Test Your TV Trivia Knowledge
- What’s the longest running TV talk show?
- When did the first TV ad air (within 5 years)?
- When was Family Guy’s first episode (within 2 years)?
- When did the first color TV show air (within 3 years)?
- How many seasons has Law & Order SVU been on the air?
- When did the first flat-screen TVs debut (within 2 years)?
- What’s the longest running soap opera?
- Which Game of Thrones actor has an Emmy nomination for every season?
- What’s the name of the pub on The Office?
- Who played Penny on The Big Bang Theory?
The answers are at the end of this newsletter.
Eight Wedding Rainbuster Essentials
If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, you’re probably dreading the threat of rain ruining your entire day. Well, it doesn’t have to. Here’s a common sense 8-point plan to ensure that rain won’t stop the party. In fact, it may even become an asset.
Rent a tent! That should be your #1 priority. If there’s no indoor option, you’ll need something to keep your guests dry. If your budget allows it, ask for a tent with a clear ceiling, to take advantage of natural light when the rain stops. Check with tent rental companies in your area about what the rental will cost, when you need to confirm your rental, and when the tent will be set up and taken down.
Umbrellas. Several of our clients decided to ignore the forecast and hold their outdoor wedding ceremonies in the elements, rain and all. But your guests shouldn’t be required to get soaked. You can order personalized (or plain) colorful umbrellas as wedding favors. If it doesn’t rain, you know your guests will eventually find plenty of use for their new umbrellas.
Rain boots. One of our couples came prepared. And when the rain started, they brought out matching polka-dot boots for the entire wedding party! If made for some great photo ops, and allowed the ladies to keep their high heels dry.
Bad hair day? Ask your hairdresser what hairstyles lend themselves to wet days. Don’t encourage your bridesmaids to get anything elaborate that could be ruined by a little rainfall. Simpler is better. Don’t forget waterproof makeup.
Rain photography. If you know you’re going to have your wedding outdoors, assume it’ll rain. And when you shop for your photographer, ask to see pictures he or she has taken in the rain. Some photographers can produce spectacular images that take full advantage of mist, raindrops, puddles, etc. The best photographers may even use dramatic backlighting to create dramatic evening pictures.
Rain and wind. Adding wind to a rainy spring or fall day can drive the temperature down to uncomfortable levels. Consider renting portable heaters. And ask if your tent has side flaps that fold down when it gets chilly.
Rain and heat. A midsummer wedding can easily turn into a sauna if rain is followed by high temperatures and high humidity. Consider printing your wedding programs on fans. Provide your guests with bottled water, hairspray and towelettes. And for dinner and dancing in the tent, rent a half dozen big floor fans or forced-air air conditioners.
Wiggle room. If intermittent rain is the order of the day, you may want to take your chances with shifting around your schedule. If it looks like the rain is almost over, perhaps your could begin the evening with a cocktail hour, followed by your ceremony, then dinner and dancing. Be sure to have a good supply of dry towels to wipe off the seats before the ceremony. Anything you can do to avoid inconveniencing your guests will be much appreciated.
Done correctly, a rainy day wedding can turn into a great memory for you and your guests.
Real Chicago Wedding – April 22,2023
Natassja and Zach Laud threw an incredible celebration at the Congress Plaza, complete with elegant lighting, fun games, time-honored Filipino traditions, and a carefully curated dance music list that shook the floor all night long. See for yourself. Pictures speak a thousand words. See how great your wedding can be!
How to Put on Your Own “Brady Bunch” Wedding
It’s becoming increasingly common for second marriages to include the children of both partners’ previous marriages. Blending your families is sensitive business, and your wedding offers great opportunities to celebrate your new union and bring your families together in a very special way. Here are some creative ideas on how to make every member of each family feel essential and valued.
The invitations. Want to make it really meaningful? Your kids could write the invitations to “the wedding of our mom and dad.” That makes them honorary hosts of your big gala.
The processional. Chances are, you have all the people you need to put together a great bridal party, without having to reach beyond your own families. The bride’s mom can be escorted up the aisle by her new father-in-law as a show of family unity; same for the groom’s mom and father-in-law. Get the kids involved, as attendants, junior attendants, flower girls and ringbearers. If there’s a minister or rabbi in either family, let him/her officiate the ceremony.
Who gives this bride? Skip that. Instead, have your officiant can ask the assembled guests whether they’ll commit themselves to support your new family and offer their guidance and assistance in raising your kids together.
The vows. Your officiant can help you write vows that reflect your new roles as co-parents and acknowledge the special blessings of the brand new family you’re creating.
Unity candle/sand/wine ceremony. Instead of just the two of you joining to light a single candle, or pour separate vials of sand into a shadow box, or pour separate containers of wine into a common glass, bring enough candles or sand or wine for every member of each family to add his or her contribution. That’s a powerful symbol of complete family unity. Both your birth parents and stepparents can even offer their own individual vows of support and respect for your new blended family.
Family photos. Be sure your photographer takes lots of pictures, including the big one — every member of each family, all in one picture. Blow that one up into a wall-size picture for your livingroom. Another great idea is to display lots of childhood pictures of you, your kids, your parents and grandparents in a blended family gallery at your reception.
Your introduction. This may take some set-up time, but the payoff is worth it. If your banquet room has big double doors, assemble your respective families into one big group in the foyer, then have your DJ introduce the whole gang as the new family before introducing the newlyweds.
DIY. Get your young children involved in making creative table decorations and favors. Your older children may wish to prepare special appetizers, a wedding cake, and even hand-crafted jewelry for the bridal party. A flexible florist may provide you with a special table for creating do-it-yourself bouquets and boutonnieres.
Where do the kids sit? You may wish to seat them at the bridal party table, arranging for a supervising adult on either side of each child. That way, the kids are the center of attention. If you’re worried that the little ones will get antsy, then set aside a special children’s table with lots of activities like coloring books and art supplies, or set aside a special room with children’s videos, all under adult supervision.
When your wedding is over, you want every member of your new blended family to feel loved and valued, and know that they made a special contribution to the biggest day of your lives.
Here are the answers to our TV trivia quiz.
- The Tonight show is the longest running TV talk show
- The first TV ad aired in 1941
- Family Guy’s first episode was in 1999
- The first color TV show aired in 1951, long before most people could get color TVs
- Law & Order SVU has been on the air for 24 seasons
- The first flat-screen TVs debuted in 1997
- General Hospital is the longest running soap opera
- Peter Dinklage has been nominated for an Emmy in every single season of Game of Thrones
- The gang at The Office goes to Poor Richard’s Pub
- Kaley Cuoco played Penny on The Big Bang Theory
To learn more about professional Chicago DJ entertainment and lighting by Fourth Estate Audio:
- Visit our web site at http://www.discjockey.org/
- Call us at (630) 654-4440. We’re here to help you.