Today’s Bride 2017 Wedding Show Recap – I-X Center

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Every January, Today’s Bride gathers up some of the biggest vendors in Northeast Ohio for their annual I-X Center and John S. Knight Center wedding shows! Being one of the largest in the state, this show is known to attract thousands of engaged couples, so our team took our booth to the imagination’s limit, showcasing exactly what RTH Weddings can make possible for their special day!

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As you can see from the picture above, our 2017 bridal show booth was bigger and better than any booth we’ve ever done at any previous show! Recreating the double-decker design we executed last year, our team spruced up our setup by doubling the number of display monitors, adding fog to accent some fun lighting elements, and literally topping it all off with our own DJ Mattitude that mixed live for couples from the top of the booth! The award-winning booth also featured a massive banner that displayed the signature RTH logo, as well as some of our favorite wedding photos, which was all suspended from the ceiling of the facility for all of the show’s guests to see! While all this was taking place high in the air, another team of wedding professionals could be found below helping couples and answering any questions they may have had about their upcoming nuptials.

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Rock The House (RTHAV) is also proud to partner with Today’s Bride from a production standpoint, providing audio, lighting, and even staging for their fashion shows! With a total of six different shows happening in only two short days, our team worked diligently to ensure that everything was handled for each show throughout the weekend. Rock The House MC Nick Duve hosted all of the fashions shows, welcoming guests with opening remarks and announcing the various models’ outfit styles and show sponsors (American Commodore Tuxedo and Miller’s Party Rental), while DJ Flightz kept the high energy music pumping through the speakers the entire time. Guests were awed by a stunning light display, which proved to be an exceptional accent to the luxurious dresses and tuxedos the models ROCKED as they headed down the runway.

 

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Our team also spent some time with Kenny Crumpton and FOX 8 News talking about some of the cool new products we had for couples at the show! The first item was also featured on top of the RTH Weddings show booth; The new Touch Screen DJ System, which allows couples to actually SEE their DJ mix live before their eyes, and even encourages them to get into the mix and play a few of their own songs! The second spotlight item this year was our Mirror Photo Booth, which is an interactive, state-of-the-art photo station that captures guests’ memories as they stand in the reflection of a full-size mirror! This novelty also prompts users to doodle and sign their masterpiece once it’s taken, and allows the photos to be printed live on-site, sent digitally via SMS or email, or directly posted to a social media account on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other popular platforms.

Check out a full recap of the Today’s Bride I-X and John S. Knight Center shows from last month above, and see exactly what the RTH team is capable of accomplishing. From weddings to fashion shows, and every event in between, Rock The House can do it all! To learn more about how you can work with our team of event professionals, visit our contact page by clicking here!

RTH Signature Event: The Duve Wedding

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Rock The House makes dream weddings a reality for hundreds of couples each year. However, it’s not every day that one of those couples is a member of our team! A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of helping our own Marketing Manager, Nick Duvé and his husband, Stephen Duvé, celebrate one the best nights of their lives in one of the greatest weddings productions we’ve ever put on.

As a former DJ and Host at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and a connoisseur of ‘Fairytale Weddings’, as well as his time spent with us at Rock The House, Nick has seen just about any wedding possibility you could think of. That all being said, Nick had gathered plenty of ideas for his own wedding throughout his years in the industry… and he had all the resources to make them happen. With the help of Meredith Masaveg of Rain Wedding Planning, Nick and Steve began planning their big day.

“This wedding was much more then just about Steve and I. It was about celebrating all of the friends and family who have helped us along our journey. We wanted to give them an experienced they will never forget and with the help of some very talented vendors, and I think we accomplished that”. – Nick Duve

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The Duvés decided that the Akron Art Museum was the perfect location for both their wedding ceremony and reception to take place. An already stunning venue, Rock The House provided full production and lighting work throughout the museum, while our sister company Selective Sound Entertainment provided ceremony services, with Vice President “Jay R.” Rich as the officiant and first DJ. Chairs the wedding and reception were provided by Be Seated. After the ceremony guests were invited onto an outdoor dancefloor for cocktail hour, before stepping inside the newly-transformed art museum for the dinner reception.

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A beautiful ceremony is only complimented by an unbelievable reception, and that became no clearer to guests than when they first stepped inside the building. After a 5-star dinner provided by Driftwood Catering and frosty desserts brought by Mason’s Creamery, guests were personally invited once again onto the outdoor dancefloor by Nick and Steve for their first dance and formalities. However after a short time of dancing, guests were stopped by RTH MC Sparky B. and invited back inside the building for a very special surprise from Nick and Steve. The Duvé’s weren’t done quite yet.

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When guests arrived back inside, they were in awe to see a Vegas-inspired dance club, which had been in plain view the whole time, but simply hidden behind a wall of drapery! The perfect light show was coordinated by an RTH lighting designer as Sparky B. continued to hype up the crowd! Lights were only the beginning, as the Duvés surprised their friends and family with music by celebrity DJ Brian Dawe of VH1 & MTV! The night to remember was all captured on film by Matt Reisinger of Elite Entertainment, and still-frame images were shot by Marc Anthony & Tony Ryan Photography. Special thanks also go out to L’Nique Linen Rental, Nikki’s Perfect Petal Designs, Paul Mitchell the School: Cleveland, and Justin Campbell from the Akron Art Museum, who all did their part to make the day a success for the Duve’s! You can find more pictures, and videos from the Duvé Wedding by following the hashtag #HereComeTheDuves.

Want Rock The House to make your dream wedding a reality? Contact our team of event professionals today to see what we can do for you! Photos courtesy of Marc Anthony & Tony Ryan Photography and The Rock The House Photo Archive. Videos courtesy of Rock The House and Matt Reisinger of Elite Entertainment.

10 Wedding Apps To Consider When Planning Your Wedding

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In case you haven’t noticed, the 21st century has brought about a whole new world of technology. From picture-sharing to finding the perfect place to tie the knot, our event professionals here at Rock The House have put together our top 10 wedding app suggestions for your big day!

1. Wedding Spot

Whether this is the first place you look to find a venue, or you’re just trying to compare a few different places, you can’t go wrong checking out the Wedding Spot. With the ability to search for locations based on capacity, location, budget, and more, Wedding Spot is your one stop shop when finding a place to say “I do”. In addition, they offer exclusive discounts and deals you can’t find anywhere else!

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2. WedPics

A super easy way to see your wedding from the eyes of your guests, WedPics allows anyone attending your celebration to share their personal pictures of your day using a custom ID you create. Once you create your personalized wedding ID, you can invite your guests via text message, email, or even through Facebook! After that, sharing is just a simple upload away. Perhaps not a reliable substitution for a professional photographer, WedPics is still a great way to collect some nice candid pictures from your wedding day.

3. Fitocracy

If the pressure of wedding photos has you wanting to shed a few pounds before you tie the knot, or you just want to squeeze into that tuxedo or dress one size down, Fitocracy is a great tool to help you meet your weight loss goals. In addition to its fitness assessments and customized workout plans, Fitocracy also helps with nutrition and dieting to help you stay on the right track up until the big day! Your personal coach will also help give you the motivation you need, so that you’re sure to never miss a beat.

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4. Fun Wedding

Perfect for formality dances and finding songs you know you want to hear at your wedding, Fun Wedding has lists of the most popular songs for everything from the first dance with your significant other, to Mother-Son and Father-Daughter dances. Whether you can’t think of a good tune, or just can’t find one that truly expresses how you feel, Fun Wedding is an app every engaged couple has to check out!

5. Wedding Happy

Is planning a wedding more complicated than you originally thought? No worries; Wedding Happy has everything you need to stay organized! With a full task calendar, budget tracker, and reminder alerts all right on your phone, Wedding Happy will make sure your wedding tasks are handled with time to spare, without having to put the rest of your life on hold.

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6. BrideScan by Today’s Bride

A great tool for wedding planning, BrideScan by Today’s Bride allows couples to find vendors and keep in contact with them. Used by scanning codes at any of our sponsored Today’s Bride wedding shows, BrideScan takes the business cards out of your wallet and keeps all your vendor contacts organized by role right on your phone. You can even connect with other couples to exchange ideas, information, and more!

7. Etsy

Etsy is a one-of-a-kind online marketplace that is full of both the most common and unique of pieces! When looking for ideas for a wedding theme, Etsy can be a treasure trove of decor and pieces that can really bring your wedding vision to life. In case you don’t quite find what you’re looking for on Etsy, Pinterest and Wedding Wire are other great places to find wedding ideas.

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8. Perfect365

If your wedding budget is slowly getting out of hand, Perfect365 is a great way for a bride to save some money and still look incredible on her wedding day. This free app is full of makeup and hair tutorials ranging from all levels of complexity, but instructions allow for a simple execution by anyone!

9. UStream

Don’t let distance keep your friends and family from enjoying your wedding day with you! Using the power of streaming, apps like UStream allow guests from all over the world to watch your wedding as if they were right there in person. Though UStream does require payment plans, you can take advantage of the free trial plan that includes 5 free broadcasts so that it won’t cost you a dime!

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10. The Knot

If none of the apps above had a solution to your problem, you can most likely find it on The Knot. The ultimate wedding app, The Knot can help you with any aspect of your wedding from choosing a cake, to picking a dress. Whether you’re a day into your engagement or ready to plan the honeymoon, you can’t go wrong with The Knot.

Although these apps can make wedding planning go much smoother for you, nothing beats having one of our event professionals help guide you through the process. For more information on how we can help make your wedding celebration ROCK, click here! Images courtesy of Making The Moment.

Jewish Wedding Traditions Take a Modern Twist

As we prep for this weekend’s Jstyle Wedding Show, we reflect on some of our favorite Jewish Wedding Traditions that have stood the test of time. The history and depth of each culture is featured and celebrated  during milestone events like weddings and Bar Mitzvahs. However, you don’t always have to do your grandma’s hora – there are ways to take these traditions and amp them up with a modern mark. Here are some ideas to help you highlight your Jewish wedding traditions.

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The Chuppah

Whether you choose a classic cloth chuppah, deck it out with decadent flowers, or do something ultra-modern, the Chuppah is the focal point of many Jewish Wedding ceremonies and should really shine. Add drama to your ceremony by adding a chandelier, some uplights or even spotlighting your Chuppah. This way, guests can focus in on the couple they are there to celebrate.

The Ketubah

Before the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, the bride and groom meet with their families to sign their ketubah. “The ketubah is a unilateral agreement drawn by witnesses in accordance with Jewish civil law” (Chabad.Org). Today, brides and grooms purchase Ketubot that display their personalities. Make sure yours really shines through your Chuppah by adding light to it.

See the beautiful, traditional wedding ceremony of Katie and Ethan in the video below:

2014-06-28 RTH DSLR Highlight from RTH Multimedia on Vimeo.

 

Breaking the Glass

As the Jewish Wedding Ceremony concludes, it’s traditional for the groom to break the glass by placing it under his foot and forcefully stomping down. Make sure this moment makes a big impact by utilizing the appropriate sound equipment. Ceremony sound systems are a modern-day product offering that ensures that every prayer, vow, and stomp is heard – loud and clear.

The Hora

The Hora, a traditional, celebratory circle dance is popular at Jewish weddings and throughout many cultures. The dance is a great way to kick off almost any event, as it gets nearly all guests on the dance floor. Today, some non-Jewish couples dance the hora at their weddings as it is the epitome of a crowd-pleaser.

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According to our very own, Nick Duvé:

“Jewish receptions are rich with traditions that have gone back generations. I especially love the Hora. It instantly brings an energy to the crowd and sets the tone for an amazing celebration. We have so many different versions of the Hora that can mix withalmost any wedding vibe.”

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Read more about RTH “Wow” Weddings by clicking on the photo above!

From the ceremony to the reception to the after-party, there are so many ways to enhance your culture’s traditions with modern event technology. For even more info about Rock The House Weddings, click here!

 

Wedding Lighting Concepts that Will Highlight Your Love

Traditionally, brides and grooms have a long list of decisions to make for their big day. From the flowers to the bridal party ensemble, to the color scheme and the cake, lots of vendors need to come together to create the vision dreamt about by bride and groom.

Choosing lighting can seem like just another item on the list of wedding-related options, when in reality, it just may be the one product offering that ties all these other items together.

Today, more and more brides and grooms are opting for lighting options to illuminate their big day. Here are just a few of our favorite lighting products:

RTH Love Letters

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Sometimes you have to spell it out. Make a huge statement with our custom, RTH Love Letters. Plus, your guests will #LOVE them!

Bistro / String Lighting

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If you’re more whimsical and less flashy, string lighting is the perfect addition to your big day. Perfect for cocktail hour or an outdoor/tent wedding, bistro style lighting adds an alfresco touch to any event.

Chandeliers

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An elegant and lovely item that has stood the test of time. From vintage to glamourous, here at Rock The House, we own over 8 different chandelier options that we happily rent to wedding clients. Add that little something extra with these luxurious classics.

Monograms / Name in Lights / Gobos

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You put a ring on it, why not monogram it too? Seeing your name in lights is always pretty cool, having a custom logo made may be even cooler. With Rock The House Gobos, we can make sure your event logo is front and center.

Spot Lighting

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Have a can’t-miss wedding cake or a Chuppa that needs illuminating? Our spot-lighting options allow brides and grooms to showcase and show off what is most important to the couple.

Whichever wedding style you choose, there is a lighting element that will embrace and illuminate your love.

Cheers!

Click here for even more lighting options!

Click here for more information shout RTHweddings!

Wedding Songs That Have Stood the Test of Time

Did You Know: When asked, most guests say that the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment. 

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Imagine this: brides and grooms put so much thought into everything from decor to desserts. All of that effort could all be dismissed if the wedding music leaves much to the imagination. That’s why we have classic wedding music that is proven to get people on their feet, celebrating the bride and groom.

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Our instagram followers had lots to say about which song they’d pick for their first dance.

Just like the color scheme, the concept and the flowers, the playlist at a wedding has the ability add personality to any given dance party. Before you choose to go totally off the beaten path with your playlist, consider some classic favorites as part of the celebratory night.

Below, our team has pulled together a list of wedding music that has never, ever gone out of style.

Are there any songs we missed? Sound off on our facebook page!

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RTH Brings 2016 Today’s Bride Show To Another Level!

We loved the 2016 Today’s Bride January bridal shows at The John S. Knight Center and Cleveland’s IX Center! The energy level at every show was beyond contagious. From attendees to exhibitors, everyone genuinely wanted to be there (us especially)! Our team had a blast participating in the shows and meeting hundreds of newly engaged couples from the Cleveland, Akron, Canton and surrounding areas.

The Fashion Show:  

The Today’s Bride fashion shows have become a ‘must-see’ attraction at the Today’s Bride shows and for the past eight years, we have been proud to be their exclusive entertainment and audio-visual partner.

At this year’s’ fashion show, Rock The House’s own DJ Flightz and MC Nick Duvé kept the energy going for both the models and the audiences.  Over 70 fashions from 10 different companies graced this years runway! Spotify even had a spike in tags that day from the audience searching for the amazing mashup mixes we selected.

Over 70 fashions from 10 different companies graced this years runway!  

Spotify even had a spike in tags that day from the audience searching for the amazing mashup mixes we selected.

Our Built-“Up” Booth:   

Now, as an exhibitor, we wanted to stand out from the crowd and be seen from all areas of the convention centers. So, we decided to build UP!  Yes, we were the first two-story exhibit at a Today’s Bride bridal show.

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We incorporated marquee L-O-V-E letters, chandeliers and uplighting to create a fun and unique booth. The DJ spinning tunes on the second floor was the cherry on top (literally)!

The Today’s Bride Show Manager, Jennifer Fyffe, said it best:

“Rock The House, you set your own bar higher every year. This year was no exception. Not only did you win the Best Booth Award, you won Best-in-Show. Truly a show-stopper remembered by all!”

Oh, and the best part of it all? We’ve got it on video! Go ahead, check it out!

Rock The House Weddings is part of the Cleveland & Akron’s finest Interactive DJ, Entertainment and Production Company, Rock The House Entertainment Group, Inc.

Since 1999, RTH has exceeded expectations by providing amazing talent, cutting-edge products, and award-winning customer service.

Find out more about what we do by visiting our website or give us a call at 440.232.7625

SEE ALSO: Transforming a Tent with Lighting

RTH: Working For Humans Since 1999

June 26th, 2015:  A day that symbolizes the biggest civil rights victory for same-sex couples in U.S. history.  In an unprecedented ruling, the United States Supreme Court extended the right for same-sex couples to marry in all 50 states.  This landmark decision will bring the topic of same-sex marriage to the forefront of many conversations amongst friends, family and co-workers. Personally, this decision is something that I have been looking forward to for over 10 years.

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This morning as I sat in my car and heard the news, I was unsure of how I would react. As someone who’s been blessed with being in a same-sex relationship for over 10 years, my partner and I have both been anticipating this day. I expected feelings of happiness and quite possibly a sense of relief, but I never imagined the outpour of emotions that would immediately follow.  My eyes teared up as I thought about how all types of committed relationships now share the same basic right of marriage equality.

Now, while I understand there are many obstacles surrounding marriage equality and the access to basic human rights,  I want to focus on something equally as important. Every loving couple, whether you are LGBTQ or straight, deserves to enjoy that one special day.  They deserve that one special wedding; that one special song to gaze into each others eyes and proclaim in front of their loved ones and the State that they are committed to each other.  “To have and to hold, in sickness and health, for rich or poor, in joy and sorrow, for as long as we both shall live”.

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This is a triumphant day, not just for me, but for the Cleveland wedding industry! Working in this field for over 15 years, I have had the honor of performing at over 500 wedding receptions and have been a guest at numerous others. Being able to share in that special day in any capacity is a testament to the perseverance, dedication and true love between two people.

I am proud to stand up for equality; not just for LGBTQ wedding equality, but for everyone. I am proud of who I am and for what my partner and I have endured to have “that one moment”. I am proud to have made the decision to work for a company like Rock The House that not only embraces equality, but is on the forefront of welcoming ALL couples to our family… and has done so since it was founded in 1999.

It’s what we do. It’s what we’ve always done. Cleveland Wedding DJ Entertainment, Live Bands, Lighting, Photo booths, and Videography – We would be honored to help you plan your special day… The one you’ve been waiting a lifetime for.

Sincerely Yours,

Nick Duve, Marketing Manager
Rock The House Family of Companies

 

Transforming A Tent With Lighting

Kirkbrides North Canton Tent Reception

On July 7, 2012, Rock The House Entertainment provided lighting for a Kirkbrides Wedding Planners Reception inside an Everything Tented Tent in North Canton, Ohio. Those are the facts. Before that could happen, though, our teams worked together in heat of around 105 degrees for two days in order to get the perfect look our client was looking for. Creating a vibrant club-like atmosphere in the middle of a field doesn’t happen through magic. Our teams collaborated by working hand in hand to create a venue in tough conditions because we’re committed to creating the best event locations where and whenever our clients choose.

Kirkbrides really put together an exceptional team for a wedding reception. Setting up an beautiful outdoor reception venue for hundreds of guests is rarely easy but Kirkbrides knew who has the most experience doing it RIGHT and chose their partners accordingly. This is at the heart of what great event planners do. They know how to organize and coach a team of professionals that are right for the job. Knowing who has the experience, passion, and creativity necessary for the client’s needs is a difficult task that they don’t get enough credit for.

In addition to knowing who is needed to execute the functions of the event correctly, the Kirkbrides team did an excellent job with the myriad of details that this beautiful wedding had. Our lighting designer was on-hand for the entire event to create the specific vision of Kirkbrides and the client. In addition to our uplights, dance floor lighting design, decorative gobo lighting designs on the tent ceiling, gobo monogram on the dance floor, and generators for power, we also provided our elegant wedding reception chandeliers. These chandeliers are a great way to take an outdoor event to the next level of class as distinction.

Let us show you why we should be part of your team – Rock The House Entertainment Group

Wedding Lighting at Shaker Heights Country Club

Wedding Reception Teamwork

When Kirkbrides Wedding Planning calls, we answer! Kirkbrides put together an AMAZING team for this Shaker Heights Country Club wedding reception. It’s such a pleasure to work with other professionals at the top of their game. No aspect of this wedding wasn’t absolutely fantastic. You could instantly tell that every detail was thought of which lead to a smooth and very FUN party.

As the lighting professionals on this event, it was our task to create the client’s unique vision for this already breath-taking venue ballroom. This couple was looking for a effect that was beyond just uplighting. Our uplights helped wash the room in their specific colors but it was our on-site lighting designer who created an experience that paired with the live band’s performance. Jerry Bruno Production’s “The Orchestra” coordinated their set list with our lighting designer in an effort that took full advantage of the their strengths.

For a list of all the great event professionals that worked together on this wedding, see below.