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Starry Nite Entertainment |
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8 Indispensable Tips for Choosing a DJ/MC So, you’re a bride-to-be who has left the daunting task of finding Wedding Reception Entertainment to you fiance’ who (being a “husband-in-training”) half-heartedly grunted as he nodded his head to the right to peer around you at the ballgame! Realize now two things; a) this is married life, and b) you’re gonna have to find the DJ! Within a few short hours of browsing Google and marking the Yellow Pages you feel a terror grip you and the words, “I have no idea!” echo through your swirling brain like swirling church bells – prices, timelines, personalities, deals, music; which are more important? You wish there was a guide to help you choose the best disc jockey/master of ceremony for what may be the biggest single day of your life! Rest, sweet child. Below stands that guideline, a checklist to use to avoid embarrassment on the most memorable day of your existence on earth. Take solace in the fact that I have personally entertained brides for over 20 years, and my only mission is to care as much about this as the bride does (as you do)! With a little grit you can chew through this list, and in the end you’ll be rewarded with a Professional who will give you a great party and a grand memory… 1) Find one that will personally plan your Reception with you... It is YOUR reception. Find a DJ who CARES...But you're not the expert. A good DJ/MC will meet with you about 2 weeks before the event and go over the Planning Guide he sent you. Regardless of how busy he is, you are paying him to afford particular attention to all the details of YOUR reception, and you deserve it. Any DJ worth his fee will highly recommend you meet to discuss the reception. By sitting in the same room you can assess his personality, deal with any issues that cannot be put on an emailed planner, tell him what YOU want. He can also put you at ease - remember, the DJ coordinates the Reception; an experienced DJ knows what is about to happen, and can share this with you. You can make sure he’ll play YOUR music, not some Hip-Hop he plays everywhere! Find a DJ that will work personally with you to make your Big Day YOUR Big Day! ***Another point - "MC" means Master of Ceremonies; make sure he's up to running the show! 2) Choose a DJ who will coordinate your reception... Remember, once the announcements start the DJ is in charge of the entire evening. He does NOT simply spin the music! He has to work closely with the venue to coordinate ALL the evening's events- *Is the "house" ready to begin the Reception with the Announcements? *Does the venue know how long the Opening will take (is there one First Dance, or will the intro include first dance, father dance, mother dance, Bridal party dance, First Fast Dance, Toast and Blessing? It makes an enormous difference to those keeping the food warm! *Does the Photographer know the schedule of events, and when the DJ will start these festivities?
The DJ controls the First Announcements and dances, the Toasts, dancing between courses, cake cutting, bouquet toss, Special Dances and Other Announcements. If the photographer is out of the room, he'll miss it. If the venue is running behind you'll have a lull in the night (which could kill the party). Also, the DJ gets plenty of Odd Requests for dances and music - he must use his best judgment (and if he's sat with you beforehand he'll know your preference) - sometimes he may even ask you. Finally, the DJ has to keep tabs on YOU all night, as all of the mentioned events during the reception INVOLVE YOU! This works smoothly if he's already a friend! 3) Spend the money (around $1000) for a Professional DJ that has lots of references you can contact, and lots of testimonials... For ALL of the above reasons and more, pay the money! It's worth it! Think of how much you spend on the dress, photographer, per-plate dinner, napkin rings, decorations, gifts for the Bridal Party, booze, tuxedos and bridesmaid dresses, etc. The difference between a Professional DJ with good equipment & tons of experience and a kid working weekends for a large company is about $400 total. In most cases, the Big Companies are actually more expensive, because the House takes half the fee before they pay the kid they're sending out! Pay around $1000 for a good DJ (a bit more with lightshow and extras). If he's got a special price snap it up AFTER you check his references. Anyone charging $600 better have references that you can contact immediately, and offer all the personalized services above! Chances are he's only "professional" because he takes money to show up. If he's really a businessman he'll know what he's worth (and so will you). Also, make sure the man you talk to is the man DOING THE WEDDING! 4) References, References, References… Did I mention this? The DJ should have plenty of current references from many happy brides – pages of them, and he should offer them to you first meeting! Call/email some of the brides on the sheets. You should be able to check each reference. 5) Examine Package Deals from venues… Research package deals as closely as anything else! Some venues will show you a Preferred Vendor list – these DJs pay to be on the list. It says nothing about them. If there’s a “House DJ” for a certain venue don’t pay a thing until you sit with him. You ALWAYS have the right to get your own DJ, even if you choose the venue. Just have them deduct their DJ Fee from the “Package Deal”. 6) Personality Counts... Sit with her/him. Do you like him? Is he willing to help you make the reception unique? Will he take charge at the reception to ensure you a beautiful memory? Is he fun to be with, and does he make you laugh? Do you think he'll throw a great party for you and yours? Does he share his energy and joy with you? If yes to all, consider hiring him (see above). 7) Experience counts… In the 20+ years I've Emceed (MC) Weddings I've had to learn to SMOOTHLY handle any situation on the spot. Personally, I've had equipment blow (it happens!), I've had many dinners delayed, I've had families fighting on the dance floor, I've seen photographers sitting on the floor DURING the festivities, I've seen grooms get sick, mothers faint, brides blow up at the House. I've shown up (when really young) with all oldies music when the crowd was all under 25! My point here is that an experienced DJ will be able to handle any unexpected situation with calm and dignity. He'll bring backup equipment, he will get to know you (and your family) before the Announcements; he'll talk to the House Coordinator beforehand to plan the dinner and events. He'll be your answer man (or woman) - he'll be invaluable to you. 8) Equipment … It goes without say that a professional DJ must have the best Professional Equipment, and know how to use it. Beware, though, of the Technocrat who shows up with $20,000 sound system and buries himself behind it! A Professional DJ will have great equipment, but that does NOT make a great party! What's the sense of having that sound if the man pushing the buttons has no idea what music to play for your particular crowd! He's playing Hip-Hop, and it sounds like a concert! Problem is, your Grandmother doesn't like Public Enemy or Snoop! She wants Sinatra, or Elvis! Make sure you know that his equipment is great (let him play for you when you meet), but also make sure HE'S A Professional DJ! 8.5) Make sure he/she really WANTS to get to know you, and give you a unique, personalized wedding. Don't just fill in a form and fax it in! You'd worry doing this with your car - how about Your Wedding! *** Of Course, you can always just hire me! But I'm bias here!
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