To me, Choice Entertainment has always been synonymous with Richmond Weddings. I still contend that one of my favorite moments during each wedding is when I was waiting for the new Mr. and Mrs. arrive at the reception, and my Choice DJ would come out in a tux and say, “Ladies, it’s Saturday night.”Today, we’re chatting with Wedology 101 teamster Bill Gilliam, owner of Choice Entertainment. Bill and his group of seasoned consultants blow the lid off of the old DJ stereotypes of yore. Ever the professional and ever the team player, Choice Entertainment was one of the first calls I made when I got engaged last year.
So enough about why I love Choice Entertainment- here’s Bill--
Why does Choice Entertainment stand out from the rest?
How much is REALLY good advice worth? When you speak with a Choice Entertainment Consultant about a wedding, you are talking to someone who has guided literally thousands of couples to the right DJ or band for their weddings...even better yet, all of the Consultants at Choice are also among the most respected entertainment directors in the wedding business...performing at dozens of local weddings every year. The advantage to Choice clients is advice from someone who knows every venue in town, understands how wedding receptions REALLY work, and has the experience to offer creative ideas and suggestions that are based on the latest trends in wedding entertainment. Choice consultants make the process of finding a great DJ or band easy and fun.
What is one of your favorite “bridal moments” over the years? As wedding entertainers, we often sit around swapping stories about specific receptions we have performed for, and one type of "bridal moment" comes up over and over again.
When a really skilled entertainer connects with a really fun, happy, energetic crowd, something happens as you move this group through and evening of fun and dancing...and as you come down to that last hour or so, and the party literally takes on a life of its own, we call that the "magic time". This is where we are literally hanging on with this audience as we take them on a dancing, partying "rollercoaster" ride. It is the most fun you can have as an entertainer and the most satisfying too! If you do your job well, you leave them exhilarated, but tired and wanting just "ONE MORE SONG!!"
What is your biggest Wedding Day “Don’t”?
Don't get too caught up in having a wedding reception timeline that is timed down to the minute. Hire an experienced wedding planner, and an experienced wedding entertainer to keep things running smoothly...even if it's a few minutes different from what you planned.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing brides today with their wedding plans?
The biggest challenge we see in wedding planning is all of the poor advice, on-line and in magazines, from sources who have never really "worked" at a wedding reception. Often this advice is a thinly disguised ploy to sell a product or service, or advice from a well-intentioned writer who has done some research, but has never really "worked" at a wedding. The best advice comes from wedding veterans with hundreds of successful weddings to their credit.
What should a bride always have handy when planning her wedding?
When planning her wedding, every bride should always have a number of trusted friends handy (available by phone or in person) to render very honest and frank opinions on any buying decisions. Take them with you on appointments, to wedding shows etc
If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?
If you had one piece of advice to share with our brides, what would it be?
My ONE piece of advice for brides... the internet is a great place to begin your research, but nothing replaces face-to-face meetings with professionals who you will hire. If they will be providing a service you value highly, beware of anyone unwilling to meet. Insist on meeting in a professional office to see if they are as professional as they present themselves on-line!
To learn more about Choice Entertainment, please visit their web site. You can also meet Bill at Wedology 101 coming up in two short weeks on August 15 at Wyndham Virginia Crossings.
16 days and counting- who’s excited?!
Cheers,
Meghan
Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.
Cheers,
Meghan
Meghan Ely is one part of the Wedology 101 team, and owner of OFD Consulting, a niche Marketing/PR firm servicing the wedding industry and the Managing Director of the Richmond Bridal Association. She is a contributing writer with Virginia Bride magazine, and has been published in Premier Bride Richmond. She and Jennifer write a Wedology 101 column for the Richmond Times Dispatch's Celebration section. She loves late harvest sauvignon blancs, letterpress anything and cakes shaped like Death Stars.
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