Nashville Party Authority is known the city over for DJing weddings, parties and celebrity bashes and have received many "best DJ awards", from City Search to The Knot. They offer a medley of services beyond DJing, such as lighting, photo booths and karaoke, which would be such a fun addition to a grooms lounge or rehearsal dinner.
Get to know more about them via my interview with owner, Blair Saldana. They could be a great fit for your wedding entertainment.
Tell me about your service offering.
We are a full time Wedding Entertainment Group specializing in DJ Entertainment, Karaoke, Lighting, Photo Booths & Destination Weddings.
How many years have you been in business?
We are celebrating our 25th year collectively as the Nashville Party Authority.
How did you get started in weddings?
Weddings are our #1 source of revenue and always have been. Early on we realized that weddings best showcased our backgrounds in Radio, Performance Arts and Public Speaking so we made a conscientious effort to professionally meet the increasing demand for our wedding services. To put it simply:Weddings chose us, we didn't choose weddings, and we are very pleased that it worked out that way.
What do you like most about weddings?
A wedding is a very positive event. Wedding entertainers have a wonderful opportunity to entertain two people (and their guests) who are embarking on the most spectacular adventure of their lives. It doesn't get any better than that.
What's your favorite wedding pic/video and why? Why?
We entertained at a wedding that was professionally videographed where the Bride & Groom--huge Predator fans-- made their Formal Entrance & Introduction to AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck'. The couple wanted a very professional but slightly "campy" sports announcers voice. I've done a lot of voice over work and have state-of-the-art sound equipment, so no problem. That was great in and of itself but then, 'Gnash', the Predators mascot, made a surprise entrance and that just put it over the top. The crowd loved it! I loved it because it was so different and it had aura of spectacle (in a good way.)
What is your service philosophy?
In a few words--"The Bride Is Always Right" (even when we disagree with her.)
The Nashville Party Authority believes it is our mandate to bring the bride's vision of music and entertainment to life to the very best of our ability. We certainly offer suggestions based on our expertise; communication is a key ingredient to our success and
We are always honest with the client--we don't say we can move mountains when we obviously can't--but in the end the client is boss. If we can't comply with the couple's vision and requests, I don't sign the contract.
What are your strengths compared to others in your category?
Experience and industry recognition. In our 25 years in business The Nashville Party Authority has performed at literally hundreds of weddings. We have entertained at virtually every venue and with a slew of wedding professionals in Nashville and the surrounding area. It's no coincidence that we've worked with and are sought after by the who's who of wedding industry insiders and professionals.
What attracts brides to your service/company?
Our reputation.
What would previous couples say was the main reason they selected your company?
First of all we say the right things. Again, communication is critical and we are able to convey our style, procedures and philosophy to our clients. More importantly, we have the testimonials from satisfied clients that back up the things we say and that gives our clients the confidence to ensure the entertainment protion of "their most special day" to us. Then we back up what we say and what others say about us with award-winning action.
Describe the bride/couple that is most attracted to your service/company?
I believe it is the bride that has dreamed about her wedding for a long time, one that has a confident vision of her day but who is open to suggestions from industry professionals that is the most attracted to the Nashville Party Authority.
What is the most innovative aspect of your industry that brides and grooms might appreciate?
There have been huge innovations in lighting recently that have impacted the wedding scene. Two major trends are uplighting and customized monogram lighting. Either one, or both, of these lighting packages can enhance the venue and upgrade the ambiance. Also there is a trend toward more elaborate, club style lighting at receptions and some couples have opted to go old school with a mirror ball package where an announcement and a featured Funk/Disco request signals the "lighting" of the mirror ball. It's a real crowd pleaser.
How should brides and grooms contact to learn about your venue and wedding services?
Main contact: Blair Saldana
Visit our website: nashvillepartyauthority.com
Call us: 615-391-2322
Email us: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Follow us on Twitter: @NashvilleDJ
Conect with us on Facebook: @NashvillePartyAuthority
Photos provided by Nashville Party Authority. Where noted, photos by Joe Hendricks Photography and Gray Photography.
As I was looking through photos from Alana & Blayne's indoor garden wedding, whose floral design I featured last week. I spotted a photo booth from my friend Elaine of Picture This Nashville.
If you are not familiar with Picture This Nashville, the booth style is different than traditional booths. It is open air (meaning no structure to walk into for photos) and is operated by an interactive kiosk. The associated photo album that you as the bride and groom will receive is highly customized, as you can read about in a via this link.
While their wedding was a formal event with an opulent floral design and seated dinner, I was happy to see that the couple didn't leave out the fun aspect. They brought in Picture This Nashville as as sure-fire way to entertain their wedding guests.
Most brides are on the lookout for something that sets their wedding apart from everyone else’s. Some choose a unique venue. Some go with an outrageous dress. Some brides are searching for a grand gesture, while others are looking for just a little something to keep their guests talking for months and years to come. One of the most interactive ways to pep up the entertainment at your wedding is a photo booth. Remember, a photo booth should NOT replace a professional photographer, but it's an excellent addition to your wedding.
If you are considering a photo booth for entertainment at your wedding, keep reading to learn more about booths based on our convo with Amy at Photo Booth Nashville.
Photos: Meishach Moore Photographers
ABG: Are photo booths still popular?
Amy: Yes! We get as many calls today as we did when we opened in 2007 as the first provider of digital photo booths in middle Tennessee from people saying “what a unique idea! I’d never heard of having a photo booth at my wedding until someone told me about a wedding they were at that had one.” Anyone that has seen Photo Booth Nashville at a wedding, party or corporate event can attest that it’s still a great way to preserve memories from the occasion and literally bring people together for some good, clean fun!
Custom graphics with your info + wedding date
ABG: What makes Photo Booth Nashville stand out amongst the crowd?
Amy: Our booths offer a choice of color or black-and-white prints and we offer a wide variety of props if clients choose to include them. It has been our experience that “busy” backgrounds tend to distract the eye from the people in the photos, and they’re typically obscured anyway, so although customized backgrounds are possible we advise against them. From small children to grandma and grandpa, photo booths bring out the creativity in everyone, so gimmicks like special effects on photos have never been necessary in our booths.
ABG: How does Photo Booth Nashville stay on top of the trends/technological advances in the industry?
Amy: We’re the only middle Tennessee photo booth company that belongs to the International Photo Booth Association (americasphotoboothassociation.com). We’re part of a large network that is constantly working together to improve our products and share ideas to make the photo booth experience we provide second-to-none. Many other providers build their photo booths in their garages so they simply don’t have the benefit of collective research & development and product support that we do.
ABG: What should couples ask before signing a contract with a photo booth company? Anything they should be aware of?
Amy: Especially in today’s economy, pricing is very important. We encourage potential clients to ask lots of questions about what is included in their rental. Is their advertised price inclusive of scrapbook, attendant, and high-resolution digital copies of the photos from their event? Many companies advertise a low price then gouge clients as the event approaches with expensive add-ons.
Almost every company advertises unlimited prints like we do, but it’s important to ask about sitting times. Unlimited prints won’t mean much if each sitting takes 4 or 5 minutes. Other questions should include quality of digital copies included (some companies provide only low resolution digital copies and up-sell for print quality discs), what city their booths originate from, and how many booths they own (make sure they have a back-up in the event of equipment failure).
Ask what their booths are made out of – ours are all-steel construction and weigh over 800 lbs. In other words, the size of the check you write is important, but the old adage “you get what you pay for” definitely applies for photo booth rentals. We like to say you can serve McDonald’s hamburgers at your reception and save a lot of money on catering, but you’ll be serving your guests McDonald’s hamburgers.
Guest comment book using their photo booth pics! Photos: Joe Hendricks Photography
With Amy’s advice on how to shop for photo booths, I hope I’ve made your search for something exciting to add to your reception a little shorter. So put on your best smile or silly face, get out there and get creative with Photo Booth Nashville!
Imagine this...You've just had the biggest day of your life, are heading on your honeymoon but would love to take memories of your day along with you to enjoy with your new hubby. You know that it will be a few months before the incredible photographer that you hired is able to get you photos, so you are left with Facebook shots to tide you over.
After speaking with Amy of Photo Booth Nashville, I learned of another option - a professionally prepared photo album, created real-time at your wedding reception, of your photo booth photos. Obviously, you wouldn't rent a photo booth just for this custom photo album BUT if you are already considering a photo booth for your reception, this unque feature might help you make your decision.
~Guests after grabbing their props, preparing to enter the photo booth~
Here's how it works:
Lauren of Photo Booth Nashville, a professional scrapbooker, designs the look of your scrapbook ahead of time.
At your reception, your guests choose fun props.
Your guests step into the retro booth, take their fun photos.
Your Photo Booth Nashville attendant takes the guests' photo strip and assembles your guest book onsite to ensure completion and quality.
Your guests sign under your photo strip on a notecard, leaving you a message.
At the end of the night, you are given your complete photo album, filled with fun photos of your guests and their messages for you.
~Lauren, the pro scrapbook designer, takes blank pages and designs an organized book with an elegant layout.~
~Your Photo Booth Nashville attendant helps your guests add photos and notes to your album.~
~Your Photo Booth Nashville attendant completes your book and gives it to you at the end of your reception so you can take it on your honeymoon!~
For many brides, their Photo Booth Nashville book replaces the traditional guest book. It's easy, instant, personal and entertaining. It also allows you to read your guests' sentiments on your wedding or new marriage. This memory book is one that you will cherish immediately after your wedding and for years to come, unlike the old school guest book which is simply signatures, no faces, words.
The photo booth is a great way to add fun to any wedding reception, with many brides saying it was the highlight of their wedding. Being able to instantly enjoy photos and notes of your guests at end of night is just a cherry on top!
If your groom's only request is to be driven in a killer luxury vehicle, today, I've got you covered! From cakes to photo booth, the Perfect Wedding Guide allowed Nashville couples to meet great vendors, taste delicious treats and find just about everything needed to plan than their wedding.
Couldn't make it? No worries. Keep reading for more great finds or go back to read Wednesday's recap.
~I didn't get a picture of Matt's booth because when I passed, there was a line; but enjoy his video above and if you like what you see, visit his website to learn more! ~
~ From DJing to photo booths, the Synder Entertainment family is known for their impeccable service. I love their compact photo booth and the big personality that attends it! He was great!~
At Ashley’s Bride Guide, we’re always on the lookout for innovative and exciting wedding ideas.
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