Top Questions to Ask a Wedding DJ

Posted on April 6, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

It seems that there is greater misinformation being posted every day about hiring an exceptional Wedding DJ. Here are 40 excellent questions to ask your Wedding DJ before hiring them. Obviously, you are not going to ask all forty but at least ask five or ten that seem most important to you. If you would like suggestions on which questions are most important, I invite you to write and I will be glad to offer my experience with you on hiring your Wedding DJ. For the record, number one is most important in my opinion.

The creators of this list, My Deejay in the D.C. area, left out one of the questions I find essential; What is your experience as a Multicultural Wedding DJ with Multicultural Weddings for Multicultural Brides and Grooms. Here in the New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania are, most of my Brides and grooms are of different culturals creating fun and interesting Multicultural Weddings. For more info on hiring an exceptional Multicultural Wedding DJ please read this article: What Is A Rhode Island Multicultural DJ?

Also, they did not mention anything about asking your Wedding DJ if they offer a Guarantee to you!

Top 40 Questions to Ask a Wedding DJ

1. Do you offer a written contract?

All of the wedding DJ you interview may not have the same standards of professionalism. A written, legal contract is one of the first indicators of whether a Wedding DJ is professional and reliable. Furthermore, a contract establishes the DJ’s obligation to the client and outlines what is required for the DJ’s success, by outlining his setup requirements and other factors related to his performance. For this reason, a written contract is absolutely essential and any Wedding DJ not using a written contract should not, in our opinion, be considered for a wedding reception.

2. 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 Wedding 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.

3. May we meet with you in person before we sign a contract?

Many wedding DJs attempt to conduct their interviews over the telephone and through email instead of meeting face-to-face with prospective clients. In our experience, there are two reasons a disc jockey would do this – either they don’t feel you are worth their time, or they have something to hide. Some deejays are very different in person than on the telephone and what is presented on their website, and you should insist on meeting in face-to-face so you can judge for yourself whether they are a good match for you and your wedding. Your “gut” feeling is very important in selecting the right Wedding DJ, and it’s practically impossible to make this evaluation unless you are together in person.

4. How long will you hold our date for us?

When you contact a professional disc jockey, they should be willing to hold your date for you for a reasonable amount of time in order to give you a chance to meet with them. They should also give you ample time after your meeting to make a decision and give you time to interview other DJs. Some DJs will use pressure sales tactics to “hard close” you at your meeting, offering a special sale that ends that day, or claiming that another couple is meeting with them for the same date – attempting to pressure you to make a decision on the spot. Any Wedding DJ that uses these types of tactics is unprofessional and is most likely doing so in order to keep you from meeting other DJs (whom they know you’ll like more than you like them). One week is a reasonable amount of time to expect your date to be held for you following an initial meeting.

5. Do you work exclusively for this company?

Most large agencies use independent Wedding DJ subcontractors to perform their events. Often, these DJs work for several agencies and also accept bookings directly. A disc jockey, or the agency through whom he is booked, should be able to explain the DJ’s obligation to that agency and what will happen if he leaves that agency. Often, there is nothing more than a verbal confirmation between the independent Wedding DJ and the agency for each booking — a frequent cause of problems. If you choose a Wedding DJ who subcontracts for several agencies and books his own events, you need to be clear on what will happen if he is accidentally double-booked for your wedding date, or what would happen to your event if you contract the Wedding DJ through an agency and he decides to skip out on your event to book something else for a higher price. To find out whether your DJ is available independently or through numerous agencies, try performing a web search for their name and the word “DJ”.

6. 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 Wedding 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 Wedding 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.

7. 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 Wedding 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.

8. How many other types of events do you do per year?

Different DJs focus on different types of events – some consider themselves a “jack of all trades” and claim expertise in all types of events, and others are specialists. The ratio between the number of weddings a DJ performs for and the amount of other, non-wedding events they do will tell you where their focus lies. If you are looking for a “low-key” wedding DJ and someone you meet with does mostly school dances or Bar Mitzvahs, they may not be very focused on the type of sophisticated presentation you want for your wedding.

9. 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.

10. 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), 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!

11. Have you played at our reception site before?

Wedding experience is important, and so is familiarity with your reception site. Every site poses different challenges – different load-in and security procedures, different room sizes and configurations, different acoustics, even antiquated electrical outlets that need to be grounded manually. Hiring a Wedding DJ that is familiar with your site will give you peace of mind that you won’t have any surprises on your wedding day. Obviously, even the best DJs can’t have performed at every site in the area (since there are hundreds available in any area), but if he hasn’t been to yours, he should be willing to adequately prepare himself prior to your event by visiting the venue and/or speaking with the site contact and studying a floor plan.

12. 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.

13. How would you define your “style” when making announcements?

This is an extremely important question to ask because it will tell you whether or not the Wedding DJ is the right match for your guests and the atmosphere you’re trying to create. If you are planning an elegant, understated wedding, then utilizing the services of a “party motivator” or “entertainer DJ” may not be what you are looking for. If you know your guests will need a lot of encouragement to dance, then hiring someone who flatly refuses to make announcements probably isn’t the best idea either.

14. What do you do to motivate the crowd if nobody is dancing?

Different wedding disc jockeys handle this situation in very different ways – some opt to use the microphone to try to “energize” your guests and motivate them to dance. Others would never do something like this and prefer to use careful song selection to ensure dance floor success. You need to know what the Wedding DJ would do in this situation, and determine if that is the way you would like the situation handled.

15. 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 Wedding 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. May we speak to your references?

Speaking to a wedding DJ’s former clients is a great way to get a feel for what it is like to work with them, and any DJ should be ready and willing to allow you to speak with their references. He should also be willing to contact several of these references in advance of providing you with their information, so that they have his permission and so you feel comfortable calling them.

19. How do you keep your music collection up-to-date?

The majority of professional DJs subscribe to at least one of the major music update services in order to keep their collections up-to-date. These services provide the DJ with new, radio edited music, often before it is even playing on the radio. Ask the DJ if they subscribe to any of these. The most common are Promo Only, TM Century Prime Cuts, RPM Top Hits Monthly, and ERG NuTraxx.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Can we submit a “Do Not Play” list?

Any professional DJ should be willing to honor your requests, including your request for certain songs and genres to not be used. Submitting a “Do Not Play” list will give a DJ a clear idea of your limits and your expectations for their song selection at your wedding.

24. 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 hour before their scheduled start time in order to have adequate time to set up and get organized before the wedding. MyDeejay’s policy is to arrive at least an hour and a half before our scheduled start time.

25. What will you wear to our wedding?

Most wedding DJs own, and are comfortable wearing, a tuxedo when they perform. If the groom will not be wearing a tuxedo, then it is inappropriate for the DJ to wear a tuxedo. You should also ask what type of tuxedo the DJ wears. Brands are unimportant (most tuxes look practically identical), but ask about the style of vest, cummerbund, and neckwear. Some DJs prefer a classic, understated look and others wear flashy, shimmering or patterned vests and matching bowties. It is important that the DJ’s “look” meets your expectations.

26. What will you wear when you set up and break down your equipment?

This is something that is often overlooked, but can make a big difference. If your guests arrive early for the reception or stay afterward, will they see the DJ in a sweaty undershirt and gym shorts? Professional disc jockeys maintain acceptable appearance standards regardless of the situation, including setting up and breaking down their equipment.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. Do you require a meal?

Some DJs require that they receive a meal at the wedding, and some even demand that they be fed the same food as your guests. Others do not require a meal at all, or simply accept one if you happen to offer. Again, be sure you know what the DJ’s requirements are so you can plan accordingly.

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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 Pioneer, Denon, PCDJ, Traktor, Serato, Electro-Voice (EV), JBL, Bose, Mackie, RANE, QSC, and Shure.

36. 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.

37. 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. The industry standard for wireless microphones is Shure, and most professional DJs use Shure wireless technology.

38. 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. Also, if you do desire a light show, you may want to ask how this will affect the aesthetics of your reception (in other words, how bulky/cumbersome the setup is) and the quality of your photographs or video. In our experience, most weddings do not need (and practically none of our clients even ask for) a light show.

39. 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.

40. 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 DJ 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.

Except for the discussion of questions regarding a guarantee and Multicultural Wedding DJ experience, I think this is an excellent list of questions to ask your Wedding DJ. Which do you think are most important? Which do you thikn don’t matter?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

Ask about my Rhode Island Wedding DJ & Rhode Island Party DJ Guarantee!

Hunter Hayes Wanted

Posted on April 5, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

I have wanted to post on Hunter Hayes Wanted for quite a while. Finally get around to doing so and feel bad that its popularity has already dissipated. I played Hunter Hayes Wanted for the first time at a Wedding in Rhode Island last Summer. I had just downloaded Hunter Hayes Wanted the day before from PrimeCuts Music and was excited to find an opportunity to play it. It was not yet being played on radio but I knew this was going to be a very successful song. I did not see it would be such a crossover hit though, I only saw its Country Music potential.

I have enjoyed the current phenomenon of Country Music hits being included in Weddings that have Brides and Grooms that are not Country Music fans. I am always pleased when experiencing people expanding their listening palettes and growing their musical tastes outside of what they consider normal and favorite. Hunter Hayes Wanted is one of those songs. I have been Wedding DJ several times where Hunter Hayes Wanted has been requested in advance by the Bride or Groom or at the Wedding itself from guests.

Hunter Hayed Wanted is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Hunter Hayes. It was released in March 2012 as the second single from his début studio album, Hunter Hayes. Hayes co-wrote the song with Troy Verges. The song is nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance at the 2013 Grammy Awards.

Hunter Hayes Wanted Story

Hunter told Taste of Country about writing the song “At the time, I was trying to tell somebody something, but I couldn’t figure out how to say it. So I wanted to say it in music because I knew it would be a little more impactful. I wanted to say we are great in this relationship together, and I feel like it could even get better.

Hunter Hayes Wanted Music Video

Hunter Hayes Wanted debuted at number 57 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of February 27, 2012. It also debuted at number 99 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of May 12, 2012. It also debuted at number 100 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart for the week of September 15, 2012. On the country chart dated September 29, 2012, “Wanted” became Hayes’ first number one single. Twenty-one weeks later, it returned to number one on the same chart. The song’s appearance at number one also made Hayes the youngest solo male artist (by three months and one week) to top the Hot Country Songs chart, surpassing a record held in 1973 by Johnny Rodriguez‘s “You Always Come Back to Hurting Me“. It also debuted at number 40 on the U.S. Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart for the week of November 17, 2012. It has sold over 2,170,000 copies in USA so far.

Hunter Easton Hayes (born September 9, 1991) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He is signed to Atlantic Records Nashville, and released his self-titled debut album in October 2011. The album includes the Top 15 country single “Storm Warning” and the number 1 singles “Wanted” and “Somebody’s Heartbreak”

Hayes was born on September 9, 1991, at Larniurg Hospital in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, as the only child to Lynette and Leo Hayes. He has Cajun ancestry. He began his musical career at the age of two when his grandmother gave him a toy accordion. At the age of four, he began making appearances at local performances and on national television, including showings on Maury, Rosie O’Donnell, and Nickelodeon‘s game show Figure It Out, where he performed Jambalaya (On the Bayou). American Songwriter writes that “Hayes received his first guitar from actor Robert Duvall at age six” At seven years old, Hunter was invited to perform for President Bill Clinton for a White House lawn party. At the age of 13, Hayes appeared on America’s Most Talented Kids, a show hosted by Dave Coulier. He performed the hit Hank Williams song, “Hey Good Lookin’.”

“The Country Music Association’s choice as the best New Artist of 2012 earned his trophy because of his intense, single-minded dedication to his music.

Hunter Hayes works at his craft virtually every waking hour. In his world, there are no days off. There are no hobbies or outside interests. Everything is focused on musical self-improvement.

“With me, it’s always going to be music,” he states. “That’s the one thing I know. That is my thing. That is my place. I make music because it’s the only way I can breathe. This is how I want to spend the rest of my life.”

His laser-like focus has resulted in an album that is the talk of the country-music community. He wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on Hunter Hayes. He co-produced it. He sings all the vocals, and he plays all of the 30-some instruments heard on the record.” Hunter Hayes Website

DJ Mystical Michael New jersey Wedding DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

All weddings are awesome — not just mine | Offbeat Bride

Posted on April 4, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

As I have mentioned before, I love Offbeat Bride! I think they are amazing and do a great job of offering Brides diverse and creative ideas, concepts and perspectives on Weddings and everything that goes into your Wedding. The Wedding industry can sometimes be embarrassment to be a participant in the process. There are many vendors, venues and Wedding DJs that lie, cheat and manipulate Brides and Grooms. They play on their insecurities and fears to buy buy buy. I realize it is corny, but I love Weddings. The whole process is fun and inspiring to me. Like the article below states; all Weddings are awesome. It does not matter how much you spend or don’t, they are great experiences and celebrate marriage. I am equally thrilled when a Bride tells me she hired another Wedding DJ thats is perfect for her. I am not worried about getting booked, many Brides and many Weddings. The fact that I am a small business that survives off of Weddings does not matter to me. I will get work. I want you to be happy and have a great Wedding that you, your friends and family will always remember. I am not the only excellent Wedding DJ and I am not the right Wedding DJ for every Bride and Groom. Let me know what you think about this piece on Brides and Weddings from Offbeat Bride.

All weddings are awesome — not just mine | Offbeat Bride

“I am confused.

I am confused by the attitude that surrounds weddings and costs and ideas and things. Maybe that’s what makes me offbeat — I have this habit of loving everyone and being insanely optimisic even when it’s probably not warranted. I give second chances. I love and trust until given reason not to. Every new person I meet, and can carry at least a five minute conversation, I say is my new best friend. I write a daily blog about something happy that happened to me that day.

My problem lies in all the intense bitchiness that lives in the wedding world. “My wedding is better than yours because of such-and-such” and all of the things that go into such a feeling.

I was reading a blog where a woman commented that she had a courtroom wedding and blames opulent weddings for the high divorce rate.

Then there are the haters on both sides of the world. My wedding (and marriage) are better than yours because I chose to have a BBQ instead of a five course sit down meal. [At Offbeat Bride, we call this “one-lowsmanship” -Eds] My wedding (and marriage) are better than yours because I paid for three party rooms and the ghost of Louis Armstrong to sing our first song.

Can we all just chill the fuck out and be nice to each other for like… five and a half seconds?

If I was rich, I can’t say that I wouldn’t spend $50,000 on a wedding. I’d like to say I wouldn’t, but ideas change when disposable income does. My beautiful made of honor will be in our less-than-$10,000 celebration and was recently the maid of honor at a $50,000 celebration. They did the whole spiel: Catholic mass ceremony in a church with friends, family, family friends, parent’s business friends, people they’ve never known, country club, five course sit-down meal, uplighting, etc., etc. And you know what?

That wedding? … Absolutely beautiful.

The couple has been together for nearly ten years, and they earned every second of that celebration. Just because they did things differently than me doesn’t make them any better or worse. It’s just different.

We’re all awesome, beautiful, wonderful brides planning celebrations. We’re not all that different — we’re just throwing different parties.

The wedding industrial complex that tells us we need to lose weight, invite people we hate, and buybuybuybuybuy is slightly evil, yes. But it’s not all evil, and the women who don’t read Offbeat Bride are brides too. We all are. We’re all awesome, beautiful, wonderful brides planning celebrations. There are bad apples in every bunch but mostly, we’re not all that different — we’re just throwing different parties.

So I guess my issue is that everyone on every spectrum needs to realize that we can all get along. I promise. We really can. I love your wedding. Whoever you are. I love it. Whether it had all the bells and whistles or was private vows at the top of a mountain. Whether it had a DJ or an iPod. Whether it cost $200 or $200,000. It’s one of most beautiful days in the history of ever. We don’t need to be subtracting from other people’s celebrations to help make ourselves feel better. We can appreciate everything even if it’s nothing we would ever do in a million years.

The girl with the big poofy dress, the fancy dinner, the expensive wine, the 14 bridesmaids? That’s not me. But you know what? Her wedding is going to kick just as much ass as mine will because that’s her celebration. If you can stand in that ceremony and say that the person across from you is the person that you’re supposed to be across from on your wedding day — then nothing else matters.”

via All weddings are awesome — not just mine | Offbeat Bride.

What do you think about appreciating all Brides and all Weddings?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

Ask about my Rhode Island Wedding DJ & Rhode Island Party DJ Guarantee!

Save on Wedding Music – Cut Wedding Music Costs | Wedding Planning, Ideas & Etiquette | Bridal Guide Magazine

Posted on March 27, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

How to Save on Wedding Music

It is always fun to see yourself quoted in articles for a magazine like Bridal Guide. This is a great blog on saving money on Wedding Music. Let me know what you think of the various ideas for Wedding Music!

How To Save on Wedding Music By: Sharon Naylor

From first dance to last call — budget-friendly ways to entertain your guests in high style.

Great entertainment can really make your wedding unforgettable. A fabulous DJ or a live band keeps your dance floor packed and the energy up. Those ultra-special moments like your first dances and your cake-cutting become even more special with a stellar introduction. And surprise live performances are sure to wow your crowd.

Entertainment can be one of the most expensive parts of the wedding budget, however, and it’s not always the easiest place to cut corners. But fear not, there’s definitely wiggle room when it comes to number crunching — and we’re here to give you the scoop. Plus, get wedding song recommendations here!

Bride Dancing to Great Wedding Music by Rhode Island Wedding DJ
Photo Credit: Kathryn Krueger Photography

The Number-One Question: DJ Vs. Band

You’ve always heard that DJs are less expensive than live bands. After all, there’s only one person to hire and feed, so that has to be less, right? Not always. According to the American Disc Jockey Association, rates can soar to $5,000 and beyond for top-tier master-blasters. But yes, in most cases, DJs can be less expensive than bands since there are fewer people to book and feed.

And yet: “Think about the experience you want to have at your wedding,” says planner Courtney Hammons of A Magical Affair in Brentwood, Tennessee. You may be aiming for the energy that fills the room when a live band plays hit songs. Or it may be that you really prefer the original artists’ renditions of songs, as played by a DJ. You may want the festive look of a nine-piece orchestra, versus the tech-heavy presence of a deejay.

And of course, you might be among the many couples that choose both. They’ll have a band play for the dinner hour and the start of the reception, then have a DJ step in and rev up the energy with club music. And—surprise—this can save money. Read on to see how.

Typical Costs

DJ: $525 to $1,400
Live band: $1,200 to $3,000-plus
Specialty musicians, soloists and ensembles: $400 to $1,000-plus

These are national averages. Depending on your reception entertainment choices, such as a 12-piece orchestra, you could be looking at prices double these, if not more.

*Source: industry survey site costofwedding.com.

Budget Basics

Professional entertainment will cost less during the off-peak months of October through March, and at non-peak times such as a Sunday wedding, a Saturday afternoon wedding or on a Friday, with prices dipping 20 to 40 percent or more for these less in-demand times.

Avoid booking for too few hours. Andy Kushner of Andy Kushner Entertainment in Rockville, Maryland says, “Four hours is the standard length, and anything else will go too quickly.” Overtime fees can be very expensive, often hundreds of dollars.

Booking a DJ and band to split the time can add up to less. Michael Swerdloff, AKA DJ Mystical Michael of the New York tri-state area says, “I have performed in between the band’s sets and then did the last hours of the reception, which can save 25 to 75 percent over hiring a band for the whole event.”

Ask your wedding planner and additional wedding vendors for recommendations. Katherine Stimson, entertainment specialist with Suman Entertainment Group in Miami says that some vendors offer package deals among “friends” in their vendor circle, saving you 10 to 20 percent.

Ask your entertainer if you can get a discount for paying your entire fee in advance. Some experts will give you 5 to 10 percent off a package price if you pay everything up front.

Ask about specialty discounts. DJ Mystical Michael granted a 50 percent discount to a military couple, and reports that he often gives a discount for last-minute planners just to book the date.

Check entertainers’ social media sites for discounts, says Gregg Hollman of Ambient DJ Service in Princeton, New Jersey. These special online offers will typically save you 10 to 15 percent.

Get more out of your dj by having him take a break during the dinner hour, says Kushner. “Then negotiate for him to play non-stop during the dancing hours.”

Choose a one-man dj operation, rather than paying for a two- or three-member team. This can save you 15 to 25 percent depending on the agency, says Swerdloff.

Look for multi-tasking band members who play more than one instrument to get even more bang for your buck. See if one of your reception band’s musicians will also play at your ceremony, and negotiate a percentage off what it would cost to book a separate musical act.

Don’t be afraid to go big: “It’s always best to negotiate with an established entertainment company rather than go to a lesser-known agency,” Kushner says. Larger agencies often have a greater ability to meet your budget needs.

Save By Going Off The Beaten Track

“Check with local colleges’ music departments to find student musicians who need the credits and additional live experience, and may not charge anything,” says Hammons. (Do give them a nice gratuity after the show.) Some students do charge, but far less. Mark Kingsdorf, director of The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants in Philadelphia agrees, saying that music school student entertainment can cost one-third less than pro musicians.

Hammons also suggests checking with your church’s musical director, who can suggest excellent pianists and other musicians they use during services, who you can hire for 30 to 40 percent less than the prevailing professional rates.

Professional entertainment companies keep a roster of specialty musicians and dancers, who you may be able to add onto your music package for a 10 percent discount.

Look to venues like Irish pubs or Indian restaurants for specialty entertainment options such as fiddlers, step- or belly dancers. Hammons says she has found stellar entertainers through local restaurant owners, saving her clients 40 to 60 percent.

Contact local cultural associations to book singers, musicians and dance troupes for 25 to 50 percent less than the going professional rates. This is a great way to add global flair to your reception. If you hear a great musician at a local club or coffee shop, always ask if he or she does weddings. These artists often charge a low per-hour rate that can save you hundreds of dollars. Bonus: you already know their sound, which may be perfect for your cocktail-hour music, if not your ceremony.

Hot Tip: Many DJs and bands offer specialty lighting effects as part of their package; often their basic lighting accents are gratis, with customized lighting for an added fee. Ask if you can use non-custom effects such as light projected in a snowflake pattern on your dance floor at no charge—rather than commission lighting effects with your names.

via Save on Wedding Music – Cut Wedding Music Costs | Wedding Planning, Ideas & Etiquette | Bridal Guide Magazine. by Sharon Naylor

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Wedding Day Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Posted on March 23, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

This article is taken from Wedding Day Mistakes And How To Avoid Them. I thought you would appreciate what Scott has to say, very helpful and informative stuff!

Wedding Day Music Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

by Scott Susor, Your DJ, Houston, TX

Getting Married? Planning for Musical Entertainment at the Reception?
The Top Eight Mistakes Wedding Day Mistakes Brides Make in Choosing A Wedding
Disc Jockey Service (And How To Avoid Them)

These days, almost everybody has been to a wedding reception where a mobile DJ was performing. National magazine surveys show that today, over 70% of wedding receptions that include entertainment feature a mobile DJ in the role of providing that musical entertainment. As recently as 10 years ago, bands commanded the lion’s share of the wedding reception entertainment industry. But, for several reasons, the Wedding DJ has replaced the band as the favorite form of musical entertainment at wedding receptions.

The first reason is the decline in both the number and quality of bands that are able to perform for the typical wide range of age groups attending the average wedding. The second reason is that many bands simply priced themselves out of the wedding reception market. The third, and possibly most significant reason is the rise in stature and quality of the mobile DJ. In the past 10 to 20 years, the perception of the mobile DJ has undergone a transformation. No longer thought of as only appropriate for high school sock hops, the mobile DJ has become, not only appropriate, but preferred for wedding receptions.

So why do we often hear of consumer complaints concerning Wedding DJs? Why do we hear so many tales of woe from brides and grooms concerning the Wedding DJ that they had for their wedding? Why do we hear so many negative comments concerning the music from guests at weddings where a mobile DJ performed? Are all Wedding DJs unethical, incompetent, and/or lousy? Why all the Wedding Day Mistakes with Wedding DJs?

Of course they aren’t. As in any relatively young industry, there are those who know what they’re doing and there are those who don’t. The fact is, there are quite a few fantastic mobile DJs. However, because the best of them operate almost entirely on referrals, and are booked so far in advance, they are frequently unavailable to accept an event booking from a new client who perhaps has waited too long to find that high quality mobile DJ they want and need. In an effort to help you avoid ending up with an unethical, incompetent, and/or lousy mobile DJ, presented below are the top eight mistakes that brides make in choosing a mobile disc jockey service and how to avoid them.

Top 8 Wedding Day Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

1) Plan ahead, way ahead. Most brides begin planning their wedding nine months to a year in advance. Frequently however, the reception entertainment issue gets shuffled to the bottom of the deck in terms of planning. Of all eight mistakes, this is the biggest one. Why? The best mobile DJs book their dates six months to a year in advance. If you don’t book a great mobile DJ early, and lock in one of the best, what does that leave you with to choose from later on?

2) Shop for quality. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, especially when the typical bride might not fully understand what quality in a mobile DJ service truly represents. Some of the other top eight mistakes deal with detail issues of quality and how to identify it. Here, the idea is to generally see and evaluate mobile DJs in exactly the same light as you see and evaluate things like hotels, automobiles, home re-modelers, and doctors. Do not assume that all mobile DJ companies are alike. Do assume that high quality will cost more than low quality.

3) Realize the importance of the DJ to your wedding reception’s success. National magazine surveys report that happy brides consistently say that the DJ was most responsible for their wedding reception’s success. The average percentage of importance they’ve assigned to the DJ is 70%. Some people will remember your gorgeous wedding dress. Some people will remember the great food. Some people will remember the beautiful cake. Everybody will remember whether they had a good time or not.

4) Get to know your DJ personally before the wedding. Always request a personal meeting with the mobile DJ company owner AND with the specific DJ who’ll be performing at your wedding reception. In many cases, the owner is the DJ himself/herself; this is known as a “single-op” mobile DJ service. Mobile DJ services where the owner has employees and/or subcontractors who do the actual gigs are called “multi-ops”. Beware of mobile DJ company owners who resist or discourage in-person meetings with you. Beware of multi-op owners who will not guarantee in writing the specific DJ who will perform at your wedding reception. In any case, get to know your DJ to ensure a good working relationship.

5) Insist on use of a pre-planned, written agenda. Most mobile DJs simply want to show up and play music. That may be fine for high school sock hops but not for wedding receptions. A truly professional mobile DJ company understands this, and will require advance planning with the bride, resulting in an approved written agenda for the event. Nobody is in a better position to assist in planning the agenda, and to coordinate everything at the wedding reception, than the mobile DJ service. Make sure they do not refuse to accept this important responsibility.

6) Get and check references. Talking to those who have worked with a company before is the best way to verify that the company does what it promises and does it well. If you’re dealing with a “multi-op” make sure the references are for the specific DJ who will be performing at your event, and not for other DJs working for that company nor “generic” references. You decide how many references to check, but the minimum should be five, and all should be from weddings within the past year.

7) Verify the “basics” of mobile DJ quality. The “basics” include a variety of items and issues that you might not immediately think of, but which are very important. First, does the company provide backup equipment on site? Second, is the company insured for property loss and liability? Third, does the company have an adequate and appropriate music library? Fourth, will the DJ(s) be attired appropriately? Fifth, will the DJ(s) be interactive, semi-interactive, or non-interactive according to your wishes? Sixth, will the DJ(s) manage the music effectively, reading the crowd, taking requests, and avoiding songs with potentially offensive lyrics? Seventh, does the company offer additional options/services such as secondary sound systems, wedding music and coordination, and nightclub-style lighting?

8) Ensure that your vision of your wedding day becomes reality. If those happy brides are even close to right that the entertainment was 70% responsible for their wedding reception’s success, then it appears that the DJ’s responsibility goes quite a bit further than ‘just playing music’. And without question, it does. The best ones understand this, and they have taken mobile DJ entertainment from a job to an art. That’s why they’re constantly referred, and are booked six months to a year in advance. Don’t try to use only your leftover time, and try to spend only your leftover money, or you’ll probably end up with a leftover DJ.

CREDITS

Scott Susor is the co-owner of “Your DJ” Professional Entertainment Services in Houston, Texas. Scott and his wife Doreen are a husband and wife DJ entertainment team, specializing in wedding receptions. For a free information packet, phone 713-467-7392 or find them on the web at www.yourdjhouston.com

What do you think of Scott’s Wedding Day Mistakes And How To Avoid Them?

Is there any he left out or need to be deleted from the list?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

“Here Comes the Bride” alternatives for ALL kinds of processionals | Offbeat Bride

Posted on March 18, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

“Here Comes the Bride” alternatives for ALL kinds of processionals

I saw this post, “Here Comes the Bride” alternatives for ALL kinds of processionals, earlier today and wanted to share it with you. If you have not visited Offbeat Bride yet, I invite you to do so. They are by far my favorite Bridal or Wedding Site on the Internet. I encourage you to use them as a resource for unique and alternative Wedding ideas and forums. They are smart and lots of fun, while making sure you get all kinds of neat Wedding advice and recommendations!

Many of the songs they have listed for “Here Comes the Bride” alternatives for ALL kinds of processionals, I have had requested by my Brides as well, and they have been perfect for them. I think that is the key to finding the right Wedding Processional Songs, or any songs for that matter for your Wedding; they have to be the prefect songs for you.

“Here Comes the Bride” alternatives for ALL kinds of processionals | Offbeat Bride

“My fiancee and I are going to be walking into the ceremony together and then meeting in the middle, so the traditional “Here Comes the Bride” wouldn’t really fit us too well.

That being said, does anyone know of any alternatives to that song?”

-Shell

Here we go! We’ve already rounded up AWESOME first dance songs and non-sappy father/daughter dance songs, now it’s time to put our Offbeat Bride spin on the processional. Here are our favorite Here Comes the Bride alternatives, ranging from the classic, the modern, and the totally nerdy (of course).

Classical Alternatives

Satie’s “Gymnopédie No. 1”

Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity”

“Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s Symphony 9

Vivaldi’s “Spring Allegro”

Handel’s Air From “Water Music”

Mussorgsky’s “Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade”

Variations on a Theme of Traditional

Queen’s wedding march — I had to!

Canon In D Remix by Ronald Jenkees

Etta James’ At Last

Subtly (and sometimes nerdy) Alternatives

“Concerning Hobbits”

The Princess Bride’s “Storybook Love”

The Turret Opera from Portal 2

“The Shape of Things to Come” from Battlestar Galactica

Sigur Rós’ “Hoppípolla”

“Romantic Flight” from the movie How to Train Your Dragon

“Neville’s Waltz” from Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

The Skyrim theme

The theme from Braveheart

Triumphal March from Aida

Game of Thrones theme

Goth and Metal

Amhran by Leaves’ Eyes — an operatic metal band from Norway

Apocalyptica’s version of “Nothing Else Matters”

Suite Gothique by Leon Boellmann

Anything from Gothic Wedding Collection by Vitamin String Quartet

Silly

The theme from James Bond

The theme from the Pink Panther

The theme from Mission impossible

“A Cadence to Arms” by Dropkick Murphy

The Jurassic Park theme

The Throne Room/End Title song from Star Wars

The Muppets’ Somebody’s Getting Married/He’ll Make Me Happy

Europe’s “The Final Countdown”

Pop and Rock

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Colbie Caillat’s “I Do”

Adele’s “One and only”

The Beatles’ “In My Life”

Pearl Jam’s “Just Breathe”

Cat Power’s version of “Sea of Love”

Tesla’s Love Song

Indie

Thirteen by Elliot Smith

Phone Call by Jon Brion from Eternal Sunshine

Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah

We Are Gonna Be Friends by the White Stripes

About Megan Finley

Megan Finley is the Associate Publisher for the Offbeat Empire. When she’s not slaving away for the Empire, she’s sharing her dork side on her own blog and on Twitter @meganfinley.

What did you think of “Here Comes the Bride” alternatives for ALL kinds of processionals?

Your turn! What was or will be your “Here Comes the Bride” alternatives?

Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” is one of my favorite songs of all music and a great alternative for those who find equal enjoyment inits words, melody and beauty.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

Ask about my Rhode Island Wedding DJ & Rhode Island Party DJ Guarantee!

Top Wedding DJ Mistakes of Brides Infographic – Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Posted on March 13, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Top Wedding DJ Mistakes of Brides by DJ Rhode Island Wedding DJ with free infographic

free infographic of Top Wedding DJ Mistakes of Brides when hiring a Wedding DJ

I created this Infographic on easel.ly today and wanted to share it with you. Let me know what you think. It is my first attempt at an Infographic; not my best work but not awful either. This continues the conversation from yesterday visually about common Bride mistakes when hiring your Wedding DJ. I invite you to avoid all these Wedding DJ mistakes, so you have the Wedding you imagine in your head, or even better!

Top Ten Wedding DJ Mistakes Brides and Grooms Make

Posted on March 12, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Top Ten Wedding DJ Mistakes | Local Motion CT DJ.

The Top Ten Mistakes Brides & Grooms Make When Choosing a Wedding DJ

I read this excellent blog post by a group of Connecticut DJs and wanted to share it with you. The author makes several excellent points and clearly has the same concept of what makes an exceptional Wedding DJ as I share. It is always a treat when I see other Wedding DJs that carry strong professional values and integrity in their work. The real wedding DJ images are mine and wanted to identify to clear any copyright concerns.I look forward to reading your comments and ideas!

Top Ten Wedding DJ Mistakes

Searching for the perfect DJ for your wedding can be a daunting process. We’re providing you with a list of common mistakes made by Brides & Grooms when choosing wedding entertainment:

10) Not Taking First Impressions into consideration.

The first interaction with your potential DJ is usually made over the phone when arranging a consultation. How well do they speak? How is their enunciation? Do they have a pleasing voice? This person will be the MC of your reception, announcing your introductions and entertaining your guests for the entire evening, so ensure they come across professionally.

9) Hiring A DJ That Gives The Same Performance At Every Party.

Does your DJ give the same performance at every function for every couple that hires him or does he reflect each couples’ personality and desires? Be sure your DJ can play to your unique set of guests.

8) Basing Your Decision On Equipment.

Anyone can go out and purchase top of the line equipment. It is very important that your DJ does carry the best of equipment but if that is the focal point of their marketing, find out why it isn’t their reputation or skill set.

7) Not Going Over Their Back-up Plan

Is his back-up plan organized and does it supply an equally qualified professional? What about his equipment? A catastrophic equipment failure the day of your wedding will not only affect the DJ but your entire reception as well.

6) Not Guaranteeing Who Your Actual DJ Will Be

Ensure the DJ you want to work with and are meeting is the actual one that shows up to do your wedding. Some companies book your business then send a “fill in” DJ to perform at your wedding that may or may not be qualified to do so.

5) Choosing A DJ With A Lack Of Versatility

Does your DJ only do weddings? Ask if they have performed at corporate events, school functions, or other cultural parties such as Quinceaneras and Bar Mitzvahs. Versatility is only acquired through experience and this will reflect the depth of your DJ.

4) Hiring A DJ That Doesn’t Interact With Your Guests

Does your DJ have the experience and ability to interact with your guests and ensure they keep the energy going throughout the entire reception. Your DJ should have an arsenal of tricks up his sleeve to keep the party going even when there is a lull in the party.

3) Waiting Too Long To Hire The Professional Entertainer You Want

It’s difficult enough finding a DJ you like. Don’t go through all the trouble of finding the right person and procrastinate on booking them for your wedding. Most good DJs with a great reputation are booked at least a year in advance. As soon as you make that connection act on it and secure your date.

2) Not Checking Your DJ’s References

Are they recommended by facilities in your surrounding area? If not, ask why.

1) Hiring An Amateur Or Part Time DJ

Don’t put the most important day of your life in the hands of an amateur offering “amazing deals”, or worse, your “friend that has been DJing as a hobby for 10 years”. Don’t have your reception ruined by someone that is not qualified or equipped to entertain your guests or provide a variety of great music. Leave this to a reputable professional that can back up their work with solid recommendations.

Which statements do think are true and which do not share your experience with exceptional Wedding DJs?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

DJMysticalMichael@gmail.com

973.908.8147

Wedding DJs: How To Book The Right One For You

Posted on March 6, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

I was updating my listing on Gigmasters tonight, and noticed this helpful piece of information on hiring your Wedding DJ:

Booking Wedding DJs

“Booking the right wedding DJ can make a huge difference in your wedding reception. The right wedding DJ service can make the difference between a boring wedding reception and one that your wedding guests talk about for years.

Not all wedding DJs are created equal. Just because a DJ has a great collection of wedding DJ music does not mean the he or she is the perfect fit for your wedding entertainment. Talk to potential wedding DJs about what you need and want for your wedding reception and make sure to find a wedding DJ with a style you enjoy.

Your wedding DJ is a big part of the mood and feel of your wedding reception. You’ll want to make sure you research your options and find a wedding DJ that will work well with you and your party.”Gigmasters

Your Wedding DJ is a Big part of the Mood and Feel of Your Wedding Reception

This is the essential fact I wanted to draw attention to. Your Wedding DJ is who sets the mood and ‘vibe’ of your Wedding. It appears from the outside that the Wedding DJ that scratched and make cool sounds is the one that will give you the best value and entertainment for your Wedding. This is not always so, in fact, I would say that a Wedding DJ that focuses on ‘WOWing’ you and your guests has forgotten that you are the spotlight and should be, not the Wedding DJ

What Makes An Exceptional Wedding DJ?

An exceptional Wedding DJ has mastered the art of providing the music and entertainer but still not take the shine from The Bride or Groom. It is your Wedding and you are the what and why everybody is gathered. An exceptional Wedding DJ knows how to stay out of the way while keeping the pulse on what music, genre and vibe is next for the unique and fun Wedding you are expecting. A good Wedding DJs are not cheap like we were years ago. Many top notch Rhode Island Wedding DJs, and even more so for New York Wedding DJs, cost anywhere from $850-$2700 today. Even more if you are into all the bells and whistles that can at times take the focus off you and your Wedding.

Find a Wedding DJ that is excited about working with you to co-create an exceptional Wedding together. If you are looking for a simple and elegant Wedding that expresses you and your fiancé, talk with your Wedding DJ and make sure they are right for you. I invite you to follow your gut and not let price differences one way or the other of 10-15% distort your decision. You will know when you have the right Wedding DJ for you. Trust yourself.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

Your Party, Your Music, Your DJ

973.908.8147

DJMysticalMichael@gmail.com

7 BS Facts About Brides Everyone Thinks Are True

Posted on March 5, 2013 by DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island Wedding DJ

I came across this article about Wedding Brides yesterday and found it fascinating. I do not know if I agree with all that is written by I thought it would be interesting conversation. I have copied the bulk of the text below with some commments. i have also added links to content that is referred to by the original author.

7 BS Facts About Brides Everyone Thinks Are True

“I’ve been in the wedding business a while…over 12 years, in fact…and in the process I’ve crossed paths with more than a few brides. There are a few misconceptions about them that I simply must expose. *deep breath*

WARNING: Prepare yourself for a healthy dose of sarcasm. All those lacking a sense of humor, turn back now.

1. Brides don’t know anything about planning a wedding.

Of course, they do! They know what their Knottie friends have told them. They know what the media says about wedding rip offs. They know exactly what to expect from watching wedding reality TV.

Shame on you for thinking they don’t know anything! For shame.

2. Every bride wants to be a princess in a fairytale on her wedding day.

Speaking as a tomboy who absolutely refused to wear a dress until the age of 10, and who only grew her hair long because she got tired of the question, “Are you a boy or a girl?” I can assure you that all brides do NOT want to be a princess.

In fact, I bet if we took a survey at least 75% of brides get nauseous at the thought of a Cinderella ball gown and a tiara. You might remember that the next time you want to sprinkle fairy dust all over her day.

3. The bride has been imagining her wedding since she was a little girl.

Maybe I’m handing in all my chick cards here, but that was definitely NOT the case for me. Sure, I played house and restaurant and doctor (woah! don’t go there) like other little girls, but playing at my dream wedding was never part of the picture.

When little girls grow up and get engaged, they are just as likely to be shell shocked at the mere thought of having to plan a wedding as they are to be sticker shocked by the price tag attached to their fantasy.

4. All brides are female.

This is definitely not true. The groom can also be, “the bride,” and this isn’t exclusive to same sex weddings, either.

You know who I’m talking about. He emails you 15 times a day about the most minute details of the wedding, shows up with his own wedding planning binder, and on the wedding day, he wears makeup.

Be sensitive to the fact that the bride you’re working with might not be who you think.

5. Brides are obsessed with all the little details and hundreds of choices involved in planning the wedding.

While it may be true that many brides adore the browsing, shopping and dreaming that comes with planning a wedding, they are just as overwhelmed and stalled by CHOICE as the rest of us humans. When it’s too difficult to decide, they opt not to decide.

How many brides have exclaimed to me six months before the wedding, “Why can’t I just show up?”

Brides love the idea of choice, but give them too many pretty things to choose between, and they will choose nothing.

6. Brides want their wedding to be unique and different.

Ask a bride what her dream wedding will be like and 9 times out of 10 she’ll say, “Simple, elegant and unique. Something that’s really US.”

And yet…well, you’ve been to a wedding or two. They wear a white dress (strapless, no doubt!), walk down an aisle, share a first dance to a (corny, predictable) love song and dab cute dollops of icing on the groom’s nose. When they want to do something “different” they imitate last year’s trend-setting weddings on Style Me Pretty.

Yep, they’re original, all right.

Every bride wants to FEEL unique and special on her wedding day, but her choices are more likely to follow the herd.

7. All brides care about is price.

The first thing she asks, whether in an email or on the phone, “How much do you cost?”

Ah, ha! With so many more important factors to consider, that’s what she asks. Therefore all she must care about is price.

Not so, weedhopper. Not so.

In surveys conducted by the Wedding Report, when asked if price was the deciding factor when hiring a wedding vendor, 80% of brides said NO.

Shock and dismay! If price isn’t the most important, what is?

She wants to make sure she’s getting quality first. Then price becomes a factor.”

Interesting stuff yes?

Numbers six and seven are the two that stand-out to me to offer perspective.

6. Brides want their wedding to be unique and different.

I think most Brides do want their wedding to be unique and different and are realistic enough to recognize that maybe just a few select items may be unique. Brides today are very savvy, at least min sour. You know more information about Weddings than brides have ever due to your time on the internet and forums. Of course,not all the information you get is true but it is still part of the knowledge base you accumulate to make your decisions on when, who, what and where. My experience is that Brides that do not know a lot about Weddings, ask professionals like myself to become more informed. I do my best to offer them honest and real advise and they appreciate the insights and experience I can share with them.

I am enough of a realist to know that what I do as a Rhode Island Wedding DJ is very similar to what many of the best Wedding DJs int eh area do as well. What I can offer that is unique is a guarantee and my experienced, fu and passionate personality. I also created The StoryBook for those who want to make their Wedding actually unique and personal.

However, I totally agree that most of my Brides want a simple and elegant Wedding that has their style and personality all over it. It should be that way, it’s your Wedding! I think too many Wedding vendors try to force themselves into the center of your Wedding as if they are the main attraction of the day. It infuriates me!

7. All brides care about is price.

This is only half true and half BS. I have worked with enough of you to know that you want a fair price, excellent quality and to make sure your voice is of the highest importance. In short, you want value. I have not yet met a Bride that did not want me and all the other Wedding vendors to get paid what we are worth, as long as they can afford it. I think there is a mjor difference between being cheap and being smart. I am no different than of you; I don’t not want overpay for anything, but genuinely want to make sure those who are talented, work hard and offer excellent service get what they deserve.

I find excellent service, professionalism and creativity seem to be what most Brides want, then price becomes the factor. I think you ask about price first because you don’t know where else to begin our conversation. And let’s be honest, who does not care abut price besides the Jimmy Fallon TV commercials! Please let me know if I a wrong on this one.

http://youtu.be/Cz98yHdLMb4

Which of the myths about Brides do you think is most accurate and most erroneous?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NewYork DJ