A Step Above the Same Old!

As you may already know, Something New Entertainment is more than just a DJ, and we do much more than just play music.  We are always striving to find new and exciting ways to add value to our services to make your overall wedding experience even more magical, including tasteful Master of Ceremonies (MC) duties, dance floor and party lighting, multimedia presentations, and more.  I wrote to you last week about our latest addition and improvements for custom monogram projection and included some sample photographs of the different methods from other sources.  Today, I'm going to walk you through the pros and cons of each kind of lighted monogram projection and share some of our own photographs.

We had the opportunity to play around with our newest toys for our lighted monogram projection services during Giavonna's Banquet Hall's March Bridal Tour this past Saturday in on Munroe Falls Avenue in Cuyahoga Falls!  We have three great projection methods to choose from, including glass gobos in monochrome or color, steel gobos, and digital projection.  Here's a look at each of those projection methods and how they compare, as well as some photos to inspire you!  As always, design services for any method of projection are complimentary.  We'll incorporate your wedding colors, theme, and even the fonts you used on your wedding stationary!

STEEL GOBO PROJECTION

Steel gobos are small metal discs custom-cut to your design and used as a lens to direct the beam of light from a a high-powered theatrical lighting instrument.

Steel gobo projection on a dance floor

Steel gobo design

Design for a one-color glass gobo

One-color glass gobo projection on a dance floor

Glass gobos provide the same crisp, bright, easy-to-read projection image, with greater design latitude to your image, and the ability to incorporate colors into your design -- as much and as many as you like!

Two-color glass gobo design

Two-color glass gobo projection on a dance floor

Whereas steel gobos require a tabbed design and can cast only a single-color projection, glass gobos are available in monochrome or multi-colored designs, and offer an improvement above the more common steel gobos by allowing free-formed design not restricted by tabs.  Glass gobos are also more durable than steel gobos, so if you're thinking of using the gobo, again, at an anniversary party in the future, etc., choose glass.  Brides and grooms using steel gobos using glass gobo projection will also be offered their custom glass gobo as a unique keepsake!

DIGITAL PROJECTION

Like glass gobos, digital projection offers a nearly limitless amount of colors, but unlike either gobo projection method, digital projection does not require the costly production of a custom steel or glass disc and is inherently more inexpensive.

Digital projection on a dance floor

Digital projection design

Digital projection also offers the ability to scroll between multiple images, but it is not as high-powered as the traditional methods and some designs may be more difficult to read on darker surfaces.

MORE FUN IDEAS

After your first dance, you can choose to keep the projection on the dance floor, or, move it to the wall or ceiling!

Steel gobo projection on a wall

For more information about Something New Entertainment's projection services, contact DJ AJ9 via e-mail or phone at 330-253-2900.

We had a great time at the Bridal Tour at Giavonna's Catering and Banquet Hall yesterday afternoon spinning some tunes, meeting some happy couples, and having an opportunity to taste Chef Frank Espositio's spectacular authentic Italian fare.  This warm, intimate venue would be especially great for smaller weddings in the 150 guests and under range, but could comfortably seat as many as 180.

Giavonna's had their 740 Munroe Falls Avenue in Cuyahoga Falls banquet hall set up formally with several different (example) colors of linens displayed -- including purple, lavender, pink, and red.  They also included some of their in-stock Eiffel tower vase centerpieces on mirrors to the table dressings, leaving a very clean, open, and uncluttered feel -- an advantage especially if you have additional items you want to incorporate into your table settings, such as placecards, table numbers, favors, etc.

The decor of their hall is also neutral enough to accommodate many themes easily.  We are currently working with a a bride planning a Halloween wedding at this location (think "fun kids/family party" in green, orange, and purple), and though many venues have too strong of background decor to accommodate this kind of theme, we think it's going to be particularly fantastic at Giavonna's.  Plus, check out their cool little adjoining lounge:

We also had the opportunity to spend some time browsing the beautiful Beadtini Boutique collection of necklaces, earrings, and more.  You might already recognize one of their Swarovski crystal necklaces; it was featured on the cover of last Spring's Today's Bride Magazine.

Beadtini Boutique offers beads and beading supplies, beading and bead-making classes, and a great workspace, as well as pre-made and custom-made beaded jewelry.  They do "Girl's Night Out" parties, bridesmaids' gifts, bridal jewelry, or even gorgeous adornments for your bouquet!  Jennie, one of the owners, told me that one bride created bouquet adornments for her wedding day, and then after the wedding, made memory jewelry out of them for her mother and mother-in-law.  What a great gift idea!

They carry a wide variety of beads -- glass, as well as Swarovski crystals, semi-precious stones, and freshwater pearls.  You can DIY or HTDIFY -- that's "Have Them Do It For You" -- either way, you'll get a unique piece made to suit your style.

Driving towards Giavonna's we saw two GIANT stretch Cadillac Escalade limousines.  We were kind of wondering who was in them and where in the WORLD they would be going at 10:30 AM on a Sunday -- then we noticed them turning into the parking lot in front of us!  These beauties are available through Accurate Limousines, and will definitely turn some heads!

Now -- I know what you may be thinking: "I thought your blog was partially dedicated to GREEN ideas, AJ9!  Is an SUV limo really GREEN?"  Well, the answer is: maybe!  Chew on this:  SUV limos get between 9 and 17 MPG, and while that may not seem like much, consider that the limo's passenger capacity is four to six times that of your car.  Translation: if it's just you and your groom all by your lonesome in the back of that big ol' limo, probably not so green, but put your whole bridal party in there, and you may actually be saving some emissions!

Here's the math: you and your groom each have four attendants. Likely, you're looking at at least 5-6 cars you would be using to transport those 10 people.  Even at 40MPG in each of those 5-6 cars, you're effectively getting 7-8 MPG for the group, so the limo would actually be better that 5 hybrids.  It's something to think about -- plus you've get free champagne upon request and a designated driver.

For those of you who were not able to make it down to Giavonna's yesterday -- check out their all-you-can-eat pasta, salad, and breadsticks deal Wednesday evenings from 5:00PM - 7:00 PM for only seven bucks ($7).  We'll definitely be down there this week!  Yum!