A Comprehensive Guide to Selecting Wedding Bands with Zadok Jewelers

The model wears a variety of wedding bands from Zadok Jewelers while holding a bouquet of roses.
Photo Courtesy of Zadok Jewelers | Jeweler: Zadok Jewelers

When making your wedding preparations, your wedding band deserves more than just a passing thought – it’s a symbol of everlasting commitment and undying love that shouldn’t be left to the last minute.

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Say “Yes!” To Your Dream Ring at Zadok Jewelers’ Bridal Shop

The model poses in front of a window wearing silver fine jewelry Houston Jewelers Bridal Shop.
Photo: Julie Soefer | Jeweler: Zadok Jewelers

For over 47 years, Zadok Jewelers has been Houston’s premier destination for exceptionally crafted fine and everyday jewelry as well as unique and luxury timepieces. The family-owned and operated jeweler upholds unparalleled quality, value and personalized service. This standard of excellence also shines through in their elegant and very modern Bridal Shop – the Houston destination for engagement rings and wedding bands.

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Wedding Bands vs. DJ: Which Is Right For You?

Top Houston Wedding Band, Wedding Bands, Wedding Entertainment , Music
Photo: F8 Studio | Entertainment: Emerald City Band

Your wedding day is a celebration of the love and commitment of you and your future spouse usually spent with family and friends. Once you’ve exchanged vows, the party begins with food, drinks and music. However, when it comes to the entertainment, should you opt for an expert DJ or a professional wedding band? Both can be excellent choices, but there are pros and cons to both. Narrow down your choice for great entertainment for your guests with the following in mind.

Keep in mind:

Atmosphere – what type of music are you wanting to hear? what kind of delivery?

Budget – traditionally bands are more expensive, but DJs can be just as costly.

Space – how big is your venue? will it accommodate a full band?

Wedding Bands

Wedding bands provide you the dynamics of a live performance. It’s traditional and the band you choose can make a real difference in setting the tone for your reception. The party can come alive with a bandleader who’s able to vibe and interact with crowd choosing music accordingly.

  • Pros: As with all live music, you’re getting a one of a kind experience. This can enhance the vibe of the party and hype you and your guests excitement as you follow every beat and note. Essentially you’ll be experiencing a concert just for you. 
  • Cons: Booking a band can be costly, and musical selections will be limited by the repertoire and style of the band. Wedding Bands may charge either a flat fee or per musician, per hour but most will negotiate.
Wedding Entertainment, Music, DJ, LG Entertainment
Photo: Civic Photos | Entertainment: LG Entertainment

DJs

Nowadays, DJs are artists in their own right, with expertise offering diverse mixes of musical styles guests of all ages can enjoy. Plus, the songs played will sound exactly as you remember them, encouraging sing-alongs and improvisation. You can also count on a DJ to take up less space with their equipment than a full on band would, leaving more room for bodies on the dance floor.

  • Pros: No matter how many songs you must have played during the celebration, it likely won’t be a problem for your DJ to find each track. Generally, DJs are are more budget friendly to. A DJ with a charismatic stage presence and exceptional emcee skills can read the crowd and seamlessly keep the party going.
  • Cons: However, a DJ with a poor personality can really put a damper on the party. Also, if your DJ is not quick on their feet, improvisation can be tough. For instance, if your for first dance doesn’t go as plan or if an impromptu announcement is needed.

Made your choice? Whether a band or a DJ is what your looking for, take care of your entertainment needs with these top vendors.

Groom’s Corner: Wedding Rings For Him

Wedding Rings in boxes
Photo: Second Shots Photography

When it comes to talk of wedding rings, it’s almost always centered on the ladies. And it’s true, engagement rings are the most important in terms of investment and value (it’s all about the center rock, y’all!). However, we can’t forget about the groom! The groom’s wedding ring will be the single most important piece of jewelry he will own. The groom’s wedding band is not only a physical symbol of his love and commitment but also should speak to his personality. Here are a few groom weddings rings we think he will love, from classic, streamlined styles to edgier, more modern looks. Once he’s picked a style, visit our favorite Houston jewelers to get the ring. Click here to read the rest of this post »

The Ultimate Wedding Setlist According to Danny Ray and the Acoustic Production

Photo Courtesy Danny Ray and the Acoustic Production
Photo Courtesy of Danny Ray and the Acoustic Production

Wedding couples sing the praises of Houston wedding band Danny Ray and the Acoustic Production for two reasons: 1. They create custom set lists to represent every wedding couple, and 2. They have perfected a high-energy, non-stop performance that keeps guests of every musical inclination on their feet.

“We can be a full-fledged party band, but we can also throw in some quirky song choices that reflect who the couple is,” says frontman Danny Ray. “We are just so excited to be playing. When we’re playing, we’re grooving and rocking out, and that shows!”

We asked Ray to walk us through his ideal wedding day setlist, crafted with hints of romantic serenades, Motown classics, Texas country and full-blown party ballads. Listen in:

The Opener —Ray likes to kick off the reception with a recognizable hit that starts off slow and builds to become more upbeat. His go-to’s are “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” by Frankie Valli and The 4 Seasons, and “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne. “They are not really slow, but they are not really fast,” he says. “Those are the two that we start off with most often, but every now and then we get a client who wants to hit it hard from the beginning, and in that case we would start out with ‘Kiss’ by Prince.”

First Dance —Ray says that he and his band will learn any first dance song for wedding couples they work with. In general, if couples have a song with personal meaning to them, no matter where it falls in the set list, he is willing to make it happen. “Any first dance, we are open to those,” Ray says. “If there is any special song, maybe for a last dance or if it’s a song that they say they would go crazy for, we want to add it in.”

05-23-16-048-3000 Photo: Courtesy of Danny Ray and the Acoustic Production

Mashups — For really letting it loose, Ray likes to mix in custom mashups of 90s hip hop favorites with rock classics — like Snoop Dog’s “Gin and Juice” and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama ” — to keep guests on their toes! He will even rap…ish.  “I really like doing mashups because the second you go into another song, you see everyone processing what just happened,” Ray says. “Everyone is with you for that moment.”

Modern Hits — And of course Ray and his team don’t shy away from the hits of the moment. “Right now you can’t go wrong with Bruno Mars,” he says (and we agree). “Bruno Mars, Prince and the mashups are the things that almost always happen.”

Ceremony or Cocktail Classics — In addition to the lively reception music, the band also performs acoustic takes of more romantic songs for the wedding ceremony, dinner and cocktail hour. “What we play during the ceremony is completely directed by the bride and the groom,” Ray says, having performed everything from classical compositions, to Beyonce ballads, to songs from Adam Sandler’s movie, “The Wedding Singer.” For cocktail hours and dinners, Ray often performs crooner classics from Frank Sinatra or Michael Bublé, along with contemporary acoustic songs from the likes of The Lumineers or Of Monsters and Men.

4-AP030213PecanSprings_311 copy Photo: Steve Lee Photography

Want to hear more from Danny Ray and the Acoustic Production? Schedule a consultation now or head to his show, Thursday April 6, at Fox Hollow! And be sure to tell him his fans at the Houston Wedding Blog say hello!!