Wedding Tips #2

Choosing Your Entertainment

When choosing a professional disc jockey for your wedding event, start by making sure you’re dealing with a professional. You may ask questions such as:

• Are you dealing with a part time or full time wedding business?

• Do they have a business license and insurance?

• Do they utilize professional equipment?

• Do they have backup equipment and staff?

• Are they experienced in the wedding arena?

• Are they well known for the skill set and talent they provide and utilize at events?

These may sound like simple questions, but it’s important to remember your wedding day is not only one of the most cherished days of your life, it’s also one of the most expensive. Don't take the risk in hiring a non-professional. Next, check their professional and experience credentials:

• Can they provide a history of credible testimonials and public accolades?

• Do they have adequate wedding experience?

• Are they well respected in the wedding community as a service with integrity?

• Will you need to worry about any aspect of what they promise to provide?

• Then, decide if your DJ will be a good match for the style of event you desire:

• Will they listen and understand your expectations and needs?

• Will they honor your wishes during your event?

• Will they present themselves in a professional manner?

• Do they fit an image and persona which make you comfortable for your event? (in many respects they will represent you at the reception)

Don't forget, one of a bride’s best resources are the services already hired/retained. Ask your trusted vendors (your venue, your wedding planner, photographer, florist caterer, etc.); odds are they have worked alongside the best (and the worst) in the wedding industry and can help you avoid services which do not handle themselves in a professional manner. Finally, once you are confident the DJ you are considering qualifies with all the items mentioned above, trust your intuition:

• Would you enjoy their performance and services if you were a guest?

• Does your DJ make you feel comfortable and confident about their ability to handle the entertainment and services at your event?

• Do you have a good rapport with your DJ?

• Have you enjoyed the time spent with your DJ during your consultation?

For your final decisions - don't be afraid to trust your instinct!

Lighting Services

In today’s marketplace, most professional wedding disc jockey services also offer complete audio/visual production services to wedding clients; this may include professional audio services for the reception, ceremony and/or the rehearsal, plus a qualified emcee to assist the wedding couple and help guide their guests at the event. It may also include special event lighting enhancements and décor such as spotlights, uplighting, gobo projection, table lighting and a variety of illuminated visual enhancements; plus video monitors, projection screens, trussing and some basic production services are now commonly being offered.

Special Event Lighting has become an important part of creating ambiance and contributing to the décor of an event. Item’s like uplighting, gobo projection, café string lights, suspended “Chinese” lanterns, spotlights and more add visual enhancements and a level of customization to an event’s décor and should always be considered as a way to complement the venue’s atmosphere and create a unique visual experience.

There are a variety of wedding vendors handling a cross selection of these type of services; however, these item’s typically fall under the category of “Audio/Visual” so you’ll likely find your sound/music entertainment service is likely to possess the technical knowledge, equipment, experience and expertise to handle all of your audio/visual needs including sound, lighting décor and emcee duties. These are areas which are natural for a sound/light technician to handle with knowledge and understanding.

Caution should be exercised if you’re using a non-audio/visual professional provide your audio/visual lighting, or production equipment. It’s always best to trust your experts to handle the areas which encompass their expertise… and again, for your final decisions - don't be afraid to trust your instincts!

by Steve Metz
Metropolitan DJ

Address: 1300 Meridian Street N; Huntsville, Alabama

Phone: (256) 533-6065
Email: sherill@metropolitandiscjockey.com
Website: www.MetropolitanDiscJockey.com