Our Blog - HG Entertainment

I won BEST DJ of 2015 Hartford Magazine!

25/4/2015

Thank you ALL for voting for me. This is the TOP award in CT. I was chosen amonst the 1,000's of DJ's in CT. I cannot believe what an honor. This is THE best award I've ever received and I have to thank all of you for voting for me. And, especially my family for putting up with my OCD obsession with running my business to exceed every single person's expectation. All the hard-work and sleepless nights has paid off. Thank you Thank you!!!!

Have a great day. And THANK YOU for hiring me for your photo booth and/or DJ needs.

Musically yours,

Harry Gambardella, Owner
www.HG-Entertainment.com
www.TheLaughPod.com
203-238-4895

Tim Brown - Photographer Blog

20/4/2015

Vendor Spotlight – HG Entertainment – When you need the party to be perfect – Ct. Wedding / Event DJ . I’ve worked with Harry from HG Entertainment on many occasions. Actually, I think we probably worked together the first time, maybe 5 or so years ago. Since then, he’s been the one that I come back to more often than most when a couple asks for a recommendation. “Why?”, easy. He knows what he’s doing. He doesn’t nickel and dime couples, and he throws a good party. He’s not that DJ that’s in everyones faces and loud and always talking, yet he’s not the DJ that just sits behind his equipment hoping no one comes up to him either. Actually, if you do go up to him, he will always greet you with a smile and truly listen….

While Harry does with he was an international jewel thief, it’s really not in the cards for him. He’s outgoing and has a great spontaneous side that works incredibly well for events. And if you need to butter him up to play certain songs, bring him canolli and he’ll probably do anything you want.

When I asked Harry a couple other questions about what he does, his answers rolled in with out hesitation and every word was obviously so sincere…

Favorite thing about being a DJ? Having the chance to create memories to last a lifetime. To be at the events that are the most important in people’s lives and to be able to enhance the events. Making people laugh and enjoy themselves.

What are the best things that HG Entertainment can offer a couple? Complete and utter attention to every detail. A non-stop evaluation of the vibe of the room. And, constant adjustment to the music/entertainment to assure the energy level is high and people are having the best time ever.

One thing a couple shouldn’t short cut on their wedding day? The entertainment. No one ever said, “I was going to leave the wedding early but I stayed longer because these flowers just look so darn pretty”. It’s the entertainment that makes or breaks the event. It’s the right entertainer that serves as the coordinator and assures everything is running smoothly and fun. (as the photographer, I may not agree with harry on that one, but I’ll let it slide this one time….)

Reality is, Harry will bring a level of fun to your day to make it awesome. The guests will have a great time and he won’t let you down if you let him work with you to do his thing…

Blog by Tim Brown: http://wedding-photographers.photography/vendor-spotlight/hg-entertainment-ct-wedding-event-dj/

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If you have some words or experiences to share about Harry and HG Entertainment that other couples would enjoy, leave it in the comments below.

10 Dirty Secrets You Should Know About The Wedding / Event DJ Before You Hire Them!!!

27/3/2015

1. Beware of the DJ Company who tries to beat everyone’s price or offers you a dirt cheap price. Why? In the industry he is referred to as a bottom feeder. He can not book weddings based on his performance so therefore he has to offer you the cheapest price in order to lure you in. Usually, you will get sub- standard services. Remember the old cliché; you get what you pay for.  Why trust your wedding or event to someone who is a bottom feeder?

2. Watch out for hidden fees. Ask about fees for lighting, wireless microphones, extra music, planning sessions etc. You may be lured in by a low price and then of course you want all those extras. Next thing you know, you are paying a lot more than you initially thought. Even more importantly, a lot of companies charge travel fees or even charge you for the time period where the DJ is setting up. Be sure that everything is clear before you sign anything.

3. Beware of hiring a friend of the family or a DJ who does not give you a contract.  Quite often they do not reserve your date or something else comes up and you are left searching for a DJ or Sound System a week before your wedding. Not to mention, you probably won’t get the professionalism and experience your night deserves. As you may trust your friend/family, you do not want to take any chances on your special day.

4. Does your DJ just talk about his equipment?  What is this equipment going to do for you in terms of making your reception or event, a dream come true? Most people will not notice the clarity of the speakers so if he tells you that his equipment is better because he has “X speakers”, more than likely you would not notice the difference from another type of professional speakers. The main thing is that most professional DJ equipment is great and it really depends on the DJ to get your event going.

5. Avoid the DJ that talks about himself too much and has poor hygiene. Why? If he talks about himself too much then he will try to be the main focus at your reception. The main focus at a reception should be the Bride and Groom or Guest(s) of Honor. Most unprofessional DJ’s do not even own suits, let alone a Tuxedo. Can you imagine a gorgeous reception that you have invested thousands of dollars and it is ruined by an unprofessional, poorly dressed MC and DJ. If he does not care about his appearance then more than likely, he will not care about the quality of your reception or can come unprepared. Sloppy!

6. Can you imagine a Master of Ceremonies that does not have a good command of the English Language? You have sophisticated guests and your DJ is using slang or continues to be embarrassing or inappropriate on the microphone. Not only will that affect you, but the DJ and entertainment is what sets the mood of the night. Do you want your wedding to be remembered as the one with the embarrassing DJ? You have the right to be picky about whom you choose as your DJ.

7. A DJs who say they use iPods or iTunes to DJ your wedding reception may not be the smartest choice. As nice as an iPod may be, it’s not meant for professional use. Did you know consumer reports, reported that 3 out of every 4 iPods will randomly lock up or freeze! This would be horrible especially during the first dance!

8. What about the Disc Jockey that stands behind the DJ booth and acts bored. He does nothing to get the guests motivated.  He could be playing the best music but unless he reflects motivation and action, it will affect your guests. You want to choose a DJ with personality and energy, that will make all the guests enjoy and remember your wedding.

9. Most Bottom Feeders are not licensed nor are they insured.  Most banquet facilities require the DJ Company to have liability insurance. You may hire him and then find out weeks before your reception that he does not have liability insurance and then you are not allowed to use him. This leaves you searching for a DJ within days of your reception.

10. Here is the most important item:  Does your facility require you to use the house DJ. With a House DJ most often you do not know who you will be doing your wedding or will he play what you like. You may not know what DJ you will get from that company until a few days before your wedding. It would be in your best interest if the banquet hall would let YOU decide who will be in charge of creating your Dream Day! You should be able to make your own choices and choose quality entertainment. Some companies install speakers in a banquet facility so the hall will only refer one sound company. Ask to see those DJs in person and hear the quality of that sound system before you book!

Article quoted from http://www.phenomenonevents.com/10-dirty-secrets-of-a-wedding-dj.html

Guide to buying groomsman gifts

14/3/2015

While many brides-to-be seem to have no trouble finding the perfect gift for their bridesmaids, many grooms tend to have a harder time coming up with great groomsmen gift ideas. A lot of guys end up procrastinating and buying their groomsmen gifts at the last minute. In either case, which is fine and dandy as long as you can get the gift to your groomsmen in time. The last thing you want to do is make your groomsmen feel unappreciated.

You owe it to your groomsmen to come up with a great gift idea, they have been by your side throughout your life and they’re putting a lot of time and money into your big day. While your friends and family won’t demand gifts, they deserve a little something and hopefully it won’t be something that ends up collecting dust in their basement or in their drawer. To help you make sure your groomsmen gift doesn’t end up there, we have a few questions to ask yourself as well as other tips to make buying the perfect groomsmen gift a breeze.

Questions to ask when selecting groomsmen gifts: Is this an appropriate groomsmen gift?

Consider getting each groomsmen a different gift specific to their personality or unique interests. Just think, you wouldn’t give a cigar lighter to a guy who doesn’t smoke. It’s very important to think about each recipient as an individual when you’re considering appropriate gift options. Generally if you know the guys well enough to be your groomsmen, you probably have an idea of their interests.

Is this something your groomsmen will actually use?

After finding something that relates to your groomsman on a more personal level, go for something he would actually use. Avoid anything too fancy or excessively luxurious as he may never use it.

Is it within my budget?

Let’s face it, weddings can be expensive. Just when you thought you had all the expenses covered other costs seem to appear out of thin air as the big day draws nearer. On average, grooms spend $50 for the groomsmen gifts. So that’s around $400 considering one best man, four groomsmen, two dads and a ring bearer.

But groomsmen gifts don’t need to be expensive. Just understand your budget and learn to maximize what you can spend. Shopping online can be a great way to save money. With careful research you can find online resources with cool groomsmen gift ideas at affordable prices.

5 tips for Purchasing Groomsmen Gifts

1. Have all gifts ordered at least one month before the wedding.

Take note, all groomsmen gifts should be ordered no later than a month before your big day. The earlier the better. One month is just enough time to get them all delivered and replaced if necessary. This will help you avoid running around the mall like a madman or buying less than desirable gifts on the wedding weekend.

2. Take control.

As we all know, when it comes to wedding planning it’s almost always the bride who’s in the driver’s seat. But for these gifts, it’s important that the groom takes the lead. Yes the groom can and should listen to his fiancé’s gift suggestions, but it’s the groom who should make the final call. He knows his buddies better than anyone else. Also, the groomsman gift is the final adieu to bachelor life - so make sure your buddies can tell the gift comes from you.

3. Make it personalized.

A well-placed name or set of initials can transform the most ordinary wallet or cuff link into something specia. Many groomsmen gift websites offer a variety of personalized items all the way from cooler glasses to iPod cases, from duffle bags to man cave signs, and from money clips to flasks.

4. Choose gifts that makes men feel part of a team.

Sometime it makes sense to get the same gift for the groomsmen as this can help make them feel part of a team. Having something like quirky superhero cufflinks can be a great idea, not to mention makes for some cool wedding party pictures. Another idea is to have a groomsmen group caricature. This is creative, thoughtful, and best of all, there are no two alike. It’s as original as it gets.

5. It doesn’t need to be something you could hold.

If you don’t feel like any of the typical items would suit the guys, why not plan an event that gives you and your buddies more “guy time”? Go on a camping trip, get tickets to a sporting event, or host a poker night at your house. If the best man’s idea of fun is training for the next marathon, then a mini gym membership might be the way to go. Remember, the more personalized the effort, the more meaningful the message.

Groomsmen gifts should be a commemoration of your wedding, something that really says “thank you for making our big day special.” Follow the tips above and you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect gifts for your groomsmen.

Michelle & Dana at Wadsworth Mansion

16/4/2014

Michelle & Dana had an organized and classy reception at the beautiful Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown Connecticut. They were a joy to work with. They loved music, and picked a great selection for me to pick from. I am so very happy that they allowed me to be a part of their special day as their DJ.

HG Entertainment provided our social kiosk digital guest booth, a sprinkle of white uplights, monogram projection, ceremony sound system, DJ services, wireless speakers in all rooms and on the patio, and coordination.

Here is a sampling of some of their great music selections.
Introduction song for the wedding party: Bee Gees. You Should Be Dancing
Introduction song for bride and groom: Lou Rawls you’ll never find for 30 seconds then faded into Pitbull Hey baby.
First Dance: Peter Gabriel, In Your Eyes
Bride's dance with uncle: Rod Stewart, Forever Young
Cake Cutting: Frank Sinatra, Under My Skin
Groom's dance with mom: Pharrell , Happy

A sampling of their dance music selections
Alive -Krewella
Just Dance-Lady Gaga
I’m into you- Jlo
Give me everything- Pitbull
Don’t stop the music- Rihanna
Damaged- Danity Kane
Clarity -Zedd
Cruz -Florida Georgia Line Remix with Nelly

Special recognition to my fellow professionals:
Officiant: Logan Byrnes
Cupcake Truck: NoRA Cupcake Company
Photography: Daphne and Dean
Hair: The Iron Scissors Salon and Spa
Makeup: All Dolled Up
Flowers: Just for You Floral Design Studio LLC
Rentals: Connecticut Rental Center - Special Event, Wedding, & Party Rentals
Venue: Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate
Planning and Catering: CT Wedding Group

When Do We Finalize Our Event?

6/3/2014

Hi All,

Ideally, all details for your events should be finalized about 3 weeks before your event. That means we need to meet or talk to finalize these details. For a wedding, there is a timeline creation. It doesn't matter if its a relaxed casual wedding, or a 400 person formal wedding. I do it for each wedding so that I (and you) have peace of mind knowing there is someone at your event coordinating it.

For photo booths, there is a template creation process. I will need a few questions answered so that we can create a gorgeous personalized template.

One of the newer ways I've been able to accomplish this is through Skype. I share my desktop screen for you to see, and walk you right through your event.

So.... add me to your Skype conacts as harrygambardella. And, send me your Skype name. I'm happy to meet in person, or talk on the phone. But, Skype wins when it comes to saving you time AND seeing what and how I plan your event.

That's it for now.

Thank you,
Harry Gambardella

203-238-4895
www.HG-Entertainment.com
www,TheLaughPod.com

Jillian & Jon's Wedding at Tower Ridge Country Club

17/12/2013

Jillian & Jon had a classic and fun reception at the beautiful Tower Ridge Country Club in Simsbury Connecticut. What a great bride and groom. I am so very happy that they allowed me to be a part of their special day as their DJ.

HG Entertainment provided our fun photo booth called, “The Laugh Pod” and beautiful blue uplighting to compliment an already beautiful setting. Special shout out to sisters of the bride Erin and Jaime for an awesome performance of Tina Turners 'River deep Mountain high' during their toast.

A sampling of some of their great music selections.
Introduction song: t's Tricky, Beastie Boys
Introduction song for bride and groom:Macklemore, Can't Hold
First Dance: Young & Beautiful, Lana Del Ray (Gatsby Version)
Bride's dance with dad: Landslide by Smashing Pumpkins
Groom's dance with mom: In My Life by Dave Matthews
Cake Cutting: Super Mario Theme.

A sampling of their dance music selections
Sweet Caroline
Love is a Battlefield Pat Benatar
Hold On Wilson Phillips
Wonderful Tonight Eric Clapton
Same Love Macklemore
Shipping out to Boston Drop Kick Murphys
Footloose Kenny Loggins
PYT Michael Jackson
Poison Bel Biv DeVoe
Push It Salt and Pepper
Rappers Delight

Special recognition to our great photographer for the evening, Lou Ferarro from LT Photography. He was easy to work with and captured many great memories.

Tara & Chris's Wedding. Pavilion On Crystal Lake

17/12/2013

Tara and Christine had a gorgeous autumn wedding ceremony and reception surround by their closest family and friends at the beautiful Pavilion On Crystal Lake in Middletown Connecticut. They were an absolute joy to work with. I am so very happy that they allowed me to be a part of their special day by being their Disc Jockey.

Their decor' was such a nice mix of Autumn, Country, and a hint of purple. After a delicious dinner, dancing got started. Actually, even before dinner, Tara’s aunt and friends were dancing.

“Watching my aunts and uncles dance to a Grateful Dead song to start off the night made all the planning worth it, right there!”…Tara

HG Entertainment also provided our fun photo booth called, “The Laugh Pod” and beautiful purple uplighting to compliment an already beautiful setting.

A sampling of some of their great music selections.
Ceremony Processional Song: Parachute, She is love, full band version
Ceremony Recessional Song: Tegan & Sara, Love They Say
Introduction song: Maclemore, Same Love
First Dance: Who You Love (feat. Katy Perry), John Mayer

A sampling of their dance music selections included:
Marry You, Bruno Mars
Forever, Chris Brown
Feel So Close to You, Calvin Harris
I Gotta Feeling, The Black Eyed Peas
Bust A Move, Young MC
Twist & Shout, Chubby Checker
Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Marvin Gaye
Living on a prayer, Bon Joni
C'Mon, Ke$ha
Jump on it, Sugar Hill Gang

Outdoor Ceremonies (How To)

8/11/2013

If you've decided to have an outdoor wedding, congratulations! Outdoor weddings are romantic and beautiful. However, they aren't as easy as they may look. Outdoor weddings come with additional caveats and pitfalls, but if you follow these tips, you'll be sure to shine on your wedding day.

Make your guests comfortable Think about what the weather will likely be at the time of day and month of the year of your outdoor wedding. Sunny and hot? Don't leave your guests uncomfortably melting – have your ushers give guests ice-cold bottles of water as they are seated. Consider printing your wedding program on a fan so that guests may cool themselves. Don't forget to have plenty of sunscreen on hand as well. For a very warm location, look into renting large electric fans (don't forget a generator) and/or a tent to shade the suns rays. If it will be cold and damp, make sure you tell guests that so they can wear extra layers. A simple xeroxed insert will do. You might want to have lap blankets on hand, or rent portable heaters.
Have a backup plan What will you do if it rains? The ideal outdoor wedding location has an indoor location waiting just in case. Many brides and grooms opt to have their ceremony outside and reception inside. In a pinch, the tables can be scooted to the back of the room during the ceremony. A tent is another option, but only for light to moderate rain storms. A heavy rain will soak the ground underneath, leaving guests with soggy and muddy shoes. Make sure any tent you rent is sturdy so it won't flip over, and that it has thick and weighted sides.
Plan for Wind Many outdoor weddings suffer from windy conditions. Avoid light fabrics like chiffons and china silks in your dress and the bridesmaid dresses. Tell your hairstylist that you'll be having an outdoor wedding so she/he can plan a style that won't leave you looking like Cousin It! Men in the wedding party should use pomade or other styling product. Again, tell your guests in a printed insert so that they can plan accordingly. And of course, make sure your tent will stand up to gusting winds or find an indoor backup plan.
Can everybody hear? When you picture your dream wedding at the beach, you're probably not hearing the roaring of the waves, the rushing wind, or the local kids running and screaming around you. Look into renting a sound system with clip mikes for the bride, groom and officiant. Your DJ or band may be able to easily arrange this for you.
Decorations One of the bonuses of an outdoor wedding is the natural beauty around you, lessening your need to decorate. But you still need to do some work. Visit the site a week before your wedding to make sure the grass is mown, the ground raked, and the flowers have bloomed. If your wedding is at a public park, you may want to ask the groomsmen or friends to do this the morning of your ceremony. If it's been an especially cold season, you may need to supplement the flowers with some potted bulbs from a florist. Other decorations you may want to consider include an arch or trellis to focus the ceremony and frame the bride and groom as they say their vows; strings of lights or lanterns in the trees; luminarias; torches; or farolitas.
Make things tasty outside Does your caterer have experience planning an outdoor wedding menu? Make sure they're planning things that will keep well outdoors in the heat. Avoid things like mayonnaise salads or dishes which must be served cold.
Don't leave your guests parched Since alcohol is dehydrating, consider serving a variety of lemonades, teas and punches. Be sure to have plenty of ice and water around as well. For a fancy cocktail, why not serve a classic mint julep or a mojito? The mint will refresh and cool your guests.
Those pesky flying things Be sure to put out citronella candles or a bug zapper so that your guests won't spend the whole ceremony swatting at the air.
Here comes the sun Consider timing your outdoor wedding for sunset where your guests will see you take your vows surrounded by the warm glow of the sun. Those having a daytime outdoor wedding should orient the ceremony so that the sun will be on guests' backs rather than in their eyes.
Permits Don't forget to contact your city parks department or other local government to get a permit for an outdoor wedding. Be sure to ask about rules concerning trash removal, candle or torch lighting, and pre-wedding photography.

Brian & Judy (at Woodwinds)

22/9/2013

Last night at Woodwinds started a new lifetime together for Brian and Judy. What a wonderful couple. So much love in the air. I could see it in their eyes. They were surrounded by their closest family and friends for their ceremony performed by Toni Soboleski. After a delicious cocktail hour served by the Scott and the staff at Woodwinds, they were introduced into the room and performed their first dance which was A Thousand Years by Christina Perry. Dinner was served and the dancing started. I played a diverse mix of music. Everything from Blurred Lines to Brick House. We created a monogram projection of their names and shined in on the dance floor. It made for great photos. The napkins were a deep purple which really added a nice accent to the room. They also enjoyed The Laugh Pod photo booth to capture many laughs and memories. It was a great night. I thank them for hiring HG Entertainment as their DJ & photo booth provider. I'd also like to thank Scott for doing a wonderful job as usual with his coordination and assuring Brian & Judy were attended to for the entire evening.