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Written by Saundra Hadley, Events Engineer

Category: WI DJs, Disc Jockeys, Horizon Entertainment Blog

Created: April 03 2010

Last Updated: October 16 2013

do not box in your wedding DJ: part one

Welcome to our “don’t box us in” series about your wedding vendors! We hope you enjoy it!

Your DJ will want to know what kind of music you expect/like to have at your wedding. They don’t want to play gangster rap when the your favorite music and most of your guests are country lovers. The following is based on our experience at watching many wedding receptions and hearing input from guests, clients and DJ’s.

Before your wedding day, your DJ will discuss with you what kind of music that you like to listen to and determine your style (and what you anticipate your wedding guests liking as well). We encourage this meeting! Your DJ does not want to fail nor have an empty dance floor.

Often the bride and groom is encouraged to create a list of songs that they would like to hear and what they would not like to hear. This is NOT a bad idea, all by itself. But we have seen this morph into a bride and groom making a strict playlist for the DJ to play. This is not a good idea for many reasons, as you will read below.

Tips for the best outcome working with your wedding DJ:

1. Don’t tie your DJ’s hands. They are there to please you and your guests (you do want your guests to have a good time, right?).

2. Your strict playlist may be too darn long. There are so many minutes in an hour and hours at a reception. You cannot possibly give 60-80 songs and expect them all to be played within a 4-5 hour period.

3. Try not to create a strict DO NOT PLAY list. Such as, old classics such; Chicken Dance, the Polka, Electric Slide, etc. I understand, these songs do not motivate me personally to dance. However, what happens if approx 45 guests WANT to hear one of these songs (whatever the song may be). Why do you want to put your DJ in a difficult situation by having to tell your guests “No, I cannot play that song for you”. Really? What do you care if your dance floor is packed and your guests are enjoying themselves and you hate the song? Use this opportunity to go to the bathroom. Instead, tell your DJ that unless requested by your guests (and by more people than the sugar-induced 12 year old), then please don’t voluntarily play these songs.

Instead give general guidelines to your DJ. You’re hiring a professional, let them do their job by playing to the crowd, taking some requests and making everyone happy.

Your rented dance floor will thank you for being constantly used. Trust your DJ.

Tomorrow, part 2 of this “don’t box us in” vendor series …

author

saundra hadley, event engineer

event and wedding planner who loves social media, her family, clients, chuck taylors and laughing. Life is short - love it!

don’t steal

Copyright © 2006-2010

If you like our content then be sure to properly give credit and link back to our blog. Or we will send the Wrath of the Internet Gods on you. And guys in suits.

 

"Click on the Top Hits U.S.A. above and PartyBlast.com link below to check out

and visit Horizon Entertainment's Massive Music Library!"

 

 

 

Details

Written by Saundra Hadley, Events Engineer

Category: WI DJs, Disc Jockeys, Horizon Entertainment Blog

Created: April 03 2010

Last Updated: October 16 2013

planning….forever events blog

for the love of laughter and wedding planning

how to get your wedding guests out on the dance floor!

Let’s face it, your guests are looking forward to dancing at your wedding reception.  Some bride and groom’s are NOT dancers, but they want to watch their guests have a good time.

Here’s the trick to encouraging your wedding guests to get their groove on. Actually get on the dance floor with them!

It’s not that complicated. Your guests will be where ever you are. So if you are sitting in the back, outside drinking or mingling in a different room; that is where they will gravitate. Don’t blame your band or DJ. And don’t act like you are going to be judged like on “Dancing with the Stars”.  Have fun….shake your booty and enjoy yourself. And so will your guests.

For some inspiration; check out our clients Tara Brown and Max Axler at their wedding…and notice where the guests are!

photo credit: jordan barclay photography

author

saundra hadley, event engineer
event and wedding planner who loves social media, her family, clients, chuck taylors and laughing. Life is short - love it!

don’t steal

Copyright © 2006-2010

If you like our content then be sure to properly give credit and link back to our blog. Or we will send the Wrath of the Internet Gods on you. And guys in suits.

 

"Click on the Top Hits U.S.A. above and PartyBlast.com link below to check out

and visit Horizon Entertainment's Massive Music Library!"

 

 

 

Details

Written by DarylBDJ

Category: WI DJs, Disc Jockeys, Horizon Entertainment Blog

Created: April 01 2010

Last Updated: October 16 2013

Bringing DREAM WEDDINGS to Life!  "Since 1992"

Brides – Does Choosing the “Right” Wedding DJ or Emcee for Your Wedding Make a Difference? 

Brides-to-Be - Does knowing how to choose the “right” wedding DJ make any difference?

How to Choose the “Right” Wedding DJ

Choosing the music or entertainment for a birthday party, graduation party, college dance, frat party or other private party or event is one thing, but choosing the "right music" for your wedding reception is a whole different ball game.  Your Wedding Reception, which includes guests of all ages with very different musical tastes, requires a much more sophisticated and VAST musical menu, plus a more in-depth understanding and knowledge of music. The responsibility of the individual hired to entertain (the wedding DJ) and to whom you are giving control over providing the technical task of sound reinforcement, the Master of Ceremony function and musical entertainment obligation is not only monumental, but massive!  A wedding DJ/emcee can make or break the success of your once-in-a-lifetime event! Even the cocktail and dinner music can be of good quality, poor quality, just okay... or EXCELLENT (and truly make the atmosphere of your wedding shimmer).

Now here’s the dilemma you face before hiring a wedding DJ/MC, entertainer.  You will know what your wedding cake, wine and food will taste like.  You will also know what your wedding dress, reception hall, flowers and table settings will look like...  but despite all the promises, sales gimmicks, sales pitches, price quotes, brochures, music lists, slick advertising and slick looking website videos, you will NOT KNOW what the end results of your wedding DJ/emcee will be until you experience it first-hand...  By then, if things don’t turn out the way you had envisioned, it will be too late!  There are no dress rehearsals for your wedding DJ/emcee. That is why choosing the “right” DJ and a good DJ is always a complicated and critical matter.

After being in the wedding entertainment business for as long as I have (more than two decades) and taking calls from literally thousands of brides-to-be…  I've found that most brides don't have any understanding of how different the end results can be from DJ to DJ.  Most brides-to-be simply do not understand that many of the DJs that advertise today and cast themselves as being Wedding Professionals, are often simply nothing more than hacks or at best, amateurs. It takes a “lot” more than simply having a working knowledge of music, sound and lighting equipment or even natural talent to be a truly competent and successful Wedding DJ, especially now that today we have more than six decades of recorded music history behind us. Having great wedding entertainment/music and a “really" good Master of Ceremonies is instrumental and critical to the success of your once-in-a- lifetime Special Event.  A truly great wedding DJ emcees your intros (grand entrance) cake-cutting, toasts, special events and special dances such as: the first dance, cake-cutting, grand march, bridal party dance, bouquet and garter toss, etc. The question then is, do you want a wedding DJ professional who performs these actions effortlessly, efficiently and flawlessly, or an ill at ease or overly theatrical amateur?

After being a wedding entertainer for more than two decades, it is my sincere belief that there are becoming fewer and fewer “real professionals” being developed because of the vast amount of historical knowledge needed today.  To make things still worse, there are more and more amateurs passing themselves off as being "veteran Wedding DJ Professionals" because of how simple it's become to acquire and obtain cheap sound equipment and even digital music libraries that have been pirated through the internet. If you should become one of those brides that choose to hire an amateur wedding DJ, there is a very high probability that your wedding reception will be musically impaired and it's flow very choppy.  You will also find that the choice of music being played will likely be (at least sometimes) somewhat, if not very inappropriate, limited in scope and narrow. Finally, depending upon the inexperience of the amateur, your wedding DJ will continually be searching to maintain momentum.... Ultimately, this will generally lead to a long, drawn-out, and boring evening for you and your guests. Stop and ask yourself:  Have you ever been to a wedding reception like this???

Again, most Brides-To-Be only ask about price. They assume that all DJs are created equal and that a wedding DJ simply plays music and it's not really all that hard...  Coming to these types of preconclusions and choosing a wedding DJ without asking some critical questions can be devastating, bringing potentially disastrous results and ruin what is supposed to be your’ once-in-a-lifetime Special Day!

It is my resolute and absolute firm belief that every bride-to-be should seriously consider this advice and take it to heart. Hire only a long-time, full-time, career DJ who specializes in Wedding Receptions. Remember, the best DJs are usually working for themselves and making a living at it because they've been doing it for a long time and they're very good at it.

Never hire a wedding DJ from an agency with whom you haven't spoken with or never met. When wedding DJ agencies charge a high price for their services, but only pay their wedding DJs the average going wage, what do you think the actual true value of the talent you will be receiving at your Wedding Reception is actually worth? The very best wedding DJs will not typically settle for what an agency pays them...  They don't have to!

Always Remember:  The choice you make for your wedding DJ/emcee entertainment will either make or break your wedding reception or rather, what is supposed to be the most Perfect Day of your life!

Why Not Go With the Best… And Have the Most Wonderful Day of Your Life!

"Click on the Top Hits U.S.A. above and PartyBlast.com link below to check out

and visit Horizon Entertainment's Massive Music Library!"

Details

Written by DJ Daryl Beier

Category: WI DJs, Disc Jockeys, Horizon Entertainment Blog

Created: March 29 2010

Last Updated: October 16 2013

Bringing DREAM WEDDINGS to Life!  "Since 1992"

DJ Daryl Beier has been a wedding disc jockey, emcee, master of ceremony, and party DJ/Entertainer for more than 17 years... 

DJ Daryl has Deejayed for more than a 1,000 successful weddings, private parties, company parties and corporate events! 

DJ Daryl would like to remind you that...   “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression”

And...

 “Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.” Anonymous

"Since I’ve been in the wedding entertainment business (ever since I was about sixteen years old) I’ve seen and experienced a tremendous amount of wedding receptions over the years.  I’ve worked with many brides (and grooms) that were very organized and meticulous and knew exactly what they wanted from their wedding and then I’ve worked with a small handful of brides and grooms that, plainly put, were probably not so organized or meticulous about their wedding plans.  My point is this, whether you hire me to DJ for your wedding or you hire another wedding DJ service or company, take what I am about to say to heart... Consider this advice as if it were coming from a friend, from someone who really knows about weddings through experiences and deeply cares and is concerned about your wedding...  Because of this, I would like to leave you with some helpful tips, thoughts and friendly words of advice.  

Personally, based on many years of experience, for most weddings, wedding receptions, and wedding dances, I typically prefer to do a complete wedding package and here are some of the main reasons why…

Number One, You only get One Chance and One Chance Only to make a postive Good First Impression . . .  I don’t care who you are, whether it’s you and your husband, your reception hall staff or your wedding DJ, you only get this one chance.  In order to make that good positive first impression, you need to make a conscientious effort to be mentally and literally physically prepared to do that!  For me to make the best first impression I can make on your guests, I need to be mentally and physically prepared ahead of time.  What I mean by this is, if possible, I like to arrive at your job site as early as time allows, before any of your wedding guests have arrived, to set-up Horizon Entertainmet's massive music library, touring sound and lighting equipment.  

It can be challenging to a DJ or perhaps even a bit frustrating to a DJ at times, when trying to set-up large amounts of equipment, to find several guests standing in the way.  Not only is it challenging, but it can also be time consuming.  It’s not only challenging for the DJ, but it’s also being somewhat inconsiderate of your guests.  Not only is it somewhat inconsiderate, it can occasionally be frustrating to your guests, especially if the DJ's opening and closing exterior doors, letting in hot or cold air and requiring your guests to move out of his or her way in order to set-up DJ equipment.  

Secondly, there's no way to do a proper sound check when your guests are there and trying to visit.  In order to do a proper sound check, the DJ needs to be able turn up the sound system's volume to the level at which he will be performing during the dance, not at the sound levels he would be playing for cocktail or dinner music.  A high performance automobile engine may run well at an idle, but start working it hard, if it’s not properly fine-tuned, it will not perform properly or optimally.  Therefore, if your guests have already arrived, it's practically not feasible for your DJ to perform a proper audio and microphone check without appearing to be obnoxious or inconsiderate to your guests.

Thirdly, a DJ not only needs to set-up a sound system and perform a sound and mic check, but he also needs to set-up a lighting system and do a light check.  Again, based on years of experience, it is my recommendation that a DJ simply shouldn’t be setting up equipment, doing sound, lighting and microphone checks once the guests begin to arrive.  Simply put, a DJ can’t go about doing these types of tasks without feeling rushed and being impolite to your guests.  

Fourthly, if the DJ must rush around in a mad dash to accomplish his purposes before the dance, he may likely be feeling somewhat inconvenienced and your guests are likely to be feeling somewhat frustrated by the DJ, as well.  This is not a good way to set the tone for your evening.  The more rushed a DJ feels before the start of the event and the less time he has to prepare himself mentally and physically for the evening (an evening of fun not stress), in my opinion the less successful and less likely he or shie will be to put on a stellar performance!  

As for me, I prefer to be completely set-up at least a half-hour before your first guests arrive.  This gives me time to wind down and cool down by getting a drink of water and relaxing.  In addition, it also allows time for me to go and freshen up a bit, put on some cologne, even brush my teeth and then get dressed in my tuxedo.  Now that I know everything is set-up and working properly and I’ve had time to clean-up and get dressed into my tux, I’m into the groove! I’m ready to party!  I'm in the right state-of-mind and have the right mental attitude!  I can now begin preparing for the evening by going over my check list, the list of events found in my wedding reception guide sheet that were laid out far in advance of your reception.  

Now that I’m refreshed . . . I'm dressed for success in my tuxedo!  I'm ready to go with my sound and lighting equipment!  Everything is sounding great and working perfectly (before your guests have already arrived, of course:) . . . I’m mentally prepared, psyched up and ready for an evening of fun and celebration!  I can now put on a "natural" big smile, mingle with your guests, work with your photographer and videographer, take down a few more notes, write down a few song requests early in the evening and even get to know a few of your guests . . . all before your dance ever starts!  Again, this sets the tone and the mood for the entire evening!  

Once you and your husband arrive, we can plan ahead to do a Grand Entrance!  We can pick out a song that you would like to enter the reception hall with!  I can then request that your guests stand and applaud as I announce your names and you enter the hall with your bridal party!  These are the types of things that make a positive impression on your guests and they set the tone for the entire evening.  

Remember! You "WE" only get One Chance to make a "Positive First Impression" on Your Guests!

From the time your first guests arrive and enter the reception hall, I continue to work your audience by making announcements, when appropriate and as needed, while playing up-tempo background music that is quiet enough for people to talk above, yet audible enough that they have an enjoyable time listening and tapping their toes along to the music!  I can’t count how many times, I’ve received so many positive comments and feedback, especially from some of the older guests on the various types of great sounding background music that I play.  In addition, I am available for your entire evening to make other announcements, such as the cutting of the wedding cake and to play an appointed song for all such special occasions, while encouraging your guests to grab their cameras and video cameras to capture precious moments and special events, to make future memories!

Finally, the wedding reception hall will often have me request that your guests be seated before dinner.  The wait-staff may want me to announce to your guests that they will be serving the head table first, then the immediate family, etc.  If you have a buffet line, for example, the reception hall may ask me to announce that your guests remain seated until their table is released by a reception hall wait-staff member.  Next, you too may want me to make special announcements, such as (if you choose) asking the blessing or saying grace before the meal.  I furnish a SHURE professional UHF wireless microphone for this purpose, which may also be used for making the Best Man's Toast, Maid/Matron of Honor's Toast, etc.  Once dinner is over, the tables and chairs have been put away and the dance floor has been cleared, since I’m there working anyway, you are free to start your dance any time you choose! 

If this is the way you would like to see your wedding dance go or at least something like it, then you have found the perfect wedding DJ for your reception!"  

- DJ Daryl Beier

P.S. DJ Daryl looks forward to serving you and your DJ needs as your wedding DJ in Western Wisconsin, Southern Wisconsin, South-central WI, Southwestern WI and Central Wisconsin!

"Click on the Top Hits U.S.A. above and PartyBlast.com link below to check out

and visit Horizon Entertainment's Massive Music Library!"