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Costly Misconception #1
There are many folks that can pony up the money for really nice equipment and are capable of plugging in and playing some tunes, but very few who have enough experience in entertaining an audience and organizing the smooth flow of a reception to fill the thimble. This is where you must be very tough minded and asking your prospective DJ where the experience comes from. It is a mistake to think that a person who has only “club” or “corporate” experience can get through a wedding reception. An inexperienced DJ may be able to get through a simple birthday party or backyard gathering, but where they really can wreak havoc is at a wedding reception where timing, organization, and flow are vitally important. Be sure to obtain a list of wedding reception specific references. The best advice I can give you is that whatever DJ or company you hire, you better be sure that there is someone there who has a strong track record and fundamentals of performing wedding receptions. |
Costly Misconception #2
Your DJ is entirely responsible for the smooth flow of your reception. The DJ will be your “Entertainment Director”, who will create & execute the agenda for the entire evening. This role is especially amplified if you are not using the services of a wedding consultant. You will benefit from the experience of a wedding entertainment DJ professional. They will be able to guide you through all formalities, and give you suggestions to make your day unique and unforgettable. A entertainer will use their expertise to incorporate your ideas and suggestions into the program. But don’t just hire a “yes” man. Be sure that the entertainer is giving you the real scoop, and not just telling you what he thinks you want to hear. |
Costly Misconception #7
No two wedding receptions should be alike. Your reception represent the first time you and your spouse are throwing a gathering as husband and wife. It should be an extension of your personality and style. A big mistake is allowing an entertainer to do their usual “schtick”, making your day a carbon copy of every other wedding for the year. How are you sure the DJ will make your day unique? Simply see if he or she asks you what you are looking for. Be wary of the DJ that just touts his music list, equipment, and achievements. See if they ask you what you are looking for, first, and then offer you the right solutions to make your day special. |
Costly Misconception #3
Every year I get a number of calls from brides in “panic”. For one reason or another, they cannot find a DJ entertainer available for their date. even worse, I have heard more than few brides say that the DJ they got “through a friend: has disappeared, and left them in the lurch. What makes this even more scarier is that now their choices have gone from “who is the best DJ for them” to being forced to hire whoever may be available. With no time left to research, and with so many other details hanging over them, finding the right DJ will be more about random luck than educated decision. Don’t let this happen to you. The truth is, the best, most popular DJ entertainers will be booked more than six to twelve months in advance, in some cases up to 2 or 3 years. If you begin your entertainment research early enough, and you discover a great entertainer, don’t think that he will be available if you call weeks later. It is difficult enough to find that perfect entertainer-the one who makes you comfortable, someone you like, and who understands your tastes. It only makes sense that you secure your date right away with a written agreement. In most cases, DJs see their calendar as their “inventory” and cannot hold a date without a written agreement and a retainer. |
Costly Misconception #5
There is a common misconception that the longer the party is, the more fun it is. Many brides get carried away in thinking that they should party till they drop, but I want to point out the reality: In many cases, if your guests have attended your ceremony and will be with you all day, it is a longer day than you might think. Your special day will be infinitely more memorable if you end on a high note, as opposed to stretching it until only few guests remain standing. Setting up the perfect final song, with everyone on the dance floor will result in cheering guests, a proper send off, and raving reviews from your loved ones. Extending only conjures up visions of last call at the bar with only the hardcore partiers stumbling their way out the door. A perfect time-frame for a wedding reception not including the ceremony is 3 to 4 hour for an afternoon reception, and no more than 5 to 6 hours for an evening reception that includes cocktail hour. Friday and Sunday receptions should lean towards the shorter side. Bottom line: The decision to extend the party is best judged on-site. Plan a reasonable end time, discuss the ability to add time as an option. |
Costly Misconception #6
Wow! this is a biggie. Of course, price is a factor when hiring your DJ, but don’t let it be the single deciding factor. Is the highest priced performer always the best? Not necessarily, but on the other hand, hiring the least expensive entertainer is rarely the way to go either. Inexperienced brides often mistakenly think of DJs as a “dime a dozen”, or a commodity. The fact is that each DJ entertainer is unique. Like every profession, there are some who are great, others mediocre, and other who should never be allowed to perform! You need to decide on the performer that is most qualified to perform your reception, that you are comfortable with (since the DJ will be representing you and your family), and that has the proper experience and credentials. Understand that DJs should not be hired by price alone and BEWARE of “suspiciously cheap” DJs, there may be a reason for it. Instead, decide on a price range that you can afford, check out a few in that range, and choose the best performer. Professional DJ rates are all over the board. They range from under $1,000 to over $3,500 for a complete reception, and are based on DJs popularity, demand, and availability. Considering the fact that the DJ is responsible for over 80% of the success of your wedding reception, I recommend setting a range between 5% and 20% of you entire budget for your entertainment. |
Costly Misconception #4
Auditioning a DJ at another bride’s wedding has been a controversial subject. I will put it in a logical perspective here, and give you the real scoop. Simply ask yourself if you would want strangers walking into your reception (often in street clothes) for the purpose of seeing one of your vendors? It is not the proper time or place to audition a DJ. There are several reasons why it is not even useful for anyone involved. First, it is an obviously uncomfortable position for both the wedding party and the visiting party. Uninvited guests stand out like a sore thumb, and are an un-welcomed distraction. Second, unless the prospect sees the entire reception, they don’t get any value out of the visit. Also, they are seeing someone else’s unique wedding, and unless the DJ is of the “cookie-cutter” variety, the prospect again will get no value without knowing what is unique. Third and most importantly, it creates “split loyalty” from the DJ. The DJ may do things out of place just to show off for their prospect, when they should be focusing 100% on appropriate timing for their current client. There are better ways to audition your DJ. The right time should be one on one, at a private consultation. A professional wedding DJ should be able to show you weddings they have performed on video, while they are right beside you to explain each and every detail. This also allows you to see all the different formalities and unique elements of their performance without crashing someone else’s wedding and holding up walls for 5 hours. |
| The 7 Costly Misconceptions About Hiring Wedding Disc Jockey's |