Wedding Horror Stories:
How to avoid DJ Nightmares!!

As technician & host, the challenge facing your DJ is to recognize the mood & special moments during your event and enhance those moment with his selection of music. Your party may be a once in a lifetime event charged with emotion, and your DJ will be responsible for making that event entertaining & memorable.
 
The DJ actually serves as a medium to help guests’s entertain themselves. To connect with your guests the DJ must watch for details both on & off the dance floor; plan effectively & personally with you; and most of all listen to your ideas, preferences, questions & concerns..


Choosing your DJ

The best way to choose a DJ is through a referral from someone you trust. When the same name is mentioned by more than once, so much the better. You should also ask for a list of references for your prospective DJ. This will give you the opportunity to talk with others who have hired the same DJ. Ask if the DJ lived up to their expectations & any promises make during the sales & planning process. Consider the age & maturity of the DJ, and meet only with qualified professionals, experienced & dedicated to the type of event you are planning.
 
The diversity of today’s music, and multitude of venues through which a DJ can perform means you should carefully consider the context in which any particular DJ performs their best. Radio & nightclubs both have a specific target audience & promotional agenda. Still other DJ’s may specialize in one type of music, or one particular age group. Your DJ may need a wide variety of music plus the knowledge & experience to use it correctly.


Gauging Experience

A professional disc jockey must be a director, psychologist, motivator, host & entertainer all at the same time. It is important to select a DJ who is mature, articulate, accommodating, & familiar with the protocol for your event. Check that the DJ’s age & experience are relevant to the type of event you are planning. When interviewing a DJ, pay attention to their ability to pick up on your ideas & offer interesting insightful options.

Reviewing the music

Be clear about what portion of a DJ’s music collection will be actually by on hand at your event. It should include a wide range of styles & years with thousands of titles to choose. Requests should be honored.

Compact disc (CD, DVD) should be the preferred format. It offers the greatest sound quality with the lowest risk of technical failure.  Mp3’s should also be accepted.


Copyright Note

Federal copyright law (title 17 US Code) prohibits DJ’s form duplicating music. Previous cases have been prosecuted & the results are devastating. Protect yourself & your event by verifying that your DJ uses only original recordings.


Planning is the key
 
Your DJ should be aware of the planning required for your event & supply you with an appropriate form on which to note your preference regarding formalities. Before the event, hold a planning session with your DJ to discuss all of these arrangements in detail. Be certain that you plan directly with the DJ responsible for your event. Check that there be an alternate should this person for any reason be unable to perform.


The Sound System

The most important and most often overlooked aspect of any professional sound system is spare equipment. Guarantees & refunds will be little consolation should equipment failure bring your event to an early finish. Even the highest quality components are not fault proof; so true professionals will be adequately prepared.


The Right Price

Unfortunately price alone indicates very little about the DJ’s ability or experience. The mobile DJ business is filled with hobbyists, part time enthusiasts, small companies with limited schedules, and large booking agencies with excessive overhead. Consequently, prices vary over an unusually wide range. Within your budget, carefully examine the benefits & risks associated with each prospective service. While exceptionally low rates might indicate a questionable level of commitment, very high prices do not guarantee quality – know what you are paying for! Consider the price you are quoted in light of the information provide to you, as well as your own sense of the DJ’s ability to meet your expectations. Referenced should be plentiful, recent & specific to your type event.
 
Insist on a contract that binds the DJ to perform at your event for the agreed upon price & time. It should also make clear who will be responsible for substitute entertainment if the designated DJ is unable to perform, and what terms apply if the event is canceled. Read all contracts thoroughly & hire only a competent professional DJ.

Precision Entertainment – How do we measure up?

DJ Highlights:

· CD’s & mp3’s:  Our primary format for the best possible sound quality.
· Quality Sound System: And spare equipment on site means: no problems!
· Thousands of titles to choose from in each of our comprehensive music collections
· Personable Host: With the experience to make things happen
· Formal Attire: Or your own specific dress code
· Free consultations: And comprehensive planning help for your event
· References Available: For many recent events just like yours!!

***HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR WEDDING***

Of course you want your wedding day to be perfect . . . but usually the things you want can be insanely costly.  Here are some ways you can save some cash on your wedding day. . .

#1.)  HAVE A NON-TRADITIONAL RECEPTION.  You don't have to have your reception at some expensive hall or hotel.  Consider having it on some public grounds. . . like a park.  Just call your local recreation department.

#2.)  DON'T BUY A FANCY WEDDING DRESS.  Sure, you want to look fantastic in a nice wedding dress. . . but you're only going to wear it once.  It doesn't have to be all that pricey.

#3.)  HAVE A MORNING WEDDING.  Generally, expenses for food, transportation and hall rentals tend to be lower in the morning.  Plus. . . people might drink less at the reception if it's earlier in the day.

#4.)  PICK THE BEST DATE.  Some of the most POPULAR times for weddings are Saturdays in June. . . and they're also when couples are charged the most.

#5.)  MAKE THE MOST OF GIFT REGISTRIES.  Instead of registering for expensive luxuries that you don't really NEED. . . register for everyday necessities that you don't have. . . like dishes or appliances. . . so you don't have to buy them later. 

PRECISION ENTERTAINMENT is some more than just DJ’s & lights.. We are a total entertainment planning company. We can accommodate practically any kind of function. From the most elegant wedding, to the simplest back yard BBQ.


***THE TOP FIVE MISTAKES OF WEDDING CEREMONIES***
 
You're paying a lot of money for a nice wedding ceremony.  Don't screw it up.  Here are the top five mistakes of wedding ceremonies. . .
 
#1.)  BEING LATE.  It's NOT COOL to be late to your own wedding.  Not only are you keeping your bride or groom waiting, but you're also keeping the guests waiting.  Make sure you have an attendant assigned to keep things on time.
 
#2.)  NOT EXPLAINING RITUALS.  If your ceremony has religious or somewhat non-traditional rituals in it. . . keep the guests in the loop. . . by explaining the rituals in your wedding program so the guests know what's going on.
 
#3.)  NOT PRINTING RULES.  Some places. . . like churches or temples. . . may have rules like no flash photography or clothing that shows bare shoulders.  It may seem silly, but you don't want to offend anyone. . . so put the rules in your program.
 
#4.)  NOT LETTING PARENTS LEAVE FIRST.  When the ceremony is over, your parents and family members should be the people leaving first.  They should be able to greet you before you're mobbed by all the other guests at the wedding.
 
#5.)  ALLOWING WEDDING PRANKS.  Make sure it's absolutely clear to the best men or the bridesmaids that you don't want any sort of pranks to go down.  You don't want a surprise in the middle of the ceremony.  (iVillage)


WEDDINGS BY THE NUMBERS

"People" magazine recently did a survey about weddings.  Here are some of the results:

--The average cost of a wedding is just under $30,000.
--The average length of an engagement is 17 months.
--The number of weddings in the U.S. last year is two-million-155-thousand.
--The average number of weddings that take place in Las Vegas each year is 116-thousand.
--The average number of wedding guests is 167.
--The average price of an engagement ring is two-thousand-100 dollars.
--The average price of a wedding DJ is $1500. (That doesn’t mean that’s what you will pay)
--The average number of weddings taking place in the U.S. every day is just under 6000.