ARTICLES TO CONSIDER IN YOUR SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT RECEPTION ENTERTAINER:
Choosing An Entertainer For Your Reception Written by Matt Saltzer Reprinted from UltimateWedding.com
Events are focused around various concepts depending on the type of affair. For a party, a banquet, a wedding reception or a festival, the entertainment seems to be one of, if not the MOST important component. Yes, the food, decorations and socialization are very important, but without entertainment, these events would take on a whole different personality.
For affairs that are focused around the entertainment, or at least events where entertainment is responsible for a major role in the success or failure of the event, some serious consideration must be placed on hiring the right entertainment for the desired results.
Will you find the right entertainment by hiring the one that answers the phone first or the one that has the lowest price or would you select one just because they live in your hometown? There are actually several things you should consider before selecting an entertainer:
Is the entertainer experienced in providing services for your type of event? It’s not a yes or no question if you want someone who knows the ropes. How much experience do you want your entertainer to have? Get a list of references.
What type of equipment do you deserve to have at your event? Many entertainers use hand-me-downs or the cheapest equipment they can get by with because they shop by price or simply can’t afford quality. Imagine not being able to understand the announcements, hearing hiss or a buzz during the entire event or having part of your beautifully decorated event contain an eyesore of wires and beat up equipment.
Is backup equipment available? If there is a problem and you are relying on the entertainment, don’t you want to know what the entertainer’s backup plan is for your important event?
What happens if the entertainer is ill or otherwise cannot attend your event?
Who will actually be the entertainer at your event? Is it the person who’s name is on the business or a trainee that you have never met before? Your contract should make this clear and concise as well. Which would you rather have?
Is your entertainer insured? Every legitimate business has insurance.
Do they take requests, tailor the event to your specifications, spend time with you to find out what you want and help you plan your event? Do they listen to your concerns and are they flexible?
What services are included other than just playing music? Do you need an emcee at your event, a coordinator, how about someone to interact with your crowd, to inspire them and encourage them to participate?
Are there any hidden or extra charges for expected services, travel expenses, or requirements from the entertainer that seem unusual? Do they take smoke breaks, drink alcohol or wear a baseball cap on the job? If they don’t cover these topics, perhaps you should.
Does the entertainer speak in complete sentences without using "um" and "uh"? Public speaking is the #1 fear in America. If someone is not good at speaking in person, imagine how they will speak when they’re in front of an audience.
The entertainment you select will dramatically impact your event, your memories and your reputation. Spend some time on your decision.
The Top Eight Mistakes Made When Choosing A Mobile DJ Written by Scott Susor Reprinted from UltimateWedding.com
These days, almost everybody has been to a wedding reception where a “mobile DJ” was performing. National magazine surveys show that today, over 70% of wedding receptions that include entertainment feature a “mobile DJ” in the role of providing that musical entertainment.
In the past 10 to 20 years, the perception of the “mobile DJ” has undergone a transformation. No longer thought of as only appropriate for “high school sock hops,” the “mobile DJ” has become, not only appropriate, but preferred for wedding receptions.
So why do we often hear of consumer complaints concerning “mobile DJs?” Why do we hear so many tales of woe from brides and grooms concerning the “mobile DJ” that they had for their wedding? Why do we hear so many negative comments concerning the music from guests at weddings where a “mobile DJ” performed? Are all “mobile DJs” unethical, incompetent, and/or lousy?
Of course they aren’t. As in any relatively young industry, there are those who know what they’re doing and there are those who don’t. The fact is, there are quite a few fantastic mobile DJs. However, because the best of them operate almost entirely on referrals, and are booked so far in advance, they are frequently unavailable to accept an event booking from a new client who perhaps has waited too long to find that high quality “mobile DJ” they want and need. In an effort to help you avoid ending up with an unethical, incompetent, and/or lousy “mobile DJ,” presented below are the top eight mistakes that brides make in choosing a mobile disc jockey service and how to avoid them:
1. Plan ahead, way ahead. Most brides begin planning their wedding nine months to a year in advance. Frequently however, the “reception entertainment issue” gets shuffled to the “bottom of the deck” in terms of planning. Of all eight mistakes, this is the biggest one. Why? The best mobile DJs book their dates six months to a year in advance. If you don’t book a great mobile DJ early, and lock in one of the best, what does that leave you with to choose from later on?
2. Shop for quality. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, especially when the typical bride might not fully understand what “quality” in a mobile DJ service truly represents. Some of the other top eight mistakes deal with detail issues of “quality” and how to identify it. Here, the idea is to generally see and evaluate mobile DJs in exactly the same light as you see and evaluate things like hotels, automobiles, home builders, and doctors. Do NOT assume that all mobile DJ companies are alike. High quality will cost more than low quality.
3. Realize the importance of the DJ to your wedding reception’s success. National magazine surveys report that happy brides consistently say that the DJ was most responsible for their wedding reception’s success. The average percentage of importance they’ve assigned to the DJ is 70%. Some people will remember your gorgeous wedding dress. Some people will remember the great food. Some people will remember the beautiful cake. Everybody will remember whether they had a good time or not.
4. Get to know your DJ personally before the wedding. Always request a personal meeting with the mobile DJ company owner AND with the specific DJ who’ll be performing at your wedding reception. In many cases, the owner is the DJ himself/herself; this is known as a “single-op” mobile DJ service. Mobile DJ services where the owner has employees and/or subcontractors who do the actual “gigs” are called “multi-ops.” Beware of mobile DJ company owners who resist or discourage in-person meetings with you. Beware of multi-op owners who will not guarantee in writing the specific DJ who will perform at your wedding reception. In any case, get to know your DJ to ensure a good working relationship.
5. Insist on use of a pre-planned, written agenda. Most mobile DJs simply want to show up and play music. That may be fine for high school sock hops but not for wedding receptions. A truly professional mobile DJ company understands this, and will require advance planning with the bride, resulting in an approved written agenda for the event. Nobody is in a better position to assist in planning the agenda, and to coordinate everything at the wedding reception, than the mobile DJ service. Make sure they do not refuse to accept this important responsibility.
6. Get and check references. Talking to those who have worked with a company before is the best way to verify that the company does what it promises and does it well. If you’re dealing with a “multi-op” make sure the references are for the specific DJ who will be performing at your event, and not for other DJs working for that company nor “generic” references. You decide how many references to check, but the minimum should be five, and all should be from weddings within the past year.
7. Verify the basics of mobile DJ quality. The basics include a variety of items and issues that you might not immediately think of, but which are very important. First, does the company provide backup equipment? Second, is the company insured for property loss and liability? Third, does the company have an adequate and appropriate music library? Fourth, will the DJ(s) be attired appropriately? Fifth, will the DJ(s) be interactive, semi-interactive, or non-interactive according to your wishes? Sixth, will the DJ(s) manage the music effectively, reading the crowd, taking requests, and avoiding songs with potentially offensive lyrics? Seventh, does the company offer additional options/services such as secondary sound systems, wedding music and coordination, and nightclub-style lighting?
8. Ensure that your vision of your wedding day becomes reality. If those happy brides are even close to right that the entertainment was 70% responsible for their wedding reception’s success, then it appears that the DJ’s responsibility goes quite a bit further than “just playing music.” And without question, it does. The best DJs understand this, and the happiest brides are those who moved reception entertainment to the top of their list when planning their reception.
