That nervous anticipation feeling

Maybe you can relate to this: you have a BIG presentation at work tomorrow, and you are going over your entire performance over and over to make sure it will turn out well. You have written it out, edited it, and now you practice your timing and delivery, synch it up to the powerpoint presentation, and repeat it again. After all, it's the day before the presentation, and did I mention this presentation is BIG? Like, if it doesn't turn out well, your company loses a key client, and your employers not only terminate you for being incompetent, but also sue you for botching up the relationship with their audience? And because you screwed up, you get blacklisted in your career field, meaning that no one wants to hire you? Really, there's no pressure...

In a way, that's what it's like to be me the week of a wedding. Except I do this almost every weekend. A wedding, after all, is the most important day in a bride's life, and it's up to me to make sure that it (and please excuse my bluntness) doesn't suck.

So what did I do this week for ASTRID & CHARLIE'S wedding this Saturday?

Earlier this month, I had a planning meeting with them by phone to finalize the details of the reception. For local clients, I meet them in person, but because Astrid & Charlie are planning this from California, we spoke for about two hours one Friday evening earlier this month and hashed out the specifics of their presentation. They chose the music for certain events (e.g., cake cutting, bouquet presentation, etc.), chose the unique activities to include (e.g., Circle Dance bouquet presentation), and I went over with them the pronunciations of their wedding party and all of the important guests I will need to recognize on May 31.

After the meeting, I got in touch with DIANNA SHITANISHI from Hawaii Weddings & Events (their coordinator), JAMES CHUN from Crane Media Productions (their videographer), and PAUL HAYASHI (photographer) to make sure we were all on the same page, and that they understood all of the unique elements that Astrid & Charlie are including in the presentation. A month before the wedding, things were starting to move fast.

Fast forward to this past Monday, May 26: I had my final in-person meeting with Astrid & Charlie to tie up the loose threads. After the meeting, the final program was put together.

Tuesday May 27, and Wednesday, May 28: scriptwriting, revising, and rehearsing. Taking all of the information that was given to me by the newlyweds, as well as from their coordinator and other vendors, I began putting together a rough script as to what I need to say, and how I should say it. Unlike other MCs who try to wing it through, my take on it is that the bride & groom have spent countless months planning and preparing for this big day. To go in unprepared and try to "wing it" means that an MC disregards all of the planning and prep that the couple has put in to make this day perfect.

Thursday, May 29: The script is finalized, and rehearsals intensify. There's a saying in radio called "hitting the post": this is where the on-air DJ talks over the instrumental introduction of a song and times it perfectly to end his speech right when the vocals of the song begin. At a wedding, there are times like the Grand Entrance in which "hitting the post" makes a subtle yet huge impact on the presentation. It may look easy, but it's not. The reason I make it look easy is because of the hours of practicing and rehearsing beforehand just so that it looks perfect on the day of the wedding.

Also, I begin putting together the musical soundtrack of the event, including making any necessary edits to songs and sound effects to generate a bigger emotional impact on the guests. Some songs are trimmed to start at the beginning of the chorus. Some songs (like the Father/Daughter Dance) are edited to be shorter, so the bride and her dad are not on the floor for a long time. For some moments, an instrumental version of a song would make a greater impact on the event than its normal version, so I scour iTunes, Musicmatch, and Yahoo! Music to find these tracks. Some song requests are not in my collection, so I also look for them.

I also start calling all of the presenters and speakers to make sure they all know their roles, and I can have a better idea of what they will be speaking about. If they are giving a toast, delivering the blessing, serenading the newlyweds, or performing a special dance, then I touch base with them.


Friday, May 30, the day before the wedding: three copies of the final script and timeline are printed and bound, along with some copies of the timeline to share with the other vendors. The musical soundtrack is finalized, and two copies will be burned. Tonight, I go to my storage locker to prep the sound equipment and load it into the van.

Saturday, May 31, the day of the wedding: I will get up late, around 9am, have brunch with my family, and relax all morning. Of course, the presentation will always be in the back of my mind, but I'm not one of those guys who will obsess over it. If I do not know it hours before the wedding, then I will not know it at all. (Just like finals in college!) Fortunately, because I have been rehearsing it over the past few days, I do know my stuff.

Because doors to the ballroom open around 4:30pm, I plan on leaving my house around 2:00pm, giving me enough time to drive down to the Ihilani without rushing. When I get there, I unload the sound equipment, move everything to an area near the ballroom, and wait until I can get access to it around 3:30pm. I quickly set up, soundcheck, and by 4:30pm...it's showtime.

Bonita & Victor, happily married May 2004,
at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort (same ballroom as Astrid & Charlie's)

With everything right on schedule, I am excited about tomorrow's wedding! It will be a great time!

More networking

In two days' time, I did a lot of networking with fellow wedding vendors and colleagues, and it was a fun whirlwind of a time! Tuesday night was the monthly Oahu Wedding Association meeting; this month it was held at the Mid-Pacific Country Club in Lanikai. Laura from the club gave us the tour of the facilities, and the place is gorgeous. If you are still looking for your location and want an outdoor wedding that is an alternative to the overcrowded beaches and ballrooms of Waikiki, then Mid-Pacific Country Club is the answer for you.

Yesterday, the Hawaii chapter of the American Disc Jockey Association met, and I spent time hanging out with some of the smartest and most successful DJs in the state. The highlight was spending time with Ed Frank and Dave Green, two dear friends, emcees, and DJs from KENTUCKY. They are here in the islands to help another friend with several Project Grads. In our conversations, I picked up a bunch of great "nuggets" to help make my wedding presentations so much more elegant and exciting!




Overall, while the last two days have been busy, they also have been quite rewarding. Learning from others and making oneself better in order to better serve one's clients...isn't that what it's all about?

North Shore Fun - Lucky We Live Hawaii 2

With no weddings this past Memorial Day weekend, I was able to spend time with family & friends and hang out at the North Shore. When some of my friends said they were going to be at Kualoa Ranch for an airsoft/paintball contest, I couldn't pass up the chance to be there, not for the shooting, but to ride my bike on that side of the island. (Most of my workout rides are in town, and it's rare that I get out there for leisure.) So while they were running around in the dirt "killing" each other, I was in sexy spandex/lycra cruising along Kamehameha Highway at 17-20 miles per hour. Went as far as Turtle Bay, turned around, and even managed to ride past the awards ceremony for the Hawaii State Time Trial bike race, which was wrapping up by Malaekahana.



My apologies for the small pics, but my phone camera apparently was reset and took the images in its smallest resolution.

With so much beauty and sunshine here in the islands, I am constantly reminded about how very fortunate and blessed I am to be here, in this place, at this moment in time.

Lucky we live Hawaii!

Wonderful Hawaiian cultural resources for your wedding in Hawaii

Many destination brides I speak to often ask me for ideas to add a touch of Hawaii to their event. One way is to use the Hawaiian language ('olelo) in your Save The Dates, invitations, and stationery at the wedding. Hawaiian phrases always add a touch of authenticity and personalization to any wedding in Hawaii. To help, I found this great website with a variety of useful Hawaiian words and phrases; use this as you write out what your invitations will say, or memorize a handful and use them when you are here in the islands and dealing with the locals!

Find it at

http://www.alohafriendsluau.com/words.html

Another way to add a touch of Hawaii to your event is to use Hawaiian music (mele) at the wedding and reception. I am talking about authentic Hawaiian music and not the trite, touristy "Tiny Bubbles" or "Hawaii Five-O" or the like. You can find great Hawaiian music at

http://www.mele.com

They have music samples so you can hear what the songs are like before you buy them. And please do buy them; your support helps artists pay for studio time and rehearsal space to record new music and to keep Hawaiian music alive.

For cocktail hour, I recommend some upbeat Hawaiian music. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (IZ) works great, as well as Makaha Sons (Iz's old group).

For dinner, I suggest some mellower type Hawaiian music. Artists like Keali'i Reichel and collections of ki ho'alu/slack key guitar music are perfect for the occasion.

For walking down the aisle, instead of doing the "Hawaiian Wedding Song" that almost every destination bride chooses, I recommend The Road That Never Ends by Keali'i Reichel. The song is beautifully written, and the words will fit your wedding perfectly.

One more thing, for people who like Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's music but just know his "Somewhere Over The Rainbow/Wonderful World" song: there is much more music that he has put out besides that song. Many of his songs are beautiful songs that would totally be appropriate at your wedding, and it would set you apart from the rest by choosing a unique and original song. One of my favorites is White Sandy Beach of Hawai'i. Check it out!

If you really want to take it a step further, why not learn how to hula? SARAH CHANG with Wanna Hula? gives simple, easy-to-understand hula lessons for all ages. She can even teach the bride to dance a beautiful hula on the bride's wedding day--no previous hula experience necessary! Visit her website, and if you like what you see, give her a call. When you do, mention that I sent you, so she will take very good care of you!

By adding authentic 'olelo, mele, and even hula into your stationery, wedding day soundtrack, and presentation, you can make your wedding in Hawaii more unique and certainly more personal!

Pomaika'i kakou! Aloha!

Marino

Staying fresh!

One of the things to consider when hiring an MC for your event is how eager they are at bettering themselves and learning something new. I know MANY MCs out there who are so content with their services that they "don't need to take any classes or workshops to get better." But if you look at other industries, you need to take classes to stay on top of your field. Real Estate agents need to take classes every two years to get re-certified. Doctors need to attend seminars to learn the newest breakthroughs and medicinal techniques. Even teachers in Hawaii have "Teachers Institute Day" every quarter, in which teachers attend seminars and workshops to learn new techniques and ideas (meaning that the kids get a day off!!). What about MCs & DJs?

The consequence of this "Know-It-All-Already" mentality is this: it often leads to stale presentations and cookie-cutter wedding receptions. Is it any wonder that when I first meet a bride-to-be, she says that all of the weddings she's been to have looked the same? Many local comedians who host weddings on the side often use the same jokes because it works for them. But as a guest, if you've been to more than one wedding with the same MC, pretty soon you will get to know all of the jokes, and may even learn the punchlines. Where's the originality in that?

The best hosts constantly hone their craft by attending conventions, seminars, and by purchasing educational DVDs, in order to learn something new and to offer their clients something unique. With every wedding being different, it really helps to have a huge "arsenal" of ideas to creatively personalize every wedding, making it a very unique reflection of the bride & groom's style & tastes.



So when you meet with your prospective MC, ask what he has done in the last three months to improve his skills, and what he will do in the next three months to improve his skills. If they tell you they do not need to learn anything new because they already know it all...RUN. Unless, of course, you want an average, cookie-cutter reception...

As for me...I will be attending the MC Workshop in October in Honolulu. This workshop is an advanced hands-on workshop which will help me improve my presentation skills to better serve my clients. I'm excited about it!

Jazzed about things...

I attended the NACE meeting earlier tonight and had a great time! I met a lot of awesome wedding vendors and made some excellent contacts. The big news is that the NACE 50th Anniversary Party is coming together very nicely. Later today I will try to write more info on it, but suffice to say, I am very jazzed about it!

Another thing that's going to be in development is an improv production I am working on with Lawrence at Crane Media Productions. Plans are still very much in the elementary stages, with nothing firmly set yet, but if things fly, it will be a very fun and interactive activity...

Think experimental, experiential live theatre...I am jazzed about it too. When things get more firm, I will write more about it!

Jantzen & Brenda's wedding

We helped BRENDA & JANTZEN create a really fun, stress-free, and memorable daytime reception back in July last year. This video was created by our good friends Janice & Davis at Video 21 Productions. If you are looking for a great videographers, check these guys out!

(Hit play, and wait for the video to take a minute or two to load, since it was documented in High Definition. The wait will be absolutely worth it.)

Lucky we live Hawaii

Every day I never regret the fact that I live and work in beautiful Hawaii. I am truly blessed to be here, doing what I love, and meeting brides & grooms I enjoy working with. I was on my workout ride yesterday (cycling is my sport) and came across this reminder of how lucky I truly am to be here:



This photo of Ala Moana Beach was taken with my cell phone camera. Time of day was late afternoon, around 630pm, right around sunset. Gorgeous view, right?

And just to show proof that I was on my workout, here's a pic of me:




Tonight is the monthly NACE meeting. The big discussion will probably focus on our upcoming 50th Anniversary Party on June 3, which will double as a fundraiser for Aloha Harvest and the Lokahi Program, which will benefit families affected by the shutdown of Aloha Airlines. Tickets will be in the $50-60 range but will go to a good cause. If you are free on the evening of June 3rd, come on by! There will be games, good food, free drinks, and much more. I will be providing the sound system for the evening's entertainment.

Happy Mother's Day!

I love my Mum. She is awesome. She and my Dad made a lot of sacrifices to get me where I am today, and I am forever grateful to them.

This is my family:



Me, my brother, my Dad, and my Mum.

On this Mother's Day holiday,

Happy Mother's Day

to all mothers.

Aloha to our new readers!

The latest Wedding Newsletter is out, and there are a bunch of links within it to this blog! So all of my new readers and visitors...



The latest newsletter has a bunch of ideas and links to help brides-to-be create really FUN, STRESS-FREE, and UNIQUE receptions that they and their guests will REMEMBER FOREVER. There also some ideas for newlyweds on how to keep the romance and passion going long after the "I Do's" have been said.

If you are not on the VIP List, shoot me an email at weddings[at]ninjaentertainment.com, and I will certainly add you!

I am happy.

I enjoy efficiency, especially when it comes to computer systems which allow me to do my job and serve my clients. So when my trusty HP desktop-replacement PC finally bit the bullet last year, I was heartbroken. So I replaced it with another laptop computer, and I thought life would go on the way it was, and all would be well. Unfortunately, like all PCs sold after the first quarter of 2007, this one was loaded with...Windows Vista.

I had heard horror stories about Vista from IT friends and other colleagues, but I wasn't expecting it to be that bad. To say that Vista was a resource hog is an understatement. Whereas my portable laptop would fly along under Windows XP, the new one would painfully crawl under Vista. I beared it long enough until just recently, when I reached my breaking point and went out to buy a new copy of XP.

It took a day to wipe all traces of Vista from my computer and install XP, then another day to replace all of the drivers and reinstall all of the software I normally use. But after all of that, I am quite happy. My computer flies along really well, and efficiency is back where it is supposed to be.

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Since we are talking about efficiency, here is an idea on how to make your wedding reception run more smoothly and efficiently. If you are having someone bless the meal from the podium, it will take some time for that person to walk from his seat to the podium to deliver the blessing. During this time, in order to not have any "dead air" (awkward silence), have your MC handle all of the "housekeeping" announcements--restroom locations, where to find parking validations, where to smoke (for the smokers in your audience), and any other significant announcements that must be made. By the time your MC is done making the announcements, the person blessing the meal should be standing at the foot of the stage or nearby, ready to approach the podium and deliver his presentation.

After the blessing, your MC can make a smooth transition into dinner by recognizing the banquet captain and reminding the guests to wait for the banquet captain to release their tables to the buffet. Your MC should also remind the guests that you have a fun and entertaining program for them after dinner, so please stay after the meal to enjoy the evening's presentation.

Of course, as your MC and party host, I would handle these announcements with style and make sure it all runs smoothly, so that you and your guests can simply enjoy yourselves throughout the entire event!