Aboutweddings.com wedding music & entertainment article: disc jockeys / wide variety of music

From the prelude to the postlude, cocktail party to last dance, your musical selections create a specific mood and setting for each stage of the wedding.

Couples traditionally engage disc jockeys for their ability to provide a wide variety of music at a very reasonable price. They can play all of your favorite songs, all performed by the original artists, and because DJs work with prerecorded music your entertainment is continuous, even during breaks.

It's common to think of hiring a DJ for the cocktail hour and reception, but many couples overlook them as an option for ceremonies. If your budget doesn't allow for an organist and string quartet, consider hiring a DJ for both ceremony and reception.

A veteran wedding DJ not only plays the music, they can also act as an emcee for the event, smoothly introducing your wedding party, arranging to have champagne poured before the toast, announcing your cake cutting, and a myriad of other milestone moments throughout the reception. Needless to say, they'll be an integral part of your celebration, which is why you should take great care to hire a disc jockey with a personality and style you are comfortable with. Decide in advance how much you would like he or she to say, and how interactive you would like them to be with your audience. Of course much of this will depend on the type of celebration you are planning. An energetic, out-on-the-dance-floor-all-night reception will require a different type of interaction than a sophisticated, more low-key event. In either case a disc jockey with experience and an extensive repertoire can tailor the presentation to the needs of the occasion.

The best idea is to arrange a meeting with prospective disc jockeys. Listen to their expertise on previous receptions. They may have some great ideas that you'll want to incorporate into your affair. Ask about musical selections, old and new. Don't be dismayed if they don't have obscure songs, but gauge their willingness to try and track them down. Also arrange to see them perform, or request a tape or video of past performances.

Once you've decided on a DJ service, be prepared to provide a list of songs you would, and would not like played at your reception, as well as the songs for your first dance, cake cutting and any other moments you'd like to accentuate with a special tune. Keep in mind that while you may love jazz or alternative music, those types of music don't always make great dance selections, especially for hours on end. Give your DJ the freedom to truly entertain your guests by mixing a few of your personal preferences with a balance of tried and true reception crowd pleasers. An experienced entertainer will know how to read the crowd and keep the party jumping, but only if you let them.

Should you plan on having your disc jockey emcee the reception, provide a schedule of events. If you are on a stringent time schedule, make sure you convey the importance of strict adherence to the schedule. If there are any special introductions to be made, make sure you review the correct pronunciation of the names and relay what each person's relationship is to the bride and groom.

While not required, providing refreshments for your entertainer is a great way to keep them happy and energetic while they are working hard to make your reception a dancing success. Caterers usually offer vendor meals at a lesser amount than your guest meals.

Lastly, make sure the contract covers all the bases: the day, date and time of the event, reception site address, set-up time, any equipment you'll need to provide, list of songs to be played, number of hours covered, overtime costs, total cost and payment arrangements. If you're pleased with your DJ's performance, offer a monetary gift at the end of the event that reflects your satisfaction.

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