Edge DJ Entertainment

Planning the Perfect Prom Entertainment

2009-03-12T22:56:00.003-05:00

First, the obvious: the biggest social event of not just the school year but your ENTIRE high school career is, hands down, Prom. Entire industries are built around Prom and many vendors bank on Prom to bring in big bucks.

Think about it - the average student will spend hundreds of dollars on a dress or tux, flowers, hair, jewelry, limo, dinner...and the list goes on. It's the stuff of dreams, the stuff of legend, and for some, the most important single evening in their lives so far.

And then comes the actual Prom dance. With so many people spending so much on so many different things hoping to make it all perfect, it is absolutely, positively, vitally important to make sure that your Prom DJ is up to par.

The unfortunate thing is that any idiot with a few CDs and speakers can (and usually will) call himself a DJ. They're all over the place - advertising in the Yellow Pages, CraigsList, event planning sites, and even local newspapers. Some savvy wannabe-DJs even send out letters to local schools advertising their services. The problem is that these are the same ways that truly incredible, experienced, and bonafide DJs advertise.

So how do you make sure that the DJ you are considering is truly the best DJ that your money can buy? There is no one single way - no magic 8 ball to consult or crystal ball to read. But there are some things you can do to help you weed out the bad ones.

Ask your advisers: Contrary to popular high school belief, faculty and student advisers DO actually know SOME things. One thing they may know is which DJs your school has used in the past, which DJs did a good job, and which DJs bombed.
Ask other schools: Calling up or e-mailing a student advisor or other faculty member at neighboring schools is a GREAT way to help narrow down your choices. If you're not sure whom you should speak with, simply call the general school number and tell the secretary why you're calling - he or she will most certainly be happy to get you in touch with the right person.
Visit web sites: Check out the web sites of the DJs you're considering. If they look cheap and cheesy, it's a pretty good sign that the DJ doesn't have the budget for a web site. Successful DJs generally understand the need for good advertising and are doing well enough to afford real web site designers. This is not always the case, but it can be a good indication.
Ask for references: Any good DJ will have past clients that you can call or e-mail. DJs without much experience (or DJs with experience they'd rather hide) won't.
Ask about experience and be specific: One of my favorite questions is "tell me, Mr. DJ, exactly how many Proms have you deejayed for?" If you were to ask me, I'd respond by saying "My company has deejayed for about 120 Proms (that's about 12 each year for about 10 years). Less experienced DJs will answer "I've deejayed for a few" or "I don't remember how many."
Ask prospective DJs "Why do you want to be our DJ?" It may sound like a silly question but it will help you weed out the weenies. Less experienced DJs won't have an answer to this question. Some may say "because I like to DJ for Proms" or "I'm the best DJ you can get." Here's the answer from Edge DJ: "Because I know how important Prom is to you and to everyone else (I remember what it was like when I was in high school) and I know, without a doubt, that I am the best Prom DJ that you could possibly have."

Choosing a DJ is NOT a science and there are no absolutes. However, following the steps above will help you to narrow down the field of potential choices. Booking a DJ is always a gamble.

The bad news is that there's a fine balance between choosing a DJ that meets your budget and choosing the very best DJ you can find. The good news is that there are plenty of DJs out there, like Edge DJ, that understand the importance of Prom and are willing to put profits on the back burner in order to provide you with a prom night to remember.

I'll be perfectly honest - here at the Edge, we pay the bills with wedding receptions. We do Proms and other school dances just for the fun of it! THAT is the kind of Prom DJ you need to find!

If you need assistance or have questions, please (as always) don't hesitate to get in touch.

Chris

Chris Truitt
Owner and DJ-in-Chief
Edge DJ Entertainment
www.EdgeDJ.com
877-570-3578 or 608-721-0130

The Economy Sucks...So Cancel the DJ?

2008-10-26T21:52:00.005-05:00

Every 15 to 20 years the economy takes a downturn and every 15 to 20 years panicked party hosts and brides-to-be scramble to find ways to cut back on the cost of their events.

The question I have is simply this...why? Why cut back on the costs? What has really changed between today and the day before the economy went bad?

True, your 401(k) may have lost a bundle...but the value will increase again (as it has done every 15 to 20 years). Your investments may be worth next to nothing today...but they will bounce back better than ever.

But take a look at the positive side: it now costs almost 50% less to fill your gas tank than it did just a few short months ago and the new incredibly low interest rates could save you thousands in the long run. If you turn off the TV and radio and simply look at your expenses, you'll find that you are probably better off now than you were just a few months ago.

Let me just say up front that there are those out there losing their jobs due to the economy and our hearts to out to them. Which brings me to my next thought.

It is the opinion of this humble DJ that what we need now, more than ever, is a little break from the doom and gloom on the network news channels. We need to clear our heads and get rid of the 'recession' and 'job cut' announcements. We need a reason to kick back, relax, and have some fun. We need an opportunity to gather our family and friends and simply have a good time.

So - what's the best way to do that? Simple! Host a party or a wedding reception and hire an entertainment expert to make sure that everyone has a simply incredible time.

But...we know that economic worries still haunt our clients, so here's a couple of suggestions to cut back on costs.

Pot Luck - There's no need to fork out the dough for all the bread. Instead, create a 'theme' event and ask your guests to bring food and drink that fits the theme. Simply doing this could save hundreds.

Take It Down A Notch - The world's finest caviar served with the world's finest Champagne may help you create the image you're looking to portray but chances are it's not what your guests necessarily expect. Book stores are full of Martha Stewart-esque ideas for creating uber elegant party necessities such as food, drink, and decor on a Wal-Mart budget.

Save with "Off Peak" - Does your party really need to be on a Friday or Saturday night? Oftentimes, venues, caterers, and entertainers offer reduced rates for "off peak" days and dates.

Ask for Discounts - It doesn't hurt to ask your event professionals if they'd be willing to extend a discount to you (especially if you're planning your event for an "off peak" day or date). Even if they don't offer discounts, they may have ways of modifying their services or packages that will cut down on their bill.

So there you go - reasons NOT to cancel the DJ and ways to save you money while still hiring a DJ. What more could you ask for?

Chris

Chris Truitt
Owner and DJ-In-Chief
Edge DJ Entertainment
http://www.edgedj.com/
877-570-3578

Hosting the Perfect Holiday Party

2008-10-08T21:30:00.003-05:00

Over the years I've deejayed for countless Christmas/Holiday/Winter parties and over the years I've seen some great parties and some parties where the only thing swinging was the "out" door.

So what makes a perfect Holiday party? There are three main aspects for every successful party - food, drink, and entertainment. If your guests are well fed, well "watered," and well entertained, your party will be a hit. But that doesn't necessarily mean it has to be caviar, $500 a bottle champagne, and a comedic performance by Eddie Murphy!

Many hosts and hostesses try to use parties as a chance to show off - show off their home, show off their tastes, and show off their budgets. The message that sends to your guests, though, is either A) Look how much better than you we are or B) We're pompous pricks and just want to show off. Wouldn't you rather be sending the "We're glad to have you as friends and simply want you to have a great time" message?

Your party needs to be created for, about, and around your guests. For example, if your friends are the 'beer nuts and Michelob' crowd, then you'd better have some bar-type munchies, beer on tap, and DJ with a big selection of country and classic rock. If your guests are more of the 'veggies and Zinfandel' crowd, then you'd better have an abundance of healthy snacks, good (but not overly expensive) wine, and a DJ with a wide variety of music at his fingertips. And finally, if your crowd is a bit more upscale, some catered appetizers (with service), a bartender with a large selection, and a tuxedoed DJ would be the best way to entertain.

Many hosts and hostesses choose to theme their parties - and this can be incredibly fun! It gives your guests the chance to dress up or "costume up" and do something out of the ordinary.

You may consider having a formal or semi-formal "Frosty Ball" with winter themed foods, drinks, and decor. Or maybe an "Old Fashioned Christmas" would work well filled with the food, drinks, and music from the Christmases of your childhood. Others may prefer a "Caribbean New Year" party complete with Jerk food, tropical drinks, and steel drum band or Reggae music.

Another key item to consider is the "dress code." If you're hosting a Caribbean New Year party, for example, make sure your guests know the theme and invite them to wear their favorite beachwear. If you choose a 1920s Black Tie Christmas, encourage your guests to come in their best "period" formals.

Great holiday parties, you see, are a chance to depart from the norm. November, December, and January are filled with stuffy, uncomfortable company holiday events (sure...they're called 'parties' but we all know the truth). If you give your guests the chance to dress up, act out, and have fun with a well planned holiday party (appropriate for your guests) your party will be remembered for years to come.

One last thing to consider - the entertainment company you choose is paramount to the success of your party! Your DJ needs to not only know the theme of your party but also the general makeup of your guest list. If you're hosting a country themed party for your high society friends, your DJ needs to be made aware of that fact so that he can bring the appropriate music. Likewise, if you're planning an old-fashioned Christmas party, your DJ will need to bring plenty of period music.

During the DJ selection process, share your plans with your DJ. If he or she gives you the "blank stare," move on to the next! If, on the other hand, the DJ you're interviewing seems interested and excited (and asks questions about your party and your guests) you have a bona fide entertainer in front of you...and an entertainer that deserves consideration.

The whole point is this - when you're planning your party, make sure that your party is tailored to your guests. Choose a great a theme...but make sure it's a theme that you and your guests will both understand and appreciate! Once your theme is chosen, make sure all aspects of your party fit your theme. And finally, make sure you choose an entertainment company that is as excited about your party and your theme as you are.

Following these simple guidelines will guarantee a successful Holiday Party!

Chris

Chris Truitt
Owner & DJ-In-Chief
Edge DJ Entertainment
www.EdgeDJ.com
877-570-3578

Should I Tip the DJ?

2008-08-17T02:18:00.004-05:00

This is one of the most frequently "hinted at" questions (most folks feel uncomfortable asking their DJ if they should tip him or her...go figure!). So, to save you from the hassle of searching for an answer on your own, here it is!

DJs are "service" employees just like wait staff, cab/limo drivers, pizza delivery drivers, and the like. The difference between DJs and other service employees is that DJs spend countless hours planning for and preparing for your event in addition to the four, six, or even eight more hours running the entertainment for your event. While they're "on the job" they're dealing with every single one of your guests...including the incredibly annoying drunk ones...making sure that everyone is having a good time. And that's not counting the often times physically challenging tasks of set-up and tear-down. To put it bluntly, being a DJ isn't exactly an easy job so yes - you should tip your DJ (unless it's a school dance).

There is no hard and fast rule or tried and true formula for figuring out your DJ's tip. But, if you feel your DJ did everything that was expected of him or her, we recommend giving a 10% tip. If the DJ did an incredible job, 20% would be appropriate. If you feel your DJ dropped the ball, don't tip him. If this happens, though, make sure you provide feedback to the DJ service (or to the individual DJ if you're comfortable doing so) as to how you feel the DJ did not perform up to your expectations - it's important for individual DJs as well as DJ companies to find ways to improve!

Please keep in mind that your DJ isn't expecting a tip - anything that you give will be considered purely a bonus for a job well done. One of my favorite client tricks, though, is giving the DJ a 10% tip up front and letting him know that there's another 10% tip waiting for him at the end of the night if everything goes well.

Chris

Chris Truitt
Owner & DJ-In-Chief
Edge DJ Entertainment
http://www.edgedj.com/
877-570-3578

The Tale of the $500 Wedding DJ

2008-08-13T00:29:00.000-05:00

Everybody loves a bargain...especially brides & grooms who are planning a wedding on a budget! The lure of a $500 DJ when other DJs are charging double or triple that rate can be quite appealing...but why is the DJ so cheap and is hiring a cut-rate DJ a good idea?

Let me say first and foremost that there are a very few discount wedding DJs out there in the world that are worth double or triple what they charge. Some do it for a hobby while others give an incredible discount simply becuase they have an available booking and want to fill their calendar. Those DJs are few and far between, though. The vast majority of discount DJs don't belong anywhere near your wedding reception.

There are two main factors that affect the rates that DJs charge. The first is operating costs and the second is availability.

Without getting into all of the little details, it acutally costs quite a bit to purchase every new song that hits the charts in all of the major genres (Top 40, Country, Latin, Adult Contemporary, R&B, Hip-Hop, Rap, etc.). It also costs quite a bit to purchase and maintain professional concert quality audio equipment and professional club quality lights & effects. And I haven't even mentioned the cost of insurance that covers not only the DJ's equipment but also protects the venue in the case of a malfunction (such as a fire) caused by the DJ's equipment. If your DJ doesn't have insurance, you're on the hook for any and all damages.

Then there's the "DJ-Nomics" effect; DJs will charge what they feel the market will pay for their services. Simplified, this means that popular DJs can charge more for their services because the people that really want to hire them are willing to pay a bit more to get them. Think of it as buying fine jewelry - you'd most likely be willing to pay more for diamond earrings than you'd be willing to pay for cubic zirconia earrings. Although they may look the same at a distance with an untrained eye, you want the quality, the value, and the "glam" factor of real diamonds.

And who could forget the fact that the DJ is single-handedly responsible for ensuring the success of the largest portion of your day. Think about it! The ceremony is good for an hour and the dinner is good for 90 minutes. How much time is your DJ responsible for? Four hours? Six hours? Eight? The point is that your DJ is responsible for the largest portion of your wedding day. He'll have the most "face time" with you and your guests. If he's really good, your guests will have a great time. If he's just mediocre, your guests will only have a mediocre time.

To wrap things up, there's also the matter of the "last impression." The last wedding professional to have any influence over your wedding day is the DJ. It's a proven fact; the thing that most people will remember about your wedding day is the last experience they had on that day and when you have a DJ entertaining at your reception, the DJ IS the last experience. The minister may have been long winded, your dress may have had a tear, the flowers may have wilted, the dinner may have been cold, and the cake may have been bland. BUT...if your guests were out on the floor dancing to their favorite music, THAT is what they'll remember the most - that they had a great time at the dance! If your guests left early because the music and the DJ sucked, THAT is what they'll remember the most.

So...here's my question to you. Do you want to leave the most important part of your day and your financial liability up to a $500 discount DJ, or would you feel better knowing that the biggest portion of your day is in the hands of an expert who has the latest & greatest tracks, the best equipment money can buy, and the protection of good insurance?

The simple fact is that everything else on your big day can go horribly wrong...but if you have a top-notch DJ, nothing else matters. If everything else on your wedding day goes perfectly but your DJ sucks, the whole day is a bust.

Just something to think about!

Chris Truitt
Owner & DJ-In-Chief
Edge DJ Entertainment
http://www.edgedj.com/
877-570-3578

What Every Wedding DJ Wishes The Client Knew

2008-07-31T23:26:00.000-05:00

A good DJ will do exactly what his client wishes whether or not it's the right thing for his client, the guests, and the overall success of the evening. The client, afterall, is always right!

A great DJ, on the other hand, will help guide his client through the seemingly endless choices and decisions that must be made for wedding reception entertainment. Drawing on his skill and experience, he will help his client make choices that will ensure the evening is a total success...and not just blindly follow the wishes of his client.

With that in mind, here are a few things that every DJ would like his clients to know and understand.

Who is the reception for? It may seem like an odd question, but it's a great question to ask yourself nonetheless. Generally speaking, a wedding reception is held for the benefit of and entertainment of the guests. The bride and groom are simply the hosts (as well as the guests of honor). If you make all of your decisions based on that one simple fact, you'll all but guarantee the success of the evening by making sure your guests are having a great time.

My music or yours? Some couples try to plan out the entire evening before hand...including the music. While most couples will simply give their DJ a list of "must play" and "do not play" songs and then leave the rest up to the DJ and requests from guests, some take it one step farther and tell the DJ exactly which songs, artists, or genres he can or can't play based solely on the bride & groom's likes and dislikes. At this point, let's refer back to "Item #1: The reception is for the guests." People will only dance if they hear the music that they like to dance to. If your DJ has his hands tied by an "only play this" list, he won't be able to play the music your guests are requesting to hear and the floor will remain empty all night. Sure; the two of you will be able to listen to your favorite songs all night long...but your guests will quickly become bored and will leave. On the other hand, if your DJ is allowed to play your guests' requests, he will work to make sure that your guests are on the floor having fun all night long. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't give your DJ a list of the songs, artists, and genres you like as well as a few songs that you really dislike - instead, give your DJ the "guidelines" for music but allow him the flexibility to accept requests from your guests and the flexibility to draw on his years of exprience to make sure your guests are having fun.

DJ or Wedding Planner? There is one simple, de facto truth for wedding DJs...the guy with the mic is the guy in charge! Unless you have a professional wedding planner handling the little details during your reception, your DJ will most likely end up assuming that role. The caterer, photographer, videographer, venue staff, and even guests will look to your DJ for answers and guidance during your reception. A good wedding DJ will gladly take on this role. A great DJ, on the other hand, will take the time to ask all the important questions and get all the correct information before the big day so that he can successfully manage all aspects of your reception. He'll work with the two of you to create your ideal schedule and then make sure that all of the 'behind the scenes' activities are handled accordingly, creating a wedding reception that runs perfectly. Photographers, caterers, videographers, and the venue staff all work with the DJ on the big night to not only compare schedules but also to handle the announcements and coordinate all the aspects of your reception.
My Wedding Must Be Perfect! Never in the course of human history has there been a wedding that has gone 100% as expected. No matter how carefully you plan, there will always be little glitches beyond your scope of control. The key to a "perfect" wedding reception isn't making sure everything goes as planned. Instead, the key to a "perfect" wedding reception is "going with the flow." The bottom line is that the two of you are married and you have a few dozen to a few hundred of your closest friends and families around you celebrating the joyous occasion. Nobody, other than the two of you, know the exact specifications of your wedding ceremony and reception! Let me say that again...only the two of you know the "master plan" for the day. Your guests have absolutely no clue about what you've planned or how it's all supposed to go. As long as you take everything in stride, roll with the punches, go with the flow (or any of the other related cliches), your guests will be none the wiser.

The moral of the story is this: you've hired a professional entertainer to make sure that you and your guests are having a good time. Every DJ understands that you'd like to create the wedding of your dreams...but you need to remember that the reception needs to be that of your guests' dreams. Give your DJ the information and freedom necessary to make it happen. You'll only marry once in a lifetime...but your DJ probably does one wedding a week. Rely on your DJ's experience and expertise to make sure your reception is nothing less than a complete success.

Chris Truitt
Owner and DJ-In-Chief
Edge DJ Entertainment
www.EdgeDJ.com
877-570-3578

Finding the Perfect School Dance DJ

2008-07-24T23:43:00.002-05:00

Middle school and high school can be brutal...but finding the right DJ for your school dance shouldn't be! Here's a bit of info you can use to make sure you get the very best DJ for your dollar...from an expert's perspective.

The first thing to understand is that all disc jockeys are NOT created equal. Some are great wedding jocks and others are great party jocks...but it takes a unique kind of DJ to be a great school dance jock. School dance DJs first and foremost must love what they do! Spending three or four hours trying to keep hundreds of teens happy isn't exactly an easy job to do, especially when each of those hundreds of people only want to hear their own favorite songs and music genres. From Top 40 to Classic Rock to Hip Hop to Country to the classics, your DJ needs to not only have all the best music but also know how and when to play it without emptying the floor.

But just having the right personality isn't enough. A good dance DJ needs to have the right audio equipment to play the music. This is especially important if your dance is in a gym or other large space - it takes quite a bit of power and some great speakers to fill the space with crisp highs, full mediums, and booming lows.'

The final requirement for a great school dance DJ is lights & effects. A DJ may be great with the students, have all the right music, and fill the room with sound...but if you have to have the lights on all night long, the dance is a guaranteed bust. All good school dance DJs will have multiple lights and effects, creating a club-like atmosphere on the dance floor.

So now that you know what it takes to be a top-notch school dance jock, how do you go about finding one? Simple! Do your research! The quickest and easiest way to find great DJs is to ask your advisors or faculty coordinators to call other local schools to find out which DJ service they've used and whether or not they'd use that particular service again.

Another great way of finding a good DJ is simply to Google 'school dance dj' and add in your city. Now here's the key part - ignore the search results. Instead, check out the advertisers (or "Sponsored Results"). Generally speaking, only those DJ services that are successful will have budgets for online advertising and in order to be successful a DJ service must be good at what it does. Likewise, click on the advertisers' links. If you end up at what seems to be a professionally designed site, you've found a DJ that has enough business that it can afford to pay a web designer. This is by no means a fool-proof method of finding a great DJ...but it can certainly help narrow down the field of choices!

Once you've narrowed down the choices, call them (don't just e-mail them) and ask them the following questions:

Who will be my DJ? Find out if it is a 'one DJ' outfit or if they have multiple DJs. There is absolutely nothing wrong with either...but it is important info to know for the second question.
How many school dances has the DJ done? Some DJ services send their newest DJs to school dances as a way to "break them in" but keep the most experienced DJs available only for the better paying events. If the DJ you'll be assigned has done under 10 dances, move on to the next DJ.
Do you have references? Here's little tidbit of info from an industry insider...definately ask if your DJ has references but you don't need to bother calling them. Here's what I mean. All good DJs will have a list of references that prospective clients can call. Newer DJs as well as DJs that aren't really all that good won't have a list (or will have a very small list). Those that do have references have hand-picked them - if they give you contact info for a past client, they're sure that that client will tell you how wonderful the DJ was. By asking this question, you only need to learn if the DJ has references and how many there are...but you don't need to contact each reference. No (or relatively few) references, no deal.
How much do you charge...and what are the hidden fees? Some DJ services will advertise low rates but then nickel and dime you to death with hidden fees. Set-up fees, standby fees, surcharges for "better" lights or sound, increased costs for a larger music library, and other hidden fees are often tacked on by the DJ. It's important to know up front what, if any, extra fees will be added. One fee that you can expect reputable DJ services to add is mileage. The rising gas prices have hit mobile DJs hard...and many have had to add mileage charges to their rates simply to stay afloat.

Asking these four simple questions will help you weed through the DJ chaff and find the perfect DJ for your dance. Now comes the final piece of the puzzle...the price. You can expect to pay between $250 and $400 for a three hour dance for a good school dance jock. Keep in mind, though, that a higher price doesn't necessarily mean a better DJ - instead of judging by price, rely on the answers to the four questions above to help you narrow down the field and choose the best DJ for your school dance.

Chris

Chris Truitt
Owner and DJ-In-Chief
Edge DJ Entertainment
www.edgedj.com
877-570-3578

The DJ: A Holiday Party Necessity?

2008-07-21T22:35:00.000-05:00

I'm often asked whether or not a DJ should be hired for a holiday party. The answer is no...and yes. As a general rule of thumb, "Christmas Tree & Kitchen Table" type parties where your guests are primarily family and close friends do not need a DJ. At these parties most of us are perfectly happy just "hanging out" with family and friends, sipping a few drinks, and simply enjoying eachother's company. The presence of a DJ at parties such as these would not only be unnecessary but it would actually be annoying and uncomfortable for you and your guests.

If, however, you're planning virtually any other type of holiday party, a DJ would not only be a great idea but also a vital necessity to ensure the success of the party.

The job of a GOOD party DJ is more than just playing music; it is creating a party atmosphere and making sure you and your guests are having a good time. Party jocks regularly use various Guest Participation Activities to get you and your guests involved with eachother and also to provide some hilarious entertainment.

When your guest list is large or diverse, your guests will tend to congretate in small groups and there won't be much interaction between groups or guests. If your venue has a sit-down bar, the idea of "mingling guests" is nothing more than a pipe dream. Until, that is...your DJ steps up to the plate!

One of the activities that I use at almost every Christmas Party is the "12 Days of Christmas". I bring out 12 guests who have...shall we say...been enjoying a bit of the Christmas Punch. I assign each guest one of the "12 Days" and then elicit the support of everyone else to help sing. It starts off innocent enough with the guests singing "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me..." Mr. "Partridge in a Pear Tree" then belts out his carefully rehearsed line. After the guests sing "On the second day..." Ms. "Two Calling Birds" chimes in with her part, followed by Mr. "Partridge" again. The song continues on and on...and it never goes quite as planned.

Another activity I often use is the Holiday "Bring It" contest. I break the guests up into teams of four or more people each. The first team to come to the DJ floor bringing the item I request gets 3 points, the second team gets 2 points and the third team gets 1 point. The game starts off easy...I'll request things like a Cardigan sweater or a sock with a hole in it. As the game progresses the items get more difficult like a man wearing lipstick or a woman with a cigar. Depending on the mood of the guests and the tone of the evening, things will get even more difficult and may even get a bit...shall we say...interesting.

The point is, doing activities or "games" such as these gets all of your guests either directly involved in having fun or at the very least directly involved at cheering for (and laughing at) the other guests having fun. It takes a professional party jock to know which games and activities will work for which parties and at which times. There truly is a science to entertaining at parties; it requires great skill and honed technique to find, choose, and properly use fun and hilarious ways to keep your guests involved and having fun.

One of the most common lines we hear as a reason NOT to hire a DJ is "my office manager is a whiz...she can handle the entertainment...we don't need a DJ." My response is quite simple...do you want your office manger to spend her night trying to make sure that 100 employees and their families (who don't know each other) are having fun...or would you like to reward your office manager with a "night off" to simply kick back, relax, and have some fun herself?

The purpose of a holiday party is simple...to get your friends, neighbors, employees, customers, associates, and families together to have fun. It's a night off from work and worries and a night to kick back and relax. Wouldn't it be nice to put the fate of that night in the hands of the "party fun" experts...and be guaranteed that everyone will have a great time? No worries about music, about the sound system, about lighting, about games, about activities, about mixing and mingling...yet there is still the assurance that everyone will have a great time.

So is the DJ a Holiday Party necessity? I'll put it this way...a Holiday Party without a DJ is like Santa without a "Ho"...it's only 2/3 as good!

Save Money with an iPod Wedding?

2008-07-10T12:28:00.000-05:00

Since the introduction of the iPod, seemingly savvy wedding "professionals" have said that couples on a tight budget could save thousands by eliminating the DJ and using an iPod (loaded with their favorite songs) instead. But what's the real story...is an iPod wedding a good idea?

Every wedding professional has his or her own idea about how to save money on a wedding. Caterers will tell you to cut costs by choosing a less expensive venue, the venue will tell you to cut costs with the florist, the florist will tell you to cut costs with the photographer, the photographer will tell you to cut costs with the DJ, and the DJ will tell you...well, just read on to hear what the DJ will tell you! The point is, brides and grooms have many options for cutting costs and depending on which "expert" is consulted, the "best" way will vary. Let's take a look at the idea of an iPod wedding reception as a way to cut costs.

What is an iPod wedding reception you ask? It's simple, easy, and inexpensive! The bride and groom choose a few dozen of their favorite songs on their iPod, rent an amp and speaker system, and set the iPod to play - voila! Instant, inexpensive wedding reception music. True, you can save the $1000 to $3000 you would have paid the DJ...but are you sure you really want to cut out the professional entertainer?

Let's take a quick look at what a wedding DJ really does for a bride and groom on the big day.

1) Set Up: The DJ arrives long before your firsts guests to get everything set up. That way, your guests won't be bothered by a DJ hauling equipment in and out. With an iPod wedding, who will take care of the set-up...and when will it be done?

2) On-Site Coordination: It's a known fact - the man with the mic runs the show. The DJ has the power to turn on the mic and make the announcements, making him the "de facto" wedding coordinator. The caterer, the venue staff, the photographer, the videographer, and even the bride and groom all look to the DJ to help keep things running on time and on track. A good DJ will even ask you to create a schedule for your reception that he can use to make sure everything is running smoothly as well as to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Unfortunately, with an iPod wedding reception, you'll loose that one point of contact that everyone relies on, putting more of the burden on the two of you, your best man, and your maid of honor. Your reception should be a time to kick back and have fun - you shouldn't have to be bothered with micro-managing the little details.

3) Lights & Effects: Virtually all wedding DJs will bring some club-style lights & effects - they'll do their best to turn the banquet room dance floor into a club-like atmosphere. There's just something about flashing colored lights and dancing beams of lights that move to the beat of the music that just accentuates the great tunes being played. And don't forget the time-honored tradition of a mirrored ball (Disco ball) during the slow songs. You'll loose all of this if you choose to go iPod.

4) Requests: There is a reason that DJs carry thousands of songs with them to every wedding reception - no two people like exactly the same music. The reception dance is all about getting your guests out on the floor to dance and have fun and the only way they'll be out on the floor is if they hear the music that they like. You may like Classic Rock but your guests may like Country or Top 40 instead. Grandpa Fred and Grandma Gertie may prefer Bluegrass or Frank Sinatra. Aunt Joan and Uncle Jake may prefer Disco while all the tweens and teens want to hear is Soulja Boy. If you load your iPod with just your music, the dance floor will be empty all night. A DJ's job is to take specific requests from your guests to create 'sets' of music - a few Top 40 songs in a row will get the Top 40 crowd on the floor while giving the Country folks time to sit, relax, and maybe have a drink. "But," you say, "I can load sets on my iPod and everything will be okay, right?" Wrong. It's more than just playing a few Blue Eyes tracks in a row - it's playing your guests' favorite Blue Eyes songs and the only way to know what those songs are is to ask. Think about your favorite artists - there are tracks you love and tracks you hate. Would you dance to a track you hate? It's the DJ's job to solicit requests and then play those requests. An iPod can't do that!

5) Grand March: If you're planning on having a Grand March or Grand Entrance, who will announce it? When you hire a DJ, the DJ will play your choice of music in the background and announce each couple as they come in. The iPod can only play the music...and you'll have to have someone running it to make sure the right songs are played at the right time.

6) Wedding Reception Special Activities: The Bouquet Toss, Garter Toss, Dollar Dance, Chicken, Limbo, Hokey Pokey, and many more traditional wedding reception activities need to have someone "running" them. It's up to the DJ to set up the activities, provide instructions and then run the activities. Without a man (or woman) and a microphone, even the simplest special activities are near impossible to run. Sure, you can play the music for the Chicken Dance on the iPod and hope everyone picks up on the cue, but how will your iPod run the Bouquet Toss?

7) Changing Moods: There is a science and an art to entertaining at a wedding reception. A good DJ is constantly watching your guests, monitoring the dance floor, and evaluting song requests to keep his finger on the pulse of your reception. He may start off the reception with a collection of "standards" such as I Knew the Bride, Old Time Rock & Roll, Your Momma Don't Dance, and more. He may throw in a few 50s and 60s tunes to get the 40 and 50-somethings out on the floor. That may be followed by a set of all-time-favorite disco tunes. As the older members of the crowd start leaving, the mood may change into more of a dance club mood and the music may change to the booming beats of Top 40. Towards the end of the evening, when everyone is tiring out, the mood may change yet again into more of a "good friends at the bar" mood with Piano Man, American Pie, or even I Love This Bar playing in the background. Tossed in there sometime during the evening may be a little Salsa set to let everyone express their passionate sides...followed by some good slow songs to give lovers a chance to simply sway with each other. And don't forget the craziness of the YMCA, Limbo, Hokey Pokey, Cha Cha Slide, Conga, and other guest participation dances. It's impossible to forecast and plan for which types of music will work at which times - it's 100% reactionary on the part of your DJ. An iPod simply can't adjust on the fly to the changing mood and it takes a true professional (and not just a friend running the iPod) to be able to recognize the direction the reception is going and adjust the music accordingly.

On the surface, cutting out the DJ seems like a great way to cut a few thousand from your budget. But...your DJ is essentially in charge of the entertainment for the largest portion of your day in time (often six hours or more) and in memories. Even if the ceremony bombs, your dress rips, the hall smells, and the food is bad, if your guests have a great time on the dance floor, that is all they'll remember. It isn't necessarily the things we watch that stick in our minds...it's the things that we do. And we all know that the last things we do are the things we remember the most. Since your reception dance is the last part of your big day, it is the part the your guests will remember the most.

So let's get back to the original question - should you choose to use an iPod to cut costs? That's up to you. But cutting out the one wedding professional that all the others, you , and your guests typically rely on throughout the evening could be disasterous. Instead, there are many ways to cut costs without completely cutting out the DJ.

Perhaps you could choose a less expensive dress or maybe you could cut back on the number of floral arrangements. You may find that a two tier cake would be more economically feasible than a five tier cake. Perhaps a dinner of roast beef would be a little less expensive than filet mignon. You may find that can live without the biggest and best package that your photographer offers and instead choose a smaller, less expensive package. And you could certainly cut back on the hours of service for your DJ - instead of having him there all evening, maybe have him start the entertainment after dinner ends.

Pinching a few pennies here and there could very easily add up to the one or two thousand dollars that you're hoping to save - without cutting out the DJ/Coordinator/Entertainer/All-Around Go-To Guy.

The very bottom line is that your wedding day is most likely the most important day of your lives thus far. Almost everyone will only have one wedding day - and that day will create memories that last a lifetime. If you're having concerns about your budget, talk with your caterer, photographer, DJ, florist, and reception hall - they may have great ideas for ways that each of them can reduce their cost. Every single wedding professional understands the importance of your day and will do their very best to help you make it everything you've dreamed.

Chris Truitt
Owner & DJ-In-Chief
Edge DJ Entertainment
http://www.edgedj.com/
877-570-3578

Meet Your DJ Before Signing a Contract

2008-07-07T23:44:00.000-05:00

No two DJs are exactly alike...which means that no two DJ shows are exactly alike. Some tend to be more on the 'quiet and reserved' side while others are more outgoing and entertaining. Some may be more traditional and conservative with their entertainment while others may be more racy and daring. No matter what, the fact remains that your DJ's personality will show in everything he or she does during your event. That's why we recommend meeting your DJ before the big event (and preferably before signing the contract). If you're hoping to have a more traditional, conservative event you'll need to find a DJ that tends to be more "CD player that takes requests" and less "entertainer that gets your guests involved." On the flip side, if you're looking for a DJ that will act more like an MC to get you and your guests going and having fun, a more progressive party jock will be a better choice.

The vast majority of seasoned, professional DJs have mastered the art of custom tailoring their shows to meet the needs and wishes of their clients and will work with you to create the perfect (what we call) "Entertainment Attitude" for your event. Newer DJs (as well as "niche" DJs) typically haven't mastered this art yet.

So how can you tell if your prospective DJ is the right DJ? First, request to meet them in person. Remember the old saying "you can't judge a book by its cover?" Forget it. Judge your DJ on his or her appearance, attitude, and mannerism. Look for confidence - someone who can quickly and easily answer all of your questions. Look for body language - someone who appears relaxed, smiles and looks you (or you both, for weddings) in the eye is confident in their "game". Watch for fidgeting - it's a sign of inexperience and nervousness.

Second, listen to their sales pitch...and then ask a lot of questions! A good DJ will fill you in on the basics and key points - why you should choose that DJ over any others. A better DJ will then ask if you have any questions. A great DJ will take it one step farther and help you think of questions that you never even thought of asking...and then give you the answers. Remember...an experienced DJ has seen it all, done it all, and (if they're like us) written the book on how to make it all happen exactly the way you'd like.

Finally, go with your gut. Your DJ is ultimately responsible for the success or failure of your event. Think about it; the measure of success for your event is whether or not your guests have a good time and the one person that has the greatest effect on that is the "Man with the Mic" - your DJ. If he or she has your guests out on the floor dancing and having a great time, your event will be remembered as a success. If, on the other hand, he manages to empty the floor and ignore your guests, your event will be remembered as that 'unmentionable' event where nobody had any fun. Trust what your gut is telling you. If the prospective DJ makes you feel comfortable, at ease, and has the proper credentials, it's a pretty safe bet that he or she will do just fine. If, on the other hand, you are forcing yourself to smile at the DJ just to be polite, it's safe to say that you should keep looking.

But...you'll never know unless you meet with your prospective DJ face to face. If you're dealing with a one or two man operation, meeting your prospective DJ is pretty easy to do. When working with a company that has multiple DJs (such as the Edge), ask point-blank to meet with the DJ that will be assigned to your event - and don't hesitate to tell the business manager if you don't like the assigned DJ. We "reputable" business managers know that some DJs are simply "right" for certain events while other DJs may not be the best. But...we'll work with you to find the best man for the job - all you need to do is ask!

Chris Truitt
Owner & DJ-In-Chief
Edge DJ Entertainment
Great Friends, Great Tunes, Great Times
http://www.edgedj.com/
877-570-3578