A Wedding DJ/MC Has Many More Responsibilities Than You Might Think
A wedding is a unique event with many
formalities and traditions. Unlike a birthday party were you have 2 simple traditions, sing "Happy Birthday" & blow out the candles. A DJ can get by with just playing music at a
birthday, but a weddings are much more
details.
Music is just a tool DJ's use to create a
lively atmosphere for dancing. It can also be disruptive at a reception if it's
the wrong music being played at the wrong times, and volume levels.
A wedding needs direction, guests need guidance. Every wedding is different, and there are several transitions throughout the evening. Without direction or guidance people are lost just like a ship without it's captain.
A wedding needs direction, guests need guidance. Every wedding is different, and there are several transitions throughout the evening. Without direction or guidance people are lost just like a ship without it's captain.
When a Mobile DJ performs at a wedding, he has
much bigger role and many more responsibilities to handle then just playing
music.
The Responsibilities & Duties of a Disc
Jockey, The Day of the Wedding…
1. Master of Ceremonies – A good experienced MC will keep your
guests informed about the activities & formalities throughout the night,
and make timely & appropriate announcements without taking the focus off
the Bride & Groom.
2. Director –
Weddings need direction because of all the formal events that take place. The
director is primarily the MC/DJ. The director guides the guests throughout the
night. The MC has the wedding entertainment training to keep the reception flowing smoothly.
3. On-Site Coordinator –Your DJ will work with you your
banquet manager, and all other day of vendors to keep your reception on
schedule. A professional DJ/MC will make sure all vendors are prepared &
ready before any announcement of an activity is made.
4. Music Programmer – Anybody can play music.
Playing the right music at the right times, at the right volume levels, and be
able to generate a dance floor and keep it going for everyone to enjoy is
something only an experienced trained professional can do. If you bring in an amateur to just play music,
your party will end fast. The music will set the mood & the tone of a
reception..
5. Music Expert – In this day & age anybody can
have a vast music library. Having music is one thing, but knowing music is
another. Every wedding has a diverse crowd that will enjoy a variety of all
types of music. It takes years of experience to learn all styles of music and to know it well.
6. Lighting Tech – Proper lighting also sets the mood
during dinner or late in the night. Your DJ should control the lighting so it’s
not too bright for dinner or not to dark later for dancing. He will also brings
the right kind of lighting for dancing.
7. Crowd Motivator – Unexpected things can happen at a
wedding, like rain, or the cake toppling over, etc.. An experienced pro can
recognize the situation, lighten the mood, and continue the fun &
festivities no matter what. A good DJ can create a fun filled environment
without stealing the spotlight.
8. Music Mixer – The better DJ’s can beat match music
for a smooth transition from one song to the next without disrupting a dance
floor.
9. Problem Solver – When guests need to know anything,
more than likely they will ask the DJ. He is “the answer man”, he knows where
the restrooms are, the gift table is located, etc..
10. Roadie –
A DJ has to bring more equipment, notes and supplies then any other vendor you
may hire, and usually sets up without help. Forgetting one thing could be
disastrous to the event.
11. Board Operator – A DJ should know how to work his
audio & lighting systems. Yet some DJ’s use rental or borrowed equipment,
and while at your event, learn it as they go along.
12. Audio Tech – In case of technical difficulties or
audio failure, a DJ should be able to recognize the problem promptly, and know
how to fix it. A Pro DJ should always carry back up equipment. If an Amplifier
goes out with no back up the party ends.
13. Etiquette - Maintain a high level of etiquette
at all times.
Services & Responsibilities before the Wedding …
1. Event Planner – Help coordinate your event
schedule in a 2 to 3 hour personal planning session, with a timely detailed
itinerary and check list in the manner and style you desire, and ensuring that
your every need
& wish is carried out.
& wish is carried out.
A. Go over all the details of the wedding, and
make a back up CD with the formal songs.
B. Send an email of the agenda out to all
other day of wedding vendors to ensure we are all working together as a team,
and your reception is in sync.
This prevents the Bride & Groom from being interrupted throughout the reception.
This prevents the Bride & Groom from being interrupted throughout the reception.
C. Make a check list: Make sure all equipment,
formal music, and tux is packed and ready to go 3 hours prior to the start
time.
D. Refer you to other quality wedding vendors
that will fit your needs.
Most of all a DJ is responsible making sure
your wedding is engaging, fun, and memorable for you and your guests.
A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event that
needs to be done right the first time because there is no doing it over
tomorrow.
All other day of
responsibilities…
Sound checks, check
volume of music & microphones.
Find out the seating arrangements of the wedding party.
Go over the agenda with the catering manager & banquet captain.
Turn off all house music before starting his music.
Find out where house lights are dimmed, and dim at the appropriate time.
Go over the agenda with photographer & videographer and cover the procedures for Grand Intro, toast, cake etc..
Check microphone frequencies with videographer to make sure they don’t interfere with each other.
Locate the person giving the blessing.
Verify with banquet manager when the food is ready.
Verify all pronunciations of bridal party, the order to walk in, and instruct where to walk in.
Coordinate the releasing of guests tables through the buffet line (if necessary)
Talk to each member of the wedding party about toasts, and instruct each speaker on proper microphone use, and at the end to raise their glass to toast.
Check cake table for knife, plates, and napkins.
Locate the throw bouquet.
Remind the B&G to visit with guests, and or use the restroom when finished with dinner.
Remind parents for the parent’s dances, and timing.
Verify that all parents are in the room & bridal party members and at the head table for the toast.
Double check the batteries in the microphones before toasts.
Confirm that the photographer & videographer are ready before the first dance and all other formalities.
Be ready to adjust lighting for the Bride & Groom’s first dance.
Locate the bouquet for the toss.
Bring out a chair for the garter removal.
Talk to the Best man & Maid of Honor about helping with the money dance.
At the end of the night personally congratulate the Bride & Groom
Make sure the DJ’s area is clean before he leaves.
Find out the seating arrangements of the wedding party.
Go over the agenda with the catering manager & banquet captain.
Turn off all house music before starting his music.
Find out where house lights are dimmed, and dim at the appropriate time.
Go over the agenda with photographer & videographer and cover the procedures for Grand Intro, toast, cake etc..
Check microphone frequencies with videographer to make sure they don’t interfere with each other.
Locate the person giving the blessing.
Verify with banquet manager when the food is ready.
Verify all pronunciations of bridal party, the order to walk in, and instruct where to walk in.
Coordinate the releasing of guests tables through the buffet line (if necessary)
Talk to each member of the wedding party about toasts, and instruct each speaker on proper microphone use, and at the end to raise their glass to toast.
Check cake table for knife, plates, and napkins.
Locate the throw bouquet.
Remind the B&G to visit with guests, and or use the restroom when finished with dinner.
Remind parents for the parent’s dances, and timing.
Verify that all parents are in the room & bridal party members and at the head table for the toast.
Double check the batteries in the microphones before toasts.
Confirm that the photographer & videographer are ready before the first dance and all other formalities.
Be ready to adjust lighting for the Bride & Groom’s first dance.
Locate the bouquet for the toss.
Bring out a chair for the garter removal.
Talk to the Best man & Maid of Honor about helping with the money dance.
At the end of the night personally congratulate the Bride & Groom
Make sure the DJ’s area is clean before he leaves.
Mark Sanchez
(602) 509-0519
(602) 509-0519
