Photo by Lisa J. | Event Planning by Anne W.
Artist Newsletter APRIL 2015
Table of Contents LETTER FROM MATT | PAGE 2 STAYING CONNECTED | PAGE 3 AROUND THE OFFICE | PAGE 4 WHAT’S HAPPENING | PAGE 5 ARTIST ADVICE | PAGE 7 NEW ARTISTS | PAGE 8 APRIL PICKS | PAGE 9 ARTIST CALL-OUTS | PAGE 10
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LETTER FROM MATT
Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.
—Alexander Graham Bell
In August, students everywhere prepare to go back to school. They go clothes shopping, get school supplies like paper, folders, pens and pencils, and get their class list in order. The good ones start to prepare for the adjustment of getting up at the crack of dawn again by going to bed earlier. And most, if not all, mentally begin to think about what the upcoming school year will be like. For those of us in the wedding industry, April is our August – it’s time to get ready, get prepared for wedding season. As you look at the summer ahead, are you prepared? Have you learned from your shortcomings from last wedding season? Let’s be honest, we ALL have had shortcomings. They are THE major component to us learning and improving. Now is the time to access those “learning moments” again, so we can use them to create a plan for when the same circumstances happen again. That way we recognize and adjust to them, and with that, succeed. For me, this is the time of year that I think about what September and October will be like – long and tiring. I know that because I have endured many, many Septembers and Octobers. By the time I get there I will have already gone through May, June, July and August. I will be physically tired, and even more so, I will be mentally tired. That knowledge is power, because it gives me the ability to prepare for it now. And prepare I do. In the few weeks ahead I will be on the hunt for multiple pairs of comfortable black dress shoes, an absolute key for a DJ (or anyone who will spend many hours on their feet). I will begin eating better, being more faithful to my workouts and getting more sleep at night. Why? Because I know what the result of doing those things is – I’m better conditioned and prepared for September and October. So I encourage all of you to treat April as your own “going back to school” time. The time to prepare is now. It’s hard to make adjustments when we are in the thick of things, so do yourself a favor and put the plan in place now. I can’t wait to see and work with you all!
Matt Rush Executive Director
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STAYING CONNECTED
Get ready, to get busy! YOUR 2015 PEAK-SEASON PREP CHECKLIST 1. Organize all current bookings. You will want to go through all of your bookings-todate and make sure everything is in perfect order. Keeping your bookings in line will ensure clear communication. 2. Stay up-to-date with your couple. This is key for a successful event. By openly communicating and regularly reaching out, you will keep them free of concern about their wedding day. 3. Set up a final meeting to confirm day-of details. This can’t be stressed enough. Meet with your couple one last time, before the wedding, to make sure your checklist is in line with their vision. 4. Book your assistants and second shooters now. Waiting until the last minute can create unnecessary chaos. Besides, that’d be one less thing you have to worry about when organizing your bookings. 5. Contact the Event Site Coordinators before the event. This detail goes a long way. Event Site Coordinators appreciate it when you reach out to them. Be sure to confirm things that are important to the service you are providing––and if it would help––see if you can stop by to get a feel for the location.
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Photo by Mindy M.
Around the Office GET TO KNOW YOUR BELLAGALA OFFICE TEAM Hi Everyone! My name is Shing and I am your new Client Services Coordinator! I have been with Bellagala for just over 2 months, and have been enjoying all the different areas of my role. As your Client Services Coordinator, I get the opportunity to participate in a variety of facets within the company. My role includes handling inquiries, processing bookings, and building relationships with just about everyone who walks in our door—including you! On my free time, you would probably find me in the kitchen cooking or baking cakes. I find that the most therapeutic activity for me is scroll-piping buttercream on cakes, haha! If you haven’t stopped in the office recently, come on by and say hello. Make sure you grab a complimentary treat on your way out; we typically have Lindt truffles in 15+ different flavors! I look forward to greeting many of you at the door! Shing V. Client Services Coordinator 4
WHAT’S HAPPENING
SAVE THE DATES!
WOW 2 Wow is our commitment to the client experience. As a full-service wedding company, our main goal is to provide our clients with excellent services. We’ve created the WOW program to establish and maintain this commitment by keeping ourselves and our team members accountable. WOW is our guide to providing that top experience for every client.
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2015 WOW Kick-Off Meeting Tuesday, April 21st | 2pm & 7pm *A second date it to be determined.
Division Meetings Photography | Tuesday, April 28th | 6:30pm Hair & Makeup | Tuesday, April 28th | 8:00pm Videography | Tuesday, May 5th | 6:30pm Disc Jockey | Tuesday, May 5th | 8:00pm Floral | Tuesday, May 12th | 6:30pm Event Planning | Tuesday, May 12th | 8:00pm
Artist Kick-Off Party Tuesday, May 19th
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ARTIST ADVICE
Getting to know Vinnie
LIVE MUSIC COORDINATOR • GUITARIST & VOCALIST Tell us about yourself.
Music has always been a huge part of my life and I’m truly lucky to professionally perform for a living! I started singing at the age of 5, and then eventually picked up guitar in 6th grade. All throughout high school I taught myself to become a better musician. After discovering my love for classical, rock and jazz music I attended college and graduated with a degree in classical music composition. College was also where I met my wife Becky, who after we got married, traveled with me around the country. Before my years at Bellagala I’ve had multiple years of experience in teaching guitar lessons, was a Minister of Music, played in bands and also even went on to seminary. I always knew that I would reenter the local music scene playing with wedding/event bands and other ad hoc gigs. After years of preparation, I was finally able to enter into music performance full time. Now I perform over 200 dates a year! If you ever want to check out some of my music, my first all original rock/country album was released just in February 2015, Vinnie Rose – The American Dream. Outside of music, I love enjoying nature with my family, takings trips to the cabin, and occasionally squeeze a motorcycle ride here or there. Tell us about your experience with Bellagala. Bellagala and I began our collaboration in April 2011. As an artist I performed in many settings and also helped coordinate other performers throughout the years. Since February of 2015, I have become the Live Music Coordinator for Bellagala. Having this company represent me as an artist has helped me tremendously. The partnership with Bellagala has significantly increased my bookings, minimized the time I’ve had to spend finding my own gigs/leads, and as a result has allowed me to invest more time into other important things like family, rest, practice, and original music. As the new Live Music Coordinator I am most thrilled that I can help musician friends and colleagues through Bellagala opportunities. What is your #1 advice for other live music artists? Take time to go over all of the logistics with the client regarding your performance in advance. This includes set-up locations, parking, electricity needs, outdoor weather concerns, meals, etc. We rarely have any issues with musicians in regard to their music, but rather with the logistical arrangements and preparations. Plan for extra travel time and don’t plan to just slide into the gig at the last moment – it may not stress you out to do so, but it stresses everyone else out on the client side. If you ever think you might be showing up later than what you originally communicated, please let them know via phone or text immediately. Remember, we are here to serve our clients with our music and enhance the client’s experience. Go the extra mile, smile, and have fun! 7
Welcome to the team, Seth M. - Associate Videographer Ben E. - Associate Videographer Daniel F. - Associate Videographer Laura O. - Associate Photographer Mattea D. - Apprentice Photographer Cara W. - Second Shooter Photographer Clayton J. - Second Shooter Photographer Nicole L. - Event Planner Cassandra C. - Florist Bridgette J. - Disc Jockey David G. - Disc Jockey Hanni E. - Disc Jockey
we’re so excited to have you!
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APRIL PICKS
Photo by Lisa J. | Event Planning by Anne W.
Photo by Joel M. | Floral by Carol K. Hair & Makeup by Wendy Z.
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Photo by Kim V. | Disc Jockey by Ted W.
Photo by Angela T. | Event Planning by Jenn R.
Photo by Sarah M. | Floral by Dawn L.
ARTIST CALL-OUTS
Word on the street is... TARA L - HAIR STYLIST “Tara, thank you so much! The day went perfectly. You were so kind and calming but still provided such a fun environment for us. Having such a relaxing and fun morning definitely set the stage for the vibe of the rest of the day. We all loved our hair and can’t wait to send you some pics. You were great and I was so thankful you were there!” –Sari & Nate
ALLISON M - ASSOCIATE PHOTOGRAPHER “Working with Allison was phenomenal. She helped keep me organized and even helped me plan out my day because I really didn’t know where to begin. She immediately made my husband and I feel comfortable. She made sure to 100% match our wedding day timeline and even remembered to take shots that I had forgot I wanted. Without her there, my wedding day would not have been the same. I am so eager to see her work and I would highly recommend her to anyone.” –Heather & Tony LARRY A - ASSOCIATE DISC JOCKEY “We chose Larry as our DJ and he turned out to be a wonderful person! I found him very calming even when things were a little crazy and it was wonderful to be around him and talk to him. He really kept to our idea of our wedding music for cocktail hour and dance and that made it even better for us! He was flexible when he needed to be and helped keep us on schedule. I heard from guests how wonderful he was and the great job he did.” –Jynnel & Joe CAROL K - STUDIO FLORIST “From start to finish, Carol was wonderful. We live out of state so a lot of our planning had to be done via email and she did a great job responding to my emails. During our meeting, she was very helpful and provided guidance and suggestions without being overbearing. I was absolutely blown away when I saw what she put together for our wedding. It was amazing to walk into the venue and see everything she had done. She did an impeccable job arranging them to really fit my theme. I would recommend her to all my friends and family.” –Amanda & Andrew
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BELLAGALA 255 EAST 6TH STREET • ST. PAUL, MN 55101 651.227.1202 • BELLAGALA.COM