CAISO Steel Drum Band

5 things to know about Caiso

We love sharing with you through our blog posts and want to take this opportunity to point out a few things you can find here:

• Free music downloads including free ringtones here
• Easy access to booking information & a sample booking contract here
• How SteelBand Music got to DC via Howard University & Caiso's Contribution to Black History here
• How to hire a live band for Weddings, Corporate & Social events here
• Hit the Play button on the top left sidebar, surf around our site, and listen to some of our Caribbean music as you discover the treasures we have provided.

Here is our latest video we would like to share with you:

 

We also invite you to subscribe to our Blog's RSS feed, Friend us on Facebook, and to please Follow Us on Twitter!  We also maintain a YouTube Channel in which you can view some CAISO personal videos. 

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Cheap Wedding Dresses and How to Save on Wedding Costs

Looking for ways to save money on a wedding while still keeping it classy and romantic?  You can do it if you know where to stretch your dollar and how to make a wedding “feel” more expensive that it really was!  Here are some tips for a cheap wedding that will leave your guests wondering how you pulled it off!

• The wedding dress can be one of the most expensive parts of a wedding and most of the money will be paying not for the dress but for the opportunity to buy the dress from the seller.  Most wedding dress shops mark up their “in season” gowns by 60% to 75%.  Once you realize that then you can feel better about looking for last season’s gowns on the sale rack.  Also watch out for seasonal sales from national bridal gown shops such as David’s Bridal.  Another way to save money on a gown is to be on the lookout for a wedding dress that someone else spent tons of money on but they now want to get it out of their closet.  Go to consignment and vintage stores to be able to try on the dress and check for things that would need to be repaired on the dress.  Most are in great shape and you can save 90% on the cost of the gown or even more!
• Make your wedding gown an original.  Go to a fabric store and take a look at the patterns available for wedding gowns.  You will be pleasantly surprised at the patterns which are from top name bridal gown designers and the latest designs.  Even if you don’t sew you can take advantage of having a custom made gown by asking the fabric shop for the name of a good seamstress.  They can also be considered to make the bridesmaids gowns if you schedule far enough ahead of time.  By having a custom made gown you can decide on the fabric, style, mix and match sleeves from different patterns, etc.  If you are prepared to attach your own pearls and crystals to “bling” the gown yourself then you can save a lot of money.  Have your mother, sister, or friend help you do the work and you have not only created a custom gown but an heirloom gown as well.
• You can negotiate prices on tuxedos.  Go to different dealers and ask them to price you the cost of the men’s attire.  Many will offer to throw in the cost of the groom’s tux but go a step further and ask for them to do the same for your dad’s tux.  If you save your dad or the person walking you down the aisle a bit of money then that cost can go elsewhere.  Plan ahead and be willing to be patient and shop around and you can get a better price than by going to just one store.
• Cut down on the time for your wedding photographer and you can get more pictures instead of paying for more time.  Have your group and family pictures done before the wedding.  Have a moment alone with the groom to let him see your gown and consider it a good strategy to have that alone moment before you go down the aisle and get the nerves under control before you are in front of guests.  It allows you to take pictures before the wedding and your makeup and hair is fresh and everyone is free of tears.  Pictures after the wedding take longer and are stressful since you know your guests are waiting.  It will cut down on the time of your photographer for the wedding pics and you can save money.
• Ask a live band to give you a cost for your reception and if the cost doesn’t fit your budget then ask if they can cut down on the band members and offer you a better price.  Seasoned bands that can offer you the professionalism you want for a wedding will be ready to give you this option.  Having a live band makes the ambiance of a wedding completely different than recorded music.  It will make your wedding seem much more expensive when really it isn’t more expensive to have a live band for your wedding reception.
• Consider a dessert table to cut down on the expense of hors d'oeuvres.  Ask the caterer or the person in charge of the reception food to start with hors d’oeuvres that are light and then bring out the desserts!  Everyone loves desserts and having different choices can give everyone the opportunity to indulge.  Another great idea is to offer the favorite candies of the bride and groom on the table – especially childhood favorites.  You may find many brides copying your dessert table idea.  Then you can send wedding cake home with guests to enjoy later. 
• Rent instead of buying.  Almost anything you can rent will save you money over buying it.  Why buy large tablecloths for the reception tables if you can rent them?  You can rent almost anything these days including bridal gowns and bridesmaid’s gowns.  Get your list out and go to your local rental facilities and see what they can offer you.  Beware of being talked into more than you intended.  Go there with your list and stick to it.  Remember this is all about saving money not about getting extras that you didn’t intend on in the first place.
• Choose greenery versus flowers.  Take a stance for a “green” wedding and go to a local plant nursery and ask about renting ferns, ficus trees and other plants.  They will be gorgeously full and they will often deliver and pick up for a very low cost. 
• One of the top costs of a reception is the facility rental cost.  By choosing a unique place for the reception you could save on cost versus a hotel or other usually expensive venue.  Consider a docked boat that doesn’t take to the water (you can say you didn’t want guests to get seasick) and the impact is still much the same docked as out on the water.  There are many charter boats that cater to wedding receptions and by staying docked you save on the crew fees.  It also allows guests to leave as they wish versus being stuck on the boat.  Museums, colleges, and parks are options as well as organization’s meeting places.  Fairgrounds often have very nice facilities that can be rented as well.  If the generic look of a church fellowship hall is not what you want then consider what fresh plants and a few nice rugs can do for a plain area.  Again, renting is the way to go and contact a commercial rug renting company and plant nursery for options.  These items along with rented fabric chairs can transform a plain room into an elegant reception area.

Things that should not be skipped on are 1) the invitations, which set the mood and tone of your wedding and provides the first impression and 2) the reception music.  By planning ahead you can cut costs on your wedding invitations by getting them printed versus doing them at home.  Very often the ink cartridges for at home printing turn out to be much more expensive in the long run.  Save on mailing costs by hand delivering the invitations to close family and friends.  A hand delivered invitation should only have the name of the guest and not their address on the front.  The special attention by hand delivering will be appreciated and considered thoughtful.  The music will be the last impression of your wedding and will set the tone that will be carried home by your guests.  These two things begin your wedding celebration and end them and should be carefully considered.  For all the things in between think outside the box, plan ahead, and be willing to skip the 6 foot tall cake for one that will actually feed the number of guests you will have at your reception.  A wedding is a celebration of your marriage with those you care about and care for you.  If the choices you make are true to who you are then you have made the right choice.

Bridal and Wedding Trends for Upcoming Fashion Seasons

Wedding and bridal fashion has trends just as any other fashion might.  The Royal Wedding last year has prompted a return to traditional bridal gown designs as well as a spark of nostalgia and romance.  Designers are offering up a whole new influence that hasn’t been seen in decades.

Lace is becoming the keyword in bridal fashion for the coming seasons.  Influences by Hollywood starlets of bygone eras such as Vivian Leigh and Betty Davis are making an impact on designers.  Consider the beautiful necklines in the gowns worn in “Gone with the Wind”  or Audrey Hepburn’s gowns in “Sabrina” and the silhouettes will mimic what designers are bringing out for Brides to choose from for their special day.

Brides are no longer wanting to make that grand entrance that will turn everyone’s head and drop jaws by the mere design, but rather they are choosing designs that fit into the entire mood of the wedding and denote romance, taste, and timeless elegance.  They want their gowns to speak of the entire event and not just the Bride’s tastes alone apart from the event.  If one considers the dress worn by Kate Middleton in last spring’s Royal Wedding they can see the impression a gown can have on an event if it portrays the entire wedding in the design and fabric, along with an heirloom profile, neckline, skirt and train.

The return to romance and tradition is leading many Brides to ask to see their Mother’s or even their Grandmother’s gowns if they are lucky.  Seeking out a talented seamstress to bring the gown to a custom fit and updated draping or neckline will make use of a gown that is a priceless heirloom and treasure.  Designers can only copy and try to bring about the nostalgia of an heirloom design but those that have the opportunity to use a vintage family wedding gown should not pass up the chance to do so.

Longer veils are coming back into fashion and Brides can definitely set their fashion statement of romance, tradition, and elegance through a long flowing veil attached to a fresh flower headband or a family heirloom hair comb once worn by Grandmother. 

Brides will find that the use of heirloom pieces in their wedding ensemble offers the opportunity to save money while being dressed in a priceless fashion item.  If there isn’t an heirloom wedding gown or veil to choose from then perhaps a visit to a vintage clothing store can offer up a treasure.  Be prepared to find competition in searching for a vintage wedding gown as Brides seek to find vintage gowns to redesign and make it their own rather than wear a “cookie cutter” designed gown that can be ordered from a bridal salon.  This is pushing up the cost of vintage wedding gowns that once were hard to give away at yard sales in years past.  Now they are the new fashion find worth thousands in some instances.

Brides looking to be on the edge of upcoming Bridal fashion trends will do well to think lace, conservative necklines, with fitted waists and fuller skirts, all with vintage, and heirloom influences.  Brides choosing to take advantage of these new trends will be making a unique statement much like Kate Middleton did last spring.  The impression will be long lasting as that Bride leaves thoughts of romance and elegance in the minds of those attending the wedding and the pictures will represent a timeless and fashionable Bride as the years pass by.

Culturally Mixed Wedding Planning: 8 Tips to Create a Beautiful Ceremony

Planning a wedding? Are you and your fiancé are from different cultures? The most important aspect is to consider blending wedding traditions from both cultures to create a splendid wedding and reception. 

As you begin planning consider that most wedding traditions include culture, race, heritage, and religious components. It is important to decide which traditions mean the most to you and you partner.

Your family matters, (especially if they are the ones paying for the wedding) but this can be a hinderance due to difference of opinion of your wedding.  Creating a wedding that demonstrates respect for both cultures can be done and be absolutely fabulous.

First things first, sit down a talk to your fiancé about which traditions are most important to you.  Then consider the budget, date, venue, and fancey frills.  Communication is key, be open about what to include in the ceremony, be mutually respectful of each others opinions.

Next, talk with both of your families (it may be best to do this separately) to consider their advice in the ceremony planning.  Let them know that you would like to respect family traditions and combine them in the planning process.

8 Tips to Consider when planning a culturely mixed wedding:

1. Invitations: Send out two sets of invitations.
2. Venue: Consider a neutral site such as Park, Ballroom, Scenic Clubhouse, or non-relegious location.
3. Decor: Set up should include both cultures. Make your families feel good by using flowers and candles as centerpieces that represent both cultures.
4. Programs: Use 2 sets in same style and theme. Bride and Groom could write a personal note on the bottom in each program to demonstrate their respective culture.
5. Music: Use a mix of music from both cultures, instrumental music can provide seamless transitions and set an endearing climate.
6. Reading: Alternate reading in both languages as part of the ceremony.  Consider saying the vows in both languages so that the family and friends understand completely.
7. Reception: Plan seating so that people sit with someone they can communicate with and enjoy the festive occassion.
8. Menu: Getting the right food for everyone is a awesome task. Try buffet style to have two separate stations catering to both cultures. Or if you are using a menu, have options designed around both cultures. Find a caterer in your area to help you plan the best meal for your reception.

Remember, every couple is different, your wedding is about you and your spouse.  It is the beginning of a journey in matrimony that will take you to places you have never been.  Merge your style, values, and characteristics together to create a beautiful and unique event that collaborates both cultures.

For more great information visit http://www.CaisoSteelBand.com

 

 

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Wedding Wednesday Blog: 7 Trendy Wedding Blogs for Brides.

It's summertime so we're takin it easy, rocking in a hammock in the shade enjoying the cool breeze and green trees, vibin to good music.

Meanwhile there are many Brides & Wedding Planners  preparing for  the Big Day.

These 7 trendy wedding blogs provide  tips to inspire Brides & Planners during the wedding planning experience.

Hey...surf a couple of the blogs (after ours of course...lol) you never know what you will find or experience. You may achieve a "less stress" attitude, so you can rock back & relax like us. Finally, read our previous blog posts and connect with us on YouTube, Facebook, & Twitter.

Here you go the 7 trendy Wedding Blogs:

BridalTweet touts itself as "The Engaged Wedding Community" which it is.  We have enjoyed our experience blogging and interacting with brides and vendors on the site.

GigMasters "The Wedding Blog" GigMasters.com is one of the top online Music Entertainment Booking agencies.  CAISO SteelBand is honored to have a "5" Star Rating on Gigmasters.com.

The following Blogs are hip and interesting thats why we included them on this list.

http://invitationsbyajalon.com

http://bellethemagazine.blogspot.com

http://fashionfling.blogspot.com

http://blytheponytailparades.typepad.com

http://www.fashiontrendslive.com

You know...we play music so weddings aren't nearly as stressful for us because, we take care of our business.

Our goal is to satisfy our Clients. Musically as well as with customer service during the booking process.

We take pride in the way we entertain and educate people about three things:

the SteelPan Instrument; Current Music Events; and

Helpful/Interesting Content for Brides and Wedding Planners.

Hey... we put together this list of 7 trendy wedding blogs we have found interesting just to kill some time while we relax and unwind.

Irie!

For more great information about the Steelpan instrument you can visit my SteelBand Music and Current Event Blog at http://www.CaisoSteelBand.com

From Michael "The SteelPan Guy" King Jr.- Caiso SteelBand Booking Manager

Tips for Choosing the Right Live Band, DJ, or Soloist for Your Wedding or Reception

The music for your reception and your wedding is important for setting the ambiance of your day.  While the arrangements for your music should be made far in advance, especially to secure the Band, DJ or Soloist you desire, the steps to smart choices can often be difficult.  It isn't often that one schedules music or hires a professional, and so the experience in doing so is not available and the task becomes overwhelming for many a Bride.

Not only is CAISO a professional band with 30 years experience in providing live Caribbean music to the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area, but also the professionals most sought out by the discerning Brides in those areas.  The Band is so highly sought after that in the beginning of the year, they opened up their calendar to include more dates to accommodate the demand from Brides.  This experience in working on the other side of the entertainment for a Wedding can provide valuable information for a Bride planning her Wedding music.  Below are some value tips that should be helpful:

• Time is of the essence when securing a live Band, a DJ, or a Soloist to entertain your guests during the Wedding Ceremony, prior to the Ceremony, or at the Reception.  The calendars for these entertainers are very busy, with not only Weddings but other events, so it is important to book them early on to make sure they are available for yours. 
• Keep in mind that it is beyond the music you like that should be a consideration.  The music is setting the tone for your event.  If it is an outdoor summer wedding, then a Caribbean band can be the choice to set the mood correctly.  The same can be said for a Bride and Groom wanting to have a joyful reception setting connecting the reception to their honeymoon destination of a tropical location.  Also, a small intimate party would be perfect for a soloist or a quartet.  This is the perfect background music for a spring morning intimate wedding.  Choose the music that will correctly match the tone and feeling you want for your event, then choose the actual music or songs.
• Make sure the Band, DJ, or Soloist you hire has a very comprehensive contract.  It should state the date of the event, price, the amount of time they should play, the song list can also be included, and there should be a stipulation about the ability to or not to play longer should your party be so lively that you want them to play longer.  The cost of playing longer should be in the contract as well.  There should also be notes as to when they should be set up and when breaks should be taken.
• Be open to suggestions from your Band, DJ, or Soloist.  It could be they have played at your venue before and can offer suggestions as to where they should set up, and other pointers.  Chances are they can offer you ideas that other Brides have used successfully for entrance songs, first dances, etc.
• Some Bands and Soloists welcome the opportunity to share their music with other possible clients.  A CD of the music they play at your wedding can be affordably purchased and slipped into a personalized CD cover to give your guests as a parting gift, especially if you allow them to do a bit of advertising on the CD itself.  The more advertising for the Band or Soloist then the less the cost should be for you to purchase the CDs.  It can not only serve as a gift for guests but can be used to play at pre-wedding events to get your guests familiar with their music and tying events together with your Wedding.  It also provides a nice memento for the Bride and Groom to play while on their honeymoon, anniversaries, and romantic evenings.

The music planning is important and hopefully these tips will help you better plan this important part of your Wedding.  CAISO would love the opportunity to bring the ultimate live band experience to your wedding.  It is simple to contact us and to book us for your wedding.  Our years of experience in working with Brides will ensure your choice is the right one when it comes to choosing the best entertainment for your Wedding Event.  We welcome the opportunity to work with you and look forward to talking with you, contact us today. 

 For more great information about the Steelpan instrument you can visit my SteelBand Music and Current Event Blog at http://www.CaisoSteelBand.com

From Michael "The SteelPan Guy" King Jr.- Caiso SteelBand Music Group

Welcome to the Cyber Home of the Famous C.A.I.S.O. Steeldrum Band

Thank you for visiting the cyber home of C.A.I.S.O. - the hottest steeldrum band in the surrounding DC and Baltimore area.  C.A.I.S.O. music draws from Calypso, Soca, Reggae, and Latin Jazz influences.  This combination brings the right variety in a band that can certainly make an event special. 

 

The Famous C.A.I.S.O. Steeldrum Band brings their easy going music of the Caribbean to your event along with the Professionalism of a Band that has been performing and entertaining for over 30 years.  From headlining concert events, opening for nationally known touring bands, turning a wedding into a true celebration, to branding and promoting a product or company - C.A.I.S.O. is the right choice for your celebration!

Just as the right background music makes a movie that much better, it also makes a party a success.  We bring the sunny feeling of the Caribbean as a background to your event.  For a festive musical atmosphere that will provide the right background music for your celebration, you have to choose a Band that knows how to not only perform but entertain as well.  Booking C.A.I.S.O. shows that you care about your event and your guests.  They may not remember the decorations, or the variety of the menu, but they WILL remember how your party made them feel.  C.A.I.S.O. brings the steel drum music of the Caribbean to your event to punctuate that this is a special one, a celebration, one to be remembered.  There will be smiles, swaying shoulders, a carefree mood, and a festive atmosphere brought together by the professional vibes of a Band that wants your event to be as successful as you do!

Hit the play button, stay awhile, and cruise around our site.  Here you can find a portal to easily book us for your event or request a free quote.  Read comments from a few of our MANY satisfied customers and learn more about the history of C.A.I.S.O.  You can join us on facebook, follow us on Twitter, check out our upcoming performances, buy our latest CD, find a cool shirt to sport about town (YES! It will make you COOL!), and keep up with our latest news through our blog posts. 

To bring a bit of C.A.I.S.O. to your everyday, which is sure to make you have a better one, you can download a few ring-tones for your mobile phone.  So, cruise around our site, and then go ahead and contact us - we'd love to make your event special.  We are happy to entertain at events in the DC-Baltimore area, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and surrounding West Virginia territory.  Let C.A.I.S.O. be a part of your plans and send your guests home with the feeling that it truly was everything you wanted it to be - a wondrous, joyful, and happy celebration! 

Please stay awhile and read through our blog posts below:

Music Monday: Caiso SteelBand Quick Fact and SteelDrum Lessons

 

For more great information about the Steelpan instrument you can visit my SteelBand Music and Current Event Blog at http://www.CaisoSteelBand.com

From Michael "The SteelPan Guy" King Jr.- Caiso SteelBand Booking Manager

One of the Most Anticipated Events of the Year: The Bella Swan and Edward Cullen Wedding

The most anticipated wedding of 2011 would have many people naming the glamorous and historic wedding of the future King and Queen of England, Prince William and his long time love Kate Middleton.  Yet there is another wedding of which people will be lining up all over the globe to witness and is garnering as much attention as the one that happened earlier this year.  Which designer will have the honor of designing “the” dress, what will the dress look like, what songs will be chosen to set the tone of the wedding, and what will the vows be like are all questions swirling around in conversations, in the media, and blogs around the globe.  The weddings will both conclude with having been witnessed by millions, the only difference is that one of them is fictional. 

The wedding that has all the buzz right now is the up-coming wedding between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, the fictional characters of Stephenie Meyers Twilight Series played in the movie adaptations by Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson.  Just like the Royal Wedding there are key parts of the wedding under wraps and leaks are officially being released here and there as the big day of November 18 draws closer.  In the new movie “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1” the main female character, Bella, marries the love of her life Edward, who just happens to be a vampire.  Both the books and the movies have a large fan base and just as there is likely to be a financial upswing in the wedding industry after the Royal Wedding there will be one after the movie is released and fans get a view of the carefully planned wedding of two beloved fictional characters.

No one has seen the dress yet, though there was a sneak peek of her veil and a sleeve in a teaser trailer for the film.  The dress will have to wait, but there has been an official pre-release of the wedding music.  Just as in the Royal Wedding, this wedding will have original music written just for the couple and old favorites loved by the couple.  The soundtrack will officially be in stores on November 8 and no doubt will supply many love songs for weddings over the next few years or possibly decades.  One song, “A Thousand Years” written by Christina Perri was penned just for the couple after Perri got a sneak viewing of the movie.  Bruno Mars has leant his talents toward the song he wrote for the movie called “It Will Rain”.  One song that fans will be touched to hear again is the song that Bella and Edward danced to in the first “Twilight” Movie at Bella’s prom called “Flightless Bird, American Mouth,” by Iron & Wine.  It has been reworked into what is being called "the wedding version".  Could this be a hint of which song will bring Bella down the aisle?

The official soundtrack listing is:

 The Joy Formidable, "Endtapes"

 Angus & Julia Stone, "Love Will Take You"

 Bruno Mars, "It Will Rain"

 Sleeping at Last, "Turning Page"

 The Features, "From Now On"

 Christina Perri, "A Thousand Years"

 Theophilus London, "Neighbors"

 The Belle Brigade, "I Didn't Mean It"

 Noisettes, "Sister Rosetta (2011 Version)"

 Cider Sky, "Northern Lights"

 Iron & Wine, "Flightless Bird, American Mouth (Wedding Version)"

 Imperial Mammoth, "Requiem on Water"

 Aqualung & Lucy Schwartz, "Cold"

 Mia Maestro, "Llovera"

 Carter Burwell, "Love Death Rebirth"

Brides all over the globe that have fallen in love with the Twilight romance will be falling in love with the idea to pull a bit of romance from their favorite romantic couple’s wedding and infuse it into their own wedding.  Expect to see new wedding trends emerge inspired by the “Breaking Dawn” movie but there will probably be nothing more likely to show up in weddings everywhere than the music.  Music always heightens the moment and the emotions in a movie.  What better way to bring those feelings of deep love and romance from the screen into your own wedding than to let the music set the stage for your own once in a lifetime moment?  Grab the tissues and take notes, here comes another wedding to inspire Brides everywhere! 

Could anything top the buzz surrounding the Royal Wedding and the Breaking Dawn Wedding?  You bet!  The two stars of the “Breaking Dawn” movie have been dating for years now and the romance is very serious.  Should Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson decide in the future to marry for real, there will be more Hollywood buzz surrounding that wedding than anything seen in 2011.  Once more young girls will dream and Brides will take inspiration for their own plans.  Another designer will get top billing, a wedding gown will come to life from the vision of a Bride, another love song will be written, and we will all once again happily embrace the opportunity to see the Bride walk down the aisle looking like a vision of beauty as the music transports our hearts.  Grab the tissues!

Your Wedding vs. Kim Kardashian’s - Earth911.com

via earth911.com

Its safe to say that most people want their marriage to last longer than Kim Kardashian's did, right.  Found this blog on the web, its filled with valuable information to help your marriage survive 72 days and beyond.

Millions of viewers tuned in to see Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries say their “I dos” on the E! Network. But with divorce rumors circulating less than three months after the big day, fans aren’t quite sure what to think about the public nuptials.

read more of Your Wedding vs. Kim Kardashian's