Hudson Valley's Most dynamic wedding & party DJ's are out tonight! Details on the event later! For more info, visit enriquezentertainment.com

Entertainment Choices... DJ or Band? Which way to go....

There are two concrete choices to decide upon when choosing your wedding or party entertainment. Is a DJ/Entertainment company or a Band the avenue you want to go down? 


As one of the top Hudson Valley Wedding and Party DJ companies, we have performed at hundreds of events. Many times we are the only entertainers at the function, but there have been instances where a band has been with us as well. Here are a few reasons that looks at the why hiring a formidable DJ/Entertainment company from the Hudson Valley may be a better choice than a Band. Please remember to keep in mind that your event should reflect your style and what you think will have the best positive impact on your event. 


DJ's are less expensive. You could easily spend $3500 and up on a reputable band that regularly plays receptions, while the average price for a DJ is $800 to $2000 (depending on your area). 
 Photo Courtesy of J Castro Photography 

DJs act as coordinators. We usually set the pace of your event and we coordinate with the caterer, photographer, hall, and videographer, to make you event run smoothly. 


Photo Courtesy of Maximilian B. Nucci

DJ's take up less space. You in turn have more room for a dance floor.

Photo Courtesy of Maximilian B. Nucci

Repertoire - DJ's are unlimited in the type of music that they play. From big band to current music. If it's been recorded a DJ can play it. Most DJs carry tens of thousands of tunes to choose from. Yet if a band knows 300 songs that's considered amazing. What about actual artists? Big MJ fan?  Can the band sound just like him? With a DJ, you don't have to worry about that. You always get the original version and often DJs can offer a variety of versions to suit your taste.

  Photo Courtesy of Maximilian B. Nucci

Current music - A DJ has the capability of playing a song the day it comes out while the band has to practice it for weeks. 
 Photo Courtesy of Ulysses Photography

Reliability - If one band member gets sick, guess what? Possibly NO band! If your DJ can't perform, some of the most reputable DJ/Entertainment companies throughout the Hudson Valley are part of the Hudson Valley DJ Association, with other companies always ready to help each other out.  

Photo Courtesy of Ricky Restiano

As always, making choices for your special day and event are unique to your style and what you are looking for. 

Enriquez Entertainment specializes in entertaining you and your guests for your Hudson Valley Wedding, Sweet 16 or any occasion. Home of the Hudson Valley's Most Dynamic Wedding & Party DJ's, Enriquez Entertainment will Dance, Dazzle & Delight you & all your guests so that your party will be the one that EVERYONE will talk about for years to come!

Making the Most out of Hudson Valley Bridal Shows - Tips for Bridal Show Success

A bridal show is a great way to jump in and get your feet wet. You are planning your Hudson Valley Wedding, and you are looking for the best Hudson Valley Wedding DJ's, Photographers, Videographers, Florists, Venue/Catering Facilities, Transportation Services and more! A Bridal Show is one-stop shopping for all of this. You can get a great deal of information in a short amount of time. Here are some tips that will help you succeed during your search for the best Hudson Valley wedding professionals. 

The biggest thing we can say is use the following tips as a guideline to help prepare yourself. 

# 1 - There are many Hudson Valley Bridal Shows over the next month, so familiarize yourself with the Hudson Valley Venues that are having the shows. Find out the details as to whether it is a large show or more of an intimate one. Additionally, do your research on vendors and check their websites or contact them to see if they will be attending. This is a good way for a first meeting, to see if you build a rapport and know if that vendor is a right match. 

Photo Courtesy of Ulysses Photography

# 2 - Bridal shows typically last anywhere from 4-5 hours. If it is a larger show, you probably won't get to talk to all the vendors. However, this is a good springboard opportunity to start the conversation and then you can follow up with the vendors the following week. 

Photo Courtesy of Christine Studios

# 3 - Have a wedding email account. You would like to make sure that all your vendors contact you via your wedding email account instead of a personal one. This way messages don't get mixed in the shuffle. Please keep in mind, the first few weeks of using the new email, check your spam frequently as you may have won a "door prize" from the vendor and they may have tried to contact you. Spam filters vary per server, but definitely check your spam for informative emails from vendors. 

Photo Courtesy of Les Howard Photo

#4 - Bring the troops, the posse, the entourage! The more the merrier! Your family and friends may be able to gather more information and fill out vendor information while you get to talk to the companies. Your entourage may also think of some questions that you asked at the last vendor, but forgot this time around. You ask the same questions to so many vendors, that at some point you may forget who you asked this question, that question, etc. Your family and friends are also a big part of your Hudson Valley Wedding, so they can get a feel/vibe from each vendor and let you know their opinion as well. 

Photo Courtesy of Hudson Valley Photo

#5 - Bring labels! Print out labels with your wedding information such as you and your fiancé’s name, address, best number to reach at, best email to reach you at, wedding date, and if you have it, wedding location. This will save you time for all the door prizes and more! Some vendors also bring computers and this allows you to view their website, sign up for a newsletter, enter the drawings electronically (as long as their is internet available). 

Photo Courtesy of Maximilian B. Nucci

There are many great advantages attending the Hudson Valley Bridal shows. It gives you a true first glimpse into the various vendors. Every vendor has a different and unique style, and brings different aspects of their industry to the profession. There are differences between these vendors and you can see and feel out if each vendor would be a right fit for you. 

Photo Courtesy of Ulysses Photography

Enriquez Entertainment specializes in entertaining you and your guests for your Hudson Valley Wedding. Home of the Hudson Valley's Most Dynamic Wedding DJ's, Enriquez Entertainment will Dance, Dazzle & Delight you & all your guests so that your party will be the one that EVERYONE will talk about for years to come!

How to Make Your Hudson Valley Wedding Unique.. utilizing your Entertainment

There are many things to consider when hiring a DJ company. In fact, there are so many factors to consider that I am not going to list them all. However, one thing I want to mention is that you want to pick your entertainment company to be one that fits the both of you. Building a rapport with your DJ Company is especially important to fit your needs, budget, and most importantly your comfort level. There are many outstanding Hudson Valley DJ/Entertainment companies throughout the Hudson Valley. A good resourceful site to find some of these entertainment company, as well as some of the best photographers, videographers, florists and more is at www.besthudsonvalleyweddingever.com. These vendors are as the old saying goes, the “cream of the crop.” And we have to say this, we are not just saying this because Enriquez Entertainment is part of the site… we truly believe this about these vendors. We ask you to check it out for yourself. Tell Steph & Jeff that we sent you.

Now, we are dedicating this blog for three ideas to making your wedding reception unique from our viewpoint. You are probably asking yourself, what can I do to make my wedding different, non-cookie-cutter material? Here are some great ideas on how to put your own unique spin on your special Hudson Valley wedding.

·      Make your wedding soundtrack - You don’t need to have the songs that are cliché and old news. Go over songs with your DJ/MC and you’ll have the opportunity to create a unique experience for your guests as they first step foot into your reception.  Think of unique songs, old favorites that people don’t come in contact with everyday. With making your own wedding soundtrack, jettison those party songs that have been played at every wedding reception. Put those on your all-important do not play list. If your Entertainment Company does not accept a “do not play list” and does not adhere to it, I would reconsider. Remember, a good entertainment company has in mind what is best for you and your special day. Part of the job as the DJ/MC is to discuss with you in your meetings prior to your Hudson Valley Wedding what songs may work on your list in addition to what songs may not.

·      Use unique and creative lighting to transform your wedding venue. There are many different ways to change the atmosphere and design of your wedding venue. Using the right lighting and can add color and depth to any room, and transform it to exactly what you pictured it as. Ask your entertainment company if they can match the lighting to your bridesmaid dresses or table linens. This is just another special touch on your day matching your style. Using uplighting or ambient to create colored beams and change the colors of the walls, a pinspot to highlight your cake, dynamic dance floor lighting to create a special atmosphere that reflects your style. If the lighting is planned right, it can make a dramatic effect on the look and feel of your reception. 

·      Think about this… in some occasions you can spend over two hours at your wedding saying thank you to your guests and making your rounds from table to table. If you have a smaller wedding, this may not take as long. However, if you have a bigger wedding, you may have more time that is taken away form you and your fiancé enjoying all the planning you have put into this day.  There are many ways of saying thank you, but let’s be honest. Some of the guests (your friends etc.) are a lot easier to extend your gratitude to than Aunt Susie and Uncle Jack. A simple “thank you to your guests over the microphone can mean so much and make a difference. By going out and expressing your appreciation to all of your guests for being a part of your special day can be one of the classiest things you can do. Now this next idea generally works well with the smaller weddings, but it allows for you to greet many guests and extend thanks in a shorter period of time.  Don’t get me wrong you will still have to formally greet and spend time with certain individuals, however this is another alternative. When planning your music, choose two songs or so and have everyone on the dance floor for those two songs. Have your DJ/MC arrange the guests so that there is a circle around you and your fiancé. During these songs, (traditionally we’ve used Friends in Low Places as one), you and your fiancé go around and extend thanks to all of your guests. You keep moving right around the circle just as many of your guests are there. It is a quick way for that personal thank you to your guests and you can express your appreciation for their participation of your Hudson Valley Wedding.  

Enriquez Entertainment – Hudson Valley’s Most Dynamic DJ’s

Email – info@enriquezentertainment.com

Online – www.enriquezentertainment.com

Phone – 845.590.2660

An Example of Ambient Lighting - Photo Courtesy of Ulysses Photo

Hiring a reputable company is important for your special day and function

Congratulations! You are planning one of the most important days of your lives. This is an event that you have dreamed of for years.. and you want it perfect. Everything done correctly so that you are worry free. Of course, then the budget issues may or may not play a part. Many people are on a budget and look to save money in every way possible. These are the times that we live in...

Nowadays, many couples are looking for the do it yourself reception. You or a friend have an ipod and can rent a sound system instead of a professional wedding entertainer. However, the key to remember in this whole idea is knowing that their is a distinct difference between an ipod/(dj) and an actual entertainer. The key is that the entertainer is also a coordinator. The entertainer/mc for your special day coordinates with all of your vendors (catering facility, photographer, videographer, florist etc...) to make sure that as part of a team, everything is running as smoothly as possible. The other aspect to consider when hiring an entertainer is to think of all the special moments during your reception (introductions, first dance, parent dances, cake cutting, garter, bouquet, centerpiece giveaways, and overall motivation) at your wedding is an aspect of your day that you don't want to have to worry about. We want to make sure that all you have to do is show up.. and let the day, the moment.. be YOURS.

Many entertainers throughout the Hudson Valley will coordinate your event and make sure it flows smoothly and the event is one that you, your family, and guests will never forget.

At Enriquez Entertainment, we provide a DJ/MC team at every wedding. This is the standard for  us. We make sure that coordination is done smoothly so that you may enjoy and remember each of those special moments on your wedding day.

We found an iPod wedding video on youtube, and chose to share it with you courtesy of the American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA). We hope that you found this information helpful in your planning of your special day. We wish you the best and congratulations on your engagement.

iPod Wedding DJ Courtesy of ADJA

Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce - Forty Under 40

 Enriquez Entertainment is proud to announce that their President/Owner Andrew "Enriquez" Nikola has been selected to receive the Forty Under 40 "Shaker Award" courtesy of the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce. The goal of this program is to recognize 40 people under the age of 40 who are committed to shaping our region, making it a better place for everyone, and recognize those individual who have taken on decision-making roles at an earlier-than-usual stage in their lives. More information to follow!

Your Hudson Valley Wedding...

Many brides and grooms ask us.. how can I make my wedding unique or different from all the other cookie-cutter weddings?

There are many options to consider for your wedding, but most importantly... there are many options for you to consider when hiring your entertainment company.

First and foremost, are they a DJ or are they actual entertainers? There is a distinct difference. An iPod can play music.. but an entertainer is where the real fun and liveliness of your wedding lies. As entertainers, we are sure to provide you with the level of interaction and entertainment that you desire.

Secondly, it is important to make sure that your songs are played the day of the wedding.. This is our priority as it is simply that.. your day. Don't let anyone say they will play your songs and then don't the day of. You receive specific paperwork from us allowing you to pick and choose your songs and genres of music.

Finally, you want to make your wedding different... you need to build a rapport and be comfortable with your entertainer/DJ. That personal touch is where we come in and provide what you want for your day. We don't say this is our price, this is our package and that's it.. We work with you to create the customized package that is going to make sure your day is perfect in your mind... just as you have it planned.

If you have any questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact us. We hope that you enjoy this exciting time of your life and offer congratulations to you once again!