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Grand Entrance, First Dance & Hora. Chandelier Ballroom @ Santa Anita Park Race Track

March 28, 2018 By Eric Zimmermann

A Full Evening of Entertainment

In addition to my conducting the festivities as DJ and Master of Ceremonies Sheila and I performed Flute and Piano music for the wedding ceremony and cocktail hour and during dinner the Elegant Music Jazz Trio performed selections from the Great American Song Book.

See: A Full Evening of Entertainment

Santa Anita Park Race Track Weddings and Events

Wedding Planning and Executing a Wedding

“Planning a wedding” and “executing a wedding” are related but these are two different activities. A Master of Ceremonies is an “executive”. He executes announcements and in conducting the festivities along a predetermined course guides guests through the celebration. This is certainly the case with a grand entrance. Getting the grand entrance right helps to establish the master of ceremonies with that audience.

See: A Script for your Master of Ceremonies

Getting the Grand Entrance Right

Meaningful toasts. Family and friends were very happy for the bridal couple.

For this wedding it was decided:

For the grand entrance the bride and groom would enter the ballroom and come down the stairs and start their first dance.
Then on cue, the bridal party would join the bride and groom on the dance floor and complete their first dance.
At the end of the first dance (having the wedding couple and their bridal party all together on the dance floor) we would go right into the Hora.

Sure, it looks good on paper but will it happen exactly that way?

If I were to have made the scheduled announcement for (the bridal party to please join the wedding couple on the dance floor) chances would be good that there would have been little compliance from the bridal party “a failed announcement”.

It is dangerous for a master of ceremonies to make an announcement and it not happen. In an ideal world, the MC makes an announcement and it happens and guests see it happen. The MC is then credible with that audience.

The fastest way to lose control of an audience is to make an announcement and it not happen. This is especially important at the beginning of a wedding reception during the grand entrance. A failed announcement would make the MC and the wedding couple (who are exposed all alone on the dance floor) look bad.

Here is What Happened

So the first dance song is playing and just about up to the instrumental section when the announcement was to be made…

I quickly went around to the tables and found each member of the bridal party and asked them to line up with their partner. (You can see this happening on the video.)

Thank goodness they were all in the room and no one was in the bathroom. Once I had them lined up and in the ready position, I could make the announcement.

Piano, String Bass and Drums: The Elegant Musi Jazz Trio

They indeed did join the wedding couple on the dance floor. It was easy to then invite all guests to join them which they did.

The first dance was completed and a spirited hora followed with nearly everyone in participation. A successful grand entrance, first dance and hora!

Whew! That was a close one :-)

DJ/Master of Ceremonies Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music 626-797-1795

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music

Master of Ceremonies

Pianist

Bandleader

Elegant Music 626-797-1795

Success Story from a Bridal Shower

January 3, 2018 By Eric Zimmermann

It is a special moment for me when I receive a “thank you” note. Not only does the note remind me of the event but it is as if I can hear the voice of the author in the room talking to me as I read it.

We have all experienced events that have had profound effects on us. These are timeless and “right there” in our memory.

I am sure you can recall a special moment.

Sheila and I love receiving notes like this:

Success Story from Dr. Alice on her niece’s Wedding Shower

Dearest Eric,

Each time I read your beautiful wedding posts, I am reminded of how your professionally enhanced the bridal shower I held at the Celebrity Center in honor of my niece a while back.

I feel compelled to write to you in order to let you know that to this day all of my guests are still in awe of the way you performed and MC’d on that occasion. Each on of them, without exception, claims that your enthusiasm and expertise made that “the best bridal shower” they each had attended.

Reading other people’s comments in addition to my own experience, convinces me that what you do is your “true calling”. The passion with which you serve those fortunate enough to avail themselves of your multi talents and vast knowledge is palpable!

On behalf of my self and all the lives you’ve touched once again Thank You and continued Success!

Best

Dr. Alice

Thank you Dr. Alice!

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann

Master of Ceremonies

Pianist

Bandleader

Elegant Music 626-797-1795

More about Successful Wedding and Event Planning

September 30, 2016 By Eric Zimmermann

Event Planning Tool – Itinerary SKETCH

In an earlier article we discussed how ideas have to be put some place for easy reference or they can become lost… An outline or itinerary sketch of one’s event early in planning shows sequence and can be used as a tool to help organize…

See: Classic Wedding @ Greystone Mansion

Beautiful Bride in the Formal Garden @ Greystone Mansion

Having an itinerary sketch makes talking about music easy. Referring to an itinerary sketch during a telephone consultation about music ensures we are “on the same page”.

See: Before Talking About Music

An itinerary sketch is just a sketch and will change. Through the creative process the itinerary is alive as concepts develop. You can have it engraved later.

Indeed there is beauty in a well organized event. In the hands of event professionals a well organized event goes well; every vendor knowing what comes next. All I have to do it to look across the room at the coordinator and get the cue to start the next segment. A well organized event instills confidence in the vendors and on some level that confidence is perceived by guests. All of this translates to a relaxed atmosphere, free from distractions and an optimum performance.

Because an itinerary sketch helps to define the scope of service and illustrates sequence an itinerary sketch is included as part of every Elegant Music agreement.

See: An Itinerary and Script for your Master of Ceremonies

DJ and Master of Ceremonies Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music

Achieving Your Vision

It is import that the performers understand what is needed and wanted and it almost goes without saying that there is peace of mind in you the client knowing that the vendor/performers understand your vision. You know that I know and I know that you know that I know. That would be understanding for all parties and an agreement on the path forward to accomplish a great event.

To download itinerary planning templates also see: A Full Evening of Entertainment

Eric Zimmermann DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist and Band Leader Elegant Music

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music 626-797-1795

Please fill out this form and get started planning music for your special event:

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“Thank You” Notes; We love these!

September 8, 2014 By Eric Zimmermann

"Thank You" note from Melodi and Grant — “Thank You” note from Melodi and Grant

“Thank You” notes. I love receiving these!

One of my favorite requests that I like to ask couples is to “please tell the story of how you met.” It’s a lot of fun to listen to… the story told by one, with insights and back story provided by the other; it’s always a good story!

Married couples enjoy looking back on their special day and enjoy talking about it.

Sheila and I have been performing for weddings here in Southern California since 1990; lots of memories and we always enjoy talking about the gigs we did over the weekend.

Beautiful Wedding @ Pickwick Gardens Burbank, California

We just received this note from Melodi and Grant. Check out more pictures and video of their wedding at Pickwick Gardens Burbank, California.

Melodi and Grant Wedding.

Eric Zimmermann Composer, Pianist, Band Leader, DJ and Master of Ceremonies

Thank you Melodi and Grant!

I had a lot of fun being your DJ and Master of Ceremonies. It was a pleasure working with you.

Congratulations!

Sincerely,
Eric Zimmermann
DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist and Band Leader
www.elegantmusic.com 626-797-1795

Beautiful & Creative Wedding @ Pickwick Gardens Burbank

August 16, 2014 By Eric Zimmermann

I often say “I love it when good people find each other and decide to get married.”

download-1 — Melodi and Grant from Hawaii

Creative Music Choices

I had a lot of fun collaborating with Melodi and Grant on their wedding. Music is important to them; their creativity even included commissioning an original song for their first dance. I was turned on to cool songs by new artists, I received a dance music request list including Persian and Hindi Dance Music along with Top 40 requests. I could go on and on about Custom Blended Teas – Video Message – Guestbook – Wedding Website – Photo Sharing and how family and invited guests contributed to a beautiful wedding ceremony. Caught up in all this I even composed 5 short pieces for Cello and Guitar that were also performed during their wedding ceremony.

Here are some links to pages showing various aspects of their wedding.

Wedding Processional Rhythm of Love Plain White T’s for Cello and Guitar

Wedding Guests Contribute A Beautiful Performance

Bach Prelude from Solo Cello Suite #1 in G major Wedding Processional

Cello & Guitar for Baha’i Wedding Ceremony

_MG_5430 — Eric Zimmermann DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist and Band Leader Elegant Music

Dance Music Video

Elegant Music DJ Dance Floor Surround Sound Video Having an outdoor wedding with a large dance floor Melodi and Grant decided on Dance Floor Surround Sound for the dancing portion of their wedding. A picture is worth a thousand words and a moving picture is worth… more than a thousand words. For those seeking answers, this video answers many important questions about Dance Music including:

What is Dance Floor Surround Sound?

Turn Down For What? and

What Does The Fox Say?

Congratulations Melodi and Grant!

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist and Band Leader Elegant Music Los Angeles, CA. 626-797-1795