Skip Clark Entertainment Blog

The CNY section of Sunday’s Syracuse paper had a interesting article on saving money when getting married.  On average, couples that live in Syracuse, NY spend between  $9,800.00 - 29,400.00 for their wedding. This does not include cost for a honeymoon or engagement ring.  In this area, 96% of couples spend less than the average wedding cost while 4% of couples spend more than the average.  An mp3 player maybe alright for a small cocktail reception, but for the larger affairs you need to hire a DJ or band.  Although the price listed in the paper list a DJ at $600.00.  Most, but not all DJ’s in Syracuse charge atleast this much.  At Skip Clark Entertainment we know most are paying for their own weddings and pledge to keep our rates reasonable and still give you the service and entertainment you would expect.  Newlyweds to be have to focus on what is important to stay within their budget!  Your guests will remember the great time they had but ask anyone years from now what the food tasted like and they won’t remember.  Some thoughts to ponder..

Best! 

Here we are back in Syracuse after some time away.  Thanks for your thoughts, and thanks for all the hits on my blog.  Love reading all the comments.  For what ever reason, as you can read as I post some posts that there is a bit of jeolousy with one competitor.  He has used so many different names, accused me of being someone I am not, threatened and actually gone as low as to make a statement about my son who is delayed with Down Syndrome.  For the record I have never done anything to this individual.  I am friends with many if not ALL the Syracuse DJ’s, have worked with many one on one.  For the record I am in good standing with the ADJA, NAME and PWV Syracuse.  It’s because I am friends with certain individuals that this individual has an issue with.  Hopefully soon this will all end.  At a recent gathering of wedding professionals there was much dismay with this person.  I am withholding the name as this has gone to the next level.  I vow to uphold my reputation as one of Syracuse’s respected DJ’s. 

An unexpected situation has SC on the road for a few days however we look forward to returning to the CNY area as SCE returns to the Turning Stone Casino and Resort again(several events there this summer).  SCE has been a very popular choice for Turning Stone events, not only weddings but actual Turning Stone events as well for ex. the recent celebration of their 15 anniversary.  The upcoming wedding will include over 300 guests, 2 gobos, uplighting, and more.  Just a note, uplighting has been around for years and is nothing new.  Todays technology has made it real simple to provide uplighting.  SCE now uses all LED lights, that produce very little heat and draw very little power.  Remember there are times where too many lights will take away from the elegance of your event.  Also, most if not all venus do not reccomend one vendor, most have a list of vendors that have performed at their venue and have done a satisfactory job however do not tell you who to hire.  Talk again soon!

Skip

It was such a thrill to be asked to lunch from a bride and groom of 2 years ago!  They were in the area and called last friday.  This was a first and what a thrill it was to chat about their event and meet a new addition to their family!  It was a great feeling being part of their special day and being respected as part of their family.  Simply awesome!

Today, many of us went to lunch at the Retreat in Liverpool and networked.  Photographers, videographers, venue managers, and other great DJ’s.  It was great exchanging ideas and just hanging as friends.  I look forward to the next time we get together.  It’s the beginning of a long relationship within Syracuse Wedding Professionals.org.  

Hard to believe the weather is as cool as it is for this time of the year. What a day to sit back and think a bit about what I love to do and pass some thoughts along to you.

When it comes to the DJ Entertainment at your wedding, the first thing you, as the bride or groom, have to ask yourself is what do I want for my family, my friends, and myself?  Do you want an Elegant, low Key wedding reception?  Do you want a Party, all out dancing and having a fun event?  Or would you prefer a mixture of both?  I’m sure most brides would like their wedding Elegant and Fun, but do you know how your DJ will accomplish that objective?  Is he/she just going to play music and hope the guests get up to dance with a good mixture of music?  Will he/she get out and motivate the crowd to have a great time?  Or, will he/she do both?

Here is a bit of insight, some psychology so to speak, about your guests.  They are there because they love you.  They want you to have the time of your life.  The ones that are married, know that this will be the most memorable day of your life. Also, and very important, they want to have the best time that day. They’ve dressed up with clothing that some will only use once in their lifetime. So needless to say this will be a day that your guests will remember.

With SCE our objective is always to try to get everyone involved in having a great time. After all that’s what they are there for! Just a couple of thoughts I wanted to pass along, thanks for reading and more to come soon!

Best!

SCE had the pleasure to be the chosen DJ entertainment for Tim amd Mary Rowland on Saturday night!  The elegant event was held at the Craftsmann Inn in Fayetteville NY!  SCE is very familiar with the Craftsmann as we do many events there.  From the Grand Entrance to the beautiful sitdown dinner to the presenting of the center pieces with our traditional “Played Alive” music.  There was an emotional moment with the playing of Melissa Etheridge’s “I Run For Life”.  SCE knows you have a choice for great DJ entertainment and we thank you for chosing SCE for your needs.   

Between the morning show on MOViN and weddings it has been non-stop for SCE!  There are too many pictures to post right here, right now of events we have entertained at.  We continue to move forward with some great events this weekend and next.  Skip Clark Entertainment has joined the National Association of Mobile Entertainers , (N.A.M.E.).  This is an orgainzation very simular to the ADJA in which we belong to as well.  Upon being notified of no members in the immediate Syracuse area we thought it would be a great idea to take them up on their offer.  We are proud to say 2009 is nearly booked.  Some dates remain, but don’t wait they’re going fast!  Enjoy your planning and thanks for checking in and reading our blog!  Best! 

This is becoming more and more popular with brides we speak with.  Many want a seperate sound system for the ceremony away from the reception.  At SCE we can provide that at little or no extra charge.  We also take it a step further, we can provide a complete FM wireless setup (no interference) where there will be no wires for your guests to trip over or making for a messy look.   If  you need more than one wireless FM system, it’s not a problem.  This includes all wireless microphones for you and your officiant as well. 

Another thing that is becoming increasingly popular is the cutting of the wedding cake before dinner and right after the first dance. The cost of wedding cakes is skyrocketing and much of that cake goes to waste. Cutting the wedding cake early gives the photgrapher a great opportunity for some great pictures and the cake will be ready to serve for desert immediately after dinner. This leaves very little for waste, and guests won’t be left waiting for the cake.  Most guests observe the cake upon arrival to the reception.  We do not “tell” brides to do it this way but we make it one of our many options.  As stated on the wedding channel, and as mentioned on FOX brides it is and has become very popular.   After seeing it done several times at the brides request it has been very successful.  In the end we do what ever you want it’s your day!

Have you ever thought about introducing “your” wedding party yourself?  Think about it, no one knows your wedding party better than you. SCE was one of the first to offer this and now many have followed suit. SCE brings you into the studio and you record the intro’s, and SCE puts it all together wth clips of selected music and it’s put on CD for you and your wedding party to keep as a momento of your special day. Skip Clark introduces you as husband and wife after he gets your guests pumped up and ready to welcome you to your reception. Just some thoughts for you to consider or pass along. Remember it’s your day, it should be your way!

Well the Summer is rolling on ….

Last month was great to SCE and I am very thankful for that. We were able to witness the most weddings ever in a month for us. I love weddings and I love what they represent. It’s the coming together of two individuals who have decided to spend the rest of their lives together. It’s romantic, it’s memorable, and it’s such a great feeling to be able to be there and see the bride and the groom as they exchange their vows, as they dance for the first time as husband and wife, as the father takes his daughter and dances with her.  Always happy for them and willing to participate in anything they can to make the day special.

Skip Clark Entertainment had the wonderful pleasure of working with a wonderful couple to make their wedding day special.  Jessica and Travis had their reception at the Whitetail in Manlius.  Richard and his staff where wonderful.  After introducing just the Bride and Groom, they danced to “At Last” which was sung by the Jessica’s father.  Loren Barrigar also provided entertainment for the cocktail hour.  It was a beautiful day, and a blast was had by all!  Skip Clark Entertainment has a goal of having all your guests remembering what a great time they had!   

SCE was honored to work with one of the best. One could almost say that Loren Barrigar was born with a guitar in his hands. At just four years old he stunned his parents by picking up his father’s guitar and announcing he wanted to play “In the Mood” with his dad. They humored him until Loren explained that his dad could take either the rhythm part or the lead, whichever he preferred. Guitar lessons were quickly arranged and two short years later Loren played the Chet Atkins hit, “Yakety Axe” in front of thousands of country fans at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, the youngest guitarist to appear on that famous stage. During his childhood in Nashville, Loren studied with Jimmy Atkins, (Chet’s brother), a long-time member of the Les Paul Trio. A touring career followed, with Loren, his brother, and his father playing clubs and showrooms from Nashville to Las Vegas, and traveling with George Morgan and other established country stars.