AboutAlan Mckenzie Expertise All music related questions for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Questions on timelines, unique reception ideas, hiring wedding entertainment, finding entertainment professionals.
Experience Over 23 years experience as a Disc Jockey with the last 15 years as a wedding entertainment specialist. Experienced in planning, helping to coordinate and entertaining clients and guests in a professional, fun and elegent manner.
In addition I have taught several seminars on interaction (as an entertainer), microphone skills, business plans, keeping yourself educated, digital DJ'ing and more.
Organizations American Disc Jockey Assoc., Pacific Coast Disc Jockey Association (Past President & also a founding member), Southern Calif. Entertainers Assoc., ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants), Bridal Assoc. of America, Oxnard Chamber of Commerce.
Education/Credentials I have attended several seminars specifically related to mobile dj's as well as workshops and seminars for coordinators, speakers, team building, presentations, voice skills and more.
Awards and Honors Past President of the Pacific Coast Disc Jockey Assoc.
Past/Present Clients We keep our clients information confidential. However, if you need some, please specify how many and we will contact some of our clients to get permission to give you their contact information.
Question My stepdaughter(who has lived with me since age 2) is getting married Friday. Where should I be seated during the ceremony? If Mothers seat on the front row, my husband will not sit by her.
Answer Dear Cindy,
First of all, my advice might sound harsh, but it needs to be said. Your husband needs to realize that this is his DAUGHTERS day, not his and you should both consult HER about this issue before putting it to rest. What does SHE want? Who knows, you might even find that she doesn't want her bio-mom to sit in the first row at all!
Secondly, there should be plenty of room in the first row for all of you and perhaps you can find someone in the immediate family who will sit between your husband and his ex-wife? A brother? Sister? Grandparents (of bride that is#??
If not, then you might consider stepping up and being gracious enough to sit between your husband and his ex-wife. This would also entitle you to 'second seat' #the second seat from the aisle with your husband sitting in the first seat after walking his daughter down the aisle#.
I would also suggest you forgo the 'official' seating of the parents %26 grandparents so as not to 'spotlight' the issue of multiple parents. But again, it should be the BRIDES choice, not yours.
It sounds like YOU are her 'mother' and that this other woman is mother in blood only. So please keep this in mind. YOU raised her and hopefully instilled within her good character and manners when it comes to situations like this. So keep it up by being gracious, loving and happy on this day of celebration and joining. Do whatever it takes so that she does NOT have to worry about family squabbles or infighting on this special day.
Just keep a smile on your face no matter what and be welcoming and gracious to ALL who were invited. If the bio-mom starts a fuss or becomes rude, just let it go. You #and your husband# should be the bigger people and not give in to the temptation of what could turn into a ruinous event for your daughter. In fact, if you go OUT OF YOUR WAY to be pleasing to her, she will either respond in kind or it will really tick her off that you could even do so! Either way, at the end of the day, you win out!
I hope you, your husband and your daughter and her new husband have a fantastic day filled with fun and happy memories!
