Receptions are so very special! I can't emphasize enough the
importance of hiring the best entertainer you can find. A
reception isn't just a dinner after your wedding; it is a
bringing together of your family and friends to celebrate
your union and make memories to last a lifetime.
What type of entertainment should you hire? There are lots
of other options out there such as bands and soloists. In
certain instances these may be appropriate choices, but, even
though I am a little prejudiced, a disc jockey is your best
overall value. In a month, your guests may not remember how
long the train on your dress was or what meat you chose for
the buffet, but they will remember your entertainment. The
entertainment, in most cases, will make or break the event.
A band may add big name excitement or be considered special
because they are live, but a DJ is much more versatile and
can offer so much more for your money.
About five years ago, I developed a reception planner. When
you hire me, I will mail this to you to be completed and returned.
Not only will this help you to organize how you want the day's
festivities to run, it gives me, your host, an ironclad outline
to use. With the planner, I have all the names of the people
who I will be addressing over the speakers such as family
members or the best man for the toast. It also helps you to
organize and convey to me exactly what you want, what you
don't want, and what order you prefer. It also works out great
because you are able to sit down, months in advance, and think
it through without all the stress that will develop as the
big day gets closer. Once you have completed the planner and
returned it, I will go over it and call to insure we are on
the same page. Then you can simply forget about my portion.
Of course, you can call as often as you wish, should a change
develop or if I can add any insights. Otherwise, I will call
you on the week of the reception to confirm that everything
is taken care of. You just enjoy the ceremony and show up
with your friends and family. I will take care of the rest.
The planner helps to alleviate a lot of the stress that you
would otherwise be faced with.
As your DJ, I will provide lights and special effects to enhance
the special moments and keep the dance floor hopping. You
are not just hiring a juke box! The music is important: I
will take requests all night and play a variety that can range
from a big band waltz for your grandparents, to line dances,
to disco, to the latest dance hits. Every show is different.
I tailor the music at your reception to meet the tastes and
needs of your guests in attendance. I also interact with your
guests to help keep things flowing and create wonderful party
pics for your photographer. I may get out and teach the kids
and a handful of the adults (who act worse than the kids)
how to do the chicken dance. I might get the whole group doing
the YMCA or the train or even the twist. My whole point is
that this is party and as your DJ I will be doing much more
than just popping in CDs.
I would also suggest that you plan your budget before you
start writing checks. I know at times it will seem overwhelming,
but it is important to try and keep the big picture in mind.
While a budget could range from $500 to $20,000 and on up,
the range for this area seems to fall somewhere between $4,000
and $7,000. (This number includes everything like the invitations,
rehearsal dinner, attire, venue fees, ceremony fees, pictures,
flowers, food, entertainment, etc.) The average reception
runs four hours. As your DJ, I will be working from the time
your guests get there and you finish up the pictures, to the
time I play the final song. The finalizing of your ceremony
pictures, opening announcements, your eats and the cake cutting
will consume the first hour or so. After that, I, as your
entertainer, take on the remaining three hours (or 75%). Typically,
your attendance for the last three hours will be strong if
your entertainment is fun, but, if not, many of your guests
will begin to leave after the food.
Good entertainment is a protection on your investment. Using
round numbers - if your budget is $5000 and you spend $500
on a DJ, you
are only spending 10% of your budget on someone with whom
you are entrusting 75% of your whole reception. Also, consider
what your other expenditures are in relation to what you are
getting. How much are your vegetables or finger foods? How
much is your dress (which will be worn only a few times)?
How much are your pictures and/or videography? The entertainment
you choose is key to the success of your reception because
it makes up such a large portion. Be sure to make it a priority
and allocate enough of your budget to be able to hire someone
you will be happy with.
Overall, the old saying, "You get what you pay for," seems
to ring true. I am not your cheapest option, but overall,
many people (especially from past shows) would tell you that
I am your best value. I can't stress enough that you are getting
so much more than music: 21 years experience and insight,
a planner, an entertainer and host, a public speaker, a dancer
(when necessary), the best sound system money can buy, a wireless
microphone, lights, special effects, over 1500 compact discs,
professionalism and dependability.
I would encourage you to meet with your entertainer (not just
the company representative). As the owner and only DJ, I personally
play every show for which Music in Motion is hired. Some Mobile
DJ companies will have multiple shows sent out on the same
night and boast many years experience. While their owner or
main DJ may have the experience promised, the other employees
may have far less. Your chances of actually getting the amount
of experience that they insinuate is 25% or less. It is important
that you get to know your DJ for several reasons. It is important
that the show will be run the way you see fit, and your chances
are far greater if you are planning and discussing things
with the DJ who will actually be there on your night. Also,
chemistry is important. Age and personality will play a large
role in how the entertainer performs. Meeting your host will
give you an opportunity to see if you and he/she are compatible.
Lastly, I only perform 50 to 60 shows per year which is about
one show (on average ) per weekend. Actually, I probably turn
away more than I accept. Strictly from a business and profitability
standpoint this would not be a wise decision, but money is
NOT my main motivation! There is an art to what I do, and
I love to perform. Limiting my shows is deliberate! In some
cases, the desired presentation is just not for me. I provide
a specialized service - some may not be able to afford the
type of quality show that I perform and in some cases our
personalities and/or perspectives may clash. Ultimately, I
want the new couple to leave the reception glad they hired
me and having had a wonderful time. Limiting the number of
performances really shows when the curtain goes up! I think
too often performers become so engrossed in making money that
they lose the edge that made them so good to begin with.
CREATIVE IDEAS