DJ: David Osborne – Sound Insight Productions {athens GA DJ}

Photographer: Phillip Faulkner (pictures provided below)

Athens Wedding Professionals Bridal Show 2012 was a HUGE success! Thanks to all the brides (and grooms, moms, friends, etc.) that came out to visit the finest wedding vendors in Athens, GA. This year’s booth was extra-long, showcasing our enhancements: amazing lighting design and multimedia production.

The two turntables were really supposed to be inside their black cases (I just wanted the screens to be a little higher up) – but when I put them out, they made for a GREAT conversation piece. Not every DJ can mix music (which is kinda crazy, right?) but DJ David Osborne can bring his un-cheesy, fresh style to your wedding, corporate event, or private party.

Thanks to my 2 photographer friends for snapping a few photos at the show:

Sara Wise & Courtney Goldman

Call today! (706) 461-3283

I spend a LOT of time at weddings. From first-hand experience, I can attest to the awesome difference a SPECTACULAR vendor makes to your reception celebration. This wedding was a PERFECT example of quality vendors throughout. As is turns out, all of the vendors that made Austin and Heather’s reception so remarkable are all members of the Athens Wedding Professionals. Enjoy some of the pictures (by Courtney Goldman) below:

Venue: Georgian Hotel, Athens GA
Caterer: Trumps Catering
Photographer: Courtney Goldman
Florist: European Floral Design
DJ: David Osborne (Sound Insight Productions)
Lighting Design: Sound Insight Productions
Custom Monogram: Sound Insight Productions

Think about how large a floral arrangement is – even smaller than the arrangement are the actual flowers, which are only part of the floral design. Now think about the walls, ceiling and floor in the same space. I would wager that that space is exponentially larger than the flowers.

The impact of one light on the wall has a great “bang-for-buck” impact on the ambience of your wedding reception. Coupled with dozens of uplights, maybe a custom monogram, and some additional lighting design, you can imagine the final result: STUNNING. You know all those bridal magazines and reality shows on TLC that make weddings look so “high-end”? The common theme between all of them is well planned lighting. When done very well, it should ENHANCE your reception, never take away from it.

At Sound Insight Productions, we offer a custom approach to lighting design – as unique as the couple getting married. Here’s two examples from a wedding at the State Botanical Gardens in Athens, GA. I (David Osborne) also was the event host and DJ for the evening.

Thanks to my wife, Rachel Osborne of Rachel Osborne Photography for this detail shot of the Botanical Gardens conservatory.

Thanks to Gene Ho, the official photographer at the wedding, of Gene Ho Photography for this stunning shot of the couple surrounded by our lighting! Gorgeous!

Hotel Indigo is of course 1st a hotel – I’ve had the privilege of staying there myself – super “IKEA”-ish, eco-modern design. I mean, what DJ/lighting-designer wouldn’t love a hotel that features color changing LED lights recessed in the ceiling in lieu of traditional incandescent spots? Such a cool place.

Downstairs in the Hotel is the real gem – the Rialto Room and Lounge area. The Rialto room is a custom built acoustic space that is designed with live performances in mind. The first time I ever worked at Indigo, I found myself right in the “sweet spot” of the room, where all sound seems to be amplified from – again…such a cool place.

In the summer of 2011, I provided chic “downtempo” or urban lounge music as well as a vibrant magenta lighting and a custom monogram to really make the Lounge area even more sublime. The event was the Athens Wedding Professionals summer social, and coincidentally, I was presented with the 2010 member of the year award that evening at Indigo, surrounded by the ambience I helped create

Here’s an image from the design in the lounge

]]> http://www.soundinsightdj.com/hotel-indigo-a-touch-of-atlanta-chic-right-here-in-athens/feed/ 0 http://www.soundinsightdj.com/does-more-experience-equal-more-quality/ http://www.soundinsightdj.com/does-more-experience-equal-more-quality/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:04:24 +0000 osborne882 http://www.soundinsightdj.com/?p=453

So, a few days ago, I spoke with a potential bride on the phone. According to her, every vendor she met with recommended my DJ services for her Athens, GA wedding. (Photographer, Venue, Caterer, Florist, yes…even another DJ). To me, this is a great sign, because other vendors recognize the quality & value we offer over other companies in our market. Theses vendors are industry professionals who are knee-deep in brides, weddings, and I-do’s at least once-a-week. Plainly, they KNOW weddings.

What’s the problem, then? Well, one question she asked me was, “how many years experience do you have?” This is a completely common question, and I have a pretty respectable answer. I have been in “business” for 7 years, but have been DJing weddings for 10+ years, have been a professional musician for 15+ and an entertainer since I was born. I also KNOW weddings and have worked with couples at every end of the spectrum.

Her response befuddled me just a little….”well, I spoke with another company, and they have their DJ’s categorized into years of experience (10, 15, 20+, etc.) and pricing is reflective of those numbers. Since you are around the 10 year mark, shouldn’t your prices be the same as their lesser experienced DJ’s?”……….I certainly see the logic involved, but it is flawed to the max.

Think of it this way: If you go to a 5-star restaurant, do you prefer the chef with the most experience, or the best quality food? Do you really care how long a painter has been painting, or do you just care how “good” the art is? Mozart was composing at age 5…should we tell him that composers with 30 years experience are better? In a service industry, like event entertainment, I believe the concern (particularly for weddings, which are a once-in-a-lifetime experience) should be on QUALITY and VALUE, not the number of years of experience. Of course, the vendor should have SOME experience, which I believe any quality DJ or entertainer should have from other types of events before ever making themselves available for weddings.

I’m sure for some folks, the only way to find this out for themselves is to “experience” the result at their event. As for me and Sound Insight Productions, we’ll continue to offer fabulous, one-of-a-kind, creative, and FUN entertainment experiences for couples and clients in Athens and Atlanta!

There, in the absolutely stunning atrium were two completely ugly boxy Mackie speakers (the kind I used years ago). I believe my comment was, “um…is there another musical act setting up in here, or did I miss a memo?” I was informed that the High usually puts out these speakers because the vast majority of DJs that work at events there do not own their own speakers. Let me say that again….they DON’T own their own speakers….That’s just whack. That’s like having lenses for the photographers to use. It just doesn’t seem to make sense to me.

Then, I was offered the opportunity to use the house equipment. The thought of just grabbing my DJ mixer case from the trailer and plugging it up in about 2 minutes was super-appealing. However, one of the major pillars of Sound Insight Productions (and me as a human) is that quality is KING. I politely asked for their AV guy to take down my “easy choice” and I got started unloading all my BOSE gear.

The last picture in this series says it all: the chic, modern flair of the Museum, coupled with the minimalist event design fits PERFECTLY with my chic, attractive BOSE towers – it’s as if they are part of the design. Imagine how tacky those big Mackie speakers would have looked in this great reception.

Also, we lit the ceiling in Red and provided a soft red glow behind the shoji-esque partition to the kitchen. I’d say that we were a perfect fit for this reception.

How many DJ companies out there would have taken that time and dedication to enhance the couples’ vision and style? I’d wager very very few would.