Understand the importance of musical entertainment at a wedding reception
Venues, caterers, florists, bakers, photographers, videographers and the like… are all significant contributors to a successful and memorable wedding reception. Rightly so, these various providers require and should be compensated based on the quality level of the services they provide. Many of the aforementioned merchants typically book a year or more in advance of the wedding day due to high demand for their products and services. However, when it comes to musical entertainment, specifically disc jockeys, most brides and grooms have traditionally not given them the same level of consideration as other purveyors.
Despite this apparent level of disrespect towards the wedding DJ, it is usually the disc jockey who provides that service that contributes most significantly to the overall success of the reception. Unfortunately, it is the mobile DJ industry itself that has largely caused this negative impression on the general public. For example, one can go into business with a small capital investment to buy inferior equipment, cheap Internet advertising, and free music downloads. Also, when the DJ can offer a very cheap rate for a 4-hour reception, most wedding guests jump at the chance to save a few bucks. However, in this case, the old adage “you get what you pay for” usually applies.
On the other hand, the disc jockey industry is full of professional and skilled performers offering a wide range of prices. Due to this wide spectrum, customers have the possibility to choose the range of entertainers, without having to pay through the nose to get a great dj. In order to get a good entertainer, there are certain basic criteria that need to be evaluated… is it licensed, insured liability, own brand equipment, does it require a signed contract, extensive advertising, etc.? Also, the above is a good indicator that the DJ has invested a reasonable amount of time and money in his business and, therefore, will act as a professional. Therefore, the bride and groom need to do some homework before meeting their candidate and then, upon meeting him, provide the same level of respect that a photographer or florist would receive.
Above all, it’s important to realize that a good DJ is the only provider who will be responsible for ensuring that wedding guests are entertained throughout the day…from the bridal party presentation, through dinner, to the dance. The worst moment for a bride would be to see only a quarter of her guests left for the last hour or two of the reception. It’s not the photographer or the caterer who will keep the crowd around until the final dance…that responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of the disc jockey. Furthermore, the notion that the ipod can replace a living person when it comes to providing music shouldn’t even be entertained by a rational person.
Consequently, brides and grooms must realize that it is not a wise decision to devote only what is left of their budget to disc jockey after all other providers have been secured. In other words, if the client expects a versatile and professional DJ to perform for 4 or 5 hours for a mere $500, the result could be a long shot. After spending $15,000 on food, cake, location, flowers and pictures, what’s the point of being frugal with entertainment and risk ruining a memorable day? Decent DJs don’t just play music for the reception…they act as masters of ceremonies and coordinate events between the other vendors, like making sure there’s a photographer present for the first dance or that champagne is served before the toast is announced. In addition, they have spent time prior to the reception meeting with the client and discussing and recommending options, possibly visiting the venue and purchasing the various musical selections.
In the same way, for a musical entertainer to attract potential business, a lot of time, effort and money is spent on advertising. Professional DJs who should be getting decent rates advertise their business in a variety of ways, including bridal shows, establishing and maintaining an effective website, appearing in bridal directories, posting wedding-related articles, and participating in forums. Additionally, with technology continually advancing, proficient disc jockeys must regularly purchase new equipment, be it audio, visual, or lighting-related.
Consequently, wedding clients should give disc jockeys the same consideration that is given to their other vendors. In other words, it is not fair to ask a DJ to negotiate his services when the same would not be required of a florist or a caterer. There are good and bad dealers in any industry…it is the customers responsibility to determine which entertainer is best qualified to provide the service that meets their needs. In other words, be willing to pay a rate that is competitive to secure the only wedding service provider that can make a very important day memorable for bride, groom, and guests alike.