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For Better or Worse - Choosing a DJ
by Bob Romeo
Very surreal words. When it comes to hiring a DJ for your wedding, how do you really know that the person that you are hiring will be able to do what they say they will do and make your wedding better that you ever expected or, worse than you could ever imagine. Are you taking a huge risk to save money on one of the most important factors of your wedding? Or, is your decision going to be diluted because of a lack of understanding of what to look for when hiring a DJ for your wedding.
Every bride should understand that one of the most important facets of any wedding reception is the DJ/Entertainment. Outside of the food, the entertainment value is the most immediate result that your guest will be involved with. They won't see the immediate result of the photographer or videographer. With the help of the internet and prominent wedding sites, more and more clients are starting to realize and understand that the role of a DJ is more than just coming to play music. The mistake that a lot of brides still make is choosing their DJ based on price alone and not by their talent and experience. The investment in your wedding day rides solely on the shoulders of the person that is running the event from start to finish. A typical reception with 150 people in the Pocono area for just the food will run in excess of $12,000.00. If the DJ is less than professional, then it is no longer a reception that has positive memories. It has just become a very expensive dinner for 150 people that you paid for. After spending that amount of money, why would you get the cheapest DJ?
Ask the right questions when interviewing a DJ for your wedding. The DJ you choose is a direct reflection on you. Remember "For better or worse" Here are some important points to remember when you interview a DJ company.
Prompt return of your phone calls or Emails: You should expect to get a call back or an Email back within 24 hours. Many DJ's are part time and may not be able to return your call until after normal business hours. Some DJ's are fulltime and make a very good living at being the best that they can be. They tend to be a lot more detailed in personalizing your event
Willingness to meet with you and present his/her service: Will the DJ try to meet with you soon, or is he/she just trying to book the date sight unseen? Is their material neat and professional looking, and is their presentation organized and informative?
Is the price too good to be true? Sometimes, the DJ is often the last service chosen, after much of the budget is expended on a venue, food and clothing. This often leads brides and party planners to shop for the cheapest price possible because of a lack of resources. This often backfires when holding out for the lowest price. However, if you have adhered to the guiding principals noted here, you will know to avoid services that have a rock bottom price because they will not be able to display the level of quality and attention to detail that every client deserves!
Is the person knowledgeable about your type of event? There are all kinds of DJ's. Club DJ's, wedding DJ's, Rave DJ's Karaoke DJ's...the list is endless!! Can the DJ you interview handle your type of event? Ask the DJ how many events of your type that he/she has done this year. If it is less than 15 a year, than perhaps that specific DJ is not skilled enough to run your event.
What sort of documents does the DJ use to procure your business? In a good interview, the DJ should show you several documents. Such as brochures, business cards etc. A lot can be said by a company's brochure or business card. If they look cheesy, chances are so will the type of service you receive. A DJ may also give you a list of references. CALL THEM!! Ask if there were any issues or problem areas when the person dealt with the DJ.
Does the DJ use professional grade equipment? If the DJ does not have pictures of his or her gear, you should ask to set up a time to see the equipment or see pictures of the DJ's set up. Although there are many fine home stereo equipment components made, they are not suitable for commercial or repeated use and varying room conditions. The DJ should be able to tell you what he/she uses and characterize the equipment as professional grade.
Will the DJ offer to meet with you after signing the contract to plan your event? A professional DJ is always willing to discuss your event at any time before the event starts, and should display the flexibility to accommodate changes and help you solve problems. Meeting your DJ to plan your event is of paramount importance to a successful event such as a wedding reception.
Will the person that you interview be the person that will perform at your event? This is the most common complaint about the DJ industry today. The person you meet turns out not to be the person that actually does your show. Often, you are not made aware of this. Ask the DJ you interview if he/she will be the actual person performing, or will someone else perform the event. You need to know this up front before you sign a contract.
Consider this when pricing your DJ service: You should consider your DJ service an insurance policy that ensures that all of the other money you spend will not result in bad memories or a less than enjoyable occasion. You do get what you pay for. Good entertainment is not cheap, and cheap entertainment often is not good!! And yet many people will pay far more for a cake, flowers, or food than they will for the most crucial ingredient at a party - the music. Chances are, if you are like most people, and you have been to a party or wedding in the last year or so, you don't remember anything other than if you had a good time or not and if the DJ was good or terrible. The music is always what they will talk about .
DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT!
Based on surveys taken by UltimateWedding.com, Modern Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings and TheKnot.com, the following statistics dramatically stress the importance and value of quality entertainment in the modern wedding market:
* 72% of today's brides are using professional mobile entertainers for their entertainment choice.
* 63% of the guests attending these functions do not remember what was served for dinner but do remember the entertainment.
* 4% to 6% is the amount most brides reserve for their entertainment budget.
* The average cost for a mobile entertainer for a wedding is between $500 to $2,000. The cost is largely dependent upon the experience of a DJ, locale and specific client requests.
* The entertainment chosen for a wedding or party is responsible for 80% of the events' success.
The following statistics were published in St. Louis Bride & Groom Magazine in 2003. Sources include: Simmons, 2001; USA Today, 2002; National Bridal Service, 2001; The Knot, 2002; Brides Magazine, 2001.
AFTER THE VOWS...
* 72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment.
* Almost 100% say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment.
* During wedding planning, Brides say their highest priority is their attire, followed by the reception site and caterer - reception entertainment is among the least of their priorities. Within one week after their reception, 78% of Brides say they would have made the entertainment their highest priority!
* When asked 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment.
Bob Romeo is the owner of Backtrax Mobile DJ's and is the Pocono's most sought after wedding DJ for brides & grooms with discerning taste. Bob is not your typical DJ. He is able to infuse unique skills into each and every wedding that he does. From custom introductions of the bridal party to specially edited songs with your special message, he is in a league all his own. He has been a professional wedding DJ for over 12 years. He runs his business fulltime and his office is located at 766 Main St Stroudsburg. He can be contacted toll free at 866-438-2356 or locally at 570-992-5100. His website is www.backtraxonline.com
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