How do I give a toast at a wedding?

Posted on February 25, 2019February 25, 2019 by admin

How to give a best man Wedding Toast

You’ve been asked to give a wedding toast. But with the big day fast approaching, are you prepared to stand up and deliver?

Sooner or later everyone gets asked to deliver a wedding toast. The question is, will you be ready when your moment comes?

This episode of PODIUM explores the centuries-old art of the wedding toast.

A lineup of experts explain what works and what to avoid when preparing a wedding speech. From time-tested tips to hilarious horror stories, PODIUM reveals everything you need to know to craft an unforgettable wedding toast.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Anja Winikka is now the Site Director of TheKnot.com

PODIUM is a bi-weekly series that embraces the art of public speaking and honors those with something to say. From historic political speeches to contemporary commencement addresses, to wedding toasts, the series explores various genres of speechmaking and provides inspiring, insightful analysis including “how-to” content.

In this episode of PODIUM, THNKR’s lineup of wedding experts, speech coaches, comedians, and former White House speechwriters reveal their Top Ten secrets for delivering an unforgettable wedding toast. Consider this your fail-safe checklist before you take the mic.

Great Resource

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Top 50 First Dance Songs February 2019

Posted on February 24, 2019February 24, 2019 by admin

Here is a list of the top 50 Wedding songs for your first dance. This list is compiled from a sampling of over 1000 wedding DJ’s nationwide and represents requests from their clients for there first dance song.
The list below is in order of popularity. Not all, but most of the videos included the lyrics so you can review the words and see if they speak to your heart.
You can watch the videos you like below or you can click here to play the top 50 mix I have created on YouTube

Enjoy

1 Sheeran, Ed Perfect

2 Presley, Elvis Can’t Help Falling In Love

3 Dan + Shay From The Ground Up

4 Arthur, James Say You Won’t Let Go

5 Sheeran, Ed Thinking Out Loud

6 Young, Brett In Case You Didn’t Know

7 Legend, John All Of Me

8 Dickerson, Russell Yours

9 Aldean, Jason You Make It Easy

10 Lamontagne, Ray You Are The Best Thing

11 Stapleton, Chris Tennessee Whiskey

12 James, Etta At Last

13 Paisley, Brad Then

14 Rhett, Thomas Die A Happy Man

15 Brice, Lee I Don’t Dance

16 Strait, George I Cross My Heart

17 Walk The Moon Shut Up And Dance

18 Lonestar Amazed

19 Mcgraw, Tim My Best Friend

20 Perri, Christina A Thousand Years

21 Rascal Flatts Bless The Broken Road

22 Bridges, Leon Coming Home

23 Valli, Frankie Can’t Take My Eyes Off You

24 Aerosmith I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing

25 Clapton, Eric Wonderful Tonight

26 King, Ben E. Stand By Me

27 Train Marry Me

28 Brown, Kane Heaven

29 Buble, Michael Everything

30 Stapleton, Chris Millionaire

31 Green, Al Let’s Stay Together

32 Kodaline The One

33 Lanco Greatest Love Story

34 Morrison, Van Into The Mystic

35 Mraz, Jason I Won’t Give Up

36 Goulding, Ellie How Long Will I Love You

37 Matthews Band, Dave You And Me

38 Mccain, Edwin I’ll Be

39 Adele Make You Feel My Love

40 Mcgraw, Tim & Faith Hill The Rest Of Our Life

41 Timberlake, Justin Can’t Stop The Feeling!

42 Earth, Wind & Fire September

43 Johnson, Jack Better Together

44 Mraz, Jason & Colbie Caillat Lucky

45 Righteous Brothers Unchained Melody

46 Sinatra, Frank The Way You Look Tonight

47 Eldredge, Brett Mean To Me

48 Journey Faithfully

49 Dan + Shay Speechless

50 Folds, Ben The Luckiest

The next few songs didn’t make the list but I think they would make a great first dance song.
Rod Stewart For the First Time

Steven Tyler Love Is Your Name

What Actually Goes Wrong at Weddings, According to an Insurance Company

Posted on August 19, 2016August 18, 2016 by admin

Good Time Entertainment Email header 800 200 9935

Good Time Entertainment 800-200-9935
1901 Chester Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301
www.Goodtimeentertinment.com

Good Time Entertainment has an exclusive offer for customers to todays bride. We will be the host for the upcoming bridal event on Sunday, September 11th at the Bakersfield Marriott.

This event will feature the top wedding professionals in Bakersfield. From award winning photographers to top chefs. There will be every service represented at this intimate event.

Our fashion show will feature some of the top trending wedding gowns & tuxedos for 2017 as well as showcase some of the new flower arrangements being used next year. There is a limited number of VIP tickets still available as of this email, but they do sell out fast. To reserve your seats follow this link to the Kern County Bridal Association website

Our Exclusive Offer for you is 50% off any tickets now through Sunday. Please use the code: davids

And thank you from Kyle at Good Time Entertainment.
Tickets Prices

$15 General Admission (limited to 375)
$25 VIP (limited to 100) (almost half sold)
$45 Front Row VIP (limited to 25) (almost sold-out)
This Bridal Event is a special one as we honor our Military & First Responders. We at Good Time Entertainment would like to thank you for your service to our country and community and provide you with complimentary tickets to this event . Please call our office for complete details or visit our website Details on our website

First Responders are Active Duty Police, Fire, Sheriff, CHP, Ambulance and of course all active and veteran military will be provided with tickets as well.
Thank you, Tina Goforth of GC-Goforth Photography for the wonderful photo.

Kyle Brown will be our host for this special event. Kyle will be taking questions from the brides and grooms and provide some great advice to help you have the wedding of your dreams.

Good Time Entertainment is a very exclusive entertainment service only taking a handful of clients per year and has agreed to open his books for a select few new brides in 2017 as well as a couple of dates this year.

Kyle Brown is Kern Counties Top Wedding Entertainment Designer and will be on hand to answer questions about current wedding trends

________________________________________________________________________________

Another Great Article from theknot.com

Yikes—hopefully you did your vendor research.

By Andrea Fowler

Not to give you another thing to research or anything, but have you thought about getting your wedding insured? It’s a thing. (Don’t shoot the messenger!)

If you haven’t heard about it, allow us to enlighten you on some of the pitfalls that result in insurance claims. Some of them are more common issues, like a vendor who doesn’t meet expectations, while others are more unusual, like the bride’s wedding dress going missing. Basically, any unforeseen circumstances that result in a legitimate cancellation of a wedding or wedding events, like the rehearsal dinner, have the potential to be covered by insurance.

The Travelers Companies Inc. just released data from its recent study that looked into which type of wedding insurance claims were filed between 2011 and 2015. The number one cause for claims was “Vendor Issues,” and right behind that with a difference of one percent in claim payments was “Illness or Injury.”

Writing Your Own Ceremony Vows? Read These Tips First

Posted on August 18, 2016August 18, 2016 by admin

Good Time Entertainment Email header 800 200 9935

Good Time Entertainment 800-200-9935
1901 Chester Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301
www.Goodtimeentertinment.com

Good Time Entertainment has an exclusive offer for customers to todays bride. We will be the host for the upcoming bridal event on Sunday, September 11th at the Bakersfield Marriott.

This event will feature the top wedding professionals in Bakersfield. From award winning photographers to top chefs. There will be every service represented at this intimate event.

Our Exclusive Offer for you is 50% off any tickets now through Sunday. Please use the code: davids

And thank you from Kyle at Good Time Entertainment.
Tickets Prices

Kyle Brown will be our host for this special event. Kyle will be taking questions from the brides and grooms and provide some great advice to help you have the wedding of your dreams.

Kyle Brown is Kern Counties Top Wedding Entertainment Designer and will be on hand to answer questions about current wedding trends

________________________________________________________________________________

Another Great Article from theknot.com

Writing your own vows might seem daunting, but it’ll be worth it when you’re up at that altar. Here are some tips and tricks to get you through it.

By Simone Hill

Read lots of vow examples for inspiration.

Start by reading traditional, by-the-book vows from your own religion if you practice a certain faith, and others as well, to see what strikes a chord with you. Incorporate these samples into the original words you write or simply use them as a jumping-off point. Once you’ve found a few you love, consider what it is about the style that draws you to those vows in particular.

Agree on format and tone with your fiancé.

Decide how you want your vows to come across. Do you envision them as humorous? Poetic and romantic? Go over the logistics too. Will you write them separately or together? Will they be completely different or will you make the same promises to each other as you would with traditional vows? Some couples do a little of each. Finally, will you share them with each other or keep them a secret until the wedding day?

Jot down notes about your relationship.

Take some time to reflect on your fiancé. Think about how you felt when you first met, what made you fall in love and when you knew you wanted to spend the rest of your lives together. Write it all out to get your creative gears turning. Here’s a handy list of questions to help get you started:

Why did you decide to get married?
What hard times have you gone through together?
What have you supported each other through?
What challenges do you envision in your future?
What do you want to accomplish together?
What makes your relationship tick?
What did you think when you first saw your fiancé?
When did you realize you were in love?
What do you most respect about your partner?
How has your life gotten better since meeting your mate?
What about them inspires you?
What do you miss most about them when you’re apart?
What qualities do you most admire in one another?

Come up with one or two, or many, promises.

They’re called vows for a reason, so the promises are the most important part. One tip: “Include promises that are broad in scope, such as ‘I promise to always support you,’ as well as very specific to the two of you, like ‘I promise to say “I love you” every night before bed,'” wedding celebrant Christopher Shelley says.

Write it all out.

Now that you have notes, you’re ready to establish a structure and write your first draft. Speechwriting expert Robert Lehrman suggests a four-part outline: Affirm your love, praise your partner, offer promises and close with a final vow. Another way to organize it is to start with a short story and then circle back to it at the end.

Avoid clichés.

Now that you have your first draft, it’s time to make edits. Borrow from poetry, books, religious and spiritual texts, and even from romantic movies, but don’t let someone else’s words overpower your own. You want your vows to sound like you and relate to your relationship, and that won’t happen if every word is borrowed from other sources. And if you find yourself relying on cliché phrases (you know, those sayings that have been used over and over so many times they no longer sound genuine) to get your point across, Shelley suggests coming up with a specific example from your relationship that has a similar message. For example, instead of saying, “Love is blind,” you might say, “You’ll always be the most beautiful person to me, whether you’re in a T-shirt and jeans or dressed to the nines.”

Take out anything too cryptic or embarrassing.

You’ve invited your family and friends to witness your vows in order to make your bond public, so be sure everyone feels included in the moment. That means putting a limit on inside jokes, deeply personal anecdotes and obscure nicknames or code words. Wedding celebrant and author Maureen Pollinger says, “Think about how your vows will sound to you 10 years from now.” Have a friend or family member read it over ahead of time for feedback, if you’re okay with sharing your vows beforehand.

Shorten your vows to one to two minutes, max.

Your vows are important, but that doesn’t mean they should drag on. “When someone says something in a very meaningful way, they don’t need to say it over and over,” Pollinger says. Pick the most important points and make them. If yours are running longer than two minutes, makes some edits. Put some of the more personal thoughts in a letter or gift to your fiancé on the morning of your wedding and save any guest-related topics for your toasts.

Practice out loud (seriously!).

It might sound a little awkward, but this really is the best way to prep. “When you practice, don’t just do the same thing over and over. Listen each time—then do it better,” Lehrman says. Your vows should be easy to say and sound conversational. As you recite them, listen for any tongue twisters and super-long sentences, then cut them. This is also the time to practice the delivery. “Stand straight, look at your spouse and use your hands expressively—but only use small gestures,” Lehrman says.

Make a clean copy for yourself.

The paper you read from should be legible, so even if you’re working on it right up until a few moments before your ceremony, use a fresh piece of paper free of cross-outs, arrows and notes. And give some thought to the presentation too because “it will end up in the photos,” says Annie Lee, wedding planner and founder of Daughter of Design. “I suggest a nice note card that matches the wedding colors or a little notebook or pad. You can handwrite it or cut and paste the computer print to fit within that.” And it also makes a nice keepsake to hang in your home later on. Have a backup plan too. Pollinger points out that some couples find themselves too emotional to speak (it happens!), so have yourofficiant either prompt you by quietly saying the vows first or read the vows on your behalf.

The Ultimate Bridal Shower Game Guide

Posted on August 18, 2016 by admin

Good Time Entertainment Email header 800 200 9935

Good Time Entertainment 800-200-9935
1901 Chester Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301
www.Goodtimeentertinment.com

Good Time Entertainment has an exclusive offer for customers to todays bride. We will be the host for the upcoming bridal event on Sunday, September 11th at the Bakersfield Marriott.

This event will feature the top wedding professionals in Bakersfield. From award winning photographers to top chefs. There will be every service represented at this intimate event.

Our Exclusive Offer for you is 50% off any tickets now through Sunday. Please use the code: davids

And thank you from Kyle at Good Time Entertainment.
Tickets Prices

Kyle Brown will be our host for this special event. Kyle will be taking questions from the brides and grooms and provide some great advice to help you have the wedding of your dreams.

Kyle Brown is Kern Counties Top Wedding Entertainment Designer and will be on hand to answer questions about current wedding trends

________________________________________________________________________________

Another Great Article from theknot.com

Even if a few of these games sound a little cliché, they’re actually surprisingly fun with a group! Below, everything you’ll need to know to prep and play.

By Rachel Torgerson

The Game: Bridal Shower Bingo

The Gist: It’s Bingo with wedding-themed pieces.
What to Prep: Create bingo cards, but replace the word BINGO with the word BRIDE along the top margin. Instead of numbers, list facts relevant to the to-be-weds inside each square. For example, one might be the name of the city where the couple is getting married or the place they got engaged.
How to Play: Follow traditional bingo rules: The first guest to mark off a line horizontally, vertically or diagonally wins a prize.

The Game: Purse Raid

The Gist: It’s like a scavenger hunt using each guest’s purse or bag.
What to Prep: Before the shower, create a list of standard items you might have in your purse—start with the basics (lip gloss, credit cards, keys) and work your way up to more random or risqué objects (condoms, dog treats). You’ll also need to buy a few little gifts to be given out as prizes to the guests that win. Prizes could be anything from candy to coffee shop gift cards!
How to Play: The host calls out the items on the list and the first guest to pull the object from their purse wins a prize.

The Game: Wedding Jeopardy

The Gist: Guests choose one of the wedding-related categories and then have to answer a question to win points.
What to Prep: Create a chart by labeling pieces of paper with the bride-to-be’s name written across the top margin and then several categories down the left side (flowers, cities, restaurants, movies, colors). Come up with difficult questions that pertain to each category. For example, “What flower has to be flown in from Holland in the off-season?” (The answer is the peony!). Finally, you’ll need to set out pens and note cards for each guest to use. If you want to give out a prize to the winner, buy that as well.
How to Play: Give each person a turn to pick a category. When a category is called, read out the question. Each guest then has two minutes to come up with the answer and write it down on her note card. When time is called, everyone has to put their pens down and show their answers. Give one point for every right answer, and the person at the end with the most correct answers is the winner!

Kevin Hart and Eniko Parrish Are Married! See Their Seriously Stunning Wedding Photos and Rings

Posted on August 15, 2016 by admin

Good Time Entertainment Email header 800 200 9935

Good Time Entertainment 800-200-9935
1901 Chester Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301
www.Goodtimeentertinment.com

Good Time Entertainment has an exclusive offer for customers to todays bride. We will be the host for the upcoming bridal event on Sunday, September 11th at the Bakersfield Marriott.

This event will feature the top wedding professionals in Bakersfield. From award winning photographers to top chefs. There will be every service represented at this intimate event.

Our Exclusive Offer for you is 50% off any tickets now through Sunday. Please use the code: davids

And thank you from Kyle at Good Time Entertainment.
Tickets Prices

Kyle Brown will be our host for this special event. Kyle will be taking questions from the brides and grooms and provide some great advice to help you have the wedding of your dreams.

Kyle Brown is Kern Counties Top Wedding Entertainment Designer and will be on hand to answer questions about current wedding trends

________________________________________________________________________________

Another Great Article from brides.com
Kevin Hart and Eniko Parrish Are Married! See Their Seriously Stunning Wedding Photos and Rings
Monday, August 15, 2016 by Jamie Cuccinelli
Kevin Hart Eniko Parrish Wedding Date

Two Harts have become one! Comedian Kevin Hart has just tied the knot with his sweetheart, Eniko Parrish, in a lavish wedding ceremony this weekend. And while we’re used to having Hart bring tears to our eyes with side-splitting laughter, we’re just plain crying over the couple’s gorgeous wedding photos, as well as their brand new, over-the-top wedding rings.

After a two-year engagement, Hart and Parrish wed in a Santa Barbara, California ceremony on Saturday evening. “I honestly can say that I’m lucky enough to have an amazing woman,” Hart told Us Weekly ahead of the big day. “I’m looking forward to getting married. We got seven years under our belt, been engaged for two. It’s time.” And the time finally arrived!

For her walk down the aisle, Parrish donned a custom Vera Wang mermaid wedding dress, featuring a tulle skirt, sheer bodice, and French Chantilly lace appliqués, according to People magazine, while Hart kept things classic in a traditional black tux. And the nupitals were a true family affair with the best man role being filled by Hart’s eight-year-old son Hendrix, whom he shares with his ex-wife Torrei Hart. His daughter Heaven was also of course in attendance, matching the bride in a white cocktail dress accessorized with a flower crown.

The couple exchanged blinged-out wedding bands — to go with the bride’s show-stopping engagement ring, we assume. Hart shared an image of their new rings, which includes a super sparkly men’s band for Hart, with the caption “#DopePic.” Indeed!

Just as breathtaking as the bride’s wedding gown was the Harts’ heart-stopping wedding venue. The couple took their big day portraits in a stunning white gazebo draped in greenery, while the reception locale featured wooden tables and chairs adorned with white blooms, and crystal chandeliers hanging overhead. Parrish also pulled off a quick costume change post-“I do’s,” exchanging her mermaid frock for another Vera Wang gown with long lace sleeves and an open back. Oh, and the after-party included an honest to goodness ferris wheel and a merry-go-round according to a Snapchat video posted by the bride. Was this a wedding or a carnival? Either way, why weren’t we invited?!
Click through for more photos to inspire you on your wedding day!

Top Father Daughter Songs for 2016

Posted on May 24, 2016May 24, 2016 by admin

These are the top trending songs for a Father Daughter Dance at a wedding in 2016. This is one of the best songs for a father daughter or Mother son dance at a wedding. Recommended by the www.BridalAssociationofAmerica.com

Father Daughter (Melissa & Dad 1 2 2016) 1 Heartland I Loved Her First
2 Mcgraw, Tim My Little Girl
3 Temptations My Girl
4 Carlisle, Bob Butterfly Kisses
5 Armstrong, Louis What A Wonderful World
6 Rascal Flatts My Wish
7 Chapman, Steven Curtis Cinderella
8 Sinatra, Frank The Way You Look Tonight
9 Wonder, Stevie Isn’t She Lovely
10 Simon, Paul Father And Daughter
11 Beatles In My Life
12 Dion, Celine Because You Loved Me (Theme From Up…
13 Fleetwood Mac Landslide
14 Adkins, Trace Just Fishin’
15 Mayer, John Daughters
16 Cole, Natalie With Nat King Cole Unforgettable
17 Mccain, Edwin Walk With You
18 Kamakawiwo’ole, Israel ‘Iz’ Over The Rainbow
19 King, Ben E. Stand By Me
20 Morrison, Van Brown Eyed Girl
21 Petty, Tom Wildflowers
22 Rucker, Darius It Won’t Be Like This For Long
23 Womack, Lee Ann I Hope You Dance
24 Clapton, Eric Wonderful Tonight
25 Wainwright Iii, Loudon Daughter
26 Cocker, Joe You Are So Beautiful
27 Wicks, Chuck Stealing Cinderella
28 Joel, Billy Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)
29 Tyrell, Steve The Way You Look Tonight (From Fath…
30 Beach Boys God Only Knows
31 Stewart, Rod Forever Young
32 Taylor, James How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You…
33 Guns N’ Roses Sweet Child O’ Mine
34 Collins, Phil You’ll Be In My Heart
35 Morrison, Van Tupelo Honey
36 Vandross, Luther Dance With My Father
37 John, Elton Your Song
38 Martino, Al Daddy’s Little Girl
39 Adele Make You Feel My Love
40 Allan, Gary Tough Little Boys
41 Chesney, Kenny There Goes My Life
42 Grant, Natalie I’ll Always Be Your Baby
43 Joel, Billy Just The Way You Are
44 Presley, Elvis Can’t Help Falling In Love
45 Dunn, Holly Daddy’s Hands
46 John, Elton Tiny Dancer
47 Wonder, Stevie You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
48 Adkins, Trace You’re Gonna Miss This
49 Ronson, Mark Feat. Bruno Mars Uptown Funk
50 Stewart, Rod Have I Told You Lately

Jennifer and Enrique Reyes Saturday May 14, 2016

Posted on May 15, 2016May 15, 2016 by admin

What an epic wedding, Congratulations to Enrique & Jennifer Reyes. The ceremony & reception took place on a spectacularly beautiful day at Park Place events in Shafter, CA. We had the pleasure to work with C&B Pictures (these are not their photos – theirs are way better!).

This was the first time we got to use the LOVE marquee sign there and it looked awesome. I want to thank Enrique & Jennifer for allowing us to share in their special day.

For access to the photos taken by my staff at Good Time Entertainment Click Here.

If you had a great time at Ricky & Jennifers wedding please, let us know. Click here

Uplighting for the Sharail & Deon Davis Wedding

Posted on March 21, 2015 by admin

Here are some photos from the Sharail & Deon Davis wedding on March 20th 2015.
at this event we only did the lighting, the Cloud and the monogram.

Sharail & Deon Davis

DJ Nick Hill III of DJN Entertainment
Location Bakersfield Community House
Photographer Robin

Questions to Ask a DJ

Posted on February 2, 2015 by admin

Questions to Ask a DJ
An in-person meeting with a handful of potential DJs is the best way to really figure out who to hire. Start with this list of important questions and don’t make a decision until you get an answer for each one!

Click Here to Print the Questions for interviewing Potential DJ’s

Will you be the DJ at our wedding?

Often, the person you speak with is not the person who will be your DJ on your wedding day. This is a very common practice among large agencies. It is absolutely paramount that you have an opportunity to interview, in person, the specific DJ that you will be working with and determine whether you feel comfortable with them. You should also expect that the individual DJ’s name is specified on your contract – it is the only way you can be guaranteed his or her services at your wedding.

How long have you been a DJ and how many weddings have you done?

A wedding is such an important occasion, and you don’t want your DJ’s first wedding to be your own. The number of years someone has been a DJ will give you some indication of their experience level, but some DJs only perform for a few events (and fewer weddings) each year. A DJ with half as many years in the industry may have many times as many weddings under his belt, so you should also ask how many weddings the DJ has done. Also be sure to ask if the DJ has any formal training, either from a DJ company or a DJ school.

How many weddings do you do each year?

Just like any other profession, performing for weddings requires one’s skills to be in top form. If a DJ performs for only a few weddings per year, they may not be “at the top of their game” by the time your wedding date arrives. Asking how many weddings they do per year will give you an indication of their level of commitment to your type of event.

Do you perform for more than one event in a day?

Some DJs will do as many events as they possibly can, and often try to pack their weekends with all types of DJ work. If a disc jockey has already done an event in the afternoon before your wedding, they will likely be physically exhausted by the latter half of your wedding, which is exactly when they need to be the most alert and active. This is most common at large agencies, where “weekend warriors” may perform at four to six events over a three-day period. It is hard to believe that any DJ could give that many couples an adequate amount of attention leading up to, and on, their wedding day.

What makes you different from your competitors?

Any professional wedding disc jockey will take pride in their work, and be able to answer this question honestly and communicate the things that make their services unique. Some DJs, however, will take this opportunity to “bash” their competition and say negative things about specific DJs or agencies. We consider this type of behavior unprofessional (in fact, doing this is strictly forbidden for members of the American Disc Jockey Association & the Bridal Association of America), and is a poor reflection on them. In fact, you may want to consider making it a point to meet any DJ that they say something bad about – DJs that engage in this type of thing will often target the DJs they’re afraid you’ll book instead of them, and they’re probably right!

Do you act as the “emcee” and make all of the announcements?

Any professional wedding disc jockey should be comfortable with making announcements and serving as the emcee for the wedding, it is a standard part of the job. Some DJs, however, are not comfortable with this and prefer to pass these duties on to someone else, such as a site manager, who may not have a professional voice or experience speaking on a microphone.

What if something happens to you and you can’t make it to the wedding?

Despite meticulous planning and preparation, accidents do happen. If the DJ is injured or otherwise unable to perform on your wedding day, what is the backup plan? Most responsible professionals have some sort of backup strategy should this situation ever arise, but others do not. Often, DJs will be members of a local DJ association, and network with other DJs who could possibly provide backup services for them in the event of an emergency. Others take this planning more seriously and reserve a specific DJ for every date, ensuring that backup is both available and prepared in case of an emergency. You need to feel comfortable that you will still have a qualified, prepared DJ on your wedding day, regardless of the circumstances, so the answer to this question is very important.

Will we meet again before the wedding?

Just as some deejays will prefer not to meet you when you book them, others will prefer to conduct a “final meeting” in the weeks before your wedding over the telephone instead of in person. While having a face-to-face meeting for the final meeting is arguably less important than meeting personally for an initial interview, the DJ should still be willing to meet you in person for a second time if that’s what you prefer.

Can we visit you at a performance?

Hopefully the answer to this question is “no.” We’re sure that you wouldn’t appreciate the DJ inviting prospective clients to your wedding to see him in action. A professional DJ should be willing to take a stand for his clients’ privacy and not offer this as a possibility. Professional wedding DJs never allow this.

How involved can we be in selecting music for our event?

This is an important question to ask, because some DJs prefer to control the majority of the playlist and supplement their choices with a small handful of your specific requests. Other disc jockeys prefer to let the client choose the majority of the music, and then use their expertise to make it all work. The DJ should be accommodating of your music tastes, and you should feel comfortable with the DJ’s approach and the amount of involvement you’ll be able to have in choosing the music.

When do we need to submit our music requests and event details?

Most professional DJs will give you a printed song list and planning worksheet with which to communicate the details of your event; others will give you access to an online planning system that will guide you throughout the entire process. You should be given ample time to make decisions regarding your music choices and event timeline, but the DJ should also require this information far enough in advance so that he can adequately prepare for your event. A DJ who doesn’t ask for your requests at least a couple of weeks before your wedding may not be able to fulfill them. In addition, the DJ should be willing to accommodate any later changes or additions whenever possible, rather than locking you into a first dance song that you later regret or refusing to alter the order of your toasts.

Do you take requests from our guests?

Most DJs are happy to do so, but you should also feel reasonably assured that any request they chose to play would not be something you didn’t like.

When do you arrive to set up for our wedding?

When dealing with sub-standard DJs, there are often issues with them being punctual and set up well in advance of your guests’ arrival. Professional DJs will always arrive at least a full 2 hours before their scheduled start time in order to have adequate time to set up and get organized before the wedding.

How much of a deposit is required to secure our date?

Almost every DJ will require some sort of deposit or retainer in order to secure your date. This is for their protection and yours. The industry standard for deposits is 50%. Some DJs require far less, but this is not always a good idea. If the contract language doesn’t stipulate a specific guarantee of services and clearly outline a cancellation policy, the DJ may only legally be responsible for returning your deposit (sometimes as little as $25) in order to back out of doing your wedding. While it would certainly be considered unprofessional, there certainly isn’t any financial incentive for the DJ if he’s only forced to pay a small fee for backing out on you. Our Retainer is the first hour.

What is included in the cost of my event?

DJs use vastly different systems when pricing their services. Most DJs price their services a la carte, charging an hourly rate and adding charges for any additional equipment needed. Others choose to use a flat-rate pricing system and make their packages all-inclusive. You need to be clear about what a DJ is offering for the price they’ve quoted you, so you can compare their package to those of the other DJs you are interviewing. The price I quoted you was for everything we talked about.

How much would you charge for overtime?

Hopefully your DJ will do such a wonderful job at your wedding that you’d like to keep dancing! Be sure that the DJ’s contract outlines a specific rate for additional time at the end of the night, whether it is a set price or a pro-rated amount based on the original price.

What do you require from us?

Every DJ will require a few things that you’ll need to provide them in order to be successful. The most common are adequate shelter, electricity, and a table for their equipment. Make sure that you understand exactly what the DJ needs from you so you can communicate those needs to your reception site and caterer.

Are you insured?

It is absolutely essential that any DJ you consider carries a full liability insurance policy. They are fairly inexpensive (less than $250 per year in some cases), so being uninsured is inexcusable. Some reception sites have even taken the step of requiring all vendors working at their facility to provide proof of insurance before the wedding. Liability insurance protects you and the reception site in the unlikely event that your DJ injures one of your guests or burns your reception site to the ground.

Do you take any breaks?

One of the major advantages to using a DJ instead of a band is that a DJ does not need to take breaks, outside of using the restroom and possibly eating a meal quickly in another room (if this is what your site contact or caterer requires). In any case, the DJ should assure you that there will be no break in the music at any point during the reception.

What is your policy on alcohol or smoking during the wedding?

A professional DJ will never consume alcohol or take cigarette breaks during your wedding. If you interview a DJ and he tells you he needs a few drinks to “loosen up” while working, you should probably look for a DJ with higher standards of professionalism.

What kind of equipment do you use?

Any DJ you consider should be proud of his sound system, and should be using professional-grade equipment. Most DJs understand that you are very unlikely to have a working knowledge of professional DJ equipment, but he should be able to describe his sound system to you. You should not hear very many “home audio” brands in what he describes – the top brands for DJ equipment are B-52, Hiel, Behringer, Pioneer, Denon, Electro-Voice (EV), Bose, Mackie, QSC, and Shure.

Do you bring backup equipment with you to the wedding?

Even the very best and most well-maintained equipment will malfunction at some point. Your DJ needs to be prepared in case this happens at your wedding. The only way you will not suffer a setback on your special day is if the DJ brings a full second sound system with them to each and every wedding. Having backup equipment in a warehouse 50 miles from your reception site won’t do much good if there is no music at your wedding for an hour.

Do you have a wireless microphone?

Every professional wedding DJ should offer a wireless microphone to be used for your guests’ toasts, blessing, and any other speeches that need to be made.

Do you have a “light show”?

Some DJs also offer “party lights,” either as part of their package or as an additional service they can provide. You should find out whether the DJ plans on setting up lights for the dance floor, and whether this matches your preferences.

Do you set up a sign or banner with your equipment?

Shameless self-promotion sometimes rears its ugly head at wedding receptions in the form of a sign or banner advertising the DJ’s company name and contact information. These items inevitably find their way into your wedding pictures and video, and ruin what is an otherwise commercial-free event. This practice is repulsive and completely unprofessional, and we believe that any DJ that does this should never be hired for a wedding.

Do you belong to any professional associations or trade groups?

If a DJ is serious about his craft and interested in becoming a better performer, they will often join a local association or trade group. These are opportunities for DJs to interact with one another, share ideas, and network with other DJs who might be able to help them should they ever have an emergency. While membership in one of these organizations is not a guarantee of that DJ’s talent level, it does at least show a willingness to grow and improve and become a better DJ.

Discuss with your venue manager any restrictions that might affect your Wedding, like sound noise limits, music curfew. Also check with your facility and caterer about where and what to feed the DJ.
All professional entertainers have access to formalwear (if they don’t, this is your first clue they’re not professionals!) However, it is YOUR responsibility to be specific about how you expect your DJ to be dressed.

Make notes of your music preferences before you meet with your DJ. For example: “Classical for the ceremony, Rat Pack-era for the cocktail hour and a set of country or old school during the reception.” Not only will this help you determine which entertainment professionals are a good match for you, it will guide them in preparing your set list.