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Nov 22
beautiful couple celebrating a holiday wedding

Philadelphia Wedding Planning: Holiday Inspiration

By Wedding Planning

Holiday weddings are a great idea because it allows everyone to be together to celebrate both the holiday and your special day all at once.  When done correctly, they are also absolutely breathtaking events. You can also incorporate holiday-themed wedding music.

Here are some of our favorite design ideas to help inspire your holiday wedding planning.

Holiday Weddings: Colors of the Season

If you’re planning a wedding in late November or December, then you’ll want to go with the colors of the season.  Think warm rich reds, greens, golds, blues, and silvers.  Try and avoid anything over sparkly and super muted as the impact can get lost in photos.

You can mix the colors or select the main one, like a deep red, and use gold or silver as an accent.  And remember, when it comes to holiday colors, less is more, so there is no need to drape everything that doesn’t move with red and green.  Incorporate white and black to help off-set the overwhelming effect too much red and green can have on a venue.

Tip: When it comes to finding holiday decorating pieces, shop in the offseason as you’ll be more likely to find them at discounted prices.

Holiday Weddings: Incorporating Tradition

The holidays have lots of traditional elements that, when you see them, immediately envoke the feeling of the season, so tie them into your decor wherever possible.  Here are some fun ideas to consider:

  • Give gold bells as wedding favors
  • Use pine cones as your cake topper and decoration
  • Use linens and glassware with snowflakes on them
  • Add small bells to your bridal bouquet
  • Use comfy, holiday colored blankets to mark the bride and groom chairs
  • Use stockings to hold the flatware on your table setting
  • Surrounding the altar area with Christmas trees and hang mistletoe overhead
  • Use colored ornaments to decorate your buffet and gift table
  • Use lush greenery and twigs to create stunning Star of David decorations
  • Add elf accessories and snowman attire to your photo booth props for whimsical fun

Need a little more inspiration?  Check out our Holiday Wedding Pinterest board or this great article from Martha Stewart Weddings for more ideas of how to create the holiday wedding of your dreams.

beautiful couple celebrating a holiday wedding
Apr 17

EBE Spotlight – Tim Parsons: Drummer and DJ

By Uncategorized

Pennsylvania’s own, Tim Parsons, has been an EBE Drummer and DJ for the past four years.  Along with the drums, he also plays the piano.

The Penncrest High School graduate has been fostering and growing his musical talents from a young age thanks to the ongoing support of his parents.  Due to his love of music and personal drive, Tim was able to further channel his musical abilities into becoming a top list DJ performer as well.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Tim and interview him for this Q&A piece in an effort to get to know him better and discover what it is that makes him tick.

 

 

Q: What genre of music is your ‘specialty’?

A: Hip-Hop

 

Q: What instrument(s) do you play if any?

A: Drums and piano

 

Q: Who is your hero?

A:  My parents are my heroes because they introduced me to music and have always supported my ambitions, even pushing me beyond what I thought I couldn’t accomplish.

 

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A:  Miracle

 

Q:  What is your zodiac sign?

A:  Capricorn

 

Q: Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about you?

A:  I can clap with one hand…and I play lacrosse and hockey!

 

Q:  What is your go-to at karaoke?

A:  Ghost Town DJs “My Boo”

 

Q:  If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why?

A:  If I had to pick one year, it would be 1994. With all of the legendary hip-hop albums from many of my favorite artists, 1994 has to be one of the biggest years for the genre. If I could stretch the rules, I’d love to travel back to all of the 80’s so I could catch the end of the funk phase and the beginning of the East vs. West Coast hip-hop phase.

 

Q:  Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?

A:  James Franco

 

Q:  If you could join any past or present music group, which would you want to join?

A:  The Roots

 

 

Q:  What motivates you to work hard?

A:  Knowing that playing music is a gift and that this gift is something that I’ve been blessed with to share with others.

 

Q:  What is your favorite thing about your career?

A:  Seeing people dancing and enjoying the music is something that never gets old to me, especially when clients express how much they appreciated having me play at the end of the night!

Mar 31

Wedding Planning Basics

By Uncategorized

You’re newly engaged and ready to start the process of planning your wedding…but where do you start and what all does planning a wedding involve?  While there are several variables, like budget, location, and size, that will impact your wedding planning specifics, we wanted to go through the general basics to help give you a guide to get the process started.

Wedding Planning: First Steps

When you’re ready to get the planning process started, the first thing you want to do is create a wedding binder.  Give yourself a good 2-3 weeks to really pull your ideas together.  This binder will be your goto book until your big day.  It will also make a cool keepsake once you’re married.  You’ll want to keep a variety of things in your binder as you go along:

  • Articles and photos from bridal and lifestyle magazines and websites
  • Contact information for your wedding team
  • Budgets and contracts
  • Swatches, colors schemes and a photocopy of your vision board (if you opt to create a poster size version)
  • Copy of your invitations, reserve the date cards, and your announcements

Your next step is going to be to define your budget.  Decide what the absolute maximum you can afford to spend is and then define your ideal goal.  This way you’ll know how much wiggle room you have to splurge as you go along.

Finally, you want to select your wedding party and pick a date.  Your bridal party will be by your side throughout the process so you want to get them confirmed early on.  And let’s face it, the entire planning process will revolve around your wedding date, so this is a must have before you move forward.

These first steps should take you about a month from start to finish.

Wedding Planning: Bringing in the Professionals

Most newly engaged understand the value of a wedding planner but are under the impression that it’s too expensive or that they can handle everything by themselves.  We caution against this misconception as hiring a professional wedding planner can actually save you time, money, and stress down the road.

When selecting your wedding planner, remember ‘referral, research, and interview’ in order to find the right wedding planner for you and your soon-to-be spouse.  Also, it’s a great idea to share your wedding binder with your planner during your first meeting.  Seeing your binder, and vision board, if you have one, will give your planner a good idea of your wants and likes and will make the overall process much easier for you both.

Once you have your wedding planner secured, you will begin the process of selecting a venue, an officiant, photographer, caterer, band, and florist.  When it comes to finding the perfect wedding professional services, your wedding planner will be able to guide you and help to set up tastings, meetings, and events where you can experience for yourself which services you would like to book.  The monthly EBE Live Band Showcase is a great example of how you can hear tons of great bands in one afternoon and find the perfect sound for your upcoming wedding.

This phase typically lasts about three months from start to finish.

Wedding Planning: The Little Things

Your wedding planner will guide you through everything as you get closer to your big day, but some little details to keep in mind include:

  • Reserving hotel room blocks for out of town guests
  • Creating wedding goodie bags for out of town guests they’ll receive upon arrival
  • Creating a wedding website
  • Developing a day-of timeline so everything is laid out in detail (make this available to your maid of honor as well)

Create a detailed checklist with your wedding planner so you’re sure everything that’s important to you is covered, no matter how small the task is.  RealSimple has a great checklist that you can use as an initial wedding planning checklist guide.  This checklist will help guide you through the remainder of the process, right up through your big day.

The two most important things to remember are that no two weddings are alike….this is your big day, so make it personal and a reflection of you.  This is your love story to tell, not anyone else’s.  Secondly, relax and have fun!  This process can be an overwhelming one, so lean on your wedding planner and maid of honor (that’s what they are there for) and soak up every moment along the way to your big day.

Mar 29

EBE Spotlight – Nick Centrella: Bandleader EBE Sydney

By Uncategorized

Nick Centrella has been with EBE for 4 years and is the bandleader for EBE Sydney.  The Philadelphia native has been on the Philly cover scene for the past 20 years, performing in clubs and music venues up and down the East Coast.  Nick has fronted some of the biggest bands on the circuit.

Nick is an avid Philly’s sports fan and, when not performing, enjoys coaching.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Nick and interview him for this Q&A piece in an effort to get to know him better and discover what it is that makes him tick.

 

Q: What genre of music is your ‘specialty’?

A: Rock / Pop / Top 40

 

Q: What is your zodiac sign?

A: Taurus

 

Q: What instrument(s) do you play if any?

A: Vocals

 

Q: How many years have you been in the music and/or event industry?

A: 20 years

 

Q: What motivates you to work hard?

A: I’m motivated by success.  I always try to be the best at everything I do.  I don’t believe in second place.

 

Q: What is your favorite thing about your career?

A: I love entertaining people and being able to provide memories that will last a lifetime.  I love that my bandmates and I get to provide the soundtrack to the most important day of their lives.

 

Mar 23

Rules of Engagement

By Uncategorized

The day has finally come and you are officially engaged — congratulations!  Now what?  Well, outside of beginning to plan for your upcoming wedding, there are a few things that go along with being engaged that most people don’t talk about, so we thought we would take a few minutes to cover them with you.

Don’t Down Play Your Proposal

However it happened, wherever you were, it was special and was about the two of you, so don’t downplay your story or try and compare it to the lavish experiences of others.  When people ask, share all the details of the moment if you want or simply say something like ‘it was quiet, intimate, and perfect’ and leave it at that if you prefer to keep the details of memory to yourself.  And be prepared to repeat the story because people will ask.

 

It’s Polite to Stare

I know your mother always told you it was impolite to stare, but in this case, stare away at your ring all you want!  For many newly engaged, things are still a bit surreal — even if you were expecting it.  Enjoy staring at your ring as the reality sinks in.

And be prepared to show it off!  Get a manicure immediately because people are going to ask to see the ring and you want to be prepared.

 

It’s Okay Not to Know

Right out of the gate, people are going to ask you if you’ve chosen a date yet.  It’s okay to say ‘no’ or ‘we haven’t even started planning yet.’  It is more than acceptable to take a step back, let the reality of your engagement sink in, and just enjoy being engaged for a while before you select a date.

Remember, this is your engagement and your wedding, so it’s fine to take things at your own pace.

 

Happy and Unhappy

While you know the majority of people will be as excited as you are about your engagement, be prepared for the occasional nay-sayer.  For whatever reason, some people are down on marriage or might be less supportive than the rest of your friends and family.

When you run into a negative reaction, just be polite and move on.  Don’t dwell on it and don’t let it ruin your excitement.

 

Know-It-All Married Folk

Be prepared for your married friends to start shelling out advice immediately about how to plan or who to call.  Just remember that they mean well.  Graciously accept their advice and take their suggestions in stride.

Remember they are just trying to be supportive.  At the end of the day though, it’s your special day and you can take or leave their advice because you’ll be planning a wedding that is a reflection of your love story and not their’s.

 

Enjoy Being Engaged

Don’t try and rush the process or become so consumed by planning your wedding that you miss out on enjoying being engaged.  Even if you’ve been living together for a while, becoming engaged will feel different and your relationship will need some time to adjust to this new level.

It’s a wonderfully unique and special part of the getting married process, so try and soak up every moment of it.

 

Mar 22
Tom Hefferon | The Most Amazing Philadelphia Special Event DJ

EBE Spotlight – MC Thomas Hefferon

By Uncategorized

Thomas Hefferon has been with EBE for almost 9 years and been in the music industry for 20 years.

Tom went to College in the summer of 1998 and during his time there he was immediately drawn towards music. He joined his college radio club and began interning and working at Philadelphia radio stations and even a local record label. Tom spent fifteen years in the radio industry.

Along the way, he started to DJ on weekends. Tom started as a wedding DJ in 2006 and has done hundreds of weddings since then. He truly loves his role as a wedding DJ because, unlike playing music on the radio, he can see an immediate reaction to the music he is playing and loves it when the dance floor is packed with people who are having fun!

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Tom and interview him for this Q&A piece in an effort to get to know him better and discover what it is that makes him tick.

 

Q: What’s genre of music is your “specialty”?

A: Early 2000’s Hip-hop and pop music (that was when I was working for to Q102 FM in Philly)

 

Q: What is your go-to at karaoke?

A: “Gettin Jiggy Wit It” For some reason I know all the words by heart!

 

Q: If you were a superhero, what power would you have?

A: The power to make people who hate to dance, dance. (Oh wait, I already have that one!)

 

Q: What was the best event you ever worked?

A: There have been so many great events that it’s hard to pick just one.

 

Q: What motivates you to work hard?

A: My family!  I’m a father of two fantastic kids and a husband to my wonderful wife, Kristin.

 

Q: What is your favorite thing about your career?

A: Making people happy!  Nothing is better than hearing someone that they had a magical night.

 

Mar 19

Destination Wedding and Local Reception

By Uncategorized

Destination weddings are increasing in popularity, so we thought it was time for us to dive into the topic ourselves.  From etiquette to inspiration, we have everything you need to know about planning a destination wedding and holding your reception back at home.

Planning Your Destination Wedding

Before you settle on the ‘perfect location’ you will want to do your research.  Find out everything about your hotel, resort or venue.

Here are some common questions you’ll want the answers to before choosing your location:

  • When is the hurricane or the rainy season?
  • Are there any health or safety issues guests will need to be concerned about?
  • Is your destination LGBTQ friendly?
  • Are children allowed at your venue?
  • Will there be discounts or special rates offered to your guests?
  • Is this an all-inclusive venue and if so, will your guests receive any of those benefits?
  • Are passports required to attend your wedding location?
  • Are there limitations as to what you can bring with you (drinks, flowers, gifts, etc.) for the event?
  • Does your venue offer any guarantees or money-back returns for you and your guests should the event be canceled and if so, what is the policy for cancellation? (Note: Guests might have to cancel or inclement weather could prevent the event from taking place as scheduled, so this is always good to know ahead of time.)

We also recommend that you visit your venue before booking your wedding.  Yes, photos and reviews can tell you a lot about a place; however, nothing will give you the best information like first-hand experience.  You’re about to ask your friends and family to shell out some cash to attend your destination wedding, so you want to make sure everything is in order and the place is all it says it is before inviting your guests.

When it comes to inviting your guests, be as clear and transparent as you can about any potential costs.  It’s also helpful to secure a travel agent as part of your wedding planning team and include their information in your invitation details.  Also, send your invitations out extra early in order to allow guests ample time for planning and purchasing tickets.

Planning for Your Reception at Home

You most likely won’t be inviting everyone to your destination wedding, so it will be time to celebrate with family and friends once you’re back!  You’ll want to plan this party before you head out for your wedding and send out the invitation out 5-6 weeks prior to the event.

A post-destination wedding local reception works very much like a traditional reception, except you will have been happily married for a few weeks.  If you want to redo your vows that’s absolutely acceptable.  If not, then do your best to allow your local guests to experience what the wedding was like by setting up a photo and/or video station by the sign-in book.  This way they can see everything that transpired and feel like they were a part of your big day as well.

When it comes to what you, your new spouse, and the bridal party should wear, you have options. Everyone can wear their wedding attire or you can all opt for something more casual. If you do go for casual, consider displaying your wedding dress and tux just to show them both off, and keep with your wedding colors.

The rest of the event will run pretty much like a traditional wedding with food, drinks, music, and dancing. You can include as many or as few formalities as you would like – the most important thing is to celebrate!
Looking for assistance planning your destination wedding and local reception?  Contact our EBE Expert Wedding Planners and let them help to guide you through the entire process.

 

 

Mar 16

Spotlight: Dave Giorgio – Bandleader EBE Love 77

By Uncategorized

Dave Papa Giorgio, born in Philadelphia, is an American singer/songwriter, professional musician, and Band Leader for EBE’s Love 77. He has been with EBE for 12 years.

Dave’s main instruments are Bass, Guitar, and Drums, though he also plays Piano and Cello. He majored in Jazz Improvisation as a music performance major at Temple University and worked for decades in the inner city. He also toured the country for 3 years, traveling as far north as Canada and as far south as the Florida Keys!

He has produced artists from diverse genres such as Indie rock, hardcore, pop, hip hop, r&b, and jazz. He’s also a top Audio Book Producer, and mainly writes and records indie rock as an original artist.

With more than 30 years in the industry, Dave Papa Giorgio has played over 2000 events all over the country and with many hundreds of different musicians.  He has 2 Gold records to date.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dave and interview him for this Q&A piece in an effort to get to know him better and discover what it is that makes him tick.

 

Q: What genre of music is your “specialty”?

A: Classics: Van Morrison, Sinatra, Springsteen

 

Q: Who is your hero?

A: My dad

 

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

 

Q: What is your zodiac sign?

A: Libra

 

Q: Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?

A: Aside from being a vocalist, I am also an audiobook narrator.

 

Q: What is your go-to at karaoke?

A: Thunder Road

 

Q: If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: My home-made meatballs!

 

Q: If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why?

A: 1875 so I could party with Mozart!

 

Q: If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?

A: The ability to calm any situation. To bring order to chaos. To make people happy. Oh, wait. I already do that! 😉

 

Q: Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?

A: Bruce Willis

 

Q: What’s the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of love?

A: Proposed to my wife on Action News (search youtube: “dave and merri get engaged”) or go directly to: https:
//youtu.be/gultD-RTK8c

 

Q: If you could join any past or present music group, which would you want to join?

A: Led Zeppelin

 

Q: If you had to describe yourself as an animal, which one would it be and why?

A: A bear. I go into hibernation and sleep during the months, then wake up and rock the world during the
busy season, lol!

 

Q: What was the best event you ever worked?

A: The Mann Music Center

 

Q: What motivates you to work hard?

A: My work ethic was instilled in me when I went to work for my father (I was 9 years old). It’s just a natural thing for me.

 

Q: What is your favorite thing about your career?

A: I get to work with amazing people, brides, and grooms, who are about to begin the most wonderful journey of their lives. Also, my other work in book publishing involves reading top books. Books and music, two great passions.

 

ATTEND AN EBE BAND OR DJ WEDDING SHOWCASE

Now that you’ve gotten to know more about Dave, come out and meet him and several of the other EBE Events & Entertainment band members, DJs, and MCs at an upcoming FREE wedding showcase!  You’ll be able to experience everything that EBE Events & Entertainment has to offer and enjoy a few hours of food, dancing, and fun!

Seats for each event are limited so register for one of our upcoming events today!

Mar 08

EBE Spotlight: MC Ava Michelle

By Uncategorized

Ava Michelle, MC and Dancer at EBE, is the focus of our spotlight this week.  After almost a decade of dancing for the private event industry, her desire to host transcended her love for dance.  Ava brings her high energy, professionalism, and talent to the microphone, and has been part of Team EBE for over 3 years.

In addition to her MC work, she currently teaches Hip Hop, Jazz, and Tap throughout the Tri-State area, and has been doing so for almost 15 years! Ava is ecstatic to blend two passions together, as she keeps the dance floor moving while ensuring that the needs of every client are met.

She has not only danced for hundreds of parties to date but has worked behind the scenes as a lead dancer and assistant to the best emcees in the industry as well. Adults are often impressed by her eloquence and attention to detail, and kids are always drawn to her big smile and fresh dance moves! After an event with MC Ava Michele, you are sure to leave smiling, laughing…and STILL dancing!

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Ava and interview her for this Q&A piece in an effort to get to know her better and discover what it is that makes her tick.

Q & A with Ava Michelle

Q: What is your go-to at karaoke?

A: ANY and ALL Stevie Wonder songs!

 

Q: If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?

A: Teleportation

 

Q: If you had to describe yourself as an animal, which one would it be and why?

A: A Scarlet Macaw! I would definitely be a bold, colorful bird who can’t stop singing or flying!

 

Q: How many years have you been in the music and/or event industry?

A:  10 years and counting!

 

ATTEND AN EBE BAND OR DJ SHOWCASE

Now that you’ve gotten to know more about Ava, come out and meet her and several of the other EBE Events & Entertainment band members, DJs, and MCs at an upcoming FREE showcase!  You’ll be able to experience everything that EBE Events & Entertainment has to offer and enjoy a few hours of food, dancing, and fun!

Seats for each event are limited so register for one of our upcoming events today

Mar 08

Purple Wedding Theme Ideas

By Uncategorized

If purple is your favorite color, you’re in luck! Purple is one of the hottest colors for weddings this season.  Here are some of our favorite ideas to include in your purple wedding theme and decor.

Purple Wedding Theme Ideas

Obviously, wedding attire is the first place you’ll want to bring in your favorite color.  When it comes to your bridesmaids, have some fun and let them each wear varying shades of purple…the variations in color will add subtle depth to your wedding photos.  You can also tie in an accent color, like a sash, that will make their dresses pop even more.

Don’t forget your groom!  Now we’re not saying to deck out the groom’s party in purple tuxes, but purple pocket squares, ties, and cummerbunds would help to carry the theme through into the look of the groomsmen as well.

Amethysts would be the perfect goto jewelry for both you and your bridal party.  They will carry the theme through without being overpowering.

You don’t want to make it overwhelming so when it comes to the bouquets, make the base of the arrangement white and simply pepper in a variety of purple flowers and then tie everything together with a purple ribbon that is a different shade than the dresses.

When it comes to your decor, you can incorporate purple into almost anything.  Here are a few suggestions:

  • Drapes, table clothes, and canopies
  • Candles, flowers, and centerpieces
  • Favors for your guests
  • Lighting and balloons
  • Confetti and bubbles for your exit

And then there is the  music…no really, the music!  There are tons of songs that include purple in the title somewhere, so do a quick search, find the ones you like, and share them with your wedding band or DJ.

Sending out the invitations that are purple or include purple ink, will let your guests know what your color choices will be and will give them the heads up on what colors to wear should they wish.

Looking for more inspiring ideas and wedding traditions for your big day?  Our wedding planners are some of the best in the business and know a thing or two about making weddings fun and unique.  Contact the EBE Event Planners today and let them help you create a day of magical memories.

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