We also wanted to put more focus on the cake and made it really shine with a pinspot. Pin spots are great for a variety of reasons, besides cakes. They are most commonly used for center pieces and other decorations.

Back to the shoot, what I really loved about the room were these antique hanging candle votives. Instead of being your traditional votives, they were shaped like orbs with an opening on the side for the candles. Since the votives were made of glass they helped to capture and reflect the lighting in the room.

If you would like to see more photos or read more about the inspirations and pros involved visit this link. To get more inspirations about how Encore can light up your reception, please view more of our lighting design options or check your dates availability on the right or call 877.643.8368. We look forward to giving your guests the ultimate WOW factor.

An ordinary par used for up lighting will stay one color for the entire evening. In addition they draw a considerable amount of electricity and heat. However, LED technology does none of these and gives your wedding reception, corporate event, or social get together added spontaneousness. These lights can be computer programmed to run a multiple magnitude of scenes and various colors. We can get over 16,000,000 colors from one par can or panel. These fixtures can be used to accent walls or decor.

You can just imagine the impact that custom lighting will add to your wedding reception. You will receive many compliments from this unique approach to personalizing your big day. Not many parties get accent lighting for events here in Michigan, so when you do for your wedding it will make a lasting impression on your guests.

You will be surprised at just how budget friendly accent lighting is. We can bring out 40 lights for something more extravagant, or take a more modest approach with 10 fixtures behind the head table. Keep in mind whichever route you go, you will still have one awesome backdrop for your photographer. Lighting is charged at a per fixture rate. Contact us today for more info.

Mother/Son Song Ideas

Bridal Party Dance Song Suggestions

Cake Cutting Song Lists

Want More Songs? Click Here Continue to Page 1.

This client had a limited budget but access to vases. Perfect! 23Eleven Events went to work repurposing! Look at this vase before:

Now the vase looks glamorous and chic. This project was way cheaper than what you think. We spent a total of $150 to make this vase and 29 of its friends look the same way. If that isn’t repurposing, we don’t know what else is? All 23Eleven Events did was design, find the best deal on products, and make it happen. Let 23Eleven Events serve you from your wedding day coordination to centerpieces. You and your wedding planning budget will be happy you did!

Coming in at number 10 on our song list is Eric Clapton Wonderful Tonight. I’ve seen both positive and negative reviews for this tune. It is known as one the most powerful slow songs (other popular songs are Remember When & I Can’t Help Falling In Love with You), then there are some that think this song tends to get played too much. Personally I don’t mind this song and even catch myselft listening to it every now and then. Eric Clapton has talent & went on to start a successful career as a solo artist in the seventies. Some people just are not digging his solo style.

# 9. Sister Sledge We Are Family

The Sledge sisters are regarded as disco divas and this song comes in single digits at number nine on our list of top wedding songs. I feel neutral about this song and a majority of people at our weddings request this frequently. The sisters are vocal dynamites and the beginning chords for the song has trance like guitar work. If you have a sister, or female relatives that you like to call your sisters… then this song is your anthem. Simply put this is classic and timeless.

# 8. Etta James At Last

Etta ranks on our wedding list at number 8. This is considered one of the many common wedding slow songs. Family and friends from all generations can relate to the message of the song. It does a great job at grabbing your attention and putting you in a relaxing mood. Etta’s voice has a raspy yet warm fuzzy feeling to it. This would make a great addition to your playlist. Feel free to watch the video below to hear the song for yourself. This is soul at it’s best!

# 7. Abba Dancing Queen

Here is another disco song and it ranks number seven on our top 10 list. Abba has been known to be popular, however it has never been one of my personal favs. This dancey-pop Stockholm style, another #1 fabricated, which in my opinion I felt lacked something and generally droned on somewhat. ‘Dancing Queen’ has been referred to as an icon in itself, I guess I must not be in tune with the rest of the world. You can play it as your reception, I probably won’t play it at mine

# 6. KC & The Sunshine Band Get Down Tonight

Get Down on it is our highest ranking funk song making it at the 6 spot. Want to start a party train play this song. It has a energetic vibe that most songs don’t deliver. I know KC and the Sunshine Band have other songs that belong in the top 10 but I have to be picky. I vaguely remember this song been blasted in Burger King commercials recently. I guess BK has a thing for making you want to get down on it?

# 5 Def Leppard Pour Some Sugar On Me

Def Leppard Pour Some Sugar on Me makes the top five. This is your stereotypical awesome rockout song; and is played at a handful of parties because it a lot of people know it. If you consider yourself a fan of the 80s or big hair bands, then you’ve sung this song at the top of your lungs at one point or another. Click on the video below to see the original music video.

# 4. Van Morrison Brown Eyed Girl

Everybody loves Van Morrison, and he has tons of great hits. I must say that out of all his songs, Brown Eyed Girl is probably his most memorable. It has been played in a variety of movies and can be found on almost any jukebox. This melodic harmony would fit in the genre of bubble gum pop. Brown Eyed Girl is a summertime song and rightfully earns it’s place @ #4 on our top 10.

# 3. B-52s Love Shack

Okay, who has not attempted to karaoke this track? I would be lying to you if I said I did neither. For some generations, this song is hard to get played out. But this track is unique and buzzes with flair. The Love Shack actually has its own dance, how cool is that. So not only can you karaoke the song, but you can also do the dance at the same time! I think the dance is a trend for the younger generations. All I have to say is Tinnnnnn Rooooof……. rusted.

# 2. Justin Timberlake Sexy Back

Coming in second on our top wedding list is JT’s Sexy Back. Justin Timberlake has been in the in the music biz since the Mickey Mouse Club, and finally solidifies his single debut chart hit Sexy Back. Produced by Timbaland, this song has bassy riffs with processed vocals. People know this song when it is played and it’s okay in my book. Take it to the bridge!

# 1. ACDC You Shook Me All Night Long

ACDC You Shook Me All Night Long has always been a heavy hitter at receptions. Every knows it which makes it easily identifiable and danceable. You don’t even have to know how to dance to enjoy this song. These are just a couple of reasons why it makes the number 1 spot. All it takes is the first 4 guitar notes and people go nuts. ACDC has some awesome songs, but ‘Shook Me All Night Long’ is what they are well known for. Check out the clip below and see pictures of Angus Young tear that guitar up.

1.) Can they only accommodate 1 event at their facility in an evening? If so, sit them both down and discuss that you only budgeted for $50 per plate. Express your concern and they may budge. It will be hard to resist once they understand they will lose your business without being able to fill the date in enough time.

2.) If they don’t budge and you would like to negotiate, then use the unbundled method. Find justification for their price per plate increase (in the example below it is $2). They will resist giving you this information, however once they do you have negotiating power.

Per Plate $50.00 pp @ 150 guests
Price Breakdown/Critical Cost Drivers (example %’s and prices):
Linen 12% $6.00
Silverware 08% $4.00
Fillet 32% $16.00
Vegetables 14% $7.00
Side 34% $17.00

Fillet Increase 4% x $16.00 = 1.28%

Increase Impact
$50.00 x 4% = $2.00 increase pp
$50.00 x 1.28% = $.64 cents increase pp

It is really only a 1.28% increase instead of 4%. This means you should only be paying an additional .64 cents instead of $2 per plate.

3.) If they do not budge and they do not want to unbundle their prices, then they probably do not have proper justification for the price increase. Contact a lawyer and go over the contract with them. Word of advice do not call them ahead of time. They will setup an appointment to charge you. Show up unannounced to get a quick look over the contract and their opinion.

4.) Word of mouth referrals are huge for any wedding vendor. Mention in an e-mail/phone call how you may have to express your situation on the knot chat boards to find another facility. This may help them change their minds. You can also blog about your dissatisfaction with their facility. I have done this for 2 facilities and my blog post pops up in Google for their keywords (example Mackinac Island Mission Point Resort). After this step would be contacting your local small business associations.

Out of the 4 tips above, I would say the unbundling method really gives you the most freedom with discussing the increase in the price per plate. Every banquet hall in Michigan relies on positive word of mouth referrals to book a solid wedding season. If you express your concern they will realize the bind they have put you in. Trust me, no one wants to put stress on a bride. Good luck and congratulations!

Okay so you are probably wondering what is the point of this post? Well personally, I love passing on the great wedding reception decorating ideas and showing some of the great moments we have at wedding receptions. I feel that these posts can help save you time and improve the wedding reception and ceremony you are trying to plan. Whether you are trying to figure out how to pick a stylish wedding gown or if you are looking for a full list of reviews from Michigan wedding venues; there are many other great articles that can give you insight into planning the wedding reception of your dreams!

If your are planning an outside ceremony in Michigan, we have all the angles covered on what to ask and how to accomplish your goals. From time to time, we will post event highlights of recent clients and how their party turned out. What is great about this, is that every wedding is unique (we do not specialize in cookie cutter receptions). This means that you will see some fun ideas that were actually put to work and succeeded!

So finally this is your Michigan wedding blog dedicated to helping you kill time at work when you need to multi-task. If you would like some advice on a particular subject please use the search command within our wedding blog located at the top. If you have any ideas or additional questions please do not hesitate to contact us here or by calling 877.643.8368. We also provide fun Michigan photo booth rentals and modern Michigan wedding lighting!

So are trying to take advantage of the nice weather Michigan has to offer during June and July. Well if you are planning an outside wedding ceremony, you might also looking a Wedding Weather Planner. Not only is it free, but it might help answer your question for what is the best weather day for a June or July wedding in Michigan. If you need help with planning the entertainment, then contact us by using the availability checker on the right or by calling 877.643.8368.