Jason Jani’s Top Wedding Venues: Clarks Landing

One of the most important (and hair-pulling) wedding planning tasks is finding that perfect venue. With my latest series “Jason Jani’s Top Wedding Venues,” I’m here to help you wade through the seemingly endless roster of wedding venues in New Jersey to find that perfect fit. 

Next up on my list? One of our all-time favorite spots in the garden state: Clarks Landing Yacht Club. 

Picturesque Facilities  

At Clarks Landing, sophistication meets the sea. This elegant estate boasts views of the Manasquan River from its ceremony and reception sites. Located in Point Pleasant, the coastal establishment features a number of spacious rooms for each stage of your wedding day. The property is also a gorgeous backdrop for wedding photos! 

Multiple Ceremony Sites 

Take advantage of the beautiful views and opt for an outdoor ceremony at the Clarks Landing Riverside Site. The open-air space features a pearly pergola beside the scenic marina. If the elements aren’t working in your favor, choose the Grand Ballroom. The indoor reception area doubles as a ceremony space with expansive windows that overlook the river. It even offers a Juliet balcony from which the bride can enter!

Five-Star Cuisine 

Come dinner time, your guests are in good hands. Chef Hassan (American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef) has been a part of the Clarks Landing family for 19 years. In those (nearly) two decades, Hassan has mastered the art of wedding cuisine. The renowned chef works closely with each couple to translate their tastes into unique and flavorful menus. We can personally attest to the deliciousness that emerges from Hassan’s kitchen! 

Attentive Staff 

A wedding venue is only as efficient as its core crew members. At Clarks Landing, the wedding coordinator and staff (shout-out to Nicole, Kristen and Judy) take the weight of matrimonial planning off your shoulders. With their collaborative and professional work styles, they seamlessly handle vendor coordination, day-of setup, scheduling and more!

Friend and industry expert Donald Calle is responsible for establishing the unbeatable standards at Clarks Landing. Inspired by stellar establishments (like Disney and Ritz-Carlton) known for their unmatched guest experience, Calle and his team have made Clarks Landing the top wedding venue that it is today. 

Family Owned

One of the most remarkable elements of the Clarks Landing Yacht Club is its warm and inclusive culture. Owned and operated by the amazing Truesdale family, the Point Pleasant-based establishment exudes all the comforts of home. When you choose this venue, you’re not just any other client – you’re family. 

Ready to see more of Clarks Landing? Follow SCE Event Group on social media to browse photos and clips of this spectacular, full-service property. Keep an eye out for more of my top wedding venues in New Jersey!

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Why Explicit Lyrics Don’t Belong at Your Wedding

We want EVERYONE to enjoy your wedding!

We’re firm believers that there is a time and a place for everything!  With the right crowd, at the right party, or the right club, we’ve been known to make it steamy on the dancefloor! And, by all means, if it’s your thing, get your grind on, at your bachelor or bachelorette parties and get as wild as you want!

That being said, we don’t believe your wedding reception is the place for that, and prefer to abide by the precautionary principle and focus on music that everyone, from your tiniest guests to your oldest guests will enjoy! And, it won’t take away from the party. We promise! Because, while you might think nothing of dropping it down low to some unedited Nicky Minaj, Lil’ Kim, or Ginuwine, it’s doubtful that your Grandma and Grandpa feel the same way, or that your little ring bearers or flower girls need to see it!

Lessons were learned that day!

Trust me when I say that they don’t need to see it! I’m speaking from experience! A few years ago, I was attending a friend’s wedding as a guest. After dinner, the dance started up, it was still early in the night, and it was going well! The dance floor was packed! Then the DJ played Pony by Ginuwine… Let’s just say that there were more than a few horrified & surprised parents & kids watching a bridesmaid drop to the ground and proceed to grind (and more) with the dance floor. There were bewildered looks and mouths hanging open everywhere! Truthfully it was super awkward and took a while for the party to recover. Not exactly the memory you want your guests to leave with!

In the end you want your wedding day to be remembered for all the amazing moments throughout the day and all the love that was witnessed and shared, not informal sex ed demonstrations by the bridal party!

It can still be all about you!

At the end of the day the music that’s played at your wedding should be a reflection of you, but there are ways to do that that will make your wedding inclusive and comfortable for all your guests. We believe that should definitely be one of your end goals, because as much as your wedding is about you, it’s also about all the people you love enough to share it with! Even if you tone down your music you’re still going to have a great time! We guarantee it!

A few suggestions are: Clean or radio edits of songs you absolutely must hear, honoring guests requests only within certain parameters, a timeline/cut off i.e. no ‘f’ bombs or raunchy lyrics before 11:00pm, or the couple can let you know when they feel it’s okay to proceed to get dirty! If none of that appeals, you might want to end your reception a little earlier, and have an after party with just your friends!

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Wedding Ceremony Music – How to Choose a Prelude, Processional, and Recessional song

The music for a wedding reception is pretty easy to pick. You have some fun party songs and maybe a few line dances. You get some very sentimental first dance and family dance songs. You choose those bangers that will get everyone yelling “Yes! This is my SONG!” It is a fun time and the music reflects that.

But what about the ceremony? There is not a ton of music that is “standard” for the ceremony. Sure, you have “Here Comes the Bride” but even that is starting to feel a bit cliche. How do you choose the music for your ceremony? It is all about the feeling you are trying to elicit.

The Prelude

Before anyone even begins walking down the aisle, you want people to already feel the magnitude of the moment they are going to be experiencing. If you are going for grand, romantic you can choose orchestral music that will make your guests feel like they are in a period piece. The swelling of the strings will make emotions well up in your guests.

The more modern equivalent is to get that sense of nostalgia going. Playing oldies or songs that fit your theme will get guests reminiscing. They will feel present in this important moment while thinking about everything that led up to this moment.

The Processional

There should be a tonal shift when going into the processional. This should be music that tells everyone “Get ready. Here we come!” The music for your family should be different from the music for your wedding party. They should be songs that are upbeat but also reverent. They should also be easy to walk to. If you go too slow, guests will lose interest. If you go too fast, you are going to see groomsmen and bridesmaids sprinting down the aisle.

Your song should be for you. If you like the “Here Comes The Bride” vibe then you could go that direction. Most couples are opting for songs that are more important to them. In either case, it should be another tonal shift. This song literally gets guests out of their seats. All eyes are on you. The song should scream “I have arrived. I am doing this!” It is the most important moment of your wedding up to that point. The song should accompany your reveal.

The Recessional

Hooray! You did it! Now to walk back up the aisle. The Recessional is the final moment of your ceremony. You wanna go out with a bang. This song should be the highest energy song of your ceremony. This is the song that proclaims “We did it! We are married!” The feeling that should be evoked is triumph, love, and excitement. As everyone leaves, they should be dancing down the aisles; full of joy and ready to party! It is the end of your ceremony and the start of the rest of your lives. But it is also usually marking the start of your reception too. The transition should get everyone hype and ready to celebrate even more.

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Standard and Classic Songs That Will Never Die

The traditions surrounding a wedding have lasted centuries. Dating back to the time of ancient Greeks and Romans, we still abide by many traditional wedding expectations. The concept of wearing white at your wedding dates back to the 1800s. The “Something Old, Something Borrowed, Something New, Something Blue” is a relic of the Victorian Era. Some traditions have lasted throughout time while others have been updated. Tossing rice is still practiced at some more traditional weddings while others have opted for a sparkler exit. Other traditions have been abandoned altogether. These traditions were once held in high regard, but have since become outdated. One tradition that will always be an integral part of weddings is the use of music. 

Music has been present at weddings since at least the 16th century. The tradition of music used to have more religious tones. The songs would be performed by a singular person or a choir. Even the song “Here Comes the Bride” dates back to the 1850s. Other traditions were added over time like the couples first dance and parent dances. Music at weddings has come a long way since then. Music is now a way to show self expression and evoke the feeling of two families coming together. With the constant flux of traditions, what standard and classical songs have lasted the ages? What are the wedding songs that will never die?

Slow Ballads

The first style of music to come to mind when it comes to a wedding is the ballad. These classic love songs are the easiest way to express the complex and simple emotion of love. These include classic love songs like “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley,  “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge, and “At Last” by Etta James. These songs have been played at dozens of weddings over decades. The originals have become old standards, but there is another reason they have lasted so long. 

Thematically these songs have a lot of depth, but are very simple to replicate. There are dozens of covers of these songs. Popular artists like Michael Bolton and Haley Reinhart have put their own spin on these classical songs. Even without the lyrics, songs like these standout with instrumental versions. Guests immediately recognize these songs no matter what instrument is playing these songs. 

Peppy Love Songs

There are other songs that convey love in a different way. These songs are a little less sappy and lean more into the childlike glee of love. They can get the feet moving a bit quicker than a ballad, but they are still sentimental. Some songs like this include  “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall and Oates, “Happy Together” by The Turtles, and “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra. These tend to have been pretty popular in the mainstream music scene. They will be more likely to be heard at the reception than the ceremony. These songs show love as an exciting experience and make a wedding more fun.

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Should Your DJ Take Requests

Your love story has always had a soundtrack. For every major moment in your relationship, there is a piece of music that takes you right back to that first kiss, that awkward slow dance, or that restaurant where you popped the question. So it’s only natural to want these songs played at your wedding. There’s no other way to tell your story than with the playlist that defines your journey. So what do you do when your DJ takes Grandma’s third request of the Macarena? It can be hard to balance what you want to hear with what your guests want to dance to. But there are ways to handle the music, all of which require good communication with your DJ. Take a few minutes to reflect on what rules you may want to set for your special day with the help of this article.

Music is a key part of any wedding reception. If you’ve made the choice to hire a DJ instead of a live band, your next step is to build a playlist of songs that you and your partner have to have at your wedding. Take your time with this step; spend a couple of weeks slowly building a playlist on Spotify or Apple Music. Talk with friends, look through photo albums, and revisit old memories to build your collection of songs. What was playing during your first date? What was your first concert together? If you’re honoring traditions such as the first dance for the bride and groom, the mother-son dance, and the father-daughter dance, find songs for these moments and tell the DJ your desired order. Oftentimes, these couples will not want to dance to the full song, only the first minute or so. Your DJ can edit the song down, or fade out the music when the dance feels complete. Your groomsmen and/or bridesmaids may want to celebrate with a song for their group, so talk to them and see if there is a song you can all agree fits the mood.

Your reception playlist can have a strict order that you set before the ceremony, or it can be a group of songs with no set order. But now comes the tricky part: do you let your guests make requests? First, consider if your DJ is even able to take requests. Odds are good that they have a massive collection of songs already downloaded, or they are using the venue’s wireless internet and streaming software to pull songs. However, if your wedding is in a more remote location, you may not have Wi-Fi. Let the DJ know ahead of time if there is a lack of internet access, and they will download your songs and any extra music ahead of time. Requests may then be limited to what they have stored in their library. 

Remember, it’s your ceremony. You can make the decision to only have pre-selected music played during your romantic evening. Or, you can allow your DJ to take requests from your guests. If you do, be sure to communicate with your DJ if any specific requests are off-limits. Maybe your partner can’t stand those “cheesy” line dances, or perhaps you allowed children to attend and don’t want anything played that contains foul language. Let them know, and ask them to politely deny any of those requests. If your wedding has a theme, you may tell your DJ not to play any requests that don’t fit the tone of that theme. If your guests get upset that their songs are not being played, explain to them the choice you made to deny or curate requests, and they will understand. 

All of this boils down to communication with your wedding DJ. Take care in selecting who will play the music, how they will talk to your wedding planner and guests, and what they can provide in terms of a music library or streaming. Build a playlist over time while you’re planning, and consider whether or not you want your playlist to grow at the ceremony based on the guest’s desires. You can keep your soundtrack untouched, or let your friends and family put their spin on it; just decide ahead of time, and make sure your decision reflects what you want from your unforgettable night. 

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Is it important to meet your DJ in person before the wedding?

In the past couple of years, we have all learned how to not meet in person. Virtual options have made it so we can meet with anyone from the comfort of our home. If you do not want to talk to someone, you can send an email. If you need to see them but do not want to leave the house, you can set up a virtual meeting. It is easier than ever to not meet anyone in person. So why meet with your DJ in person? There are so many vendors you already have to deal with. Why should you specifically meet with them in person while planning your wedding?

Check Their Vibe

Many DJs sound great on paper. They come recommended by the venue. They have great reviews online. They respond to your emails promptly. They seem like the full package. But to make sure they are legit you should meet them in person. Sometimes a DJ is not what they seem. They may be great in every way, but still not be the right fit for you. Meeting them face to face will help you see how authentic their claims are. You can also start to develop a relationship with them the more you meet with them in person. This will help you in the long run when they DJ your wedding.

The Same Page

The DJ needs to check your vibe as much as you need to check theirs. By meeting in person, they can get a better idea about who you are as a couple. You can go over songs you love, songs you hate, and your general expectations. No one can really get to know you via email. You can send a list of what you want, but that is not enough. There is so much more to DJing than just playing music. They need to get to know you to serve you better.

Your DJ Will Be In Person

The DJ is the face of your wedding. Well, you are the face of your wedding, but your DJ is at least the host. They are responsible for making sure everyone is entertained at your reception. They are responsible for making sure that the transitions between events goes smoothly. The better your DJ knows you, the better they can make your wedding work. Your DJ is going to be in person at your wedding. You should meet with them in person since they will have to be front and center in front of your guests.

Peace of Mind

Meeting your DJ in person will give you some peace of mind. You can know that you have made the right choice. Emailing them will keep you on edge. There is no way to actually know that they will be a good fit unless you meet in person. You can know they are capable of arriving on time and are going to serve you properly. Most DJs will expect to meet in person since it will help them as much as it helps you.

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Your DJ has no insurance – what could go wrong?

We all know insurance is tricky to deal with. No one wants to spend copious amounts of money on insurance. It is especially disheartening to spend a lot on insurance when it is likely that nothing will go wrong. A DJ service having insurance may seem excessive. It could seem like an added fee that is someone trying to make a quick buck. But it is important to have some level of liability insurance in writing with your DJ. The last thing you want after your wedding is to have to go into a litigious battle about DJ equipment. Taking the time to sort out liability could end up saving buckets of money in the event of an accident. But it is JUST a DJ right? What could go wrong?

Damages

The most common problem a DJ faces is damages to equipment. Between moving into the spaces and moving out of the spaces there is plenty of potential for damages. But what about during your ceremony and reception? A speaker could be knocked down by an overzealous party guest. A microphone could be dropped during one of the speeches. Many things could happen to the equipment during your event. Who is liable for the damages? Does your guest have to take responsibility for the problems they may have caused? Does the blame fall on you as the host? It’s the DJ’s equipment, why don’t they pay for it? The waters become muddy. Without a clear understanding beforehand, you may have to end up paying out of pocket for brand new equipment.

Theft

Good quality DJ equipment is expensive. The potential of theft is always lurking around the corner. If someone were to walk off with your DJ’s equipment you face the same problem as before with damages. Who has to take the blame for it? Without deciding that, it could put you out hundreds of dollars. Additionally, you do not always know the morality of an uninsured DJ. They could pull a con on you claiming that their equipment was damaged or stolen. No insurance means there is nothing in writing to protect you. You may end up buying these sleazy DJs even better equipment than they had before. Do not get duped by a sketchy DJ.

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