Archive for Relationships
Jan
14
The Role of a Wedding DJ
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The Disc Jockey at a wedding is the person in charge of music during dinner and especially during the dancing, combining music tracks from different styles to ensure that all guests' musical tastes are catered for and have great memories of the Evening. During dinner the Wedding DJ is creating a friendly atmosphere with soft background music and playing curtain songs for the Bride and groom at specific times of the evening such as the entrance of the reception, cutting of the cake and especially the opening bridal waltz dance.
During the dancing and unlike a nightclub DJ, the wedding DJ will be playing different styles of music and this is due to the different ages and musical tastes of the guests at the wedding. Also the Wedding DJ give's a better impression dressed in suit and tie, and should be open to suggestions and requests of the guests, provided they fall within the styles set by the couple and is in tune with the type of Music the couple have requested.
Sound And Lighting equipment: The sound system is very important as good sound can be the key to a successful night while poor sound can cause real discomfort among the guests, especially during the dancing if the volume is ear piercing. The most important part of the sound system is its power and clarity.
The Lighting Show: Adequate lighting is essential at a wedding, to set the mood for the bridal waltz but without attempting to create a light show that is seen at nightclubs but more appropriate for a wedding.
Finally when deciding on a Wedding DJ, now that you know the DJ's main role. It's important to meet with the DJ before your wedding night and if possible see them at a function to get a feel for how they perform. After all they are going to be a part of the most important night of your life.
Related Blogs
- Related Blogs on The Role of a Wedding DJ
- Amateur Wedding DJ Horror Stories
Jan
12
So How Do I Find a Really Good Disc Jockey For My Upcoming Wedding Anyways?
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Not a question everyone would think of surprisingly, we have all either thought or have heard it when out for a special event or function. "OMG this DJ if awful why is he playing this crappy music from like ten years ago?" Alternately you may have heard or said "This Disc Jockey is awesome, I have know every song he has played so far!" But what is the big difference besides the obvious, and does everybody at the event feel this way or it just you?
Let me break it down for you, in a previous article I had written I said "just because you think that your musical intellect is flawless chances are at least half of your guests won't and will be gone from your event within just a few hours." This is even more relevant when it comes to being a professional disc jockey. When a great DJ works he isn't playing the songs he wants to or even enjoys for the most part, instead he is "reading the room" checking out everything around him from the age group to the expressions and movements and even the feet, are the tapping or is the crowd stiff and bored looking?
After evaluating the surroundings he will pick from the appropriate genre, no boys and girls he doesn't pick a song that he liked a lot when he was a teenager; he picks a top twenty hit from that era and genre. Does that mean he particularly enjoys grooving to Michael Jackson? Most likely not but he knows that the opening bars of "Billie Jean" will pack his dance floor in no time, as you see just because he doesn't like the track doesn't mean it shouldn't be played! A great DJ can have your party hopping all night long and appear to be having a blast, while a rookie disc jockey stands a real chance of destroying your big event entirely.
In my two decades in the Disc Jockey business I have had several guys work for my companies in the past, so I have a pretty good idea of what can go wrong with a party if the DJ is simply passable. With that in mind there are a few types of DJs that you'll want to avoid like the plague when planning for your upcoming event.
The first type of DJ is the "Prima Donna" he comes to your party with a set list of songs in his head or on a playlist that he really likes. Then this party host that you booked and paid for proceeds to basically hijack your entire party or event by only playing what he likes while ignoring most of your guest's requests, yes folks this really happens, even to club owners.
The second is the "Guy Who Can't Say No" Quick scenario is that we are all at a country bar on a Friday night, their format is new country but lucky us... there are two tables of college aged girls sitting near the dance floor and periodically visiting the DJ booth. They want to hear top 40 dance music and the house disc jockey plays a few new pop tunes to keep them happy, he thinks the one girl is cute. Then the "Bad DJ" problem begins because these same girls are now requesting dance stuff and a lot of it. The DJ for some unknown reason just can't say no; so what happens next? The country bar is quickly converted to a top 40 dance bar for that given night and there are now numerous customers complaining and saying they won't be back, all this while the owners are all wondering what went wrong.
The third is the "Deaf Disc Jockey" this is the guy that everybody tells you to book but when he shows up he drives most of your guest out of your party within just a few hours by blaring the music at eardrum splitting levels, in his defense he usually plays half decent music and also claims to have been doing this for years if you complain, what he fails to realize is that the sound has caused him ear damage over those same years and now he is literally half deaf! Hope your all still following me, because what we end up with in this case is a pretty good experienced DJ who just doesn't know he is blasting your guests out. This also happens with a lot of rookie DJs who are just getting started in the business. Like boys with new cars that have to go out and drag race, these new disc jockeys are just waiting to see how loud they can make the system go, no hearing loss excuse in these instances this is just plain old inexperience or not being comfortable with their new system.
The fourth and final DJ type to avoid is the most dangerous, the "We're Always Available" guys. I have never understood why a company would want to announce this on their websites or Kijiji/Craigslist ads. Should they not just write "Hi, Nobody Wants To Book Us" after all if you're always available what does that say about your company and its lack of return clients? So steer clear of these companies folks, there is definitely a real reason behind why these businesses are always available! I can tell you this as an industry insider our entertainment company weekends are usually booked up solid 6-8 weeks in advance at any given time without fail, that's what happens when you provide top quality service; our clients know and respect this. Besides, why would you hire someone that nobody else trusts to host their event anyways?
In conclusion you really can't tell what your chosen DJ will be like, but if you simply ask for some references any decent company will be able to provide them, there are no better reviewers than a company's past clientele after all. Choose based on word of mouth and be sure to stay away from the "Bad Guys" Knowing what you're not looking for is a positive step in the right direction!
Jan
11
Wedding DJ Services – Payment Methods
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With the economy in a slum, it's become quite challenging for newly weds to pay for wedding reception services. In many cases, it isn't possible for these brides and grooms to pay for their DJ out of pocket. The intention of this article is to guide struggling brides and grooms of the options available when it comes down to paying for disc jockey services.
Ask your parents. If you were able to pay for the majority of your reception without requesting the help of your parents, they might be quite willing to pay, or at least loan you the money, for your wedding disc jockey. In many cases, parents are quite receptive to help pay for their son or daughter's big day. Compared to the majority of other services required for a modern wedding at a leading reception center, the cost of a DJ is significantly less in the long run.
Take out a loan if you can pay it back. If you're expecting a paycheck or another form of cash within a few months after the event, taking out a small loan is a simple way to clear the issue with paying for the DJ; however, you should only take out a loan if you are certain that you're means will improve after your wedding reception. Getting yourself in a serious debt situation right after your wedding is not a positive way to start the long term relationship.
Talk to your DJ about a payment plan. DJs are being hit hard by the economy too. They understand what you may be going through, and they are usually receptive to any business they can get. Not all DJs will be willing to accept monthly payments, but a large majority of them will. Money is money, and for DJs who consider their disc jockey business as a significant source of income in their household will take money in any form they can receive it. The DJ will ask you to sign a legal contract, so be sure to pay back the monthly balance on time, or at least get in contact with the disc jockey there are any problems with payments, otherwise you'll get yourself involved in some potentially serious litigation. Legal problems are just as bad, if not worse, than debt problems.
When all else fails, cut back on the overall expenses of your event. If you were originally shooting for 3 course meals at $50 a plate, it may be better to go with a cheaper buffet style event, or scale back on the number of courses. Weddings are about spending quality time with those you love and to enjoy each other's company. Although it's become quite common for couples to go all out and dish out tends of thousands of dollars on receptions, the meaning of the event and the enjoyment of the event can still be accomplished at a small reception hall with a more conservative meal. By scaling back on other services, you'll be able to afford entertainment for your event. DJs are a "one size fits all" solution and are very important for any wedding reception. The other services become irrelevant if the guests are having a blast, dancing and chatting with friends and family.
Jan
09
Wedding Disc Jockey Searches – Tips to Find the Perfect Wedding DJ on the Internet
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Finding a mobile wedding DJ in your area can be as easy as opening the yellow pages or asking a friend for a recommendation, but in the twenty first century, it's much easier to find a quality wedding disc jockey to service to your needs using Internet resources.
Google is the first site that comes to mind when one thinks of searching, well, anything. However, Google can be used more than just a website search engine. Google Maps has been enhanced to cater to those looking for specific locations, prices, and reviews from customers. By searching what you want, in this case a wedding DJ, followed by the town you are hosting your event, the first link that will appear will bring you to Google maps. Little red dots indicate where mobile DJs are located and as you zoom across the map, new mobile DJs in different areas will begin to appear on the map with their details and website link information listed on the left. This is a great way to begin searching around for DJs and their websites because it literally sifts through the "garbage" that is usually splurged out of Google and organizes in a manner that can be quite useful.
Although it usually isn't the best idea to simply go with the DJ nearest to your catering center, disc jockey travel costs are always something to consider when hiring a DJ. By starting with DJs who are located near your reception center, you'll be able to determine whether or not you can avoid those hefty travel costs that sometimes accompany a DJ who must travel an hour or two to reach your reception hall. Starting with DJs who are closest to the hall is a very smart way to begin your search for a disc jockey.
As you are searching through Google Maps, begin to look at the information displayed on the left of the page. You'll see address information, a phone number, a link to their website, and a link to view reviews. Sometimes, if the company has been rated, you'll see stars. By clicking on the companies name, more information will appear on the map. Be sure to begin visiting the DJs' websites to get more information on the companies and begin selecting prospective DJs for the interview process.
In addition to Google Maps, a plethora of resources can be found on other websites such as WeDJ.com, Eventective.com, and DJapprove.com. Most DJs list themselves on at least one of these websites. Some of these websites offer honest testimonials from previous customers and event guests who have worked with the DJ in the past. By giving yourself a full view of the disc jockey, you'll be much more prepared for the interview and one step closer to choosing the right disc jockey for your event.
Using the yellow pages, contacting a friend, and attending wedding shows are all still very good ways to look for mobile wedding DJs, but in the twenty first century, don't hold yourself back from using the resources on the Internet to help you find a disc jockey. Not only will these resources save you time, but they'll provide you with valuable feedback and other information that is not available anywhere else.
Jan
04
Wedding Disc Jockey Payment Methods
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For some events, paying a DJ can be a complicated process. Some DJs prefer cash; others are okay with personal checks. In certain cases, a DJ may be able to accept credit or debit cards. Sometimes terms of payment can be unclear. It's very important that you understand the terms of payment and the potential risks involved with each form of payment. Fraud does exist in the DJ industry like in all other sectors, so being alert and aware of your money at all times is crucial.
First and foremost, make sure you receive a receipt for any and all payments you make to the disc jockey. Payments made by personal check or credit/debit cards can be traced, but cash and money order payments are nearly impossible to trace. Obtaining a certified receipt from your disc jockey ensures that you won't be double-billed and that he has been paid for the services you are expecting.
Some DJs may demand cash upfront. Many do this to avoid paying fees to the IRS. This under the table payment system may seem okay and reasonable, but it is against the law for any individual to collect income without claiming it. By paying in cash upfront, you're doing an injustice to our taxing system. In addition, you're putting yourself at risk by giving payment that cannot be reversed in the event that the disc jockey is a fraud. Paying the disc jockey a deposit, not the full amount, upfront after signing the contract is okay, but be sure to check the legitimacy of his business. It is never okay for a DJ to demand payment in full upfront. If you choose to pay the disc jockey the full amount upfront, that is your decisions, but it is quite sketchy for the DJ to be asking for payment without having provided services yet.
Be sure that the payment information is outlined in your contract. If you sign a contract, you should be aware of what you're agreeing to. Some DJs can be sneaky and include hidden fees that you were not aware of and expect payment at the time of the event. Understanding the payment terms before signing the contract allows you to address any concerns and back out of the agreement before it's too late. You don't want to have to worry about unreasonable terms during your wedding. You should be able to enjoy your wedding without any of these concerns.
Ultimately, choosing a DJ that supports the payment method your most comfortable with is extremely importable. A cash deposit is usually reasonable as it prevents the DJ from being liable for a bounced check and it ensures the DJ that you'll hold up your end of the bargain; however, final payment does not need to be in cash, and it is usually safer to avoid cash payments as much as possible. If and when cash payments are made, along with any other form of payment, be sure to request and collect a receipt from the DJ. Keep track of your payments and stick with the payment terms agreed upon at the contract signing. Most DJs are safe and reliable, and usually make the payment process painless, but remain vigilant and be sure that you're working with a reliable and responsible disc jockey.
Dec
27
The Cheese Factor – Cheesy Wedding Disc Jockeys
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The cheesy wedding Disc Jockey.
I've heard the stories from wedding vendors and I have spoken to hundreds of people who have attended weddings as a guest, but until the YouTube sensation I did not fully realize how many cheesy wedding Disc jockey's there really are out there. I don't ever get a chance to be a guest at a wedding myself simply because I'm always working them, but today because of YouTube and other on-line resources you can find an endless amount of what used to be private wedding receptions videos. I constantly study the wedding industry, and keep up with the latest trends. One trend I have noticed in the past year is that more & more brides are choosing a band over a DJ for their wedding. If a band is out of the budget, brides & grooms will provide their own music using an I pod or computer. When I ask why? The number one answer is... "I don't want some cheesy DJ at my wedding." For the most part I don't blame them. I would rather have a band or use an I pod at my own reception than have some cheesy DJ embarrassing me on my wedding day. What do you mean by cheesy?
When I talk about a cheesy DJ, it's just that, the DJ himself, not so much the music the DJ plays. Sure there are numerous songs you may consider cheesy. YMCA, Chicken Dance etc.. Keep in mind there are also Brides & Grooms that like cheesy music. After all it is their wedding and I don't think you would want to deny them of the music they want for their reception. I will play whatever type of music the Bride & Groom wants, and if it's cheesy music so be it. But does that make me a cheesy DJ? If a DJ plays the same common cheesy reception songs for every wedding, you could label that DJ "cheesy", but in all reality, that is someone who really isn't professional and someone who does not know music, know how to read a crowd, and had never learned music programming & formatting. When I speak of a cheesy DJ I mean the DJ's mannerisms, personality, and the way they present themselves on the microphone in front of guests.
The Cheese Factor Why are so many cheesy wedding DJ's?
There are a few factors why wedding DJ's are cheesy. Going by what I have seen in over 20 years in the business, DJ's would rather spend money on new gear and lighting than on education and training. Most DJ's do not have the time or take the time to get proper training & education they need. (I'm talking real education & training, you know the kind you have to pay for and not just copying what other DJ's do). The biggest problem is DJ's do not take the time necessary to get to know the couple that they are representing on their wedding day. A DJ should know much more than the couples name, favorite songs and the date of the wedding. How can a DJ represent a Bride & Groom on the mic without getting to really know them first? i.e. their style, hobbies, interests, how they met, etc.. Nearly 80% of all mobile DJ's have full-time day jobs. They don't have the time to get proper education, properly plan, and prepare for the weddings they perform at on the weekends. Therefore the average wedding DJ will perform the same cheesy schtik and play the same cheesy music for every wedding. These DJ's may seem to appear very normal in meetings. But when they pull that microphone up to their face at a reception in front of a hundred plus guests (strangers) for the first time, the DJ turns into DJ Super Cheese with the Weekly Top 40 Countdown radio voice. Even worse, possibly wearing some silly costume. In some scenarios the Best Man would make a better MC than the DJ simply because the Best Man knows the couple well. Most importantly people tend to forget that DJ/MC entertainment is a talent based business, where most should just stick to what they know best and not attempt to be the weekend wedding warrior.
How do you find a DJ won't bring the cheese factor to your wedding?
You need to find a real professional Disc Jockey / Master of Ceremonies. This can be somewhat difficult but they are out there.
1. Ask for referrals from other experienced knowledgeable wedding professionals, coordinators, photographers, videographers, the vendors who work directly with DJ's.
2. Ask for proof from a potential DJ. Video of a wedding performance, mainly MC performance of the introductions, toast, 1st dance, cake cut. Be aware of repetitive phrases like "At this time" or screaming on the mic. Look for appearance how their dressed and how their sound system looks. Ask for credentials of paid education & training as a Master of Ceremonies and other DJ education.
3. Ask a DJ if this is their full-time career or just a weekend hobby.
4. Ask for the names, dates, locations, and emails of the last 10 weddings they performed for, not just a select few from a potential DJ. Bands can play live music well and bring a lot of energy, but a fantastic professional DJ / MC can add personalization, direction, custom craft your wedding to your style and add so much more to a reception than just music.
By all means, leave the cheese for the crackers.
Dec
23
Protocols to Tipping a DJ at a Wedding Reception
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Tipping has become a common occurrence in the disc jockey industry in many regions. Although tipping is always optional, many brides and grooms question whether it is the right thing to tip their DJ after an exceptional night. This article is meant to guide these brides and grooms to help reach a final decision about tipping.
First and foremost, tipping should be something you do if you feel your disc jockey went above and beyond the call of duty and provided you with an exceptional evening. If you do not feel that the DJ went out of his way to assist you, then it is certainly not necessary to even consider tipping him. If the DJ did provide exceptional service, then throwing him a few bucks may be a nice thing to do.
If the DJ works for a larger company, then providing a tip may actually provide him with the salary he truly deserves. Oftentimes, DJs in more urban areas work for a "mega DJ company" that hires loads of inexperienced DJs and allows them the opportunity to work events without having to invest in their own equipment. This means that they don't have to make investments out of pocket, but it also means that they get paid significantly less than private DJ company owners. In most cases, they receive no more than 10-20% of the entire DJ fee. If you feel that one of these DJs provided exceptional service that deserves being recognized, providing him or her with a tip will help them invest in their own equipment and earn the paycheck that they truly deserve.
Most DJs do not expect to be tipped. In some regions, such as New York City, it has become very common for guests to tip their DJs just as they tip their waiters and waitresses. Although the origin of this tipping is not known, there is a strong inclination for guests to even open their wallets and thrown down a few bucks on the DJ's table. If your region does not fall under any sort of tipping guideline, you don't need to worry about getting dirty looks from the DJ or your guests at the end of the event. DJs are paid very well for their services and unlike waitresses, none of their salary is based off of tips. If it comes down to peer pressure whether you're going to tip your DJ or not, then do what you feel is right in the situation.
In the end, it is your decision whether to tip the DJ or not. It isn't required that you tip your DJ and in many cases it is unnecessary. DJs include a decent markup fee in their costs that allow them to make a significant profit. Although DJs who use their business as they're sole source of income don't usually live a life of luxury, you must keep in prospective the amount of work they do in the time they work. They are paid well enough in most cases. Even though they put a great deal of work in before and after the event, the overall event fee, if divided into the hours worked in total, still amounts to a reasonable hourly salary for any employee. The tip you provide is simply a gesture of extra appreciate for the DJs service, but unlike other occupations within the service industry, not leaving a tip doesn't mean that you don't appreciate the disc jockey. A heartfelt thank you is usually enough for the DJ to feel truly appreciated.
Dec
21
An iPod Wedding DJ
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There's a lot of talk out there about iPod weddings, and I'd like to offer my input.
The short of it is this: just hire a reasonably priced professional wedding DJ.
The longer story is that I love iPods. I own multiples and have been using them since they came out, when I converted my entire CD collection and quit using those heavy chunks of plastic whenever possible. In fact, I think that it's silly for a wedding DJ to carry around all that extra weight if there's no need. However, an iPod is just a tool.
When someone tells you to "just plug your iPod in" for your wedding, the question is "to what"? If you own a $4000 PA system with crystal clear sound then that's a good start. If not, you can just rent one; an adequate one can be rented for several hundred dollars and a really good one for more. Of course you need someone willing to be a sound tech/roadie, haul it to the venue for you, set it up, and operate it for you. Hopefully you don't plan on ruining a friendship over free labor, so you should pay them something. Multiple wireless microphones, for an additional cost, would be nice so the guests can hear your ceremony vows and your Best Man and Maid of Honor can make toasts during the reception, perhaps someone would like to do a reading or play an instrument, maybe sing a song during your unity candle. Of course everyone wants to hear the prelude and ceremony music. Oh yeah, that means more money for another PA system for your ceremony, (surely you don't want your guests to wait around while the same sound system is being set up and sound checked twice?) plus more time and a lot more effort from your friend who is now working really hard for you as an AV tech and roadie.
But wait, what about on-site coordination with your other vendors so that everything runs smoothly? Your tired friend (who by now probably just wishes he were a guest who could relax and have fun like everyone else) needs to change out of his jeans and t-shirt so he can appear presentable to the public. Perhaps a nice suit and tie or even a tux so he can provide some direction for your event and use a microphone appropriately to make announcements and keep your other guests informed. Sort of like an emcee or master of ceremonies. But wait, that means he had to meet with you beforehand to create a schedule or timeline and then insure that the effort put into wedding planning results in successfully executed event coordination.
Speaking of insurance, you'd better have some! Liability insurance for events in Arizona is required, with liability amounts typically in the range of a million dollars. Medical bills and property damage can be expensive! If you think that's not an issue, think again. The person who creates the trip hazard that breaks Grandma's hip or starts an electrical fire that burns the reception hall to the ground is liable, and in your iPod wedding, that's you. But that's ok, you can purchase a single use insurance policy that covers your event for a few hundred dollars, so you're not in trouble when something bad happens.
Later, when the house lights are down and folks are dancing, it would be really cool to have some dance lighting- not coffee cans and colored paper; those don't look good, but intelligent lights that move to the beat of the music and provide dynamic, modern visual effects. There's another significant investment for a little extra fun.
You know, that's a lot to worry about on your wedding day. Perhaps it would be better to find a quality Phx AZ wedding DJ who will do all of this for you for a reasonable price. There's a lot out there but most of them charge too much, which may be why you were thinking of using your iPod in the first place. If only you could find a DJ/MC/Event Planner and Coordinator/AV Tech/Roadie/Insured Professional who was all this in addition to having great rates...
And we're back to where we began - you could just hire a reasonably priced professional wedding DJ!
Dec
19
Life as a Wedding Disc Jockey
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It must be great. You work on Saturday night for 5 hours and make $1,000 or more. What a life. It has been equated to selling drugs - the lucrative wedding disc jockey business is not what it's cracked up to be. The reality is - this is far from the easy money that a potential wedding client thinks it is. They are shocked when they first hear the price that professional DJs charge and think that they are being ripped off because "wedding" was in their vocabulary when they called for a quote.
Here are some interesting facts to understand better what the life of a wedding disc jockey really is like:
o Clients call at all times of the day - the phone rings from 8am until around 11pm virtually every day. For the most part, you must be available to answer the calls because most people won't leave a message if you don't.
o Most weekday nights are spent away from home meeting with clients or potential clients.
o Most weekends are spent away from friends and family working at your events. Forget the 4th of July picnic and New Years Eve.
o Wedding Disc Jockeys are booked a year or two in advance - so that last minute call from your friend asking you to dinner or to a concert is a wasted call. You're already booked.
o Your daughter's concert that is on a Friday in May - you will most likely miss. Again, you are already booked.
o Try standing for 5 hours straight and see how your legs and feet feel.
o Did you know one of the most feared things to do is speak in public? As a wedding disc jockey, that is what we do every weekend.
o Most people bring a cup of coffee to work - a wedding disc jockey brings over $15,000 worth of equipment and another $20,000 or more in music to most events.
o A wedding disc jockey will haul in about 1,000 pounds of equipment into and out of the reception - that means up stairs, across rickety stone paths and through parking garages, through kitchens and in the cold and rain.
o A typical wedding lasts for 5 hours. Your wedding disc jockey will arrive an hour early to setup, will be there after guests leave tearing down and typically drives 30 minutes to 60 minutes each way to the event. They have to spend time preparing equipment before they leave the office. They have to unload and put away gear when they return. That adds up to between 8 and 10 hours on the day of the event alone invested in your wedding.
o A wedding disc jockey will typically meet you prior to booking (pre-sales meeting) for about an hour. Most disc jockeys will drive to meet their clients. Presales and travel to and from this meeting will add about 2 hours of their time into your event.
o When it's time to discuss details, your disc jockey will again drive to meet you and spend another hour with you going over details, they'll return to the office, type up this information and send you a copy. They'll spend a couple hours organizing music, talking on the phone and sending/receiving emails from you over the course of the two months prior to your wedding. You can figure they've just invested another 5 hours into preparing for your event.
o The total time invested per event will be around 17 - 20 hours when it's all said and done. That $1,000 for 5 hours is now really $1,000 for 20 hours of time.
o A wedding disc jockey will spend about $2,000 or more each year on music updates. They might invest $2,000-$6,000 in equipment, repairs and upgrades each year. They will spend $1,000 - $10,000 in advertising, bridal shows, printing, etc. They will spend $5,000 - $20,000 for office supplies, computers, and business services. They will spend $500 - $1,500 on liability insurance policies. They will spend $2,000 to $5,000 on postage. They will travel to one of the national DJ conventions to keep up to date with the industry and spend around $1,500 doing so. They will have a 800 number, cell phone, fax and voice mail services costing them around $5,000 each year. They will spend $5,000 each year on health insurance. They will spend $5,000 in gas getting back and forth to meetings and events.
o A wedding disc jockey will drive 25,000 - 35,000 miles each year between meetings and back and forth to their events. That will be approximately 750 hours away from home each year just in travel time.
The reason that wedding disc jockeys charge the price that they do is simple. It is the cost of doing business. The value that a professional disc jockey brings to your event is priceless. Take away the music and you're just inviting friends and family to eat and drink. That accounts for about 2 of the typical 5 hour wedding reception. Your professional wedding disc jockey is responsible for coordinating all the details of the flow of the event - from introductions to the cake cutting. They are the middle man between the banquet staff, your photographer and videographer. They are your wedding coordinator. Without proper quality entertainment - guests will leave soon after dinner.
If a typical wedding reception costs around $25,000 (or $5,000 per hour!), and your guests leave 2 hours before the end due to poor entertainment - you've just wasted $10,000 of your wedding budget. If you're debating between a cheap $500 DJ and a professional DJ costing $1,500, the decision should be easy. Trying to cut corners on entertainment could cost you $10,000. The additional $1,000 is money well spent when the big picture is in focus. The time and effort a true professional disc jockey puts into your event will be worth every penny.
Dec
18
Choosing the Wedding Disc Jockey
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Your wedding day is the day when all the details that you've always thought about will come together and planing that day may take more than a year to plan. Having the right disc jockey playing the perfect music and creating the atmosphere can get you surprised bringing family and friend closer than ever before.
If you understood the importance of a good wedding disc jockey then now comes the though part, finding it. And that takes some looking into and the effort is worth it. Recommended would be not to go the easy way, relying on advertising and other third hand references. Instead, you could ask the banquet manager of some respected banquet facilities in your area for some disc jockey refferals. It's important that you get the best disc jockey you can find, this is not the area to cut the budget. Book the disc jockey for your wedding at least one year in advance to make sure you have the best.
After making a list of possible disc jockeys you should interview each one and ask your questions before they start selling themselves. Here is a list of questions that you should ask.
- Ask about the years of experience as a disc jockey;
- Ask about the type of experience, wedding or clubs;
- Ask if there are back-up disc jockeys;
- Ask if the person you are interviewing is the disc jockey that will be at you wedding and if not, ask to meet the actual disc jockey;
- Disc jockeys range from quiet to "off the wall" so make sure you ask about their interaction with the public;
- Ask the disc jockey what he'll wear at the wedding, "tuxedoes" should be the answer;
- Ask about the type of music and about how they plan to please everyone;
- Ask if they play guests requests and if they keep the requests in good taste and in the atmosphere of the event;
It is a lot of work but this is very important part of your wedding so make sure you and your fiancee are confident with the wedding disc jockey you'll choose.