Author Archives: Elissa Polansky

Gay Wedding Music Tips

Here are some Gay Wedding Music Tips from Beat Train Productions founder Ari Rosenfield geared towards same sex couples who are planning on hiring a DJ.

1. Do Your Research

Find a DJ who has experience with gay weddings and a proven track record. You can find loads of testimonials and reviews of our DJs, here.

Photo by: Tracy Rodriguez

2. Feel The Vibe

Seek out a DJ who views you as unique individuals. He or she will plan on meeting with you to discuss your personality, music preferences, style, and general musical spirit of the wedding. It’s important to find a DJ who is capable of understanding the difference between offensive (i.e. misogynistic) lyrics and those that would be more appropriate for your gay wedding reception.

Photo By: Darlene DeVita

3. Know The Culture

Look for a DJ who has a music programming abilities. They will likely understand that just as no two weddings are alike, no two gay weddings are alike either. For instance, at some gay weddings, Robyn, Madonna, Lady Gaga, and New Order may align with the client’s taste; but for others it won’t. A good gay wedding DJ knows that “It’s Raining Men” may be perfect for some same-sex weddings, but may be far from what other gay couples might be going for. So whether you’re gay or straight, book a dynamic DJ who possesses empathy and the ability to adapt.

A Note from BTP founder, Ari Rosenfield:

“As a native son of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I am proud to be from a state that has been on the cutting edge of progressing LGBT equality and helping set the state for the eventual landmark Supreme Court Ruling. We love gay weddings at Beat Train Productions. I’ve personally done about a dozen, and the company has done many more. Feel free to drop us a line if you’re getting married in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, or anywhere in between.”

Bedford Post Inn New York Wedding

Take a look at a few of Carissa and Daniel’s photos from their Bedford Post Inn New York Wedding. The happy couple was married on September 6th at the Bedford Post Inn.The Inn is located in the heart of Westchester county, in Bedford, NY. The property dates back to the 1860’s and was totally restored to be what it is today in 2007. The Bedford Post Inn has two great restaurants, a yoga studio, and a beautiful outdoor patio next to their pool.

After the outdoor ceremony, Carissa and Daniel partied the night away with friends, family, a bonfire, and sparklers. Beat Train’s DJ Elissa had the pleasure of DJing for the newlyweds. Elissa is, above all, extremely organized and in touch with her clients’ preferences and needs (not to mention being excellent at reading the crowd). She has built her reputation blending the familiar with the obscure, maintaining an energetic indie electronic pulse throughout. Her sets aim to showcase something familiar, be it a beat or a lyric, along with something with which it may not be commonly paired. Elissa is happy to travel for bookings across the tri-state area, including NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, Cape Cod and in between. Whether you’re into Indie Pop or Topsytail Grunge, Elissa has the beats for you. If listening to her mixes isn’t enough, check out some of her many great reviews.

We have Readyluck Photography to thank for the awesome photos from Carissa and Daniel’s Bedford Post Inn New York Wedding. The company has three photographers, Jaqueline, Edward, and Shane. All who bring a unique approach to their photography. They are a pleasure to work with and did a fantastic job capturing the couples special moments. Check out more of their work here.

Wedding Photos from The Barn at Flanagan Farm

See Sam and Peter’s wedding photos from The Barn at Flanagan Farm in Buxton, Maine. The bride and groom were married on a sunny August afternoon at The Barn at Flanagan Farm. Located just twenty minutes southwest of Portland, Maine, the venue offers a 900 square foot English style barn with an attached bar and a bluestone patio with a fireplace. The barn is on 66 acres of farmland and is snuggled up against beautiful woodlands available for ceremonies. The Barn at Flanagan Farm offers an unforgettable experience for any event.

Henry & Mac Photo Company is responsible for Peter and Sam’s wedding photos from the Barn at Flanagan Farm. Zac and Dana, cofounders of Henry & Mac Photo Co, are excellent to work with and they did an incredible job capturing the romance and excitement of the couple’s special day.

Peter and Sam chose DJ Greg Lanzillotta to make their night unforgettable. With over a decade of experience as a musician and a composer, Greg possesses a talent for blending the most eclectic and personalized sets effectively. Over the last four years with Beat Train Productions, Greg has cemented his status as one of the most requested DJs on Beat Train Productions’ roster and has DJ’d over 100 weddings with the company.

Here’s what Sam and Peter had to say about Greg:

“We had the great pleasure of working with Greg Lanzillotta for our wedding this past weekend. From the first time we met through the end of the night on Saturday, Greg was professional, kind, and easy to speak with. He read the crowd perfectly throughout the night and kept the dance floor PACKED. Communication was a breeze – so prompt and thorough – and it’s clear he has a real talent for mixing and choosing the best beats. We can’t recommend him highly enough!”

Check out Greg’s Electro Jazz Mix to get those hips swinging. If you’d like to learn more about Greg and his style, check out his biography.

Wychmere Beach Club Wedding Photos

Check out Matt and Christine’s must-see Wychmere Beach Club wedding photos. The bride and groom partied the night away at Wychmere Beach Club in Harwich Port, MA. Wychmere Harbor was founded in 1892 and has been renovated multiple times in the past 124 years to become what is known today as the Wychmere Beach Club. The land spans 20 acres along Wychmere Harbor Channel and Nantucket Sound. Included on the property are tennis courts, private beaches, pools, vast indoor event space, an array of lodging and beautiful landmarks to take plenty of Wychmere Beach Club wedding photos.

Beat Train Production’s DJ Greg Gilbride had the dance floor hopping all night as Christine and Matt celebrated there love with friends and family. Jeff has been spinning in Boston for over a decade, and has become one of Boston’s most sought out DJs, holding residencies at some of Boston’s most esteemed night spots including the Milky Way and Good Life. His accolades include a Boston Music Award for Best DJ / Dance night, for his acclaimed monthly hip hop night. Check out Jeff’s Hip Hop Mix to see what he’s all about. Check out his reviews to see just how pleased his past clients were with his performance.

See more of Matt and Christine’s Wychmere Beach Club wedding photos here. Dan Aguirre is a fantastic person and photographer. He’s splendid to work with and did a fantastic job capturing all the beautiful moments in Matt and Christine’s wedding. His photography is one of a kind. Check out more of his work at Dan Aguirre Photography.

Jewish Wedding Music and The Hora

Let’s talk about Jewish Wedding Music and The Hora! We’ve DJ’d at dozens, if not hundreds, of Jewish wedding receptions. Here’s some insight from our experience.

Photo By: Tracy Rodriguez

Should I do the Hora at my Jewish Wedding Reception?

That is a much debated question, but is ultimately a personal decision. From our experience, Jewish wedding music and the Hora (or chair dance) are fun traditions that bring people together.

When should we do the Hora?

Earlier in the evening before first course (perhaps right after first dance), or after dinner. Our clients usually do parent dances at the conclusion of dinner, followed by the Hora. However, every reception is unique, and the Hora can be done whenever you like.

How long is the Hora?

The Hora lasts anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the size of your wedding. If it’s a small, low key wedding, it may end up being minutes. On the other hand, a large, boisterous reception with a great number of guests who want to be hoisted in chairs may go 20 minutes or more.

How long should the Hora last at my reception?

There are a few options to go about this. The DJ can use their best judgement, and wrap up the Hora when they feel that it’s time to move on. We can also play it by ear. When you’re ready for us to wrap it up, you can signal us or delegate this to someone in your bridal party. Lastly, we can set predetermined amount of time is you wish.

What song do you play during the Hora?

The track we end up playing is a 10 minute medley of Hava Nagila and several other classic Jewish party jams. It can seamlessly be played again if you’d like the Hora to go over 10 minutes.

For more information on Beat Train Productions check out our About Us page and be sure to like us on Facebook and Instagram!

Duxbury Bay Wedding Photos

See Xixi and Brad’s Duxbury Bay wedding photos. Xixi and Brad brought friends and family together to Duxbury Bay Maritime School in celebration of their love and commitment. Duxbury Bay is a 2.5 acre parcel of land founded in 1997. Clifford Hall is a beautiful building located right on the bay. The large windows surrounding all four sides of the building allow for the ultimate sunset wedding.

DJ Nick Ferrington provided the music for Xixi and Brad’s wedding and reception. Nick has worked for Beat Train Productions for over 5 years and has over 10 years of DJ experience. Nick is friendly, knowledgeable and inquisitive. He is prepared to rock any party whether its with a fist pumping blend of top 40 club music or an eclectic mix of indie rock and 80s new wave. Check out Nick’s Top of the Pop mix to get your body moving or keep it classy with his Cocktail and Dinner Mix. Though his music speaks for itself, he also has many great reviews from past clients you can check out here.

To see more of Xixi and Brad’s Duxbury Bay Wedding Photos check out Sarah Der Photography. Sarah Der is a Richmond, Virginia based wedding photographer specializing in film wedding photography. She’s a delight to work with and takes amazing photos.

Staten Island Wedding Photos at Snug Harbor

See Mike and Caroline’s Staten Island wedding Photos at Snug Harbor. Mike and Caroline couldn’t have chosen a better location to say “I do”. Surrounded by nature in Snug Harbor’s botanical gardens, the couple celebrated their love for one another with friends and family.

Snug Harbor, originally called Sailor’s Snug Harbor, started out with three buildings, a simple safe haven for retired sailors in 1801. By the turn of the 20th century, Snug Harbor was a completely sustainable community made up of over 50 buildings and over 900 residents, a working farm, dairy, bakery, chapel, sanatorium, hospital, music hall and cemetery. Since then it has become a landmark of Staten Island. Today it is called the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. It is now a place where history, architecture, visual art, theater, dance, music and environmental science come together and provide dynamic experiences for all ages.

Beat Train Productions’s DJ Joel Ortsman provided the musical drop back for the evening. Joel’s passion for DJing comes from the love of classic rock, funk, and old school hip hop. He’s spun at over 1000 events that have ranged from weddings to high energy clubs and everything in between. Not only is he a great DJ but a very professional one as well. Joel has many great reviews worth checking out here. He Also has many great mixes to check out such as his Super Groove Mix or his Garage Rock Raw 60’s mix.

To see more of Mike and Caroline’s Staten Island wedding photos at Snug Harbor check out Carole Cohen Photography. Carole is a pleasure to work with and has a unique touch with all of her photography. She caters to the offbeat bride and alternative couples with candid and artistic photography. Carole’s based out of Brooklyn, NY and shoots many destination weddings as well.

New York Wedding Photos at the Green Building

Check out these New York wedding photos at the Green Building in Brooklyn. Nate and Rebecca brought together a great crowd to celebrate their love and commitment to one another. They were wed at the Green Building, an industrial building built in 1889 and later renovated into a large upscale venue. The venue still has it’s original exposed brick walls, natural light, and open-beamed ceiling, making it a beautiful and unique setting for Nate and Rebecca’s wedding.

The night was magical with Joel Ortsman setting the mood on the turn tables. Joel has spun at over 1000 events, spanning the spectrum from weddings and corporate events to lavish lounges and high energy clubs. His music knowledge and communication skills make him a great choice for any of your upcoming events. Check out the great things Joel’s past clients have said about him here. Get a feel for Joel’s musical stylings with his NYC Top 40 Club Mix or take it back with this Garage Rock Raw 60s Mix.

To see more of Nate and Rebecca’s New York wedding photos at the Green Building check out Comfort Studio Photography. They specialize in destination wedding photography with a focus on intimate gatherings in beautiful locations. Julie has been shooting weddings and other events for over 20 years and is a fantastic photographer and great to work with.

Codman Estate Wedding in Lincoln, MA

Beat Train Productions was proud to be a part of Meaghan and Alex’s Codman Estate wedding in Lincoln, MA. The Codman Estate was built in 1740 in Lincoln Massachusetts and has been restored with rustic victorian charm and filled with classic New York furniture. The venue was the perfect spot for the happy couple to dance the night away in celebration of their marriage.

Meaghan and Alex brought together a great crowd of friends and family. The dance floor was hopping with Jeff Durand as the couple’s DJ. Jeff has been DJing for over 10 years and is extremely talented with the music and on the mic. Get a feel for Jeff’s style by checking out his Bumping Throwbacks Mix or if Soul Classics are more your thing, he’s got you covered there too. Jeff has many great reviews from past clients worth checking out and is ready to rock your next big event!

These beautiful photos are the work of Carrie Ann Photography. Carrie Ann is great to work with and she did an awesome job capturing the beauty in Alex and Meaghan’s wedding. Check out more of photography of this vintage Codman Estate wedding in Lincoln, MA here.

Worcester Art Museum Wedding Photos

These Worcester Art Museum Wedding Photos are worth checking out! Dan Aguirre Photography was a pleasure to work with and Dan did a fantastic job capturing even the small details of Abbie and Travis’s wedding. There’s no doubting that Abbie and Travis are going to look back on these photos happy that they chose Dan Aguirre as there photographer.

The Wedding was at Worcester Art Museum located in Worcester, MA. The museum itself is massive and holds over 35,000 pieces of art. Abbie and Travis were married in a great ball room full of marble pillars and arches. If you were to look up, the entire ceiling would be made of glass panelling.

After the couple were united, Spencer took it home with some great dance music. Spencer has been DJing for over 10 years. His versatility and musical knowledge helps him adapt to the ever changing moods of the dance floor crowd. He’s a fantastic listener and is will always have the dance floor rocking. Listen to Spencer’s Most Requested Party Jams Mix to get a feel him or check out some of his many great reviews from past clients.

Check out more of Abbie and Travis’s Worcester Art Museum wedding photos here.