| Of course, every wedding reception is different in | | | | the order of dances - a few minutes is all that is |
| location, duration and requirements. The following have | | | | usually required to be set aside for this. |
| been compiled from my wedding DJ service | | | | I usually contact the clients again the week before the |
| experiences, so if you are considering undertaking | | | | function just to reassure and address any changes to |
| Wedding DJ entertainment, here are a few brief | | | | the program and music plan as required. |
| pointers to consider. | | | | Prepare for the big day |
| Pre-event planning | | | | One of the best tips I was ever given was don't leave |
| Although there is never a guarantee that everything | | | | everything to the last minute. Make sure you have |
| will run according to plan and time on the day, | | | | everything ready before the day, and not on the day. |
| pre-event planning is essential to help you deliver your | | | | Ensure that any paperwork that the venue requires is |
| service the way you intend - to be successful and | | | | forwarded well in advance of the function date and |
| memorable. | | | | confirm this with the function manager when you |
| Pre-visit the venue | | | | pre-visit. |
| Where practical, make arrangements with the function | | | | There is no excuse to be turned away from a venue |
| manager and visit where the reception is going to be | | | | at the eleventh hour because the Public Liability Cover |
| held (where you will be performing). | | | | certificate was left at home! The reputation of your |
| You'll need to know everything from who to report to, | | | | service will most certainly take more than a nose dive, |
| the permitted parking area, specific loading areas and | | | | so a little preparation goes a long, long way. |
| access times, even bar closing times on the night! The | | | | Arriving on the BIG day! |
| function manager will likely indicate all out-of-bound | | | | I usually allow plenty of time to get to the venue |
| areas including exterior areas, but don't be afraid to | | | | because of potential traffic hold ups! Upon arrival, my |
| ask if they don't mention, especially areas such as | | | | first task is to inform the function manager that I'm on |
| verges and paths which may be unsuitable for | | | | site. He or she will then indicate what stage they are at |
| vehicles or loaded trolley's. | | | | in the proceedings and if the program is running to time. |
| It's also worth enquiring if there is an area where your | | | | Usually, it is running a little later than planned! |
| disco equipment can be stored while you wait for the | | | | Unless I'm setting up the disco in a room away from |
| room to be vacated and prepared for the reception, | | | | where the wedding party is eating, hopefully, there will |
| and may help reduce setting up time if close-by to | | | | be a designated area nearby for me to proceed |
| where you are operating. | | | | unloading to and temporarily store the disco gear. |
| You'll need to know where the electrical power | | | | Out of etiquette, I like to inform the Bride and Groom |
| sockets are located and if they are connected to any | | | | that their Wedding DJ is on site. Naturally, there are |
| limiters. Also, it is worth discussing how the room | | | | stages during the proceedings which will determine |
| lighting will be on night. | | | | when I can personally inform the Bride and Groom that |
| Make a note of the ceiling height and how low the | | | | I've arrived. |
| fittings are, especially if the Bride intends to throw her | | | | If everyone is still eating, I'll consider informing them |
| wedding bouquet! | | | | discretely between courses. |
| You'll probably want to freshen up before performing | | | | Once the meal and speeches are over and the room |
| so if an area has not been mentioned or designated, | | | | is vacated, I can commence moving the disco gear. |
| don't hesitate to enquire where you can get changed | | | | With everything in place and operational including room |
| after setting up your disco equipment on the day. | | | | lighting adjustments, I'll discretely make my checks |
| Pre-visit your client! | | | | keeping sound levels to an absolute minimum. Once |
| Having a meeting with your clients is essential. It not | | | | satisfied, I'll go and freshen up and get changed and |
| only allows you to build a good rapport, but also | | | | then inform the function manager that I'm ready. |
| reassures your clients that you confidently know what | | | | The Reception |
| you are doing. | | | | Although early on, I'll gauge the level of background |
| Discuss at length the program timings of the day | | | | music to the number of guests entering the room so |
| including the meal, speeches and buffet, as well as | | | | it's not too loud and not to quiet. If you intend to offer a |
| disco entertainment start and end timings, and whether | | | | more personalised approach then its an idea not to |
| features of the program include 'cutting of the cake' | | | | 'hide' behind the gear but take the opportunity to greet |
| and traditional 'throwing of the bouquet'! | | | | the guests as they enter the room. |
| You'll need to know whether the Bride and Groom | | | | Once the wedding party have entered the function |
| intend to retire from the celebrations early or stay to | | | | room, I'll ask the Bride and Groom to inform when they |
| the end. Also, how do the Bride and Groom intend to | | | | will be ready for their first dance, and which group of |
| bring closure to the reception, and what will be their | | | | people I need to speak to (to discuss the subsequent |
| choice of music. | | | | dance order) if applicable. |
| For a more personalised approach to a reception, it's a | | | | Once everyone in the party knows when they will be |
| good idea to know the names of the key guests | | | | dancing (and with whom), as soon as the Bride and |
| attending. | | | | Groom are ready, I'll lower the background music, |
| Of course, the essential thing to discuss is the music, | | | | make my introductions, welcome the Bride and Groom |
| from the choice of background music that the wedding | | | | to the dance floor and introduce their first dance. |
| party is greeted with when you start, to specific tracks | | | | Any planned wedding party dances will follow the first |
| they have chosen! You'll be able to confirm the Bride | | | | dance which will then allow you to settle into building a |
| and Grooms first dance track (version), whether they | | | | party atmosphere. |
| require parent dances and particular music, along with | | | | HOWEVER! Of course there's no hard rule on which |
| any specific requests for music to be played | | | | music you should play early on, but it might be a bit |
| throughout. | | | | disheartening should you choose to play all top tracks |
| You may wish to suggest that the Bride and Groom | | | | before the buffet! Sure, it's a balancing act but the |
| might like to choose music dedications for the wedding | | | | general consensus with functions is that the disco |
| party to 'take to the dance floor' which helps | | | | usually gets really going AFTER the buffet is served. |
| encourage people to the dance floor later on! | | | | Closure |
| Another thing to discuss is whether the Bride and | | | | Whether closing the night with specially chosen tracks |
| Groom are happy for their guests to ask you for | | | | from the Bride and Groom, or encouraging the |
| requests on the night. At some wedding functions, | | | | wedding guests to get-up and form a traditional circle |
| there may be guests celebrating anniversaries or | | | | or arch, you'll need to allow yourself enough time so |
| birthdays. It's worth noting if there are any sensitive | | | | that the finish is ON TIME! So when working towards |
| songs that would be inappropriate to be played during | | | | the finishing time, double check with the function |
| the reception. | | | | manager on the bar closure as this is crucial if it has |
| Because the timings on the day can run over, I'll inform | | | | been agreed with the Bride and Groom for a grand |
| that I'll discuss on night to gauge the best time for their | | | | finale, and a clash of times could be a disaster! |
| first dance, making notes of any changes to the | | | | Ensure that the Bride and Groom has a rousing send |
| program as required. If there are planned dances for | | | | off and you've successfully completed your wedding |
| wedding guests then I'll also need to discuss with them | | | | reception entertainment. |