MASTERS OF MUSIC

Kenny Sauters with Master's of Music DJ Service has been providing entertainment since 1985 and recently gave Blue Envy Weddings this great interview.  Please enjoy and then visit his website (click here) to learn more about Masters of Music's services.   

In addition to DJ services Kenny produces some of Louisville best bridal shows.  Mark your calendars for this upcoming show.

SBC: What is your favorite CD at this time?

Kenny:  Earth, Wind and Fire’s Greatest Hits

SBC:  How many years have you been a wedding DJ?  

Kenny:  25

SBC:  What are your top five recommendations for songs to be played during cocktail hour?

Kenny:  Dancing in the Moonlight – King Harvest   Banana Split for My Baby – Louis Prima   Having a Party – Rod Stewart   Lady Soul – Temptations    Love’s Theme – Barry White   

SBC: Rumor is that you now have photo booths, what is included in the rental?

Kenny: Unlimited pictures for their guests. An attendant to work the Photo Booth. Add ons. Flash drive of all pictures taken at the event.  Props and Scrapbooks are also available.

SBC:  Any tips for brides and groom on how to get their guest dancing once the dance floor opens?

Kenny:  If the bride and groom are dancing more of their guests will join them.

SBC:  Describe one of your most memorable receptions?

Kenny:  This one is tough.  I have a lot of them.  I have done two of my niece’s wedding receptions in the past couple of years.  They are very special to me.  I put a lot of time in their wedding receptions like I do with all my brides and grooms to make it personal and memorable.  Giving them the wedding reception they always dreamed is why I love what I do.

SBC: What is your favorite underplayed first dance song?

Kenny:  Feels Like Home – Chantal Kreviazuk

SBC:  What options do you offer for sound reinforcement for ceremonies?

Kenny:  We can do recorded music for ceremony.  We also have lavaliere microphones for the groom and officant.  We also provide a microphone on a stand for readings.

SBC:  What is your best advice for brides and grooms on how to choose their DJ?

Kenny:  It has been said that 80% of the success of your wedding reception will depend on the entertainment you hire.  The hiring of your DJ entertainment is something you do not want to make a mistake on.

 Five tips you should ALWAYS do before hiring entertainment

 1.       Meet with the DJ who will be doing your wedding reception.

 2.       Get references on wedding receptions that were done by the DJ you met with.

 3.  Make sure you have the DJ company put in the contract that the person you met with will be the person that actually does your wedding reception.  Will this person be there for the entire reception or just part of it?  This one is the very important.  If the person’s name is not part of the contract, the company can legally send ANYONE they want.  They could send someone with NO experience.   Don’t take that chance with your wedding reception.

 4. Get references from other wedding professionals (wedding coordinators, Reception Facilities, Photographers, Videographers, etc.)  Make sure you ask  the wedding professional why they recommend this DJ Company.  Do they recommend the DJ company because they provide a good service or because the DJ pays them with candy, cash or gift cards to recommend their DJ Company.  The true wedding professionals do not get paid or compensated for referring other wedding professionals.

 5.  Make sure whoever is paying for the DJ attends the first meeting.  They need to see the value of service that they are paying for.  A big mistake made by past brides and grooms is hiring a DJ just on price.   

 Over 95% of brides that were dissatisfied with their DJ at their wedding reception NEVER met the DJ in advance



THE COUTURE CLOSET

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Something Blue Collective is excited to bring to you a recent interview with the fabulous ladies Tera and Lauren that own the Couture Closet.  The Couture Closet is a bridal boutique located just outside of Louisville in LaGrange, KY.  After reading the interview please watch their SBC video were they give great tips and advice on how to choose the perfect dress for your special day.

SBC:   What inspired you two to open a bridal boutique?

We met in college at Sullivan University while we were working on a Degree in Event Management.  One of the classes we took included a week long trip to Mexico to see how a resort is run.  One night at dinner in Mexico a bunch of us were talking about where we wanted to be after graduation.  The two of pretty much had the same dream of being a Wedding Coordinator.  Nearly a year after graduation there were some phone falls made, meetings, ideas, research, and then after thinking long and hard, we realized that both of us loved special events but we had backgrounds in retail.  It just seemed natural that we would open a bridal boutique. 

We are very fortunate to have found each other the way we did because we both have the same passion about customer service (which is definitely hard to find now a days).  It took us nearly a year and half to get everything together before we opened our doors.  Our mission is to provide an experience to the bride and her family that she won’t soon forget in an environment that is cozy and charming!  Offering designers that are committed to quality workmanship and giving our brides that uniqueness that they are looking for on their wedding day.

We chose our La Grange location for a couple reasons.  First being that we wanted our boutique to be a memorable experience, so we chose this quaint little town that actually has a train that comes down the middle of the street!!  There are great shops, tasty cafes, and just a relaxing atmosphere for a fun memorable day of shopping.  The second reason is we wanted stop to tiresome trek to Cincinnati that a lot of brides tend to make to look for their wedding gown.  Here you will get service that is unparalleled to that of Cincinnati as well as the same designers at the same price (minus the gas money).   

SBC:   Tera your wedding is approaching, without giving away too many details of your dress, what designer did you choose?

Tera: I chose an Augusta Jones dress.  We were at the New York Bridal Market in October 2009 and I watched it go down the runway and I looked at Lauren and Brooke (our intern at the time) and said “I think that is my dress!”  Sure enough they let me try it on after the show and I loved it from what I could see….but there was no mirrors.  Augusta Jones sent it in to me over Thanksgiving to try it on, and the rest is history!

SBC:  Lauren, can you describe the dress you chose for your wedding?

Lauren: Oh my, I chose a beautiful ivory silk brocade gown that had a mocha colored charmeuse band at the waist that tied like a Kimono in the back.  The dress had a low back and a sweetheart neckline and love it just as much now as I did 3 years ago!!

SBC:  What are the current trends in wedding dress design?

Lately our designers have been designing simpler dresses with one aspect that stands out or has a twist!  Whether it is a simple A-line gown with a fabulous crystal embellished belt, or a beautiful mermaid silhouette with a big dramatic flower, it is the classic timeless look that has been the hot trend.  This allows you to be more adventurous with the accessories and headpieces. 

Tip: Don’t let a dress wear you, you need to be wearing the dress.  You need to feel comfortable and beautiful in your wedding gown.  Even if everyone agrees you look great in the dress, but your hips or your back or your bust still bother you than that is not the dress for you. And the best advice is: if you love it and it makes you feel like a bride and maybe everyone else does not agree, that is okay.  There is no reason to not get the dress you love!

SBC:  Can each of you suggest the perfect dress for a bride getting married this spring with an indoor evening ceremony?

Tera: There are so many options that the list is nearly endless.  As far as a fabric the bride could wear; she could do organza which is very much associated with Spring and Summer time weddings.  Taffeta which is great all year long and can be  formal or informal.  Lace is simply romantic.  There are dainty laces and ones with more substance.  Satin is a heavier material and lends itself to a more formal wedding, but you see the fabric options go on forever!  If I had to pick a dress that is currently in the store that screams Spring I would say Eze by Reverie.  For a bit more formal look I would suggest Verde by Junko Yoshioka or Maeve by Vineyard Collection (just shown on the cover of Louisville Bride)

Eze by Reverie

Verde by Junko Yoshioka

Maeve by Vineyard Collection

Lauren:  For a Spring wedding with an evening indoor ceremony I would probably pick something with a fuller skirt.  Not necessarily a ball own but something with a little bit of pouf.  And maybe because it is an evening wedding I would spice it up a little bit with a little sparkle.  In our shop right now would suggest the Connie dress by Augusta Jones, it is a beaded lace ball gown with a satin sash, and a little tulle at the neck line.  Or I would go with Carter by Vineyard Collection, Carter is a strapless mermaid gown with buttons all the way down the back.  Both gowns would be ideal for a Spring wedding.

Connie by Augusta Jones

Carter by Vineyard Collection

 SBC:  Can each of you please list your top three designers currently?

Our favorite designers are Vineyard Collection, Augusta Jones, and Robert Bullock Bride.  Augusta Jones offers a look that is more traditional but adds a modern twist.  She builds a lace up corset inside her dresses that is sure to make you feel nice and secure all night long!  Vineyard Collection embodies the classic bride with a bit more of a statement!  Robert Bullock Bride offers an amazingly constructed dress at a price point that brides LOVE!!!!  If you are going to spends several hundred or a couple thousand, you need to be buying a dress that is well constructed and does not feel like plastic.  We have search and searched and tried VERY hard to get designers in a price point that you can feel comfortable with and that give you the craftsmanship you deserve to be wearing on your big day!  Come check them out!

SBC:  What bridal accessories can brides find at the Couture Closet?

We carry shoes, veils, hair pieces, jewelry and garters.  As far as the undergarments we have Spanx, Cleavage Cupcakes (breast enhancers), and fashion tape.  We also sell little gifty items such as wedding planner books, Bridesmaid Survival Kits, and Tank Tops that say Bride, The Maids, Newlywed, (and our favorite) Wifey. 

SBC:  Is an appt required or suggested for brides looking to visit you boutique?

Bridal Appointments are VERY highly recommended.  When we opened our boutique we promised ourselves that we wanted to make our shop an experience unlike any other bridal boutique around.  We don’t want to compromise that experience for anyone so when you come to a Couture Closet appointment you are sure to get one on one attention, yummy treats and drinks, and a quite atmosphere.  If we had more than one bride at a time we wouldn’t be able to accomplish this experience.  So you really need to call and schedule your time at The Couture Closet.  If you walked in off the street with out an appointment we won’t turn you away, if we don’t have a bride already there we will be happy to accommodate you but if a bride is already there or both of us are occupied with customers we wont be able give you the assistance you deserve.

Also, the only two people that work at The Couture Closet are the two of us!  Because we are the owners you are getting the best assistance there is because we care about your wedding gown just as much as you do!  When you schedule your appointment you don’t just get an hour and a half of dresses, you get the owner of the shop as a personal assistant that will help you through the purchasing process, finding the perfect accessories, bridesmaid dresses, mother of the bride attire, and even dress steaming the week of you wedding!

SBC: If a bride’s choice of dress is not carried in your store, can that dress be ordered?

As long as the gown chosen is a designer we carry in the boutique, a bride can order it and/or we can get a sample dress sent in for the bride to try on.   We are only legally aloud to sell dresses from the designers we are authorized to carry so if the dress is by a designer we don’t currently have in our shop we won’t be able to get the dress.  However, if you love a dress from a certain designer we can probably find you a dress very similar from a designer we do carry!

SBC:  What is the first word you think of when I say “lace”

Romance!!

Special thanks to Deanna Kaye Photography for the great pics!





MIDNIGHT MAGIC DJ'S

Midnight Magic DJ’s is a DJ company based in Louisville, KY specializing in wedding reception entertainment. With more than 25 years of combined mobile DJ entertainment experience, Midnight Magic prides itself on customizing each and every reception to fit the style and attitude of the bride & groom. Our staff is comprised of professional DJ’s and MC’s and many of our staff DJ’s can also be heard on local radio stations. Owner Carlos Morales spent 10 years in the radio industry in Idaho, Arizona, Florida and most recently on Louisville’s 98.9 Kiss FM. We look forward to making your wedding "Magical"!

 

Carlos graciously took time out to do an interview with Something Blue Collective.  Thanks Carlos!!

• SBC:  What was the first CD you ever bought?
• Carlos:  George Strait “Pure Country”
• SBC:  Your favorite CD at this time?
• Carlos:  The Black Eyed Peas “The E.N.D”
• SBC:  What are the top 5 dance songs your couples request to be played at their reception?
• 1.      Journey- Don’t Stop Believin’
• 2.      AC/DC- You Shook Me All Night Long
• 3.      Justin Timberlake- Sexyback
• 4.      Beyonce- Single Ladies
• 5.      Def Leppard- Pour Some Sugar On Me
• SBC:  What is the number one “Do not play” song that your couples request?
• Carlos:  The Chicken Dance by far! A close second is the Marcarena. Although with these songs even if they are not on the couples do not play list we will not play one unless they are specifically requested by either the bride or the groom;-)
• SBC:  What is your best advice for brides and grooms on how to choose their DJ?
• Carlos:  Meet with them! Not every DJ is right for you. A DJ has to have the right personality for your reception. When you  are meeting with a DJ company make sure that you ask to meet with the DJ/MC who will be working your event.
• SBC:  Why did you choose “Midnight Magic” as the name of your company?
  Carlos:  Midnight Magic was a company I looked up to when I started my business in Emmett, Idaho 13 years ago. Midnight Magic was the company you thought of when you thought of elegance, fun & professionalism. Owner Rick Steele was my mentor in my first years of my career and taught me much of what I know and use today. Midnight Magic no longer operates in Idaho and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to have a constant reminder of excellence in my business.  
• SBC:  Describe one of your most memorable receptions?
• Carlos:  I did a reception for a comic book store owner in Cocoa Beach, FL in 2004. Memorable doesn’t even come close to describing this reception. The groom was dressed as Spiderman the bride was dressed as Buffy. The wedding cake was a giant building with Spiderman scaling the building. The costumes didn’t end with the bridal party either. All of the guests were invited to dress up as well. I can say this was definitely not a black tie affair!
• SBC:  What is one of the most unusual first dance songs you were requested to play?
• Carlos:  Have not seen it before or since. We did a reception in New Albany in 2008 for a couple who was both into the rock scene. Their first dance was “Crazy Bitch” by Buckcherry
• SBC:  What song did Carrie and you chose to dance to for your first dance?
  Carlos:  This is funny Carrie and I were to be married in March of 2007, because of insurance reasons we got married in secret in August of 2006. 3  months later we finally told everyone and just never got to the proper wedding and reception. We do have a song though  it’s Rascal Flatts “Bless The Broken Road”. And finally we are going to have the reception we never did in August of 2011 for our 5^th anniversary.
• SBC:   What is the first thing that comes to mind when I say “IPOD”?
• Carlos:  90’s! That’s what mine is packed with;-)

APPLIED COSMETIC SERVICES

Don't leave your picture perfect look for your wedding day to the girl behind the cosmetic counter or your local hair dresser that squeezes you into her busy saturday schedule.  Instead, choose a professional make-up artist and hair stylist that will travel to your wedding location and make sure your picture perfect look lasts from the first picture until the last dance.

 Meet Ana Crane-Simpson with Applied Cosmetic Services.  Ana resides in Lexington but because of her popularity you can find her in Louisville almost as much as Lexington.  Ana meets with clients before the big day to discuss their desired look and does a trial run to ensure the bride is satisfied.  When your wedding day arrives you can be assured that you will look fabulous!!

 Before watching Ana's Something Blue Collective video, meet Ana in the following brief SBC interview.

 SBC:  What are the current trends in make-up and hair for weddings for this upcoming spring and summer? 

Ana:  Here are the beauty trends for brides in 2010: BOLD and BRIGHT colors. A perfect pouty pink lip partnered up with a bold black lined eye is for a modern bride. A more traditional bride may opt for a brown/coppery eye with a muted glossy pink lip. A huge trend this season is a vintage look... you can go for soft and dewy, or bold and matte. A glamour look is just as popular on the runways! Long dark lashes, a winged eye, and matte red lips.

SBC:  What make-up do you use on your brides?Ana:  I really love using MAC cosmetics on brides. The foundation, eye shadows, and eye lashes photograph beautifully and are not heavy looking. There primers are amazing and really keep the eye shadows and foundation looking fresh and bright. For those brides that are concerned about their oily skin type, MAC has an amazing blot powder! I leave all my brides with blot powder and a touch-up lip pallette to use throughout the wedding, when needed.

 SBC:  Where do you find inspiration for the different looks that you create?

Ana:  I find inspiration in everything! From my conversation with the bride I really get a visual of what she can look like. I love hearing about the special details, flower combos, bridesmaid dresses, hair pieces, and of course- the dress! I feel my fashion design background really helps me listen to the bride and execute the perfect look for her. Every wedding is different and so is every bride... that is why I love what I do!! The bride really needs someone that will understand what she is trying to convey on the most photographed day of her life!!

 SBC:  What is your favorite color of lipstick in your purse right now?

Ana:  My favorite lipstick color right now is MAC: Viva Glam 5. It is a gorgeous nude pink that works with every skin tone and shadow color(s). The best part is that 100% of sale price goes to the MAC AIDS Fund, it goes directly to adults and children living with AIDS. As of 2009, there are 6 shades of Viva Glam lipsticks.

 SBC:  How do you prevent the bride’s make-up from fading on her wedding day?

Ana:  The best way to keep the bridal make-up from fading is by preparing the skin with a primer. This helps even out the skin tone, reduces redness, fills in any fine lines and enlarged pores. It also helps reduce the oils in the skin from breaking down the foundation. No foundation is 100% waterproof, so a blot powder is ideal to remove shine hours after initial makeup application.

 SBC:  Do you have any advice for brides on how to prep their skin for their wedding day?

Ana:  The best advice I can give to brides about prepping the skin before the wedding is: DO NOT spray-tan your face or expose your face in a tanning bed!!! You will pay for it later! If you moisturize and exfoliate with a scrub 4 to 7 days prior to the BIG day, your skin will be glowing! If you happen to get a few pimples or small breakout, that is common, do not touch the area and see a dermatologist (in extreme cases a steroid creme can reduce the breakout). Most topical cremes help and of course a good make-up artist can cover anything up.

SBC:  What is the one must have for every bride to become picture perfect for their wedding day?

Ana:  A must have for a bride to be picture perfect: SMILE ALOT and always have a blot powder and the perfect lipgloss color handy!! It is amazing what a great color can do for ones confidence.

 SBC:  What is the biggest difference between hiring a professional make-up artist that specializes in working with photographers and a make-up artist found in a local salon or at a make-up counter?

Ana:  The biggest difference between hiring a professional makeup artist and going to your local makeup counter is the application time, travel on the day of and the attention to detail. I firmly believe you get what you pay for. If you go to a counter, you may not get a trial and if you do... then there is a chance the artist that did your trial may not be the same person that applies it on the wedding day. Also most counters set aside only 1/2hour for the entire appointment. And let's not forget you have to travel to the mall and hope there are no delays.

When you hire a professional makeup artist, you are ensuring you are going to look exactly as you envisioned on your wedding day. I travel on-location and bring everything with me. I use makeup that is photo-friendly. I do all of my bridal trials and can accomidate bridesmaids and/or mom's. I really get to know my clients and do anything I can to exceed their expectations. When you consider the grand investment a wedding can be, why would you not invest in a "beauty" expert for your BIG day!

 SBC:  Any quick do’s and don’ts of make-up our brides reading?

Ana:  Do's and Don'ts of hiring makeup/hair professional:    Do- Research on line,get references, see portfolio of work, set up a trial, ask for touch up kit. Don't- skip an opportunity to see what a professional can offer!

Do's and Don'ts in makeup: Do- moisturize, research what colors work with your skin tone, set up a private makeup class, throw out old makeup, design a day and evening look, clean your brushes regularly. Don't- share makeup with anyone, use sponges, use colors that wash you out, go to sleep without washing your face, use foundation containing mica (reflects light in photography), and don't  underestimate the power of beautiful makeup!

SBC:  What is the first thing that pops into your mind when I say “false eyelashes”?

Ana:  When I hear "false eyelashes", the first thing that pops in my mind is .... a blushing bride!! Eye lashes can look amazing if applied correctly. They can add that extra something to a simple, natural look. Or they can take a dramatic look over the top.

Thanks Ana for all the great tips and advice.  Please visit her website www.appliedcosmeticservices.com 

to view more of her portfolio and learn about what services she can provide for your wedding day.