Questions for DJ

I'm going to begin my hunt for a DJ. I'm wondering what should I look for? Other than price and availability. I have no clue.

I can help you by letting you know my policy regarding DJ's from my office.
Never a Volume Problem-You and your parents are always in control of the volume level.
Full Tuxedo Attire
Multiple Page Questionnaire that covers every announcement, ceremony, music to be played as well music as to be avoided.
You are in total control over the songs to be played as well as the songs to be avoided. I provided the DJ for the wedding for the editor of Red Book Magazine- she provided me with a list of more songs than could be played-but she only wanted songs from that list.
No guests make any announcements on the microphone without your prior approval. No one sings with the DJ without your prior approval in writing.
No songs will be played from your do not play list.
Balance of payment not due until after the wedding is over.
No additional taxes, fees, service charges etc.
We do not get involed with any give aways, blow up guitars, sun glasses, fog machines, light shows etc. It is a more elegant approach to a wedding.You will have a packed dance floor with the emphasis on elegance. The attention is on the bride and groom - not the the DJ.
The DJ will not be the featured attraction. The DJ does not go on the dance floor to get guests up to dance, does not tell jokes or stories or make any comments about any guests. He will do all the MC announcements from the DJ booth according to your instructions. He will read the crowd and mix the music according to your wishes. There is no advertising on the DJ booth-no flashing lights etc. Again -a more elegant approach featuring the Bride and Groom at their wedding. Sophistication With Pizazz.
Stan Wiest
A.STAN WIEST MUSIC
Featured in BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE
January 2003 Wedding Issue A.Stan Wiest Music Website Stan Wiest Email

Bluebaby....

Please check your forum e-mail for my response...

Dear Bluebaby,
Just a quick addition regarding references. You should always ask for references and check them out.
Because the service we provide is so customized to the bride's wishes and needs and remains on an elegant level -- in addition to our list of references
we are recommended by
NEW YORK MAGAZINE,
Featured in BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE
in the upcoming January 2003 Issue,
Recommended in the upcoming wedding book
by JOAN HAMBURG -WOR AM RADIO Personality (book being published Winter 2002),
Recommended by Maria Mc Bride-Mellinger- Editor at Bride's Magazine in her new book 'The Perfect Wedding Reception' , and
Recommended by THE ASSOCIATION OF BRIDAL CONSULTANTS
STAN WIEST
A. STAN WIEST MUSIC
Member ASSOCIATION OF BRIDAL CONSULTANTSA.Stan Wiest Music Website Stan Wiest Email

Bluebaby ,

I have sent you a forum mail. Let me know If you get it. I never use forum mail, but I beleive i did it right !

Let me know!

Dennis
Dr. Dance Entertainment
Web Site E-mail Click Here

One additional suggestion-you should ask which catering locations, country clubs etc. recommend and ulitize the services of the company you are considering to use. This will give you a good idea of the
reliability,track record, level of service and level of performance in advance.
STAN WIEST
A.STAN WIEST MUSIC
(631) 754-0594Stan Wiest Website Stan Wiest Email

All of the suggestions Stan gave are true, however, I think they are all a given and I have never seen a DJ that didn't abide by those 'suggestions.'

I think it is important that you like the DJ right away and feel comfortable with him and his personality. You should meet the actual DJ that will be working your wedding, not just a representative from the company.

Your DJ should make you feel like you are number one, because you are, especially on your wedding day. Make sure they will go out of their way to find any song that you may request for that night.

My band has worked with Dr. Dance DJ several times and have always been impressed with their performances. They have several options, ranging from low-key and very subtle, to dancers and performers. There are also many DJ's to choose from. I hope this helps, good luck!

Amy
Mystic Music
httP://themysticmusic.com

I may be the exception but I have heard many 'horror stories' of DJ's not following the bride's list of 'Do Not Play Songs', not playing songs from the 'Must Play List' as well as not following proper protocol. Also stories of DJ's inappropriately improvising the announcement of the bride and groom and injecting what they think is humor into the announcements.Inappropriate attire by DJ's and their assistants is another area to be aware of. I have heard only nice comments on the DJ companies that advertise on liweddings.com. A client I just met with this morning was telling me about several weddings they recently attended where the DJ's played songs totally inappropriate for a wedding (totally inappropriate lyrics) . They and their parents were very embarassed by the lyrics-in addition to the bride being totally mortified. All this was caught on video.In another instance the DJ incorrectly used the name of the best man to introduce the groom (this was caught on video and will always be remembered). With the over abundance of DJ's in the industry there are bound to be those individuals who take it upon themselves to run the function they want-as opposed to the bride's wishes. The catering locations I am associated with have also told me many similar stories. So it cannot be a given that DJ performers all follow the proper protocol. Again I stand by my statement that a bride must be very specific in her instructions to not only a DJ but to a band as well. It would be wonderful if every performer operated in a professional manner - but unfortunately it is not the case.
STAN WIEST
A.STAN WIEST MUSIC
Featured in BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE
January 2003 Wedding Issue
Member Association Of Bridal Consultants Stan Wiest Website