In our industry, it’s impossible to execute an incredible event without the help of other dynamic vendors. In our Vendor Features, we learn more about the people who we love to work with event after event, and year after year. Next up is Mark McCool, Event Specialist at Talamore Country Club.
Mark McCool has been in the events and entertainment industry for 32 years, and has spent those years as an Event Specialist at Talamore Country Club. Talamore is located in Ambler, PA, and has always looked to be on the cutting edge. For larger functions, they offer the Conservatory Ballroom, which features a two-story Mezzanine Ballroom with a Grand Staircase, 30-foot waterfall, and a 1500 square foot marble dance floor with seating for up to 350 guests!
For smaller events, Talamore’s Magnolia Room features vaulted and cathedral ceilings, and accommodates up to 150 guests. They also offer the Monet Garden Room, which opens out onto their lush tropical gardens and flagstone patios with breathtaking views of the golf course and swan-appointed lakes. This climate-controlled space is perfect for your ceremony or cocktail hour.
I was able to sit down with Mark to ask him a few questions… check it out!
What makes Talamore Country Club stand out next to companies like it?
We’re ALWAYS striving to be better.
Favorite Wedding Month?
May
Favorite Spot in Philadelphia?
Constitution Center
Favorite thing to do in Philadelphia?
Base Jumping
What is your Best Advice for Potential Clients?
Ask what will make your partner really really happy
Do you play any instruments?
Guitar!
What wedding trends are you loving?
Food Trucks
What wedding trends are you ready to see go away?
Karaoke with bad singers
What motivates you to work hard?
Achievement
What is your zodiac sign?
Taurus
Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
I am ambidextrous
What is your go-to at karaoke?
Don’t Stop Me Now
If you could join any past or present music group, which would you want to join?
The Who
What is your favorite thing in your career?
Watching the bride walk down the aisle
Let’s see some of your work!
Want to stay up-to-date on Event and Bridal Trends? Learn about Vendors We Love? New EBE Products?
You know you want a live band, but which one do you choose?! Your Entertainment Representative will walk you through all of your options, but here are the questions you should be prepared to answer:
What is the venue and date of your event?
How old are you and your fiance?
What is the age range of the guests?
How many guests are you anticipating?
Is there a price range you have in mind for the entertainment?
What type of music do you like/not like, and what do you think your guests would like?
Think about the entertainment at the weddings that you’ve enjoyed attending – What stood out about them?
Based on your answers and availability, your options will be narrowed down to a handful of bands… now it’s time to watch them perform! We’ve highlighted a few details about each band below with photos and video, and they each perform at least twice a month at our Sound Stage Showcases. It’s important to remember that, while they each have their own unique vibes and specialties, each band is able to play any style and genre of music. They are also able to learn new songs, such as your first dance or parent dance.
Now, let’s dive into the bands!
EBE Fiji
5 pieces | led by Marcia Carpino
With over 25 combined years in the music industry, Fiji is an ensemble of exciting and versatile entertainers guaranteed to pack your dance floor. From party classics to the top hits of today, Fiji will keep your guests excited and engaged!
Vegas Experience is EBE’s first permanent DJ/Musician Hybrid. Combining the sounds of a saxophone, drums, guitar, and piano with a DJ, you and your guests will hear the music in a whole new way and will be dancing non stop!
To learn more about EBE Vegas Experience, head to their page!
EBE Love 77
7 pieces | led by Anita Ferriola
Love 77 is a high energy high-powered dance band capable of energizing an event from start to finish, non-stop. They grasp the nuance and subtle detail that is required for the sophisticated, world-class experience you deserve.
To learn more about EBE Love 77, head to their page!
EBE Sydney
8 pieces, including a saxophonist and DJ | led by Nick Centrella
Sydney elegantly offers a little something for everyone. Not only are all of the pieces in Sydney multi-talented instrumentalists and vocalists, but their musical repertoire ranges from classic tunes by Frank Sinatra and Marvin Gaye to current pop hits by artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift!
Whether you want Motown and R&B, classic rock and country, today’s top 40 hits or anything in between, Verona has you covered and then some! One of the hottest bands in Philly, Verona’s three singers bring their incredible musical energy to every performance and will get guests of all ages out of their seats and onto the dance floor!
10 pieces, including a saxophonist and violinist | led by Mike Wexler & Steve Cuffeld
With an all-star cast of hand-selected musicians, Amsterdam is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on you and your guests. Whether you love the sounds of a smooth saxophone solo, or a beautiful piano ballad, Amsterdam’s multi-talented musicians and fantastic vocalists will keep you and your guests dancing non stop!
To learn more about Amsterdam, head to their page!
EBE Imagine
10 pieces, including a saxophonist and DJ | led by Janine Diaz-Whitt
Imagine provides your event with a dynamic performance of Pop, Rock, Country, R&B, Motown, and dance party music from the ’60s to today’s club & Top 40 hits! Imagine’s catalog of songs includes everything from Frank Sinatra and Nina Simone up to Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift and beyond!
10 pieces, including a horn section | led by Kinyon Lanier
With a repertoire that stretches from classical music to blues and funk, Latin, and contemporary rock, EBE Barcelona has what it takes to get the party started at your wedding, commitment ceremony, bar or bat mitzvah, anniversary, Sweet 16, or other special occasion.
To learn more about Barcelona, head to their page!
EBE Pop Philly
10 pieces, including a horn section | led by Corey Bonser
An award winning band with a youthful edge powerhouse talent and exquisite musical taste make EBE Pop Philly a force to be reckoned with. Their musical style of current smash Top 40 Hits and old school classics like Motown 90’S and 80’S which is perfect for any music guru looking to make their wedding stand out!
To learn more about Pop Philly, head to their page!
EBE Monte Carlo
10 pieces, including a horn section | led by Brian Lizzi
Under the direction of Brian Lizzi, this nine piece band is the quintessential band for any special event. With more than two decades in the industry and well over 1,000 incredibly successful events behind him, Brian is well respected throughout the Philadelphia special events community.
To learn more about Monte Carlo, head to their page!
EBE Paris
10 pieces, including a violinist and horn section | led by Troy Knox
Featuring high-energy powerhouse vocalists, and world traveled musicians, EBE Paris is stacked with award-winning talent to make your wedding, corporate event, Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah unforgettable! Paris’ ability to perform all styles of music with poise and skill as well as energy and passion makes them a true powerhouse band.
11 pieces, including a horn section | led by Jonathan L. Harwood
From the first note to the last dance, you’ll see this band’s enthusiasm, feel the power of their music and realize how well they actually run a party. EBE Rio’s professionalism, talent, and attention to detail ensure that every event becomes a perfectly planned party.
11 pieces, including a horn section | led by LaMont Walker
Channeling a variety of acts from Gladys Knight, Frank Sinatra, and Tony Bennett to Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars and Nicki Minaj, EBE Milan 77 leaves a lasting impression on every guest at a Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, Wedding or Corporate Event in the greater Philadelphia area.
12 pieces, including a violinist and horn section | led by Erik Scattareggia
London Bridge features exceptional vocals, dynamic horns, a hot rhythm section, and a versatile repertoire – all packed into a passionate team of musicians who will impress your guests! London Bridge’s professionalism, talent and desire to make your event perfect ensure that your special day will be remembered for years to come.
To learn more about London Bridge, head to their page!
EBE Dreamtime
15 pieces, including a violinist and horn section | led by Tiffany Bryan
Dreamtime combines the latest Top 40 hits, timeless classics, and all music in between into a thrilling performance. Their bright and tight horns, world class rhythm section, and extraordinary singers come together to make Dreamtime not just a band, but an experience that must be heard to be believed!
To learn more about Dreamtime, head to their page!
EBE L.A. Starz
16 pieces, including a violinist and horn section | led by Anil Veeraraj
L.A. Starz is EBE’s epic powerhouse band! Backed by a slamming horn section, electric violin, and the most dynamic and powerful rhythm section in the area, L.A. Starz will make your party explode with energy! L.A. Starz is fronted by vocalists that has toured alongside Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas and more!
To learn more about L.A. Starz, head to their page!
No matter which band you choose, you truly cannot make a wrong decision.
Our Entertainment Representatives are ready and available to answer all of your questions and bring your dream wedding to life! To get started on choosing your entertainment, contact us today.
Your dance floor is packed, but your reception is coming to an end. How will you end the night?!
First and foremost, your EBE Bandleader or DJ is a pro at this. As trained experts on the “art of the party”, they’ll be able to read your crowd and play the perfect song to close out the greatest event of your life. If you want to decide ahead of time, here are our Top 20 most requested last dance songs this season.
Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
Last Dance – Donna Summer
Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now – Starship
(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life – Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes
With A Little Help From My Friends – Joe Cocker
Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks
American Girl – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker
Photo by We Are The Kruks
Photo by Brittany Raine
Photo by Tyler Boye
Did you use one of these songs for your last dance? Contact us today!
Want to learn more about our EBE Team Members? Vendors We Love? New Products?
We are passionately dedicated to great music, packed dance floors, and happily ever afters!
Over 20 years ago, we decided to create an incredible band that you couldn’t get anywhere else. A wedding band that was exciting, committed to the details, rehearsed diligently, and that truly understood the Art of the Party… so Dreamtime was born. We became the change that we wanted to see in the event music industry, and continued to create and produce EBE-exclusive live bands that furthered this vision. These bands would play nonstop through each and every event (even during dinner!) and break away from the confines of what a traditional wedding timeline “should” look like.
We wanted to get guests on the dance floor as soon as the doors open, rather than bringing them to their seats until dinner is over. We wanted to disperse the formalities with dance sets throughout the night to keep the party energy high. We wanted our clients and their guests to proclaim over and over again, “This is the best band ever!”
Now, here we are: 16 amazing bands, a dynamic group of MCs & DJs, a full-service event planning team, and a state of the art lighting and production division later. We took this format – this recipe for a truly incredible event – and applied it to every aspect of the event industry that we took on.
We are absolutely thrilled and honored when a client chooses us for their wedding or special event. Although we’ve planned, produced, and entertained for thousands of celebrations, we approach each one with fresh yet seasoned eyes. Our events are never simply “jobs”, they are investments in relationships. EBE takes great pride in the fact that our clients are repeat customers, a tribute to the quality of our service and performance.
Thanks to our outstanding clients and rave reviews, we have been awarded The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” from 2007-2020, WeddingWire’s “Couples’ Choice Awards” from 2009-2020, and are in The Knot’s “Hall of Fame”. We’ve been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, The Styled Bride, and MunaLuchi Bridal, as well as local publications such as Philadelphia Magazine, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Delaware/Main Line Brides, and others.
At the end of the day, our outstanding team has one cohesive goal in mind – to make every party, wedding, bar/bat mitzvah, corporate event, or special occasion everything that our clients imagined… and then exceed their expectations. We can truly say that we’re living the dream!
Meet The Team
Steve Meranus, ext. 101
Partner
Mike Gendler, ext. 102
Partner
Matt Ostroff, ext. 115
Entertainment Consultant
Jonathan Harwood, ext. 114
Entertainment Consultant
Joel Aaron, ext. 118
Entertainment Consultant
Ben Ostroff, ext. 106
Entertainment Consultant
Brian Lizzi, ext. 121
Entertainment Consultant
Joe Napoli, ext. 122
Director of Business Development
Tara Buchanan Glick, ext. 108
Director of Operations & Production
Steph Fitzpatrick, ext. 111
Talent Coordinator
Elaine Igoe, ext. 116
Entertainment Consultant/Event Planner
Nick D’Errico, ext. 117
Multimedia Department Director
Jae Heydet-Sosa, ext. 123
Social Media & Logistics Manager
Chris Michalski, ext. 133
Audio/Visual Director
Katrina Osnoe, ext. 119
Director of Client Relations
Jackie Tomaszewski, ext. 104
Front Desk
Joanne McBride, ext. 131
Event Coordinator
Have any questions about EBE that we can assist with? Contact us today!
Want to learn more about our EBE Team Members? Vendors We Love? New Products?
Your dance floor is packed, but your reception is coming to an end. How will you end the night?!
First and foremost, your EBE Bandleader or DJ is a pro at this. As trained experts on the “art of the party”, they’ll be able to read your crowd and play the perfect song to close out the greatest event of your life. If you want to decide ahead of time, here are our Top 20 most requested last dance songs this season.
Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
Closing Time – Semisonic
Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) – Whitney Houston
Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
Friends In Low Place – Garth Brooks
Shout – The Isley Brothers
American Girl – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Piano Man – Billy Joel
Africa – Toto
Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
All My Life – K-Ci & JoJo
The Way You Make Me Feel – Michael Jackson
How Deep Is Your Love – Calvin Harris, Disciples
Ho Hey – The Lumineers
Jump Around – House Of Pain
With A Little Help From My Friends – Joe Cocker
Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Let’s Go Crazy – Prince
Sharyn Frenkel Photo
Tessa Marie Images
Two17 Photo
Did you use one of these songs for your last dance? Contact us today!
Want to learn more about our EBE Team Members? Vendors We Love? New Products?
Your wedding ceremony has finished, and you’ve been pronounced married. As your guests enjoy cocktail hour, your wedding parties should be gearing up for their official entrance.
Entrances can be done a multitude of ways. Typically, the parents of the married couple will be introduced first, followed by the wedding parties. Wedding parties are oftentimes introduced in pairs with the Maid of Honor and Best Man as the last to be announced. Lastly, and most importantly, the newly married couple will be introduced… that’s you!
We asked our outstanding bandleaders which Entrance Songs will be the most popular in Fall 2019, check it out!
Grace + Ardor Co
Now That We Found Love – Heavy D & The Boyz
If it wasn’t clear before, it is now… What’s old is new again! This 1991 cover song by Heavy D & The Boyz is a high-energy crowd-pleaser – perfect to kick off the party of a lifetime.
You Make My Dreams – Daryl Hall & John Oates
This Pop Rock throwback reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1981, and is still a rockin’ hit! It’s just a bonus that it has Philly roots – Hall & Oates got together in Philly in 1970!
Colin Coleman Photography
Love On Top – Beyoncé
It’s no secret that Beyoncé is the queen of high-energy dance music. Start your dance party off with this well-loved song that’ll have everyone singing along.
Have a mostly older crowd? Mostly younger crowd? Mixed? This song hits the mark for all ages. Stevie Wonder’s smooth beats and memorable lyrics will definitely be a showstopper!
Tessa Marie Images
CAN’T STOP THE FEELING! – Justin Timberlake
This recent hit climbed the charts as soon as it was released, and it’s still bumpin’! Whether your guests mean to or not, they’ll be grooving along to the song as you’re debuted as a married couple.
You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
Who says you have to enter to a party song?! This catchy tune has been giving us the swoony feelings since 2008 and it’s not stopping anytime soon.
Photos by Todd
Something Just Like This – The Chainsmokers
Our most recently released track on this list, the Chainsmokers teach us that fairy-tales can come true. Start the evening off with this song to share your euphoric happiness with your guests.
Crazy In Love – Beyoncé & Jay Z
This track has been one of our top entrance songs for over a decade. If your band has a horn section, look no further for an entrance song – they will rock this!
Allison McCafferty Photography
My House – Flo Rida
Your guests came to party for you – they’re in your house! This song is sure to make it clear that the dance floor will be full all evening.
OMG – Usher feat. will.i.am
This 2010 throwback! As soon as your guests hear the first line, they’ll be ready to kick the party off. With a tune like this, invite your guests to join you on the dance floor!
Did you use one of these songs for your entrance? Contact us today!
Want to learn more about our EBE Team Members? Vendors We Love? New Products?
A bachelorette party is intended to create the ultimate send off for the bride-to-be’s unmarried life. Wedding planning is stressful and the bachelorette party is a great way to unwind before the big day. Before you plan this fun-filled event, check out these tips for planning a fun-filled bachelorette party with the bride-to-be.
The Guest List
Keep stress at bay by knowing who to invite and who to skip over when creating the bachelorette party guest list. Ladies who attend the bachelorette party should be invited to the wedding and also should be very close to the bride. Sit down with the bride-to-be and ask her who she would like invited to this pre-wedding celebration. If you’re planning a surprise party, do your best to pay attention to the people that the bride holds nearest and dearest to her heart.
Budget Appropriately
Although discussing money may seem a bit uncomfortable, it is a conversation that needs to be had pretty early into planning. Don’t max out your credit cards – discuss how the celebration will be paid for and who will be paying for it. Apps are available to help track spending such as Pro Party Planner or Travefy, and the budget details can be shared with multiple people. This makes it easy to ensure everyone involved with planning is on the same page.
Celebrate The Bride – Not You
The bachelorette party is to give the bride-to-be a send off celebration before she gets married. The event should be centered around her and the type of party that she would like to have. Be sure to have a conversation with the bride to find out what she would like to experience during her party. If you are planning a surprise, do some critical thinking and investigation to make sure it’s the most “her” celebration ever!
Keep The Drama Away
The last thing a bride wants to experience at her bachelorette party is unnecessary drama. The mood should remain happy and festive during the celebration, so keep personal issues aside to the bride’s sake. If something doesn’t go as planned, remain calm and resolve the issue accordingly.
Did these tips help you plan an incredible bachelorette party? If so, we would love to hear all about it!
Many couples these days are choosing to go on their honeymoon a few months after their wedding. Whether it be to catch the right vacation season, to take some time off to chill after the stressful planning, or any other reason – we support it!
That said, we do think that it’s important to take some time together after your nuptials, and there are a few romantic destinations within driving distance that we think you’ll love!
Block Island, Rhode Island
Located just south of Rhode Island and about a 6 hour drive from Philly, Block Island is a picturesque location that is perfect for celebrating a new marriage. With access only by ferry, Block Island is just far enough away to offer privacy and romance but close to the mainland. A gorgeous brick lighthouse that dates to the 1800s sits on the southeast shore atop dramatic cliffs. History buffs will love the oldest hotel on the island, The Spring House Hotel, which housed Ulysses S. Grant and Mark Twain. We recommend spending the day in the nature preserves or exploring the island via bicycle. Sunset cruises featuring wine and cheese are also available to celebrate your new life as newlyweds.
Erin McGinn Photography
Mohonk Mountain, New Paltz, New York
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive romantic locale within driving distance of Philly, Mohonk Mountain is just the place for you. A short two and a half hour drive outside of Philadelphia and just north of New York City, Mohonk Mountain delivers class, history, and fun to all of its guests. Enjoy access to 85 miles of hiking trails, the gorgeous lake on the property, golf and tennis courts, and stables. Kick it up by staying in one of the beautiful Victorian rooms that feature luxurious decor and wood burning fireplace.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
The largest city in the state of Virginia, Virginia Beach offers 14 miles of sandy beaches that are available for public use and free. Shoot down Interstate-95 and you will arrive in Virginia Beach in roughly 5 hours. Newlyweds can take a romantic bicycle ride on the boardwalk and then enjoy the delicious fresh seafood from the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. Art lovers will swoon over the The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art or The Sandler Center For the Performing Arts.
Ross Costanza Photography
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Bask in the sweet life with your sweetheart by visiting Hershey, Pennsylvania. Visit the world famous Hershey Park, where you can have fun riding on amusement park rides and making a splash in the water park. Stop into Hershey’s Chocolate World where you can ride through a tour of a simulated chocolate factory and enjoy free samples of candy. Lodging is ample and varied in Hershey with your choice of hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, and more.
New Chapters Photography
Did you choose to spend a romantic getaway at one of these destinations? If so, we would love to hear all about it.Contact us today!
Want to learn more about our EBE Team Members? Vendors We Love? New Products?
A good theme can elevate a bridal shower from ordinary to incredible. Perfect for just about any event, the nostalgic 1990s is always a win. We’ve put together a list of our favorite ideas that celebrate the bride and the best decade ever!
Lisa Frank Neon Colors & Holograms
Did you have iconic Lisa Frank notebooks, pencil cases, trapper keepers, or folders to keep your school work organized? What about holographic sneakers, jewelry, or purses? These items scream ‘90s and are perfect for using as decor for a bridal shower. Lisa Frank has made a come back in recent years and party decor can be found at many online retailers.
Snacks
Create a candy table where guests will be able to satisfy their nostalgic sweet tooth. Include treats like Airheads, Gushers, WarHeads, Pop Rocks, and Fruit Stripe gum. Don’t forget to include a Ring Pop for every guest so they can enjoy some sweet bling!
Activities
Remember puffy paint? It is now known as 3D fabric paint and you can find it at your local craft stores. Pick up white t-shirts in various sizes so guests can have fun creating shirts that celebrate the bride-to-be.
Fun Games
Guests will have a blast taking turns at smacking a pinata until prizes break free. Have a custom piñata made in the shape of an iconic ‘90s symbol like a cassette tape, the MTV logo, or a smiley face. Mad-Libs were all the rage in the ‘90s, so have guests fill in the blanks using a feather-tipped pen that the cast of Clueless will approve of.
Party Favors
Send guests home with a goodie bag full of nostalgia. Include items such as a Pez Dispenser, mood rings, yoyos, wax lips, Lisa Frank stickers, pogs, sticker earrings, and slap bracelets.
For most couples, their wedding is one of the most important days of their lives. Weddings require a lot of planning and are usually a one day event, so waste is inevitable. If you want to make an ecological impact on your wedding by planning a sustainable green wedding, look no further. We’ve put together ideas to help you plan an earth-friendly wedding.
Choose A Central Eco-Friendly Location
One of the biggest impacts that a wedding can make on Mother Earth is the travel involved for guests. Choose a central location that is as close to as many guests as possible. Guests will appreciate a shortened travel time and reduced costs that may have otherwise needed an overnight stay at a hotel. Choosing a sustainable venue not only helps the environment, but it also supports local businesses. Consider reciting your vows and holding your reception at a local farm or garden. For our favorite Philadelphia-area venues to partner with, check out our EBE Venue Spotlights!
Buy Thrifted or Borrow A Wedding Dress
The sticker shock alone of a brand new wedding dress can be totally avoided by choosing to wear a dress that a friend or family member wore when they walked down the aisle. Thrifting a beautiful vintage dress and having it altered to fit is another sustainable option that helps save the environment and the green in your wallet.
Choose Flowers Sustainably
Finding flowers for your wedding can be equal parts sustainable and beautiful. If you live in an area where you can forage flowers, consider making a DIY flower crown or headpiece with your floral finds. If foraging isn’t an option, work with your florist to choose flowers that are in season and locally grown. A sustainable alternative to flowers is to use potted plants or lanterns that double as decor or favors.
Shop Small For Your Wedding Food
Supporting caterers that choose locally-sourced food that is grown and raised by local farmers helps keep your dollars within the local community, AND supports sustainable farming practices. Choose local brews crafted by your favorite brewery instead of buying commercially made beers.
Recycled Paper Products
Mailed invitations are considered the norm when it comes to notifying your guests of the wedding event. More supplies are moving toward using sustainable products to craft their invitations with recycled materials or tree-free paper. If you want to skip paper invites totally, there are websites available to help you build beautiful electronic invitations, such as Paperless Post.
Did these tips help you create a greener wedding event? If so, we would love to hear all about it! Contact us today!
Want to learn more about our EBE Team Members? Vendors We Love? New Products?
Mark McCool has been in the events and entertainment industry for 32 years, and has spent those years as an Event Specialist at Talamore Country Club. Talamore is located in Ambler, PA, and has always looked to be on the cutting edge. For larger functions, they offer the Conservatory Ballroom, which features a two-story Mezzanine Ballroom with a Grand Staircase, 30-foot waterfall, and a 1500 square foot marble dance floor with seating for up to 350 guests!
