Do This- Reception Lighting

‘Do This’ is a biweekly blog series created to be a super quick read, highlighting awesome wedding ideas that you may want to incorporate into your own event!  Got an idea for our Do This readers?  Email me at mmcclainphoto@gmail.com with your idea! 

For modern weddings, lighting is key to carve out a unique reception space.  I’m loving the trends on creating a gorgeous and romantic venue for both guests and kick ass photos.  Here’s our top three loves for the season:

1. Carnival/ Marquee Lights– Seriously.. your dance floor could be this kick ass with these letters.  Also great at your head table or cake table! Find them locally with Klock Entertainment.
2. Lots of Candlelight– Nothing is more romantic than candlelight, especially at your wedding.  Check out Cudge.net for some of the cheapest candle options around or contact Shumaker PDT who created this gorgeous set up.
3. Bulb Lighting– Bulbs are hot on the wedding trend scene this year with Edison, glass, or jar lighting topping the charts, especially in those rustic or shabby chic venues. You can find these babies anywhere from Target to Etsy, or hire a company like Stray Productions to set the mood.

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Do This- Creative Cake Toppers

‘Do This’ is a biweekly blog series created to be a super quick read, highlighting awesome wedding ideas that you may want to incorporate into your own event!  Got an idea for our Do This readers?  Email me at mmcclainphoto@gmail.com with your idea! 

Gosh.. remember attending weddings as a kid and not only were the dresses standard with puffed sleeves, but the same ol’ generic cake topper was on every cake.  Bride and Groom, standing there atop a cake or if you were at a fancy wedding, Bride Groom and bridal party on a separated tier cake.  Gag!

Cake toppers have been getting more and more creative and lately, we’re in love with the monogram style twist!  Sure you can go, Mr & Mrs, Mr & Mr, or Mrs and Mrs but who wouldn’t love a “Turn Down For What” cake topper?  P.s. these photograph fantastically as shown in Julie and AJ’s wedding topper!

Gotta have it?

–Turn Down For What Topper– Host and Toast Studio Etsy Shop

–Better Together– Leanne Madeline Etsy Shop

–Game Over– Bridesmaid Gift Hanger Etsy Shop

Do This- Unfancy Food

‘Do This’ is a biweekly blog series created to be a super quick read, highlighting awesome wedding ideas that you may want to incorporate into your own event!  Got an idea for our Do This readers?  Email me at mmcclainphoto@gmail.com with your idea! 

Jason and I were talking over dinner the other night how damn tasty “normal dinner” food is compared to some over the top wedding meals.  We were guilty of it too, having sea bass and chicken as our meal options with tasty sides, all in way too much butter of course, at our wedding in 2008.  Although delicious, some good ol’ fashion BBQ (or Pig Pickin’ as we’ve learned from one of our favorite couples a few years ago), kick ass pizza, or bitchin’ tacos would also be well loved by guests just as much as the expensive fancy dinner.  What do you think.. should wedding food always be fancy or more appointed to fan favorite dinners?

 

Do This- Donuts!

‘Do This’ is a biweekly blog series created to be a super quick read, highlighting awesome wedding ideas that you may want to incorporate into your own event!  Got an idea for our Do This readers?  Email me at mmcclainphoto@gmail.com with your idea! 

This might be because Fat Tuesday or Fastnacht Day as we Pennsylvania Dutch call it, is coming up on February 9th, but damn I hope to see some donuts at weddings this year! Donuts are actually making way to wedding dessert tables, sometimes replacing the cake all together (no boohoos here).   If you missed our previous post on food trucks, these two trends could be combined as some mobile snack shacks are pushing out piping hot, fresh doughy goodness.  Where to get some delicious and unhealthy fried pastries?  Check out PA Bakery, Desserts Etc, or Pronio’s Market.

Photo Cred: Jaye Kogut Photography

Photo Cred: Daniel Cruz

Photo Cred: Troy Grover

Photo Cred: Cami Takes Photos

Do This- Guest Entertainment

‘Do This’ is a biweekly blog series created to be a super quick read, highlighting awesome wedding ideas that you may want to incorporate into your own event!  Got an idea for our Do This readers?  Email me at mmcclainphoto@gmail.com with your idea! 

Wedding planning is definitely about the couple coming together in marriage, however a huge amount of expense is paid towards guest entertainment.  From the meal to the music to the favors, each couple thinks of how guests will enjoy his/her celebration. Some simple ideas to further guest involvement and enjoyment:

-Photo or Video Booth.  In planning many are choosing a photo booth, however the video booth is a HOT new trend and a ton of fun for guests to create candid memories.  Check out Klock Entertainment for video and unique photo booth options!

-Outdoor Games. Adult size Jenga, Corn-hole (which sounds so dirty), Badminton, or Croquet are all great games for guests to play throughout the night without gaining a beast mode sweat

-Literary Fun.  MadLibs are always fun and a great test to knowing your noun, adverbs, and adjectives.  Crosswords, cribbage, chess or other board games are also great for some after dinner throw downs.

-Kid-centric items. Face painting, Play-doh, or other creative measures are stellar ideas to keep kiddos entertained and parents relaxed.  Many also choose to hire a designated baby sitter for the night (which sounds so sexy as parents of a one year old;-).

What are your favorite guest entertainment ideas?

Do This- Food Trucks!

‘Do This’ is a biweekly blog series created to be a super quick read, highlighting awesome wedding ideas that you may want to incorporate into your own event!  Got an idea for our Do This readers?  Email me at mmcclainphoto@gmail.com with your idea! 

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As we move into 2016 I’m thrilled to bring new and unique ideas to our readers in our Do This series.  Rather than a weekly Friday post, Do This will be published every two weeks and we’re aiming to feature MORE local vendors we love and trust!

Long gone are the days of “roach coaches” as today’s food truck vendors are hip, gourmet, and damn tasty!  From a kick ass grilled cheese to good old fashion ice cream, food trucks are going to be super popular in the wedding industry.  Think late night grub or hot coffee for those cooler months when planning additional amenities for your guests.

 

Here’s some of our favorites:

Soul Burrito

Lancaster County Coffee Roasters

MAD Sandwiches

Lancaster Cupcake

Naters Taters

 

Do This- Comfy Lounge Seating

Do This is a weekly blog series created to be a super quick read, highlighting awesome wedding ideas that you may want to incorporate into your own event!  Got an idea for our Do This readers?  Email me at mmcclainphoto@gmail.com with your idea! 

Reception seating is constantly evolving, with the past few years seeing a huge spike in more comfortable, lounge like seating.  Some venues may offer additional seating options or you can rent great furniture from places such as Swoon Vintage Rental or talk with your DJ to see if this is an add on offering. Freeze Entertainment  creates amazing seating areas for their clients and aims to customize to fit your theme or colors.

(Thanks to Ray and Elena from Freeze Entertainment for some of their lounge layouts shown below)

Do This-Tattoo Booth

Do This is a weekly blog series created to be a super quick read, highlighting awesome wedding ideas that you may want to incorporate into your own event!  Got an idea for our Do This readers?  Email me at mmcclainphoto@gmail.com with your idea! 

I can’t tell anymore if photo booths are still hot or starting to dissipate, but one step higher on the coolness scale has to be the Tattoo Booth.  Borrowed from the wonderful Offbeat Bride Blog, this wedding couple (photo cred- Tino and Pip) offered guests the choice of 10 fun temp tattoos to wear for the night.

 

Do This- Metallics

2016 is going to be filled pastels according to Pantone. My thought- we’re still in love with the warm hues of metallic color trend, especially in the gold spectrum.  Bring some metallic inspiration into your day by going for bridal party dresses, linens, or metallic centerpieces (centerpieces designed by C&J Catering [top] and Splints & Daisies [bottom].

 

Pros To Know- Klock Entertainment

Pros To Know is an ongoing blog series featuring the best of Central PA wedding vendors!  See his/her perspective on emerging and popular trends, tips on wedding planning, and what they love outside of the wedding industry.

Klock Entertainment is one of Central PA’s leading entertainment options, implementing the latest in technology, multi-media, music, and talent.  This group of highly trained entertainers specialize in providing a unique, memorable, and individual experience for your special event.  Klock Entertainment continues to win Couples Choice and The Best of the Knot awards year after year!

1. What makes Klock Entertainment Unique?

What makes Klock Entertainment unique is the dynamic in talent bundled with us being a full-time engine and licensed business.  With these two things, it allows us to properly produce and execute our couples’ wants, loves, and needs for their special event.  Another thing that makes us unique is our staff who work with their heart and work events because they love doing it.  Everyone I hire and including myself has a true passion for helping our clients maximize the celebration of life’s moments. 

2. What are the popular entertainment (and/or design) choices 2015 couples are making?

In 2015 we are seeing many couples create an elegant light package that can still progress with the energy of the event.  Instead of just place some up lights around their venue space, we are working with couples to create a programmed lighting experience to help enhance their special moments such as first dance, parents dances, and opening the dance floor after dinner.  The term used for this is “Programmable Intelligent Lighting”.  We are also seeing many of couples choose to pin light certain objects in their venue space such as their cake, picture table, or dessert table. Up Lighting is still extremely popular and can completely enhance any space.  We are finding it is becoming more what we can do with the Up Lighting or Programming of other types of lighting, which is what truly adds a proper design for each individual reception space. 

3. What is your best piece of advice for couples on the hunt for the perfect wedding DJ?

The best piece of advice is to make sure you like the person you’re hiring.  I know that may sound silly, but regardless if they are a DJ, Photographer, etc.  you have to spend time with that vendor during very important moments of your life.  Additionally, I highly recommend going with somebody who is operating a licensed business.  Whether they are a solo-opp or Multi-Opp that doesn’t matter as much as them being able to prove legitimacy through a strong track record, reviews, and longevity.  Our Event Specialist and Full Time DJ, Nick Fortini has recently written this blog on choosing the right DJ for your needs.

4. Outside of the entertainment industry, what brings you the most happiness?

When I’m not working for Klock Entertainment or working an event, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Jess and our twins Avalyn & Elijah (who just turned two).  We also have a third on the way due around Christmas!  I also try to spend an hour a day or so doing some sort of personal fitness to keep the mind cleansed and fueled for the next opportunity life may bring!

Where can people find you online?

Website: www.klockentertainment.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/klockentertainment
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KlockEnt
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/klockentertainment