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Windows on the River: Exceeding Expectations

Wedding bistro lighting at Cleveland's Windows on the River

Spotlight Cleveland Wedding Venue: Windows on the River

This month, Selective Sound has chosen to highlight Windows on the River, and for good reason. This highly sought after Cleveland wedding venue shares a very personal and similar work ethic goal. This single goal makes both companies top notch, highly respected, and referred by clients time and time again. Exceeding client expectations every single time is what makes Windows on the River an exceptional Cleveland wedding venue. With over 25 years of experience, the sales staff at Windows on the River are masters of planning as well as making sure no detail gets missed. It’s not just a few people trying to ensure your wedding day is perfect. It’s every member in the organization which truly shows at every event.

A Gorgeous Waterfront Cleveland Wedding Venue

If we had to use one word to describe Windows on the River we would choose “stunning”. With high ceilings, exposed brick and tall arched windows, this venue has the capability of molding itself to any style. From modern to elegant, Windows on the River won’t disappoint. Incredible views of Cleveland’s skyline and gorgeous sunsets will undoubtedly wow your guests as they take it all in from the private outdoor patios.

Looking to add a truly unique element to your special day? The coordinators at Windows on the River will help you with the rental process for the Greater Cleveland Aquarium for your cocktail hour. This is sure to have your guests talking for years to come! To ensure that they do, you may want to consider adding live music for ambiance. However, if you don’t have plans to utilize the aquarium then live music would also be an excellent choice for your guests to enjoy on the private patio. From a string quartet to acoustic guitar and vocalist, Selective Sound Entertainment has a wide range of live music for you to choose from.

Thanks to Genevieve Nisly Photography for this gorgeous picture!

Enhancing a Venue that is Near Perfect

Enhancing perfection is what Selective Sound Entertainment, Cleveland’s leading wedding entertainment company, does day in and day out. We are also no strangers to Windows on the River. Infact, we are actually one of their preferred Cleveland wedding DJ companies to work with. Again, that shared work ethic goal. With that said, here is how we have helped past couples enhance their special day at this venue.

Lighting

No matter which room you choose at Windows on the River, the right lighting will undoubtedly elevate the beauty of each one. The architecture is fantastic. In fact, it’s probably one the reasons why you chose this venue so you will surely want to highlight it.

The Cityview Room can be easily enhanced with LED uplighting to enhance the brick, walls and support beams. Pin spot lighting is also a nice touch to show off your centerpieces and gorgeous cake. This room is also large enough to be able to utilize club lighting on the dance floor as well as Feature spot lighting for the grand introductions and speeches and more.

The Bridgeview room can also be enhanced with LED uplighting. However, if you want to make a different type of statement, custom string lighting through the middle of the room looks fantastic. Want a truly romantic and elegant atmosphere? Chandeliers are the perfect choice!

Some Unique Touches

Sometimes, with all the brick, couples want to find a way to add a little softness to the area. Custom draping is a simple yet elegant solution. Not only will the draping add a soft touch but it can also add a lovely element behind the head table. The draping can even be highlighted with uplighting. For a more unique touch our lighting team can create a personalized gobo to shine on the draping. Not using draping, but interested in a customized gobo? No problem! Let’s shine it on the dance floor for all to see!

If you would like to see how this experienced Cleveland wedding DJ and entertainment company can help you enhance Windows on the River contact us here! We would love to talk with you further about other special entertainment features to add to your special day!

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Vlog – Cleveland Wedding Venue Tips for “The Madison”

Cleveland wedding entertainment company gives tips for Cleveland wedding venue, The Madison

Downtown Cleveland Warehouse Chic

The Madison is a newer Cleveland wedding venue with some very impressive roots. Built in the early 1900’s, The Madison initially housed the Republic Brass Company. After years of neglect, the 22,000 square foot warehouse was finally restored and transformed into a fully realized event venue.  The Madison brought together historic industrialism with modern minimalism to create an impressive event space.

The space offers white brick walls, twenty foot ceilings, and open layout which makes customization a breeze. The venue has table and chair options available so that couples can avoid the hassle of using a rental company. This one story venue has easy to access loading docks which helps greatly for load-ins. Due to large amounts of natural sunlight and creative design, the bridal party rooms are perfect for getting ready for the big moment. From a large private outdoor patio and 16 new bathrooms to 4 season climate control and track lighting, The Madison has so much to offer as a wedding venue. And from a vendor aspect, it offers many helpful things as well. A catering preparation area and ample electrical outlets help ensure a smooth set up and evening.

Selective Sound Entertainment founder Jeremy (Jay R) Rich has a lot to say about The Madison in his latest vlog.

Takeaways From The Madison Tips

Jay R was able to give an incredible amount of useful information when it comes to having your ceremony/reception at The Madison. You’re in good hands with them! Jay R also discusses the design aspects regarding The Madison. The Madison design, admittedly, is not for all couples. If you want a hotel space that is a traditional look, then this industrial warehouse wouldn’t really be for you. However, if you prefer an open floor plan that offers flexibility, The Madison may just be the perfect Cleveland wedding venue for you.

Features To Look For at this Cleveland Wedding Venue, The Madison

Some of Jay R’s favorite aspects of The Madison are the additional features that were thoughtfully added making this an ideal wedding venue. First, there are a few different options for onsite ceremonies. This makes things easier for couples looking to have everything in one spot. The private patio can be used for a number of different functions with many wedding lighting options including bistro lighting. Depending on your decor choices, these wedding lighting additions can help create an elegant or casual atmosphere. When it comes to both ceremony and dance floor sound, the acoustics are perfect. These types of details are important for anyone looking at Cleveland event venues and they are some of the things that impressed Jay R the most.

If you’re looking for even more information on The Madison, check out our Venue Spotlight.

If you want to talk to Jay R about working at this great venue, send him an email today.

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Cuyahoga County Courthouse Tips For Lighting, Entertainment and More

Tips for lighting, entertainment and more for Cuyahoga County Courthouse weddings.

What You Need To Know About The Cuyahoga County Courthouse

We’re back with more information you can use to plan your Cuyahoga County Courthouse wedding! If you haven’t already, check out our previous post about on basics of this downtown Cleveland event space. We’re going deeper this time with more specialized tips including information on catering, entertainment and lighting. This is one of the most sought after and unique venues available to couples and that’s why it’s worth investing a lot of time into looking at the space with open eyes before committing.

It Has Character

While there are venues in Cleveland that are more affordable spaces to rent for a wedding, they usually require you to invest in decor in order to make it more grand looking. This is not the case with the Cuyahoga County Courthouse. Less is more because the venue is bold, big and breathtaking. When comparing venues, make sure to take this into consideration. The money you save on decor might be the difference you need to make the Courthouse fit your budget. Decor choices should be more subtle and reflect your sensibilities more than anything else. There’s no need (and no way) to cover up any of the look of the architecture. The goal should be to embrace the aesthetic and not overdo it. Here are a few tips from our founder, Jeremy “Jay R” Rich:

 

Lighting Design at the Cuyahoga County Courthouse

Not all lighting designs work in this venue. Because the building is not a neutral blank slate, going against its established design features is a waste if even possible. What works here is subtly. Warming up or cooling down the features of the venue is one technique that works and can make for some striking designs. If you start with trying to narrow down the feeling of what you want for the look of the night vs. getting into specifics, you’ll be in a much better place to collaborate with a true lighting designer who understands this venue. Ultimately, it’s your decisions that we’ll go with but we won’t hesitate to inform you on the building’s strengths and weaknesses. When you choose true professionals, you get more than order takers…you get invested consulting. Here’s what Jay R has to say about lighting at the Cuyahoga Country Courthouse:

Sound Works Differently Here

One thing you’ll hear about from any wedding supplier who works at the Cuyahoga County Courthouse is the acoustics are a little different there. This space couldn’t be less like a hotel ballroom with their uniform shaped rooms, typical ceiling heights, and soft sound absorbent surfaces. The Courthouse has none of those features! This is a marble very open space with pillars which would be a challenge for an entertainer less familiar with what they would be getting into there. Here are what Jay R says you should take into account because of the uniqueness of the Cuyahoga County Courthouse:

We hope all these tips we’ve shared as the result of years of experience serving couples at this historic and grand venue make a difference in your planning. If you have a specific question that was not addressed here, feel free to drop Jay R a line!

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13 Short Videos To Help Plan Your Wedding

Photo of SSE Founder, Jay R Rich - 13 planning tips for Cleveland weddings

Quick Tips That Will Help A Lot when Planning Cleveland Weddings

We interviewed the founder of Selective Sound Entertainment, Jeremy “Jay R” Rich, to ask him questions we knew would help couples planning Cleveland Weddings. Watch all or only the ones you need the answers to the most.

What Can Lead To Regrettable Wedding Entertainment?

Research your wedding DJ’s or live music, look for value and not just the cheapest price, and making sure to meet your potential partner first are three key tips to having less regrets when securing a wedding entertainer in Cleveland.

When Can Lighting Ruin a Cleveland Wedding Reception?

Lighting can hurt the look you desire for your wedding instead of helping if you select a vendor that doesn’t have a true background in lighting. Understanding the effects of color and how light changes spaces for photography are a few other things to consider before choosing a lighting vendor for your Cleveland wedding.

What Can Sound Amplification Do to a Wedding?

With the proper sound amplification at a wedding, you can ensure that your ceremony vows will be heard. In addition to that crucial service, a sound engineer can make sure nervous people know what they are doing with the microphones and there is always extra equipment in case something happens. This is especially important for those summer or fall Cleveland weddings.

What are couples biggest regrets years after their wedding?

The last thing we want to see are couples regretting the choices they’ve made for their wedding even if they aren’t our clients. Because we’ve been in the industry for so long, we’ve heard all the pains of couples who wished they had made difference decisions. One of the most frequent regrets is not buying videography in some form for their wedding. Likewise, sometimes the vendors they ended up with weren’t the best fit for them in reality. These issues and more are possibly avoidable as long as you do your best to educate yourself before hand.

Why is talking about your wedding budget important?

If you’re planning your wedding right, you should get everyone on the same page when it comes to your budget as soon as possible. If you get everyone involved together and set your priorities before you hire anyone, you’ll have a much higher chance for less stress. We’ve seen this time and time again when helping to plan Cleveland weddings.

What Wedding Couples Don’t Know about Lighting

Here’s what couples should know about lighting for their wedding…
1. There’s more to lighting design than uplighting.
2. The venue makes a big difference for lighting.
3. There are lots of lighting options possible, you just have to ask questions.

Where is Lighting the Most Impactful for a Wedding?

There are ways to get the most impact for your money when it comes to lighting options at weddings. Make sure to ask your lighting professional what will stand out the most. You should also concentrate on the areas that will be seen most often (especially in photos).

Should you add lighting to your wedding?

To determine if and what lighting options would be best for you, we think you should figure out a few things. Make sure you and your light professional know your venue well (even if that means taking a site visit). Determine what mood you want your guests to have at different times of the event. These tips and more have always resulted in better events from our experience working with clients in Cleveland.

What You Don’t Know About The Cost of Wedding Lighting

In order to be prepared for purchasing lighting for your wedding, ask your lighting provider to show you examples of what they’ve done in the same venue you will be having yours at. Make sure you know the overall effect you want to have and develop your expectations before you go into your first wedding lighting meeting. In our years of providing lighting for Cleveland weddings, this strategy has always benefited couples.

What We Wish Couples Knew About Lighting Design

There are a number of things we wish couples in Cleveland knew about wedding lighting before they even met us for an appointment. For instance, most don’t know just how much more pervasive lighting is on the guest experience over decor. That said, lighting can really bring out the best in decor if done right. There are a number of ways lighting can impact your wedding day, and we’d be excited to show you how!

How can wedding lighting impact guest emotions?

Colors affect the moods and emotions of people and lighting has the opportunity to wash a whole room in the colors of your choice. With a wedding lighting designer, LED lights can produce thousands of options. You can even change the colors of the room at different strategic times to get the feelings you want. We’ve had the chance to design spaces in Cleveland as well as many other parts of Northeast Ohio. With lighting, we have been able to bring couples’ visions to life time and time again.

What do Cleveland couples overlook the most?

There are a number of options that get overlooked frequently by couples planning wedding receptions. Videography is frequently overlooked and is also the number one regret from couples that pass on it. Don’t have regrets when planning your Cleveland wedding by making sure you are working with industry veteran professionals.

Live Music Tips for Cleveland Weddings

We believe live music can elevate both a wedding ceremony and reception. DJs, MCs, and Live Bands can work together very well so you get the best of all they can offer. Overall, live music can heighten the look, sound and emotions for your Cleveland wedding. We’d love to show you how!

 

We hope these 13 tips will help you plan your wedding reception with less stress and more knowledge. If you want to ask your own questions of Jay R, you can reach him here.

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