music lovers unite

Here is a little info about one of my favorite DJ's, Ryan Mennenga of Elite Entertainment. He does a great job and uses lighting and monograms to turn the reception room from nice to --- WOW! Definitely check him out if you are still looking for a DJ!

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your business...
My name is Ryan Mennenga, and I'm the owner of Elite Entertainment. We specialize in creating "extraordinary" weddings. We utilize custom lighting, linens, and unique DJ service to make the reception unique and memorable.

2. What made you get into the DJ business?
I've always been into music and planning events. I worked for a DJ company for a few years, gained a lot of experience, and then went out on my own.

3. What is the most memorable first dance you have witnessed?
I created a custom song for a bride and grooms first dance. The dance can be found on youtube.

4. Lighting can really make the reception special... can you tell us a little bit about how you go about designing the lighting set up?
The first thing we do is find out what the colors of the wedding are. From there, we try to find a lighting color that will compliment the decor. I always try to highlight columns, and accent architectural features that make the room appear taller. With the up-lighting I try to place them on flat wall services to get the best effect.

5. How many weddings do you do a year?
Last year we provided DJ, Lighting, or chair covers for about 150 weddings.

6. Do you do events other than weddings?
90% of our events are weddings. We also do corporate parties, birthdays, and anniversaries.

7. Do you ask the bride and groom to provide a "play list" for the night or how do you pick the songs?
I encourage couples to have an active part in the music that gets played during the reception. However, it's the DJ's job to "read the crowd", and play the right type of music at the right time to keep the dance floor packed.

8. How far in advance do you usually book a date?
Typically, we usually book six to nine months in advance. However, we're already receiving inquiries for the summer of 2010.

9. Anything else you would like to tell the lovely blog readers?
Wedding entertainment is probably the most overlooked part of a reception. Although it's usually only 5% of a wedding budget, it's what 80% of the guests will remember after the reception is over. Don't hire a DJ based solely on their rate. If you hire the cheapest DJ you can find, you will most likely regret the decision once the wedding is over.

To contact Ryan Mennenga, call 217.841.0510. Or check out his website here!