Q: Stephanie, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m originally from Monroe, NC, and moved to Mooresville after I got married in 2006. My husband, Ron and I have a charming 3 year old named Carter. In my spare time, I enjoy photography, crafting, Pinterest, and Bravo TV.

Q: How long have you been with the Charles Mack Citizen Center?

6 years

Q: What are your roles and responsibilities/ what does your job entail?

My role as Center Supervisor has my hands in all aspects of running a venue from roof to floor. I have to know a little bit about everything going on from a maintenance perspective. In addition, I also supervise 16 employees both full and part time. We have a great staff here! When I am not meeting with clients, I oversee the planning/marketing and serve on various event committees throughout the community.

Q: What makes Charles Mack Citizen Center different or stand out from other venues? What’s the appeal?

The space is owned and operated by the Town of Mooresville; therefore, we able to offer a uniquely beautiful venue without the huge rental fees that you see in other markets. One will not find another venue quite like CMCC. At our venue, there are so many choices available for our clients to choose from. There is no prescribed way of doing anything. We also allow our clients to bring in their own caterer without having to choose someone from a “preferred vendor” list. Above all, we want our clients to have total control over their event so it can be exactly what they have envisioned.

Q: What does Charles Mack CC have to offer in terms of services, amenities to couples?

We offer two beautiful courtyards with serene water features in addition to our 6 fully customizable banquet rooms. In addition to hardwood dance floors and elegant linens to make your event stand out from others you have seen, we can also assist you with your audio/visual needs with microphones, sound systems, and projectors. If there is something you need, if we don’t have it, we can find it for you using our network of event professionals.

Lastly, our experiences with brides and event planners can provide valuable insight into great ways to utilize and get the most out of the space you have rented.

Q: What types of events do people do at Charles Mack Citizen Center?

Anything from a small intimate gathering up to a huge soiree, the Charles Mack Citizen Center can handle most any event you can throw at us. Rehearsal Dinners, Weddings, Birthday Parties, Bridal and Baby Showers, Anniversary Parties… you name it!

Q: How many weddings do you do each year?

In 2011,we hosted 61 weddings. So far in 2012, we have been scheduled for 75!

Q: What type of experience can one hope to receive when booking the space? (i.e. customer service, etc)

When booking with us, you can expect superior customer service from a team that is truly dedicated to seeing your event become a success. Not only do we want you to feel comfortable here, we want your guests to also feel the love! There is no request too big or too small. If there is a way to do it, you better believe we will!

Q: In what ways can you work with couples on a budget?

Everyone has a budget… some are just smaller than others. The biggest favor a couple can do for themselves is to set realistic expectations. I like to figure out what aspects of the reception are the most important to the couple and then build out from there.

Q: What is your favorite part about the job?

Without a doubt, my favorite part of the job is getting to meet and work with wonderful couples who are beginning their lives together. It’s very rewarding for me to surround myself with people who love and care for each other!

Q: Any parting thoughts that you would like to share with our readers?

If I could give one piece of advice it would be: Don’t sweat the small stuff! Enjoy your event, your guests, and the memories you create!

Maybe you have $1,500 set aside for your look, that doesn’t mean you should spend it all on your gown. If you are buying off the rack, you could get charged for shipping, not to mention tax. You might need alterations too, consider yourundergarments, shoes, hair accessories and jewelry in your budget as well.

Your bridesmaids should be your closest friends; they can be your sisters, cousins, aunts, even your mom. But they have to be people you’d trust to be there when you most need them. You don’t know new friends well enough yet to be sure they’ll support you in tough situations. And picking people because a family member demands it or so you and your man will have an even number of attendants are also decisions you should avoid.

It’s so hard not to talk about your wedding day, but you must try. The more you share the more opinions you’re going to get about your choices, whether or not you ask for them. Plus a part of “Wowing” your guests is surprising them. If they already know that you’re changing into a different dress for dancing or sending guests home with a batch of your grandma’s cookies, they won’t be quite as impressed on your wedding day.

Photos only take you so far: Videos let you hear your voice tremble as you say your vows, and watch your friends tear up on the dance floor. With more people documenting your wedding, you’ll see things you may have missed on the day.

If you have any question’s or comments about this post, feel free to contact the publisher Kon at KSG_Productions@yahoo.com

There are literally hundreds of styles of wedding cakes to choose from.  Take a look at the gallery below and see if there is a design you like best!

[[Show as slideshow]] Another important decision is choosing the flavor of your wedding cake. Would you prefer a plain yellow center that you know everyone would enjoy or would you dare to be a little adventurous and try something like buttercream, red velvet, or strawberry short cake? The options are endless so be sure to taste test and shop around!

Here is a great site that you might find your favorite flavor of cake! Wedding Cake Flavors

The Charles Mack Citizen Center opened in 1995 originally named the Mooresville Citizen Center. Six years later, in 2001, it was renovated by the CJ Mack Foundation, and then renamed Charles Mack Citizen Center in May of 2005. 

            For your ultimate dream wedding, the Center offers two outdoor event areas as well as six ballrooms meaning that this is the perfect location to host your ceremony as well as your reception. 

            For your corporate events, we, as well as The Charles Mack Citizen Center, knows just how incredibly important your meetings and your parties are for your business.  Whether you are hosting a seminar or conference, this space will allow you to have everything that you need. From round table seating for dinners, to lecture style desks, and even group tables for boardroom style meetings, this venue will serve you well.

We hope that you have enjoyed are venue review. For more information please visit their website at www.cmccmooresville.com/

According to a recent post by http://answerology.cosmopolitan.com/ there were several mixed reviews about having a bar at your wedding. Several individuals thought that the bride and groom should make the decision, being that it is THEIR special day.  Others felt it was very selfish.

Recently, Charlotte DJ & Events conducted a poll on our facebook fan site, to receive some feed back on the issue.  The majority of users who answered said that if the wedding were dry they would sneak their own alcohol into it. But before you bring alcohol into someone else’s wedding here are a few things to think about:

            -Are there alcoholics in the bride and groom’s families?

            -Do they feel that drinking alcohol is morally wrong?

            -Are they on a budget, and cant afford to purchase everyone alcohol?

If you have chosen to make your wedding dry, here are some ideas that can replace the alcohol portion of your wedding.

Instead of doing a champagne toast for you and all of your guests, why not try using sparkling white grape juice or cider?

And for that signature cocktail that you are not going to have, try creating and using a “mocktail”, which gives an appearance of alcohol as well as something fancy and non-alcoholic.  If this is a route you are looking to go check out this great website. 

For more information on dry weddings please contact the blogger at Doug@charlottedjservice.com  

Located in Mooresville North Carolina, Carrigan Farms has been a family owned fifth generation farm since 1902. This family specializes in growing their own fruits and vegetables.  One of the most unique amenities that this venue offers is its own organic grown produce. They sell their fruits and vegetables to vendors as well as use these products at the events on their premises. 

Other accommodations that the Carrigan Farms offers are several wonderful two brick ranch guest houses.  These houses are available for rental.  One of the houses is up to date with modern furnishings, the other, is dressed and furnished with antiques.  Each of the houses hold six to eight people and are available for the use of the bride and groom. 

Be sure to watch this video to see more of this beautiful venue! If you are interested in knowing more about this venue please contact them through their website at www.carriganfarms.com 

Click here to view the embedded video.

So, before making the final decision to forgo “professional sound assistance” at the ceremony, first, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I having an outdoor ceremony?
2. Will there be more than 25-30 people at my wedding?
3. Do I want my wedding to run smoothly, without complications?

If you answered “yes” to any of the previous questions then please read further.

When having an outdoor ceremony, clear sound amplification is vital. After all, it is nice to hear what the wedding officiant is saying to the audience in addition to clearly hearing the soloist who will be singing a special song; (that they rehearsed for months) however, if they aren’t able to project at a decent volume level, people who are sitting past the fifth row will not be able to hear what is being spoken or sung.

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Voices should be outwardly heard and not softly uttered. A lapel microphone coupled with a directional mic receiver/ transmitter package and a high powered sound reinforcement system will ensure clarity and preciseness. To  the average reader, it sounds very high tech and expensive to obtain, but in actuality, it is not.  Moreover, enlisting a professional who will be present the day of the event will ensure a problem free occasion.

For more information regarding the right sound for your outdoor ceremony, feel free to set up a free one-on-one consultation with a member of our staff. After all, sound advice is always free.

Chris Fletcher

This week Charlotte DJ & Events had the pleasure of sitting down with Reverend Virginia Wood for an interview.

Virginia is a wedding officiant in the local Greensboro area and has been a minister for the past 11 years.  She began her ministry in Connecticut, shortly moved to New Jersey and then finally down to North Carolina. While in between churches, Rev. Wood began applying her services and expertise to the wedding industry. 

Virginia’s experience in the wedding world has allowed her to perform ceremonies for a very broad spectrum of individuals such as couples with themed weddings, Russian and Bulgarian weddings, bi-racial weddings, and of course traditional weddings.  Rev. Wood stated, “When it comes to marriage, love is blind and has no boundaries in all walks of life; whether the couple has known each other for three weeks or for ten years, every couple brings their own story.”

In our recent interview we asked her if she would take us through the process that soon-to-be-newlyweds would have to go through. Here was her response.

“The first and far most important aspect is to plan the date of the wedding”  She told us that her busiest months were June and October and that it is very important that you plan ahead especially for the busy wedding months.

Next, she sets up a meeting with the newlyweds so they have the opportunity to interview and get to know her a little better.

Finally, Rev. Wood gives them a contract as well as a special wedding planner (click here to read it). “This wedding planner isn’t your typical planner,” she explained, “it helps the engaged couple  write their wedding vows and customize their wedding ceremony exactly how they envision it!”

Charlotte DJ & Events hopes you have enjoyed this insight into one of our favorite wedding officiants. For more information on Rev. Virginia Wood, please contact her at revvirginiawood@gmail.com or give her a call at 336-681-4991.  Her website is www.greesboroweddingminister.com

Charlotte DJ & Events knows that beach inspired weddings are always a popular choice for brides everywhere.  Today we are going to share a few ideas for the décor at your wedding.  

Great Idea #1:  Instead of using old boring place holders at your guests seat, use these beautiful sea shell name tag holders, that will stick with your beach theme.  Follow this link to find out where you can buy these and how much they can cost.

Great Idea #2: As we all know, it can get hot at the beach which means your beverages may easily get hot too! In order to prevent excess condensation on glasses as well as your nice cold beverages from warming up, we suggest that you use coconut cups! And if you’re a bride on a budget, keep in mind that these wonderful, inexpensive cups could also double as a wedding gift for your guests.  Check out this site to find your best deal on this style of cup!

Great Idea #3: This last great idea leads away from the traditional guest book.  Since you are at the beach, why not use a surfboard as your guest book to create a unique experience for all of your guests?! It can be a memorable memento! You can hang it up in your house as a decorative piece. 

We hope that you have enjoyed some of our ideas and gained some inspiration for your “dream wedding.” For more information, please contact this blogger, Doug, at Doug@charlottedjservice.com

Charlotte DJ & Events is the area’s premiere event company serving Charlotte, Mooresville, Lake Norman, Rock Hill, Pineville, Cleveland, and surrounding areas. Feel free to contact us at: