Tips
Here’s a word you don’t hear too often around weddings… free!!
There’s so much information and so many contrasting opinions when it comes to planning your big day. Well, having worked on weddings for 20 years we at Sounds Fishy have a wealth of experience in this area.
So, whether you decide to use us or not for your big day, we think you deserve some FREE advice and guidance about what to look for when chosing your big day entertainment.
We hope you’ll find some of the below useful… and for even more tips and free advice have a look at Julie The Wedding Genie’s blog… we are part of Julie’s “Dream Team” initative and all the suppliers write guest blogs so there is loads of info’ available.
Did You Know?
- Over 6 million people attend wedding receptions in the UK each year.
- This year there will be approximately 276,000 weddings or civil ceremonies in the UK.
- It is thought that approximately 196,400 of these will employ the services of a mobile DJ or karaoke presenter.
- 92% of brides say that the evening entertainment is one the 3 most important elements of their wedding day.
- When asked 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment.
- 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!
(*These statistics were published in Bride & Groom Magazine in 2003)
So, getting the correct entertainment is absolutely crucial to the success of your big day!
What To Budget?
When budgeting for your wedding set aside some money for the entertainment in the evening. The evening may not be the big focus of the day.. but really it’s just as important as the daytime. It’s the time when guests can really start to relax and where the fun begins!
Creating the right atmosphere is essential. There’s nothing worse than playing Agadoo to an empty dance floor. Whilst your vows, the table display, the car you arrive in and the flowers are all important parts of your day, most of your guests are much more likely to remember the evening party. As such, it’s important not to cut corners in this area, a dull party will be talked about for longer than most other aspects of your day.
If you are spending £600 on seat covers, £900 on cars, and £1200 on place settings.. you really should be thinking of spending a lot more than £200 on the first DJ you find.. they are, after all, responsible for 5 hours of your day – and for the evening only guests, they’re going to make or break their whole experience of your big day.
Think of it this way..
what’s the cost per head for the DJ ?
What’s the cost per head for your evening buffet ?
Out of those two things… which is the part of the day that guests remember and talk about.. ?
What to look for in a DJ and where to find one
It’s the role of your DJ to create the atmosphere at your wedding reception. It’s what they’re paid for. A good DJ will both listen to what you want played but will also be firm about what he *knows* should to be played. If a DJ simply takes your list and plays your songs one after another, you can ruin the atmosphere, or never get one started in the first place. A good DJ should be an expert in their field and should know what music is relevant for the audience and atmosphere they’re in.
You first stop is probably yellow pages or a google search, where you’ll find some good guys… but also lots of cheap cowboys…
There’s the guy who turns up with all his mates, and only plays what they want to hear.
There’s the guy who turns up with only 20 minutes to set up.. and complains and grumbles the whole way through.
There’s the guy who uses too much smoke and sets fire alarms off..
There’s the guy with a terrible sound system, there’s the guy with terrible cheesy lights…
and there’s the guy who does all of the above.
Then there’s the guy who doesn’t turn up at all because he got a higher paying gig at the last minute.
The higher priced DJ’s.. are higher priced for a reason. They will do a great job.. they will turn up.. they will take the hassle out of the evening arrangements for you. They should act as entertainment consultants and take you through the process to ensure you’re 100% happy and comfortable with what you’re paying for.
Get testimonials.. even better – speak to past clients.. best thing to do is go off recommendation..
Is it a proper company – rather than a guy with a hobby – have they got insurance ?
Is everything Portable Appliance Tested (PAT TEST).. ?
Do they carry spare amps and bulbs ?
Playlists & Timeline
We often get asked about playlists.. Obviously there’s a choice of music.. your tastes might be different to your guest’s tastes.. and it’ll certainly be different to your parents!
Please don’t take the advice that appears in wedding magazines and forums about asking guests for their favourite songs and end up giving your DJ a 200 song playlist. If you are hiring a professional – he’ll know what to play, how to read the room and will play exactly the right song at exactly the right moment.
Songs you or your guests like to hear on the radio or on your ipod may not work at a disco.. and you’d be amazed at the number of ballads that people put forward as their favourite – you can’t do a whole night on ballads. If you must have a playlist… then can I suggest you use it as background music during the meal, and limit your evening choice of must plays to your first dance?
A typical evening entertainment timeline might look like this.
Incidentally.. have you asked your DJ if he can set up early, and also play the background music… have you also asked if he can light the room/provide a radio mic for the speeches/put a spotlight on the speakers ?
Best advice is to meet your DJ or at least have a good talk on the phone. Take their advice.. this might be your first wedding – but it shouldn’t be theirs!
Other entertainment?
If you have a running order, or other entertainment like a band, let your DJ know so he can work around your plans – better still, see if your DJ will act as event manager/stage manager/production manager and co-ordinate with the venue and other acts/entertainment to ensure a stress free, well run evening.
We often work with bands, and because our equipment is so good, we only need to install our PA and lighting – meaning you get a better deal on the band, and there’s only one lot of equipment to set up !
Your DJ should be asking questions too, such as…
- who is your contact at the venue ?
- is there parking/access for the van/truck/trailer ?
- is it on the ground floor or up stairs… it might affect the price if the kit has to be carried up 3 flights of stairs.
Let your DJ talk direct to the venue (we insist on dealing with the venue direct – it means you don’t have to worry) about power, access, staging, whether smoke machines are allowed etc..
Cost versus Value
Of course you are going to get some quotes. It’s a good idea to do this as you need to comfortable in what you’re buying. It’s important to look at the value of what each company offers, not just the bottom line cash price. £900 might sound like a lot. But, if that gets you peace of mind, ease of use, a fully co-ordinated evening, a happy venue, a full dance floor, a great selection of music and a night people remember for a long time it’s better value than the £200 that gets you the sound system out of a Vauxhall Astra and an entire evening of banging drum n’ bass.
When To Pay
Payment varies from company to company. For example, we prefer a bank transfer or a cheque in advance, or cash on the day if it’s easier – but it’s a bit messy and frankly giving the best man a wad of cash when there’s a bar nearby isn’t a good idea!
Summary
Your wedding entertainment is an integral part to your big day. Spend time working out what you want from your big day and make sure whichever DJ you chose is part of those conversations. A great DJ will be far more than just the guy in the corner playing random music. A great DJ should be your event consultant. They are in a very privileged position and should take their responsibility seriously. They should make the organising and delivery of your wedding event a comfortable stress free and fun time.
Think about how many great weddings you’ve been to and how many of the memories are linked to the entertainment. Where else could you be allowed to swing great Auntie Doris around the dance-floor whilst your friends and family watch on!
And, hey. Look at that. You read all the way to the end… we hope this insight has helped in some way.
Good luck with all the planning of your big day.
Sounds Fishy was started by Ian Fish back in the late eighties as a simple disco & DJ set up, based in Cheshire, working across his home county and into The Wirral and Merseyside.