Bargain basement?
Wednesday, 20 January 2010

I've been following a few threads online with people discussing their wedding DJs. It's an interesting topic as entertainers generally have such a poor reputation. Horror stories of no-shows and unsuitable music abound, doubtless terrifying anyone planning their wedding.

The other amazing revelation is just what people pay for wedding discos. Quotes range from £120 to £730 (!) for five hours of music. People are then paying extra for a longer playing time or for asking the DJ to climb stairs! It's no wonder that booking a disco is such a minefield. I don't of any other industry where prices vary so dramatically for a similar service.

Of course, that's what it comes down to: The service is rarely similar. If you a paying £120 for a part-time DJ, you're unlikely to get exactly what you're after. He may not have the songs that you want (or be unwilling to get hold of them) or may dress inappropriately. You wouldn't trust your wedding food to anyone who says they can cook, so why do the same for your entertainment?

What surprised me is the number of people who chose the cheapest option and were subsequently disappointed. The average wedding disco is around six hours - a major part of the day. Make sure you put it in the hands of a professional! I recommend that you meet them in advance and let them know exactly what you want.

Of course your wedding budget is important, nobody has unlimited funds. There are savings that can be made in many areas but skimping on a DJ could be false economy. You may get two or three quotes and be happy with the DJ who's cheapest: Result! If not, I'd urge you to find the money to ensure the day of your dreams.

If you want a no-obligation consultation about how Get Wed can create your perfect wedding, don't hesitate to get in touch. Good luck!

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posted by James McCann @ 22:39, ,


A polite request...
Monday, 3 August 2009

During a disco, a request is just that. Like most DJs, I invite wedding guests to approach and ask for a tune that they want to dance to. It's why I'm there; to play the music that people want to hear.

At Get Wed, we encourage the bride and groom to email a song list over before their big day, so we can ensure to arrive with every track they want. Of course, I need to be able to fit them all in. I once received a list which totalled nine hours of playing time! If a guest asks for something, I can even (phone sigal permitting) download any tracks that I don't have during the gig. In short, when it comes to disco music, I'm a flexible kind of guy.

Does anyone else feel a but...coming on?

But (there it is!) I do reserve a few rights when it comes to requests. I'd like to explain these and assure everyone that it's not because I don't like a particular song - my tastes simply don't come into it. Any decision is based on my experience and what's best for the success of the wedding reception. So here goes:

1) I may not play your track straight away. If I play Endless Love during a rock music section, it will bring the evening to a grinding halt. Please be patient, and I'll do my best to work it in smoothly.

2) I might have played it already. With the amount of requests I receive during an average wedding reception, I usually can't play a song twice. Of course, for the bride or groom, I can always bend the rules!

3) It contains unsuitable language. Even if there's no kids present, a glare from a Nan is always unsettling! I always try to play radio edits or clean versions but if there's a track I'm not sure of, I'll have to run it past the happy couple first.

4) I can't squeeze it in! If you come to me ten minutes before the end, the chances are that the final songs will already have been picked in advance. And by the way, it's not me that dictates the finish time, it's the venue's licence. The 'One more song' chant doesn't work!

By looking back at the gig logs on the laptop, I can see exactly how many requests I've played per evening. The number is typically between 95 and 98% of those asked for, which I believe is a pretty good average. So, if you're a wedding guest and your song happens to be left out, then please let me apologise in advance. There's always a good reason for it which should hopefully lead to a full dancefloor and a brilliant wedding reception.

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posted by James McCann @ 21:47, ,


Getting Wed? Think space!
Thursday, 30 July 2009

Believe it or not, the British summer is here! Even if the weather hasn't given you any clues, you will have noticed the abundance of wedding cars pootling around on Friday and Satuday afternoons. Ribbon sales have gone through the roof and at Get Wed, we are spending every weekend entertaining audiences across the North of England. And the Midlands. And down South. Actually, we're pretty much everywhere really!

For those of you who may be planning a wedding, I thought I'd pass on something that struck me at a couple of recent wedding receptions. So please keep reading, as I do have an important point (promise!)

We're often asked to provide the whole evening of reception entertainment, including live music and disco, but occasionally we are booked to work with a band. This has happened several times over the last few weeks and one thing has become abundantly clear:

BANDS NEED SPACE

It may sound obvious, but even after ten years in the entertainment industry, I was shocked at just how much cabling and equipment a five piece outfit required. I had a prime view as the only place for my DJ table was wedged in behind the keyboard player. From there, my view of the audience was obsucred by a skyline of mic stands, monitors, amps, speakers, bass bins, instruments and music stands with lyrics on. By the way, if you sing for a living, I strongly believe you should know your lyrics without needing them written down (best not get me started on this, we'll save that discussion for another day!)

Surprisingly, power sockets weren't a problem. I ran my sound equipment and lightshow from just one, and they happily powered their gear with the other seven (though I suspect one was being used to charge a mobile phone!)

We weren't working in a particularly large room and several tables had to be shifted to give the guys enough space. By the time they were set, they took up exactly half the room! Subsequently, dancing space was limited and numerous people went without chairs. Luckily there was a side room available for those without a seat but it did mean splitting guests up on a day that's supposed to bring people together.

Live entertainment is a brilliant way to ensure you and your guests have a fantastic time. The right performers can interact with the audience, fill the dancefloor and really make your wedding reception swing. They can play your favourite songs and charm your mother-in-law with a couple of oldies. There are other things to consider though. Boring and mundane things perhaps, but it's still vitally important that you get answers to these questions:

Will they physically fit into the venue, leaving room to dance and socialise?
How many power sockets do they require?
Will they be set and sound-checked before your guests are due to arrive?
HOW LOUD WILL THEY BE?

To find out all these answers, you should insist on meeting them in your reception space, ideally with a representative from the venue. Only then can you establish exactly what you want and ascertain whether they can provide it. Prepare a list of questions beforehand and probe until you're happy with all the answers.

You shouldn't have to compromise on your wedding day, especially when it comes to entertainment. The number of performers and acts out there means that you'll eventually find someone to provide your perfect entertainment in the space you have available. Just don't leave it too late, we're already taking bookings into 2011!

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posted by James McCann @ 15:34, ,