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Wedding Reception Experts...Dance & Party Specialists
Thoughts, Opinions, Feelings
This is the Perfect Sounds blog...check back often for interesting perspectives, thoughts and stories.
12/15/09
We went with a less expensive DJ! So my partner tells me that he has never had such a tough time booking events and its all been based on price....Wow! After nearly 28 years in the music entertainment business I still find it difficult to believe that people would sacrifice high quality, professional music talent to save $50, $100 or even $200 dollars. Let's look at it logically. Let's say you price shopped your entire area for DJ entertainment and found reputable companies (based on any criteria you wish) charge between $600 and $900. Now list in your head what that money is going to buy you. Here's a few examples: Experience, professional music and entertainment skills, high quality equipment, a large music selection with a professional who can read and motivate your friends and family, someone who will lead and direct your party on possibly the most memorable social occasion of your life...just to name a few. So now think really hard about the last wedding reception you went to. What do you remember the most about it? How tasty the cake was? What pictures were taken? The limo? The favors? What your waitress looked like? I am just guessing, but it would probably be the food, the bar and how great the music and party was!!!! I am not meaning any disrespect to my other wedding reception brethren, but having an under-performing DJ just might ruin your entire reception experience. So if you were going to save a couple hundred bucks wouldn't you want to save it somewhere else and not chance your DJ being a dud? Your DJ is the voice and life of your reception. The music and style of the DJ is a reflection of your musical tastes and party personalities. I can say with confidence and over 2 decades of meeting with brides and grooms that the number one consensus among brides, grooms and their families is: "The DJ can make or break the reception!". So ask yourself this...if you are sold on a DJ company for all the "right" reasons, why would you choose a less expensive DJ to save $50, $100 or even $200 dollars? What will you buy with the money you save? Could it buy you the piece of mind that a quality, successful, experienced DJ company could give you on the most special day of your life? Shop wisely for all your wedding reception services and ask a lot of questions but remember there is a BIG difference between "good value" and "cheap".
12/6/08
Should we feed the DJ's and when should they eat? Good question and I bet you'll get a variety of answers depending on who you ask. Here are some thoughts from my perspective having played in bands for years and the past couple of decades as a DJ. First, keep in mind that DJ's, Bands, Photographers, Videographer's, Cake people, Limo services, etc. all work for you and their reputation depends on how well they perform for you on your special day. They are not punching a clock or working for a corporation. Often times, especially with a DJ, Band or Photographer, you are working directly with the owner so they are giving 110% to make you happy and get more business from your guests. DJ's and other industry professionals are not hired help or hourly workers. All that being said...I really do have a point :-)
A DJ is a high paid entertainment consultant/professional and can often make or break the success of your wedding reception. So I think the relationship goes a little beyond a "hired hand". So, should you feed your DJ's...Yes! It has always been my philosophy that I am working and not at the reception to eat a 10 course meal for an hour. I typically finish well before the guests and sit near the music system should any announcements need to be made or if the volume needs to be adjusted during the dinner. DJ's should be served just after the head table and parents. No later than half your guests being served. Keep in mind that the energy of your reception party depends on the energy of the DJ and music. Your DJ needs to stay ahead of your guests and move the party along.
Now why did I feel the need to "blog" about this? Here's why...some reception halls would have you believe that your music entertainers are "blue collar" servants. I am not completely sure why. But, they will also advise you to feed the DJ's last and sometimes to feed them a sandwich instead of the reception meal! Let's be honest...in all my years of entertainment, I have never been at a wedding reception where all the guests have shown up. So expense is not really the issue. Here's a thought...if the food at your reception is less than great, but the music entertainment lights up the reception and everyone dances the whole time and has a blast, would you consider your reception a success? Now what if the food was outstanding, but the entertainment was awful...do you think the same thing is true? I am certainly not implying that your food and venue is not vitally important, but all things being equal...at the end of your reception you and your guests are going to remember the bar, the dance floor, the music and all that transpired around those things. There are many great venues throughout Upstate NY to host a wedding reception. And those places have great respect for entertainers, but some that are less than professional have other ideas. A closing thought...in my 28 years of performing, one of the first questions a banquet manager and there servers ask me as I am setting up my equipment is, "how long are you guy's playing till" and "I want to leave as soon as possible so don't tell them you'll play overtime." We, of course feel just the opposite, we have your best interest in mind!
