Review: Elite Productions & Entertainment
If you’ve been following this blog at all, you know my aversion to floodlights! By default, Marriott will give you some spotlights to light your functions. (The good side of this is I don’t remember any ‘lighting’ fees – I think that lighting of the space is included in any other set-up fees you might be paying. Please correct me if I’m wrong.)
Our goal was to create a mood with lighting. We were off to a good start with the tiki torches the Marriott provided us. They helped delineate the space and carry through that ‘island vibe’. Then Edwina had invested in some contemporary lanterns we loved that would bring candle light to the lounge and dinner table. Now we needed to finish of the dinner and dancing spaces. Most important to us was nicely lighting the dinner canopy which was a large expense for us. We wanted to see some classy ‘up-lighting’. My husband also loved the idea of putting lighting under the buffet tables. To be honest, I didn’t really care about lighting the dance area much, but now can’t imagine the area without it. Nice lighting is just one of those things that take an even up a notch.
Anyway – the week before we started to get really anxious because lighting wasn’t sorted out. Desireé ended up putting us in touch with Mark Benson who was already going to be managing the reception entertainment. Mark also owns Elite Productions. The night we got there we met with Mark and DJ Randolph about the entertainment, and then walked the space with Mark to talk about lighting. His first quote (our ‘wish list’) was out of our reach, but we came to a really nice compromise that was in our budget.
Below you see the lighting under the buffet tables creating a little drama. (Keep in mind it will be dark by the time dinner is served.) You also see our first dance – I know I talk a lot about ‘drama‘ — I’ve never been looking for a lot of drama, but just a touch like you see in the first dance photo. And finally our dinner canopy – when it got a little darker the canopy was beautifully lit with a combination of candlelight and accent lighting.
Thank you so much to Mark Benson for helping us to create the ambiance we were looking for!
Our Aruba Wedding is written by brides that are planning or have had their wedding in Aruba!
dee
6 Nov, 2009
Wow everything was beautiful. I am getting married in Aruba in January. I have not booked the DJ yet, but it looks like you were very happy with your choice. Thank you so much for all your information, I have found it very helpful. Best wishes to you both.
Aruba Bride
10 Nov, 2009
Thanks so much! I was frustrated when I couldn’t find good Aruban DJ reviews online. I can’t tell you how relieved I was when I finally met these guys. They did an awesome job! Mark works as the emcee and will keep things on schedule for you and DJ Randolph did such an awesome job of reading our group and keeping them moving. Best of luck to you! January will be here before you know it!
Sue
26 Mar, 2010
My daughter is getting married in June at the Radisson and our planner has suggested Mark and Elite as DJ. I am very happy to hear a good review, however we have not received anything listing pricing. Can I ask you to let me know about how much you spent for them?
Thank you.
Aruba Bride
28 Mar, 2010
Hello, Sue! I hope your planning is going well!
For the DJ, we had to pay prices Marriott set. $700 for the first hour, $175 for additional hour as is published in their “Wedding Packages Menu”. So, for our 4 hours we paid $875. I was a bit disappointed that I’d have to pay for a full hour if I wanted to extend another 30 minutes so I left it at 4 hours. If I’d had known how great they were going to be, I would have gladly paid for the ‘5th hour’ (extra half hour). These were our prices in October 2009. Hopefully you can do better. Marriott also charges another 19% as a ’service fee’ which drove me absolutely crazy – a service fee on services they don’t provide. Hopefully Radisson does not do that (Hyatt and Westin only charge service fee on Food and Beverage). Still, keep in mind, you probably get two people for that price. Mark served as Emcee and Randolph played the music. Though make sure they know how to pronounce your name. We were warned they pronounce everyone’s name wrong and laughed it off. Sure enough though, they pronounced our name wrong – introduced us as Mr. and Mrs. ‘not even close to our last name’!
They were great though. They’ll be happy to meet you in person when you get in town and will gladly accommodate any special request you may have! And I think the highlight of the night might have been ‘Doing the Wiper’ toward the end. We never would have expected a wedding of 43 would have such a full dance floor.
Best of luck to you. The Radisson’s grounds are beautiful!