Feel The Beat Entertainment

What you didn't know about St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

When you think of St. Patrick's Day, do you picture a short man dressed in green with a mug of beer in his hand? While this image may not be too far off, St. Patrick's Day has much more meaning.

St. Patrick's Day is actually a religious holiday celebrated on March 17th that became a day to feast in the early 17th century. The date was chosen as the anniversary of St. Patrick's death. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage. The first St. Patrick's Day parade did not actually take place in Ireland. Irish soldiers in the English military marched down the streets of New York City in 1762 to help them reconnect with their Irish roots.

Today, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated especially in Ireland, but by people of all backgrounds in the United States, Canada and Australia. Although North America is home to the largest productions, St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore and Russia.

If you are looking to do something fun for St. Patrick's Day, stop by Courtyard Southside in Birmingham's historical 5-points on Wednesday night, March 16th for St. Practice Day. The Cool Shots Photo Booth will be there to capture the Irish fun along with a number of popular bands! Check out 103.7 the Q's website for more information.

Feel the Beat Entertainment celebrates Mardi Gras!

2011-03-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

With Mardi Gras right around the corner, Feel the Beat Entertainment is ready to take on all of the fun festivities that go with the carnival celebrations! We have already participitated in numerous masquerade balls and Mardi Gras themed parties. The fun is just beginning, too. A few members of the Feel the Beat staff will be heading down to Orange Beach on Friday to ride in one of the parades while dj-ing on one of the floats!

For a little history on the season: Mardi Gras came to America in 1699. It is a French tradition and translates to "Fat Tuesday" in English. It refers to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which starts on Ash Wednesday. There are a number of other related practices that are associated with the celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with Lent. These practices are what most people are more familiar with and include wearing masks and costumes, dancing, sports competitions, parades, etc. It is not a holiday celebrated nationwide; however, it is very popular in the states of Alabama, Louisianna, and Mississippi.

We at Feel the Beat Entertainment hope that everyone has a safe and fun Mardi Gras season!

The "Coolest" New Wedding Trend...

2011-02-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

These days, weddings are not simply limited to the old fashioned trends that the generations before us used. Ceremony and reception locations have gotten more creative with places such as barns and art galleries. Photographers taking live action images have become more popular than your typical photographer taking posed shots. Even wedding favors have gotten more inventive, and personalized favors are becoming a very popular trend.

The Cool Shots Photo Lounge has become one of the latest crazes for any event but especially for weddings. It is a mobile photobooth without the actual booth! It's 'open air' style means that you can fit as many people as you want into the shot. The pictures can be even more fun with goofy hats, oversized glasses, and colorful feather boas to truly capture the enjoyable moments. Brides and grooms have come to find that the photo strips are great gifts for their guests because they can remember the fun they had that at the wedding and will be able to cherish the memories forever. Also, each photo strip is versatile and customizable to match the personality of each of our clients.

Everyone can enjoy the Cool Shots Photo Lounge. It's simply a new and trendy way for your guests to really enjoy your wedding and take home with them a memory from the night. If you would like more information on the photo booth or would like to view some more images, check out our website at http://www.coolshotsphotolounge.com/ or call 205-678-0845. Remember, we are not just limited to weddings! We are available for any event you may be planning and would love to help liven up your party!

2011 Bride's Choice Award goes to... Feel the Beat!

2011-02-16T10:51:00.000-08:00

Feel the Beat Entertainment is proud to say that they are, for the third year in a row, a recipient of WeddingWire's 2011 Bride's Choice Awards!

Do you remember planning your wedding? Was it hard finding vendors that best suited your needs? Luckily, there is a very useful and beneficial website to help couples overcome these issues. With engaged couples continually struggling to find vendors and vendors constantly searching for new ways to expand their businesses, WeddingWire set out to solve this persistent disconnect and provide both parties with simple, yet productive, channels to interact. The website was established in 2006 and bases all of its knowledge on what the founders have learned from experience and also from consistent complaints by other engaged couples and vendors alike. Whether you are looking for information about a specific vendor, need to comparison shop across vendors, or just want to connect with other engaged couples to share and collaborate, WeddingWire seeks to provide best-in-breed solutions to ease the entire wedding planning process.

For the past three years, WeddingWire has recognized the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that have demonstrated excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. These are not your average awards selected by an organization; they are completely based on extensive surveys and reviews written by customers. The award represents the Top 5 percent of WeddingWire's vendor community which consists of over 200,000 vendors across the nation.

Feel the Beat Entertainment has been priveleged to receive this award the past two years and is honored to have received it for the third year in a row in 2011.

Love is in the Air...

2011-02-09T11:40:00.000-08:00

Whether you celebrate Valentine's Day or not, there's no denying that love is in the air on February 14th. Each year, millions of roses, chocolates, stuffed animals, and items of jewelry are purchased in the name of love for that significant other. Diamonds happen to be very popular gifts, especially in the form of engagement rings.

According to families.com, approximately 2.2 million couples get engaged each year, and ten percent of those couples get engaged on Valentine's Day. We don't know how good you are at math, but that's a whopping 220,000 couples getting engaged on one single day of the year! With all these newly engaged couples, brides and grooms-to-be will be fighting for dates, venues, wedding vendors, etc. Many couples book venues and vendors 6, 9, or even 12 months in advance. Saturdays in May, June, and July are already full for many places!

It is extremely important to plan ahead for your wedding. And, with Valentine's Day approaching, places are going to be booking even faster! Make a checklist of everything you will need for your big day, and get your planning started. Don't forget yours truly, though, Feel the Beat Entertainment!

From the Feel the Beat Entertainment staff, we hope everyone has a joyful and loving Valentine's Day! Even if you aren't celebrating with a significant other, enjoy the day with friends, family, and the people that bring happiness to your life.

January's over? Let's recap...

2011-02-01T12:31:00.000-08:00

2011 has hit the ground running! January has already come and gone in a flash, but not without being packed full of fun events! It all started with New Year nuptials with Feel the Beat Entertainment's first wedding of 2011.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Bryant!

With a wedding date like 1/1/11, your future is destined to be lucky!

Feel the Beat was "All Shook Up" when Elvis made an appearance at the Double Trouble Birthday Bash. Guests were dressed in tye-dye for the 60s-70s theme party to celebrate the birthday fun with Jane and Randy! And, don't forget the winter dances for schools such as Shades Valley High School, Shades Mountain Christian School, and Les Amies that helped Feel the Beat shake off the winter blues.

With so many different kinds of parties being held, the Cool Shots Photo Booth was not lagging in its appearances. From taking shots at the Country Strong Premier to capturing the sweet moments between fathers and daughters at the Vestavia Country Club's Father/Daughter Dance, the photo booth was able to freeze frame the great moments in January before they faded in our memories.

Feel the Beat Entertainment's Facebook Bingo!

2011-01-26T13:34:00.000-08:00

It's here.... Feel The Beat Entertainment's 1st Facebook Bingo Game! Starting on February 1st, Feel The Beat Entertainment will be collecting bride and groom engagement photos, and a Facebook "Like" competition will be held in conjunction with Facebook Bingo! Winner will receive an Apple iPad!!!

How to play:

1. "Like" the Feel the Beat Facebook page.

2. Post your Engagement Photo on Feel The Beat Entertainment's Facebook page.

3. Share your photo on Facebook with friends and family. E-mail EVERYONE you know!

4. The goal is to get the most "likes" on your photo. Instruct friends and family to "like" the Feel the Beat Entertainment page first and then to "like" your photo. The couple with at least 50 "likes" is eligible to win the iPad.

5. Once your photo is uploaded to the Facebook page, we will e-mail you 2 Bingo cards.
6. Engagement photos will be collected on the Facebook page starting February 1st and can be submitted until there is a winner! Photos can be submitted after February 1st, but you will have a late start.

7. Starting on Valentine's Day, we will draw out 1 Bingo number a day until we get a winner!

8. If you score a bingo, you must send a text message and a picture of your winning bingo card immediately in order to win the iPad.

9. TEXT BINGO! BINGO! BINGO! to 205-807-0212 and you will get a reply immediately.

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Qualifications:

• Each bride must post their engagement photo onto the Feel The Beat Entertainment Facebook page.
• Each bride's engagement photo must have at least 50 “Likes” by their friends and family to win the iPad. If the winning bride’s card is the winner and they do not have at least 50 likes, they will be disqualified until they get 50 likes on their engagement photo. If during this time, another bride gets BINGO and has the 50 Likes, they will be the winner.
• Each bride must play the bingo game by getting their bingo number on our facebook page - drawing each day at 10:00 AM cst.
• There will be one winner of an Apple iPad to the 1st bride to get a full Bingo card and has 50 Likes on their engagement photo on the Feel The Beat Entertainment Facebook page. If a tie occurs, we will conduct a drawing to find the single winner.
• This contest is for brides having an event in the state of Alabama only.
• Bingo numbers will be drawn until there is a winner.
• No Purchase Necessary

Limitation of Liability:UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL FEEL THE BEAT ENTERTAINMENT INC. OR ITS AFFILIATES BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PERSON FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, RELIANCE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, COST OF COVER, OR LOST DATA THAT ARISE IN WHOLE OR IN PART FROM THE USE OF, OR THE INABILITY TO USE, THE SITE OR THE SERVICES OR FUNCTIONS OF THE SITE OR ARISING OUT OF YOUR ACCESS TO, OR INABILITY TO ACCESS, THE SITE OR YOUR RELIANCE UPON, THE SITE OR THE SERVICES, CONTENT OR MATERIALS IN, OR FUNCTIONS OF, THE SITE, PROVISION OF, OR FAILURE TO PROVIDE SERVICES, OR INFORMATION, WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE). IN ADDITION, WE HAVE NO DUTY TO UPDATE THE SITE OR THE CONTENTS THEREOF. IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL DAMAGES, LOSSES, AND CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, NEGLIGENCE, OR OTHERWISE) EXCEED FIVE DOLLARS ($5.00). APPLICABLE LAW MAY NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY OR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. IF YOU ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE SITE, YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY SHALL BE TO DISCONTINUE USE OF THE SITE AND TERMINATE THIS AGREEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS HEREOF.

FTB Announces New Planner Program

2011-01-25T13:53:00.000-08:00

In today's market, the corporate planner probably has a different title. Whether they are in Human Resources, Administration, or just happened to 'volunteer' to coordinate the next company event, I can guarantee you it's not the only thing on their "To Do" list.

Feel the Beat knows that our planners have busy schedules and a lot on their plate, leaving little time to battle with the details of upcoming events. With this in mind, we have created a Corporate Planner Program to assist our clients in planning great events quickly! Sign up for our monthly Ezine to get tips on event planning like the newest event trends, local venue reviews, vendor spotlights, and advice on how to plan a great event on a budget.

We can also offer more detailed assistance in planning a timeline for events, finding the best vendor for your needs, negotiating contracts, and reaching company goals through creative entertainment options. The difference between a good event and a great event is professional coordination and detailed planning. With Feel the Beat's Planner Program, you can plan the event that you have always wanted without investing hours of your day and pushing other priorities to the side. Plus, you can contact our Corporate Event Consultant, Lindsey Mason, for any questions or additional assistance. We are here to help and would like to be of assistance to you in any way that we can.

Fun at the Southern Bridal Show!

2011-01-18T11:37:00.000-08:00

Feel the Beat Entertainment had an awesome time at the Southern Bridal Show this past weekend. This bridal show is always a major hit with future brides, and it prides itself in bringing together the best local wedding vendors. Feel the Beat is always happy to be a part of the show! In addition to offering information about our dj services, we also had one of our Cool Shots Photo Booths up and running for the future brides to take pictures and see for themselves how fun the mobile photo booths can be! The booth was a huge hit; we had as many brides as we could fit inside the frame of the picture in the booth! Clear Channel Radio also used one of our photo booths because they too know how much fun the booths can be. Here are a few of the pictures from the bridal show:

Top 200 Songs of 2010 May Surprise You

2011-01-04T10:15:00.000-08:00

   Did you blink??? It's over! Another year has already come and gone! Once the star of your calender, day planner and check book... 2010 is now just a memory, leaving in it's place a collection of songs ranging from decade staples to flops we hope to forget about.
   Hi, This is Justin Poe from Feel The Beat, and I just received the list of Mobile Beat's Top 200 Most Requested Songs of 2010! Some of them are no brainers, while others are very surprising! Some really popular songs didn't even make the list.
   For example, if asked what the top songs of the year were, most anyone would probably automatically look to the latest hits. Taio Cruz's "Dynamite" was arguably the most popular song to explode (no pun intended) onto the scene this year... or was it the extremely hyper and energetic "I like it" courtesy of Enrique "Imstillcute" Iglesias and every artist's favorite go-to sidekick, Pitbull...   Perhaps it was Usher's triumphant "I'm still around"announcement, "DJ got us fallin' in love"...
   In the end, these songs may have scaled the top 40, but they fall very short in the list of Top200 of the year, with Taio hitting a modest #58, Enrique calming down at #179, and Usher apparently not getting the welcome back he expected at a surprising #185.
   So if the big hits of 2010 actually weren't......... Then what types of music DID make it to the top? Surprisingly enough, over 50 percent of the songs in the top 30 spots are songs that were released prior to 1995... Which leads a DJ to smile with a reassurance that music has not died after all. Songs by the likes of Michael Jackson, Journey, Def Leppard, and even retro giants like B-52's and ABBA made the top 30, as well as classic party favorites like Sir Mix-A-Lot. Even most of the so-called "current" songs in the top 30 are still well over 5 years old. Songs like Usher's original introduction to Hip Hop, "Yeah", have held strong throughout the decade, along side such tunes as "Hey Ya" by Outkast, a group that dropped off the radar back in 2003, and hasn't yet come back for a third round.
   There are however, a few current stars who can't help but make the top. Whether it be due to magnificent talent or iconic shock value. Lady Gaga caught everyone's eyes with her flashy, bold and wildly abnormal appearances, however, unlike many predecessors before her, this girl can really throw down! Her songs are incredibly catchy, and fun! She makes her mark (or marks) at #3, #14 and #30.
   But the talented visual chaos of Lady Gaga is no match for the decade's most iconic and impressive musical gold mine. Black Eyed Peas is a group that has truly stood the test of time, and has managed to always stay trendy and evolve with the masses, producing hit after hit after chart topping hit, these guys (and gal) have an astonishing 7 songs on the top 200 and rightfully deserve their #1 spot at the top with "I gotta feeling".
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Mobile Beat Top 200 Songs of 2010 (First 30 Spots)

1 Black Eyed Peas I Gotta Feeling
2 Journey Don't Stop Believin'
3 Lady Gaga Feat. Colby O'donis Just Dance
4 Beyonce Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
5 AC/DC You Shook Me All Night Long
6 Bon Jovi Livin' On A Prayer
7 Morrison, Van Brown Eyed Girl
8 Diamond, Neil Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)
9 Cupid Cupid Shuffle
10 Def Leppard Pour Some Sugar On Me
11 B-52's Love Shack
12 Black Eyed Peas Boom Boom Pow
13 Jackson, Michael Billie Jean
14 Lady Gaga Poker Face
15 Lynyrd Skynyrd Sweet Home Alabama
16 DJ Casper Cha Cha Slide
17 Timberlake, Justin Sexyback
18 ABBA Dancing Queen
19 Outkast Hey Ya!
20 Usher Feat. Ludacris & Lil' Jon Yeah
21 Rihanna Don't Stop The Music
22 Kool & The Gang Celebration
23 Clapton, Eric Wonderful Tonight
24 Sister Sledge We Are Family
25 Sir Mix-A-Lot Baby Got Back
26 Usher Feat. Will.I.Am Omg
27 Beatles Twist And Shout
28 Ke$Ha Tik Tok
29 Jackson, Michael Thriller
30 Lady Gaga Bad Romance

Top 10 Wedding Songs of 2010

2011-01-04T08:43:00.000-08:00

Last week, Feel the Beat posted the Top 10 wedding songs of 2009. With 2010 under our belts now, The top 10 wedding songs of 2010 were:

10. Def Leppard: "Pour Some Sugar On Me"
9. Cupid: "Cupid Shuffle"
8. Neil Diamond: "Sweet Caroline"
7. Van Morrison: "Brown Eyed Girl"
6. Bon Jovi: "Livin' On A Prayer"
5. AC/DC: "You Shook Me All Night Long"
4. Beyonce: "Single Ladies"
3. Lady Gaga Feat. Colby O'donis: "Just Dance"
2. Journey: "Don't Stop Believin'"
1. Black Eyed Peas: "I Gotta Feeling"

Feel the Beat Entertainment posts the Top 200 songs of each year on its website. The source of the Top 200 is from Mobile Beat Magazine. Mobile Beat compiles the song list each year by calculating what clients actually request throughout the year through a dj request system. If you would like to see the entire list, you can check out the websites for Feel the Beat and Mobile Beat.

Top 10 Wedding Songs of 2009

2010-12-29T08:44:00.000-08:00

According to Feel the Beat Entertainment, the Top 10 wedding songs of 2009 were:

10. Lynyrd Skynyrd: "Sweet Home Alabama"
9. B-52's: "Love Shack"
8. Justin Timberlake: "Sexyback"
7. Beyonce: "Single Ladies"
6. Van Morrison: "Brown Eyed Girl"
5. Def Leppard: "Pour Some Sugar On Me"
4. Bon Jovi: "Livin' On A Prayer"
3.Lady Gaga feat. Colby O'Donis: "Just Dance"
2. Journey: "Don't Stop Believing"
1. AC/DC: "You Shook Me All Night Long"

Check back next week to see the Top 10 wedding songs of 2010!

Feel the Beat in December 2010

2010-12-22T10:07:00.000-08:00

December is a month full of friends and family fun! Feel the Beat Entertainment and the Cool Shots Photo Booth have been extremely busy this holiday season. We have been fortunate enough to share this special time with many corporations across Alabama. Here are just a few of the pictures from various events we had the pleasure of being a part of this past December.

Sheffield Group Holiday Party at The Wynfrey Hotel:

Milo's Holiday Party at B&A Warehouse:

Trans-Siberian Orchestra with Magic 96.5 at the BJCC:

Top 10 Wedding Entertainment Tips

2010-12-02T09:34:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows that entertainment at weddings can either make or break a reception. Feel the Beat Entertainment has compiled a list of ten tips that will assist you in making your wedding planning an easier process!

Word of Mouth: Be sure to talk to your friends and family about their entertainment experiences. They can give you first hand advice that you trust.
Vendor Recommendations: It's also important to get recommendations from trusted vendors you have already hired for your big day. They will be able to assist you with information due to their experience at weddings and events with entertainment. Their insight will be extremely helpful in finding the right professionals for your wedding.
Pick According to Personality: A huge mistake couples occasionally make is choosing a dj or band that does not fit their style or personality. It is important to meet with them in advance to make sure that what they offer fits your personality.
Venue (Location): Who you hire can sometimes depend on the venue of your choice. Check with your venue to make sure they will allow your dj or band. Often times, venues will have a "preferred vendors" list which specifies only certain vendors the venue will allow. A conflict with your venue and vendor can lead to many issues. Be sure to keep constant communication with both to avoid unnecessary problems.
What NOT to Play: Be sure to discuss with your entertainment what music you want played and definitely what you do not want played at your wedding. The last thing you want to have to worry about at your reception is music you dislike or find inappropriate being played. Compile a "do-not-play" list for the dj or band so that there will be no miscommunication.
Contract: Always get everything in writing! Make sure that prices, times, places, and people are communicated and are written in a contract.
Overtime: Typically, entertainment for weddings is booked for up to four hours. If you think that you and your guests will stay longer than four hours, you may want to consider booking them for more time. If not, when your day comes and you want your reception to last longer than you scheduled, you may have to pay overtime fees which can get expensive.
Copy your Special Songs: It is extremely important for you to have a copy of your favorite songs on hand just to be safe. More than likely, your dj or band will also have backup, but in the event that they don't, you will probably feel more comfortable having your own copy as well.
Attire: Your entertainment needs to be dressed for the occasion. Different weddings call for different attire. Beach weddings usually do not require tuxedos, and formal weddings do not necessitate casual wear. Discuss your wedding in detail with your dj or band so that they can look professional.
Communicate: Communication is key throughout the entire wedding planning process. You especially need to communicate with your dj or band so that everything will run smoothly on your big day. Be sure that you create a timeline with your entertainment to plan the flow of events for your day.
Bonus: Hire a professional. You are only going to get one opportunity and seasoned professionals have the experience to make your wedding day dreams come true!

AWEP Carnival Raises Funds for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

2010-09-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

Feel The Beat Entertainment along with local wedding industry professionals recently made a generous donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. At the Alabama Wedding & Event Professionals' (AWEP) monthly meeting held at Fun Source Rentals last month, members were treated to a carnival atmosphere complete with popcorn balls, candied apples, rides, and games while also raising money and awareness for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States and 70,000 people worldwide. The AWEP organization chose the cause to support one of Fun Source Rentals’ employees who is diagnosed with this life-threatening disease.

AWEP President, Barry Altmark, volunteered to sit in the dunk tank while members bought chances to dunk him. All proceeds raised from the event went straight to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. When AWEP member and Feel the Beat Entertainment owner, Danny Brewer, learned that he would not be able to attend the meeting, he offered to match up to $200 of the money raised. The challenge pushed AWEP members to raise more than $200 and Brewer matched it to bring it to a total of over $400 donated to the cause.

“Even with tight budgets and a slumping economy, local business owners are finding ways to give back to their community,” stated Feel the Beat Entertainment owner, Danny Brewer. The efforts of these wedding professionals truly showcase that this is an industry with heart.

2 Minute Drill - Episode 3

2010-06-28T14:44:00.001-07:00

Click to Play

Danny Brewer of Feel The Beat Entertainment and DannyBrewerLIVE.com

2 Minute Drill - Episode 2

2010-06-28T14:24:00.001-07:00

Click to Play

Danny Brewer of Feel The Beat Entertainment and DannyBrewerLIVE.com talks about hiring a DJ for your wedding reception.

Outdoor Weddings - Tips from Martha Stewart Weddings

2010-06-15T12:48:00.000-07:00

For many brides, there's no more perfect setting for true love than being outdoors surrounded by the beauty of nature. Each year, brides take on the challenge of planning an outdoor event for their nuptials. But when you make this decision, be sure that you're ready to step into the ring with one bad mamma-jamma, Mother Nature! Especially in Alabama, with our heat, humidity, and potential for tornadoes, you have to be especially prepared on your big day to contend with whatever Mother Nature throws at you. So with one last official weekend left of Spring, we'd like to share this article with great tips on how to prepare for an outdoor occasion. ---

From Martha Stewart Weddings, Summer 2009

Sunny skies are one thing, but sunburned guests? Quite another. Event designer Matthew Robbins shares his tips for warm-weather weddings.
The beauty of outdoor weddings is, well, the beauty of the outdoors. And the bane of outdoor weddings is, well, they're outdoors, so no matter how much you want a perfect summer celebration -- temps in the 70s with a light breeze and cumulus clouds overhead -- what you may get instead is mugginess and mosquitoes, with a chance of thundershowers.
Indeed, you can't control the weather, but you can prepare for it. And event designer Matthew Robbins is here to share his summer-specific tips.
Your Wedding Location Don't underestimate the havoc-wreaking power of high temps. Hot weather doesn't just mean sweaty guests. From wilted flowers to melted desserts, heat can affect just about every detail of your wedding, so keep it in mind at each decision-making turn.
Be over-prepared. Walk through the site and take notice of the little things that may mar your ceremony. Planes buzzing overhead? Tree branches in the way of your tent? A nest of angry insects with stingers, tucked into that bush?
Get yourself a rain plan and make sure it fits your budget. If there are no indoor options, reserve a tent. And if you get a tent, be sure to rent flooring.
Where, exactly, will you and your groom say your vows? Robbins suggests looking for "architecture, garden structures, landscaping, or trees "that can provide a natural frame and backdrop for your ceremony. If that doesn't exist, you might want to think about building a simple structure that will provide you with cool shade (dark-suited, overheated grooms will especially appreciate this) and a dramatic stage. A canopy of flowers or branches is especially beautiful.
Will your guests be protected from the sun? If the answer is no, you should hold your ceremony later in the day. Robbins is a big fan of the hour between 5 and 6 p.m. "It's cooled down by then. The sun has moved beyond its highest point, but it won't be setting in your guests' eyes at this hour. "Speaking of which, always keep in mind the position of the sun in relation to where your guests will sit during the ceremony. Seat them either facing away from the sun or at an angle, never directly into it.
Will mosquitoes be a problem?Unfortunately, the best time of day is also the buggiest. If it's a concern, offer insect-repellent wipes. They come in single-use packages, and because they're wipes, dressed-up guests don't have to worry about accidentally spraying their fancy duds.
Will guests be traveling far between the ceremony and reception? It's best if the party is within walking distance, but if it's not or if the walk is more than a few minutes, serve beverages as people exit the ceremony. "For one wedding in upstate New York, we presented guests with ice-cold water and lemonade, "Robbins recalls. "They needed something refreshing for the walk to the reception. The party was just around the corner, but it was a hot day. "Just be sure not to serve alcohol until guests arrive at the site.
Handouts that Save the Day
You may be ready for your summer wedding, but your guests may not be quite as prepared -- especially if it's being held outdoors. Help them out by providing sun-relief items, such as parasols, misters, sunscreen wipes, blotting tissues, and insect-repellent wipes.
Food and Drinks in the Heat
"During the summer, you'll want the meal you serve to your guests to feel more like a tasting," says Robbins. "Keep portions small and offer tasting plates for each course to keep the menu interesting. "What type of food suits hot weather? "Light bites like veggies and fruits and all types of seafood," he advises.
"Shots of chilled summer soups during cocktail hour are also a great idea." Here's what Robbins says to avoid: fried foods (which turn soggy quickly in the heat), potato dishes (who wants hearty potatoes when you can have a refreshing tomato salad instead?), and bread (it suffers in humidity). More advice from Robbins, on behalf of all sweat-prone wedding guests: Save the dancing for after dinner. "You don't want to feel sweaty before you eat your first course."
Thirst is heat's constant companion -- so for outdoor summer weddings, the potables you serve to parched guests become even more important. Robbins suggests creating invigorating nonalcoholic signature cocktails using fresh ingredients. Your guests will appreciate the deliciousness -- and you'll love how pretty they look! Here, Robbins offers five ideas for booze-free beverages.
Sparkling Ginger Lemonade: This fizzy delight gets its kick from honey, fresh ginger, lemon juice, and club soda.
Lavender-Mint Iced Tea: If you're planning a garden wedding, consider this brew of dried lavender flowers, mint, and honey.
Pure Mojito: A rum-free mojito sounds sacrilegious, but this mix of fresh mint, lime juice, and agave nectar will make you a convert.
Refreshing Bellini: The beauty of this drink is its versatility (use any seasonal fruit ) and simplicity (fill a glass halfway with fruit puree and finish by adding chilled club soda).
Watermelon-Ginger Sparkler: Nothing says summer quite like sweet watermelon. For this cocktail, all you'll need is watermelon, lime juice, ginger, sugar, and club soda.
Keep Flowers from Wilting
"Some flowers just don't like the heat," Robbins says. So if you're a summer bride, you'll want to pick blooms -- for your bouquet and centerpieces -- that can stand up, literally, to the sun. Lilies of the valley and tulips, for example, are beautiful, but put them out on a hot afternoon, and you'll have a droopy-looking mess well before you can say "I do."
What flowers weather the heat and humidity best?
Orchids
Roses
Callas
Celosias
Lisianthus
Hydrangeas
Robbins also suggests decorating with less-traditional greenery such as rosemary, olive branches, and eucalyptus leaves. They can add a surprising touch to a ceremony or reception site, and they have the added bonus of smelling terrific.
No matter what you choose, if you're throwing an outdoor affair, keep arrangements simple and low. This is not the time for 3-foot-tall centerpieces that sway with every gust of wind. Besides, with Mother Nature as a backdrop, there's less need to gussy up your venue.
As for bouquets, he says, order two -- "a smaller bouquet for photos and a more dramatic option for the ceremony. There is nothing more depressing than seeing wilted blooms in your wedding photos."

:::2 Minute Drill::: - Episode 1

2010-06-14T12:31:00.001-07:00

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Danny Brewer of Feel The Beat Entertainment talks to us about important information in your contract with your DJ as well as meeting with your DJ before you sign a contract.

Gretchen B Photography - GET REAL with Alabama Wedding Vendors

2010-06-10T12:23:00.001-07:00

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Gretchen B Photography

Graduation Party

2010-06-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

Whether it was a DJ mixing tunes for a crowd of very excited teenagers or the Cool Shots Photo Booth taking pictures of friendships that will last a lifetime, Feel the Beat Entertainment had a blast celebrating with Alabama's most recent graduates. Graduation is a time of bittersweet emotions, a time to celebrate accomplishments, but also to hug tightly to friends that have been made who now have to part separate ways as a new chapter begins.

For one of the parties, we celebrated with some 8th graders who are now graduating on to a new school. Justin Poe was the DJ and we also had the Cool Shots Photo Booth there to capture some candid shots. Although we were at a personal residence, there was plenty of room for all of the activities. Everyone started out in the backyard where Justin had set up a screen so the crowd could enjoy a slideshow recapping all of the year's events while they ate a yummy meal catered by Full Moon Barbecue. The parents then stayed upstairs while all of the teens moved downstairs to the basement. The basement was definitely where all the fun was - DJ, Cool Shots Photo Booth, and all of your closest friends? Sounds like a good party to me! In fact, we were having so much fun that the parents wanted to come down to check it out. They had lots of laughs playing in the photo booth until the teens decided that maybe the space was just a little too tight with all of those parents around....and we had to kick them out :)

Downstairs all of the furniture had been moved out, leaving plenty of space for dancing. They had a very groovy theme with lights glowing in a spectrum of color all around the room. Around the perimeter were tall cocktail rounds with funky little centerpieces that glowed throughout the night. There was also a small room to the side that had snacks and refreshments for the kids. Justin brought in some cool light effects that matched perfectly with the theme and cast shapes of light around the room or bathed the room in solid colors of red, blue, or green.

When the kids came down, Justin cranked up the music, and they hit the dancefloor without hesitation. It was a fun crowd and they were having so much fun dancing, that I thought the photo booth might get ignored. That's when the parents came down and were taking pictures in the booth. Once the kids had 'relocated' the parents, it was their turn to hop into the photo booth and try it out.

There were big group shots and some shots with just a few girls, some with the guys harassing each other. We printed out multiple copies so that everyone in the picture could have a print. As the night came to a close, the parents made their way back downstairs again and the whole group cracked me up singing Bohemian Rhapsody. Then, although the group will most likely stay together in high school, the night ended with hugs and tears like they would never see each other again. It was the type of scene that plays at the end of the movie and makes everyone a little teary. It was everything a graduation party should be, full of memories and special moments - some sillier than others - and hopefully new memories that will be treasured for long to come.

Wedding Season is Officially Here!

2010-05-25T13:34:00.000-07:00

Well, May marks the time for wedding season to truly kick off and this year there is certainly no exception! Last weekend was one of our busiest wedding weekends, which means there was a lot to celebrate! Congratulations to Amanda & Hayden, Hannah & Harrison, Valerie & Romairo, Jessica & Rushi, and Christy & Ryan! We wish you a lifetime of happiness!

One of the benefits of Feel the Beat Entertainment is that we have a staff of several DJs so that you can pick the personality that's best for your event. You can learn more about our staff here.

We had Jeff D at American Village in their new ballroom, Todd at the Gaslight House in Helena, Spencer at The American Village in the Barn, Joe at a private residence in Coosada, Alabama and Justin at The Vestavia Lodge. Danny Brewer, Feel the Beat's owner and main emcee, was out at the B&A Warehouse and the setting was just amazing as you can see below!

Having a large staff also lets us work more events, see more venues, work with more vendors, and get to know the wedding community just a little bit better. We love all of our events, but we live and breathe weddings! Birmingham is a great community of wedding professionals and we are proud to be a part of it! If you have questions about a wedding vendor or a venue, please don't hesitate to call us for a reference.

Cascades Sonoco & Relay for Life

2010-05-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

The Cool Shots Photo Lounge travelled out to Gardendale last weekend to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Cascades Sonoco, an international paper company with offices here in Birmingham, sponsored a tent and had employees walking the track throughout the night for this all-night event. If you're not familiar with Relay for Life, it is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local park and take turns walking or running around a track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

Kelly and the team from Cascades Sonoco stayed through the night until 6 a.m. They really worked hard to raise awareness for this terrible disease and to celebrate the lives of those that are fighting the battle against it. The Cool Shots Photo Lounge was out with the company as an additional fundraiser for anyone who wanted a keepsake photo from the event. Cascades Sonoco donated 100% of the proceeds from the photos to the Relay for Life. As a program, Relay for Life is one of the largest fundraisers for the American Cancer Society but it's not their only goal. They are really trying to bring the battle with cancer home to the communities and gain help and support in the fight. It is a strong message of community that we are all here to give back to each other.

Each Relay for Life event has special traditions that happen no matter which location you attend. For me, the most moving of these events was the Luminaria Ceremony. After dark, the American Cancer Society honors people whose lives have been affected by cancer and remember loved ones lost to the disease. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence. As people take time to remember, those who have walked alongside others battling cancer can grieve and find healing. This is a time that truly highlights the importance of defeating this disease. Before the ceremony, the park had been filled with the sounds of happy conversations, live music, and kids running back and forth through the park. All fell silent for the Luminaria Ceremony and the quiet was a peacefulness that was both comforting, reflective, and also somber. Groups would stop in front of each light and take a moment. But there was one family that was slowly making their way around the track and the majority of the crowd was behind them. When they came to the luminary with their family member honored, it was a very humbling moment. The family embraced each other and I am sure there were tears, although I was not close enough to see them. But the entire group of walkers behind them also stopped in respect. It was a powerful moment and one that will stick with me from this event.

Thanks to Cascades Sonoco and all of the businesses in our community that lend their help and support to make Birmingham and our world a better place to live. Big thanks to the American Cancer Society and Relay for life as well for putting together such a meaningful and well-organized event. Cool Shots Photo Lounge was proud to be a part of this great cause!

The White Room - GET REAL with Alabama Wedding Vendors

2010-05-12T10:58:00.001-07:00

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The White Room Bridal Salon

Sing Your Ovaries Out! Karaoke Fundraiser

2010-04-28T14:56:00.000-07:00

Feel the Beat Entertainment was excited to be able to sponsor a great event for a great cause! Last week at the new Sipsey Tavern, friends and supporters gathered to pay tribute to Kay Wilson, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in January and is currently undergoing treatment. The event was organized by Kay's daughter, Katie Wilson and friends, Tyra Newhouse and Laura Harper. Katie says, "We wanted to do something locally to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and its symptoms. The event will be fun and lighthearted, while increasing knowledge of this 'silent' disease at the same time."

DJ Joe Hollywood was on hand to spin the tunes and the line for karaoke was out the door all night! Each person that got up to sing was also supporting the cause with a small donation. By the end of the night, the NLOCF raised over $2,200!! Feel the Beat Entertainment is proud to support our community and this wonderful cause.

The Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation is a local organization that raises money for ovarian cancer research and promotes awareness and education. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are silent and there is not an accurate screening test. It is important that all women be educated about this disease so they will hopefully receive an early diagnosis and receive treatment at an early stage of the disease. The money raised benefits ovarian cancer research at UAB. For information about the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation, go to www.nlovca.org or contact Ashleigh Timmerman at ashleigh@nlovca.org or 205.243.8590.

Barry C. Altmark Photography - GET REAL with Alabama Wedding Vendors

2010-04-27T16:15:00.001-07:00

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Barry Altmark - Professional Photographer

Travel South comes to Birmingham

2010-04-16T10:38:00.000-07:00

Travel South invited hospitality and tourism professionals from across the Southeast down to our beautiful city to enjoy a few days of southern hospitality. Events started on Sunday with daytime tours around the area and then a street party organized by Go Pro in the Lakeview District where they had a cool hula-hoop team performing! We had two photo booths set up outside that night, and two more photobooths out Monday evening at the beautiful Birmingham Museum of Art.

For the Museum of Art event we themed each of the booths to match the environment. Outside there was a band and bars hosted by Jim Beam & the Biltmore, so we did a rock star theme with mohawks, guitars, and microphones.

Inside there were delicious nibbles that were created from recipes out of Southern Living magazine and there were also tours of the museum. The inside photo booth had a swanky theme and the best part was that any visitors to the booth became the newest art exhibit at the museum. After guests posed for their pictures, they immediately received their print to take home with them, but we also projected the photo booth images up on the wall. The pictures rotated through all night and small crowds would gather to see their friends and laugh at their own silly pictures.

We wrapped up the events on Tuesday with a luncheon featuring the Coca-Cola Polar Bear! If you have not met the polar bear yet, you need to go visit him at the new World of Coke in Atlanta! He is such a sweet and super-cute animal, even at 7 feet tall! Just being around him makes you smile and you can tell from all the great photos from this event!

Overall, we just had a wonderful time with Travel South and all the people from across the Southeast. Everyone was genuinely friendly and it made me proud to be from the South! We are blessed to live in such a beautiful area of the country, with great weather, great people, and great food!!

Jessica Messer Photography - GET REAL with Alabama Wedding Vendors

2010-04-13T15:30:00.001-07:00

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www.JessicaMesser.com

Jerrod Brown Studios - GET REAL with Alabama Wedding Vendors

2010-04-09T13:24:00.001-07:00

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Jerrod Brown of Jerrod Brown Studios

Upcoming April Events

2010-04-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

Feel The Beat Entertainment along with the Cool Shots Photo Lounge will be out and about in Birmingham participating in several events and we hope to see you there!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

APRIL 22nd - SoHo's Rosewood Hall Open House
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, sample wine, indulge in delicious desserts, and much more!

Rosewood Hall

2850 19th Street South

Homewood, AL 35209

205-332-6119

__________________________________________________________________________________

Follow all of Feel the Beat Entertainment's events by becoming our Facebook fan!

Design Productions - GET REAL with Alabama Wedding Vendors

2010-04-05T16:04:00.001-07:00

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Andy Tolar with "Design Productions" professional lighting company

Jerrod Brown Studios - GET REAL with Alabama Wedding Vendors

2010-04-05T15:12:00.001-07:00

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Jerrod Brown of "Jerrod Brown Studios" Professional Wedding Photography

Join us for Girl's Night Out

2010-04-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

Feel The Beat Entertainment along with the Cool Shots Photo Lounge will be participating in Girl's Night Out at the new Alfred Angelo Bridal Salon off of Highway 280 on April 15th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.! Click on the attached link to receive $20 off of each of your bridesmaid's dresses. Also, the first 50 guests will receive free gift bags. Come indulge in complimentary consultations, beauty services, and tasty treats while meeting with professional stylists and wedding experts!

Alfred Angelo Bridal

Date: April 15, 2010

Address: 3000 Cahaba Village Plaza

Birmingham, AL

Phone: (205) 970-6923

Dig It All Productions - GET REAL with Alabama Wedding Vendors

2010-04-04T10:54:00.001-07:00

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Mathew and Ashley Hampton with Dig It All Productions

Blue Moon Studios - GET REAL with Alabama Wedding Vendors - 3/15/2010

2010-03-25T15:53:00.001-07:00

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Butch Oglesby with Blue Moon Studios

Arden Photography - GET REAL with Alabama Wedding Vendors - 3/22/10

2010-03-22T09:42:00.001-07:00

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Arden Ward of Arden Photography talked with us about her own unique style and approach to your wedding photos.

Unplugged Photography - GET REAL with Alabama Wedding Vendors - 3/19/10

2010-03-19T10:43:00.001-07:00

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David Shirk of Unplugged Photography talked with us about finding the perfect wedding photo.

GET REAL with Alabama Wedding Vendors - Imaginations Photography - 3/8/2010

2010-03-18T11:35:00.001-07:00

Click to Play

On this episode, we talked with Gale Kirkpatrick of Imaginations Photography about the do's and don'ts of hiring a wedding photographer.

Picking the Perfect Music

2010-03-09T10:17:00.000-08:00

"Music speaks what cannot be expressed,
soothes the mind and gives it rest,
heals the heart and makes it whole,
flows from heaven to the soul."

When a song comes on the radio that you love to hear, what happens? A big smile appears on your face, you crank it up, and you forget whatever was on your mind before. Music has strong power over our emotions and is such a great way to connect with your friends and family. Music can remind of you of a different time, or bring back memories from your past.

When considering music for your wedding day, you want to pick songs that are important to you and your fiancee and also music that the majority of your guests are going to enjoy hearing. There are also specific events during your reception where the song choice is especially critical. Your choice of music is going to help convey some of the emotions that can sometimes be difficult to put into words.

Feel the Beat has put together lists of some top song choices for all of the main events at your reception. Find top choices for everything you need music for - introductions, your first and last dance, bouquet toss, garter toss, cake cutting, and everything in between!

To find them click on the Wedding Music option on the left side of the Feel the Beat Entertainment homepage or just click MUSIC here. You'll find all sorts of ideas for great song choices, plus top songs divided by decade! Want to know what music was popular when your parents got married? Or maybe you want to remember what was popular when you were a little girl or songs that you loved in high school. There are so many options when it comes to music, so let Feel the Beat help you find the songs that are right for you!

June... July... August... September... October

2009-11-04T20:37:00.000-08:00

OK....So I haven't been posting to our blog like I wanted to. I really should. So here's an update for the past few months.

June - 44 Events - All went great!
July - 42 Events - All went great!
August - 61 Events - All Went Great!
September - 46 Events - All Went Great!
October - 68 Events - All Went Great!

The new Cool Shots Photo Booth (http://www.coolshotsphotobooth.com) has been awesome!

Thanks to all the vendors and venue for the referrals.

May - Oh what a month!

2009-05-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

When I started this blog, I told myself I would update it every week..... BUt we've been so busy that I have not had time. This month - May, we had 69 unique events and 73 total with a weekly Karaoke show that Joe does.

25 Weddings in May!! What an awesome month. Thanks to all the vendors we worked with, the venues and most off all our brides.

My personal highlight was the Hard / Robertson wedding. They asked me to be their DJ with a little road trip down to ....wait for it............Fort Lauderdale Florida. Awesome and very fun times.

The trip was long - 2,400 miles there and back. Melissa and I drove down to Miami, back up to Fort Myers through Tampa, over to Orlando and finished off our trip in Panama City Beach.

So here comes June and so far it's looking like another great June for Feel The Beat Entertainment!!!!

And then it rains....

2009-05-03T23:05:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of spending my time in Winfield Alabama for Gabby and Steve Fair's wedding. Upon arrival, the clouds were getting dark above us so we checked the radar and it showed some storms just a few minutes away. So Steve, the groom said let's do it.

We got all the guests down to the ceremony location by the lake and competed the ceremony with Thunder off in the distance and a few sprinkles falling as the ceremony wrapped up.

Once we got under the tent for the reception, the rain came down very very hard and sideways. As long as we stayed under the tent, all was pretty much dry. Most of the rain ran away from the tent.

It was an awesome reception and the party went right up until the end.

The photographer was Artography and I worked with a new video company called Digital Motion Films. They both were a pleasure to work with.

Thanks to Steve and Gabby for letting me be a part of the wedding day - have fun in Fiji!!

Danny Brewer

April 25th Weddings and Events.....

2009-04-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post. This past Saturday, we entertained at 5 wedding receptions and 5 other events. Mine (Danny) was at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover. It was a daytime reception and the weather was awesome.

It was honor for Feel The Beat Entertainment and Justin Poe to DJ Jason Mezrano and Stacy Lee's reception at Park Lane. Jason is the son of Kathy G. which is one of the most well know catering businesses in central Alabama. And before the wedding, Justin worked a pool party with perfect weather and the Apartment Finder / Feel The Beat Entertainment Cash Machine.

Van traveled to Alexander City for a wedding that was a great time for the bride and groom.

Tre went to Trussville for a grand ole Catholic wedding reception - those are always a blast.

Joe was at the Sonnet House in Leeds. What an awesome venue. If you are a bride and have not looked into this venue yet. It is a must see before finalizing your venue.

Jeff D did a prom at Workplay, and I DJ'd a Bat Mitzvah at Pine Tree and Lee J did a party in Vestavia.

Busy day but lost of fun!!!

Hewitt Trussville Prom Photos

2009-03-16T07:05:00.001-07:00

Hewitt Trussville Prom 2009

Hewitt Trussville Prom 2009

Hewitt Trussville Prom 2009

Hewitt Trussville Prom 2009

This was a 2 Screen Video Prom - Great time! We still had about 200 kids at midnight that we had to send home. From Feel The Beat Entertainment - Thanks! Hewitt Trussville!

Thanks to Scott McLeod - www.ScottMcleodPhoto.com for the pictures.

A Recent Wedding Review.....

2009-03-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

Here is a recent review of Danny's services for a wedding Reception at the Historic Donnelly House.

From Rachael McDaniel - Married February 27th, 2009

Was there any part of our services you were particularly pleased with?

Start to finish, we were pleased with evertyhing about Feel the Beat. I selected Feel the Beat from the rave reviews I read and I'm glad they proved to be true. Danny was amazing, professional, and fun. From the moment we met with him we knew that we had nothing to fear and the wedding would be a success. It poured rain the night of our wedding, but neither we or our guests even noticed it, because it was a party inside. We enjoyed everything and Danny helped the evening run oh so smoothly. You can relax and know that everything is in control when you hire Feel the Beat. We really enjoyed when Danny had all the women at the reception serenade Bret with "Going to the Chapel." The bridesmaids had been singing it all day and it was absolutely priceless. He tied in all our tiny details about our relationship and made everyone in the bridal party feel special. I cannot say enough good things about Feel the Beat. THANKS SO MUCH!!!

If you were going to recommend us to someone, what would you say? (testimonial)

If you're thinking of using your Ipod, looking into another company for a DJ, or letting your Uncle Bubba dj for you, think again. No one compares to Feel the Beat. Hands down the absolute best in Birmingham. They're easy to work with and really care about you. They meet with you beforehand to find out about your likes/dislikes, history, and then tie it all in. It's personalization at it's finest. We've had nothing but good things said about our wedding reception and how AWESOME our DJ was. Danny and Feel the Beat are a blessing.

What % of success of your event would you attribute to the Entertainment supplied by Feel The Beat?

100 million percent

On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being best), how would you rank your Feel The Beat Entertainment disc jockey?

10-Amazing

Was the price you paid a good value?

I feel like we robbed Feel the Beat because it was priceless

2008-12-14T11:54:00.000-08:00

As we wrap up 2008, we wanted to share with you our numbers of events we did this year. Experience is on our side with the number of events we do. Our staff is the best trained in Alabama and are committed to making sure your event is a success!

With two weeks left in the year, the numbers below may go up slightly based on last minute bookings.

Weddings - 172
Birthday Parties - 66
College Parties - 21
Corporate Events - 97
Bar / Bat Mitzvahs - 13
Class Reunions - 11
Elementary / Middle School Dances - 33
High School Dances - 43
Game Show Mania! - 157
Karaoke - 62
Miscellaneous Parties - 26

Total # of Events in 2008: 701 Events

Custom Logo / Lighting

2008-11-20T10:47:00.001-08:00

Here, we did a corporate event where they wanted the guests to know who sponsored the event.
As you can see, the sponsor logo dominated the room and added a little visual flair to the event.

There is NO WAY a banner with a logo printed on it can provide that visual!

Call Feel The Beat today for your next event.

Back Lighting The Cake

2008-11-20T10:11:00.000-08:00

Don't overlook back lighting the cake. At some venues, we can pin spot the cake by placing a pin spot light from above aimed down on the cake. But if that is not available, then we suggest back lighting the cake like in these pictures. It makes a big difference in the presentation.

Lighting Design at Mathews Manor in Rebecca's Garden

2008-11-20T09:57:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures from a recent wedding at Mathews Manor in Rebecca's Garden.

The Green lighting design we did relly made the rock wall fireplace look awesome.

I heard several guests mention how cool the fireplace looked with the lighting.

Other than it being really cold and windy, this was a fun reception.

Danny Brewer Hard At Work....

2008-10-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

Feel The Beat Promo from Dig-It-All Productions on Vimeo.

Notice the lighting in the Background. The Bride at this particular wedding wanted "wild and Crazy" lighting, so we gave her multiple color flashing which really added to the visual effects.

Thanks to Matt and Ashley at Dig It All Productions for the Video Clip

http://www.dig-it-allproductions.com/

Lighting Design - Green at Mathews Manor's Grace Hall

2008-10-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here are some more Great pictures at Mathews Manor's Grace Hall. This time, Green was the color....

Keep It Simple.....

2008-10-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

Here is a recent picture of our set up at the Pelham Civic Complex.

Basic Lighting Design around the room can add visually to any room.

Notice No signs or banners advertising our services.

Venue: Pelham Civic Complex
Catering: Culinard
Photographer: Chris Millard
Videographer: Gary Rush, Rush Videos

More Lighting Design Pictures

2008-10-19T09:13:00.001-07:00

Here is an excellent picture of our upgraded lighting design at Mathews Manor - Grace Hall.

Feel The Beat's Lighting Design can enhance any venue above and beyond any bride's imagination.

The Sweetheart Projection in the middle is an awesome way to add your uniqueness to any location.

Venue: Mathews Manor - Grace Hall
Photographer: Greg Hawkins, Studio G Photography
Videographer: Lance Holooway, Holloway Productions
Transportation: Vintage Auto

Feel The Beat's Lighting Design - Wow!

2008-07-18T12:04:00.001-07:00

A recent wedding reception in a large room that offered flourecent lights for the reception. This room was very large and the only lights that could be turned on were the big globes. They were not enough, so we used a basic design lighting package and turned the room into a beautiful pink backdrop for an awesome visual. Many thanks to Charles and Amber Ford http://www.afphotography.com/ for their photos.

Lighting can make a huge visual difference in some locations, make sure you include $300 up to $2000+ for lighting the two pictures above will show you the major difference.

Enjoy!

Ross Bridge Wedding Reception - Party!!!!

2008-03-24T20:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Robert Norris Photography - http://robertnorrisphoto.com for the photos. You really should check out his web site - very cool. These are just a few pictures of Hope and Dave's reception. It was an absolute blast!

To Hope and Dave - Thanks so much for letting Feel The Beat and me personally be a part of y our big day!

Danny Brewer
Master of Ceremonies and Disc Jockey
Feel The Beat Entertainment llc.

An Obvious Difference...

2008-01-28T05:24:00.000-08:00

When we talk to each bride we work with, we tell them we can do some great things with lighting. Here is a perfect example of how our up-lighting and sweetheart projection can make your wedding cake presentation stunning!

You can see here that there is a HUGE shadow created by the venue setup. The Cake looks lost.

With the Up-lighting, we helped eliminate the shadow a little and we added their sweetheart projection with their initials above the cake on the wall. The alcove the cake was sitting in has a corner in the back right and then it curves around to the left.

Thanks to Cassie Woodard for the photos!
www.fotoartbycassie .com

Awesome Pictures!

2007-12-29T20:41:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Mark Lawley Photography for supplying us with some real nice photos of recent weddings we have worked together. Mark and his staff are real busy and keep a pretty full calendar. If you are looking for a wedding photographer - Start with Mark, if he and his staff are already booked for your event date - CHANGE THE DATE!! - Just kidding. They are that good. So if they are booked for your date, ask them who they refer - they will take care of you.

Another Great Wedding

2007-12-27T10:28:00.000-08:00

As we finish off the year, I was extremely blessed to take part in the Tolentino / Prosser wedding. Lisa and Michael were awesome and the reception was a blast. Thanks to Ross Bridge for the excellent location and Mark Lawley Photography for the great photos.

In the photos, you can see our Sweetheart Logo of the Bride and Groom in the background and our new LED lights that light up the room with a fireworks effect.

Call us in the office today to talk with one of our Wedding Entertainment Directors so we can match up a DJ /Emcee to the style of your "Vision".

Photos at left and above are from Mark Lawley and Associates.

Wrapping Up 2007

2007-11-27T10:44:00.001-08:00

When searching for a DJ, many people call us not knowing anything about Feel The Beat. But many more people call us because they have seen us work an event, they are a photographer or videographer that liked what we do or a venue that makes us their #1 referred DJ company.
What we do as a DJ / Emcee / Entertainer reflects on everyone at an event we work.

Here is a 99% final list of the events we did this year in 2007 (This numbers may change a little over the next month from events we book for the remaining of the year.

Weddings: 186
Birthday Parties: 71
College Parties: 16
Corporate Events: 73
Bar / Bat Mitzvah: 11
Class Reunions: 15
Elementary / Middle School Dances: 25
High School Dances: 45
Miscellaneous Parties: 48
Karaoke - Private / Bar 154
Game Show Mania - 16

Total # of events in 2007: 660 Events!!

Jason and Andrea At The Cahaba Grand

2007-11-27T10:11:00.001-08:00

I really just don't know how to say how much fun Jason and Andi were at their wedding. Let's start with their entrance. They were the first ones to arrive at The Cahaba Grand for their reception. When they came in, Jason was literally jumping up and down with excitement. He was yelling "This is my wife!, This is my wife!"
They were so much fun. After some mingling with guests and hellos to family, they really never left the dance floor. It was a blast.
On a personal note, I must say that out of the hundreds of events I have had the opportunity to work, this was a top 5. Jason and Andi - thanks for letting me be a part of your wedding day. I wish you many years of happiness.

2007-10-20T14:06:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Wedding at Mathews Manor!

Michelle Bittman and Bobby Lilley were married this past Sunday afternoon at Mathews Manor. An outdoor wedding, with beautiful weather, and a reception in Grace Hall proved to be the perfect setting for their wedding. With entertainment and lighting provided by Feel The Beat Entertainment, everyone had a wonderful time as they danced the night away.
In the cool of the evening, a handbell choir played as they exited, making their getaway to Ross Bridge Resort in a beautiful vintage automobile driven by Ron Marko of Vintage Auto.

Bridal Season over

2007-02-27T20:46:00.000-08:00

Many Many thanks to all the brides we had the opportunity to meet with at all the bridal shows this year. It was a record year for Feel The Beat and the bridal shows is a great place to meet one-on-one with many wedding vendors to find that perfect match for YOUR wedding day.

Wynfrey Bridal Show

2007-01-08T18:06:00.000-08:00

If any of you are brides and were at the Wynfrey Bridal show, then you know that it was AWESOME!!

The staff at the Wynfrey know how to do it.

This year, there were more vendors - so many that they were stretched all the way down the hall in addition to the entire ballroom.

If you didn't make the Wynfrey show, we'll see you at the Portico or the BJCC this weekend.

2007-01-04T22:27:00.000-08:00

We are true believers that a good visual presentation is a great compliment to any venue. The picture below is our uplighting package at a wedding at the Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham. I had a wedding coordinator tell me that she will NEVER do another wedding without uplighting!!!

Enjoy the picture!!

Thanks to Mark Lawley and Associates for the photo. www.marklawleyphotography.com

New Ad

2007-01-04T22:23:00.000-08:00

Here is the most recent ad that we are running in Alabama Weddings Magazine. It just came out on the stands is is the best wedding publication to ever hit the stands in Alabama!!

Mt. View Gardens And Ballroom

2007-01-04T21:51:00.000-08:00

For those of you that have never been to this venue, you HAVE to go there and see how beautiful it is.

Here is a picture that Amber and Charles Ford www.afphotography.com took at a wedding we did at Mt. View - AWESOME!!!!

Up And Running

2007-01-04T21:26:00.000-08:00

Well, we've just joined the blogspot revolution and plan on using this on a regular basis about Feel The Beat Entertainment Events.

Here's a great picture from Amber Ford Photography:

More to come soon!!