How to go from Elegant to all out Party!

Planning a wedding reception can be as stressful or more when you consider it requires much more of your guest. During a ceremony, guest will sit quietly and watch. If it’s a Mass, they will sometimes chime in with prayers or traditional movements. When your guest arrive at the reception location, they will find their seats and sometimes socialize (cocktail hour) with family members or friends of the opposite family. Your guest will eat, drink and converse while they wait for your arrival. Upon arrival, they’ll wait until the first dance for the dance floor to officially open. Then you hope that they will engage and dance. This all requires special engagement to encourage your guest to participate in each phase of your event. This requires a skilled and experienced planner, emcee or experienced DJ.

Many couples want interaction and participation throughout the reception. I’ve personally seen where they wedding party had their guest wait over three hours! Yes, tables actually got up and left. Planning to encourage engagement in activities early on in the reception will prepare your guest to become more engaged later in the evening. This can be accomplished in many ways. Some use games, trivia and slide shows. There are many options here that will raise your guest energy early in the evening. When you arrive, they’ll be excited knowing the party is now in full force.

BEFORE

One of the simplest (least expensive) ways of transforming a venue from one tradition to the next is through lighting your venue. Lighting is more than just pretty colors and blinking lights (I actually don’t encourage blinking lights before dancing). Lighting sets a mood. Think about when you go out to dinner at a nice restaurant with candle lit tables versus a cooperate fast food joint with the bright white lighting. You can picture the two and you most likely have a very different feeling. How do you want your guest to feel when they arrive, while they eat or when it is time to dance?

In your venue of choice, it’s doubtful that they will allow you to repaint the walls. They might allow you to drape fabric of color throughout (if it’s fire retardant). You couldn’t run about the room and change it from cocktail to dinner or dinner to dancing. This is where lighting comes to save the day. The cost of lighting is actually cheaper than fabric or paint. It also can be controlled by your DJ or Lighting Technician. Want the walls to be blue for cocktail and pink for dinner; no problem. Want tables individually lit; No problem. Let’s not forget about the dancing.

There are four primary kinds of lighting that are used for wedding receptions. There is a wash light, which is often used to uplight a room. They are LED and can be changed to coincide with your event timeline. There are gobos, often referred to as a monogram. These are steel plates that are cut with your initials and projected on a floor, wall or ceiling. Then there is accent lighting. In theatre, these are referred to as specials. They project beams of light throughout the room. Some move and some are static. The options for accent lighting can be limitless. Finally there is pin spots. Pin spots will put a white (or colored) spot anywhere about the room. They are most commonly used to light a cake table, head table and also individual tables. this allows you to dim the room lights and keep the tables individually lit. Consulting with M.R.K.Entertainment and wedding lighting services, you can learn more about what options are available for your venue.

Don’t expect your guest to make your event work, encourage them by setting the mood for a moment. Start with an elegant lighting scheme to encourage moment and conversation. Have your lighting change to highlight your arrival. Transform the room into a romantic dinning experience. Finally, make the room the dance hall, not just a small section of the floor. Working with knowledgeable entertainment and lighting companies like M.R.K.Entertain, you’ll amaze your guest and lead them through the stages of your event.

AFTER

Music Song Request & The Top 200

DJ Intelligence is a service used by many DJ’s. One great perk that is shared to all is their cumulative request list. Dj Intelligence takes the request list generated by clients of DJ’s and DJ’s and compiles the Top 200 most requested songs. This is great place to start building your list. I find that most of my clients request 30-50 songs from this exact list.

From there, a good DJ should be able to look at your request and understand you musical preferences. You’ll always want to leave about 40-50% of your time to the DJ. Although you might have good musical taste, your guest might night. Leave this space and let your DJ fill in the music with guest request and preferences.

Some clients often feel as though they should pick all the songs. Personally, I’m against this but I will play them after a conversation about this very post. If clients understand that if I play their chosen request and ignore guest, the dance floor might be empty, then I’ll follow their specific request. In many cases, I’ll have them initial an amendment on the contract for assurance.

If you hire a good DJ, they should be able to read the crowd and know what the crowd wants to dance to. Don’t save money with inexperienced DJ’s who have not developed this skill. Make sure you book an experienced DJ who can adjust when the time is needed. If you’re unsure, you can always go back to the Top 200 from DJ Intelligence.

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To Cancel School Dances or Not?

This blog post is written with teachers, administration and staff of schools in mind. 

As we think back about dances and schools, we can all remember a time where teachers were not happy about attending a dance as a chaperone. Personally, I don't blame you! This is boring job. But, when we think of the alternative options, the options become increasing scary! Imagine kids in a basement or worse a night club that allows students in after hours. I've seen and even worked in clubs that did this. I can contest, it's a truly dangerous situation for any minor. Drunk people dancing with minors is never a good solution for entertainment. To get back to the reminiscing, we had options that allowed kids to dance and have fun in a safe environment. What do the kids have now? Those places are now littered with drug dealers and perverts looking to prey upon a young teen.

So, going back to not wanting to hold dances, the reality is we need too. Hosting a dance provides a safe place for kids to let loose and have fun. We (as adults) do this all the time; ever been to a wedding? What is the best part? Dancing? Yes, dancing is a natural part of our expression and it gets kids moving! This brings us to the dreaded grind.

Why do kids grind up on each other? Well, the dance technique (yes it is a dance technique) was adopted from Latin Dance into Hip Hop; like many dance moves are. Since Hip Hop durived in the underground movement of the inner-city club districts. These clubs were often crowded, dark and loud with bass. So, dancing with a partner, you had to be close. Giving that and the beverages, you can see how this would become successful. 

Now, Hip Hop has become Mainstream Music. That previously night club music has exploded and your students are addicted to it. I'm not suggesting changing their musical taste, only being aware of it. When the kids come to a dance, you can bet they want to hear Hip Hop and Dance Music. Being aware of you environment and music selection can help with calming the grinding. 

Kids are dancing this way for a few reasons, 1) It's normalized. Kids see it as appropriate dance for their age group. This turns into peer pressure that forces kids to dance this way. 2) They see it on T.V. Watch 10 minutes of MTV or BET and you'll see grinding. College kids, stage dancers and the like all do it. 3) It's easy to do! Duhh! It's true. Grinding takes no skill at all. In fact, I think some kids do it to hide fact they can't dance. 4) How many school dances are lighted properly? That's right, most schools choose not to have adequate lighting and the result is a nice dark dance floor. 5) Kids love bass. Any DJ will tell you at school dance every other student will ask you to turn it up, in other words, "Pump up the Bass!" Do you see the pattern yet?

When you talk to kids they'll tell you that it doesn't hurt anyone. This isn't true. If you ask the same kid, "Would you dance this way at a wedding or with your parents here?" They'll say "no!" So, that opens the door for all of us. Kids identify that the behavior is not appropriate and they can see the difference. Now we have something to work with. 

There are many ways to get kids to dance appropriately. The Venue, music, lighting, theme, music, and BPM's (Beats Per Minute) are just a few. Book Now with DJ Michael and allow him to help you create a fun safe dance for all your students. 

Don't send out kids to the basements or after hour clubs to dance and have a good time, when you can create a better atmosphere at your school while making money for a club or good cause. Don't get discouraged. Seek out support from DJ Michael. DJ Michael is a State of Maine Certified Teacher who works in the puplic education sector. He understands these complexities and can help you create a safe and fun atmosphere. 

Grinding Affects School Dances

There are many issues at a high/middle school dance. Kids are easily influanced by mass media as they explore their perception of self. We all know that kids explore and experiment with drugs, alchohol and yes, sexual identity. This includes how a teen dresses, acts and behaves in a given situaiton. Remember how you tested your parents and teachers limits?

There are many articles that announce, "Schools are canceling their dances due to "Grinding."" 

Huffington Post Article

Portland Press Herald Article of Portland High School

Maine Sunday Telegram Article of Yarmouth High

As an educator, I can feel the frustation of why we don't want to chaperone a school dance. There are behaviors that are allow and obviously some that are not allowed. It can be intimidating to stop teens from dancing the way they have learned from Mass Media. When I chaperone, I never feel intimidated about stopping this kind of dancing. I had one young lady approach me after the dance and said, 

"Thank you for telling my date that grinding on me was not appropriate. It's difficult to go to a dance with your friends pressuring you to dance this way. Not all of us what to dance that way." (Anonymous)

So, there are good students who want to have a good time. As we know with most behaviors, there are a few that will refuse to follow expectations, while most will comply. The VAST majority will comply! This is key. If the dance is designed and planned accordingly, dancing can change with the music and the atmosphere, leaving only a few students to be corrected. If a few students are corrected, the others will follow. This can often be dealt with by school administration or staff who have good reporte with this select students.

The planning process includes a multitude of variables: venue, lighting, flow, decor, music style, dress code, and most inportantly BPM (Beats Per Minute). With a talented DJ, they can control the flow of the dance floor with music's BPM. Most grinding occurs with 80-110 bpms. Changing the bpms and lighting, can effectively eliminate the grinding. This all requires planning and timing on the DJ's part. During your consulations, you'll get the opportunity to discuss how you can eliminate grinding at your school dances. 

I've (DJ Michael) DJ'd 100's of school dances. Like most DJ's, at some point the grinding affect sneaked  into the building and grinding prevailed. Now, he's mastered the Art of Eliminating Grinding without telling kids, "No, I can't play that song." Look to see if your date is availible for booking now.

Contact DJ Michael for more information about how to host a school dance with little to no grinding!

GOBO's Add Elegance

CUSTOM GOBO'S

A custom gobo can add another level of elegance to your event. These gobo's show your comittment and dedication to this day.

These images can be projected on the wall, floor or ceiling. In some cases, they can be multiplied, rotated, moved and diffused.

A great effect is to have the Wedding Party Introductions and have this image appear as the Bride & Groom are introduced. Another effect is ito have it move or multiple when the first dance begins.

The cost of gobos varies upon the size, detail and glass vs. steel. For the most part, a simple gobo can be added for as little as $50 and up to several hundred (this is for 3D Glass Gobos). When you think about the "Wow" factor of a simple table tent or bouquet, the cost of a gobo is minimal.

At M.R.K.Entainment, you will keep the gobo at the end of the event (for all custom gobo's). You will also recieve instructions on how to recycle and use it at other events in the future, if you so choose.

So why settle for simple lighting, when you can add a WOW factor for little expense. 

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO ARRANGE A CONSULTATION

EMAIL Michael Here

Up Lighiting Do's & Don'ts

Ever want that up lighting look but you don't want to the cost associated? You're in Luck!

The cost of uplighting has dropped significantly. What you will want is current LED products like the image below. These lights do not give off heat and they give you incredible flexiblity in color choices.

THIS 

NOT THIS!
These get incredibly HOT! They become a fire hazard and a safety hazard fro your guest. These are what we used 10 years ago! If you see your entertainer setting these up, make they take them down.







The cost of these units (LED) have dropped, but many DJ's have not caught up with the change. You might talk with an entertainer and find that they want to use Par Cans; don't let them!

One of the reasons entertainers have not made the switch is because quality units are more expensive than par cans. Then again, people seldom want to retire old gear.

Another reason why mobile entertainers what to stay with the old system is because they don't truly understand DMX. It is CRITICAL that you find an entertainer who is comfortable with DMX protocol, this way your venue can change colors with the mood, moment or special timing. None lighting specialist will have difficulty with programming and ensuring that your day happens without errors. 

The cost of adding uplighting to a venue depends upon your venue size, both square and cubic footage. An entertainer will need prior access to circut plans, and room measurements, to include the height of the room. Your entertainer will also need extra time to program.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO ARRANGE A CONSULTATION

EMAIL Michael Here

Hidden Cost or Real Charges

A question I often get is in regards to charges and fees. Too often, we are taken for granted with these two terms. Get a credit card with low interest, miss a payment and you'll learn quickly about hidden fees and charges. I have personally met people who were hit with hundreds of dollars in charges; it's scary. As a DJ,  we want to eliminate these fears to be sure you can enjoy your day without worry.

I know dozens of DJ's in my area. many of these DJ's don't chage for an array of services. When I ask about how they cover the expenses, they just laugh and say, "We just charge even more, this way we can make money on the services that are "included."" In other words, the cost just went up so they can tell you they don't charge for extra expenses.

Here is a list of expenses that I frequently encounter:

• Custom Lighting
• Extra Equipment
• Longer Cabling
• Rental of a Generator
• Extra Access to the Venue
• More Labor for Complex Setups
• Extra Travel Time
• More Gas for Travel
• Wear & Tear on Vehicles
• Custom Gobos (price ranges $10-$500)
• And many, many more...

I can see how clients would be scared of "hidden fees." Hidden expenses make us all frustrated. I'd encourage other DJ's to take my advice and itemize the expenses for your clients. Show the client what they are paying for and how much it cost. Obviously, if you spend an extra $200 on a custom gobo that will only work for this one client, they don't expect you to cover that expense. I don't feel that any client would be against paying for expenses that are legitimate.

At M.R.K.E., we will itemize all your expenses, so you can see where your money is being spent.

Think about!

Last night I went to a wonderful wedding as a guest. I attended this event with my girl friend who knew a few people. It was interesting sitting on the other side of the table. I get the opportunity to observe weddings a couple times a year, which can be great to give a new perspective.

This wedding was beautiful. Decorated and embellished with the best of traditions. From lace to live musicians, this crowd was into the celebration. Held on at old farm with tents and barn conversions, I had to tip my hat to the creative mind of the bride.

The Wedding went well, but I noticed the format seemed awkward. Guest seemed confused about where to go, what to do and when to do it. Needless-to-say, this was resolved with support of the Grooms men. Despite the the awkward transitions, people still enjoyed themselves, the conversation and food and drink.

Part of the awkward nature of the arrangement was the dance floor. This floor was located in the back end of this beautiful old barn. I get it, it was the ambiance. But, the DJ was setup in a stall; I assume to give room for more guest to dance. I approached him to introduce myself and I noticed a few issues. The speakers where not placed above guest head room. What occurs here is, when guest stand in front of the speakers, the music dies on the dance floor. The DJ turns up the music and blast the guest standing in front of the speakers. The table had a linen draped over it, and it did not extend to the floor. This DJ (who was using vinyl, not needed) had cables strewed about and a cheap plastic white milk create on top of the table. He used a laptop (good for music selection and fast searching), but it had no case and the wires dropped about the table. Little was too simplistic; my observation correct noting later that it was difficult to see guest. It's difficult to go to a wedding an not take notes on how others perform.

Despite how others feel the setup should look, one would agree that on a ceremonial celebration, everyone should be dressed appropriately. Well, I felt our DJ let us down in that department too. He was a bit young, maybe mid-twenties. He wore khaki cargo pants and a sort-of white shirt (I think it was white at one time) but I couldn't tell through the wrinkles. He did have a tie on earlier in the night, but it didn't match the wedding party. (Something I insist on to give flow and continuity.) I acknowledge him, shook his hand and went about mingling with guest.

After the dinner, the bride and groom cut the cake and moved over to the dance floor for the first dance. This is where everything fell apart. The DJ announced the dances. Despite the music being too loud, because the speakers were too low, he had a pleasant voice when he left out the "Yups", "Sups", and "Yo Yo's". I was elated to find another great Hip Hop Wanna Be DJ as the entertainment. Let me remind you, this was a more of a traditional family. I kept my comments or judgements to myself, although I could see my girlfriend could read my mind. You never know the connections between event staff and the party. So, it behoves one to refrain. I thought, maybe he's a cousin, someones brother or a close friend just trying to help this wonderful couple save money. (i.e...Don't Do It) Thinking it was a lack of experience, I stayed the course unil...

This would be fine, if he cleaned up the wires?

This is where I need to pause and say, unless you're a Hip Hop artist and you want your wedding with that format, it's generally not appropriate for ALL of your guest. Yes, the DJ proceeded to scratch over the "Slow Dance" songs of the Bride & Groom, Father & Daughter and even the Mother & Son. Now let me say, I get the scratching. Done purposefully and appropriately, it can liven up a dance floor. Kids in high school dances appreciate it. At a wedding reception, I had a difficult time adjusting. I chuckled after a guest turned around and asked me, "Is he really scratching?" I had to sorrowfully admit, "Yes, he is." I decided to wait a bit longer for the dance floor to open.

Now the bridal party invited everyone to the dance floor. I figured this would be a great time to get a waltz, trot or even a disco dance in with the girl friend. As you step in sequence to music for waltz (3 count beats) or foxtrot (4 count), I learned that it's difficult to focus when there is random scratches over the music. Enough was enough. We said our good byes and left. It was an hour drive home and my girlfriend and I had a long conversation. She expressed how wonderful the decorations and ceremony was, but she did notice the poor sound, lack of flow (execution) and of course the DJ who should have assumed the responsibility for the event execution.

Here's my point of this post. Brides, Grooms and Parents of, please DO NOT think about the aspects of your special day in terms of "How can I cut more cost?" Obviously, cost are a determining factor of your event. But, how do you want guest to leave your event? What do you want them to remember? I'll obviously write a letter to this couple thanking them for opportunity to witness their nuptial. But, I will always remember this DJ. I won't recall much about the food; it was acceptable, but bland. The bland food will not overpower the memory of the young kid trying to figure our how to be a wedding DJ at this poor brides wedding.

Read my post on COST. This post explains pre and post survey's of brides expenses. Time and time again, surveys have concluded that Brides and Grooms wish they had spent more money on the entertainment, rather than flowers, attire or food. Strangely enough, many repeat these mistakes.

Think about it. Do you really want to trust a cousin who DJ'd in his college dorm room, at a bar or night club, to DJ your special day? Understanding guest needs, genre, generational differences and blending these elements into a seamless night so that you can be pampered is not easy. It takes experience, equipment and most of all, attention to detail by your DJ/EmCee. Don't fall into the trap of trying to save a couple hundred dollars and leave you guest talking for years about how the awful entertainment. Let them talk about how amazing you were because the DJ took all the extra steps to ensure you were the focus of the day.

Why Hire A DJ?

When ceremonies first played music, most of the music was played by family or town musicians. Then musicians were contracted. With the invention of recorded music, radio stations needed employees with personality and musical knowledge to play songs that would attract listeners. In the case of a ceremony, function or dance, you want to be sure what is being play will get dancers on the floor. When people dance, they comment on how great of time the event was.

Although we're labeled DJ's (Disc Jockey's), our jobs have morphed into something well beyond that of a musician. Today, DJ's must understand the planning process, electrical loads, music, timing, a multitude of genre, lighting and microphone skills. Gone are the days of a DJ for hire who only plays music and never says a word.  

M.R.K.E had designed it service to include much more than a "DJ." We will assist in design, planning, implementation, programming, song selection and more. We're a beginning to end service that will work our best to make your event spectacular. We provide music that is timed and integrated into seamless transitions that will keep guess dancing throughout the night. 

Why not hire a band? 


We will work with you and your band at a reduced cost. Many DJ's will give you the positives of DJ service and not the drawbacks. Obviously, a DJ is not a full live band, but they are still musicians. We play a different instrument that is not easily controlled. At M.R.K.E., we'll can appreciate the ambiance of a live band. Schedule a consult now and see if we can accommodate the times when you band will not play. Yes, your band will take breaks, make mistakes and even have a limited set list. Unfortunately for us, we do not take breaks or forget cords. 

The Advantages of a DJ:

With a DJ, you get unlimited song selection, lighting, planning, collaboration, programming and interaction. We can plan classical from the Mid-sixteenth Century to today's pop hits. Our specialty is Top 40, upbeat dance music. We can accommodate a wide variety of request and mix those songs in at appropriate times.

One of the strongest points of a DJ is the ability to collaborate with other vendors. DJ's can be extremely flexible to changes. They can assist and accommodate other vendors with the implementation of your event plans. A good DJ will let the videographer and photographer know exactly what time each event is happening and where it's going to take place. As the night goes on, it will be your DJ who will ensure events follow your timeline. 

Your Wedding Budget

If this is the first time you’ve considered hiring, you’ll find that everyone knows someone who could do it for you. Don’t be swayed by a favor in exchange for making or breaking your wedding day. The ability level of DJ’s and the equipment of DJ’s vary greatly from one to another. In 1999, Modern Bride conducted a survey of brides after their wedding. The survey found that most brides wished they had spent more on their entertainment, and less on food or attire.

The average cost of a wedding, according to “The Know”, is $27,800. The 1999, Modern Bride conducted a survey before and after brides weddings. They discovered that many brides did not budget appropriately. They asked two specific questions, “What percent of your reception budget was spent on those items?” and then “What factor proved most important to the success of your wedding?” The results are graphed below.

In my interviews with wedding and event planners, budgeting for entertainment should be at least 10-15% of your budget for weddings and 50% or more for other events (School Dances, Corporate Functions, etc...). If your wedding budget is $10,000, then you should allow $1,000-$1,500. IF you’re budgeting $20,000, then $2,000-$3,000 should be your entertainment budget. According to brides surveyed, they wished they had allocated more than 4%, when they acknowledged that the entertainment was the the largest determining factor at the reception.

The results of this survey indicate that brides did not allocate the correct budget for their entertainment. It is through a consultation with a DJ that you can learn about what a DJ can offer concerning entertainment. Entertainment can offer much more than music. Entertainment also includes, equipment, lighting, programming, planning, organizing, rehearsing. Do you want to risk your wedding, just to save a few hundred dollars on entertainment? If entertainment is a major factor of your reception, shouldn’t you budget accordingly.

Keep in mind, when you receive quotes from DJ’s, experience, equipment and lighting will affect the cost. Not all DJ’s understand equipment and lighting; it’s investment is enormous. Your special day must be prepared with a knowledgable, experienced and equipped DJ. Ask your DJ for a breakdown (itemized list) of services rendered, this way you can compare what’s being offered. This way, you’ll make an educated and unbiased decision to ensure your day will be a success.
Bride Statistics*...

• 72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment.

• Almost 100% say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment.

• During wedding planning, Brides say their highest priority is their attire, followed by the reception site and caterer -reception entertainment is among the least of their priorities. Within one week after their reception, 78% of Brides say they would have made the entertainment their highest priority!

• When asked 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment.

• 65% of all couples that chose a band to entertain at their wedding, said, if they had it to do over again, they would have chosen a disc jockey

*These statistics were published in St. Louis Bride & Groom Magazine in 2003. Sources include: Simmons, 2001; USA Today, 2002; National Bridal Service, 2001; The Knot, 2002; Brides Magazine, 2001.

Gear needed for uplighting

Previously, lighting companies would used a Par Can to light any venue, up or down. These par cans are heavy, they get hot and they can even start fires. Placing a par can inside of a table, under fabric or against a wall on the floor will certainly start a fire. These fixtures were also famous of consuming kilowatts of electricity, often not available at many venues. This resulted in needing a generator outside to provide the extra power. Also, these fixtures needed to be “Gelled” with a sheet of plastic to produce a color. In order to change the color, one must replace the Gel or place multiple par cans with different colors in each can. As you can see, this can become expensive fast.

With the invention of the LED, par cans have begun their conversion. Now, companies are producing LED par cans the don’t have the draw backs of previous modes. There is little to no heat, no chance of fire, they don’t spark and they can produce millions of colors. The options with an LED par can are almost limit less. Now, these can even be wirelessly controlled, resulting in no cords or wires.

A critical piece in controlling the lighting and design is the board. These boards operate on a protocol of DMX512. For lighting designers, this is a familiar language and process. For amateurs, this can easily become overwhelming and frustrating. Many designers will use a board like the one pictured below.

Having a board give the designer the options of color, fade, intensity, blends, movement, strobe, pulsing, and much more. Programming these fixtures takes experience and knowledge. You won’t want a strobe affect during your first dance! Hiring a professional will help to ensure the effects you want are programmed correctly and reviewed before your event.

Aside from this basic equipment, a DJ or you will also need electrical cables. It seems simple to think one could purchase a bunch of cables and plug a series of lights in, but you’ll want to be sure that you don’t overload a curicut. Drawing too much wattage can trip a breaker and leave you and your guest in the dark until the breaker is reset. Amateurs are not good at calculating draw, wattage or amperage of complied fixtures.

Finally, you’ll need dozens DMX cables. These cables are specifically designed for this language and these fixtures. Failure to use a DMX cable (often confused with an XLR or Stereo Mic Cable) will result in erract fixture behavior. Amateurs make this mistake often. The cost is of DMX cables are considerably higher than that of microphone cables. If your lighting designer decides to cut corners, it could produce unwanted effects like, blinking lights, strobing, odd colors or no light at all.

What question should you ask your DJ?

When you meet you DJ, you’ll want a list of questions to ask. This way you’ll understand how this DJ operates and are they the right DJ for you. As your potential DJ, I’d encourage you to interview other DJ’s in the area. In fact, I’ll provide links and contacts to them. I want to be sure that we are compatible before booking. If we cannot provide the service that you seek, then we will encourage you to contract a DJ that can ensure your needs and vision

Understanding what a DJ is:

DJ’s have a strong understanding of music and crowds. There are many knowledgable musicians and radio DJ’s. The key here is they must also understand crowds. If they do not, they could easily play what they consider great music and leave your guest sitting at a table. There is a flair to understanding how people react to music. There is a sequence that experienced DJ’s understand and follow. Don’t pick a DJ who has a great depth of musical knowledge without understanding crowd motivation.

A DJ is a performer. They find speaking into a microphone and leading groups of people exciting and a pleasure. It does take years to develop this kind of confidence. Many feel sick at the thought of speaking into an amplified microphone in front of friends and family, Dj’s should feel elated. When DJ’s develop microphone skills, they slowly transition to become an Emcee.

Why do you need an Emcee too?

When DJ’s build a name, they will become a natural Emcee; hopefully you were referred to this site by a quality experience. As a DJ that has Emcee’d events of of 1400 guest, can contest, it’s not easy to speak clearly and articulately. It’s imperative that you have a DJ with experience who can handle announcements, conduct games or lead groups with poise and grace. This quality does come at a price. When you pay a lower premium, often you’re paying for less experience. Do you really want a DJ learning at your event?

DJ’s regardless of the contracted hours in a week DJ’s have a lot invested in their equipment (gear). This gear is incredibly expensive. For example one quality compact disc play will easily cost $700-$1,200. Multiply that by two and then look at the other gear. Case, mixers, amplifiers, equalizers, cables, speakers, stands, truss, lighting, computers will easily put the DJ’s expenses in the many thousands of dollars. Also, the music is at a premium too. Many DJ’s will spend hundreds of dollars each month to continue their collection and have the current music; not to mention the tens of thousands of dollars spent older music. DJ’s must recoup these expenses with wages.

DJ’s will want to represent themselves. A good DJ will not want to DJ for another company, since his investment in equipment and performance will only bring more business to that contracted DJ company. Be weary of Companies that subcontract their entertainers (DJs). When a subcontract happens, the subcontracted DJ usually lacks ability to market, meet the needs of clients (generating repeat business in their own name) and/or they lack equipment needed to complete the event request. Companies that Subcontract will gladly take you money at a premium and pay another DJ less to perform at your event.

An experienced DJ will want to meet with you several times for the following reasons. First, to be sure you and they are compatible. You don’t want a hip-hop DJ trying to Emcee a Big Band era event. Meeting more than once shows commitment from your DJ, even if the meeting is 5-10 minutes to review plans. You DJ will be available daily to answer questions. A DJ should be able to answer questions anytime of day without hesitation. The exception to this would be custom work, which might require unique items that might be on a limited inventory.

A good DJ must also be a good planner. He should be on time for meetings, offer assistance with planning and timelines. A good DJ should also be willing to assist you in this process of planning or work with your wedding planner. This willingness to collaborate, and plan will ensure an amazing event.

Does your DJ have liability insurance?

Many venues will not allow a DJ to enter without it. Ask your DJ about his/her liability insurance. Liability insurance protects you, your guests, the venue and the DJ. If an accident occurs, you could be held liable. What if a speaker fell on a guest?

When does a DJ setup?

Many people do not understand the importance of DJ setup time. I’ve heard of stories in the DJ community when a venue was rented without the planning of setup. The DJ showed up and sat at a closed door only to find that he could not enter. This DJ was still setting up gear while guest were standing in the venue.

A good DJ should be willing to negotiate the setup time. Depending on the event, this time can fluctuate. Factors that cause elongated time are: larger venues, specialty lighting, small entrances, stairs, fences, parking, running of electrical power sources, hiding wiring and building custom lighting shows. Your DJ should be willing to arrive at least an hour or more before the guest arrive. Wedding reception arrival times should be 2-3 hours before the reception, to be sure testing of lighting and sound does not interfere with the ceremony. You want to be sure your DJ will have everything setup and secured before guest arrive.

Why worry about setup and testing.

Your DJ should be willing to test and show you the equipment prior to your event. DJ’s should have adequate time to setup and test all their prior to any guest arrival. Dj’s will need time to ensure all wires, equipment and lighting are working appropriately and have enough time to change these out in the case of a faulty unit. This also includes “masking” or hiding all wires, tables and gear. Quality DJ’s will have skirts, facades and screens to help in hiding ugly wires and gear. Wires should also be taped down to ensure guest will not trip or fall over equipment. Ask if your DJ is willing to conduct a “walk-through” to show your planner or caterers where cables and equipment lay.

At this time your DJ should be changed into appropriate attire for your event. If you are having a wedding, they should be in attire that compliments your wedding party. Don’t settle for a DJ who will wear jeans and a t-shirt. It’s important that the DJ wait to change to be sure their attire will remain clean and wrinkle free.

How much music do I need?

The music access is a noticeable factor of hiring your DJ. Many DJ’s have large collections, but are those selections your style of music? The DJ might have a large collection of country music, but is that going to work for a disco party? Your DJ should have a sizable collection of music. The minimum would be a few thousand songs. A strong collection would be in the 20,000 plus range. You’ll want access to a selection of popular songs that meet your event needs.

Is having a large collection imperative? No, you wan’t need a DJ to bring 50,000 tracks to a 4-5 hour event. On average, you’ll hear 15-20 songs an hour. A five hour event, you’ll hear approximately 100 songs or .o2% of that 50,000 title collection. Most likely, you’ll be paying a lot more for the extra titles you won’t hear. Most DJ’s will have the most popular songs, ranging around 2,000 titles. If you too the top 100 songs of each year for the last half century, that would only be 600 songs. Beyond that, it becomes specialty music

What music format should DJ’s use?

There are several formats that music is recorded. Tape, Vinyl, and Digital. Tapes include cassette, reel-to-reel and 8-track. This format is subject to damage with heat, wear and stretching. Vinyl “Records” proved valuable in their day, but they too are subject to the same factors as tape, but scratches can also affect the sound. Digital is the way to go.

Compact disc has over taken the business. Compact disc provide excellent digital copies of the music that sound the same every time they are played. MP3 has begun to replace the compact disc. If songs are recorded at a rate of 128 kps per second, you will not notice a sound quality difference. MP3 also allows immediate access to tens of thousands of songs for play; no more waiting for a DJ to find the song. Many DJ’s can download a song durning an event. Inquire about how DJ’s ensure they will have the music your guest want.

Start time is the first impression.

As your event begins and guest arrive, you’ll want some form of receiving music. DJ’s should provide a selection of music for each stage of your event. Cocktail, reception, dinner music all require tact and easy listening. You don’t want people to shout over music while trying to converse.

Why are microphones important?

Microphones are imperative at your event. Wireless has become the standard, but your DJ should have a wired microphone to backup the wireless in the case of equipment failure. Wireless microphones will allow your DJ to move to your guest, rather than having your guest move up to the DJ. If people can stay at their table, they will feel more comfortable speaking.

Lighting can make the difference.

On factor that is often overlooked is lighting. Failure to provide appropriate lighting for your event can make or ruin the event. Adding lighting will change the mood of your guest. Good DJ’s should have the ability to cast sold colors in the room and add effects per music selection. Slow songs cry for soft gentle light, while dance and disco scream for bouncing light. This light should be confide to the dance floor area, to ensure it won’t affect the viewing of seated guest. Much of this can be done with a programming language called DMX 512. With this language, DJ’s can custom build and modify the lighting to your taste. Without this option, you’ll have static effects that have limited control or options.

The sound system need for your event.

Quality equipment must include bi-amping. This separates the bass (low end) from the highs (Treble). Speakers have range. Few speakers can play quality through full range. By separating and splitting the signal, you’ll have a clearer sound with punch (beat). Amateur DJ’s will try to sneak by with just two speakers. Requiring your DJ to provide a sub woofer separate from the main speakers will ensure better quality that your guest will feel.

Cost, why so high?

Professional DJ’s will charge what the market warrants. They will rarely drop their prices due to the need for quality equipment and music. DJ’s who charge less are often inexperienced and cannot obtain repeat performances. If you meet a DJ that has rates that differ from most, you should proceed with caution, there is a reason. Ask the questions listed below to compare DJ's on equal ground.

Again, music quality, equiptment and time investment will pay huge dividiends for your event. If you want an amazing day, you must expect to pay the going rate. This rate varies within Maine, but averages about $1,000.00 for planning, setup, programming, testing, modfiying, scripting, Emcee, ensuring cues are met at the correct time and that your day is a hit.

It's my personal experience that with a 5 hour contracted wedding, I'll invest approximately 20 hours of work. These hours of work do not account for the cost of music, sound equiptment, transportation, lighitng equiptment and etc. The break down looks like this:

Inital Consult: 1-2 hours
Contracting Consult: 1 hours
2nd Consult: 1-2 hours
Site Visit: 1-3 hours (depending on travel)
Pre-Wedding Consult: 1-2 hours
Travel & Loading Equiptment: 1-2 hours
Wedding Setup: 2-6 hours (depeding on sound & lighting)
Wedding Event/Ceremony: 4-7 hours
Equiptment Break Down: 1-2 hours
Return Travel & Unloading: 1-2 hours

As you can see, the hours invested are: 14 - 29 hours. This averages to 21.5 hours. Obviously, there are many factors to consider when figures hours. Understanding the amount of time a DJ will invest is important when meeting your DJ. Inexpensive DJ's will not invest time in planning your event!

Here are the questions to ask your potential DJ.

Will you personally be the DJ for our reception?
If the answer is no:

When can we meet the DJ who will work at my reception so I can see if I feel comfortable with that person/ see if we are on the same page?
If you are not talking to the disc jockey, also ask:
If the disc jockey we want no longer works for your company when our wedding comes up, what will you do?
If you are talking to the disc jockey that will work at your reception:
What do you do the rest of the week?
What kind of experience, background, and education do you have?
Have you received any formal classroom training or live training as a disc jockey?
How long have you been a disc jockey, and how many weddings have you performed at?
Have you handled events of my type and size before?
What are the reasons you think we should hire you?
Do you also Emcee the reception?
How many consultations do you provide in your package prices?
Do you provide an entertainment planner?
Do you meet in person to go over the entertainment planner?
Do you carry liability insurance?
What time do you arrive to setup your equipment?
Hours of service:
Do you wear a suit and tie?
How many songs do you have in your library?
What format is your music in? (i.e. records, cassettes, CD)
Do you provide cocktail/ dinner music?
Do you provide a wireless microphone for speeches?
Do you bring backup equipment with you?
Are basic effects lighting included?
Do you program lighting?
Do you offer lighting and sound upgrades?
How many people will cover the event?
Is a deposit required? If so, how much?
When is the deposit due?
May I make partial payments?
When is the final payment due?
If not, what is the percentage of the service charge?
What is the tax rate?
What is the overtime charge?
Are there any additional charges not mentioned? (i.e. travel, setup, teardown)
Do you provide a written contract and guarantee?
What are the refunds/cancellation terms?

These questions were taken from modernbride.com, theknot.com, weddings.com and a variety of other websites and books.
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Want a PDF copy of these questions to print out? CLICK HERE

Should I add uplighting?

To uplight or not to uplight, that is the question.

The purpose of uplighting is to give you “Total” control of your atmosphere. The least uplighting can do is add an amazing punch of color and highlight otherwise dull flat walls.

Uplighting is not required, much like basic dance lights, scanners, moving heads are not required. The questions listed below may help you in making your decision on whether to add uplighting or not.

• Do you have unique or bright color choices that are not commonly available?
• Do you prefer to be able to change the decor throughout the night, having one color for dinner and another for dancing?
• Do you have a venue that appears a bit bland and seems to be missing a stylist touch?
• Do you want to highlight certain areas of your even, head table, buffet?
• Does your venue use florescent lighting?
• Does your venue lack dimming functionality with lighting?
• Do you want an ambiance like no other?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then uplighting might be a cost effective solution.

Cost can be a major factor in the decision making process. The cost of fixtures, size of the venue and time it will take to program specific needs will affect the overall cost. If your budget is tight, this might not be the best option.

Uplighting should not be considered the “Must Have,” but rather a great addition. Consultation with an expert will help you in the decision making process. Visiting the room with Mr. K and critiquing the venue might help to give you a better idea of what uplighting can do for your day. If the room looks elegant and is equipped with dimming fixtures and effects, then minimal or no uplighting is needed. On the other hand, if the room has plan white walls and limited options of lighting, uplighting can completely rejuvenate this room.

The bottom line is, this is your day. You should invest in this once in a lifetime opportunity to make it as memorable as possible. Do solicit options from multiple sources. One company may be biased, but speaking with many will give you a better feel of what’s available.

Hire a Professional for Uplighting

Don’t begin your special day by trusting amateurs. There is a difference between professionals and amateurs. Professionals have tens of thousands of dollars invested. The know their equipment well and the fully understand the results of various effects. For example, knowing how much light is need; too much and your wedding could become a carnival, too little and it will be too dark for photos. Amateurs do not understand the effects of light and how various equipment reacts with each other. Some equipment is not compatible with certain models. Don’t let simple errors ruin your day.

Working with M.R.K.E., you’re getting 15 years of experience in lighting, from concert to theatrical events. Most DJ’s will say they can figure it out or they have something similar, but don’t trust someone who will figure it out; trust someone who knows. You’ll get a free consultation. Upon booking you’ll receive multiple consultations and visits with your vendor to ensure adequate electrical needs and space. With a consultation, M.R.K.E. can provide other resources of companies that provide this kind of service. This will allow you to consult with multiple resources and get a strong aspect on the complexity and cost.