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Mar 12

Old City Wedding Music: Choosing Between A Live Band Or A DJ For Your Wedding

By Philadelphia Wedding Entertainment



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Nov 27

Real Weddings: Ryanne & Conner

By Philadelphia Wedding Entertainment

The beauty of weddings is that every event is different. From style preferences and personal touches, to tradition and inspiration – each wedding is a unique product of the couple’s hard work and planning.

HR Representative, Ryanne, and Third Grade Teacher, Conner, met in 2012 when they were both students at Lock Haven University. They were friends throughout college, and then Ryanne moved out to California for an internship. Conner flew out to visit for a week, and they realized it was the real deal… they’ve been together ever since! 

We asked them to take us on a visual tour of their wedding day with their amazing EBE Team Members: MC Jon Mulhern, DJ Audio Phoenix, and Drummer Rick Lowery. They celebrated their beautiful Harrisburg Wedding on September 8th, 2018 at Harmony Hall Estate. Their wedding style was rustic, woodsy, and DIY with a eucalyptus-inspired color palate.Let’s walk through their day to see how they pulled it all together!

9:00 a.m. – Getting Ready

Ryanne & Conner both got ready in the Farm House at Harmony Hall Estate. Ryanne was with her bridal party in the Bridal Suite, while Conner was on the first floor. Ryanne’s Hair & Makeup Team was curated by Liz Lesher, Stylist and Owner of Lush Hair Lab.The couple’s Photographer, Christopher Brittain, arrived for some getting ready photos.  

5:30 p.m. – Ceremony

Ryanne & Conner were married at outside of the Farm House at Harmony Hall Estate. Conner and his groomsmen wore matching suits from JoS. A. Bank, and Ryanne’s bridal party wore mismatched steel blue dresses from David’s Bridal. Ryanne’s dress, also from David’s Bridal, was a gift from above. Her Galina lace dress was retailed for above her budget, but she just kept trying it on. After deciding to splurge on her dream dress, she brought it to the counter and it rang up as $99!

Their ceremony music was provided by EBE DJ Jon Mulhern, which consisted of Vitamin String Quartet versions of 3 Libras, The Only Exception, and I Miss You. Ryanne and Conner chose a childhood friend of Conner’s, Richard, to act as the officiant for their ceremony. After they said their vows, the newly married couple and their Wedding Parties exited to Brandy by Looking Glass.

6:00 p.m. – Cocktail Hour

While guests enjoyed cocktail hour, the newly-married couple took some formal portraits.

7:00 p.m. – Reception

The reception doors opened in the main building at Harmony Hall, and the guests were ready to party! Ryanne & Conner were introduced as Husband and Wife for the first time, they shared their first dance to Ferrari by Bebe Rexha. After that, the EBE team was ready to fill the dance floor.

We were able to ask Ryanne & Conner a few questions about their wedding day… Check it out!

What was your favorite part of wedding planning?

Booking with EBE!! Music was the MOST important piece for us!! Nothing else compared to the excitement we felt knowing the music was going to be amazing. We couldn’t wait to dance all night with our friends.

What was your favorite moment from your wedding?

Conner’s vows. THEY were AWESOME!!!

What was it like working with EBE?

From our very first call with Joel Aaron…he could hear it in our voice how much we wanted an EBE Wedding. We couldn’t quite budget for a band and they were booking up fast (cause they are amazing, duh!). We hung up with Joel, feeling upset because we had our heart set on EBE. We emailed him an afterthought and said, “What about your DJ pricing?” He e-mailed us back right away and told us to call him. We talked for about 45 minutes and he sold us on the MC/DJ/Drummer combo (DJ Live) which we were SO HAPPY AND EXCITED FOR. It was exactly in our budget and worth every single penny. (Conner has played the drums his whole life, so the drummer element was such an awesome addition.) Our guests are still talking about how cool it was.

What made you choose EBE?

My (Ryanne’s) cousin had a live EBE band at their wedding (Barcelona). I went up to my dad that night and said, “I want EBE at my wedding.” I wasn’t even engaged!! LOL.

If you could’ve changed something about your wedding, what would it have been?

I (Ryanne) wasn’t feeling well at one point and had to excuse myself for about an hour during the reception. I hated it because I seriously just wanted to be on the dance floor.

What is your advice to future EBE brides and grooms in regards to the stress of wedding planning and the choosing of vendors?

Have faith in those you hire to do the job and go with your gut. I knew I was in excellent hands with EBE and when I wasn’t feeling well, they handled it so professionally by keeping my guests going. We picked up right where we needed to be as soon as I gave Jon the go-ahead. I SO appreciated that!

Vendor List Recap

Getting Ready, Ceremony, and Reception Venue: Harmony Hall Estate
Hair & Makeup: Lush Hair Lab
Photographer: Brittain Studios
Bride & Bridesmaid Dresses: Galina Lace Trumpet from David’s Bridal
Groom & Groomsmen Suits: JoS. A. Bank
Caterer: Karen’s Catering
Music: MC Jon Mulhern, DJ Audio Phoenix, and DJ Live Drummer Rick Lowery
Florist: Plenty of Petals



Want to stay up-to-date on Event and Bridal Trends? Learn about Vendors We Love? New EBE Products?

Apr 17

EBE Spotlight – Tim Parsons: Drummer and DJ

By Philadelphia Wedding Entertainment

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!

Apr 15

EBE Spotlight – Ben: MC & DJ

By Philadelphia Wedding Entertainment

Ben has been with EBE Events & Entertainment for 15 years as an Emcee, DJ, and Entertainment Representative.

With an unmatched knowledge of music and all things pop culture, Ben has been performing at a wide range of events since his early teens. Utilizing his talents as a Club DJ, Ben was the House DJ for both the Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers from 1997 until 2015. He was a popular fixture at all home games, pumping up the crowd using a mix of music, trivia, and sound effects. He understands how to reach an audience, especially the youth scene, with the latest sounds.

Ben honed his skills on the weekends during college at American University. His talents are requested from Philadelphia to DC and everywhere in between.

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

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

A: Anything mainstream since the 1960s.

 

Q: Who is your hero?

A: Bruse Springsteen

 

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: Fletch

 

Q: What is your zodiac sign?

A: Leo

 

Q:  What is your go-to at karaoke?

A: Born to Run

 

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

A:  Pizza

 

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

A:  I’m more interested in the future, but otherwise 1973.

 

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

A:  Invisibility

 

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

A:  Kevin James (People often think I am him.)

 

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

A:  My engagement proposal.

 

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

A:  E Street Band

 

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

A:  With a little more practice, I would have been a legendary NFL punter.

 

Q:  What motivates you to work hard?

A:  The immediate gratification from every bride and groom

 

Q:  What is your favorite thing about your career?

A:  Being around music all the time.

Mar 29

EBE Spotlight – Nick Centrella: Bandleader EBE Sydney

By Philadelphia Wedding Entertainment

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 Philadelphia Wedding Entertainment

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 Philadelphia Wedding Entertainment

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 Philadelphia Wedding Entertainment

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 Philadelphia Wedding Entertainment

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

Purple Wedding Theme Ideas

By Philadelphia Wedding Entertainment

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.