MEGA Music Entertainment

Wedding Trends in the Great NW!

megamusic — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 06:27:57 +0000

Most bride and grooms have not planned a wedding before. Most bride and grooms hope to only do this once in their life, too! So, you want to get it right the first time, right? If you are not a wedding professional, then don’t try to be one now, in the end you may truly regret it! There are some great DIY wedding projects, but I don’t recommend hiring non-professionals at this very important event. Here are more fun articles to read from the owner of MEGA Music Entertainment who writes about wedding and special events for examiner.com and CBS media.

2012 Wedding Trends!

Curious what the average wedding cost is for a Portland wedding?

Hold off before you purchase that wedding dress! Read this first!

Who ques my wedding party to walk down the aisle? Who directs the show?

Oh no! The dreaded talk with the soon to be mother-in-law about what to wear to the wedding!

More Tips and Tricks You Cannot Live Without!!

megamusic — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:46:17 +0000

Here are more articles from the owner of MEGA Music Entertainment, Meagan Hope. She writes for examiner.com and CBS media.

If you are a parent getting married you want to read this article about what to do with the kids the day of the wedding!

Not sure where to honeymoon in 2012?

Parents and Wedding Planning!!! This is always a fun topic!

Pass this article onto the grooms!

Planning on having Fido participate in the wedding?

Wedding News and Articles You MUST READ!

megamusic — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:23:55 +0000

Did you all know that Meagan Hope, owner of MEGA Music is a writer for examiner.com and now CBS media? She covers weddings and special events all over the nation and locally in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. Meagan is a straight shooter and has helped hundreds of brides plan the perfect wedding from her articles and blogs to Emceeing and planning wedding productions.

Please check out her profile here:

Here are 10 outdoor wedding disasters to avoid:

We’ve all heard that horrible wedding toast or speech, here is some advice to avoid being the person giving the horrible wedding toast!

Are you newly engaged and planning a 2012 wedding? Don’t hesitate to hire the best wedding professionals!

Winter cocktails and mocktails for special events and weddings (recipes from the examiner article)

megamusic — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:18:54 +0000

See the full article here: http://www.examiner.com/weddings-and-special-events-in-national/winter-cocktails-and-mocktails-for-special-events-and-weddings

Hot Buttered Rum:
1 mug 2/3 full of hot water
2 big spoonfuls of maple cream (or maple syrup)
a few cloves
a couple sprinkles of cinnamon and nutmeg
a pat of butter
a healthy dose of rum, depending on your taste
juice from half a lemon
Stir maple cream into the hot water, letting it dissolve. Add in cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, lemon juice and rum. Top with a pat or two of butter. Add a lemon slice and even a cinnamon stick.

Succulent Red Wine Recommendation:
2001 Del Rio Vineyard Syrah; $30
15.5/20 — This dark and complex wine displays a palate of wild black cherry, anise, dark chocolate and leather

Bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed with basil and lemon:
Grill up some large shrimp or prawns basting the shrimp with a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh finely chopped basil
Fry bacon so it’s moldable, yet crispy around the edges
Wrap the finished bacon around the grilled shrimp (be careful not to burn yourself)
Pin the bacon the shrimp with a large and durable toothpick
Serve warm

Pomegranate Martini:
2 ounces of pomegranate vodka
½ ounce of fresh lemon juice
½ ounce of pomegranate juice
1 ounce of simple syrup
Mix with ice and shake well
Pour into a cold martini glass
Garnish with an orange rind

Zesty Holiday punch:
2-2 liter bottles of chilled ginger ale
16 ounces of cranberry juice (sweetened)
14 ounces of pineapple juice
1 ounce of grenadine
The inside of one whole vanilla bean
Mix and pour over ice in chilled 10 oz. cups

Caramel apple cider:
Purchase 1 gallon organic thick apple juice
Purchase some real caramel syrup (the thick kind) or make it yourself
¼ cup of real maple syrup
Pour these two mixtures in a pot
Collect some orange and lemon rinds, all spice berries, 2 cinnamon sticks, and 6 whole cloves. Put all these in some cheese cloth, wrap, fasten, and put in the mixture of apple juice and maple syrup.
Cook over medium heat to medium low heat for 10-15 minutes. Basically, let is simmer. Then put some caramel syrup (1/4 -1/2 ounces) in a mug. Add the apple cider, mix with a spoon and serve with fresh whipped cream and drizzle a little more caramel over the whipped cream.

Mexican hot chocolate:
3 ounces (tablet or cone) Mexican chocolate or bittersweet chocolate
3 cups milk
2 tablespoons sugar
Pinch salt
Miniature marshmallows, for serving
6 cinnamon sticks (preferably Mexican canela), for serving
Using a sharp knife, break up the chocolate into smaller pieces. In a saucepan, combine the chopped chocolate, milk, sugar, and salt over medium-low flame. Heat and stir until the chocolate is completely melted and milk is very hot, but not boiling, about 10 minutes.
Remove from the heat and froth the chocolate milk with a mini whisk or molinillo. Divide the hot chocolate among big mugs, top each with a few marshmallows, and serve with the cinnamon sticks as stirrers.

Why Your Guests Leave Early!

megamusic — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:37:10 +0000

Why would your guests leave early? There are several reasons why guests will leave! Let’s start with outdoor weddings. If you don’t have a tent of some sort, and it rains/sprinkles or is too windy, or if it is too hot and there is no cover, people will leave. No one ever thinks about it being “too hot.” If there is only Porta-Potty’s available people who have bowel problems, or women on their time of the month will leave early. Most outdoor venues do not carry large outdoor restrooms that are wheelchair accessible, which is also a problem.

I have been to some lovely destinations, but if the location is too remote, and no hotel accommodations are made, people will leave because they know they have to drive home. This decision happens before they even set foot at the location. By seeing how far it is they already have made the decision to not drink, or limit drinking, and to leave early. People hope they can get home at a decent time. If you are going to do a destination think of where other people are coming from.

You want to have enough food and drinks available to guests. We were at a wedding where the guests only had water, and had to pay $3 for a 6oz Sprite. An adult beverage was not a reasonable price so guest left early because they couldn’t enjoy themselves. This same group also entered the wedding with a “sour taste” in their mouth because they had to pay $15 to park. Put yourself in the guest’s shoes: I had to pay an outrageous parking fee, I have to pay for drinks, there was a money dance, and I brought a wedding gift . . . see you later.

Then there are the weddings that everything looks great, food taste great, but they hired some $500 DJ and he sucks. The DJ won’t take requests, and only has a stack of CD’s, not a real music library on a computer. The DJ mispronounces names, acts like a radio personality, or has no personality at all, and you should have an Emcee to help guide the night. The amateur DJ only took the dancing portion into consideration, and not the other 90% of the wedding leaving awkward silences, and bad timing.

This last reason is actually the #1 reason guests leave early, because they are bored and are not having fun. The exact opposite of what you want. What you need is good entertainment!

Published by: Simon Blanco

Wedding Planning Quiz!

megamusic — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:30:14 +0000

When hiring a wedding DJ you…
A.) Choose your friend who is a DJ and said he will do your wedding as a gift.
B.) Find a DJ for $500 on Craiglist.org that can provide his own equipment, but does not have a very good website and/or has a bunch of DJ’s working for the company, but you don’t care, you just need music, right?
C.) Meet with about 4 of the top rated DJ’s in the area and choose the DJ based on credibility, professionalism, reliability, references, and likeability.

You really want video of your wedding day but are not sure you want to pay $3,000 for the service, so you…
A.) Recruit your friend from high school who has a little Sony camera to record your wedding day.
B.) Decide to not have a videographer at all, and cherish the still shots that you get from your photographer.
C.) Save up for a highly recommended videographer in the area because you saw his promotional video and fell in love with it.

Your idea of a wedding planner is…
A.) My aunt helped my cousin plan her wedding, so she is going to help me plan my wedding.
B.) I don’t need a wedding planner.
C.) Frank “Fronk” from the 90’s version of the movie “Father of the Bride” is my idea of a wedding planner with the assistant, office, and fun personality!

Flowers are so expensive, so I am going to save money by…
A.) Taking a class at the local florist with your bridesmaids on how to make DIY flower arrangements and centerpieces.
B.) Hiring a local gal (just graduated) who is building her floral portfolio.
C.) Hiring a great and recommended florist who is flexible with my budget and can still create my vision with tips and tricks to save me money, too.

Candy Buffets are very popular; I plan on having one at my wedding…
A.) My friend has leftover jars, vases, and containers and I am just going to do it myself and order candy online. It should only take me about 15 minutes to set up the day of my wedding.
B.) My mom is so creative and is going to make this for me. I hope she has time that day to set it up!
C.) I am hiring the Candy Buffet (http://www.facebook.com/TheCandyBuffet) because I want it done right!

Okay, quiz is over! Lets see what kind of bride you will be as far as planning, preparation, and over all knowledge about where you can save money and when you need a professional!

-If you answered mostly A’s-
You are what we call the DIY (Do it yourself) bride! This can be quite a challenge, and you will need plenty of time to plan and make everything for your own wedding. Too many brides are disappointed when they choose to DIY. There are some fun projects that you can choose to take on; such as invitation kits you can have made for you that can help you save money. These kits come directly from a professional invitation and graphic company. Or choose to make your own favors for a homemade touch. But if you take too much on and have to juggle life, work and a wedding, you may get burnt out well before the wedding day. It’s stressful, and I don’t recommend becoming a complete DIY bride. Hire vendors that can help you save money, so you can enjoy your wedding day to the fullest.

-If you answered mostly B’s-
There are some amazing people out there who might do photography on the side or DJ on the weekends and might be cheaper when offering their services. However, there are some of these vendors who don’t know what they are doing at all! Craigslist.org is a place where there are professionals, however, there are many more amateurs on craiglist.org. What’s wrong with hiring someone who is new in the biz? Well, someone who thinks they know what to do, versus what they really can do, could be a huge issue and concern on your very special day. Word of advice, read the vendor contract carefully, don’t put more than a half down deposit, check all their references, and read reviews. If they cannot provide these things, do NOT hire them!

-If you answered mostly C’s-
You my friend are on the right track! You are a bride with a plan, and you also understand that you need to hire professionals to make your special day the very best it can be. By doing your research, meeting with vendors, going to wedding shows, and reading reviews you will have the knowledge to choose great vendors that will work together to make your wedding day AMAZING! Check out http://www.examiner.com/wedding-planning-in-portland/meagan-hope and read articles that will help you plan and find the right vendors for you!

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More than half of Oregon brides are dissapointed with their wedding!

megamusic — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 23:30:27 +0000

Oregonians are known for that “Do It Yourself” attitude, unfortunately when you decide to “do it yourself” on your most important day of your life you end up very unhappy. Oregonians also tend to have the free spirited attitude that “everything will work out, and everything will be OK” which also ends in disaster. Most brides only hire half the vendors that they need thinking that “it will all be OK, my friends & family can do the rest.” Your family & friends want to enjoy your wedding with you, not be put to work. I have seen way too many arguments happen because someone got too drunk when they were responsible for a part of the wedding & couldn’t perform the task. As a result Oregon brides are statistically unhappy, one of the highest in the nation, with more than half of brides disappointed in the wedding over all, and 78% wanting to change things about their wedding afterwards.

It isn’t until the next day when they break down what really stood out & compare that to how much money they spent on it. I know a bride that spent $1000 on rentals for a few nice leather benches so guests could sit down, but no one sat on them. She thinks “Great I spent $1000 for nothing!” Another couple spent thousands of dollars on flowers, and they sat outside in direct sunlight on a 100+ degree-day and they withered before dinner, even with constant water misting.

Then there are the things that you wish you spent more on. A wedding planner with real experience, not just your “aunt.” A baker who doesn’t freeze their cakes (which dries out the cake). Then there is the infamous “DJ” who shows up with barely enough time to set up, only likes the dancing portion of the wedding and doesn’t pay much attention to the other 90%, and has a generic playlist that he uses for every single function (wedding or not). That or you thought it would be smart & economical to use an iPod, only to have a limited selection of songs and no one tending to the song list killing the night.

How do you make sure that your wedding doesn’t end in disaster? The biggest thing that you can do is hire a wedding planner who will explain all of this to you & help save you money in the process.

*This was Published by Simon Blanco

Win the Cinderella Fantasy Package

megamusic — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 04:57:12 +0000

One lucky couple and client of MEGA Music Entertainment will win the “Cinderella Fantasy” package for their 2012 wedding ($1,500 value)! All you have to do to qualify is hire MEGA Music Entertainment for your 2012 wedding before January 7, 2012.

The most popular package is the Cinderella Fantasy, so we’re giving it away! We will have the drawing on January 7, 2012. The couple will be notified the evening of January 7. If you have already hired MEGA Music for a package worth more than the Cinderella Fantasy and you win, then you get the value of the Cinderella Fantasy deducted from the amount balance.

This contest is the biggest yet! Tell your friends and family. Below is what the “Cinderella Fantasy” package includes.

Inside Venue
Up to 8 LED can lights for ambient room illumination (make it look like a “Grand Ballroom”)
Spotlight for Grand Entrance
HD TV/DVD with picture slide (ask why this can enhance your wedding)
Lapel Mic (for Ceremony)
Emcee/Host! (guy/girl team for balance, & be two places at once!)
Sound (two set ups for Ceremony & Reception)
Wireless microphone
30 pages of Music Forms & Time-line to plan wedding from beginning to end!
Beat reactive lights for dancing

Outside Venue
Customized Dinner Hour where we tell your love story before everyone starts to eat and play music with (voice recordings) carefully edited into some of the songs (this service is recorded prior at your home or our studio)
Candle lit first dance/last dance/special dance with only bridal party holding votives or all your guests and dimming the lights (we provide candles *must be approved by venue)
HD TV/DVD with picture slide (ask why this can enhance your wedding)
Lapel Mic (for Ceremony)
Emcee/Host! (guy/girl team for balance, & be two places at once!)
Sound (two set ups for Ceremony & Reception)
Wireless microphone
30 pages of Music Forms & Time-line to plan wedding from beginning to end!
Beat reactive lights for dancing

http://www.megamusicent.com/contact/

503-863-0596 or 360-771-8745

http://www.facebook.com/MegaMusicEnt

http://twitter.com/MEGAMusicPDX

3 Things You Need On Your Wedding Day

megamusic — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 01:35:27 +0000

3 Things You Need (or NEED to Know) On Your Wedding Day!

It’s your wedding day! Hopefully this is the first and last time you will get married. So, more than likely you have never been a bride. It might also be safe to assume that this is somewhat unfamiliar territory for you. It’s normal to feel nervous, anxious, excited, emotional, or all the above! These are emotions that you often don’t feel all at once. Your wedding day is a very important day, and you don’t want to add anything out of the ordinary to your day (because it’s already out of the ordinary)!

These 3 tips below are rules to live by if you don’t want to add another stressor to the day of your wedding!

Rule number 1
Don’t eat or drink anything out of the norm! If you don’t drink tequila, this is not a good day to start. If you rarely eat shellfish, maybe this is not the best day to experiment!

Rule number 2
Do NOT use a new product in your hair or on your skin! I don’t think there is much of an explanation for this one!

Rule number 3
Have a Wedding Emergency Kit! This has anything you would have at your home you would need in case of an emergency. If you take medication, make sure it’s packed, band aids, extra tooth brush, tooth paste, floss, your own hair spray, make-up, Neosporin, needle, thread, hair clips, tissue, nail stuff, nail polish remover, makeup remover, hair supplies…etc.

Hope this helps when you are planning your special day!

http://www.facebook.com/MegaMusicEnt

http://twitter.com/#!/MEGAMusicPDX

Here’s a Way to Make You Feel Young Again!

megamusic — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:19:06 +0000

Here’s a Great Way to Make You Feel Young Again!

http://www.megamusicent.com

http://www.facebook.com/megamusicent

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Here are 25 songs that take me back, so it’s a list of songs from the 1980’s through 2000!

Starting at the young age of 5 I started taking dance lessons. Like every little girl, I wanted to wear a pink tutu, and so I did. However, I continued to dance and dance! I was moving my little hips to Miss Jackson if you nasty at the age of 12. In college, I preferred the nightclub dance floor. Then I started working at the Ohm Nightclub in 2003 and got into Break Beats. I even go-go danced at a show in 2004, wearing a leopard cat suit (wow, that was a fun night)!

Not only have I always loved to dance since a young age, but also I loved and still do love to sing. I started taking vocal lessons at the age of 13 and have never stopped. I started singing in my hair- brush at 5, and also at talent shows, or any opportunity I could sing and dance to Whitney, Janet, MJ, and Salt N Peppa songs!

The point of this blog is to inspire you! Many of my clients ask where do I start, when I ask them to tell me about songs they must hear at their event! I help guide them of course with song lists, but another great way to generate an awesome and personal play list is to dive into your past! Start in middle school, what did you and your friends dance and sing along to? Now think about high school, what were the songs that defined that experience (the fun parts)? If you were a performer like me, what songs did you love to sing and dance to? If you didn’t like to dance, what songs did your friends dance to?

Here are 25 songs that will forever have me dancing and singing!

The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson
If by Janet Jackson
Higher Ground Red Hot Chili Peppers Version
Black Cat by Janet Jackson
Queen of the Night by Whitney Houston
Party Up by DMX
Too Legit To Quit by MC Hammer
Free Your Mind by En Vogue
Push It by Salt n Peppa
Scream by Michael and Janet Jackson
Black or White by Michael Jackson
What About Your Friends by TLC
The Thong Song by Sisqo
How Many Licks by Lil Kim
Bye, Bye, Bye by NSYNC
Peaches and Cream by 112
Next Episode by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg
Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down by Puff Daddy & Mase
Bawitataba by Kid Rock
Ruff Ryders’ Anthem by DMX
Mo Money Mo Problems by Puff Daddy and Mase
Nookie by Limp Bizkit
Intergalactic by Beastie Boys
Baby One More Time by Britney Spears
No Scrubs by TLC

http://youtu.be/1OrNS2zbTZg