| This article is intended to give anybody looking to book | | | | may ruin an otherwise pefect day. Equally a Dj who |
| a mobile disco, some ideas of what questions to ask, | | | | plays too loudly or who plays unsuitable music may |
| and what areas to look for, when choosing a Mobile Dj | | | | chase away your guests early and ruin the enjoyment |
| for their Wedding. Although written to advise a client | | | | of those who do remain until the end. When bookng a |
| looking to book a Mobile Disco for a Wedding | | | | DJ, you are paying for the difference between a |
| Reception, the various points made within, may also be | | | | jukebox in the corner and a professional entertainer, |
| suitable for many other family functions where the | | | | and the latter will of course expect a professional fee |
| services of a Mobile Disco may also be employed. | | | | for their services. |
| One of the first things you should look for when | | | | A Good Dj will be able to create a positive |
| choosing a Mobile Disco, is the information which is | | | | atmosphere and have the experience to make the |
| given in the Brochure / Website. Has the Dj taken time | | | | function work. Remember that it is the Dj's experience |
| to provide pictures of his / her roadshow, have they | | | | you are paying for, and not just the flashing lights. |
| written in detail about the services that they provide | | | | When booking a Mobile Disco also ask them if they |
| and taken the time to publicise how long they have | | | | have public liability insurance. This is important, should |
| been in business, what music they play, and any | | | | any accidents occur between the Disco Equipment |
| testimonials or professional affiliations they have. What | | | | and your guests, which is at the liability of the DJ you |
| are your first impressions of the DJ and the business | | | | have the reassurance that they are covered. Just as |
| they run?. Even at this early stage you should trust | | | | importantly, a lot of venues and hotels will not allow a |
| your instincts. | | | | Mobile Disco to enter their premises unless this |
| Another area, you should look for is the availability of | | | | certificate can be produced. Therefore it is in your own |
| information, does the DJ clearly advertise their contact | | | | interests to make sure that the DJ who you book, has |
| information. DJ's who conduct business purely through | | | | this minimum requirement, otherwise you may see |
| a hotmail or yahoo address, or those who choose only | | | | your disco being refused entry and be unable to carry |
| give a throw away mobile phone number as a sole | | | | out his obligations, leaving you without a dj, on the |
| point of contact, should perhaps be avoided. | | | | evening of your function. In the UK, Mobile DJ's are also |
| The next is to contact the Mobile Disco by email or | | | | required at some venues to produce PAT (Electrcal |
| phone, to assess their suitability for your fuction. Don't | | | | Safety) certificates and so, if you live in the UK or |
| be afraid to ask as many questions which you feel are | | | | other countries which require this, then make sure that |
| important to you, and it is often a good idea to either | | | | your mobile disco has the level of requirements |
| email these, or have them written down when you | | | | expected by your hotel or Wedding venue. |
| make the call. The DJ is a service provider, and will | | | | Most DJ's will dress accordingly depending on the |
| have allowed plenty of time to address any questions | | | | formality of the event, at Wedding Receptions the |
| or concerns which their clients may have. Look for | | | | usual dress for a function would be a Tux or a suit. If |
| descrepencies in areas where the information | | | | you have any special requirements for attire, such as |
| provided by the Dj doesn't quite match up with that | | | | black tie or if the function has a theme or fancy dress, |
| given on the website!. | | | | then any DJ worth their reputation will dress suitably |
| When considering booking a Mobile Disco, you should | | | | for the function or theme if instructed. |
| expect the DJ to play a mixed music selection suitable | | | | This is YOUR function and YOUR special day, so any |
| for all of the age groups attending. At most Wedding | | | | mobile disco should be flexible as to the arrangements |
| Receptions, with family present this usually means a | | | | and your music requirements, so it is important to |
| wide and varied evening of music suitable for young | | | | discuss these requirements prior to making a |
| and old tastes alike. Avoid booking any DJ who seems | | | | confirmed booking. Most DJ's structure their fee |
| only interested in playing one type of music, or who will | | | | according to how many hours they work, so give |
| play music which may be unsuitable for the age | | | | some serious considerations to the timescale of the |
| groups in attendance. Ensure that the DJ has a | | | | event. Remember that the Evening Function and its |
| comprehensive music collection, and seems | | | | start time is reliant not only on other earlier activites |
| knowledgable and confident on all eras of music. Again, | | | | such as the ceremony and the wedding breakfast |
| any Dj who askes you to describe what Motown or | | | | running to schedule, but also the arrival of any guests |
| 70's music sounds like, is not really experienced enough | | | | for the Evening function who may be running late. So |
| and should perhaps be best avoided for this type of | | | | don't book your disco to start too early in order to |
| function. | | | | allow for some inevitable over running and late arriving |
| If required, your DJ should be able to incorporate a | | | | guests. |
| playlist, containing your favourite requests into the | | | | When considering the finishing time for your disco, also |
| evening disco. However don't make this list too long or | | | | consider how long most of the guests have been in |
| specialised, since a lot of DJ's work by "reading" the | | | | attendance, will they have the energy to dance until |
| dancefloor reaction and ensuring continuity of music | | | | 1AM, if they have been at the ceremony since 1PM?. |
| depending on which types of music the audience are | | | | Do you have a function with a lot of young children or |
| responiding to. Since all people and audiences are | | | | elderly relations who may leave the venue early? have |
| different, and all individuals have different musical | | | | any relatives travelled a long distance to be there, and |
| tastes, it is impossible to create a playlist of music | | | | who may too need to leave early in order to return |
| before the actual function with a guarantee that | | | | home?. All these are important considerations which |
| running order will work with your guests. | | | | decide whether your Wedding Disco finishes at |
| Most DJ's like to also invite and include the requests of | | | | Midnight or runs on well into the early hours!, and again |
| the Wedding Guests too, as well as those requested | | | | the duration of the function will reflect in your DJ's fee. |
| in advance by the Bride and Groom. Remember, when | | | | Also remember to mention to the DJ any special |
| booking a DJ, you are also paying for his / her | | | | requirements. Do you want the use of the Microphone |
| experience as an enertainer, so please be prepared to | | | | and P,A system for the speeches?, Do you want |
| allow a little flexibility and continuity in your personal | | | | background music during any meal or buffet breaks?, |
| music choices, and any request list which you may | | | | is the DJ sharing the reception with a band?. Is the Dj |
| choose to provide your DJ with. | | | | expected to set up in a marquee?, is there limited |
| At most Weddings it is often a custom for the Bride | | | | space at the venue or limited access to set up? |
| and Groom to choose the first dance, and this signals | | | | Above all, always trust your insticts when contacting |
| the start of the actual Evening Function. At some | | | | Mobile Discos, consider how much interest the DJ |
| Weddings the Bride and Groom may also choose a | | | | showed in your function, did they ask any questions?, |
| second track too, and this can be used to invite other | | | | did they appear professional and courteous?, how long |
| guests onto the dancefloor to join the happy couple, or | | | | did it take them to respond to your enquiry?, did they |
| for the Bride and her Father to share a dance. | | | | answer your questions in detail?. |
| Occasionally a third track for another key family | | | | Remember that how long a Mobile Disco has been in |
| member could also be incorporate as well, if required. | | | | business is an important factor, if in doubt you should |
| Remember to ensure that this information and any | | | | always remember to ask the DJ if they can provide |
| request list is sent to the DJ, well ahead of the actual | | | | references from clients who have booked them for |
| function date. | | | | similar events. Please remember that is not always |
| When choosing a Mobile Disco, don't just base your | | | | practical to see a Mobile DJ working, especially if that |
| requirements and expectations on price alone. At | | | | DJ only provides mobile discos for weddings, and of |
| many Wedding Receptions, large amounts of money | | | | course in this situation it would not be ethical or |
| have usually already been spent on the venue, the | | | | professional for a working Dj to invite potential clients |
| venue decor, flowers, food, and of course the | | | | to other peoples private functions for viewing |
| Wedding Cake and other services such as a | | | | purposes |
| photographer, and some may think nothing of spending | | | | When you choose your Disco and book the event, |
| hundreds on extras such as a chocolate fountain | | | | then expect to pay a small deposit in order to secure |
| whilst skimping on the entertainment!. Whilst these | | | | the date of the function. It's also very important that |
| areas are important, many clients do make the | | | | your booking details and terms are sent to you in |
| mistake of booking a cheaper disco as a way of | | | | writing, and that you have some form of contract with |
| saving money and are then disappointed with the | | | | the DJ. |
| results. | | | | I hope that this article has proved useful in giving some |
| Realistically, it is false economy to just book the Mobile | | | | basic information on what questions to ask, what to |
| Dj who comes in with the lowest quote. Don't forget | | | | look out for, and the various areas of planning which |
| that the evenings entertainment, will play a big role in | | | | should be considered when booking a mobile disco for |
| the success of any Wedding Reception, and an | | | | your event. |
| inexperienced DJ, or one who doesn't turn up at all, | | | | |