December 10, 2008
Yes it’s
that time of your wedding planning to find a DJ for your special day, and for
most brides this can be an adventure in itself. Contacting different DJ's,
getting prices, choosing prices, consultations, and the list goes on and on. In
this article we share 10 Big Mistakes that are made by Brides and Grooms when
choosing a DJ for the big day, hopefully after this, you can find the DJ that
is most suited to handle your Wedding Reception. Here’s a little quote that my
partner always tells the brides she works with, “Your wedding day is like
Broadway, you only get one take, and you only get one chance to get it right”
- Not taking “First Impressions” into consideration...
More than likely your first with a DJ will be either on the telephone or
through E-mail. If the first contact is by telephone, listen to how the DJ
talks on the telephone, can you understand him or her, or the MC which
will do the announcements during your wedding? When you meet the DJ (and
sometimes MC also) are they dressed professionally? If a DJ carries
themselves professionally during your consultation, more than likely they
will be professional on your big day.
- Thinking that all DJ's are the same... This couldn’t be
further from the truth, every DJ has there own style, different skill
level, different rates, and vary a lot in their “arsenal” which is this
musical library which is the heart of their versatility. If a DJ only has
Rock music, but no R&B, a DJ which has both types of music and much
more is more “versatile”. Remember your favorite DJ that spins Alternative
music all night may be perfect for the club, but more than likely your
grandmother doesn’t want hear Good Charlotte all night during your
reception.
- Hiring the cheapest DJ you can find.... The phrase “You
get what you pay for” holds a lot of water in the case of hiring a
DJ…especially for a wedding. Let’s use the Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach metro
area as an example to better explain what I mean. There are DJs which can
cost as little as $300, or as much as $2,500 for a five hour wedding. Is
the DJ that is only charging $300 no good at all? Who knows he might do a
decent job, but there is one thing that is certain, either the DJ doesn’t
have the experience, or just has bad business skills altogether to charge
only $300. Any DJ that has done a ton of weddings (100 or more) knows that
they put too much into a wedding to only charge peanuts. On the other
side, remember that just because a DJ is the most expensive in town,
doesn’t mean they’re the best for you, sometimes they are, sometimes
they’re not. The entertainment for your reception is what you, your family
and friends will remember; it’s worth more than the cost of invitations.
Your DJ is an investment that you your guests will enjoy the entire “time
frame” of your reception, not half of it. Believe me, if half of your
guests leave after dinner because loud rap music was playing during the
main course, the venue isn’t going to give you a refund…
- Not communicating with your DJ... Besides hiring the
wrong DJ altogether, this is probably the biggest mistake some brides do
when dealing with Djs, not COMMUNICATING. There is nothing worse for a DJ
(and for you also) than a “rush job” especially a wedding. A seasoned
professional can get through the event without “noticeable incidents” but
I believe I speak for all wedding Djs when I say it is “nerve-racking”
even if we don’t show it. Keep your DJ informed of your plans, your
special songs, any changes, your timeline, or anything else he may need to
know, don’t wait until the week, or even a month before the big day to
start communicating. This is the only way your DJ will know exactly what
you want, and don’t want.
- Not having a written contract... Simply put…no
contract, you very well may have NO DJ! Every year I get a few phone calls
from a bride (or her mother) saying that they hired a DJ and they didn’t
show up. The first thing that I ask is did they have a contract…80% of the
time it’s “no”. If a DJ doesn’t have a contract, run out front door, and
don’t look back.
- Not making sure the DJ has liability insurance... More
and more venues and hotels across the U.S. are requiring that DJs have
liability insurance, and most are asking to see “papers”. A true
professional is going to have insurance for his business, and you should ask
to at least see a copy of the policy. Insurance for DJs is generally not
expensive, and there are a few major DJ organizations which offer a nice
discount on insurance for joining. There’s really no excuse for your DJ
not to have it.
- Taking complete control of the music selection from
your DJ... You want to hear what you want to hear…That’s fine, but
remember you’re not alone on your special day, you, your family (and your
new family); your friends all have different tastes. Some brides want to
choose every song that gets played for the entire night. Of course, you
should have imput, but let the DJ do his job, which is primarily making
sure that the right songs get played at the right time.
- Not making sure the DJ you want is “guaranteed” to be
your DJ... This is probably the biggest complaint from brides all over the
country about DJs. You went to a DJ company that has more than one DJ, you
requested a specific DJ, and another DJ shows up in his/her place. Any
time you deal with a big DJ company, make sure you get in writing that the
DJ you want is the one that will show up.
- Not going over back-up plans with your DJ... In life
“things happen” which you or nobody else has control over, even on your
wedding day! Find out from your DJ about his plans for back-up
transportation, equipment, and personnel. If one of these three areas is
“out of commission” so will the music for your reception. If they don’t
have any plans, start running.
- Not hiring a DJ quickly... Finding the DJ you want is
hard enough work, as long as you don’t believe they’re all the same. Don’t
go through all the work of finding the DJ you want and then procrastinate
on booking with that DJ. Most wedding DJs that have good reputations in
the business will get booked at least a year in advance, especially for
the Saturdays in the busy months. If you’ve found a DJ who you like and
are comfortable with, don’t wait hire him. Remember if you wait a month or
two before the big day, you choices are limited and you might end up with
no one.
Avoid these
ten major mistakes (there are a few more) and you will be better able to
“connect” with your DJ, and know what to look for while hiring a DJ. Keep in
communication with your professional DJ, and your reception will more than
likely be worry free.
December 10, 2008
10. Don't Rock the Cash Bar - When it comes to alcohol
at your reception, what you serve is entirely up to you. Whether you
choose to serve a full bar, limited cocktails, Beer and Wine, or no
alcohol at all will be based on various factors including budget.
The one option that is not recommended is a Cash Bar. Your guests
should be gracious enough to accept what is being offered to them.
If however a guest feels the need for a drink selection that is not
offered, chances are that he or she will be resourceful enough to
find it.
Also, request that bartenders not put out tip jars. If you are hosting
the bar, tell your catering contact that you are happy to pay gratuity
to the bartender(s) but that you do not want your guests to feel obligated
to tip.
9. Go flat! A huge number of brides give feedback that they
wish they had worn flats, having kicked off their heels during the
reception. As a bride you can expect to be standing for 8-12 hours
on your wedding day. Be sure to break in your shoes well in advance.
Even when wearing flats, unexpected blisters can form after a few
hours on your feet.
8. Have a little faith. D.J.'s are perhaps the wedding vendor
most micromanaged by couples. Too many song requests may actually
impede the flow of your party. You hire your D.J. to judge when to
play what music. You wouldn't instruct your Caterer step by step on
how to prepare food, or your Photographer on what angles and lenses
to use. Limit your D.J. request list to a few favorites and a do-not-play
list of only the songs you cannot stand. Do not get carried away and
have some trust.
7. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. What really matters most
to you, the photographer, the music and dancing, the food and wine,
the decorations, or being able to accommodate a large guest list?
Put your money towards what you care about. You will have regrets
if you skimp on what really counts. When you, the Bride and Groom
are not footing the bill yourselves however, you may have to forfeit
some financial decision-making. If this is the case you will need
to compromise on certain priorities or if you really want that pricey
photographer offer to pay for one yourself.
6. Bibbity Bobbity Boo. Wedding Dress shops are notorious for
having your dress shipped in at the last minute. Think about it, if
you owned a Wedding Dress Boutique you wouldn't want every brides
dress held at your shop for nine+ months before their weddings. Schedule
your first fitting well before your wedding. Your final dress fitting
should be no less than 1 week prior to your wedding so that alterations
can still be made.
Tuxedo rentals for all attendants must be tried on, that includes
Dad. Whether the Tailor seemed to take precise measurements or not,
too many men still show up at weddings with high waters or baggy tuxes.
5. Don't hit the road, Jack. Your wedding day is one
of the biggest, most important days of your life. You will be exhausted
and a bit disorderly the following day. Going away is the last thing
you will want to worry about. Wait at least a couple of days before
venturing on your honeymoon. Your wits will thank you.
4. Last night of single life. DO NOT hold your Bachelor or
Bachelorette party the night before your wedding! This may seem like
a no-brainer but many brides and grooms still practice the archaic
ritual of drinking all night on that fatal evening. It is simply not
worth it, as the Bride/Groom and your attendants will no doubt feel
tired, look tired, have a hangover, or worse be sick walking down
the aisle. If necessary, request that any out of town attendants arrive
a day earlier to help you to prepare and celebrate a different night.
3. No Guidance. With no Director there are too many details
left to too many people at your ceremony. Having a Wedding Coordinator
allows for one person to coordinate your wedding party processional,
music, minister, seating guests and to resolve any unexpected last
minute complications. A Coordinator will ease the stress level of
everyone, including you, tremendously on your wedding day. So if your
location does not include a Wedding Day Coordinator who also directs
your rehearsal, hire your own. A Wedding Coordinator may be much more
affordable than you think.
2. Stretching yourself too thin. As the bride you will make
everyone around you crazy by waiting until the last minute in planning
and finalizing details. If you have a hard time planning and prioritizing
on your own then get help. You don't want to be remembered as
“one of those brides” that put everything off and then
expected her friends and family to pick up the pieces, do you?
Do not commit yourself to social events the day before your wedding.
This day is meant for you to wrap up loose ends, beautify yourself,
attend your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner in many cases, and most
importantly get some amount of rest for the day ahead. You are going
to need it!
1. High demands. Try to keep in mind that although your Bridesmaids
and Groomsmen may offer you extra help, these friends can become taken
advantage of. The only "official obligations" of wedding
party members are emotional support, the financial expense of wedding
attire and travel, participation in the rehearsal and the obvious
role on your wedding day. In the case of the MOH or BM, reception
toasts are traditional as well. Other help that these individuals
may offer should not be viewed as duties, but rather as acts of kindness
including: setting up/tearing down, transporting ceremony goods, throwing
a bridal shower or other party, distributing gratuities, and any other
help that is offered.
Remember to be thoughtful towards your attendants. Bridesmaids may
not be comfortable in 4 inch heels, purchasing new jewelry or paying
to have their hair or makeup professionally styled. Do not forget
to personally thank any bridal party members for taking part in your
wedding, as well as family members who gave you assistance. A small
thank you gift is always appreciated.
December 10, 2008
You've said yes to the big question, now what? If
you're starting to become overwhelmed with the thought of planning your
big day, sit down, take a deep breath and look over this 12-month
planning guide. You'll see that planning a wedding is simply a matter
of getting organized. You can do it!
11-12 Months Before the Wedding
- Officially announce your engagement.
Setting up a personal website is a great way to share the plans as they develop. Your out of town family and friends will definitely appreciate it!
- Set a time and date for the wedding.
- Decide style of ceremony (size, setting, formality, etc.)
- Contact wedding a officiate.
- Arrange for your families to meet if they haven't met before.
- Develop a budget and decide who will pay for what.
- Begin compiling your guest list.
- Visit and reserve your reception site.
9-10 Months Before the Wedding
- Order your wedding gown and determine who will make any necessary alterations.
- Choose your wedding party.
- Decide on a color scheme (consider the reception site).
- Meet with potential wedding professionals
for your ceremony & reception. Interview local videographers,
photographers, florists, DJs & Musicians, caterers, and bakeries.
Be sure to get a contract that states wedding date, time, and location
for each vendor, as well as the schedule for payments.
- Scout out accommodations for out-of-town guests.
7-8 Months Before the Wedding
5-6 Months Before the Wedding
- Let your out-of-town guests know the date of your wedding so that they reserve the date and make any necessary travel plans.
Find Save-the-Date cards & magnets at: Carlson Craft
- Complete guest list.
- Shop for and taste test the wedding cake.
- Select and reserve attire for men in the wedding.
- Determine marriage license requirements
for the state in which you are getting married. (If in the US, contact
the county clerks office; if abroad, the wedding coordinator will have
this information.)
3-4 Months Before the Wedding
- Finalize the menu with your caterer.
- Order wine, champagne, liquor, etc., if not included in the caterers service.
- Finalize flowers, including those needed for the reception decorations.
- Mail out information about hotels and city attractions to your out-of-town guests so they can make their plans.
- Order wedding favors.
- Order wedding rings to allow time for engraving.
- Begin working on vows, especially if you are writing your own.
2 Months Before Wedding
- Finalize and book honeymoon.
- Mail out invitations.
- Do hair/make-up dry run, complete with your veil or headpiece.
- Book wedding day beauty appointments.
- Complete name change paperwork for bank accounts, insurance, etc.
- Finalize music play list.
- Finalize order of service and write the wedding program.
- Touch base with your florist, caterer, and DJ to confirm date and times, etc. Get their cell phone number if you don't already have them.
- Book rehearsal dinner.
- Order wedding cake, if not ordered already.
1 Month Before
- Order any rental items needed such as chairs, tents, lighting, if not included at wedding/reception sites.
- Purchase bridesmaid gifts.
- Purchase groomsmen gifts.
- Schedule final fitting for wedding gown. Remember to bring wedding shoes, veil, and proper lingerie needed.
- Purchase your accessories: guest book and pen set, ring pillow, flower girl baskets, unity candle, etc.
- Arrange for transportation needs
for wedding party and out-of-town guests for the rehearsal and wedding
day. Be sure to give the driver the addresses and schedules for all who
will need transportation.
2-3 Weeks Before
- Get marriage license. Call ahead to make sure you know what is required to bring.
- Organize any accessories needed such as ring pillow, flower girl basket, garter, and "something old, new, borrowed, and blue."
- Contact guests who haven't sent in RSVPs so that you can give the caterer a final headcount.
- Pick up wedding rings and check engraving before leaving the store. Store in a safe place!
- Confirm honeymoon hotel, airline reservations, and wedding night reservations, if not leaving until the next day.
1 Week Before
- Pack for honeymoon.
- Host attendants party and give out gifts along with a thoughtful thank you note to each bridesmaid.
- Make final payments to vendors. Put gratuities in envelopes and arrange to have a trusted friend distribute the envelopes on the big day.
Order gratuity envelopes here.
1 Day Before
- Take a long walk or schedule a massage to reduce stress. Gather your thoughts and mentally prepare yourself!
- Greet out-of-town guests.
- Make some time for each other to exchange gifts and a congratulatory kiss (or several)!
- Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
- Get in bed at a reasonable hour so that you'll look and feel your best for your wedding.
Wedding Day
- Awake early and eat a good breakfast.
- Go to beauty appointments.
- Arrive at wedding site early enough to dress and to visit with bridesmaids.
- Allow enough time for photography.
- Relax, smile, and enjoy your well-organized day!
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Thanks for visiting!
Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you find these articles helpful and useful. If you have any questions, email gregg@djgregg.net
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Writing your own vows is a wonderful way to make
the wedding ceremony even more special, and truly add a personal touch.