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.

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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.