IF YOU HAVE ANY GOOD SUGGESTIONS OR IDEAS TO ADD TO THIS LIST,
PLEASE EMAIL THEM TO ME AT
thedj1963@frontier.com
AND I’LL GLADLY ADD THEM TO THIS LIST.
IF YOUR HALL IS LIMITING YOU ON THE QUALITY OF THE ENTERTAINMENT THAT YOU HAVE AT YOUR RECEPTION DUE TO THE LENGTH OF TIME THEY ALLOW FOR SETTING UP AND TEARING DOWN OF EQUIPMENT YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK ELSE WHERE FOR A HALL AND BE SURE TO LET THE HALL KNOW WHY YOU WILL BE LOOKING FOR A MORE RESPONSIVE PLACE. ONLY THEN WILL THE MANAGERS WAKE UP!!
I'VE BEEN D.J.'n FOR OVER 14 YEARS AND I'M JUST AMAZED AT HOW MANY HALLS DON'T REALLY HAVE A CLUE ON SO MANY THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO SUCH THINGS AS....(1) EASE OF ACCESS TO GET EQUIPMENT INTO THE ROOM (2) PROPER ELECTRICAL WIRING AT THE SPOT WHERE THEY HAVE THE ENTERTAINMENT SET UP (3) PROPER PLACEMENT OF THE ENTERTAINMENT IN RESPECT TO THE DANCE FLOOR AND THE QUESTS (4) THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES FOR A PROFESSIONAL SYSTEM TO BE SET UP AND PACKED BACK UP
2. BRING SAFETY PINS, BANDAIDS, NEEDLE AND THREAD, KLEENEX. YOU’LL NEED THESE FOR REPAIRS TO YOUR GOWN AS WELL AS ANY BLISTERS YOU MAY GET FROM THE SHOES.
3. BRINGING SOME PLASTIC BUILDING BLOCKS OR OTHER TOYS FOR THE KIDS TO PLAY WITH OFF IN SOME CORNER CAN HELP KEEP THEM QUIET AND OUT OF EVERYONES WAY.
4. RELAX AND HAVE A GOOD TIME. THE BRIDE AND GROOM SET THE MOOD FOR THE ENTIRE RECEPTION. IF THE BRIDE IS ON THE DANCE FLOOR HAVING A GREAT TIME….SO WILL HER GUESTS.
5. THE BRIDAL TABLE SETS WITH THE MEN ON ONE HALF AND THE WOMEN ON THE OTHER WITH THE BRIDE AND GROOM IN THE MIDDLE. THE BEST MAN IS SEATED NEXT TO THE GROOM AND THE MAID OF HONOR IS SEATED NEXT TO THE BRIDE.
6. PUT THE WEDDING CAKE AT THE END OF THE FOOD BUFFET LINE AND YOUR GUESTS CAN GET THE DESERT WITH THEIR DINNER. THIS WILL LEAVE YOU WITH LESS LEFTOVER CAKE TO TAKE HOME OR THROW OUT. . BE SURE TO HAVE SOMEONE APPOINTED TO IMMEDIATELY CUT THE CAKE UP IN SERVING PIECES AFTER THE BRIDE AND GROOM HAVE CUT THE FIRST PIECE.
7. IF YOU’RE HAVING A RECEPTION IN THE SUMMER….TRY TO GET A AIR CONDITIONED HALL. YOU AND YOUR GUESTS WILL BE ALL DRESSED UP IN FORMAL CLOTHES WHICH CAN BECOME REALLY HOT. IF YOUR GUESTS ARE HOT AND UNCOMFORTABLE THERE WON’T BE MUCH DANCING GOING ON.
8. OUTDOOR RECEPTIONS, WHILE THEY MAY BE CHEAP AND SCENIC, IT’S A HUGE GAMBLE WHEN IT COMES TO THE WEATHER. IT CAN RAIN, BE EXTREMELY WINDY, BE REALLY HOT, REALLY COLD, THE BUGS CAN EAT YOU ALIVE, IT CAN BE MUDDY, POOR ELECTRICAL SUPPLY SO THEY ARE NOT ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA .
9. I'VE DONE SOME RECEPTIONS WHERE SOME WELL MEANING PERSON POURED THE CHAMPAGNE BEFORE THE GUESTS EVEN ARRIVED....AND THE BRIDE AND GROOM USUALY ARRIVE UP TO 1 HOUR AFTER THE GUESTS. DON’T HAVE YOUR CHAMPAGNE POURED UNTIL TOAST TIME….YOU DON’T WANT IT GETTING WARM AND GOING FLAT IN THE GLASSES. PLUS IT'S ENTERTAINING WATCHING THE BESTMAN ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE BOTTLE AND LETTING ALL YOUR GUESTS HEAR THAT GREAT "POP" OF THE CORK.
10. HAVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER TAKE ALL OF THE BRIDAL PICTURES BEFORE THE WEDDING CEREMONY SO YOU WON’T KEEP YOUR GUESTS WAITING FOR HOURS AT THE RECEPTION HALL FOR YOUR ARRIVAL. AS FAR AS THE OLD SAYING THAT THE GROOM ISN’T SUPPOSED TO SEE THE BRIDE BEFORE THE WEDDING IN HER GOWN…….WELP THAT’S JUST A SILLY MYTH….HEY…THE BRIDE’S WEARING WHITE ISN’T SHE??
11. BRIDE AND GROOMS SOMETIMES BUY DISPOSABLE CAMERAS AND PUT THEM ON THE TABLES OF THE GUESTS TO TAKE PICTURES. THIS CAN BE A GREAT IDEA FOR CASUAL PICS THAT THE PROS WOULDN’T BE GETTING, BUT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT LITTLE KIDS OFTEN GET A HOLD OF THEM AND YOU’LL GET LOTS OF PICS OF SHOES, THE FLOOR, THE CEILING, HALF A FACE ETC.
12. AN ALCOHOL FREE RECEPTION USUALLY IS A SHORT RECEPTION. IF YOUR GUESTS ARE LOOSENED UP A LITTLE THEY’LL BE MORE RELAXED AND IN THE DANCING MOOD.
13. IT'S TRUELY AMAZING HOW MANY PARTY PLANNERS AND RECEPTION HALL MANAGERS ARE CLUELESS ABOUT THE PROPER PLACEMENT OF THE ENTERTAINMENT. THEY PLACE THE D.J. BACK IN SOME CORNER, OFF IN A CLOSET OR IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROOM. SOUND IS EXTREMELY DIRECTIONAL WHEN IT COMES TO THE VOCAL PART OF MUSIC AND SPEACH. IT FUNNELS OUT OF THE SPEAKER IN A 'V' SHAPE WHILE BASS FREQUENCIES WILL FILL A ENTIRE ROOM. IF YOU WANT YOUR GUESTS TO HEAR THE ANNOUNCEMENTS MADE AS WELL AS ENJOY THE MUSIC YOU NEED TO PUT THE D.J. IN A PROPER LOCATION SO THAT THE SOUND AND LIGHTING CAN GO OVER THE DANCE FLOOR THEN OUT TO THE AUDIENCE. PLACING A D.J. IN THE CORNER CAN TAKE UP MORE FLOOR ROOM SINCE THE EQUIPMENT WILL HAVE TO BE PLACED FURTHER OUT ONTO THE DANCE FLOOR TO GET THE PROPER WIDTH. MANY TIMES I’VE BEEN PLACED IN BAD LOCATIONS AND THE QUESTS CANNOT HEAR THE ANNOUNCEMENTS MADE THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. I REALIZE THAT THE PARTY IS FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM BUT THE STAGE SHOULD BE FOR THE D.J., NOT THE BRIDAL PARTY. ONCE THE BRIDAL PARTY HAVE SET AND ATE, THEY USUALLY NEVER COME BACK TO THE TABLE FOR THE REST OF THE RECEPTION SO A VALUABLE LOCATION IS WASTED. IF YOU WANT THE BRIDAL TABLE TO BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION…..IT CAN BE PLACED ON THE DANCE FLOOR INFRONT OF THE STAGE AND AFTER DINNER IT CAN BE REMOVED FOR THE DANCING, BUT THIS CAN ALSO CAUSE ANOTHER PROBLEM SINCE THE BRIDAL PARTY WILL BE INFRONT OF THE SPEAKERS AND WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR THE TOASTS TO BE GIVEN ON THE WIRELESS MICS, IMPROPER MIC TECHNIQUE BY YOUR BEST MAN AND MAID OF HONOR CAN MAKE IT HARD FOR THE GUESTS TO HEAR THE TOAST WITH OUT BRINGING THE VOLUME LEVELS UP TO THE POINT OF FEEDBACK BLOWING EVERYONES EARDRUMS OUT. USUALLY A GOOD PLACE TO PUT THE BRIDAL TABLE IS OFF TO ONE SIDE OF THE DANCE FLOOR.
14. A BOUQUET AND GARTER TOSS IS FOR MANY OF YOUR GUESTS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE RECEPTION YET MANY BRIDES SEEM TO BE ELIMINATING THIS FROM THEIR RECEPTION. I THINK IT’S A GREAT WAY FOR GUESTS TO FIND OUT WHO’S SINGLE…..WHAT A GREAT WAY FOR THE SINGLE GUESTS AT YOUR RECEPTION TO MEET A FUTURE HUSBAND OR WIFE.
Are you or is someone you know having a wedding reception? Here are 16 things you’ve probably never even thought of, that as a professional mobile DJ, I suggest make for better parties.
I first want to point out that it is rare that all these items are followed in any given event but the more you can adhere to them, the more likely your party will be at full steam come closing time.
1) Don't put the older guests next to the dancefloor/speakers. If you have to ask why, then you may want to hire a harpist for the night.
2) Don't cram your entertainment out of the way—your entertainer should be seen. Powerful entertainers will work to get people on the dance floor but they must be seen as part of the action, not just some side show.
3) A party should end when it shouldn't end, not when it should. Ending a party before it dies down leaves everyone with the impression the floor was packed all night. It just feels better when people are left wanting more versus being completely burned out.
4) A "too small" dance floor is better than one that is too big. Why? The answer is simple: It creates the impression, whether real or not, that the floor is full. People are more likely to dance when the crowd on the floor is dense than when they feel like the only ones out there. Take it from the pro who knows about dancing and crowd psychology, not from the banquet manager selling you on why a huge floor is so important. If people end up dancing on the carpet then great they end up dancing on the carpet and the story of your floor being so packed people couldn't even fit on the floor only further reinforces my point.
5) Darker is better than lighter for dancing. People feel like less of a spectacle, less "on-stage" when they think they're harder to see. That's why crime increases at night as well—and yes when some people dance it is a crime. This one works along the same lines of psychology as tip 4.
6) Keep exit doors closed. Doors are inviting and you don't want to invite people outside of the main room. Having them open allows more light into the room which again works against the psychodynamics of the dance floor. Open doors invite people to their cars in the parking lot. You want to keep their focus in the reception room for as long as possible.
7) This is a very general but valid statement: Nicer places, (country clubs, etc.) actually make it harder, especially in the summer and fall months to get people up and moving because they are so pre-occupied enjoying the scenery. Think about it... would you rather enjoy a cold beverage on a breezy deck outdoors amidst the trees or a sweaty dance indoors? It isn't that the night can't be great but all things being equal, nicer venues pull from the floor potential. As a DJ I love playing nicer events and usually do so, as that's my target market; but it can't change simple human nature. If you're having your party/reception at a really nice venue then you'll just want to pay closer attention to some of the other factors to tip the scales in your favor.
8) Bars should always be in the main room. Preferably closer to the dance floor but the floor shouldn’t be in the way of any lines to the bar. If a bar and/or desserts are put outside the main room, then a huge percentage of potential dancers are unavailable. Bars are like kitchens—they draw people to them. If you can help it, don't make your DJ wrestle with the draw of a bar.
9) If you're going to shut the bar down for 30 minutes out of, say, 6 hours, do it during dinner. If you do it at 11:30 then the party will more likely die out, as people will feel that it's time to go.
10) Happy music keeps things going. Keep away from any negative vibes at all. Keep the mood up-up-up.
11) Respect the musical opinions of your local professionals. They do this for a living. Be careful not to cut out all the "cliché" wedding music as you'll find this will negatively impact the dance floor potential. People dance to what they know. A wedding reception is not the time and place to prove to your friends and family that you're into obscure music. You've got a lot of people from all over your family tree that want to have a good time, so let your DJ exercise all his or her tools and really work his or her craft.
12) The entertainment should eat with the guests and not be fed a soggy club sandwich in the janitors closet. From tons of experience, the more my brides and grooms treat me as a guest, the more likely their unpaid guests will respect me too. I find it rather ironic that the nicest venues often have some sort of crapitude (made up word) towards DJs, bands, photographers and video crew and will encourage the bride and groom to shovel them off away from the action during dinner with a plate of moldy (I’m not kidding) cold cuts. Wouldn’t it make sense that they be right near the action? Not to mention, if you treat your vendors like second class citizens, how do you think that affects their attitudes? Your pros will bend over backwards for you if you just treat them with the same respect you’d treat your guests with. I can tell you now that professional wedding vendors will even do extra for you at no charge when you treat them right.
13) Don't do a dollar dance. The reason is that when the bride and groom are doing this the guests realize they won't be seen slipping out the door. If you must do one, do it early on after the main dances and limit it to 3 songs max.
14) People tend to remember the beginning and the end of an event. That's why your DJ should do a strong, grand introduction. It helps build rapport early on, and if done right and with energy and enthusiasm, it puts him or her in a more powerful position to work your crowd all night.
15) It is best for any traditional events or speeches to be done and out of the way before dancing begins. In addition, it is important for pictures of the bridal party and bride and groom to be done, when at all possible, before the dancing begins. As a DJ I have seen more parties lose steam because my bridal party is having pictures taken after the bridal dance. Do all the pictures before. It may cost you an extra hour earlier in the day but it will save you from losing a good handful of guests early on in the evening.
16) If you have to cut corners, don't compromise on the entertainment. My clients never complain that they paid too much for my services. Also, know that experience is king. I am a better DJ after every event I do.
Dan Nichols, a lay-psychologist and certified hypnotist, as well as a mobile entertainer, owns a small personal DJ service out of Royal Oak, MI and has been in operation for 16 years. Check him out at www.theboogiebrothers.com.
A wedding reception is not the time and place to prove to your friends and family that you're into obscure music…Let your DJ exercise all his or her tools and really work his or her craft.
THE PERFECT RECEPTION HALL LAY OUT.
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