Happy Holidays

The Holidays are just a few days away and the New Year is knocking at our door. I wanted to take this time to Thank all of the many people that made Vision DJs one of the most requested DJ Companies in South Florida!

This year has been a challenging year for our country and we have not been immune to some of the economic conditions. Because of our Management, DJs and strong client base, Vision DJs is ready to serve South Florida for many years to come.

In 2010 Vision DJs will be celebrating it's 25th Anniversary. When I started the company back in 1985 straight out of High School, working a full-time job and meeting clients in a spare bedroom at my mother's house, I had set many goals and I am proud to say ~I have met many of those goals, including but not limited to being able to provide and amazing life for my family and for that, we are blessed.

Of course many of my accomplishments would not have been possible without the help of very special people in my life including my wife Lupe, who while going to college to obtain her teaching degree and being a mother to 2 growing boys would work part time in our office when we could not afford a full time office assistant. My two boys Jorge and Leo for understanding when Papa had to leave Friday, Saturday or Sunday to go to work instead of being able to spend time with them playing Wii or going to the park.

My good friend Alex Alba, with all his knowledge and cool head showed me how to be a better businessman and not stress over the little things. Most recently, Jorge Antonatos my business partner who is not only a great friend and business partner but an amazing DJ!

To all the DJs who I have had the pleasure of working with, attending DJ and wedding conventions and being able to learn from, I thank you. To the DJs who currently work with Vision DJs, I want to thank you for being an amazing group of DJ ~for heading out every weekend to ensure our clients are well taken care of and have the best celebration ever! To all the Coordinators and Venues who refer Vision DJs to their clients, we thank you. And finally our clients for entrusting Vision DJs with their once in a lifetime events! We are forever grateful to you!

I would like to wish you and yours the Happiest of the Holidays and an amazing 2010 and beyond!

Jorge Hernandez

Toasting Tips

Toasting Tips

May all your toasts be received in the spirit they are proposed

Interested in a few tips on how to propose a good toast? These days, the tradition of toasting is as rare as place cards – useful for a few formal events, but rarely executed well.

Should you find yourself at a wedding and asked to offer a toast, you want to be prepared with something wittier than “May you be happy.” To make sure you put your best foot forward – and not in your mouth – here are some tips from someone who should know: Toastmasters International President Gary Schmidt.

A toast should be “brief, personal and customized to the occasion,” he says. “Most of all, it should be heartfelt.” So don’t try to copy an existing toast, but pick a topic that is personal but appropriate.

You don’t drink alcohol? No problem; you can still offer a toast with sparkling juice. Never refuse to participate in a toast. It’s more polite to participate with an empty glass or a glass of water than not to participate at all. Here’s how:

• Keep it short – no more than a couple of minutes. Brevity is the soul of wit.
• Practice. Think about what you want to say, and practice the toast in advance. Use friends as sounding boards beforehand.
• Speak slowly, clearly and loudly (if no microphone is available).
• Be positive. This is not the time to recite the groom’s college pranks.
• Stay sober. Being coherent helps.
• Dress your best. If you look good, you’ll feel more confident.
• Use humor – but keep it clean. Don’t refer to “inside jokes” only a few people will understand.
• In summary – End on a bright note. Be sincere, be brief, be seated.
• If you are on the receiving end of the toast, stay seated and don’t drink the toast to yourself. At the end of the toasts, it’s your turn to make some comments.

At a formal event, it is recommended the person offering the toast stand, get the guests’ attention, lift glass by the stem and say “I propose a toast.” Allow time for the guests to fill and lift their glasses and shift their attention toward you. Then offer your comments, take a sip, and inviting others to do the same. At small dinner parties, however, there is no need to stand for the toast. Just lift your glass by the stem, speak and touch the glass of the person or persons involved.

Consider one of the most famous toasts of all: Humphrey Bogart’s words to Ingrid Bergman – “Here’s looking at you, kid” – in the legendary 1941 film Casablanca. Now trade “kid” for another endearment. No big deal? Maybe. But Bogie probably would have achieved another kind of immortality if he’d raised his glass to Bergman and said, “Here’s looking at you … babycakes!”

Toasting Tips by Toastmasters International

Remember you can become a Vision DJs fan by texting "fan 4visiondjs" to 32665 (FBOOK) from your mobile phone and be added instantly. Standard charges may apply You can also go to www.facebook.com/4visiondjs to become a fan. Visit www.visiondjs.com for more information or call 305-232-0987/954-434-9697

Soulful Cocktails and Dinner

For every event, we ask our clients what genre of music they want played during the cocktail reception and dinner. Many choose jazz, modern love songs and American Songbook selections (Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Tony Bennett) than any other category.

Recently the trend has been for R&B music from the Sixties by such artists as The Four Tops, The Temptations, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding. Often people will just ask for Motown artists (or similar songs from other labels) to set the mood.

The majority of the songs are from the 1960s, with a few from the late Fifties or Seventies. What sets these songs apart from many others is not only the “toe-tapping beat” but the lyrics-don’t forget that what we are talking about here-are about everlasting and true love. Songs such as “How Sweet It Is” or “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” were made to be played for joyous occasions such as a wedding reception. Here are our Top 20;

1 HOW SWEET IT IS TO BE LOVED BY YOU MARVIN GAYE

2 I CAN’T HELP MYSELF (SUGAR PIE HONEY BUNCH) FOUR TOPS

3 MY GIRL TEMPTATIONS

4 I WAS MADE TO LOVE HER STEVIE WONDER

5 YOU SEND ME SAM COOKE

6 REACH OUT I’LL BE THERE FOUR TOPS

7 IF I COULD BUILD MY WHOLE WORLD AROUND YOU MARVIN GAYE

8 LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND DEON JACKSON

9 MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY SPIRAL STAIRCASE

10 SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED I’M YOURS STEVIE WONDER

11 MY GUY MARY WELLS

12 WISHIN’ AND HOPIN’ DUSTY SPRINGFIELD

13 THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO TEMPTATIONS

14 THIS WILL BE (AN EVERLASTING LOVE) NATALIE COLE

15 SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL DRIFTERS

16 IT TAKES TWO MARVIN GAYE / KIM WESTON

17 LEAN ON ME BILL WITHERS

18 FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE STEVIE WONDER

19 STAND BY ME BEN E. KING

20 AIN’T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING MARVIN GAYE / TAMMI TERRELL

If you have a song(s) you would like to add to our future postings, please include them in the comment box below.

More music suggestions can be found at www.visiondjs.com. If you have already hired Vision Djs for your event, you can access our database of over 75,000 songs at www.visiondjs.com/customeronly.htm You must have a username and password to access this list.

Remember you can become a Vision DJs fan by texting "fan 4visiondjs" to 32665 (FBOOK) from your mobile phone and be added instantly. Standard charges may apply You can also go to www.facebook.com/4visiondjs to become a fan.

View another one of my favorite inspirational movies. http://www.danceintherainmovie.com

Intro, Cake and Garter and Bouquet Songs

Last week we gave you the most requested First Dances and Parents Dances, this week we are going to cover the most requested Introductions, Cake, Garter and Bouquet songs being played in the Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach and Key West area.

Remember that Vision DJs online music database consists of over 75 thousand songs! Using our interactive database you are able to create a personalized playlist choosing your "Must Play", "Play if Possible" and very importantly your "Do Not Play" songs. We encourage our clients to have full input in the music that is played at their events.


Introduction Songs

1. Black Eyed Peas I Gotta Feeling
2. Black Eyed Peas Let's Get It Started
3. U2 Beautiful Day
4. Survivor Eye Of The Tiger
5. Queen Another One Bites The Dust
6. Kool & The Gang Celebration
7. Brown, Chris Forever
8. Pink Get The Party Started
9. AC/DC Thunderstruck
10. Sister Sledge We Are Family

Cake Cutting Songs

1. Archies Sugar, Sugar
2. Taylor, James How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
3. Def Leppard Pour Some Sugar On Me
4. U2 Sweetest Thing
5. Mraz, Jason I'm Yours
6. Beatles When I'm Sixty-Four
7. Benatar, Pat Hit Me With Your Best Shot
8. Cole, Nat King L-O-V-E
9. Johnson, Jack Better Together
10. Average White Band Cut The Cake

Bouquet Toss

1. Beyonce Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
2. Lauper, Cyndi Girls Just Want To Have Fun
3. Weather Girls It's Raining Men
4. Benatar, Pat Hit Me With Your Best Shot
5. Kool & The Gang Ladies Night
6. Mcbride, Martina This One's For The Girls
7. Queen Another One Bites The Dust
8. No Doubt Just A Girl
9. Dixie Cups Chapel Of Love
10. Motley Crue Girls, Girls, Girls

Garter Toss

1. Queen Another One Bites The Dust
2. Gaye, Marvin Let's Get It On
3. ZZ Top Legs
4. Yello Oh Yeah
5. Hot Chocolate You Sexy Thing
6. Rose, David And His Orchestra The Stripper
7. Timberlake, Justin Sexyback
8. Def Leppard Pour Some Sugar On Me
9. Right Said Fred I'm Too Sexy
10. Hendrix, Jimi Foxey Lady

If you have any songs you would like to the list, add them to the comment box below.

This being Spanish Heritage Month, next week we are going to cover Latin Parent Dances and Latin Party Songs. Coming up on future Vision DJs blogs will be Ceremony Music and if you have seen the very popular wedding ceremony entrance (Click here if you haven't) you know that the traditional ceremony music is out the door. We are also going to be sharing with you about choosing the best Cocktail and Dinner Music.

If you need suggestions for more special songs for your wedding, visit http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-songs. If you are not familiar or a member of WeddingWire.com, make sure you join. This website is amazing and is run by a great group of dedicated professionals. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Sonny Ganguly, CMO and Timothy Chi, CEO of WeddingWire.com at the recent Wedding MBA Conference.

Until next week, Happy Planning!

Jorge Hernandez


Follow Us on Twitter Click Here Are you a Fan of Vision DJs? Click Here

Special Wedding Songs

What song will you be dancing with your new wife or husband? How about a special dance with your father or mother. We have the most requested songs being used at this time across South Florida. Below you will find First Dances, Father and Bride Dances and Groom and Mother Dances.

Top 20 First Dances

1. James, Etta At Last
2. Paisley, Brad Then
3. Rascal Flatts Bless The Broken Road
4. Mraz, Jason & Colbie Caillat Lucky
5. Buble, Michael Everything
6. Johnson, Jack Better Together
7. Lonestar Amazed
8. Presley, Elvis Can't Help Falling In Love
9. Urban, Keith Making Memories Of Us
10. Mraz, Jason I'm Yours
11. Big & Rich Lost In This Moment
12. Aerosmith I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
13. Mcgraw, Tim My Best Friend
14. Morrison, Van Someone Like You
15. Chesney, Kenny Me And You
16. Lamontagne, Ray You Are The Best Thing
17. Lifehouse You And Me
18. Mcgraw, Tim With Faith Hill It's Your Love
19. Strait, George I Cross My Heart
20. Paisley, Brad She's Everything

Top 10 Bride and Father Dances

1. Heartland I Loved Her First
2. Mcgraw, Tim My Little Girl
3. Carlisle, Bob Butterfly Kisses
4. Temptations My Girl
5. Armstrong, Louis What A Wonderful World
6. Rascal Flatts My Wish
7. Chapman, Steven Curtis Cinderella
8. Sinatra, Frank The Way You Look Tonight
9. Simon, Paul Father And Daughter
10. Cole, Natalie With Nat King Cole Unforgettable

Top 10 Groom and Mother Dances

1. Rascal Flatts My Wish
2. Armstrong, Louis What A Wonderful World
3. Boyz II Men A Song For Mama
4. Beatles In My Life
5. Womack, Lee Ann I Hope You Dance
6. Lynyrd Skynyrd Simple Man
7. Dion, Celine Because You Loved Me (Theme From Up Close And Personal)
8. Groban, Josh You Raise Me Up
9. Rogers, Kenny Through The Years
10. Cole, Natalie With Nat King Cole Unforgettable

If you have song(s) you feel should be on this list, feel free to add them at the comments sections of this blog.

More song suggestions available at www.visiondjs.com

Next week we will have suggestions for Introductions, Cake, Bouquet and Garter songs and Last Dances.

South Florida Bridal Shows

It seems like October will be a busy Month for Bridal Shows and Vision DJs will be in attendance. Make sure you come to one of the following shows and stop by our booth to learn how your wedding reception could be "The Best Wedding Reception... Ever!

Sunday, October 18th, 2009 1:00pm - 4:00pm
The Perfect Wedding Guide
Ft Lauderdale Marriott
6650 North Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: 561.330.7899 x204
http://www.perfectweddingguide.com/southflorida

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Signature Grand
6900 State Road 84 • Davie, FL 33317 Telephone 954-424-4000
www.thesignaturegrand.com

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Signature Gardens
12725 SW 122nd Ave • Miami, FL 33186 Tel: (305) 251-5000
www.thesignaturegardens.com

What brides said after the vows...

72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment.

Almost 100% say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment.

During wedding planning, Brides say their highest priority is their attire, followed by the reception site and caterer - reception entertainment is among the least of their priorities.

Within one week after their reception, 78% of Brides say they would have made the entertainment their highest priority!

When asked 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment.

65% of all couples that chose a band to entertain at their wedding, said, if they had it to do over again, they would have chosen a disc jockey.

Sources include: Simmons, 2001; USA Today, 2002; National Bridal Service, 2001; The Knot, 2002; Brides Magazine, 2001

For more information on Vision DJs, go to www.visiondjs.com
305-232-0987 or 954-434-9697

Up-Lighting

Up-lighting or Ambient lighting has become a very popular enhancement for your ballroom in the last 2 years. Up-Lighting shed up walls, columns or spotted onto a specific area will bring a beautiful and stimulating feel to your event - all to make it better!

Choose from many colors to beautifully match your style, theme or the desired feel you're looking to achieve. Up-lighting can be placed on the floor to shine up columns, up walls or behind trees and other props to give that extra appeal.

How Does Up-Lighting Work?

Lights are placed on the ground facing the wall or the element of the room you would like to illuminate. Depending on the effect whether you want a focused beam of light, a diffuse spread of color, "a touch of blue" or lighting entire walls, a lighting expert will pick the appropriate light for the job. Knowing which light to use and tricks to shape the light and create truly stunning effects are why choosing a lighting company or expert is crucial.

Most clients want to add color to their room, or recreate an effect they've seen in a magazine but aren't sure where to start or how to go about it. Hiring a company to handle the lighting is your best bet. They will set up and place lights in the appropriate places in the room, run cable and make sure everything is setup safely and elegantly.

We use LED lighting exclusively for events we provide up-lighting for. These are the safest and most environmentally friendly lighting options because there are no bulbs to burn out or replace and lights draw very little energy.

The entry costs are generally prohibitive to do lighting yourself, but it's very affordable to add up-lighting to your event. Vision DJs offers these services either as part of our DJ packages or by themselves. The last thing you need is one of your guests burning themselves, tripping on cables, or otherwise injuring themselves on lighting that you or your friends setup. It can ruin an event and is a huge liability.

For more information on our up-lighting services, please contact our office at 305-232-0987 or 954-434-9697. You can also visit our web site at www.visiondjs.com

For years Vision DJs has been known as the company to go to for great DJs and MCs without all the clowning around. We have always made it a point to ensure our Bride and Grooms are the center of attention, not the DJ. As a matter a fact over 10 years ago we created the ad below with great success!

Vision DJs has been providing this type of DJ/Entertainment services to our clients since 1985. Vision DJs believes that as long as the right music is played at the right times, guest will dance and have a great time! No need for clowning around or talking on the microphone all night. Just great music played by talented DJs! That is what we do!

Call Vision DJs at 305-232-0987 or 954-434-9697 for more information or visit our web site to check you date availability and view our new demo video.

Wedding Traditions

Wedding Traditions and Customs

Traditions and customs… modern weddings have tons of ‘em. Flowers, rice, something old, something blue..., you know the drill.

Have you ever thought about how all these wedding traditions originated or what they actually mean? Here’s the meaning behind some of the most popular wedding customs and rituals:

Wedding Tradition: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Lucky Sixpence in Her Shoe

This popular rhyme originated in the Victorian area. Something Old - represents the link to the bride’s old life and her family. Something New - signifies the couple’s new life together as well as their hope for the future. Something Borrowed – originates from the idea that borrowing something from a happily married woman will impart similar happiness to the new bride. Something Blue - represents fidelity, love, and purity. Lucky Sixpence in her Shoe - signifies wealth, both financial wealth and a wealth of happiness.

Wedding Tradition - Bride and Groom Not Seeing Each Other Before the Ceremony

This tradition stems from the early days of arranged marriages – when the bride and groom’s first meeting occurred at the wedding. The two were kept from seeing each other to prevent the groom from bolting should he not like the look of his new bride.

Wedding Tradition - Bridal Bouquet

The first bridal bouquet did not consist of wedding flowers. Instead, wedding bouquets were originally made of strong herbs such as thyme and garlic meant to ward off evil spirits.

Wedding Tradition - Throwing Rice

As rice is considered a “life giving” seed, it is thought that by throwing it on the couple they will be bestowed with fertility and have many children.

Wedding Tradition - Bridal Shower

Tradition states that the first bridal shower was given to a poor couple in Holland who was denied the bridal dowry because of the groom’s lowly miller status. The miller’s friends gathered to “shower” the bride with items she’d need to make a new home and enter into marriage.

Wedding Tradition - Getaway Car - Cans Tied To The Bumper

One wedding tradition of the Middle Ages was to ward off evil spirits by banging pots and making a lot of noise after the ceremony. This custom has been replaced by tying tin cans to the bumper of the car transporting the bride and groom.

Wedding Tradition - Garter Toss

Garter-throwing derives from an English ritual called “flinging the stocking.” Guests would playfully invade the bridal chamber and grab the bride’s stockings, and then they took turns sitting at the foot of the bed flinging the stockings over the heads of the couple. Whoever’s stocking landed on the bride’s or the groom’s nose would be the next to wed.

Wedding Tradition - Wedding Ring

The circular shape of a ring symbolizes eternal love and commitment – as it has neither beginning nor end, while the metal represents strength. We hear of the wedding ring as early as the Bible. When Abraham sent his servant to bring a wife for his son Isaac, the servant gave her a gold ring as he asked her to accompany him and marry Isaac.

Wedding Tradition - Wedding Ring on the Third Finger of the Left Hand

The Egyptians believed the “vein of love” ran directly from the ring finger to the heart, therefore the ring was placed there to denote eternal love.

For more information on Wedding Traditions and other Helpful Hints to plan your wedding, make sure you visit www.visiondjs.com you can also follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/visiondjs

The Knot Best of Weddings 2008/2009 Pick

What better way to start this new blog than by announcing that we have been rated by local brides and voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2008/2009 Pick. Please pick up a copy of The Knot Best of Weddings 2009 magazine and check out our listing."

This is our third year and we would like to thank all of the South Florida Brides who voted for us!

Bridal Shows

It is certainly Bridal Show Season and if you have not attended a Bridal Show you have not experienced true wedding planning. Here is a list of some upcoming bridal shows we will be attending. Stop by and say hello, we will be offering great bridal show promotions.

Down the Aisle - Sunday, April 19, 2009 1:00pm - 4:00pm Palmetto Bay Village Center
For more information or to Register www.downtheaisle.info or call 305-498-8313

Perfect Wedding Guide Spring Bridal Show - Sunday April 26, 2009 1:00pm - 4:00pm Diamante's Catering and Banquet Center For more information or to Register http://www.perfectweddingguide.com/southflorida or call 561.330.7899 x204

Private Bridal & Quince Show at Signature Grand Catering Mansion
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 6:00pm - 9:00pm Signature Grand in Davie For more information call (954) 424-4000

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like some Bridal Show advise.

Top Party Songs

Since blogging is new for us I guess we need to add more content to our blog, so we hope you enjoy our postings and we look forward to your feedback.

Many times we get asked by potential clients, "what songs will you play at my event" and our answer is simple, what would you, your family and friends enjoy? Vision DJs encourage our clients to have an input in the music that will be played at their event. Using our online interactive database, our clients can create a play list of "Must Plays", "Play if Possibles" and very important "DO NOT PLAY" songs

Still not sure what you want to hear, no problem, our DJs are experts at reading your guests and playing the music that will maximize the number of guests on the dance floor!

Want to know what other clients are requesting, click here.

Thanks for reading!