Our Newest Demo Video

Here is the latest Demo video for C Squared Events. This video highlights recent work at great venues such as Coyote Hills, Dove Canyon and Nixon Library.

If you cannot view this video click here: C Squared Demo Video

Now That's What I Call.... Ummm

In my search for music for an event I came across this CD set from the folks that brought us "Now That's What I Call Music", the glorious title that made me did a double take, "Now That's What I Call a Wedding". You don't say. Here is the track listing of the CD set:
CD 1

1. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes - (I've Had) The Time Of My Life
2. Wet Wet Wet - Love Is All Around
3. Robbie Williams - Angels
4. The Temptations - My Girl
5. The Dixie Cups - Chapel Of Love
6. Elvis - Can’t Help Falling In Love
7. Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World
8. Dusty Springfield - The Look Of Love
9. Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares For Me
10. Frank Sinatra - Love And Marriage
11. Nat ‘King’ Cole - L.O.V.E.
12. Etta James - At Last
13. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross - Endless Love
14. Bangles - Eternal Flame
15. Angry Anderson - Suddenly
16. Shania Twain - From This Moment On
17. Boyzone - No Matter What
18. Spandau Ballet - True
19. Marvin Gaye - Let’s Get It On
20. Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack - Tonight, I Celebrate My Love

CD 2

1. Barry White - You're The First, The Last, My Everything
2. Andy Williams - Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
3. Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
4. Chuck Berry - You Never Can Tell
5. Tina Turner - The Best
6. Mary Wells - My Guy
7. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Third Finger, Left Hand
8. John Paul Young - Love Is In The Air
9. The Real Thing - You To Me Are Everything
10. UB40 feat. Chrissie Hynde - I Got You Babe
11. Jason Mraz - I’m Yours
12. The Proclaimers - Let’s Get Married
13. Cliff Richard - Congratulations
14. Abba - Dancing Queen
15. Kool & The Gang - Celebration
16. Belinda Carlisle - Heaven Is A Place On Earth
17. Huey Lewis & The News - The Power Of Love
18. Robert Palme - Addicted To Love
19. Billy Idol - White Wedding
20. Katrina & The Waves - Walking On Sunshine
21. Duran Duran - Rio

CD 3

1. The Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling
2. Take That - Shine
3. Eliza Doolittle - Pack Up
4. Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
5. Katy Perry - Hot N Cold
6. Lady Gaga - Poker Face
7. Bodyrockers - I Like The Way You Move
8. Kylie Minogue - Can’t Get You Out Of My Head
9. Tom Jones with Mousse T. - Sexbomb
10. The Mavericks - Dance The Night Away
11. Elton John - Crocodile Rock
12. The Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
13. Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - December ‘63 (Oh What A Night)
14. Soft Cell - Tainted Love
15. James Brown - I Got You (I Feel Good)
16. Little Eva - The Locomotion
17. Manfred Mann - Do Wah Diddy Diddy
18. The Monkees - Daydream Believer
19. Jeff Beck - Hi Ho Silver Lining
20. Tony Christie - (Is This The Way To) Amarillo
21. Blondie - The Tide Is High
22. Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan - Especially For You 

I can't tell if your supposed to play these in order or not.

Words cannot describe this, at all. So I will just open it up for comments.

A great weekend

I know, I know this page sometimes gets lonely waiting for me to update it. Facebook is just so easy that sometimes I forget that it is nice to stretch my literary legs (would those be fingers) and use the space that the blog allows to really tell a story.

So here we go.

This past weekend was a very good one for C Squared Events. I was setting up for an event at Green River Golf Course, when I got a notification that I had an email. I was mostly finished with my set up, so I curiously gave my phone a peek. I had just received a review from a past client on my Wedding Wire page. Ooooh, how exciting I wonder what they had to say about me, I wonder who it was. I quickly jumped on the site to read the review from Lisa and Mark (May 21^st, 2011). Not only was that a fun event at Tustin Ranch Golf Club, it also had me working with Frank Salas. Frank shot my Wedding Wire and is a great talented photographer. Here is a snapshot of what Lisa had to say: 

Mike is an awesome DJ! He really gets to know you and makes you feel like more than just    another client. I love how he asked what we wanted out of our wedding right off the bat. Our reception was amazing and everyone had a great time. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a DJ for their event.

Thanks Lisa.

Now it was time to start on the next review with Scott and Lacie.

The event was `a small intimate reception with 90 of their closest friends and family. Included in that list was Adam and Patricia, who I dj’ed for back in 2009. Adam and Patricia’s wedding is famous for having two toasts take a really long time. How long, Adam said one toast was 30 minutes, I don’t know bout that but the best man was texted in the middle of his toast to wrap it up. Adam brought this up in his speech as he told the guests that the 12 pages he had were mostly notes, his speech was one page. Not texting necessary.

The event ran smoothly and on time and the crowd danced the night away. I didn’t count, but I know very few guests left.

I also got to work with Lori and Keith from Lori AndersonPhotographers. I enjoyed meeting them and getting to work.

A great time was had by all.

On a social media note if you haven’t yet check out our DJ Facebook page and go ahead and “Like” us for good measure.

Wedding Trends

From time to time I will share with you some of the latest trends in weddings, straight from the front lines. In the years that I have been doing this I have seen trends explode, diminish, change and even a few born. As fashion, style and technology change they all seem to bring about new concepts in weddings, some take off while others never really gain any traction.

Does anyone remember sponsored weddings? Probably not, yet at one point in time Brides would try and get vendors, and even non wedding companies to donate services or money in exchange for being allowed to advertise to guests. There are even web sites that will show you how to do this, but ask yourself is a four hour commercial for a reception really what you want.

Then there are trends such as Photo Booths (Which by the way we offer) that spring up, take some time and then really hit it big.

I saw my first photo booth at a reception almost 7 years ago. It was an honest to goodness carnival style photo booth that a company in Arizona started renting out for social events. In talking to the owner he said he hadn't seen another company doing it on the west coast and that he regularly traveled from AZ to CA. Flash forward to 2010 and these pieces of nostalgia are offered in many different configurations of size shape and picture output.

Another trend that has been around for a while is Candy Buffets.

Candy Buffets which range anywhere to the cost of the candy to $5 per person offer a great way to continue your colors through the reception. This wedding which took place at The Reef in Long Beach, featured a fall color theme so all the candies offered were either orange, black, red, yellow or brown, a huge hit with Reeses' Pieces fans.

This past weekend I think I may have captured the latest wedding trend in it's beginning stage, at least I hope I did. A 10/10/10 reception at South Coast Winery in Temecula featured "Cake Balls".

These way too good to be true treats are balls of cake dipped in some form of chocolate. These treats made by Adair Weddings are a must try. The compact size means that guests can enjoy a sampling of different flavors and still have room for the cake you will be serving. If you prefer to forgo the cake cut or get a small cake just to serve pictures, you could serve your guests three different cake balls instead. As a DJ I also enjoy not having to wait for guests to finish their cake in order to get back to dancing. As I sampled my first one I was told it was an experience and let me tell you it was.

Congratulations to Cassia and Michael. I will tell you about their wedding later.

A View from Behind the Squared Booth - The Series

Last post introduced a new feature the video blog series "A View from Behind the Squared Booth". This series gives people a view very few see, the DJ's view of a wedding reception. The series will highlight different aspects of a reception, the venue, ceremony, dancing and anything else that catches our fancy.

The entire series can be seen at C Squared Events You Tube Channel. Some of the video's will be edited by a professional, some will be taken from the videographer and edited ourselves. Thus explaining some of the rough transitions and lack of digital enhancing.

Our latest episode highlights Coyote Hills Golf Course, one of our favorite locations. It is one of our favs for two reasons, first we are right at the top of their referral list, and second is because our Director of Entertainment, Mike, got married there. Not only does Coyote Hills have one of the hardest working staff, they also offer stunning views. The ceremony site (which will be highlighted in a future episode) is one of the best in Orange County.

The views this club offers can be seen as Stephanie and Brent share their first dance to the timeless classic, Frank Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight".

8/21/10 Historic Cottage San Clemente, Jessica and Scott

I have been in this business for a while now and I have seen my share of gorgeous spots to have a wedding and reception, but Historic Cottage in San Clemente is right up their in terms of view it offers. Jessica and Scott said their "I Do's" on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Once the ceremony was finished the guests already at their tables got to enjoy a delicious taco bar that was serving up some great food all night. No scheduled dinner here, if you're hungry eat.

Another great aspect of Historic Cottage is you get the same backdrop for your first dance.

Jessica is a dance instructor for Arthur Murray Dance Studio and wanted her guests to have as much dance time as possible, so as soon as we completed the formal events, the dance floor was open, and her friends and family took advantage of it.

Here is my view for most of the event.

Sometimes I have a rough job.

In further news, C Squared Events now offers fun Photo Booths for your event. If you are interested in more information contact us today.

Next week we will be showcasing our talents at the Bi-Annual Kiss the Bride Bridal Show at Pala Resort. Should you be in the area and are trying to lock in any last minute items, stop by and say hi.

This has been quite the Summer for us, but Rocking Ricky is still on the air!

The summer has been so busy I know my readers have felt like I have been neglecting them. Well, they are right.

This past weekend I had two events that absolutely demanded me telling the world about them.

The weekend started Friday at Rancho Las Lomas for Jenni and Tom Prouty's reception. Tom and Jenni are a great couple that had an eclectic taste in music. Even more so than mine and I love clients that love music. Their request list featured songs from groups like "She and Him" (Zooey Daschanel's band, "Vhs and Beta" and "The Grouch and Eligh" song "All In".

They also were not interested in very many traditional events, they did a first dance and that was it. The night was all about music and dancing. As the evening got to the end, some of their friends wanted some newer music. After confirming with Jenni, I gave the crowd what it wanted.

Jenni at one point came up to me and told me she had to ask her friend what song I was playing, that song was "Poker Face". She like it. I am thrilled that I could be the DJ who introduced Jenni to the phenomenon that is Lady Gaga.

In the end a good time was had by all.

As the day turned to Saturday, I turned my attention to Taryne and Jeff and their reception at Keyways Winery in Temecula. This event can be summed up by Jeff, when asked if he was ready to marry Taryne he proudly exclaimed "Oh Hell Yeah". The crowd erupted with laughter, the minister was speechless. Taryne when asked the same question exclaimed "Hell Yeah" herself. I declared that was the catchphrase for the evening.

Taryne and Jeff have a great family, in fact Taryne's proud father delivered a toast that had to be heard to believed. Not to be outdone, Jeff's best man, Mike, also gave a great speech.

This wedding will go down as one of the few where every event happened on time. Why? Taryne and Jeff had not only yours truly keeping an eye on things, but also Annette, the great coordinator at Keyways Winery. The two of us had that event running like a well oiled machine, meaning the crowd got to maximize the dance time. Young and Young at heart danced the night away.

My first time at Keyways was a ton of fun. The staff there was on top of their game, Annette asked for my card so I hope that I can make their referral list as Keyways is a venue I would love to see more of.

In non event news, C Squared Events is now offering fun photo booths for any event. For more information go to http://csquaredevents.com.