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Cover all your wedding planning bases with these expert tips no to-be-wed should be without.
When planning your wedding, there are things that are nice to know, and there are things you need to know—advice so essential any bride who's lucky enough to hear it thinks, "I'm so glad someone told me that!" If you're wondering whether there's something you may have missed (or even if you've got everything under control), check out our indispensable planning secrets below.
1. Guests Come First
Get a grip on the approximate number of guests you'll invite before settling on a venue. This will ensure there's ample space for your crew. As a rule of thumb, allow for 25 to 30 square feet per guest. That may seem like a lot, but it's really not if you count the space you'll need for the tables, bustling waiters, the band and a dance floor.
2. Investigate Wedding Blackout Dates
Know ahead of time if your wedding date falls on the same day as a trade conference, charity walk or other local event that could affect traffic and hotel room availability. Here's a handy list of potentially problematic wedding dates coming up in the calendar.
With a little creativity, you can plan activities that strengthen the school community without breaking the bank or exhausting your volunteers.
Call the Experts
You don’t have to do it all. Whether you’re planning a night of fun or an educational event, call upon the people in your community to share their expertise. Many local businesses will offer discounts or donate their services in exchange for a little publicity.
Family dance lessons: Ask a dance instructor to teach families how to waltz, two-step, salsa, line dance, or do the latest hip-hop moves. Follow up the lessons with a dance-off or your very own Dancing With the Stars contest.
Fitness night: Invite a fitness coach to teach kids and parents fun exercises they can do at home. Ask the school nurse to take blood pressure readings or measure body mass index, and offer healthy snacks.
Museum night: Many museums take their family programs on the road for a fee. Typically, the museum brings the materials and leads activities, while families spend the evening doing science experiments or creating art together.
Expert advice: Ask experts to speak to parents about drug abuse prevention, bullying, Internet safety, or other issues. Specify that the programs are for parents only and arrange on-site baby-sitting. Your school’s parents will thank you.
QUICK TIP: Show your appreciation by promoting the businesses or experts on event flyers and thanking them in your school newsletter.
While we know that your wedding is all about showing the world the love and commitment you and your hubby-to-be have for each other (and also, of course, how good you look in white), it’s also important to know that as host and hostess you have a “responsibility” to throw a great party to celebrate that love and show your guests a good time. When it comes to entertainment, I always tell my brides that this is the part (besides getting to see you wed) when guests decide they’re glad they RSVP’d yes to your invitation. From serious ceremony to fabulous reception, the driving force is the entertainment. They have come to the wedding to support you at the biggest milestone of your life, so by all means, let them have a blast!
Spin My Song
In The Big White Book of Weddings, I include advice on ceremony music, but in this column I will stick mainly to the reception. Often, brides ask if they should have a band or a DJ. I always say that DJs are an excellent choice because, for one thing, they are much less expensive than live entertainment. Their playlist can be customized, and a well-chosen, sophisticated DJ may be perfect for your wedding. Meet DJs to gauge their personality and style. Discuss your needs and wishes for your wedding, including the DJ’s wardrobe. Find out if you can watch him in action and listen to him spin and mix. Discuss various styles of music—a variety should be played throughout the night to keep guests entertained. During meetings with your DJ, develop your song playlist and be clear about what you like and dislike. Make sure your DJ will take your song requests.
And the Band Played On
Whether it’s swing or salsa, a 20-piece or a four-piece ensemble, live music has the ability to stir the soul of even the most stagnant chair-sitters at a reception! Think about what kind of sound you want: big band, contemporary, golden oldies? Knowing the style and mood you want to set will help you locate the band suited to you.
I Dos For Choosing A Band
Is the Mane Event Horse Expo Going Out of Business?
With vendors not being paid, venues not booked, and fraud and bankruptcy surrounding their sales manager Ronald Barker, the Mane Event Expo not looking good.
- Chilliwack Heritage Park has not received any deposits or reservations to hold the venue for the October 2018 Mane Event Expo, yet the Mane event is still selling tickets.
- The Mane Event's insurance company has sent out notices to their event venues that their bill was not paid and they will be cutting off their insurance.
- The event rental company for last year's show in Chilliwack, BC, has served Ron and Gail Barker with papers for not paying for last year’s event to the tune of $9000.00.
- The event rental company for the March 2018 show in Scottsdale, AZ still has not been paid in full for over $6000 in services.
- We have received emails from past trainers and clinicians who have not been paid.
- In 2005, Ron Barker of the Mane Event, received a lifetime market ban for defrauding investors. The British Columbia Securities Commission found that he violated securities laws when he committed fraud and lied to investors in raising more than $2.3-million from individuals in the Kamloops area. Click here for details.
- Ron Barker also had seven charges imposed for violating bankruptcy laws. Click here for details.
Ron Barker and Gail Barker of The Mane Event Horse Expo based in Kamloops, BC, failed to make complete payment on over $6,000 worth of sound equipment from our company for their horse trade show at WestWorld of Scottsdale. To date, we have not received payment beyond the initial deposit required to reserve the equipment.
Based on this information, we warn all vendors, sponsors, or attendees to consider that you most likely lose your money or will not be paid in full by Ron Barker, Gail Barker, and The Mane Event Horse Expo.
We post this information about The Mane Event Horse Expo, in order to warn other vendors about our experience. You can help us by attempting to reach Ron Barker at 480-828-1963, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on The Mane Event contact page at https://scottsdale.maneeventexpo.com/contact-us/
Will the Mane Event Horse Expo at Heritage Park in Chilliwack, BC Still Go On?
Due to the questionable practices of Mane Event Expo at Heritage Park in Chilliwack, BC, it's a question worth asking. The Mane Event is a Canadian event company for horse expos and shows in Scottsdale AZ, Chilliwack BC, and Red Deer AB. With vendors not being paid, venues not booked, and fraud and bankruptcy surrounding their sales manager Ronald Barker, it's not looking good.
- Chilliwack Heritage Park has not received any deposits or reservations to hold the venue for the October 2018 Mane Event Expo.
- The Mane Event's insurance company has sent out notices to their event venues that their bill was not paid and they will be cutting off their insurance.
- The event rental company for last year's show in Chilliwack, BC, has served Ron and Gail Barker with papers for not paying for last year’s event to the tune of $9000.00.
- The event rental company for the March 2018 show in Scottsdale, AZ still has not been paid in full for over $6000 in services.
- In 2005, Ron Barker of the Mane Event, received a lifetime market ban for defrauding investors. The British Columbia Securities Commission found that he violated securities laws when he committed fraud and lied to investors in raising more than $2.3-million from individuals in the Kamloops area. Click here for details.
- Ron Barker also had seven charges imposed for violating bankruptcy laws. Click here for details.
Ron Barker and Gail Barker of The Mane Event Horse Expo based in Kamloops, BC, failed to make complete payment on over $6,000 worth of sound equipment from our company for their horse trade show at WestWorld of Scottsdale. To date, we have not received payment beyond the initial deposit required to reserve the equipment.
Based on this information, we warn all vendors, sponsors, or attendees to consider that you most likely lose your money or will not be paid in full by Ron Barker, Gail Barker, and The Mane Event Horse Expo.
We post this information about The Mane Event Horse Expo, in order to warn other vendors about our experience. You can help us by attempting to reach Ron Barker at 480-828-1963, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on The Mane Event contact page at https://scottsdale.maneeventexpo.com/contact-us/
October 2018 Mane Event Horse Expo in Chilliwack, BC May Be Cancelled
Don't buy your tickets yet. The Mane Event, a Canadian event company for horse expos and shows in Scottsdale AZ, Chilliwack BC, and Red Deer AB, may have to cancel their upcoming event at Chilliwack Heritage Park in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Here's why:
- Chilliwack Heritage Park has not received any deposits or reservations to hold the venue for the October 2018 Mane Event Expo.
- The Mane Event's insurance company has sent out notices to their event venues that their bill was not paid and they will be cutting off their insurance.
- The event rental company for last year's show in Chilliwack, BC, has served Ron and Gail Barker with papers for not paying for last year’s event to the tune of $9000.00.
- The event rental company for the March 2018 show in Scottsdale, AZ still has not been paid in full for over $6000 in services.
- In 2005, Ron Barker of the Mane Event, received a lifetime market ban for defrauding investors. The British Columbia Securities Commission found that he violated securities laws when he committed fraud and lied to investors in raising more than $2.3-million from individuals in the Kamloops area. Click here for details.
- Ron Barker also had seven charges imposed for violating bankruptcy laws. Click here for details.
Based on this information, we warn all vendors, sponsors, or attendees to consider that you most likely will not be paid in full by Ron Barker, Gail Barker, and The Mane Event Horse Expo.
We post this information about The Mane Event Horse Expo, in order to warn other vendors about our experience. You can help us by attempting to reach Ron Barker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on The Mane Event contact page at https://scottsdale.maneeventexpo.com/contact-us/
Notice of Non-Payment of Vendors by the Mane Event Horse Expo
The Mane Event, a Canadian event company for horse expos and shows in Scottsdale AZ, Chilliwack BC, and Red Deer AB, contracted over $6,000 worth of sound equipment and audio staff for their horse trade show at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Big Deal Entertainment has not received payment beyond the initial reservation deposit.
What is perplexing is that the event at WestWorld of Scottsdale was a huge success and everything sounded great all weekend long. We received many compliments from the attendees, clinicians, trainers, and exhibitors throughout the four day event. Owners Ron Barker and Gail Barker could not have need nicer during the event -- but once the show was over, they quickly headed back to their headquarters in Kamloops, British Columbia and left us with the an unpaid bill.
After some research, we found:
- Chilliwack Heritage Park has not received any deposits or reservations to hold the venue for the October 2018 Mane Event Expo even though the Mane Event is selling tickets.
- The Mane Event's insurance company has sent out notices to their event venues that their bill was not paid and they will be cutting off their insurance.
- The event rental company for last year's show in Chilliwack, BC, has served Ron and Gail Barker with papers for not paying for last year’s event to the tune of $9000.00.
- The event rental company for the March 2018 show in Scottsdale, AZ still has not been paid in full for over $6000 in services.
- In 2005, Ron Barker of the Mane Event, received a lifetime market ban for defrauding investors. The British Columbia Securities Commission found that he violated securities laws when he committed fraud and lied to investors in raising more than $2.3-million from individuals in the Kamloops area. Click here for details.
- Ron Barker also had seven charges imposed for violating bankruptcy laws. Click here for details.
The Mane Event touts itself as a "family run" business. That may be true, but according to Zoom Info, their revenue is $1.4 million. Big Deal Entertainment is also a family run business with employees and overhead to pay -- and not being paid for a four day event is a huge loss for us.
The Mane Event has more shows schedule in the following locations:
Scottsdale AZ, Chilliwack BC, and Red Deer AB
Based on our experience, we warn all vendors, sponsors, or attendees to consider that you may not be paid in full by Ron Barker, Gail Barker, and The Mane Event Horse Expo.
We post this review of The Mane Event, in order to warn other vendors about our experience. You can help us by attempting to reach Ron Barker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on The Mane Event contact page at https://scottsdale.maneeventexpo.com/contact-us/
Notice of Non-Payment of Vendors by the Mane Event Horse Expo
Ron Barker and Gail Barker of The Mane Event Horse Expo based in Alberta, Canada, failed to make complete payment on over $6,000 worth of sound equipment for their horse trade show at WestWorld of Scottsdale. To date, we have not received payment beyond the initial deposit required to reserve the equipment.
We have called and sent multiple emails to contact Ron Barker and Gail Barker with little or no response. Sadly, nothing has been paid to date (this page will be removed when payment has been made).
These are the only promises we have received from Ron since the March 29-April 1, 2018 Mane Event Horse Expo:
April 5, 2018
Sorry we have taken a couple days off after the show and will get everything straight by weeks end or first of the week.
May 4, 2018
I’m in Canada right now and will be back in Arizona next week and will get this paid by next Wed.
May 4, 2018
This is really tacky and unprofessional that you would send this to all of my employees! If you want to get paid ALL email must be to me and NOT my employees! I have been out of the country and will deal with this next week!
June 12, 2018
I understand your frustration but we just don’t have the money right now and we will get you paid ASAP hopefully by the end of June.
After some research, we found:
- Chilliwack Heritage Park has not received any deposits or reservations to hold the venue for the October 2018 Mane Event Expo even though the Mane Event is selling tickets.
- The Mane Event's insurance company has sent out notices to their event venues that their bill was not paid and they will be cutting off their insurance.
- The event rental company for last year's show in Chilliwack, BC, has served Ron and Gail Barker with papers for not paying for last year’s event to the tune of $9000.00.
- The event rental company for the March 2018 show in Scottsdale, AZ still has not been paid in full for over $6000 in services.
- In 2005, Ron Barker of the Mane Event, received a lifetime market ban for defrauding investors. The British Columbia Securities Commission found that he violated securities laws when he committed fraud and lied to investors in raising more than $2.3-million from individuals in the Kamloops area. Click here for details.
- Ron Barker also had seven charges imposed for violating bankruptcy laws. Click here for details.
The Mane Event is planning another horse show at WestWorld of Scottsdale on March 29-31 of 2019. We warn all vendors, sponsors, or attendees to consider that you may not be paid in full by Ron Barker, Gail Barker, of The Mane Event Horse Expo.
We post this review of Ron Barker, Gail Barker, and The Mane Event in order to warn other vendors about our experience. You can help us by attempting to reach Ron Barker and Gail Barker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on The Mane Event contact page at https://scottsdale.maneeventexpo.com/contact-us/.
In March of 2018, Ron Barker of The Mane Event contracted over $6,000 worth of equipment for their horse trade show at WestWorld of Scottsdale. We have yet to see any payment past the initial deposit to reserve the equipment.
We put together five sound systems in total, loaded up and traveled to WestWorld of Scottsdale. The event was a huge success and everything sounded great all weekend long. We were even complimented abundantly throughout.
After numerous attempts to contact Ron Barker via email and telephone with little or no response, we were forced to reach out to other members of the The Mane Event staff to resolve the balance due. Unfortunately, nothing has been paid even several months later.
After some research, we found:
- Chilliwack Heritage Park has not received any deposits or reservations to hold the venue for the October 2018 Mane Event Expo even though the Mane Event is selling tickets.
- The Mane Event's insurance company has sent out notices to their event venues that their bill was not paid and they will be cutting off their insurance.
- The event rental company for last year's show in Chilliwack, BC, has served Ron and Gail Barker with papers for not paying for last year’s event to the tune of $9000.00.
- The event rental company for the March 2018 show in Scottsdale, AZ still has not been paid in full for over $6000 in services.
- In 2005, Ron Barker of the Mane Event, received a lifetime market ban for defrauding investors. The British Columbia Securities Commission found that he violated securities laws when he committed fraud and lied to investors in raising more than $2.3-million from individuals in the Kamloops area. Click here for details.
- Ron Barker also had seven charges imposed for violating bankruptcy laws. Click here for details.
The Mane Event is planning to return to WestWorld March 29-31 of 2019. We highly advise any vendors, sponsors, or attendees to consider that you may not be paid in full by Ron Barker and The Mane Event Horse Expo.
We post this review of Ron Barker and The Mane Event, in order to warn other vendors about our experience. You can help us by attempting to reach Ron Barker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on The Mane Event contact page at https://scottsdale.maneeventexpo.com/contact-us/
TEMPE, AZ – Summer music festivals have been held high on mountain tops, on island beaches, in city centers and just about every place in between, but few, if any, have taken place at a site as unique as Wet Electric and Band Splash. The back-to-back events may well be the only music festivals featuring major recording artists that take place in a giant wave pool at a water park.
Running on two consecutive days at Big Surf water park outside Phoenix, the festivals are devoted to EDM (Wet Electric) and rock (Band Splash). This year, they afforded fans the opportunity to splash, float, swim or just lounge around in the water while they took in performances by EDM artists like Adventure Club, Bro Safari and SNBRN one day, and enjoyed rock stars such as Dreamers and Robert DeLong the next. Tying it all together was a versatile lighting rig supplied by Creative BackStage that featured CHAUVET Professional Maverick, Rogue and STRIKE fixtures.
“We designed the rig to be flexible enough to use at both festivals, without taking away from the lighting of either event,” said John Garberson of Creative BackStage. “Wet Electric was the first day. When it ended we took away the DJ booth and the side 20mm LED video screens. Then we moved the front deck lighting to the back. Other than that, we used all the same lighting positions for both festivals.
“The versatility of the Maverick MK2 Spot and Rogue R2 Washes in our rig were a major help, allowing us to change up our looks for each festival with features like the gobos and prism of the Mavericks, and the wide zoom range of the Rogues,” continued Garberson. “The STRIKE 4 blinders were nice, because we could create lots of different looks by controlling each cell individually. We had fun shining our lights in the pool area where people were splashing around.”
Garberson and the Creative BackStage team worked their magic on a stage that measured 56’ x 44’ with a 30’ high roof. The pool, the largest wave pool in the US, measures
480’ long by 240’ wide. Safety is a priority for all involved in the event. “We take safety very seriously,” said Garberson. “There are a lot of things fans don’t see that we do in the background to make sure power does not get wet. We also plan for any weather events that may occur. We and the city both have weather action plans.”
Garberson and his team also planned to create some high-impact looks for the festival. They had nine Rogue R2 Wash units and six STRIKE 4 multi-formatted fixtures, as well strobes and beams, positioned on the front truss. There were also three Rogue R2 Washes and one Maverick MK2 Spot on the side truss, and three Rogue R2 Washes and one Maverick MK2 Spot flown on the mid-stage truss.
