Wedding Tip #3 - The DJ
It's been a while.. So the much anticipated 3rd wedding tip.
Wedding Tip #2 - Talk to your officiant
Wedding Tip #1 - The head table
Let's see in the 23 weddings I've photographed so far this year about 83% had a DJ. And not a single one has impressed me enough to recommend them. There are a couple that I would be happy to help you stear clear of. If you want to know just ask. If you have one that you were so happy with you would recommend them to your best friend, please let me know.
Anyway, when selecting your dj here are some things I would go over with them and why.
1. What are you going to wear to the wedding?
This is important because you go through a lot of effort to create an atmosphere for your day. You don't want your DJ wearing jeans and a t-shirt or khakis when all your guests and you are dressed to the hilt. They will stand out, they will become a distraction and it just isn't professional. Now if you have a beach wedding and the attire for everyone is khakis, then a suit would stand out. Either way ask what they wear, request that they wear something that will match the formality of the day.
2. Please don't advertise at our wedding.
This is something everyone should tell all of their vendors, but particularly the DJ, well because they tend to put big ol banners up in front of their area and it's just tacky. I don't walk around with my logo on my back, I don't hang a banner over my equipment, neither does your caterer, baker or florist. Now this may not seem like such a big idea, but when I'm photographing the dance floor do you want to see a hot pink banner in the background for xyz DJ? I think not, especially if your colors do not include hot pink. This really did happen, I wish I had an image, but I just shot creatively to not include it. I've included an image from another wedding though.
3. How much equipment do you bring and how much space will it take up? Can you show me images of your set up?
Once again.. You go through a lot of trouble to lay out every detail, the napkins the plates, the glasses, the favors, the flowers, so be sure that your DJ's equipement is not so big and goody to over shadow all of your beautiful decorations. Trust me I've see one take up an entire wall and therefore command the attention and change the atmosphere of the entire room. It would be great if they could blend in.
4. Skipping music.
I don't know how DJ's work. I'm not sure if their going digital and away from cd's or what. But skipping songs are just icky. I would be sure to ask how they prevent this, if they check their disks etc.
5. Agenda/games.
Every DJ I have seen has been different. Some seem to want to be the center of attention while others are great and sit back. And some like to MC. Now to me an MC and a DJ are different. You may want an MC. If you don't, let them know that. Sometimes the DJ likes to surprise the bride and groom with fun little things like the shoe game or the generations dance. Well some couples don't like that. Many of you have an idea and an agenda already laid out. Let your DJ know what you want from them.
6 (just edited to add) Photos.
It seems that many DJ's these days think it's a great idea to branch into photography. Or they take some images for their site. Eitherway they are away from their equipement and out there taking pictures. Or they brought another person and they are out there taking pictures. Now you know my style I move around, get many angles and I do pay attention to what is in the background, but it gets harder and harder to get a clean background when other vendors milling around. Educate your DJ that they are taking photos the are infringing on your agreement with me as well as negleting their job. If they continue to to do this (especially if the give or sell the images) it is a breach of our agreement and we don't want to know what I will do....
On a side note: I love the generations dance as an alternative to the boquet toss and garter auction. It is classy as you get all the married couples onto the floor and slowly kick them off based on time married. Of course the B&G are kicked off first. Well whomever is left gets awarded the boquet and the garter. I just love it. I saw it in PA when I was photographing with Heather of Weddings by Heather.
I hope I didn't offend too many DJ's. I know that has to be some great ones out there somewhere. And I don't know about your business, I just know what I would like as a past bride. Here are some images for you of some past DJ's I've come across.
CA
Wedding Tip #2 - Talk to your officiant
Wedding Tip #1 - The head table
Let's see in the 23 weddings I've photographed so far this year about 83% had a DJ. And not a single one has impressed me enough to recommend them. There are a couple that I would be happy to help you stear clear of. If you want to know just ask. If you have one that you were so happy with you would recommend them to your best friend, please let me know.
Anyway, when selecting your dj here are some things I would go over with them and why.
1. What are you going to wear to the wedding?
This is important because you go through a lot of effort to create an atmosphere for your day. You don't want your DJ wearing jeans and a t-shirt or khakis when all your guests and you are dressed to the hilt. They will stand out, they will become a distraction and it just isn't professional. Now if you have a beach wedding and the attire for everyone is khakis, then a suit would stand out. Either way ask what they wear, request that they wear something that will match the formality of the day.
2. Please don't advertise at our wedding.
This is something everyone should tell all of their vendors, but particularly the DJ, well because they tend to put big ol banners up in front of their area and it's just tacky. I don't walk around with my logo on my back, I don't hang a banner over my equipment, neither does your caterer, baker or florist. Now this may not seem like such a big idea, but when I'm photographing the dance floor do you want to see a hot pink banner in the background for xyz DJ? I think not, especially if your colors do not include hot pink. This really did happen, I wish I had an image, but I just shot creatively to not include it. I've included an image from another wedding though.
3. How much equipment do you bring and how much space will it take up? Can you show me images of your set up?
Once again.. You go through a lot of trouble to lay out every detail, the napkins the plates, the glasses, the favors, the flowers, so be sure that your DJ's equipement is not so big and goody to over shadow all of your beautiful decorations. Trust me I've see one take up an entire wall and therefore command the attention and change the atmosphere of the entire room. It would be great if they could blend in.
4. Skipping music.
I don't know how DJ's work. I'm not sure if their going digital and away from cd's or what. But skipping songs are just icky. I would be sure to ask how they prevent this, if they check their disks etc.
5. Agenda/games.
Every DJ I have seen has been different. Some seem to want to be the center of attention while others are great and sit back. And some like to MC. Now to me an MC and a DJ are different. You may want an MC. If you don't, let them know that. Sometimes the DJ likes to surprise the bride and groom with fun little things like the shoe game or the generations dance. Well some couples don't like that. Many of you have an idea and an agenda already laid out. Let your DJ know what you want from them.
6 (just edited to add) Photos.
It seems that many DJ's these days think it's a great idea to branch into photography. Or they take some images for their site. Eitherway they are away from their equipement and out there taking pictures. Or they brought another person and they are out there taking pictures. Now you know my style I move around, get many angles and I do pay attention to what is in the background, but it gets harder and harder to get a clean background when other vendors milling around. Educate your DJ that they are taking photos the are infringing on your agreement with me as well as negleting their job. If they continue to to do this (especially if the give or sell the images) it is a breach of our agreement and we don't want to know what I will do....
On a side note: I love the generations dance as an alternative to the boquet toss and garter auction. It is classy as you get all the married couples onto the floor and slowly kick them off based on time married. Of course the B&G are kicked off first. Well whomever is left gets awarded the boquet and the garter. I just love it. I saw it in PA when I was photographing with Heather of Weddings by Heather.
I hope I didn't offend too many DJ's. I know that has to be some great ones out there somewhere. And I don't know about your business, I just know what I would like as a past bride. Here are some images for you of some past DJ's I've come across.
CA
Labels: 2006 Archive, Wedding Tips
posted by Cory Ann at
2:33 PM
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