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Randy Taylor Weddings | 919-241-3420
Continuing our series that highlights the best wedding professionals in North Carolina, it is our pleasure to turn the spotlight on Frankie Hagan of Island Sound. There a lot of amazing companies that specialize in bringing wedding celebrations to life and Frankie is one of our Five-Star favorites. We asked Frankie to share some advice to newly-engaged couples ... here's what he had to say.
WHAT COMMON MISTAKES DO YOU SEE COUPLES MAKING?: Assuming they are the only people getting married and shopping for key vendors late in the process. After the venue is locked down, I think there should be a 6 month minimum out from the event to booking deejay, photographer or officiant. Also, if you're working with a professional who has planners available for you to fill out and work on ahead of time, participating in that is critically important. I've noticed a recent trend of people assuming just filling out something for a wedding planner or facility coordinator is sufficient, and it certainly is not. WHAT’S THE BEST TIP YOU HAVE FOR A COUPLE PLANNING A WEDDING?: Find vendors who reflect your energy level and mood. A high paced, big talker is not for you if you're subdued and quiet and serious. But a formal, by the numbers professional might be wrong for you, too, if you are that high energy couple that bounces off the walls from the start of the day. Find people who get your concept of flow. Content is the easy part. WHAT DON’T COUPLES KNOW ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS CATEGORY THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW?: A wedding personality is not necessarily a club deejay. He or she can be -- they can certainly have that skill set. Club deejays are often unable to handle the organizational and flow aspects of a wedding ceremony and reception. Being a professional emcee and being able to transition from mood to mood, or from one vignette to another is more like directing a movie, than anything else. Working with people who have professionally organized that information, and who are recognized as competent emcee's is a big deal. WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD COUPLES BE ASKING THAT THEY DON’T KNOW TO ASK?: Does this price include setup or breakdown? Why is ceremony priced outside of a reception? What sort of coverage is provided if my professional is ill? What happens if you have an equipment problem? Good companies have answers to these questions. WHAT'S YOUR BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR COUPLES PLANNING A WEDDING?: Weddings aren't about size and scope, they're about participation. I've been to expensive weddings that weren't as good as they could have been, because the groom spent all of his time smoking cigars on the porch with his friends, or the bride clung to the outside edges of the ballroom. I've been to inexpensive weddings with 30 people in attendance that were marvelous, because the bride and groom were front and center for their guests, and owned every activity and every special moment. Your guests want to see you happy and they want to share those moments with you. WHAT’S THE MOST UNUSUAL WEDDING YOU EVER DID?: One of the galleries in downtown Raleigh. The bride and groom requested all Ska music. I had to download 80% of their stuff. Miraculously, all of the guests were friends who were into the music, also. The gallery had an erotic exhibit that had been removed from the floor for the reception. All of the items from the exhibit were shoved in the deejay loft with me. It was an odd experience, all around. WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE WEDDING YOU EVER WORKED, AND WHY?: That question might be too hard. There are too many good ones. Maybe when I deejayed the wedding for the daughter of the drummer from Flock of Seagulls. The wedding ended early, and I was actually going out that evening with my friends to see an 80's cover band. I shared that with the father, and then had the weird experience of him showing up during the show. I spoke to the band, and then had the equally bizarre experience of holding his coat from the wedding as he drummed on "I Ran" with the 80's cover band. A unique one, to say the least. ;) Learn more about Island Sound and Video from their website, Frankie's Facebook page, or over the phone by calling (919) 872-3535.
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