You have dreamed about this time in your life for who knows how long - and it is here! The love of your life has given you their heart (and a ring!) and you couldn't be happier (cue unicorns and glitter bombs). Time for wedding planning (cue fire breathing dragons). Such a happy time....and can also be a bit of a stressful time too.

Over the years we have talked to HUNDREDS of Bride's who share their experiences in wedding planning. It seems that everyone in their life has an opinion and all the advice for all the things. Sometimes details can get overwhelming. The budget is impossible to stick to. There is a lot to do. Too many decisions. It can get stressful. How can all of this equate to a picture perfect day full for fun and cherished memories? We are going to tell you how RIGHT NOW. 

There is one piece of advice (that is actually a two part piece of advice) that we wish we could tell every.single.bride in Boise. And everywhere. It is this.......

Yep. You heard that right (we know you heard it - haha!).

LET IT GO. 

Well not right now. Don't let it go in the middle of your planning - at least not all the way! 

Here is our advice:

The night before your wedding, let it go. Let all the worries, the expectations, the annoying things, the to do items, the stress GO. Wave goodbye as it leaves. This right here is what is going to help you have a wonderfully (im)perfect wedding day. We PROMISE you that things are not going to go 100% as you planned them. Something (or things) is going to go awry. Someone is going to get too drunk. Your MIL will make a stupid comment. Your ring bearer will refuse to wear his bow tie. Dinner will be late. And you know what? IT IS OKAY. It is all okay. Take a deep breath because if you have let it go before it happens, it is all just part of the fun.

This, my friends, is your secret to having the perfect wedding day: Accept things as they are and HAVE THE BEST FREAKING TIME ANYWAYS.

Part 2 of this advice: make sure you have a great vendor team. It is so much easier to "let it go" when you know you have a team working together to make sure things go (nearly) perfect. Top notch vendors will step in to help with things that have nothing to do with their job, they will lend a listening ear (or sewing kit), and they will handle situations before you even knew they happened.

How do you get the best vendors? 

1. Read reviews - past brides will tell you what's up
2. Talk to your other vendors - the good ones know the other good ones ;) 

And that is that. That is our top wedding advice for every person who ever needed to know. Now go....and let it go :) 

Kristin

Kristin Cole
Sound Wave Events
Boise Wedding DJ
​208-891-0094

Photo Courtesy of E&E Photography

 Let's be honest, who hasn't daydreamed at least once in their life about being a DJ? Just look how cool of a gig it is!

Curious if you have what it takes? Take our quiz below to see if you are cut out to have one of the most fun professions that has ever existed. If you get a high score, you just may need to consider a new career. (Unless you're already a DJ. In that case - keep up the good work, friend.)

​All of us here at Sound Wave are rooting for you!

Looking for an epic way to say goodbye to your loving wedding guests? We have a few fun ideas for you! Whether you want to make an impression, stay until the very last moment, or sneak away without being noticed, we think these are some great ways for you to end the night!

Sparklers are elegant and fun for everyone. Not to mention the amazing pictures they make! Let your guests create a sparkler tunnel and cheer you on!

Maybe you're that introvert that wants to peace out without being noticed. Why not leave in a car that makes you look like a celebrity escaping the paparazzi? A twist on this exit: Actually pretend you are celebrities leaving the Oscars and wave goodbye to your fans as you exit on a red carpet!

Gear up your guests and yourself with glow sticks and turn down the lights. Put on an electronic hit and have everyone rave while you dance your way out the door!

Are you near a body of water? Maybe leave in a kayak, canoe, or on some floaties. On land? Leave on bikes, scooters, razors, or roller blades! 

There are some parties you wish would never end. Instead of having a grand exit, why not dance with all of your guests until closing time? Maybe even have your DJ play a an epic night-ender song that you and all of your closest people know and love. 

K bye.

Here at Sound Wave, we pride ourselves on understanding each of our couples' dreams for their wedding. If any of your dreams include these songs on this list, then please call our client manager Carley at 208-891-0094 and she will help you reevaluate your life goals. 😂  

Don't get me wrong - I love the Queen Bee 🐝 just as much as every human on the planet - because she is perfection and can do no wrong. BUT there are so many other better options to play from. Playing this for a bouquet toss is just lazy on your DJ's part and will get eye rolls from all of the single ladies. 

Okay - here is the deal. I understand this may be controversial, but hear me out. A first dance song should be personal and unique to each couple. We all have a song that reminds us of the love we share with that special person in our life - if that song happens to be Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran, then that is 100% okay. But if it's chosen because that HAS TO BE the first dance song, then I OBJECT.

I would say if you are about 3' 4" tall and working under the direction of a man named Gru, then I totally understand playing Happy by Pharrell Williams. In most other cases, just don't.

Some people like to go all out and dress like The Village People. To those humans, I salute you and say carry on and show us your choreographed spelling of Y M C A. Every one else should go to the DJ and politely say, "no thanks."

It's just not a good idea.

Last month Gillian Pishl asked me some advice on how to promote her small business without begging. This is a great question! It reminds me of one of my favorite topics, which is relationship marketing. Promoting without begging should be founded on strong relationships. 

1. KNOW WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO. Ask yourself who would be the best contacts for you to help your business grow and that you could help in their business. This can vary by industry but the goal is the same. Who needs you? In your ideal world, who would you be working with regularly? Where are your potential clients hanging out? Make a list of your ideal A-Team. 
2. DETERMINE YOUR MESSAGE. Next, you need to know what message you are wanting to share with people you are talking to. What do you want them to know about your, your business, and how you can help them? 
3. COME FROM A PLACE OF SERVICE. Successful relationships are never founded on "what can you do for me?" Instead, they are founded on "what can I do for you?" and "how can I help make your life easier?" We have to stay in this mindset as we are promoting our businesses, otherwise we will make less friends and more "no thank yous." At Sound Wave, we have always put relationships first. We want true, genuine, mutual relationships. Sure, we would love referrals too, but that isn't the primary motivation for the relationships we build. We want to build a strong network of people that we can learn from, grow with, and establish FRIENDSHIPS with. We have found that the most fulfilling part of what we do is founded in the friends we have made along the way. 
4. MAKE THE CALL. The hardest part of marketing your business is making the call. Pick up the phone and ask someone to coffee. An email works too. Just take the action needed to start a relationship with someone in your industry. You will be surprised about what positive feedback you will get and how much you will learn along the way. People need to have 5-10 interactions with you before they will think of you for a referral, so make the call. Take action to meet people (even if it makes your palms sweat just thinking about it). 
5. BUILD THE RELATIONSHIP. Relationships don't just happen. They are built with intention. This isn't a 'fake it until you make it' kind of thing. In order for relationships to grow, you have to actually care and nurture the relationships. I can't stress this enough - be genuine! Don't seek out a relationship just because they might refer you. Referrals to your business are a perk to the great friendships you are forming and all you are learning from other people and businesses along the way. 
6. BE PATIENT. Friendships and business relationships take time. Be patient. Most people are not going to refer a business that they don't know much about, haven't seen their work, or haven't had a chance to work with. This is okay! Keep reaching out, keep caring, and keep SERVING those around you and the business will come. I can guarantee you that! 
7. TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. You may run into people in your industry that you have a hard time clicking with - or that won't refer you. IT IS OKAY. it is okay. It Is Okay. Take a deep breath and let it go. No one is going to make you OR break you or your business. As you go through the process, you will find your people - those you love working with and that love working with you. 

Hope this helps as you are building relationships and growing your small business!

Kristin Cole
Sound Wave Events
208-891-0094
​kristin@soundwavevents.com

Are you looking for that perfect gift for your bridal party? We have 5 ideas that we think your besties will love!

Leggings are all the rage these days and for good reason. They are comfy, stretchy, and for your bridal party, they are perfect for lounging around the bridal suite for hours!

Are your friends just a little bit silly and always too much fun? How about some matching sunglasses for some sweet pics!

You may be in need of some relaxation, so why not share that with your bridesmaids! Buy everyone manicures and get some sweet hangs in with your friends. 

Give your bridal party something that will keep on giving long after the wedding is over! How about a personalized water bottle! Tag it with their name, their initial, or any kind of fun phrase and they will continue to think on how awesome your wedding was. Any kind of cup shaped item would also work! We'll let you be the judge of what your friends like to drink out of.

These folks are the best of the best and they deserve to hear it! This might be just the right time to thank them from the heart. Tell them why they matter so much to you and how excited you are that they are a part of your special day! ​

​

We hope these gift ideas help you find that special way to say "thank you" to your amazing friends! May your wedding day be a blast! 

We have an important question for you:

​Even if you can't honestly answer "yes" right now (it's okay, we understand), you and your guests may jusssstttt be willing to entertain the possibility that magic does indeed exist when you encounter our Starlight Dance Floor.

At first glance, it appears to be a classic white square. But dim the lights, step into the space, and BOOM - the night sky is beneath your feet and you are joined by hundreds of sparkling fairy lights.  One second you're on land and the next you're dancing along with Orion, The Big Dipper, and the rest of them. Perfect for those romantic moments of your first dance as newlyweds and equally ready to keep pace with those joyous frivolities of late night dance offs between your best man and your curiously spry great uncle, this floor does. it. all.  

A favorite with clients from ages 2-102, our Starlight Dance Floor comes in multiple sizes and can twinkle fast or slow. It is stunning at dawn or dusk and makes a one-of-a-kind addition to any wedding. ♥ 

But don't just take our word for it. Behold (or should we say, lumos​?); pictures to prove it!

Photo courtesy of Two Birds Studio

​What can we say? We told you.
​
Magic. 

THIS IS THE WEEK. All those meetings with vendors are done, and everything is planned, ready to go. Also you get to be with the love of your life fo-evah on Saturday?? Straight up week sent from above. 

The in-laws arrive, and "forget" to get a hotel. Now you are smelling your soon-to-be father in-law Charles' mung bean salad that he insists he needs to put in the microwave at 7:00 a.m. every morning.

The weight of the commitment you are making settles in. You decide that a 6 hour nap is probably the best way to make it go away.

Your best friend, and maid of honor completely forgot to throw you a bachelorette party. THEN decides that 2 DAYS before your wedding is the best time to go out. -but...you are definitely here for it. 

You realize that those party favors are most definitely not done - So at 1:00 a.m. you are hand knitting 400 wool gloves for all of your guests.  

You get to be with your soul mate like you always wanted. All of the stress and worry was not worth it, but being loved by someone you love is worth it.  

So, Kristin, did you always know you wanted to be a DJ when you grew up? 

​I get asked this question all the time!  Valid question, since I own a DJ company! :) But actually, growing up I wanted to be a pediatrician, and then a teacher, and then an immunologist, and then a teacher, and then a preschool teacher, and then a teacher. My photo is a dead giveaway of that (total teacher face)! 

When I actually grew up I worked at Wells Fargo Bank and thought I would work there for a lot of years. After that was a no go, I became a Realtor. My husband, Adam, was a home builder and it was perfect that I be the Realtor for all of his projects. I was a Realtor for about 5 years and it was great! I learned A TON and it was very fulfilling. When the market crashed in 2007 we had decisions to make - ride it out or roll the dice. We rolled the dice. 

Adam had always been a hobby DJ (since he was 14!) and in a road trip conversation we decided that DJing should no longer be a hobby - it should be our family's business. And so we went for it!  

Truth be told, I have never wanted to be a DJ. And spoiler alert, I am not a DJ (never really have been). But I will tell you what - I have gained more growing a company from the ground up than I ever could have in any other profession. So here is what I have become, now that I a tried & true grown up:

• Business owner
• Staff Trainer
• Life Coach
• Office Manager
• Thursday Nonsense Creator
• Party Planner
• Marketing Lead
• Process Creator
• Decision Maker
• Ring Leader
• Team Collaborator
• Snack Bringer
• HR Manager
• Networker
• Office Prankster
• AND SO MUCH MORE

It has been a wild ride with so many highs & lows and lessons along the way. I am ever so grateful that we rolled the dice all those years ago. This career IS what it's all about. 

Thanks for listening! 

Kristin Cole
Sound Wave Events

Are you looking for some ideas for wedding songs that are so not 2017? Us too! We have searched high and low and these are our favorite wedding songs for 2019

We know the classics will always keep the dance floor packed - and we love that! Here are a couple of more we will be spinning this year:

We are looking forward to these songs and SO MANY more in 2019! See you on the dance floor!

Kristin Cole
Sound Wave Events
Boise Wedding DJ and Photo Booth
208-891-0094
celebrate@soundwaveevents.com