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Remembering Great Weddings

The other day I was reminiscing with an associate about some of the parties we've done. While Lightning Shakes New York has become well known by mitzvah families, we have done some momentous weddings. http://www.lsny.net/weddings.html

In fact one of the best compliments we ever received was from a wedding I emceed at The Plaza.

For those who may not know, The Plaza, a NYC landmark, is one of the old world grand hotels in NYC, a fixture like The Palace, formerly The Helmsley Palace (back when the mcuh villified Leona had a big chunk of the Apple) and The Pierre. These sites have career service employees, people who work there for 30 and 40 years. Many of the wait staff in The Plaza are in fact the longest tenured employees there. They have seen quite reasonably 5000 to 10,000 events there over their long careers.

One night I was there for a wedding and one of the waiters approached me toward the end of the event, her name was Rose, and she said, "How are you related to the family here?" And I said, "Well actually I'm not related." She said, "Oh my, I swore to myself and a few of the others that you must be related to the bride or grooms side of the family. You're the best wedding DJ I've ever seen here." I have to tell you to this day, fewer compliments have resonated so deeply with me. Being asked to do weddings for others in our industry is one way to gauge if what I'm having the impact that I really aim to have at parties and events. But when a 30 year career banquet waiter delivers a compliment like that, you know you've chosen the right profession.

Years later LSNY had the privilege to be selected to be the chosen entertainment for MnM Candies "America's Sweetest Couple" Wedding. This couple was selected from engaged couples around the country to have their wedding at Rockefeller Plaza, with design by David Tutera and it was filmed for his television show.

Jon and Bonnie Morse were the winners. This is what they wrote to us:

Dear Michael,

We can't thank you enough for what you did. It far surpassed anything we could have imagined.

We are SO HAPPY! You are REALLY the very best! You made this the greatest day of our lives better than we thought possible.

And all our friends and family have said this was the best wedding they've been to, but I know they told you this as well.

Jonathon and Bonnie Morse, Winners of America's Sweetest Couple Contest

What I learn from these events is if you love to make a difference in peoples' lives and continue to learn & grow powerful & unforgettable experiences emerge.

We as a company learn that this is not a frivolous job. What takes place here can be one of the top 3 or 4 experiences EVER in a life. What a privilege and an incredible opportunity to have a lifetime impact on one or more lives. There's nothing better than being able to come home after making that kind of contribution.

Now as a new father of 2 girls, 1 and 3 years old, I have an even deeper appreciation for what we do and what it all means. The first thought I had once my first baby girl was born and I'm carrying her out of the surgical room (due to complications) down the hall to my best friend was seeing me dancing with my little girl at her wedding. As tears were streaming down my cheeks I imagined giving her away, having only just had two minutes with her in my arms.

I truly understand the triumpant and emotional aspects of weddings and celebrations. The celebration while saying hello and welcoming the new magnificent present that unfolds and the future possibilities is also saying goodbye to some history, amazing challenges and miracles that brought you there.

This is where we find the most vibrant and resonating real joys. And this is what we lift up through the music and the dance, in the words of appreciation and in the beat of our hearts where no language can truly capture.

It is with this sense of appreciation that our entire staff approaches each event and each party whether it's a simple light hearted elegant event or an crazy wild party with abandon.

I cannot thank my clients and families more for the opportunity to share their joys and life experiences.

If you would like to contact us for your wedding or someone you know, I offer a free consultation full of great ideas. It would be my pleasure to do so. www.lsny.net

Best of life to you always,

Michael Sage Schindler