10 Tips to Get the Most Value for Your Wedding DJ Dollar
"Price is what you pay. Value is what you get." - Warren Buffett
In this economy, brides and grooms want to get the most value for their money when selecting their wedding DJ. Since DJ rates are determined by a DJ's experience, level of service and quality of equipment, there is little value in hiring the least expensive DJ you can find. Phoenix AZ DJ Billy James offers 10 tips to help you get the best value when hiring your wedding DJ.
1. Travel Time - Most DJ's would rather travel minutes rather than hours to get to your reception. Select a DJ who is located close to your venue and then ask if the reduced travel time could result in a reduced rate.
2. Prime Time - Saturdays are prime time for weddings. If your wedding will not take place on a Saturday, your DJ may consider a reduced rate if it is requested.
3. Number of Hours - Most wedding receptions do not last more than 4 or 5 hours. If your cocktail hour will take place on a patio or foyer, the venue's house system can often provide the background music. Hiring your DJ for an hour of dinner music and 3 hours for dancing may be sufficient. A DJ's 4 hour rate is usually less expensive than a 5 or 6 hour rate.
4. Number of Guests - From a DJ's perspective, a low-key reception for 50 guests has less stress and requires less equipment than a high-powered reception for 200. If you are having a small, simple reception, ask if your DJ will factor that into his pricing.
5. Venue Access - Experienced DJ's love venues with easy access to load their heavy equipment in and out. If your reception venue does not involve parking garages, stairs or elevators, ask your DJ if that advantage can be reflected in his rate.
6. Agencies - Some excellent wedding disc jockeys are represented by agencies. However, when you hire a wedding DJ through an agency, the rate you are quoted will be used to compensate several people. Dealing with a DJ directly, rather than through an agency, may better your chances of getting more entertainment value for your money.
7. Upselling - Some DJ services charge extra for dance floor lighting, wireless microphones, extra speakers, etc. This is called up-selling. You will get more value if you hire a DJ who includes these extras at no additional charge or is willing to give you a lower rate by eliminating these extras.
8. Credit Card Processing - Most professional DJ services accept major credit cards. However, it costs the DJ money to process a credit card. Ask about a discount if you are willing to pay by check or cash.
9. Feeding Your DJ - Catering Directors will often ask if you'd like to provide a meal for your DJ. If you feel that's appropriate, ask for a vendor discount (or box) rather than including the DJ as part of your guest list. A professional DJ will not have time to sit down to a full course dinner and you'll save $$.
10. Don't Be a Bridezilla! - If you are a fun person and easy to work with, then ask for the "I'm not a Bridezilla" discount. You may get one :)
About the author: Phoenix Wedding DJ Billy James is an experienced musician, professional DJ and Master of Ceremonies
Wedding Blog, Ideas, News for the Bride & Groom
Showing posts with label Entertainment Blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Entertainment Blog. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Live Wedding Music
How to book a wedding band
The one way to guarantee a memorable end to your wedding is day is to hire a live band. The live atmosphere is an excuse for people to get up and dance to the music, even if they're usually not the type. Whether it's motown, swing, pop/ or rock you're into, then you'll most certainly have been browsing on google and found it a little overwhelming. With so many bands to choose from, all at different prices and many appearing to be similar at what they do, it can hard to pick the right band.
Most people haven't really ever had a reason to book a wedding band before, so if you're not sure how it works, hopefully this article will give you a point in the right direction! I'm going to take you through the process of how to find a wedding band, some guidelines about the wedding reception running order and some things to think about before hiring a band.
Where do I start?
Before booking a band, you obviously want to hear the music that you like so if you're looking for a swing band, the easiest thing to do is type it in Google and see who comes up. Of course, it's difficult to know how good a band is live but their demo's, website and photos are usually a good indication of how serious a band is. If a band's been together for 8 years and are coming up at the top on Google, they must be doing something right. If you want to be 100% sure about a band you either need to watch them play live or book through a reputable entertainment agency. Watching a band play live first isn't as easy as it might sound because event bands very rarely play in public. Hiring a band through a music agency means they've been checked out and are up to a high standard. Remember, you usually get what you pay for!
Booking your Band
Once you've found a band you like, make an inquiry sending over the date, location of the wedding and rough timings. Most bands will quote for 2 x 45 minute sets or 3 x 40 minutes. If the band is available and you want to go ahead, the band or agency will send over a contract, which would be signed by yourself and the band. A deposit of around 20% - 30% is usually required to secure the booking.
Payment
With the deposit paid, you'll be expected to pay the remaining fee to the agency a few weeks before the date or alternatively you may need to pay the band on the night, it all depends on the route you've gone down.
Article submitted by Adam Mezzatesta
The one way to guarantee a memorable end to your wedding is day is to hire a live band. The live atmosphere is an excuse for people to get up and dance to the music, even if they're usually not the type. Whether it's motown, swing, pop/ or rock you're into, then you'll most certainly have been browsing on google and found it a little overwhelming. With so many bands to choose from, all at different prices and many appearing to be similar at what they do, it can hard to pick the right band.
Most people haven't really ever had a reason to book a wedding band before, so if you're not sure how it works, hopefully this article will give you a point in the right direction! I'm going to take you through the process of how to find a wedding band, some guidelines about the wedding reception running order and some things to think about before hiring a band.
Where do I start?
Before booking a band, you obviously want to hear the music that you like so if you're looking for a swing band, the easiest thing to do is type it in Google and see who comes up. Of course, it's difficult to know how good a band is live but their demo's, website and photos are usually a good indication of how serious a band is. If a band's been together for 8 years and are coming up at the top on Google, they must be doing something right. If you want to be 100% sure about a band you either need to watch them play live or book through a reputable entertainment agency. Watching a band play live first isn't as easy as it might sound because event bands very rarely play in public. Hiring a band through a music agency means they've been checked out and are up to a high standard. Remember, you usually get what you pay for!
Booking your Band
Once you've found a band you like, make an inquiry sending over the date, location of the wedding and rough timings. Most bands will quote for 2 x 45 minute sets or 3 x 40 minutes. If the band is available and you want to go ahead, the band or agency will send over a contract, which would be signed by yourself and the band. A deposit of around 20% - 30% is usually required to secure the booking.
Payment
With the deposit paid, you'll be expected to pay the remaining fee to the agency a few weeks before the date or alternatively you may need to pay the band on the night, it all depends on the route you've gone down.
Article submitted by Adam Mezzatesta
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Memorable Music For Your Wedding Day
Impress your guests and make your wedding day even more memorable by choosing a variety of unique music! It's not just your typical DJ turning out the latest hits at wedding receptions anymore. Jazz bands, professional singers and pianists are just a few ways that couples are making their wedding day have that extra special touch. Here are some other wedding day music trends that are becoming increasingly popular.
Ceremony Music
The most important part of any wedding day is the actual ceremony and the exchanging of vows. To further enhance that special moment and the time leading up to that, set the mood with an exquisite instrumental ensemble or even a soloist. A harpist, a flutist, a violinist, or even a small group of musicians would be a beautiful accent to any wedding ceremony as guests begin to enter the venue. Conclude the ceremony with more instrumental selections played by live musicians. Remember that most musicians can play a wide range of music from classical pieces to today's pop songs.
Cocktail Hour Music
The cocktail hour is an ideal time to change up the music from being strictly instrumental to selections that are more upbeat. Depending on your preference of music, a small jazz ensemble may be what you are looking for. Not only does jazz music still carry that touch of class, but it is lively and perfectly sets the mood for the wedding reception to follow. If jazz is not your style, perhaps a singer soloist accompanying a pianist would better suite your needs. Although live musicians aren't inexpensive, the impact of live music truly makes the occasion extra special and makes it worth the cost.
Reception Music
Typically at most wedding receptions, people tend to want to get up and dance the night away. With a mix of slow and fast songs this can easily get people up and celebrating. At most wedding receptions, a DJ is the choice to provide music throughout the night. However, more and more couples are opting for a live band and a DJ. There are many types of bands that specialize in a variety of music such as: country, ethnic music, pop, rock and other genres of music. When the live band needs to take five, the DJ typically steps in to change up the music. Some couples even commemorate their heritages and have Irish Step Dancers or even an Oompah Band make a special appearance during the reception.
As you can see, there are many music choices available to those couples getting married. Having music that fits both the event and your style is important. Make your wedding day extra special by adding unique and special music to your celebration.
About the author: Amanda Cooper is a freelance writer for Wedding Favours Kingdom, which carries a wide variety of wedding accessories, beach wedding favors, and personalized cards. Amanda is also a contributing writer for other wedding and home-related websites. When Amanda is not writing, she enjoys spending time reading.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Wedding Magician
Weddings are magical occasions for all involved but to bring that extra spark of enchantment, you should look into hiring a magician" to perform at your wedding reception. Here are 5 great reasons to hire a magician.
Wedding Entertainment Ideas: Why have a magician at your wedding?
When it comes to organising your wedding party, you have a wide range of options. You could have a simple event or a themed party, perhaps featuring 60s, beach, Bond, or medieval themes. Or you could have a casino or celebrity look a like. As for decor you could feature an ice sculpture or chocolate fountain.
You'll need music of course and you have the choice of a live band, jazz band or a DJ laying down disco beats. Or your might prefer a string quartet, harpist, singer, piper or pianist.
You could employ a toastmaster to be the master of ceremonies and keeps the event moving along. And on the all-important entertainment front, you could hire a caricaturist or silhouette artist. But for a wedding party that really goes with a bang, you can't beat a magician.
When we say magician, we're not talking about a man on a stage pulling a white rabbit out of a hat. We're talking about a modern interactive close-up magician. This magician moves among the tables or groups of people and entertains them with a sophisticated magic routine. Here are 5 great reasons why having a magician at your wedding reception will make it a rousing success.
Firstly, nothing gets a wedding party swinging quite like a magic routine. It provides an immediate spark to the atmosphere, creating a genuine buzz of excitement. Along with tucking into the food, swilling down the champagne and dancing to the band, your guests will be be delighted to find you've arranged something special. Imagine their cries of surprised joy when the magician begins to weave his way through the tables and groups of guests bringing that special touch to the occasion. By personalising his act for each group, the magician is perfect for building and maintaining the relaxed atmosphere that makes every wedding party a success.
This means that magic acts are great for breaking the ice and bringing people together. Many of the magician's tricks require audience participation which further delights the guests. It often creates an ambiance of friendly competition and results in copious laughter and a flow of playful banter. Enjoying and participating in magic tricks forges a sense of community and shared experience that is possible in few other ways. And it also draws people out of themselves so that even the shyer guests start participating and enjoying themselves more.
On a purely practical level, your magician can fill in if things get off schedule. Wedding parties are complex affairs and many things can go wrong. Perhaps the guest of honour is delayed in the traffic. Or if the best man is late for his speech for example, the magician can keep the guests enthralled while waiting. Or if the food's delayed, what better way to keep your guests happy than with a magic routine? In this way he can take a lot of the stress off the host and hostess by keeping the guests entertained as needed.
But ultimately, the real magic of the magician is to create that unique ambiance and the feeling that anything is possible. And on your wedding day, that's exactly the mood you need to make it perfect.
So make sure you get a magician for your wedding and you'll be sure of the event of a lifetime. Everyone loves a magic act. Your magician will appeal to guests of all ages and both genders. Getting a magician for your wedding reception is surprisingly affordable and in addition to the benefits above, will make your wedding party the talk of the town.
Submitted by David Willmott, www.davidwillmott.com
Wedding Entertainment Ideas: Why have a magician at your wedding?
When it comes to organising your wedding party, you have a wide range of options. You could have a simple event or a themed party, perhaps featuring 60s, beach, Bond, or medieval themes. Or you could have a casino or celebrity look a like. As for decor you could feature an ice sculpture or chocolate fountain.
You'll need music of course and you have the choice of a live band, jazz band or a DJ laying down disco beats. Or your might prefer a string quartet, harpist, singer, piper or pianist.
You could employ a toastmaster to be the master of ceremonies and keeps the event moving along. And on the all-important entertainment front, you could hire a caricaturist or silhouette artist. But for a wedding party that really goes with a bang, you can't beat a magician.
When we say magician, we're not talking about a man on a stage pulling a white rabbit out of a hat. We're talking about a modern interactive close-up magician. This magician moves among the tables or groups of people and entertains them with a sophisticated magic routine. Here are 5 great reasons why having a magician at your wedding reception will make it a rousing success.
Firstly, nothing gets a wedding party swinging quite like a magic routine. It provides an immediate spark to the atmosphere, creating a genuine buzz of excitement. Along with tucking into the food, swilling down the champagne and dancing to the band, your guests will be be delighted to find you've arranged something special. Imagine their cries of surprised joy when the magician begins to weave his way through the tables and groups of guests bringing that special touch to the occasion. By personalising his act for each group, the magician is perfect for building and maintaining the relaxed atmosphere that makes every wedding party a success.
This means that magic acts are great for breaking the ice and bringing people together. Many of the magician's tricks require audience participation which further delights the guests. It often creates an ambiance of friendly competition and results in copious laughter and a flow of playful banter. Enjoying and participating in magic tricks forges a sense of community and shared experience that is possible in few other ways. And it also draws people out of themselves so that even the shyer guests start participating and enjoying themselves more.
On a purely practical level, your magician can fill in if things get off schedule. Wedding parties are complex affairs and many things can go wrong. Perhaps the guest of honour is delayed in the traffic. Or if the best man is late for his speech for example, the magician can keep the guests enthralled while waiting. Or if the food's delayed, what better way to keep your guests happy than with a magic routine? In this way he can take a lot of the stress off the host and hostess by keeping the guests entertained as needed.
But ultimately, the real magic of the magician is to create that unique ambiance and the feeling that anything is possible. And on your wedding day, that's exactly the mood you need to make it perfect.
So make sure you get a magician for your wedding and you'll be sure of the event of a lifetime. Everyone loves a magic act. Your magician will appeal to guests of all ages and both genders. Getting a magician for your wedding reception is surprisingly affordable and in addition to the benefits above, will make your wedding party the talk of the town.
Submitted by David Willmott, www.davidwillmott.com
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Salsa Anyone?
Salsa Anyone? Salsas, Cha Chas, Meringues, Rhumbas – no problem. Carmen Munoz has signed on permanently as our bilingual DJ Assistant. She is also a great crowd motivator! Carmen - Our Bilingual DJ Assistant We serve the Central Florida area: Weddings, Commitment Ceremonies, Class and Family Re-unions, Quinces, Sweet Sixteen, Birthday and Anniversary Parties. Music from the 40’s to the top 40. Reserve your date now. (386) 736 6221 or (386) 479-3017 se habla espanol.
Latin Music Wedding Entertainment
Category: Vendors 2010
Submitted by www.kc-soundexpressdjs.com
Latin Music Wedding Entertainment
Category: Vendors 2010
Submitted by www.kc-soundexpressdjs.com
Monday, December 6, 2010
Tips For Hiring A DJ For Your Wedding Reception
With the economy faltering, consumers are paying closer attention to their spending habits within a shrinking budget. When it comes to hiring a dj, potential clients are shopping their possibilities even more so. To make your search easier and to ensure you don't fall prey to bottom feeding djs who will promise you the world for a penny and subsequently provide you a less than stellar performance, I offer the following advice.
1) Seek value for your dollar, not cheapest prices. Professional djs should offer basic items as standard. Specifically, in-home, pre-event consultations for wedding and corporate clients. Bride and grooms are busy planning their weddings and anything that can be offered to make their search easier, is appreciated. Vendors that make the added effort to meet the client on their turf shows a level of commitment that will carry over to the performance.
2) Inquire about the equipment your dj uses. There are manufacturers of dj equipment that are far superior than others. The commitment to one's company will be indicative of the quality of equipment that is purchased and maintained. The dj's website should list the variety of amps, speakers, cd players, mixers, mics, etc he uses for his performances.
3) Ask for references. An experienced disc jockey should be able to provide an ample list of sources to provide feedback and answer questions regarding past events. Don't rely only on wedding references either; look at other former events as well if you want your special day to not be just any old normal wedding reception. How a dj entertains and motivates guests at parties and dances will provide an indication of what he can do for your wedding.
4) Specify versatility by looking for djs that can move from one style of music to another if that is what you require. Most weddings today are attended by peoples from a wide mix of races and cultures, so competent djs need to be able to offer more than just the standard fare of top 40.
5) When searching for personalization of your reception, inquire about multiple packages and options. Competent disc jockeys should be able to offer a variety of add-ons, such as pinspotting, uplighting, and gobo projection. The least amount of vendors you have to hire should result in less headaches and lower pricing. In addition, a variety of plans to meet a variety of budgets should be available, where package deals should provide a better bang for the buck.
6) Attempt to find a dj that is not only capable, but is willing to work with you. First of all, do realize that the professional dj is great at what he does. He knows how to work a crowd and keep them on the dance floor, if that is what you want to achieve for your event. So do remember not to require that your dj conform to a playlist for the entire performance. Most djs will not offer their services if they are instruced to act like a human ipod...it is their reputation at stake when the songs selected by the client don't go over with their guests. However, on the other hand, do not consider a dj who is not open to your requests. Clients should lay the groundwork by indicating the styles of music to be played, which titles if any, not to play, and maybe a couple dozen specific songs to spread throughout cocktails, dinner and dancing.
7) Verify there are guarantees when you book your event. Professional and competent djs use contracts to secure performances. Most include provisions for cancellations, specific appearances, and other circumstances. The disc jockey wants to protect his interests as well as yours...insist on and require a signed contract that specifies the details of your affair.
In summary, the business of mobile entertainment is a competitive one. When looking to hire a dj for your event, you'll be faced with a large assortment of disc jockeys vying for your business. To avoid a dreadful performance because you settled on the lowest price or being overcharged for a lackluster affair, clients must be prepared. By using these tips and maintaining an open mind during your search, there is a great chance that the dj you hire will be the best for you and your special event.
Written by Kenneth Gauthier Sr. of Wicked Sound and Light, a Southern California Wedding and Event DJ Services Provider.
Submitted by www.wickedsoundandlight.com
1) Seek value for your dollar, not cheapest prices. Professional djs should offer basic items as standard. Specifically, in-home, pre-event consultations for wedding and corporate clients. Bride and grooms are busy planning their weddings and anything that can be offered to make their search easier, is appreciated. Vendors that make the added effort to meet the client on their turf shows a level of commitment that will carry over to the performance.
2) Inquire about the equipment your dj uses. There are manufacturers of dj equipment that are far superior than others. The commitment to one's company will be indicative of the quality of equipment that is purchased and maintained. The dj's website should list the variety of amps, speakers, cd players, mixers, mics, etc he uses for his performances.
3) Ask for references. An experienced disc jockey should be able to provide an ample list of sources to provide feedback and answer questions regarding past events. Don't rely only on wedding references either; look at other former events as well if you want your special day to not be just any old normal wedding reception. How a dj entertains and motivates guests at parties and dances will provide an indication of what he can do for your wedding.
4) Specify versatility by looking for djs that can move from one style of music to another if that is what you require. Most weddings today are attended by peoples from a wide mix of races and cultures, so competent djs need to be able to offer more than just the standard fare of top 40.
5) When searching for personalization of your reception, inquire about multiple packages and options. Competent disc jockeys should be able to offer a variety of add-ons, such as pinspotting, uplighting, and gobo projection. The least amount of vendors you have to hire should result in less headaches and lower pricing. In addition, a variety of plans to meet a variety of budgets should be available, where package deals should provide a better bang for the buck.
6) Attempt to find a dj that is not only capable, but is willing to work with you. First of all, do realize that the professional dj is great at what he does. He knows how to work a crowd and keep them on the dance floor, if that is what you want to achieve for your event. So do remember not to require that your dj conform to a playlist for the entire performance. Most djs will not offer their services if they are instruced to act like a human ipod...it is their reputation at stake when the songs selected by the client don't go over with their guests. However, on the other hand, do not consider a dj who is not open to your requests. Clients should lay the groundwork by indicating the styles of music to be played, which titles if any, not to play, and maybe a couple dozen specific songs to spread throughout cocktails, dinner and dancing.
7) Verify there are guarantees when you book your event. Professional and competent djs use contracts to secure performances. Most include provisions for cancellations, specific appearances, and other circumstances. The disc jockey wants to protect his interests as well as yours...insist on and require a signed contract that specifies the details of your affair.
In summary, the business of mobile entertainment is a competitive one. When looking to hire a dj for your event, you'll be faced with a large assortment of disc jockeys vying for your business. To avoid a dreadful performance because you settled on the lowest price or being overcharged for a lackluster affair, clients must be prepared. By using these tips and maintaining an open mind during your search, there is a great chance that the dj you hire will be the best for you and your special event.
Written by Kenneth Gauthier Sr. of Wicked Sound and Light, a Southern California Wedding and Event DJ Services Provider.
Submitted by www.wickedsoundandlight.com
Friday, December 3, 2010
Videos 2010 - Fuentes Wedding Choreography
Custom entertainment and choreography for your wedding.
Category: Music and Dance
Submitted by Fuentes Entertainment
Videos 2010 - Wedding Hustle
Check out this first dance. Another one of the best wedding dances we've seen.
Videos 2010 - Good Wedding Dance
This music video takes place at a wedding and is a great dance for parents.
Wedding Music by Phil Vassar... Love Is A Beautiful Thing
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