Had a great night at Jasper Winery with the East South Des Moines Chamber. Thanks to Sade and Peggy for the opportunity to work with the Chamber again. There was great food and networking at the event.
Author Archives: Jimmy Olsen Entertainment
Chamber Night with the Barnstormers
We had a great time at Wells Fargo Arena right before the Barnstormers game thanks to the Greater Des Moines Partnership for the Regional Chamber Networking Event.
Downtown Council 02052013
Yesterday I attended the downtown council. We met at the Temple for Performing Arts. It was another great meeting with so many things coming to Des Moines. It’s going to be busy the next few weeks.
The Greater Des Moines Convention and visitors Bureau shared some big events coming over the next month. Including the state wrestling tournament, boys and girls basketball, which are always great events for Des Moines. Also the NCAA wrestling will be here in March. It’s sold out so downtown retailers are excited for the influx of people. This will be great for our local economy.
Kevin Crowley and Peter Brown also shared with us the plan for Walnut Street which includes more downtown living and retail space. They are still reviving downtown by bringing more to downtown with living, shopping, and playing.
The Des Moines Social Club even gave us a sneak peak at “The Last Five Years”. It opens tomorrow and runs through the 17th. You can find more of their events at desmoinessocialclub.org.
We were reminded of the Iowa Cubs opening day April 12th. The attendees were very excited. Brenton Skating Plaza is also still open through March, depending on weather since Phil called for an early spring by not seeing his shadow.
The downtown council meets the first Tuesday of the month. Checkout their events onlinedesmoinesdowntownchamber.com.
Tomorrow afternoon the Des Moines West Side Chamber is having a business after hours networking event from 4 to 6:30 at Pignott, INC, 3815 Ingersoll.
Do I Really Need a Wedding Video?
Do I Really Need a Wedding Video?
Horizon Video Productions
Your wedding day will be a blur to you and your parents. You plan the many details for months, but your wedding day goes by so fast that you will miss a large part of it.
A wedding video is like a “time machine”. It lets you relive your wedding day as often as you like, anytime you like. As a fellow videographer put it, “It let’s you attend your own wedding at your leisure without the stresses and distractions of the day.” It is also a significant and important “living” document for your families, your children, and grandchildren. Some couples don’t realize just how important their wedding video will become until they experience the loss of a loved one that attended their wedding.
I Want a Wedding Video but I Have a Friend With a Camcorder
Some couples use a friend or family member to videotape their wedding day. Would you have a friend or family member take all of your wedding photographs? Probably not.
We have heard numerous stories of people running out of tape or batteries, not shooting important activities, and taking shaky or bad footage. Using a friend or relative can cause hard feelings and ruin relationships if your video is poorly done or not done at all. Also, that person can’t enjoy themselves at your wedding while they are videotaping it.
A wedding video is a movie of your wedding day, a lasting memory that contains 30 pictures every second and includes the timeless sites and sounds of every important event that took place on your special day. A professional wedding video should tell the story of your wedding day. Using creative camera work, a keen attention to detail, and artistic editing using music, the right blend of effects and transitions, the professional wedding videographer should produce a video you will watch often and be proud to show others.
I’m Having a Photographer So I Don’t Need a Video
Both your photographs and your wedding video are of equal importance. You can’t frame your wedding video or carry it with you in your purse or wallet to show a friend.
But, you can’t hear your marriage vows, see a tear as it rolls down your cheek, or relive the sights, sounds, and emotions of your dad walking you down the aisle or your first dance as husband and wife.
Photography and videography are both artistic expressions and vary from artist to artist. It is important to view the work of each and meet one-on-one with the person(s) that will be producing your photographs and your wedding video. Make sure that their style and personalities match your expectations.
How Much Will It Cost?
There is a misconception that your wedding video should be less expensive than your photographs:
- A professional videographer should attend your rehearsal to meet the Officiant, become familiar with the order of activities, and offer ideas and assistance to improve the video.
- A professional videographer will invest around $20,000 or more in equipment plus training and experience.
- Typical wedding day coverage includes two cameras with operators that shoot almost continuously for five hours or more.
- Your wedding video will take 20 to 30 hours or more to edit so that the raw footage is transformed into a smoothly flowing story of your wedding day.
- And, unlike Steven Spielberg or even your photographer, your videographer has only one take to capture your wedding day activities. The ceremony or special events can’t be stopped and done over if something isn’t perfect.
Your wedding videographers must be the:
- producer
- director
- lighting technician
- sound person
- cinematographer
- editor
and they must perform all of these jobs well to produce the wedding video that you hope for and deserve.
Pricing varies depending on experience, services offered, time spent, etc. Choose a videographer based on how their work makes your feel when you see it then discuss pricing based on what it will take to produce your personal video memory.
Couples tell us that the best money they spent was on their wedding video and are so happy they made the decision to have one.
When Should I Book a Videographer?
As with your first choice for your ceremony, reception, and other vendors the best wedding videographers will be booked first. You should meet with videographers as you would photographers, if not earlier in your planning process. There are fewer videographers than there are photographers. Eight months to one year prior to your day is not too early.
Do I Really Need a Wedding Video?
It’s up to you. Your wedding day will only happen once in your lives. Don’t regret not having your precious memories preserved in a video that you can see and relive over and over.
DJ Advice – How to Hire a DJ
by Sara J. Samples
Fantasia Mobile Sound & Lighting
It’s hard enough planning a wedding ceremony, but then you also have to plan a reception! That means choosing food, drinks, decorations, locations, entertainment… While it may seem terribly important to pick exactly the right flowers, what’s really important is that you pick the right people.
Rule 1: Meet your DJ.
No matter how well-respected a DJ company is, reputation does not guarantee success. Be sure to meet your DJ! Large DJ companies are constantly hiring new employees, and each of those new employees has a first show. Do you want for it to be yours? If you use a large company, be certain to meet with the real DJ who will be entertaining your guests, not just the boss. No matter who you hire, be certain that the personality of the DJ is compatible with your own, and that you are comfortable with putting the biggest party of your life in his or her hands.
Rule 2: Get it in writing.
Your DJ needs to have a contract! The contract should include: the name of your real DJ, the date, time and place of your event, the cost, and any stipulations under which the contract can be broken. In addition, your DJ ought to allow for you to make additional requirements (within reason) that are placed in the contract itself. If you feel strongly enough about something that the addition or lack of it would ruin your night, be sure to get it in writing!
Rule 3: Consultations
Be sure that your DJ provides consultations. Get involved in the planning of the reception to whatever degree you feel comfortable. Don’t allow a DJ to bully you simply because he/she is a “professional.” On the other hand, be wary of DJ’s who want for you to plan the entire night song by song—you simply don’t need that kind of stress now! Consultations should be free of charge. If a company will need a fee for consultations, you may end up spending much more than you originally planned.
Rule 4: Check out their music
A common mistake people make is to assume that because a DJ is affiliated with a radio station, the music they bring to a show includes all/only the music played on that station. If you love country music, be certain that your DJ owns country music, and if you have a passion for the newest top 40 hits, make sure that your DJ updates his/her library often. A DJ also should be willing to accommodate all special song requests if given advance notice.
Rule 5: What if?
If you are an optimist and never get cold feet, then you can skip this section. But if you are like most of us, you’re probably nervous that everything won’t be perfect. Spend a few moments dreaming up worst case scenarios, and then present them to your DJ. An experienced entertainer has probably already smoothed over most of your biggest fears. Also be sure that they have backup equipment in case of spontaneous combustion. You never know…
The Unity Candle Ceremony
The Unity Candle Ceremony
by Vanessa Kasal Kunze
The Unity Candle Ceremony has become a very popular and symbolic aspect of weddings within the last 10 years. The lighting of the Unity Candle symbolizes the new union of a husband and wife, two individuals who are becoming one through marriage.
A unity candle is actually a set of candles: a large single candle in the center, with two slim taper candles on either side. The candles are placed in holders, either a special unity candleholder or individual bases. The unity candle is often placed off to the side of the area where the wedding ceremony will be performed. Some time during the ceremony, the couple will each take a lighted taper, and together will light the big center candle, symbolizing their unity and commitment to each other.
There is no “standard” way to perform the Unity Candle ceremony, nor is there a specific place where it will occur within the ceremony. It is very common to have the Unity Candle ceremony after the exchange of rings and before the pronouncement of husband and wife. But one very nice thing about this ceremony is that it can be customized and the individual details are completely up to you.
Here are some ideas to help you with the planning of your Unity Candle Ceremony:
- Prior to the ceremony: The unity candle area is set up. It is often a good idea to light the wicks ahead of time then blow them out. A pre-burned wick is easier to light (many couples have been in the middle of their ceremony and couldn’t get the wick to light!)
- Lighting the tapers: There are many different variations on lighting the side tapers.
- Some people have them already burning before the ceremony starts, to symbolize the bride and the groom as individuals.
- You can opt to have the mother of the bride and groom each light one candle with special music playing while this is going on. The mother of the groom is escorted in by either an usher or a male member of the brides family, where she will then light a taper then is ushered to her seat. The mother of the bride is escorted in by the groom himself, an usher or a male member of the grooms family, where she will light the other taper, then gets escorted to her seat. At this time the bridesmaids music begins and the ceremony starts.
- The groom will light a taper before the ceremony, and after the bride is escorted in, she will light her taper.
- If the couple are bringing children into the marriage, you can opt to have the children light the tapers.
- Lighting the center candle: The couple will move to the area where the Unity Candle is displayed. Each will take a taper, and together they will light the large center candle. Some people choose to blow out their tapers, to symbolize their commitment to each other and as a show of their unity. Other couples leave their tapers lit, to symbolize that they are still individuals even though they have been united in marriage. No matter if you plan to keep your tapers lit or not, the choice is totally up to you.
Some couples choose to have a special song played while they are lighting the unity candle. Any song you wish can be used; popular Unity Candle songs include “Here and Now” by Luther Vandross, “Ava Maria”, “ Grow Old With Me” by John Lennon or Mary Chapin Carpenter, and “To Make You Feel My Love” by Garth Brooks. You can also choose to have a special poem read or you can choose to have a moment of silence.
If you are having an outdoor ceremony, you may want to consider not only pre-lighting the wicks of the candles, but also putting them inside glass hurricane lamps to protect them from the wind. There is nothing more frustrating than being outside and the wind prevents you from lighting your candles! You can find hurricane lamps in a variety of sizes and shapes at most craft, department or discount stores.
The Unity Candle Ceremony is non-denominational, which means it has no religious significance. This makes it a popular choice for both religious and non-religious ceremonies alike. One thing to keep in mind; many houses of worship may not allow this ceremony, so if you have your heart set on it, you may need to check with the appropriate people to see if this is allowed.
insider’s guide to hen’s nights
Brides are often a little confused about what is happening on their Hen’s Night and end up following a group of women with their own agenda.
Nothing wrong with that, but if you are clever, you can have a perfect evening and do what you actually wanted to do.
The secrecy surrounding the planning of a Hen’s night usually means that you have very little input, but here is how to get the night you want: simply ask for it! Your maid of honour and those responsible for planning your night will be more than happy with suggestions coming from you. It is how you introduce your suggestions that will make them feel they are still in control.
The trusted online poll comes to mind where you answer questions. Search round and find some fun polls on the internet. You will find many sites that allow you to create and send your own poll too if you can not find the right one for your plan.
Make a list of questions that will show your preferences and choices for a perfect hen’s night. Also include what you really do not want like a stripper as old as your dad. Answer all the questions and then forward this via your friend’s address to all your friends as one of those quick answer fun things to do. Your answers will be studied for clues – guaranteed. This way your friends know what you want and can plan ahead with their ‘secret’ information.
question suggestions for your poll:
- I prefer a night without alcohol. Yes/ No
- Public bars are out of this world choices. Yes/ No
- Beauty spa for a day? Now you are talking! Yes / No
- Loud music and lots of dancing please. Yes / No
- Fun outfits with a theme are just great. Yes / No
- Public transport means we can have a party without fear. Yes / No
- Gifts should be cash towards my honeymoon. Yes / No
- Invite the boys along? Yes / No
- My co workers are not my friends. Yes / No
- Tea and cake with loads of roses and style. Yes / No
Creating such a fun poll you not only discover yourself what you actually will enjoy most, you also tell others in a nice way what will work for you and what not.
here are a couple of things not to with this:
- Do not make this a serious list that takes away the spontaneity of those planning your event.
- Do not sound like a dominatrix that is laying down the law – keep it fun and light hearted.
- Do not analyse every answer from your friends to see if they differ from you. They will and that is why we are such an interesting species.
- Most Importantly, Enjoy your evening out!
5 tips to choosing your photographer
Selecting the right wedding photographer is one of the toughest and most important decisions to make when planning your wedding. Here are some questions to consider when researching possible candidates that will help find the right photographer for you.
qualifications
- Did your photographer complete formal education in photography or train with another professional to learn their profession?
- Do they run their photography business full-time?
- Are they an accredited member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography, the professional body which governs the photographic industry AIPP?
- Do they have backup equipment & insurance?
- Do they have a professional contract/client agreement?
pricing
- Is their pricing clear and precise?
- Do you have an idea of true market value for the type of photography you want? (Try comparing the same set of items with lots of different photographers.)
- Does your photographer use real dollars not “credit” towards items?
- Are you aware of how much can you expect to spend after the wedding?
personality
- Do you see your professional photographer making your day enjoyable & relaxed, not “take over” and be too pushy?
- Have you checked online to read their blog and about their work & reputation?
practicality
- Are they a local photographer to you and/or your venue?
- Will they plan your timing with you to make sure the best use of daylight and make sure all of your expectations are met?
you
- Do you have any special requirements for yourself or your partner, and does your photographer care & understand about them? (e.g: blinking, height differences, family politics)
- Are you absolutely sure you want this person following you around all day?
If the answer is YES to most of the above questions…congratulations!!
You have found your photographer!!
Let me help!
It’s the beginning of 2013 and I am already getting inquiries for holiday parties. If you are making your plans let me be part of your plan. There are many corporate events, weddings, and parties. I can help you with those plans.
12/11/2012
Today has been a fantastic day for networking. It started this morning at a business before breakfast with the Waukee Chamber. I had many good conversations and shared ideas that have blossomed into follow-up meetings.
I had received emails for a service I signed up for called thumbtack.com. They forward leads for possible clients with basic information of what they are looking for. Well today I signed up for a month of the service to see what happens. What got me to thinking about it was because I received a message on facebook a friend form high school asking if I received their message.
Well I found the message but we had already started talking about what she needed for a party next year. I decided to try the service and within 5 minutes or so my phone rang. I had answered her lead request and she called me back. As we were talking she realized she had listened to me on KIOA. I felt very confident about the call and she had to share my information with her son and his fiancé.
In one day I received and inquiry about two possible gigs next year. Those are always good days 
Thumbtack.com not only had dj services, but they have other ones to no matter what you are looking for. You put in the information about your event or need then you get a list of vendors to ask for quotes and move forward from there.
There is still time if you are planning a holiday party, New Year’s Eve party, wedding, class reunion, whatever the event I would like to talk to you about my services and what I can do for you.
DJ Service
I am ready to help you make your event memorable and successful!
I can help you with planning your event. Whatever you need I am here to help.
I would love to chat with you about what I can do for you…
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