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, ,


A welcome change...
Sunday, 2 August 2009

When our equipment is set up and it's time to put on my gig clothes, I'm rarely fussy. I've changed in store cupboards, cubicles in the gents' and once, memorably, in the back of my car. Let me just say now, that the designers of the Renalt Megane were clearly not thinking 'dressing room' when they sketched out plans for the interior. It's embarrasing, really. Especially when parked in a lay-by on the A19. Still, as humans have done for thousands of years, you make the best of each situation, adapt to your environment and learn to do up your fly whilst holding a toilet door shut.

Luckily, most venues have a room available that is private, lockable and usually has a mirror. 'Where is this cosy nook?' I hear you ask. Why, the disabled toilet of course! There's nearly always one to be found tucked away somewhere and their oversized nature makes them a perfect changing space. Ah yes, the glamour of showbusiness. They never tell failed X-Factor auditionees that, do they? Simon Cowell is never so cruel as to point that out that within a year, most wannabes will have forgotten red carpet premieres and be trying to tie their shoelaces without toppling over and knocking a hand-dryer on.

By the way, I have just Googled "Is using a disabled toilet illegal" to check whether I'm on shaky ground as regards the law. Apparently it's not, so I'm not likely to get banged up just yet. Certainly not until my fake Dairylea scam gets discovered anyway.

The reason I mention all this is that at last night's venue, I got several pleasant surprises. I was DJing a fantastic wedding at the friendly Heath Cottage Hotel in Dewsbury and the staff were just brilliant. When I first arrived, they offered to help me carry my gear in. I was thrilled at this, but declined anyway. The way I figure, it's my job and not theirs. And it's not as if I helped them wash up at the end of the night!

Once I was in, I asked for directions to the disabled toilet. Noticing my suitbag, they asked if I wanted a room. A real one. In a proper hotel! I felt like Rod Stewart! Resisting the temptation to shower, watch a bit of telly and employ the Corby Trouser Press, I changed and headed back downstairs. Things just got better as it was a fantastic evening and the couple performed their first dance brilliantly. Lisa had choreographed it (more details on our wedding dance lesson page) and the audience went crazy! It really started the night with a bang and set the tone for a great party. Hopefully, we'll have some video footage to put on here soon, so everyone can share the experience!

So, I'd like to share my thanks with Hannah and all the staff at Heath Cottage. I know how delighted the couple were with their big day and all the hard work they'd put in. Hopefully, I'll have the chance to work there again and not just because I can park right by the door and don't have to carry my heavy speakers far!

Of course, I could ask for a room at any venue and most would oblige. But as I've said before (see 1st August's post, Talking the talk...) I think DJs should generally be seen and not always heard! Hotel staff have enough to worry about without helping and clearing up after me. As Tom Cruise said in Mission Impossible: "Zero residual presence." I like to think He was (very loosely) saying: "Get in, do a great job and get out, preferably, without leaving balls of gaffer tape lying around."

And as you may know, I'm similar in many ways to Tom Cruise. Except that he's probably a bit taller and certainly never has to change in his car.

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posted by James McCann @ 14:56, ,


Talking the talk...
Saturday, 1 August 2009

I got asked a strange question whilst DJing last night: "Do you talk?"

At first, I wondered exactly what he meant. I'd announced that the buffet was open and introduced a karaoke singer. It was obvious that I had a tongue in my head. After a brief discussion, it turned out that he wanted me to get on the mic and encourage people to dance. I pointed out that the floor was already full and talking over the music would just interrupt the flow. He simply shrugged and walked away.

Although he'd consumed his (and Amy Winehouse's) share of alcohol, his words got me thinking, should I be more vocal during a disco gig? I've heard other wedding DJs committing the cardinal sin of introducing each song as if working on a commercial radio station. That's definitely overkill, as if you're picking the right songs, the music should speak for itself. Unless it's a request for a specific person (a 'shout out' if you will) then keep schtum.

I'm totally at home with a microphone. As a former cruise ship compere, I've been trained to engage audiences and keep them interested. I host quizzes at weddings, introduce couples, organise dance-offs (Run DMC vs Jason Nevins is very popular!) and generally keep things ticking over. I regularly host the Galpharm Stadium's wedding fayre fashion show and of course, introduce songs during our live singing sets. But here's my point for today (and you knew there was one was coming!)

When it comes to DJ chatter, less is more

During the evening, numbers on the dancefloor naturally ebb and flow. Dancing is hard work and everyone needs a drink (or a sit, or a even a smoke) to allow them to keep going. Every DJ hates an empty floor but it's important not to panic and start cajoling people to get up. You can't enjoy a wedding when you're being hassled with someone with a mic.

On the other hand, I'm often booked for gigs where they want a 'personality' to get people moving. These are corporate gigs more often than weddings as the 'colleagues night out' mentality usually leads to a more raucus affair.

These nights are great as we can bring different departments together with quizzes, games and themed activities. But they're totally different to weddings.
So should I talk more at weddings that are already running smoothly? After much soul searching, I've decided...(drum roll)...no. Anti-climax, eh?

What I will do is speak the the bride and groom beforhand and ask exactly what they want. Some already know. Last month, I had an email asking me to announce the buffet, last orders and nothing else. It was a brilliant party and people danced all night without me telling them they had to. Perfect!

But all couples are different and have an idea of a perfect reception in their heads. We just have to ask the right questions at their consultation and ensure we get it right!

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posted by James McCann @ 20:09, ,


Setting the standard...
Friday, 31 July 2009

One thing that every couple tells us is that they don't want a 'standard wedding.' Which is lucky really as it's clear that there's no such thing!

Everybody has a differing opinion of their perfect wedding and sometimes even the bride and groom don't agree! It was not easy keeping everyone happy at a recent reception when half the guests wanted trance music and the bride and her maids insisted on Take That and Girls Aloud. Still, with a bit of compromise, blows were avoided and the dancefloor stayed full. It's our job to mix your requests with other great tunes and ensure everyone has a good time, not always a simple task!

Living TV have a new show called Four Weddings which has been described as Come Dine With Me featuring weddings instead of dinner parties. It features a similar sarcastic voice over and has brides rating their competitors' weddings in an attempt to win a honeymoon. Every week features four weddings (hence the title) and they couldn't be more different. From a fairy inspired civil ceremony to a Greek Orthodox service, it certainly reflects the sheer number of options that couples have for their perfect big day. Some choose intimate dinners with no music whereas others hire troops of pipers or Irish dancers to keep their guests (and the TV audience) amused.

If you manage to catch it, it may just inspire you to book one of the venues featured or even wear a similar outfit. After all, your big day is about you and what you enjoy. A word of warning though, not everyone's tastes will match yours exactly. If you request a night of unbridled rock for your wedding disco, it may well lead to the DJ receiving death stares from older relatives who aren't big fans of Pendulum or Metallica!

It would create a far better atmosphere if you arranged a rock section (perhaps later in the evening) and gave the DJ a bit of freedom to play other genres. By all means create a Do Not Play list (some suggestions from me would be the Cha Cha Slide and Barbie Girl) so you don't have to suffer anything you hate, but a good DJ will guage the reaction to the music and play songs suitable for everyone. That way, every guest will have a great night and hopefully remember your big day as fondly as you will.

So, for a successful disco there are a few things that you should definitely do:

1) Create a playlist and get it to your DJ before the wedding
2) List your favourite genres as well as individual tracks
3) Pick a first and last dance, so you can end on a high
4) Give the DJ (a little) freedom to use his skill and entertain the audience

We can now download requests during the gig, if someone asks for a track that we don't have. This service relies on a phone signal, so if you're getting married in a basement room (or cellar, or cave or in the middle of nowhere) it's even more important to get the list over to us in advance. We can then arrive with everything you want to hear.

The evening reception is a major part of the day, so it pays to give it plenty of thought. Just don't forget to choose a professional entertainer (instead of a cousin or an ipod!) and rely on their experience.

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posted by James McCann @ 20:40, ,