More than Just the Music

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mark Sanchez
(602) 509-0519

AZDJService.com
 

Got Talent?

Got Talent?

We know Dr. J (Julius Erving) is not a real doctor, he was a great professional
NBA basketball player for the 76ers. A friend named him “The Doctor” because of
the way we could slice through defenses and “operate” on his opponents.

Yet when someone adds the letters DJ in front of their name people believe that
person is a real Disc Jockey. The mobile DJ industry is not regulated, anyone
can proclaim to be a DJ. The mobile DJ industry is saturated with self proclaimed
professional Disc Jockeys and misinform people about what a real professional DJ
is and what he/she does.. 

The fact is, nearly 80% of all mobile DJ’s are part-time hobbyist,
and not real professionals.

Just because someone owns sound equipment and knows how to plug it in and
press play doesn’t instantly make them a professional DJ. First, this is a talent
based business, and if you have the talent one needs years of training and
experience to be considered professional.

How can you tell if a mobile DJ is professional or amateur?

A professional DJ will have proof of their skills and talent. Today many DJ’s will
have video performances on their website or on YouTube. A non professional
DJ’s will only show video of short segments of a full dance floor or show off their
DJ gear and lighting.

What you won’t see is their talent and skill i.e. transitions from one song to the next. 
Non-pros do not know how to segue, or beat match music properly, nor do they know 
how to program and format music.

Also you won’t find too many videos of non-pros speaking on the microphone
at a live event. If you do, it means they believe it’s good. But from the repetitive
phrases to screaming on the mic it’s hard to watch or listen to.
Just because a DJ talks on a mic does not mean their a talented MC 
(Master of Ceremonies).
If you watch closely you may notice a complete disconnect from their audience.

Also check the DJ’s rates. If the rates are low they simply cannot support a
lifestyle, let alone run a business. Lastly if you call a DJ business and they do not
answer the phone or they don’t get back with you until after 5:00pm there is
a good chance that DJ is working at his full-time day job. Professionals run a
business full-time.

Do you want DJ gear or a great party?

A colleague and mentor Mark Ferrell use to ask “If you go to Home Depot to
to buy a drill, do you really want that drill? No! You want a hole. The drill is
just a tool you need to get the result.

from the same DJ as pictured above

Another way to differentiate a pro from an amateur is from their website. A pro
DJ’s website will focus more how they can help make your event unique,
personalize, fun, and memorable. The amateur’s website will focus more on the
type of equipment they use with pictures of their gear and will base their event
packages on the amount of DJ gear they need to bring.
Therefore amateurs will proudly post set pricing on their website like an equipment 
rental company & not a personalized service. It costs much less to rent equipment 
and an amateurs rates are consistent with pro-audio equipment rental company rates.

Your clients want a great party not your DJ gear.

A talented professional will be happy to provide videos of his or her skills.
A pro will always use the best in pro audio equipment and will have back up.
Do you ever ask a carpenter about the type of tools he uses before he builds
your home?

A pro DJ will want to know all the details about your event and custom craft a 
pricing package to best fit your needs. A pro DJ should also provide proof of 
credentials i.e. past and continued education, training
received, experience, etc..

Got Talent or Just Equipment?

Mark Sanchez
AZDJService.com 

Weddings Are Formal Events…not fast food

Weddings Are Formal Events…not fast food

Weddings are unique formal events which in most cases happens

once in a lifetime.

Brides want to be pampered, treated like a princess and look

their very best. Grooms like to look stylish, enjoy great food

along with choice cocktails, and may even show off a little by

arriving in a stretch limousine.

Why not? This is your day to indulge, but will you receive the best

quality service if you pay the lowest price?

On your wedding day, you should expect great service not hope

for it. However you’re taking a big gamble by using low price as the

main consideration for hiring your wedding vendors.

If you desire the best service for your wedding, plan to pay more.

Quality costs more. You expect to pay more for quality food and

service at Ruth’s Chris as opposed to McDonald’s.

Brides & Groom’s desire to impress their guests therefore they

wouldn’t think to serve fast food , or buy a wedding dress from

Target or a tux from Goodwill.

A personalized service is not commodity!

You can look for the cheapest possible source of potato chips at a

supermarket because you know that regardless of price, two bags

of the identical brand chips will taste the same.

Between geographical markets, there are definitely variations in

pricing that result from differences in the cost of living and overall

affluence.

Within a market there are starting points in each vendor category

that are established based on experience, talent level, and quality

of service.

These are natural variances and are good for any market.

If you are presumably comparing apples to apples, there should not be

a huge disparity in price.

Meeting with vendors based on a low quoted prices may seem redundant.

Beware of vendors who talk more about their prices then their service.

I got such a great price!

But will you get the kind of professional quality service you expect?

You may feel good now, but on your wedding day you may feel uneasy

knowing you hired your wedding vendors based on the cheapest price,

rather than the quality of service.

Professionals charge professional fees, and service providers will charge

what they feel their service is worth.

Just For Fun…

If your a bride to be, slip on a Vera Wang wedding dress, if your a Groom

to be, try on an Armani tux then see how it makes you feel wearing it.

It could be the same feeling you get when your guests come up to you

at the end of your wedding night to tell you that your wedding was the

best they’ve ever attended.

Consider that if you are paying less than $1,000 for your Disc Jockey,

you are taking a chance on a Disc Jockey who is most likely not a truly

skilled professional and may very well sell your reception to an even less

qualified Disc Jockey that you will meet for the very first time at your

reception or special event.

Good luck and choose wisely.

This post was inspired by Shayna Walker of Williamsburg Wedding Design.

Mark Sanchez

AZDJService.com

Choosing The Right Wedding Venue

When you start to plan a wedding, finding the right venue can be

a challenge with so many options and locations to choose from.

The most popular locations are the ones that can offer packages
for an indoor / outdoor wedding. 

Many brides will choose a location for it’s beauty and location. 

Sure every Bride wants a beautiful wedding and it starts with the 

location. 

However don’t let the looks of the venue be the only deciding factor. 

I highly recommend you ask about the service and get a good feel 

about who is running the venue. Do they really care about your 

wedding? or do they just care about how much you want to spend?

Will they listen to your concerns and take care of your needs after 

you sign a contract?

It still surprises me when I see the venue coordinator leaves after

the food is served or even after the ceremony is over. Some venues

don’t even offer a wedding coordinator so they can sell their venue

for a cheaper rate. Are you really getting a good deal?

When you visit locations ask about coordinating, and if somebody

will be there every step of the way to help ensure a smooth flow.

If the site coordinator is inexperienced and may exit early, you may

want to consider hiring a professional day-of coordinator.

Good coordinators make my job much easier for many reasons.

I recently performed a wedding ceremony and reception at a new

location. The ceremony area has a great view overlooking a lake, 

and the ballroom is very inviting with many windows. 

But the one aspect of this venue I noticed right away was the service. 

The staff was friendly and the on-site coordinator was on top of his 

game the entire time to make sure everything ran smooth.

Fred from the venue was one of very few coordinators I’ve worked 

with that will stay all night to ensure everything and everyone was 

taken care of.

What a concept! You can tell Fred really cares about his job and his

guests.

A bride has enough things to worry about the day of her wedding. She

shouldn’t have to work to coordinate her own wedding. How can you

enjoy one of the biggest days of you life with family friends.

Same goes with wanting to DJ your own wedding using an IPod. Who

wants that stress for their wedding?

When you decide to take the venue tours for your wedding, make sure

you ask about the service too. does that coordinator really care? or are

you just another date filled on the calendar?

Mark Sanchez 

PME DJ Service

AZDJService.com