Music Options For Your Father-Daughter Dance

The father-daughter dance is a time honored tradition at many weddings. And in recent years, two songs have stood out as standards for this dance: “Butterfly Kisses” and “Daddy’s Little Girl”.

But let’s say you’d like to take this in another direction. You have a lot of possibilities. If you’re a country music fan, Tim McGraw’s “My Little Girl” may be the obvious choice.

[embed] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I5UV4VWCSk [/embed]

Then again, you may prefer “I Loved Her First” by Heartland (as seen during an actual wedding father-daughter dance).

[embed] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFs27zxSk7k [/embed]

Here are three options from New York / New Jersey artists:
First, Bruce Springsteen’s “When You Need Me.”

[embed] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pff-JpajjyQ [/embed]

“Father And Daughter” from Paul Simon, shown here with lyrics.

[embed] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtT3xSSKmMQ [/embed]

And here’s a Cyndi Lauper classic from the eighties with a timeless message.

[embed] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVS5rS_da9E [/embed]

A more recent possibility is “Forever” from Dropkick Murphys.

[embed] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNdl2-wrsvM [/embed]

Finally, there’s always Stevie Wonder’s father-daughter classic.

[embed] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVvkjuEAwgU [/embed]

Of course, you may have some great ideas of your own. At Excel Entertainment, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all wedding. We’ll work with you to find the very best fit for your special dance. For more information, please call Excel’s Jason Frankel at (973) 320-3241.

How To Audition Your Party Music When You Can’t Crash A Wedding

In the past, if you wanted to audition a DJ or band to play at your wedding, arrangements would be made for you to attend a wedding where the act would be playing. This is no longer the case, because most catering halls will not let you attend a wedding that you haven’t been invited to.

So how can you know what you’re getting before you commit to it?

The best way is to attend a bridal show. But keep in mind that it is a much different atmosphere than being at an actual wedding. You’ll be sitting with a group of people watching the DJ or performers, as opposed to being on the dance floor of your own wedding. Still, you can get a great feel for the talents of the people who will actually be entertaining your family and friends.

At Excel Entertainment, we can keep it simple or offer you the entertainment extravaganza of a lifetime. Our LED Uplighting can transform your room into a unique atmosphere of your choosing. Our large plasma screens can show photo montages of the happy couple throughout the years, as well as photos taken only moments earlier at your affair.

You can choose a DJ to skillfully mix recorded music, a full live band, or even musicians and singers to add live enhancement to recorded music. Excel Entertainment’s next bridal show takes place at Macy’s in the Willowbrook Mall. Mark the date on your calendar: April 25, 2013 from 6 to 9 PM. This will be the last bridal show of the current season. The next season’s shows will begin in July.

However, if you cannot attend one of our bridal shows, here’s a sample of what you can expect from Excel Entertainment:

[embed] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixYlyJ54mpw [/embed]

Like what you see? Call Excel’s Jason Frankel at (973) 320-3241, and let Excel Entertainment turn your dream event into reality.

What Comes After Yes?

[embed] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGjCAlaqxQI [/embed]

If you watched the above video, you can see that there are some pretty extreme (and expensive) ways of proposing marriage to the one you love. But whether you go for a simple down-on-one-knee proposal or a flash mob extravaganza, if your proposal is accepted, what do you do for an encore? And by encore, we mean your wedding itself; more specifically, your wedding reception.

For years, there has been an ongoing debate regarding the use of a DJ vs. live music. In reality, no debate is necessary. At Excel Entertainment, the choice is yours. You can have recorded music mixed by a skilled DJ, along with an entertaining MC to keep the party moving. Add the NY metro area’s best lighting and dancers/party motivators to keep the energy level at a peak from start to finish. Or you could have a live band, with some of the best singers and players from New Jersey’s legendary music scene. Add live acoustic music for mealtime and those quieter romantic moments.

Then again, why not have both? Excel entertainment offers the most flexible packages available. Tailor your wedding to your own unique needs. Make your special occasion as simple or as extravagant as you want it to be. We’re here to help.

For more information, please contact Excel’s Jason Frankel at (973) 320-3241. Or visit us at www.excel-entertainment.net. Watch our own videos and see how Excel can give you an event you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

Avoiding A Common Wedding Fail

[embed] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdLqP56HzWc [/embed]

As you can see, wedding fails happen in many different ways, from minor mishaps to full-blown disasters. Some are funny, and can even make the event more memorable. Occasionally you can even end up with a great story to tell your kids someday.

Not so with a wedding music fail. An empty dance floor (apart from mealtimes) is not something you want to see at your wedding. Part of the DJ’s job is to size up a crowd and play the music that will keep the dance floor filled all night. It’s not as easy as it sounds, and it takes great skill to do it right. A good DJ can sense a shift in mood and play to it accordingly to keep everyone happy and dancing. Different musical genres and eras have to be blended seamlessly to keep the party moving.

At Excel Entertainment we have found that some clients like to give us a full playlist of every song they want to hear on their special day. Others like to just let us “read the crowd” and make our own choices. If you give us your playlist, we will be happy to sequence and blend the music to fit the changing needs of your guests as the party evolves.

With Excel, you can have as much or as little control of the music as you like. The choice is yours.

Visit Excel at www.excel-entertainment.net, or call Excel’s Jason Frankel at (973) 320-3241 to book your wedding.

To Surprise or Not To Surprise? That Is The Question.

Life is full of surprises. Billy Joel was recently doing a Q&A at Vanderbilt University when a student asked if he could play “New York State of Mind” with him. Then, this amazing moment happened:

 

[embed] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p04TYk4j0zQ [/embed]

 

On the other hand, if you’re planning a wedding you may not appreciate the kind of surprise that sends all of your meticulous planning spiraling down the drain. Surprises like a vendor who isn’t as good as you were led to believe.

 

First and foremost, do your research. In the age of Google, there’s no excuse for not knowing what you are getting. Check out consumer comments. See who is highly recommended on Wedding Wire. Learn about the company before signing the contract. Sounds like overly simple advice, doesn’t it? But you would be surprised at how many people take a company’s claims at face value, and face unpleasant surprises later.

 

One caveat: be aware that recommendations made by catering halls are often paid for by the very same companies that they are recommending.

 

Excel Entertainment has received consistently high marks from its clients since its inception. The care and planning that goes into an Excel wedding is second to none. Excel has a crew of true entertainers who are flexible enough to make your wedding a completely unique experience. And Excel is dependable. No unpleasant surprises. Ever.

 

Do your research…see what people have to say about Excel Entertainment. Once you do, you’ll have the confidence and peace of mind to call Excel’s Jason Frankel at (973) 320-3241.  But do it soon…Excel’s open dates don’t stay open for long.

From Fringe to Mainstream (Hip Hop Weddings and Events)

“Don’t you dare play that evil, filthy so-called music. Not at my daughter’s wedding!”

 Very often, when a new musical genre begins to take hold, it can take ten years or more to reach mainstream acceptance. What we now call Classic Rock was once known as “that Hippie garbage” by those who didn’t understand it. Contemporary music was rarely heard at weddings or social events before the 1970s.

We recall a story told by a friend about his Bar Mitzvah reception. It was back in 1967, during the legendary “Summer Of Love.” His parents had arranged for a three piece band to play at the affair: accordion, clarinet, and a drummer (who played only with his brushes). Would you like to guess at the hippest song played that day? It wasn’t Light My Fire, the then-current hit by The Doors. Nor was it anything from The Beatles’ new Sgt. Pepper LP. It was the theme from the Broadway musical “Hello Dolly.”  A safe choice for Grandma and Grandpa.

Now fast-forward to 2013, and take a look at this:

[embed] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-dERbuc8NQ [/embed]

Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake performed a brilliant history of Hip-Hop music. Once upon a time considered “too ethnic.” Once upon a time not even considered to be “real music.”  But it’s real enough today to be used as mainstream nostalgia. People are generally far more open-minded about dancing to contemporary music than they were in the past. Whether it’s Hip-Hop, Alt-Rock or any other genre, you can usually find something to fit your crowd’s comfort zone. OK, maybe not Speed-Metal, but you know what we’re trying to say.

At Excel Entertainment, we have the largest selection of music in the entire New York metro. Whatever your tastes, we know how to get your guests on the dance floor. Our expert blend of music, lighting and pacing will make your party the affair of the year.

For more information, call Excel’s Jason Frankel at (973) 320-3241.

We Were So Much Older Then... We’re Younger Than That Now

We Were So Much Older Then...   We’re Younger Than That Now

 Did you see this year’s Grammy Awards presentation? The most obvious takeaway from the event is that the current generation of music makers is finally getting its due. Rather than focusing on the older (translation: safer) established acts, the emphasis was on artists like Mumford and Sons, Bruno Mars, fun., Gotye and Frank Ocean, among others. Some of the older acts like Sting had their moments too, but the emphasis was on youth.

[embed]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xxfhjk_video-bruno-mars-sting-rihanna-marleys-bob-marley-tribute-2013-grammys_lifestyle#.UT5t56WJHKk [/embed]
As you plan your wedding day, you may be thinking about how to balance your music. How can you keep it fresh enough for your younger friends, without turning off older family members? Excel Entertainment knows that there is no one answer that will fit all situations.

Take a look at your guest list and separate it into four categories (or generations, if you will):

Category 1: 29 and younger. These are your cutting edge music fans. They expect up-to-date music they can dance to.

Category 2: ages 29-49. Generally, this crowd is well-versed in the cream of the crop of current music, but will want and expect older music that fits their comfort zone. To keep them happy, consider music from the 1990’s and the early part of this century.

Category 3: 49-60. Here you’ll find people who came of age in the sixties, seventies and eighties. Classic Rock and Soul, Disco, and the earliest incarnations of Hip Hop will get them on the dance floor.

Category 4: 60 and above. Don’t assume that all they want to hear is Frank Sinatra and Big Band sounds. Today’s 60+ partygoers are mentally a lot younger than their counterparts of ten years ago. They’re open to early Rock & Roll, hits from the 1960’s, and even Disco.

How many people at your event fall into each category? While each group deserves to hear their crowd-pleasers, keep the percentage of music genres in line with your percentages in each age group.

Excel Entertainment has the most extensive music library in New Jersey from which to draw. All of our music is on hand and available at every party. Whether your tastes lean towards Rock, Hip Hop, Pop Standards, Latino hits or anything else, we’ve got you covered.  For more info, please call Jason Frankel at (973) 320-3241.

Is the Un-Invitation a New Wedding Trend?

Being in the wedding industry, we hear about a lot of crazy trends, but this one might just be one of the strangest. A  new trend is for couples to give un-invitations to people who aren't being invited.



Instead of working with the more traditional concept that people will know that they aren't invited by simply not getting an invite, this takes it to a new level. Couples are actively telling non-guests that their invitation wasn't lost in the mail, it just didn't exist.

In some cases, couples are having their wedding planner be the bearer of bad news. In others, they're actually getting special "sorry we can't invite you" cards!

This trend seems a bit strange to us, but what do you think of it? Will you be sending out un-invitations? Or will you stick with tradition and stay positive?

Whether you're sending out invitations, un-invitations, or both, we'd love to be invited to provide entertainment for your wedding. Get in touch today to find out about how we can help keep the party going!

Football-themed wedding music

Even though none of our local teams were in this year's Super Bowl, it's still possible for football fans to incorporate the sport into their weddings.



Football as a wedding theme is always a fun choice, and can be a great way to get your fiance involved in planning. Along with a tailgate-inspired menu, team colors, and even using an arena for a venue, you can also work football into your music choices.

Along with your team's fight song, you can think about stadium favorites like "We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions" and "Are You Ready For Some Football". Of course, these don't necessarily make you think of romance.

For a song that's more of a compromise between football and romance, there are plenty of songs that have been used on various shows about the sport. Flo Rida's "Good Feeling" is popular for both weddings and football games, for instance.

Whatever your team, adding a football theme to your wedding can be great entertainment. If you're looking for entertainment for your New Jersey wedding, get in touch with us today!

Kate Winslet becomes Mrs. RocknRoll

In a ceremony so private even their parents didn’t know about it, Kate Winslet and Ned RocknRoll got married last month. The couple, who live in England, had a small ceremony in New York.



Kate was given away by her Titanic co-star, Leonardo DiCaprio, and her two children were in attendance. Not many other details have been made public about the couple’s special day.

We do know that the couple met at the Caribbean retreat owned by Ned’s uncle, Richard Branson. Kate and Ned got close after his first marriage and her second marriage ended. Kate was reportedly drawn to Ned’s fun-loving attitude.

We’re curious about who provided the entertainment for Mr. and Mrs. RocknRoll. With a name like that, it has to be somebody with a bit of flair!

If you’re looking for entertainment with flair for your wedding, whether your name is RocknRoll or not, get in touch with us today!

Create a special song for your groom

Here at Excel Entertainment we can customize the reception on your big day so that it feels just right for you and your groom.



We'll create the mood you're looking for with lighting and music and we'll even bring along a photo booth so you don't have to remember the event - you'll have it sitting right there in front of you whenever you bring out your album.

One way of really making your groom feel special at the reception is to get a song specially written for him. Or even make up the lyrics yourself (well, you'll know him better than anyone). Once you've done that and got someone to put it to music (or listen to tunes and find one that fits your lyrics) then bring it along to us and we'll happily play it on the day. His face will be a picture!

For more wedding entertainment ideas call or come and have a chat to us here in New Jersey

Best wedding songs this year

We can't help it - we love Top 10 lists and of course we have here what we consider to be the most popular wedding songs of all time and tunes which are great for a winter wedding.

They're all songs with plenty of meaning and perfect for that first waltz round the dance floor by the happy couple.

The best-loved hit and the tune which tops the chart is Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers. The others are as follows (in no particular order):

Unforgettable by Nat King Cole

Lovesong by Adele

Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars

You got the Love by Florence and the Machine

Love on Top by Beyonce

Dance With Me Tonight by Ollie Murs

I Won't Let You Go by James Morrison

Talk to us about your favorite tune and what you'd like played at your special day at excel entertainment in New Jersey.

Is the traditional First Dance on its way out in 2013?

Have you noticed recently how more and more couples are turning their First Dance into on-stage entertainment for laughs and to get the guests excited?  What fun!



There was a time when the First Dance meant doing a slow foxtrot or a romantic waltz around the floor. Now, more often than not, the couple bursts into a disco number - or some other fantastic dance routine - half way through, taking the audience by surprise and lifting the mood.  Its nice to see the fresh ideas couples come up with.  But many still prefer the old fashioned First Dance as well.

Whether you're into the classic slow dance or surprising your guests with a few snazzy moves, we're here to support you.  If you need some ideas, here are a few popular classics for traditional first dances, or to start out your dance before you burst into your new moves.  These are included in the top First Dance songs for 2013 that have been listed by Music n Films:

• Something About the Way You Look Tonight - Elton John


• At Last - Etta James


• What a Wonderful World - Louie Armstrong


• All the Way - Frank Sinatra/Celine Dion


• The Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston


• It had to be you - Frank Sinatra


• Grow Old With Me - John Lennon/Mary Chapin Carpenter


• Forever and For Always - Shania Twain


• Everything I Do, (I Do it for You) - Bryan Adams


• Unforgettable - Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole

How about you? What are you planning for your First Dance number? We'd love to hear!

For help with planning a music or entertainment list for your forthcoming wedding in the New Jersey area please contact us.

2013 Awards...Starting the year of strong!

Excel Entertainment is the winner of "The Knot's Best of 2013" award  

, and The Wedding Wire's "Bride's Choice 2013" 

Read below for the wedding wire's official press release.

Edgewater, NJ – January 11, 2013 – WeddingWire, the nation's leading online wedding
marketplace, is thrilled to announce that Excel Entertainment has been selected as a winner of the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2013 for Entertainment in Edgewater, NJ!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the
WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism.
Excel Entertainment’s selection as a Bride’s Choice Award 2013 winner was selected based on the positive experiences expressed by past clients on WeddingWire, the world’s largest wedding review site with over one million reviews. While many industry awards are given by the host organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with Excel Entertainment.

The WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2013 are given to the top local wedding vendors in more than 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on professional achievements from the previous year. Award-winning vendors are distinguished for the quality, quantity, consistency and timeliness of the reviews they have received from their past clients. As a Bride’s Choice Awards winner, Excel Entertainment is highlighted within the WeddingWire Network, which is comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.

“Each year, WeddingWire looks forward to celebrating the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Network,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Now in its fifth year, the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program continues to recognize the elite wedding professionals who exemplify a commitment to quality, service and professionalism. These businesses were chosen by our bridal community for their responsiveness and dedication to their clients over the past year. We are honored to recognize Excel Entertainment for their impressive achievements within the wedding industry.”

Excel Entertainment is thrilled to be one of the top Entertainment companies in Edgewater, NJ in the WeddingWire Network of sites, which include leading wedding sites such as WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. We value all of our clients and truly appreciate the positive feedback that helped us earn the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2013.

For more information about Excel Entertainment, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at
http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/excel-entertainment-edgewater/fad0b81f387a5789.html

To learn more about the Bride's Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com/brides-choice-awards.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire™, the nation's leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite
of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.

What To Play At A 1920s Vintage Wedding

Vintage-style weddings are becoming more and more popular these days. Guests turning up in pretty cotton tea dresses and grooms or male guests with a Dick Dastardly-style mustashe is in fact nothing new - especially if you're opting for a 1920s Great Gatsby style wedding.

The fashion is easy enough, so too is the decor but what type of music should you have at a ceremony that celebrates the best of the 1920s and 1930s America?



Well, one thing you're not going to forget is Jazz - especially Harlem Jazz (also referred to at the time as The Devil's Music). Blues was there too but the more popular hits were waltzes and ballads such as I'm Just Wild About Harry. Then there was the Ziegfeld Follies of course and the loveable Al Jolson while towns that had a lot of respect music-wise at the time were Chicago, Carolina and, of course, New Orleans.


 

Top Wedding Songs for 2013

It's here! GigMasters "Top wedding songs for 2013." The lists are based on a survey of 2012 and 2013 brides and grooms, booking data, and research done with others in the wedding industry.

Top 5 First Dance Songs

1. You Are The Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
2. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
3. At Last – Etta James
4. Can't Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
5. I Won't Give Up – Jason Mraz

Top 10 Must Play Songs

1. Don't Stop Believing – Journey
2. Dancing in the Moonlight – King Harvest
3. Everything – Michael Bublé
4. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
5. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
6. Paradise – Coldplay
7. Love Story – Taylor Swift
8. Better Together – Jack Johnson
9. We Found Love – Rihanna
10. Party in the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus

Top 5 Do NOT Play Songs

1. Chicken Dance
2. Electric Slide
3. Macarena
4. YMCA
5. Genres such as Rap/Hip Hop and Country

Top 3 Alternative Wedding Entertainment Choices

1. Belly Dancer
2. Elvis Impersonator
3. Caricature Artist

What do you think? Are your favorite wedding songs listed?