- How To Hire A Master of Ceremonies and Disc Jockey
A professional Disc Jockey advising you how to shop for a professional Disc Jockey may seem like using a fox to guard the hen house. My ultimate goal is that even if I'm already booked and not available to Emcee or DJ you're event, you will learn the method to find quality entertainment and ultimately have the wedding of your dreams.
Over the years I've heard many misconceptions and humorous opinions from clients explaining the process they utilized in shopping for wedding entertainment. The most popular answer is "I called every DJ in the phone book asking how much they charged. Once I found the best price I booked them" The most humorous was "I threw a dart at the section in the yellow pages that featured DJ's then called the lucky one's I hit".
No matter your method for the final selection the most important lesson to remember is you are selecting entertainment not shopping for gasoline. When you drive up to the intersection filled with a 7-11 Circle-K, HESS, Speedway or a variety of other's you are shopping for a product that is regulated by the State or Government and the "Regular, Extreme or Hi-Tec fuel you fill your automobile up with is the same, so you look at the price and choice the cheapest.
The first step is to make a decision if "price" or "quality" is the most important feature.
If price is the most important feature shopping is as easy as throwing a dart or surfing the phone book as mentioned above. (If your looking for the cheapest DJ I will say I may not be the entertainer for your event).
If quality is the cornerstone of your decision it will require a little more time and research in the beginning but the result will enable you to enjoy your event in a stress-free mode.
There are thousands of wedding disc jockeys in Florida! So how do you find the wedding disc jockey that's perfect for you? I've included many of the caveats to avoid, questions that need to be asked, what professional Disc Jockey equipment they should be using, and details you should require to have included in your contract or entertainment agreement. The advice offered on this page is only a personal opinion, ultimately you must make a decision on what you feel is right for your wedding.
Selecting your wedding entertainment should be an enjoyable part of your wedding preparations. You are being introduced to an industry that is generally nice, extremely personable, and very outgoing . It should not become a debate between using a DJ or Band. This used to be one of the most difficult decisions a newlywed couple made. Finding a band that did not bring all it's friends to crash the buffet, is a marginal singer crooning your favorite songs out of tune, or live at the bar was just as difficult as looking for a DJ that did not wear a leisure suit, live at the bar and insist Baby Got Back! with intro is the appropriate garter removal song.
- How To Hire A Master of Ceremonies and Disc Jockey
The sound advice offered here focuses on DJs. I would never say don't use a band, just make sure you follow the same advice given for hiring a professional Disc Jockey. With bands taking breaks after every 15-20 minute sets many clients will utilize the service of both a quality band and quality professional disc jockey for a unique three-dimensional event.
To start off let me give you two important suggestions;
Don't hire wedding entertainment you can't meet in person first.
Ask your professional Disc Jockey or Band to verify they are properly licensed and insured to do business.
With the popularity of the Pop-Culture DJing has become an icon of coolness, if you want to be the bomb jump behind the turntables as thousands of individuals are doing yearly. With no governing organization dictating the quality of equipment that must be used or the level of professionalism utilized, it's a buyer-beware market. All someone has to do is walk into any music store, drop a couple hundred dollars cash, then try to sell you on why they can DJ your wedding.
- IN THE BEGINNING IT WAS A DREAM!
The first thing I recommend is sitting in a quiet room alone and write down what you have dreamed would happen at your wedding and reception. Take your time and make it as detailed as you can. If your dream has always been that when you enter the church the bells of Big Ben would be ringing in the background, write it down. If as a bride you envisioned your new husband carrying you onto the dance floor for your fist dance as newlyweds, write it down. If as a groom you envisioned a dedicated speech to your new bride, write it down. Go into details what will happen once you are introduced, when will you have your first dance, when should the cake be cut, how do you envision dancing with parents or loved ones, including how you would like to leave at the closing of your event... Write it down! Write it down! Write it down!
The next thing is on a separate piece of paper write down a list of what you have seen at an event or wedding you may have attended that "Must Not" happen at yours.
Now compare and discuss each of your lists and learn. Prior starting the actual planning of your wedding knowing what your dreams are will be one of your largest assets. No one will better understand what you expect better then you.
Start your list of vendors by asking Friends, Coworkers, and Relatives for References. Your best resource will be individuals you know and trust, ask around, Talk to recent newlyweds. If you are having the reception at one of Florida's premier resorts or hotels, ask if they have a none-paid for preferred vendor list with individuals you can interview. This type of list is best if the vendor is not charged to be on it and should contain vendors that the resort has worked with within the last six months and is known to be reliable and professional. Remember, the resort's reputation is at stake also. As I mentioned above some vendors sell advertisements, in some situations vendors might not be as scrupulous. It is common in some circles to pay kickbacks, so do your homework and know who you are dealing with.
- Interview 2-3 Professional Disc Jockeys or Master of Ceremonies.
Meeting location, you will find most full-time professional Disc Jockeys have an office, either at their home or in a retail office location. When planning a meeting the location most likely will be at their office, unless, due to extreme distance other arrangements can be made. I never recommend inviting strangers into your personal residence so caution is advised.
Don't rush in to select your professional wedding Disc Jockey during your first phone conversation or meeting, Get to know them each individual you will meet will have different personalities. A video is a good way to see on-the-job mannerisms however, with good editing a bad DJ can look good, when looking at a pre-produced video ask if the footage is from a previous wedding and if the individual in the video is going to be your DJ.
A method now used to hear and view the actual equipment and music set-up is to schedule a meeting prior the start of an actual event or attend an open-to-the-public event. NEVER... accept an invitation to crash another brides event, imagine, during your planned reception a complete stranger walks up to you with one of your wedding napkins in one hand and in the other a cocktail from the open bar and politely asks "So, how do you like the DJ, I'm considering them for my wedding". This may not be an issue for some, but when you book a vendor wouldn't you expect 100% of their focus for the success of your event?
The synergy between your hired Disc Jockey, vendors and catering manager is what keeps your event flow smoothly. Your Entertainers talent should reach far beyond just motivating your guests or making announcements at the pre-determined time. They must have their fingers on the pulse of your event and know in advance the exact time-line, what is occurring in the room, and if any of the key players are out of the room prior starting a special moment. The only way this will ever happen is by having a solid working relationship with the venue staff and 100% focus on the details.
- Questions To Ask Your Prospective DJ
When you first call a professional Disc Jockey Don't make your first question "How Much Do You Charge". Start the conversation off with "Hi, my name is (your name) and I'm planning a wedding for (Day,Date,Year) would you happen to be available?". Odds are they are going to look up the date and either say No! which you can continue on the search, or yes and you enter the dating zone! Yes, you are on a date so to speak... Think back to when you meet your soon to be spouse, if they had walked up to you the moment they first saw you and said "Will You Marry Me?" the odds are you would have said "no!" or "I Don't Even Know You!". Once they confirm availability they are going to want to get to know you as well as them.
Ask them if "THEY" are going to be the DJ at your event. Remember, your not shopping for gasoline and to my knowledge no cookie-cutter DNA invention has been created so all professional DJ's are the same. They are as diverse as singers, musicians, and actors and selecting the personality that would click with your guests is one of the major keys to success. If you doubt this, imagine if "Pee Wee Herman" played Arnold Swartznagers roll in Terminator. It would have changed the feel to the movie. This is why Directors and Producers are so detail orientated when actors are auditioning for a part in a movie. The professional Disc Jockey is auditioning for a major roll in your wedding. If the individual your speaking with is not going to be your DJ insist on speaking with them, you are auditioning talent not looking for a great sales person to close the deal. If a company is using a sales person to sale multi-DJ's the focus is not on quality but rather making a sale... once again "INSIST" on speaking with the person who will be your entertainer they are the one who will make or break your event.
Ask them about other types of events they have been the DJ. School and club Disc Jockeys to be successful have to have excellent music knowledge, corporate and team building Disc Jockeys poses energy and crowd control, Disc Jockeys that do numerous community, charity and religious type events are very politically correct and must be non-offensive in approach.
Ask them when was the last time they performed at your reception site. It helps that they have knowledge of the location, accurate directions on how to get there, and possible an established report with the staff. Having an entertainer with experience at your hall makes them better prepared to deal with known issues or hidden caveats with the location. Every little perk will work in your favor for ultimate success. Being in a large market it is very possible a Disc Jockey has never worked in your hall, your focus on hiring a seasoned professional will be the secret notch in your favor.
What type of attire will you be wearing at your wedding? You would think this is a no brainier until the DJ shows up at your black-tie affair wearing a polo shirt that looks like they slept in it. If you have a specific request than ask. I've worn tropical shirts with Bermuda shorts at Jimmy Buffet Themed Beach wedding, a cowboy hat at a western themed reception at the Odessa Polo grounds and at 99% of other weddings a formal modern tux. If you require a certain look, Ask. Remember the professional Disc Jockey will end up in a few photos.
What type of advertising will the DJ do at your event? Will your hired DJ turn your event into a community bulletin board? or A Flea Market?
A large issue with many professional vendors is showing up to photograph or videotape a reception as your paid preferred vendor and seeing the DJ's table turned into a billboard advertising "XYZ DJ, Photography and Videographer Service - The Best In Tampa Bay" or having a large selection of business cards from several different vendors spread out on top their table like a flea market. As a professional Disc Jockey I consider this practice one of the tackiest, placing a single card or brochure holder on your table with your information is one thing however promoting vendors not even working an event really doesn't work for me. If a DJ asks permission to do this and it's within your comfort factor no problem, if not, you should bring up the topic during your meeting and set the guidelines.
Ask the DJ what was the biggest problems they have encountered during an event, then wait for an answer. The follow-up question should be what was the outcome?
Ego or is it confidence? Sooner or later you will have to ask about their company, how much experience they have, if they mix on a computer do they purchase their music or illegally download, do they use CD, Vinyl, or tape, what type of music guarantee do they have, will they accept requests from your guests, will they abide by a No-Play-List, will they bring enough music to fulfill your requests, will they interact with the crowd or be a human jukebox, how many weddings have they been the DJ, let them explain all your questions in detail as you consider the value of each answer.
The majority of clients feed the entertainment and offer non-alcoholic beverages, it's not mandatory and no book has ever been written on the topic, but out of courtesy it's the norm to offer. Most caterers will set up in a corner a vendor table where then can discus the event time-line and relax between photos, video interviews or interactive skits. The vendors are working long hours the day of your event, remember, they are human and now part of your lifetime event.
During your conversation with a DJ envision them speaking over a microphone to a noisy room of guests. Will they project in a manner that will not result in them having to say over and over, "excuse me! Ladies and gentlemen, excuse me, can I have your attention please! HELLO!!!"
- Who Oversees The Itinerary!
No other individual at your event has more control over your guests then the professional Disc Jockey on the microphone so ask if they will be producing one. It is their responsibility to know every detail, when you cut the cake, toss the bouquet, set-up surprises, etc. If the DJ you hired does not know when events are transpiring, it is very likely your guests won't either. The caterer is their to oversee the food and beverage service, the Photographer and Videographer are there to capture the moments on film. The time-line creating your event itinerary is the result of advance planning and to control a normally confusing flow, the professional Disc Jockey should work in harmony with other vendors and announcing the events in a professional manner so the guests can observe and participate.
- CAN A DJ RUIN THE BEST OF WEDDINGS!
Only if you don't do your homework. Your not shopping for gasoline, your looking for an individual to continue your wedding dreams without turning them into nightmares. The only bad question is one not asked.
Everyone overlooks this, but it can result as one of the most important factor's at your event.
Does the DJ have back-up equipment for all the major components? It should be obvious that back-up equipment should be where the DJ can easily access in the event of failure, but many larger companies send individuals with sub-standard systems and the back-up program is when the system breaks down, call the office and they will send out a new component, leaving your event soundless until it's arrival. A DJ can have the best equipment in the world and if it does not work, it does not benefit you. This can be avoided by actually seeing the professional Disc Jockeys sound system, hearing it's quality and actually seeing the back-up equipment.
There are hundreds of inexpensive DJs in your area who will give you a wonderful evening of music. You don't have to have all the glitz and flash to have a wonderful time. A few of you will be happy with an informal human jukebox who never says a word over the microphone. The purpose here is to shed light on valid issues and educate you in finding the perfect entertainment for your event.
In our client section you will be given the A-B-C Event Production Guide that will cover layout, placement and more detailed focus. |
If you are serious about having your family event unique and fun let me show you a new style of party, one of elegance, full of fresh ideas, one that flows smoothly and effortlessly from start to finish.
