I commend your arrival at this page. After reading this you will be armed with enough information to find an entertainment service worthy of your wedding day. Your receptions success pivots on the ability of your Dj. There are about 15 Dj's services for every 1 photgraphy service. All the Dj has to do is show up and play music...Right???.........Wrong!

Allow me to elaborate:


Commonality

A common perception by the public is: mobile Dj’s are all the same, they show up and play music. Unfortunately this is partly true because so may people have seen this exact scenario play out over & over at so many receptions. The client thought they hired a "professional" service. Almost every service claims to be professional, however this word “professional” should be reserved for those with considerable experience & education. We do not consider a streamlined wedding to be professional (basic info, quick intros, fast formalities, good night...hope you had a good time). You will find that the presentation and the professionalism of each business vary greatly. What makes a business professional? Knowledge, experience, education, presentation, originality, skill, and a genuine concern for the client. Most average, novice or cheap weekend Dj’s offer the average things you see at most receptions with average results because they are not willing to expand their horizons when it comes to education.

  Be sure to see the basic “qualification questions” listed further below
(There is an old saying; knowing is half the battle)

The Dj-Mc runs, plans, directs the event….?

IT'S TRUE! Not so long ago couples hired bands for reception entertainment and they needed to hire a Master of Ceremonies to direct the event. It is commonplace now for the Dj to handle both of these responsibilities. Only afterwords do couples realize the entertainer they hired was actually in charge of the event!  Many couples walk away from the most important day of their new lives disappointed because the event was not planned, the guests were bored and the reception stumbled along.
You may spend many hours investigating things like: the gown, cake, flowers, photography & the food. We suggest you invest the same amount of time if not more into qualifying an entertainer. The planning, coordination & communication that take place behind the scenes are what make all receptions flow. The time a REAL professional entertainer spends preparing & planning your event will far outweigh the time spent at your event. A wedding could be compared to a movie production and you are both the stars. The MC/DJ is the Producer/Director of your event….lights, camera, action. If you want to understand the type of planning that goes into a reception, just ask your prospective DJ. Keep in mind that the MC/DJ informs all other vendors of the next formality before it takes place. Your Dj should provide an itinerary based on information obtained from all other vendors. This prevents the common mistakes and lulls seen at other receptions.

Knowing what responsibilities fall on the shoulder of your entertainer will help you decide whom you put in charge. Investigate the thoroughness and validity of each entertainer you meet no matter how long they have been in business.

 

The $$$ difference

This is a tricky subject so all i can do is give you my opinion based on experience.

Most couples fall into 1 of 2 groups when looking for a Dj.

The first group already has a basic understanding of what a professional entertainer may offer. Their phone call often starts with "What will your services do for us?", "What makes your service different?" or "We are intrigued & would like to meet with you". They may also ask questions about interaction, being insured, music & having back up equipment.
The other group is usually price oriented because they rarely know about the responsibilities of a so-called "Dj". They may mistakenly reason that: "Since all wedding receptions are the same, why not find the cheapest?" If couples investigate a little to find the difference in services, they might be able to budget for a professional service by skipping the veggie trays or meatballs.


So, assuming the price tag of a service-oriented business and expecting to receive thorough service can lead to disappointment. Hiring a hobbyist/weekend/side money Dj unaware of the experience level or conduct of the individual can lead to unwanted guest feedback.  If your guests leave early, your financial & emotional investment leaves with them. Entertainers who care invest time & money each year to offer a comprehensive, complete & unique service. They subscribe to music services, they train, they are licensed, they attend educational seminars/workshops/conventions, they are insured and they conduct themselves as a real business. Planning, coordinating and entertaining to make your reception a one-of-a-kind event is what we do to support ourselves & families. You are not weekend side money. Most companies with common/cheap pricing offer a basic service with average results (Ordinary, commonplace, typical). These businesses are a dime a dozen and they cut corners to provide cheap pricing.  

 

 

 **If you really think about it, the Dj/MC/Entertainer will determine 80% or more to your reception success. Every other component, venue, flowers, cake etc. will determine the remaining percentage.
With that in mind, what percentage of a reception budget do you think should be set aside to attribute to an 80% success rate? It is debatable but most agree the chair covers & veggie trays will not determine how much fun your guests have and the flowers will not decide how many unique memories you leave with.

 

 We hope you better understand the importance of your entertainment choice. Our goal is no different then yours, to create the most memorable wedding reception ever based on your Love & Personality.

The following is a guideline only, but the questions will help you make a more informed decision.

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Qualification – FAQ

You should ask the questions on this list to any prospective Dj and record their answers. Then make an appointment to meet with them. If they can’t answer questions or ask you why your asking so many questions, it would be best to move on.

 

What makes your business different then the rest?

The level of service, originality, experience, training and talent is what separates all businesses. Examples of talent, calling references and documentation will best describe this answer. However! Most information of this kind will be presented in person. Detailed information may not be given out to just anyone.

Our answer: We train and attend seminars each year to stay on the forefront of the mobile entertainment industry and we belong to several organizations that monitor and train mobile entertainers. We offer you a personalized service based on your individuality and we will plan/coordinate/execute your reception with professionalism. We communicate & plan with your other vendors, this way everyone knows the projected time lines. We are YOUR reception director! We bring everyone together to develop your wedding team.

Most importantly, we spend time getting to know YOU and we LISTEN to YOU; it is your day.

How many years of experience do you have?

Note: This question should be asked to the ACTUAL Dj that will perform at your event.

Experience brings an awareness of common problems and situations. Be sure your DJ has experience with your type of event. A professional Disc Jockey will become involved with the detailed planning of your special day. If you want to understand more about detailed planning, ask them.

Our answer: I originally started Djing in 1978 and have coordinated & performed at hundreds of receptions. I also bring 5 years of catering experience and I love what I do.

May we call your references?

References can be a reliable way to verify talent and levels of customer service. Ask where the venue was and what the date was. Believe it or not, there are those out there that will have you call friends or family members.

Our answer: Of course :-)  You will be given a complete list of refrences from previous clients. Some may be local and others out of state.

Do you belong to any professional trade associations?

An involved businessperson shows a willingness to learn, network and share ideas. Belonging to a professional trade association reflects a caring attitude but does not guarantee a solid skill set.
Our answer: Yes! A detailed credentials sheet will be provided.

Will you allow requests?

Requests should be welcomed. If a song seems inappropriate, a good DJ will explain the reason and ask for or suggest an alternative selection. Special requests should never be a problem.
 
Our answer: Absolutely. Requests keep your guests happy & entertained, however we will ahear to your guidlines regarding certain types of unwanted music.

How will you be dressed?
Proper attire emits a positive image to your guests. Be sure to specify the type of apparel that your Disc Jockey should use.

Our answer: We always dress in black slacks with a tux vest and tie. Our assistants(when applicable) dress in business attire.

How early will you be there to set up?
Your entertainer should arrive at least 120 minutes early. It only takes one flat tire etc. to make a typical 1-hour early Dj late. Furthermore, if there is a large distance between the vehicle and the setup location it will use up more time. Normally there is no additional charge for this time safeguard.

Our answer: We show up at least 2 hours early to every event, 3 hours early for receptions that require over 45 minutes travel time.  


What type of music do you have and how do you obtain it?
Today’s era finds many weekend Dj’s who don’t carry enough songs and they may obtain music illegally, this type of mentality may jeopardize your event. The most economical way for a mobile Dj to obtain music is with a professional music subscription service such as, Promo Only or Jones TM Century. These companies require Dj’s to meet certain criteria before granting membership. Music services provide current music & edited renditions free of profanity.

Our answer: We not only belong to Jones Tm Century we have been collecting music for three generations. Currently we have over 18,000 legal tracks.


Are you insured?

Insurance is a part of any legitimate business. Liability and casualty policies protect yourself, your guests and the DJ Company you choose. Additionally, some venues are now requiring entertainers to provide proof of liability insurance before they can work at the venue. You should receive a copy of this policy.

Our answer: Proof of insurance is supplied to any potential client and all hosting establishments.

Do you use professional gear?

Using professional equipment insures reliable service and quality presentation. View provided photos & watch out for businesses using advertising banners or signs. Weddings should not be used as an advertising platform.

Our answer: Our console is fully skirted and self-sufficient, we do not use banquet tables. Our speaker system is the Bose L1 cylindrical system.  See the photos provided on the home page.

Will you provide back up equipment and/or personnel in case of an emergency?

It is important to know your Disc Jockey has spare equipment and personnel available. Any number of circumstances may arise between the time you book your Disc Jockey and the date of the event. Weddings are a once in a lifetime opportunity. A professional will be prepared with a back-up system and plan.

Our answer: We carry full back up equipment to every event. Our assistants are fully versed in every aspect of this business and are qualified to run your event. We have yet to cancel a performance.

What was your last educational experience?

Real professional entertainers train each year. Some use books and on line subscriptions to magazines/websites. Seminars and conventions offer the best training with the countries top professionals. These seminars & conventions involve a considerable investment but they offer considerable training and advancement.

Our answer: Our most recent exposure was attending a 2-day workshop in Philadelphia by Mark & Rebecca Ferrell. The focus was the presentation and delivery of a  “Love Story” presentation. What is a "Love Story presentation? We look forward to explaining this to you in person!

Secondly, we just finished reading Peter Merry’s book titled “The Best Wedding Reception Ever”. We highly recommend this book to all brides! http://www.thebestweddingreceptionever.com/

 

Are we guaranteed the DJ of our choice on the day of our event?

A written contract, which names your specific DJ, will protect you from unscrupulous operators. Be sure to meet the actual performer.

Our answer: Eric Lyte will be your MC/DJ, and an assistant is common at our events.

We hope this questionnaire will help you find the proper entertainer that will be the best match for you.

The views & opinions are exclusively those of Eric Lyte. A 3rd generation entertainer.

 

Expression Weddings -Finger lakes dj service 1-800-918-4030

Copyright Expression Weddings.2009. All rights reserved.


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