Tips on How to Hire a Wedding DJ

With the wedding planning season in full swing, it is time for a tip that relates to my industry niche – the wedding DJ and how to hire one.

I have spoken with over two dozen brides this past weekend, and when I asked them if they have ever hired a wedding DJ before, or a DJ for that matter, none of them answered “Yes.”  So, the following is a list of tips and advice to use as a quick educational tool that will hopefully help you find the best entertainment value you can.

1. Narrow the list down to a few potentials.  Look at the DJ company’s marketing materials – is it professionally done?  Next, look at what they are saying – is it about “Us” or is it about “You”?  Remember, this is your day, your DJ service should speak about serving you.  Next, look at their website – does it look professional, clean, elegant?  Or does it look messy and unorganized?  How a DJ presents himself will be a direct reflection upon his service – pick the DJs whose presentation stands out and write their information on your list.
2. Meet with every DJ on your list, in person.  I know, email is convenient and much can be discussed over the phone – but it’s hard to fully disclose what a company’s service entails and the value you receive for your entertainment dollar in a ten minute conversation or via text documents.  Consider the DJ’s personality, his appearance, how he conducts himself, how he speaks - this is going to be the spokesperson that represents you!  The other need for a consultation is for comparing DJs – consider it a live performance (us professionals do!).  Not all DJs are the same, nor do they provide the same service.
3. Ask them questions, but make sure the question that uses the “P-word” is last.  Here is seven questions every bride should ask:

1. What do brides like best about your style?

2. Have you ever done a reception at our venue?

3. How good is your equipment?

4. What’s your secret to getting my guests on the dance floor?

5. Can you do anything special for my formalities?

6. What are the hottest ideas for wedding receptions these days?

If entertainment is a priority, and more brides are telling me it is, make sure your DJ company delivers on the level of service you are looking for.

4. Ask for demo announcements.  Go ahead, ask them how they introduce the wedding party.  I can guarantee mine will be much different than what others may come up with.  And then I’ll explain the reasoning behind it. 

5. Understand that a DJ can do much more than just play good music.  Ask your DJ what else he provides in his service.  Brides have been walking out of my consultation meetings going, “Wow, I didn’t know DJs can do that and I can see the value your services have!”  This is why a consultation meeting is a must!  I provide personalized packages – and simply asking me for an email quote based off what you desire is not going to convey the value or quality I provide my clients with.  Even the quality of the equipment can make a world of difference.

6. Price differences may shock you – but do your homework!  This is why I say ask for pricing after the consultation has been completed.  I have had some brides ask for some huge packages and quote over the phone and email - seven hours! karaoke! monogram gobo light! uplighting! two sounds systems for the ceremony and reception!  a photo montage!  love story! – and then been shocked at the price quote I put out – they simply didn’t think it would cost that much.  But ask the DJ to show you a copy of the planning process he uses – how much time is really invested into you?  The package before would easily include over 45 hours of time invested into that client – plus expense costs to create the magic she was looking for.  Add on top professional fees to do this full-time and perfect my craft – and it’s no wonder why $15 an hour wouldn’t make sense.   Find out if your DJ is full-time or part-time – and then ask him to breakdown his preparation hours.  Simply put, the day-of time for a reception-only service is generally 8 hours – if only 12 is being put into you, are you really getting a great service?

7. Have fun!  Remember, the reception is about you and the guests – make sure your DJ will inform you on how he will make your guests become apart of the reception – not just attending it.  And your search for a DJ should be fun – after all, this is entertainment and no one wants a boring wedding reception.  In an informal survey of my 2008 brides, I asked them, what have your friends commented on about your wedding?  Their answer: “The choice of the DJ.”  Make hiring a quality DJ a priority – and your friends will be saying, “Your wedding is the best wedding I have ever attended.”  That is, after all, what most brides want – the best wedding reception, ever!

I hope this helps – I understand most brides have no idea where to start.  Take what you have seen from other wedding DJs and start your basis there – and then see if you can find one that “WOWs” you.  If you need help looking for quality wedding DJs, please feel free to contact me, sometimes I am perfect for a bride, other times, I am not - but I will direct them to a DJ that is a better fit!

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Tony Schwartz of Tony Schwartz Weddings.  You can also find him on facebook.

How to Use a Honeymoon Registry

Do not expect your whole trip to be paid for unless your  parents or  grandmother have already indicated they will treat you to a nice honeymoon!

After booking the honeymoon that suits your style and budget, why not ask your friends and family to gift you with extra special experiences such as an upgrade to beach front lodging, a couples massage, a snorkeling tour, or private dinner on the beach instead of more towels and a toaster?

Your friends and family will love being able to gift something special for your wedding that they know you would like, but yet have options to choose what they can afford. With out of town relatives or a destination wedding, it also saves them money on gift wrap and shipping it to your home.

There are 2 main honeymoon or travel registry systems to consider:
Gift certificates for a specific activity they book through your travel planner (who has your wish list). Or a dollar amount applied to your honeymoon package. This version works well for older relatives and those not comfortable with the internet. Any reputable travel agency can do this and may have cards so you can announce your registry.

Online Registries where you have a page to post your wish list broken into smaller increments much like a set of dishes split into place settings. The better your description is – the more likelihood of getting the gift! Some companies charge a fee to the bride & groom. IMO, that’s paying to receive your gift. Other companies charge a small handling fee to the giver which ends up costing less than wrapping and shipping housewares.

When do you tell people you have a travel registry? As soon as you have booked your trip. Or when you send “save the date” notices. That way you might get some great experiences for shower gifts. Or a with a card inserted in your printed wedding invitations.

When do you get the funds? Gift certificates would be as soon as the person gives it. Online registries work like an escrow account and you receive one check just before the wedding and sometimes a second one a couple weeks after with the last minute gifts. Since registry funds come in after you have made your package final payment – it’s best for adding optional experiences, upgrades and during travel expenses.

Of course, you send a Thank you card saying how much fun you had with or doing the gift they selected not thanks for the cash….
From my experience, many couples keep their options open with a combination of agency gift certificates and our affiliation with the oldest online registry plus a store registry such as Macys or Target.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional Member Paula Demmer of Travel Leaders. 

Love Story in 6 Words

Earlier this month we found this article on the Washington Post website. Your Love: In Six Words. Below is a small sample of what people submitted to the Post.

Craigs List. True love. Who knew?
Submit to passion, never go back.
Past gone, future unknown, present bliss.
He ignites passion never known before.
Serendipity, luck, karma, brought us together.
Marriage is a neverending slumber party
Learning that love comes from within.
No hesitation. No limit. No doubt.
Mid-life brings love without fear.
Still waiting for honeymoon to end
He ignites passion never known before.
Love yourself first, others will follow!
He gets me like no one else
His most romantic words:"I'll cook!"
Seven dollar wedding. Twenty-four priceless anniversaries.

Submitted by Puget Sound Wedding Professional member:  Monica Allshouse of Family Affair Photography.

Be sure to share your 6 word love story with us in the comment section!

Dressing The Groom

You have fantasized, dreamt, searched and finally found the perfect dress. You have set the tone for your entire wedding. Now how would you like the love of your life to look standing next to the most beautiful woman he has ever seen?

The groom’s attire is just as important as the bride’s dress; after all it is his big day too. That is where your tuxedo experts come in to play. Our job is to help you coordinate the groom and his groomsmen to compliment and enhance the look and feel of your dress. Whether it is a classic gown with a cathedral train or a short flirty contemporary style your groom should look like he is standing next to the right bride.

Picking the tuxedo or a suit for your wedding party should be stress free and fun. Your formal wear specialist should guide you through the myriad of styles to find exactly the right look. You may be looking for the “James Bond” classic style or maybe more George Clooney on the red carpet. It may end up being a bare foot beach look or a fun “match these Chuck Taylor’s” outfit. Do you want the groomsmen to wear the exact same color as the bridesmaid dresses or should they just go together? How important is the color, maybe you are looking to have the classic black tie affair or a tropical explosion of color and texture?

Some details for you to consider; will your guys be in flat front or pleated pants? Do you like the look of the standard or wing tip collar shirt? Is your dress white or ivory, the men’s shirt should match your dress. What about the fathers, how would you like them to look in the pictures? If they are going to rent, what color accessories should they be in, same as the groomsmen or in a neutral color so the moms can wear any color? Do you put the groom in the same exact look as the groomsmen or would you like him to stand apart from the rest of the wedding party? What does the groom think; surely he will have an opinion about this aspect of the wedding plans.

So just as you did with your dress, fantasize, dream, search and find the perfect ensemble for the men in your wedding party. Start by looking at pictures, online or at your photographer’s studio, red carpet photos, go back and look at your bridal magazine with an eye for only the men. See what stands out to you, what you love and the styles that you don’t love will all guide you in the right direction. The easiest and fastest way to select what you want is to go into a tuxedo rental store and let the professional guide you. We are immersed in formal wear everyday. We know the trends, the styles and we have seen many wedding successes and even a few flops. Let us help you, with our knowledge and experience, find the perfect look for the groom so he will look just as perfect as you.

Contributed by Puget Sound Wedding Professional member Barb Van Haren with Top Hat Formal Wear.  They can also be found on Facebook.