JHatchDJ: tips

Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts

Tuesday

I CANNOT be rented!

So I was reading over at a popular wedding site and came across an article offering advice to brides & grooms regarding music. The article was...shall we say....fluffy? I was about to click away and then this caught my attention

Once the ceremony is complete and the newlyweds along with their bridal party and guests move along to the wedding reception, they should find themselves in an establishment which has music playing as well. The main choice which the couple needs to decide upon is whether to have a DJ or live band play at their wedding reception. There are a few considerations when trying to choose between the two.

There are pros and cons to having a DJ play music at the reception. Some of the pros associated with DJs include less expensive fees, greater selection of music and the bride and groom will always know what the music will sound like, as it is prerecorded. Some of the negative aspects which one may find with a DJ is that there is only one individual playing the music, there is a lack of variety in song versions and the DJ may not be as lively as a band.

When considering having a live band play at the reception, it is important to consider some of the positive and negative aspects of doing so. On the bright side, when the couple has a live band play at their reception they will have lively entertainment by the individuals playing the music, there may be more exciting variations to the songs and it provides a more elegant and personal atmosphere to the special day. With regard to potential negative aspects of having a live band, the band members may not sound as good as on their demo tape, they may not have as many musical selections and they will most likely be pricier than renting a DJ would be.

There are many things that I take exception to in this section of the article.

How exactly is a band more "personal" than a skilled wedding entertainer/DJ?

You want more exciting versions of a song I have remix upon remix of the most popular tunes and if by chance I don't find a remix I will do one live on the spot. I don't think this is something most B&G's are seeking for their reception. My experience is that the standard version of a song is the one people truly want to hear. Not a "good cover" with an extended "jam" in the middle!

Want custom introductions for your bridal party(different specific songs for each couple)? I did a party this year with 12 couples in the bridal party and custom edited music from 30 different songs to personalize their introductions. Good luck having the band pull that one off.

Now I agree that a band is certainly a lot more entertaining to watch and if that is what you want, something for your guests to watch then have your DJ provide video screens for the party and take it to another level, but most times I find that the B&G want to enjoy their friends and family, while dancing to some good songs. It is my philosophy that the B&G should be the primary focus of the guests, not me and certainly not some raucous floor show.

Too each his own.
Here is where I got "tweaked"

they will most likely be pricier than renting a DJ would be.

I can be hired to do an event, but I am not a commodity to be rented!

This is the problem with some so called wedding planners ( I said some - I actually love working with a good qualified wedding planner at an event) They view the vendors as merely commodities to be shuffled around, and too often to be treated poorly, dismissively and too often without even the slightest professional courtesy. I never understand this. What benefit is there to a wedding planner in alienating any if not all of the vendors at an event? None that I can see. Your wedding entertainment, be it DJ or band, should be professionals with wedding experience. If they are they deserve the respect that their years of experience has earned them. You don't rent people. Your rent, chairs, tents, lights, etc...NOT PEOPLE!

Treat your vendors courteously and respectfully and they will work even harder than you ever imagined possible to give you your wedding, YOUR way

Quick Stat:

The fastest way to save the MOST money at your reception!

I read this online today and I am not sure whether I agree with this strategy or not. Here it is for your consideration.........

Want to know the fastest and easiest way to save big money on your wedding?

Reduce the number of guests you invite!

At an average cost of $50-$100 per guest (for food, drinks, tips, taxes, etc.) you can save a lot of money really fast! Here’s a fact: Most brides and grooms invite TOO MANY people to their wedding! After the wedding, over 90% feel that they could have saved money by not inviting some of the people they felt obligated to invite!

If you are thinking of 250 people and you trim it to 225, you save anywhere from $1250 to $2500 dollars!! This alone pays for your DJ, or a professional videographer! Trim it to 200 and you have paid for your honeymoon!

Never forget: 90% of brides and grooms come away from their wedding realizing that they wasted a lot of money inviting people that they really didn’t have to! Trim that guest list! In fact, you are sure to be one of the 90% if you do not review and trim the list at least 5 times!!!! Trim that guest list! Look at all the money you will save!

What do you think? Sounds reasonable but I know from experience that the guest list is a BEAST and one that is extremely hard to tame! Many brides and grooms spend weeks on making their list. Perhaps there's something in the amount of time spent dealing with this issue. Sort of a "can't see the forest for the trees" thing. Here's a thought take a look at your guest list and picture yourself intreacting with each person or couple on the list. When you get to a shudder or a feeling that is less than true exuberance make a note of that name. Then put the list away for a week, come back and read ONLY those names and see if your feeling is the same. If the mere thought of dealing with a guest makes you uncomfortable now, it probably won't change on YOUR big day.

Just something to think about!

Quick Stat:

Monday

Last Minute Crisis: Disasters that occur the Week of the Wedding, and How to Avoid Them”

Here are some more common Week of the wedding / Day of the wedding emergencies and strategies to prepare to cope with them.

Keep the bench DEEP!
A member of the bridal party is called out of town for his or her job or is in an accident, or too sick to be in the wedding. Plan for this! When you make up your list of bridesmaids and groomsmen, list a couple of “alternates” just in case!

Sitting with your back to the driver in the limo.
With all the excitement, you may be overly warm, you start feeling queasy….and get sick! Some people can get motion sickness sitting in a car in a way that their body is not accustomed to. Limo drivers are the best! And good at being smooth drivers, but sit facing the driver!

Your uncle’s old Ford broke down.
You want to save some money on a limo and your uncle has an old classic car he volunteers to drive you in, but it breaks down. The car isn’t a bad idea, the solution is to have a friend drive behind you just in case that old classic dies!

Early Bird NOT the worm!
You are having the pictures taken before the ceremony and someone is late! This can ruin the whole schedule very quickly! Taking pictures before your ceremony is a great idea but only if you insist that everyone be very early. What does “early” mean? Here’s a good standard: If they had a flat tire, they could get it fixed and still be on time!”

Perfume going in...
A headache or upset stomach because you drank champagne on an empty stomach. Most of us here in the real world rarely drink it so we aren’t prepared for what it can do to us. Eat a little something before downing the bubbly! It may save your night!

Here's a Tip!
Gratuities for service providers are traditional during the wedding day. While in most situations a gratuity is given for EXCEPTIONAL service, in the wedding business some companies actually include the gratuity in the contract. Tips for the servers, the priest or minister, limo driver, DJ, videographer, photographer, bartenders, etc can easily add up to hundreds of dollars! Decide how much you have spent and tip accordingly, as you would in a restaurant, better service gets a bigger tip!

Not breaking in your shoes!
And this goes for the whole bridal party! Not being able to dance at your own wedding without a lot of pain (or your maid of honor can’t dance with you to all your favorite songs from the college days) is a real disappointment. Plan ahead! Even bring a second pair of shoes for dancing! Remember, you will set the tone for the reception. And if the guests don’t see you dancing, they will be less inclined to dance as well!

Not packing a “Wedding Emergency Kit”.
Put a little bag together containing the following: A needle and thread, An extra pair of contacts, Asprin or Tylenol, Tums, Breath Mints, Make up. An extra pair of Panty Hose, Shoe polish for touch ups, Band-Aids, Tissues, Safety pins, AND, Whatever else you can think of! Don't want one more thing to remember then order one HERE for only $39!

Remeber the wisdom of Poor Richards Almanac.."An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Keep Murphy and his nasty law off your reception guest list!

Quick Stat:

Why Choose a Full Time Professional Wedding Entertainer?

Weddings are a special time in our lives where we celebrate the love two people share, and the bonds that tie all of us together. Planning for such an important occasion can be daunting with so many decisions and things to plan. You need a venue, officiant, florist, caterer, photographer, videographer, and of course entertainment. If you want things to run smoothly you'll need a wedding coordinator, but they can be expensive. If you have the money a high quality wedding planner can save you hundreds of dollars almost paying for their fee. Too often however brides & grooms just can't justify the expense. Often the caterer will offer coordination services, but they are mainly concerned with coordination of the food. There are too many facets to the job of catering to allow their full attention to the details in the "front of the house."

So now what?

Do you really want to put a friend or family member in charge? Not only will they not have the opportunity to enjoy your reception but unless they have years of experience you are trusting your HUGE investment to, well an amateur. Their is another way. Hire a Premium Wedding Entertainer.

In addition to programming the music that you want to hear to set the tone for your event, they are already the one's who are responsible for making sure that the event happens just the way you envision. Who makes all the announcements? Who spends hours working with you on the details of the event? It's really the difference between a "DJ" and a Full-Time Wedding Entertainer. Experience, knowledge and attention to detail.

It is extremely important that you select a Full time Professional Wedding Entertainer that knows how to run a wedding. Most times the DJ/MC will be coordinating the traditional events of the evening based upon a time line worked out with the couple beforehand. By choosing a Professional Wedding DJ/MC you can guarantee that the night will run smooth and all of your guest will have a good time. That's really what it's all about, having a good time. An experienced Wedding Pro knows how to involve all of the guests so everyone feels like part of the action, playing appropriate music at the right time to get everyone dancing and having fun.

There's just something different about a Full-time Wedding Entertainer. When all you do is focus on bringing the wedding dreams of your clients to life it is your life's work. There is a whole other level of service to be experienced. No "day" job to interfere or distract from the careful attention to each and every event. No waiting til after business hours for a return phone call, or to receive a reply to an email. A full time pro can give you the kind of attention that your reception deserves.

With thousands of dollars invested in food, flowers, dresses and more don't you want a professional with experience and whose only focus is on you and your party?

Planning your wedding with a full time professional wedding DJ is also a snap. Most premium wedding entertainers provide easy-to-use Planning Forms and an Online Music Database, so you can make sure everything goes the way you want. A true professional will ask a lot of questions to discover what it is that YOU want. There shouldn't be too much "I do this" or "I do that" but you should hear plenty of "What did you have in mind for..", or "When you close your eyes how do you see this event unfolding?" A Full time professional has the time to spend with you to ensure that your event happens YOUR way.

There are no "do overs" on your wedding day. Don't trust a lifetime of memories to "just any DJ." Protect your investment hire an experienced Full Time Professional Wedding DJ.

Quick Stat:

A General Time Table

With so much to do, every bride needs a surefire way to get organized and stay on track as she counts down toward that all-important day. Here’s a guide and checklist you won’t want to be without.

12 Months Before

*Buy a wedding planner and organizer, which is one of the true bargains for brides. (The only realistic alternative to not being well organized is hiring a wedding consultant to manage the details for you.)

*Talk with your fiancé (and parents if they will be paying the bill and adding to the guest list) about the size and a budget, possible date, and location for the wedding.

*Reserve the ceremony and reception sites. (If the wedding will take place in a large city, don’t dilly dally on this one. Wedding venues can be booked up solid for a year.)

*Book your DJ. What? you say a Whole year in advance. Yes. The times have changed and professional wedding DJ's have grown their referrals by word of mouth. If you want to have choices between the premium Wedding DJ's in Syracuse, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or Massachusetts you need to start looking now. It would be disastrous to delay and find that you must settle for less than you desire.

*Begin shopping for your dress. (You could be looking for that perfect gown for months, and most shops need at least four months to fill an order. Look for styles appropriate for the wedding venue and time of
day.)

*Shop for or begin making save-the-date cards.

*Send your engagement announcement to newspapers.

10 Months Before

*Make an appointment to meet with your clergyman. (At the time you make your appointment, let him know your wedding date. You and your fiance should arrange to meet with him as soon as possible, especially if you live in a large city or are planning to write your own wedding vows.)

*Begin scouting around for a baker, caterer, florist, musicians, and photographers. (Once you have found them, ask about and review price options.)

8 Months Before

*Research honeymoon destinations and prices.

*Begin the guest list. (Generally, half of the invited guests are the bride’s
and half are the groom’s.)

*Order your dress.

*Choose bridal registries and gifts you would like to receive.

*Reserve a block of rooms for out-of-town guests.

6 Months Before

*Mail save-the-day notices.

*Select menu and flower arrangements.

*Order wedding stationery.

*Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses.

*Reserve rentals (tents, fans, etc.).

*Make honeymoon and flight reservations.

*Reserve hotel room for your wedding night.

4 Months Before

*Finalize guest list.

*Have first dress fitting.

*Order wedding rings.

*Schedule rehearsals.

*Find out if blood tests will be required.

*Get change-of-name forms.

*Visit the formal wear shop.

2 Months Before

*Shop for lingerie and honeymoon clothes.

*Pick out shoes. (When you get them home, don’t forget to scuff up soles
to prevent slipping.)

*Mail wedding invitations.

*Finalize vows and give copies to clergyman and groom.

*Select gifts for Bridesmaids & Groomsmen.

*If necessary, get change of address forms from post office.

1 Month Before

*Have final dress fitting.

*Pick up rings.

*Have programs printed.

*Confirm all reservations.

*Send announcement to newspapers.

2 Weeks Before

*Get marriage license.

*Make final arrangements with photographer.

*Organize seating plans.

*Begin writing thank-you notes.

*Type up toasts for the rehearsal dinner and reception.

*Give final guest count to caterer.

1 Week Before

*Pack for the honeymoon.

*Make necessary banking arrangements.

*Host bridesmaids’ party and distribute gifts.

*Pick up wedding dress.

*Confirm rehearsal dinner plans with attendants.

*Final meeting with DJ to go over the plans and music selections

1 Day Before

*Have manicure and pedicure.

*Attend rehearsal and dinner.

*Mail announcements.

Wedding Day

*Eat breakfast. DO NOT SKIP THIS MEAL! It may be the last time you eat until the reception and you need the energy to get through the day feeling good. Don't ruin the day because your feeling run down or faint because you skipped breakfast!

*Visit hairstylist and have nails touched up.

SHOW TIME!

Best Wishes!

Quick Stat:

Sunday

5 Wedding "Emergency" Tips

Emergency Tip #1
Traffic Congestion
We've heard from numerous brides who have arrived late to their own weddings because of either poor planning or vehicle malfunctions. Be safe map out an alternative route from place to place and arrange for alternative transportation, just in case! Every Professional DJ should have a multi faceted back up plan for transportation and equipment. New York City, New Jersey, Washington D.C. and Baltimore wedding DJ's know how to navigate traffic headaches and leave extraordinarily early in anticipation of tie ups. DJ's in Connecticut, New Hampshire and rural Pennsylvania and Upstate and Central New York have experience with remote locations and rural routes which can be confusing to out of town guests and contractors. Make sure that everyone has a firm action plan to deal in advance with possible traffic congestion. Repeat this mantra, GPS, GPS, G-P-S!

Emergency Tip #2
Double-Booked Ministers, Photographers & DJ's
Sad but true. Ask your officiate to double-check his or her availability when you first make arrangements, and again the week of the wedding. The "Double booked DJ" is another true horror story told by far too many brides. Less than reputable disc jockey companies many with part time "weekend warriors" in their ranks will often make changes at the last minute resulting in a Disc Jockey who has no clue what you have in mind for your reception turning up unannounced. Even worse if your reception ends before 7pm your DJ may have booked a second event in the evening which negates any possibility of extending your event if the party is hopping. It's also a HUGE distraction as the DJ begins focusing on a fast tear down and quick drive to the next event when he should be focused on YOUR party. Dealing with a full time professional Wedding DJ who does only one event per day ensures that the DJ you plan with is the DJ who will perform at your reception.

Emergency Tip #3
Lost Limousines, DJ's & Caterers
Yes, this actually happens. Photographers, Disc Jockeys and even caterers get lost sometimes, too. Before your wedding, have all drivers confirm the directions to your destination to be sure they're exact. Most Full time wedding DJ's have embraced GPS and while systems can have quirks they are generally very accurate. Ask your wedding disc jockey if he uses a GPS system and if not just make sure you confirm his directions.

Emergency Tip #4
Cake Mistake and other Disappointments
Many brides have complained that their cake didn't taste or look as good as was expected. This often happens with less experienced bakers, such as those who don't specialize in wedding cakes. Definitely go in for a tasting before you sign a contract or pay any money, because the vendor just may not be able to provide the quality you're expecting. The same goes for ALL of your vendors. Quality not price should be your driving factor when it comes to the vendors who drive your event. Using a Wedding Professional who deals with the special intricacies and expectations that accompany a wedding day can save you a lot of headaches on the big day. A professional wedding DJ for example will be able to provide you with planning tools that can help you pace the days events and ensure a smooth effortless presentation that you can relax and enjoy with your guests.

Emergency Tip #5
Rain at an Outdoor Wedding
If you're having an outside ceremony and/or reception, insist on a rain contingency. This works as a backup plan in case it rains. If your ideal ceremony site does not have an ideal backup (an alternate indoor setting), you may need to choose another. Never forget your wedding DJ in your contingency plans. Water and electricity just don't mix. Consult with your professional Wedding DJ to make sure that contingencies for inclement weather are sufficient so the party can continue rain or shine!

Here in Syracuse and Central New York, not many folks plan weddings much before June 1st and there are only a handful who brave late October events. The reason? SNOW. Syracuse DJ's know how to prepare for snow emergencies. Just like New York City and New Jersey wedding DJ's know how to navigate traffic headaches and leave extraordinarily early in anticipation of tie ups. Professional wedding disc jockey s in Connecticut, New Hampshire and rural Pennsylvania have experience with remote locations and rural routes which can be confusing to out of town guests and contractors.

All wedding emergencies can be dealt with by remaining cool and by relying on the members of your bridal party and by involving your wedding professionals in every step of the planning. Your Wedding DJ can offer advice on a pretty broad range of wedding day topics. An experienced DJ has seen many of these emergencies and can offer advice to help get things back on track. That's the difference between a part time weekend DJ and a full time professional with the experience to assist in all facets of your reception.

Quick Stat:

Friday

Ceremony Music..what, when & why.

For most, planning a ceremony includes choosing some great wedding music. The reception isn’t the only place where you can play your favorite songs. Ceremonial wedding music can be divided into five areas. Remember to plan for them all!

1. Prelude: Prelude music is played before the wedding begins. It may start as the guests are being seated and can include simple instrumental music or music sung by people close to you. The last song played during the prelude is for the seating of the Mothers of the Bride & Groom. Many Brides choose a special piece of music for this.

2. Processional: The music played as the wedding party walks in is called the processional. Traditionally, this is instrumental music - most commonly the wedding march and Canon in D. You can choose whatever your want, however!

3. Ceremonial: This is music played, you guessed it, during the actual ceremony. You may have friends of family members provide music and you can also ask the congregation to sing a church hymn during the proceedings.

4. Recessional: Recessional music is played as the wedding party leaves. Again, you can go the traditional route here or you can choose something that more suits your style.

5. Postlude: Finally, as the guests are filing out, postlude music plays. Instrumental music works nicely here.

Stuck on what songs to have at your ceremony? visit the website at www.jhatchdj.com

Monday

Here's a Tip...Seating guests by DJ Slam

Alot of energy, thought and some times even tears go in to planning the perfect seating chart for a wedding reception. During this important process be sure to make sure you factor the DJ into your thinking. These are only considerations. Ultimately as with everything the final decision is and always should be up to you. It's YOUR Wedding, YOUR way!

Sit guests as far as possible from the DJ.

This is a fairly obvious consideration for some, but many times the DJ shows up to find he is within handshake distance of your guests and large empty spaces elsewhere in the room. The DJ should ideally be immediately adjacent to the dance floor with about a 10' x 10' area in which to set-up. (My gear uses about half this space) and at least 15' between the speakers and the nearest table. More is better here, the extra room creates a nice transitional space but there is such a thing as too far. There are many things a DJ can do to minimize the impact of amplified music on guests nearby but this basic fact always remains true...the closer the guests are to the source of the music (speakers) the louder the music will be.

BONUS TIP! Make sure that you have an official floor plan from the catering hall, or create a detailed map (measurements, serving table locations, outlets) Often Caterers will supply these diagrams with the tables drawn in YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ACCEPT THIS LAYOUT. I have never met a caterer who wasn't willing to work with a bride regarding placement of the tables. However many caterers are used to certain set-ups and may resist changes. Remember no matter which service your talking to YOU are the customer. YOU are paying the bills. YOU get what you want!(within the boundaries of the law...of course)

***The picture above is not mine and is not credited

Next Up....Respect your Elders! Where should my great Aunt sit?

Come back again next week for another great article from DJ Slam!