard and make an ass of yourself. They are still a guest and should behave like this is your home.

Whoever is dealing with this issue needs to know that violence is NOT an option. Even if the guest takes a swing, be nice!!! Bring enough back up that they won’t even consider getting all UFC. Again, be nice, calmly explain that the hotel has decided to stop serving them, they can stay but they will have to stop drinking. I have done weddings with private security, regular security and I have been the security at a few and always, always we have been nice and calm. If you can, have your guys explain to them why they are being removed while they walk them to the door, then close the door!

So back to rule numero uno…as a Groom, NEVER, EVER get involved. I mean NEVER!!! Take care of it, yes, but never address the guest in person. This is your day and you don’t need that s**t. You have people there that can take care of it for you. Dance with your Bride, talk to your friends and have someone else deal with THAT guy.

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.