We are so thrilled that Gregg Hollman from Ambient DJs contacted us for an interview about our company that is featured on his blog! He is a fantastic DJ and wonderful person. Read the the blog article below and let us know your thoughts!

In this article, we spoke with Gloria Sklerov and Barbara Rothstein from the Los Angeles-based Wedding Music Central (www.weddingmusiccentral.com). Wedding Music Central offers the only line of unique wedding music CDs and wedding music downloads created by Grammy and Emmy-winning hit writers. In other words, brides are no longer limited to “off the shelf” commercial music, and can now enjoy music composed specifically for weddings.

Ambient DJ initially connected with Wedding Music Central (“WMC”) on Social Media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Impressed by their deep knowledge of wedding music, we were delighted when Gloria and Barbara graciously agreed to be interviewed for a feature story on our blog. Wedding Music Central provides a valuable array of services for couples seeking wedding music that is unique, appropriate, and will maximize the emotional impact of their special occasion.

Tell Us About the History of WMC- Gloria Sklerov learned the art of writing hit songs by taking classes at UCLA. She proceeded to enjoy a long and successful songwriting career, composing hits for film and television. In addition to winning two Emmy awards, her songs have been recorded by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Cher, Dionne Warwick, Peggy Lee, Kenny Rogers and Anne Murray. Gloria co-write the #1 Country Song of 1979, Anne Murray’s “I Just Fall in Love With You.” Her compositions for wedding scenes in soap operas like “The Guiding Light” and “Another World” were critically acclaimed, and the public began asking where these songs could be purchased. With a knack for wedding songwriting, Gloria founded WMC in 1999. The timing of this venture was excellent given the increasing popularity of the internet and ability to sell music directly to the public.

Gloria’s business partner, Barbara Rothstein, left a successful law practice to follow her love of music and songwriting. She has since received a number of songwriting awards, with her songs being recorded by numerous pop and R&B artists in Europe, Japan and the United States. In the early days of Wedding Music Central, Gloria and Barbara produced their first wedding music CD “Set Your Wedding to Music” and co-authored the popular companion book, “How to Set Your Wedding to Music (The Complete Music Guide and Planner)”

What Are Your Most Popular Products?- Wedding Music Central’s most popular products are its custom wedding songs. These songs, composed with weddings in mind, are available for wedding ceremonies (Prelude, Processional, Recessional) as well as for receptions (First Dance, Father-Daughter, Mother-Son, Mother-Daughter). Regarding special dances for weddings, it is sometimes problematic to find a song from the American songbook that offers the proper lyrics and mood. WMC’s custom compositions bridge this gap. For a sample, see this very special Father-Daughter Dance:

Other popular products at WMC include Wedding Music CDs, Playlists (for those planning iPod weddings), Sheet Music and various creative Gift CDs. The Wedding Music Central website also contains a wealth of planning tips regarding music at a wedding.

Wedding Music Central sells its products across the United States as well as internationally.

What is Your Top Tip For Couples Planning a Wedding?- The ladies from WMC strongly recommend that couples create a “script” for the wedding so that all details are spelled out. This script should be shared among the musicians, DJ, wedding planner, photographer and maitre d’. Even when a team of seasoned professionals has been assembled, it is important for couples to adopt a hands-on, proactive approach so that no mishaps occur. Another important area that is sometimes overlooked is acoustics. Musical performers need to understand their physical surroundings and bring the proper equipment so that clean sound at an appropriate volume level is the result. Outdoor events or those held in exotic locations (such as on a loud boat) can provide additional challenges.

What is your stance on iPod Weddings?- While Gloria and Barbara recommend that a professional handles the music and sound at a wedding, when budgetary factors cause couples to do it themselves, it is essential that appropriate preparations are made in order to ensure a smooth event. To this end, WMC offers an iPod package (i.e., pre-selected set lists) and a list of tips. To read more about WMC’s stance on iPod weddings and the distinction between weekend warrior DJs and professional wedding DJs, click here.

Tell Us About Your New Website- Gloria and Barbara are extremely excited about the upcoming launch of their new and expanded website. The site will contain new songs as well as limited time special offers! Disc jockeys and other wedding professionals are also recommended to explore Wedding Music Central’s Affiliate Program, that provides financial rewards to those who refer customers to WMC.

WMC is also excited by the growth in its Social Media Accounts. Donna, who handles Social Media, does a great job of engaging the community. We always enjoy giving @WeddingMusicPro a #WeddingWednesday shout-out on Twitter!

To Learn More About Wedding Music Central

To get connected with Wedding Music Central, visit these following sites:

Website

YouTube

Facebook

Twitter

Tumblr

Blog

We advise brides-to-be and fellow wedding professionals to explore Wedding Music Central for its excellent planning tips and unique products.

About Ambient DJ Service

Ambient DJ Service is a full-service mobile DJ entertainment company based in Central New Jersey. We specialize in providing customized music and entertainment services for clients who care deeply about music. For more info, visit us on the web at www.ambientdj.com

This year’s Grammy nominations are out and the word is that it’s going to be a great show! All the nominees for record of the year are unique ranging from pop to folk to R&B. Taking a cue from our Oscars blog post, we’ve dug deep and chosen a song from each nominated artist that we think will be perfect for certain parts of the wedding ceremony and reception. As Grammy-Emmy award winning professionals, we just couldn’t pass up this opportunity! Throughout your wedding, music will be flowing, highlighting moments of your wedding and heightening the emotions of the most important day of your life! Take a look and listen to our picks, courtesy of this year’s “Record of the Year” nominees.

ADELE – MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE

With soft piano chords playing continuously, Adele’s, “Make You Feel My Love” makes the perfect prelude song. Her graceful voice enhances the emotions that are already there, before the ceremony starts. Written by Bob Dylan, the lyrics naturally compliment the moments that will shortly follow!

BON IVER – HOLOCENE

When you listen to Bon Iver’s Grammy-nominated, “Holocene,” you can’t help but notice the steady wave of feelings that come up. From calm, to reflective, to warm, the song opens the door to memories and emotions. This song would be great for a slide show presentation featuring the bride or groom. Get the tissues ready!

BRUNO MARS – REST OF MY LIFE

The title of the song says it all! Bruno Mars, aka Mr. Ballad, will not only ‘catch a grenade’ in the name of love, but will be in love for the rest of his life. This is a great record and we’re sure you and your guests will never forget this moment as the song plays during your first dance.

MUMFORD & SONGS – SHE SAID YES

What better way to kick off the very first moments as man and wife than with a song that literally celebrates your union! Your guests will enjoy it as much as you do, since “She Said Yes” was written to be played right after the ceremony for the wedding recessional. The energy of the song is perfect to get everyone ready for the fun and vibrant reception to follow!

KATY PERRY – CALIFORNIA GIRLZ

Welcome to your wedding reception! Now you and your guests are free to mingle and dance the night away in celebration. “California Girlz” is a consistent hit with wedding DJs, being featured on multiple Top Played lists, and we have a feeling that it’s a hit with bridesmaids too. Whether you’re in California or New York, you can’t help but sing along and have a blast with this song!

There you have it! We hope you’ve enjoyed our choices and don’t forget to tune in to the Grammy’s on February 12. If you’re still searching for music for your special day, check out our website http://www.weddingmusiccentral.com for more wedding song suggestions and original wedding songs from Grammy and Emmy winning hit writers, for all parts of the ceremony, reception and special moments in between!

Black Friday and Thanksgiving go together like mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey and stuffing, bad economy and savings! This year, we decided to do it BIG — 50% off Everything! Starting NOW through Monday. All wedding music downloads, all wedding music CDs (for ceremony, reception), all Gift CDs (great stocking stuffers!), Save the Dates, Thank You’s, iPod Packages, Discount Packages…..we mean everything, no product left behind!

So if you’re looking for that perfect bride’s entrance song, that charming father daughter song to dance to, or just looking for Christmas gifts, hop on to our website and take a look! http://www.weddingmusiccentral.com

*Discount Details: Your 50% Black Friday discount is good towards ALL items on our website. Just enter coupon code WMCSAVE in the ‘Discount Coupon’ box when you’re checking out. We can substitute, “On Your Wedding Day” with “On This Special Day,” “Merry Christmas,” or “Happy New Year.” If you would like to include a more personalized brief phrase, simply enter your phrase in the ‘comments field’ upon checkout.

Wishing you a wonderful Thankgiving Holiday! ♥
Barbara and Gloria

Share this Black Friday offer with your friends!

The free-spirited summer weddings give way to a wave of heartwarming Fall weddings. With each new season, there are new trends. So in honor of the best apple-picking season of the year, we bring you our Top Fall Wedding Trends!

TREND #1:
GREEN, GREEN, GREEN

This Fall, the biggest wedding trend we see is the incorporation of eco-friendly aspects into weddings . This is a trend that we only see growing and eventually becoming a staple in most weddings in the future. The best thing about being eco-friendly is that it’s easy to do! For example, one of the trends we see is holding the ceremony and reception in the same venue. This helps to cut down driving and gas emissions. Isn’t it easier not to have to transport your guests back and forth.

Consider using eco-friendly materials such as invitations and place cards that are made from recycled paper. Feeding your guests organic, pesticide-free locally farmed meals during your reception is a great eco-friendly idea which helps farmers and the environment. Another green trend we see is offering pretty packets of seeds as wedding favors for guests. Getting guests involved like this is a great way to promote a positive environmental cause. And think about all those plants and trees that can grow! Also, the seeds symbolize the beginning of your marriage, as you have planted the seeds of the future at your wedding.

Check out these articles from Organic Beauty Talk and Green Weddings by The Knot for more info and advice on going green for your wedding!

TREND #2:
VIDEO IS LOOKING WAY BETTER THAN IT EVER HAS!

They say that nowadays, music and video go hand in hand, and as a wedding music company, we couldn’t agree more! The music in your video sets the tone and emotion throughout each scene. We’re seeing a brand new trend: unique proposal videos and beautifully shot day-of wedding ceremony time lapse videos. Most of the ceremony videos are shot and edited by professional videographers, while the proposal videos are usually done in a more personal style by the groom or bride to be themselves. Both type of videos are generally filmed in HD and this really enhances the viewing quality. Many couples are posting their videos on sites such as YouTube and Vimeo to share with the world. Video is definitely on the rise and looking better than ever before in HD!

Hailed as the “greatest marriage proposal ever,” this groom-to-be made a whole movie trailer with a surprise at the end!

Check out this fabulous day-of wedding video shot and edited by Epic Motion!

TREND #3:
GOING HAND IN HAND, DIY /VINTAGE STYLE IS HERE TO STAY

You’ve heard these three letters all year and you’ll keep on hearing ‘em – DIY. Yes, DIY is currently the popular trend in 2011, continuing into 2012. Do-It-Yourself is a creative outlet for self-expression as well as a more cost effective alternative for your wedding. Going hand in hand with DIY, a wedding style we see on the rise is Vintage. By recreating something old, you’re creating something new! Vintage wedding inspirations can range from the dresses and suits you wear, to the overall style of the wedding including table centerpieces, place cards, invitations, fabrics, etc. Vintage weddings achieve the look and feel of a part of the past, a timeless period full of its own unique charm. Bohemian, War Time, Big Band Era, ‘50s Rock & Roll, Southern and Rustic are popular vintage wedding themes. Vintage and DIY go together naturally because they both allow the freedom to create handmade designs. So if you’re on a budget, are detailed oriented or artsy & craftsy, you may just want to consider the DIY route for your wedding!

Check out this Bohemian Vintage wedding inspiration board from Style Me Pretty by clicking on the image below!

Tell us what your favorite trend is and if you’ve incorporated any of these three into your wedding! Also, fill us in on any other trends you’ve spotted that are on the rise. Take care and enjoy that pumpkin spice latte

Best Wishes,
xoxo

In anticipation of our new website launch, we are releasing a sample for our NEWEST mother son song, titled, “It Happens In A Heartbeat!” The song was written by our very own, Gloria Sklerov and Barbara Rothstein and sung by Teresa James (who also sung our mother daughter song, “Every Mother’s Dream”). The song was written for the mother son wedding dance and can also be used for various occasions, including a son’s bar mitzvah or birthday. Take a listen below!

It Happens In A Heartbeat (NEW Mother Son Song)

As always, we will be announcing the news ahead and keeping you updated here on our blog, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. *Psst again* Make sure to Like us on Facebook, where we’ll be launching a new promo in no time, just for our fans! In the meantime, let us know what you think about the song by commenting or sharing!

Best Wishes,
xoxo

Outdoor weddings are definitely on the rise, but even if you’re not having one or attending one, the summer is still one of the most romantic seasons to spend with your sweetheart. Imagine those warm summer nights, basking in the ambiance of the sun setting as you lay with your sweetheart on a hammock, softly swinging side to side. And what would make that moment even more romantic? (Other than a bottle of vintage Chardonnay,ahem)…Music, of course! Adding music to your summer scene will definitely enhance your occasions and make them more memorable.

Below are songs that we think are perfect to add to your summer playlist for your wedding or just to have playing in the background on those special summer nights with your love. Take a listen and let us know which one is your favorite by adding a comment!

If You Do – “Here with friends and family all around.” Great for those warm summer nights, surrounded by all those you love. Also works as a great pop song for your wedding ceremony, written by Grammy-winning songwriters.

Anywhere You Go – “I come alive, when I look in your eyes, and see what my future will hold.” Commitment in love is apparent right from the first strum of the guitar to the chorus. Also can be used as a Unity Candle ceremony song or wedding reception song.

If This Isn’t Love – “It must be fate, that brought you to me that night.” This Emmy-nominated song is perfect to celebrate the miracle of finding one another, while watching the summer sunset with your sweetheart. Also great for wedding receptions.

Happy Summer!

Barbara and Gloria ♥

Whether a high school, college or any other type of school, graduation signifies the beginning of a new journey filled with optimism. This is a moment that will be remembered for a lifetime and for a parent, this is especially true. There’s nothing more fulfilling and emotional than seeing your daughter, who’s grown up right before your eyes, now off to face the world with the knowledge she has acquired.

This graduation season, express the joy you feel as a mother for your daughter with a personalized gift CD.

It’s every mother’s dream to know her daughter’s found her way and that she’s literally a ‘vision of a dream come true.’ From a mother to her daughter, Every Mother’s Dream is a song to let your daughter know how special she is.

Moments like these deserve to be expressed and cherished throughout a lifetime. Express your deepest joy with heartfelt words and let your daughter know exactly how you feel at this special time in her life!

To order: http://www.weddingmusiccentral.com/gift_for_daughter.php

* If you’d like to order a personalized gift CD for your daughter’s graduation, make sure to write “Graduation Day” in the comments box upon checkout so we will know to make a Graduation Personalized CD (and not a wedding gift).

With love,
Barbara and Gloria ♥

But remember all the times you got sick and needed someone to comfort you? Mom was there. Or when you needed a shoulder to lean on, Mom was there. You didn’t even have to ask. But somehow, it’s only as we grow up that we begin to realize those simple things mean a lot. Memories of hot chicken soup waiting for you when you weren’t feeling well, or the emotional support you needed that was there without hesitation are reminders of how appreciative we really are for our mothers.

So however you celebrate Mother’s Day this year, know that there’s no such thing as expressing too much gratitude! What better way to express your appreciation for mom than with a beautiful new song written especially for mothers and daughters. There’s nothing like the emotion of a great song, the right combination of ol’ fashioned words and music works every time!

In celebration of Mother’s Day this year, we’re offering a 40% Discount on ALL mother daughter songs AND personalized gift CDs! The discount can be applied to all product options found on our Mother Daughter page: http://www.weddingmusiccentral.com/mother_daughter_songs.php

As well as the personalized gift CDs shown below:

* To Be A Woman (From a daughter to her mother)
What better way to honor mom than a song that speaks to her! This song was written as a mutual celebration of your mother daughter relationship and serves as a great tribute to your mother.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* Every Mother’s Dream (From a mother to her daughter)
As mother, you can’t help but think she’s every mother’s dream. Whether your daughter is a mom or serving as a gift from you to her, let her know that she’s a dream come true!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
These songs were made especially for mothers in mind. Happy Mother’s Day from Wedding Music Central! ♥
 
*Discount Details: Discount code will be valid through May 8th. To receive your discount, simply enter coupon code “MOTHERSDAY2011” in the “Discount Coupon” box upon checking out. We will substitute, “On Your Wedding Day” with “On This Mother’s Day.” If there is another phrase you’d like to use or would like something more personalized, simply enter your phrase in the “comments field” upon checkout.

*Shipping Note: Our basic shipping options are U.S.P.S. First Class Mail (approximately one week) and U.S.P.S. Priority Mail (approximately 3 – 4 business days). We also offer Fed Ex 2-Day and Overnight shipping.

“Coming Home” (from Country Strong) for Best Bride’s Entrance Song

Who doesn’t love a little Gwyneth Paltrow? She’s shown us her many talents with her acting and now (taking a page from hubby Chris Martin), she’s definitely proven herself as a singer with an Oscar nomination! Imagine walking down the aisle to your love as you are finally “coming home.”

“If I Rise” (from 127 Hours) for Best Unity Candle Song

Just listening to this song makes me think of candles! Sung by Dido and A.R. Rahman, this calming, soft tune is perfect for joining your families together during your unity candle ceremony.

“I See the Light” (from Tangled) for Best First Dance Song

What better song to dance your first dance to as husband wife than a duet!? With Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi singing this romantically dreamy yet fun tune, you won’t need to fantasize about being in a fairy tale!

“We Belong Together” (from Toy Story 3) for Best Reception Dance Song

This song didn’t win the Oscar for nothing! Randy Newman really makes you want to get up and dance with this song and we don’t blame him! Also, what better way to celebrate your newly-wed marriage than getting family and friends up on the dance floor?

So, what are your thoughts on the Oscar nominated songs? Would you use any at your wedding? Share your thoughts with us!

♥ Barbara and Gloria

Picture this scenario. You’re the bride to be at an outdoor wedding held on a yacht in the afternoon. The weather is absolutely perfect and the light breeze is consistently flowing. The acoustic band, consisting of two guitarists and a flutist are all set, ready to play. Everyone is basking in the momentous sunlight, waiting for your marvelous grand entrance down the aisle.

Sounds almost perfect, right? What could possibly go wrong? Well, the music can be completely drowned out by the relentless droning of the ship’s engines in order to keep the air running. The guests could barely hear the ceremony. As a result, you never knew when to walk down the aisle because you couldn’t even hear the music signaling your entrance! This scenario = yikes!

Believe it or not, this is a true story. It’s hard to believe how much planning and organizing went into this extremely unlucky affair, down to the last detail – except for the acoustics! This is why it is SO important to test out your acoustics before the wedding and to understand potential mishaps that come along with particular outdoor locations.

While the crashing of the waves and the ocean breeze will make for a luscious romantic setting, do keep in mind that the sounds might interfere with the music. Unless you have a small, intimate group of 20-30 people who will actually be close enough to hear the music, the sounds of an acoustic guitar will more than likely be lost. The quiet waters of a lake would be easier to deal with acoustically and would still provide the natural romance you are looking for. There are usually many hotels and inns that have beautiful gardens beside small lakes that are ideal for a romantic wedding.

Keep in mind, outdoor settings can be very difficult acoustically. Live microphones can pick up the slightest sound and amplify it so that if a strong wind starts blowing, the sound will come roaring through the speakers, not only drowning out the music and the words of the ceremony, but destroying the ambiance you have so lovingly planned.

Once you’ve identified the acoustical problems of a location, you can usually overcome them by planning accordingly and being prepared in advance. Make sure to discuss them thoroughly with those that will be involved with the sound and equipment. This is not to discourage you from having acoustical music at your wedding. We agree that the acoustic sound is incredibly beautiful and romantic when successfully done. Just keep in mind the potential downfalls to ensure that your wedding turns out beautifully!

For more tips on your outdoor wedding, check out our article, “The 4 Fundamental Weather Considerations For Your Outdoor Wedding!.”