How to Avoid the 7 Most Common Mistakes When Hiring a DJ for Your Wedding

from Erik Michaels of Megasound

Here are seven ways to avoid being disappointed with your Fort Wayne wedding reception entertainment. The points are very solid and as with any wedding decision on hiring any entertainer (DJ/disc jockey, MC/Master of Ceremonies, or band), much thought must go into place before you sign on the dotted line.

Always have a detailed contract for your wedding

COMMON MISTAKE #1: CONTRACTING A DJ/DISC JOCKEY BASED ON PRICE ALONE.

This is a huge mistake to avoid when planning your dream wedding. The musical entertainment is one of the most important elements in the success (or failure) of the “party” portion of your wedding reception. Try to keep in mind the IMPORTANCE level of your wedding and how much you want your wedding to be an awesome event!

An exceptional wedding entertainer will work with you ahead of time so that all of the elements are seamless and polished. Your Fort Wayne DJ should satisfy you and your guests AND he/she should leave you with great memories of your wedding celebration. Base your decision to hire an individual or company on what features and services they offer you, not on price alone. The "best price" is not always the "best value." Just because someone has a business card with the words "Professional DJ" on it does not mean much. Would you choose a doctor for an important surgery based on which one is cheapest?

Ask your potential DJ a lot of pointed questions

COMMON MISTAKE #2: WAITING TOO LONG TO HIRE THE ENTERTAINMENT.

Time is of the essence when locating and hiring your wedding entertainment. No one has unlimited resources. If your wedding reception is scheduled for April, May, June, July, August, September, October, or December, you need to book your entertainment (DJ or band) much earlier than the rest of the year. Entertainment for weddings, high school proms, homecomings, reunions, and holiday parties is much more in demand during these months. In addition, the best Fort Wayne entertainers usually get hired first which makes them unavailable for a given date much earlier than others.



COMMON MISTAKE#3: NOT DETERMINING THE EXPERIENCE LEVEL OF STAFF FOR YOUR WEDDING.

Determining the actual experience level of your entertainer is quite important for your wedding. Knowing this key piece of information will help you understand how well your wedding reception will be handled when unexpected problems arise as well as the overall atmosphere of your event. Look for an individual or company with at least five years in the wedding industry. Specifically ask if they have the type of experience that you expect for your wedding. 10 years of experience is recommended for most quality DJs in Indiana. Weddings are more detailed and complicated than a backyard party or high school dance. Making certain that your wedding DJ is proficient as an MC (master of ceremonies) is also important. MCs who can also officiate wedding ceremonies will naturally also perform better at the basics.



COMMON MISTAKE#4: NOT CHECKING ON BACKUP EQUIPMENT.

Backup equipment needs to be on-site, hooked up, and ready to go for each and every event - especially yours! Make certain that your event will not "end early" due to equipment failure with no way to get the show back up and running in under 5 minutes. Also, make sure that your entertainer will not back out of your engagement because of equipment failure. See (#5) below for more equipment information.

Back up equipment should be on site

COMMON MISTAKE#5: SELECTING AN ENTERTAINER WHO DOES NOT USE PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT.

Professional grade equipment is a must for all events. An entertainer who uses home stereo or consumer grade equipment puts your party at risk of unexpected breakdowns - blown loudspeakers, amplifier shutdowns, and improperly operating equipment. Consumer grade equipment was never designed for heavy-duty use, constant transportation, and the other range of variables such as extreme temperature, humidity, and dust that it will inevitably be subjected to in our trade. Although professional equipment is not indestructible, it is designed to withstand this type of use as well as being designed for sound reinforcement applications.



COMMON MISTAKE#6: NOT CHECKING THE ENTERTAINER'S CREDENTIALS.

This is a HUGE mistake to avoid when planning your dream reception. Check your local Better Business Bureau concerning the individual or company you are considering. If the entertainer that you are considering has had complaints made against them to the BBB, you could be the next person who hires that entertainer and receives unsatisfactory service. Keep in mind that many "moon-lighters" are not even on file with the BBB, but still may do an "OK" job. However, if an entertainer that you are considering has NO file with the BBB AND no website, watch out! These charlatans do not take this business seriously and most times lack necessary experience, insurance requirements, business licenses or certificates of compliances, and/or other areas of concern (such as proper ethics). Another great source of reference is to check with the manager at the facility you are renting or other professionals such as photographers. Once again, just because a DJ calls their service "PROFESSIONAL" does not make it so.

Reception entertainment

COMMON MISTAKE#7: BELIEVING THAT A PARTICULAR SETUP WILL BE THE SETUP AT YOUR WEDDING.

Most DJ's or companies use different equipment from the equipment you saw in their office, at a bridal show, or at a particular engagement. The sound setup at your wedding reception could be considerably different from how it looked before. Ask for pictures or video footage before hiring anyone. Your particular reception hall may be too small or too large for a given setup. If the setup is too small, find out if the entertainer offers larger equipment. Few companies offer standard equipment (this is where all the entertainers from a given company all use the same basic setup). Make certain that enough room is available at your reception hall for the setup; conversely, if the setup is quite small, it may be too small for your particular event.

Professional MCs and Officiants

2010 and 2011 dates are filling up quickly, so contact Megasound at 260.484.2460 to secure your wedding reception date today!!

Fort Wayne Wedding DJs Will Miss Michael Jackson

by June Hoffman of Megasound

The music world mourns the loss of Michael Jackson. We, as disc jockeys, reflect on Michael’s great influence on Fort Wayne weddings. Looking back, six MJ songs have had the most play time at our local weddings over the last twenty-plus years. Of course, Michael’s music paved the way for many contemporary artists and their hit songs also.

From 1979, “Rock With You” brings back memories of roller skating and youthful endeavors.

“Billy Jean” (1983) still draws all sorts of “moon walking” dancers to the floor.

“P.Y.T.” (1983-Pretty Young Thing) offers many dancers a fun beat.

1984’s “Thriller” is probably one of most requested reception songs thanks to Youtube.

Many wedding couples use “The Way You Make Me Feel” (1987) as a breakout first dance song.

Whether it is the original or another group's remake, “Smooth Criminal’s” (1988) heavy beats burn up the dance floor.

All in all, Michael Jackson’s music touches people of all ages. His style and tunes will be fondly remembered and danced to for years to come.

Helpful Wedding Planning Posts from Our Archives

By Erik Michaels and June Hoffman

With the Bridal Extravaganza quickly approaching, we looked through our previous posts to find some of the helpful planning lists and information from our site for brides and grooms. Of course, after twenty-plus years as DJ/MCs, we have a wealth of wedding planning information. Each wedding brings new ideas and fresh twists on old favorites. So we wanted to share some (always
valuable) inspiration for your wedding ceremony and reception.

Just the facts for those couples getting married in Allen County, Indiana:
"So You are Getting Married in Allen County"


Being creative with table numbers for your reception:
"Table Numbers are More than 1,2,3"

Tips for your ceremony rehearsal:
"Three Tips for a Successful Ceremony Rehearsal"


Tips for a successful cake cutting:
"It's Time to Cut the Cake"

Participation Dances help bring your dance floor to life:
"Do You Want to Fill Your Dance Floor?"


Help on finding that perfect first dance song:
"Love Songs Through the Decades"




Bring your wedding planning questions with you. Hope to see you on Sunday.

Guests Follow Your Lead

The “first dance” opens the dance floor. All of the wedding traditions follow. When it is really time to hit the dance floor, most guests tend to follow the lead of the bride and groom. Even the most entertaining band or DJ can only play 15 to 20 songs an hour. So if you have spent a great deal of time working with your entertainment source, you should be able to select music that you enjoy as well as selections that help everyone celebrate your new union.

No one formula is used to create the “right” mix of music for a wedding reception. The biggest concept to get your hands around is what you want on your dance floor. Do you want guests of all ages dancing to familiar tunes as well as upbeat selections and sweet love songs? Or do you expect your guests to hang out listening to songs you can only bob your head to or sit back taking it all in?

If you like the idea of guests dancing the night away, you may want to consider how much dancing you enjoy. The reception is really a time to take pleasure in and create musical moments to remember for years. Take the time to mingle as well as dance with your guests. Even the shyest couple can participate in the Anniversary Dance (also known as a “generations” dance) or a Snowball Dance.

Weddings tend to bring out all types of participation dances. I have written in the past about “the YMCA”, “the Electric Slide”, “Cha Cha Slide”, “Cupid Shuffle”, and others. Interaction and involvement in the wedding reception makes guests feel welcomed and part of the whole celebration. I am not condemning or condoning “the Chicken Dance” or “the Hokey Pokey”; but they bring guests from one to 101 out to a common place. It may just look a little dorky, but sometimes shaking body parts is all part of the fun.

You know your family and friends better than a DJ or band. So work with your wedding professional ahead of time to talk about favorite fast tunes and slow hits that will get guest involved in your celebration. You may even enjoy dancing around the room acting like a train conductor.

Enjoy your planning; enjoy your celebration!!

"Just the Details..."

I’ve had people ask me why would I want to meet with my clients before their big day. Of course, my question is really “when” do I get to meet my clients face-to-face before their wedding day? I learn more in an hour or two in person with a couple than hours on the phone or email. Now, do not get me wrong, email is a wonderful way to keep up to date and informed on details and the phone is an invaluable tool for creating calm in the midst of chaos. But, meeting in person creates the building blocks to a wonderful wedding experience.

When one sits across from an engaged couple, one learns so much. I know who is going to "dance" and who is going to “hang out.” I discover which songs make people cringe and which ones bring tears. I see “love” between two people and their passion and caring for their family and friends.

How else can you create an ambiance? You have to feel what your couple feels. Of course, sometimes, it is difficult to pull these feelings from a couple so it takes the “right” questions in order to get the magic started. “How would you like to do…?” Most people are pretty good about sharing their visions on what they want to create on their wedding day.

This is also my chance to reduce stress before it starts. “How can I make it easier for you?” It may be this question or something else; as everyone’s stress is different.

Most of all, I enjoy working on the details with my clients whatever the mode of communication. So the in-depth person-to-person interaction really simply makes the job easier.

Happy planning and have a dancing good time!

Do you want to fill your dance floor with dancers?

If your main goal is to have a lot of audience participation at your wedding reception, then you will want to review the following list. Of course, some of the songs/dances may only fit certain themed events. Take into consideration the ages of your guests and the level of formality for the event. If you have a lot of older, married couples then certain group dances will work better than if you have a much younger singles crowd. You may be amazed though at how many different songs will attract guests of all ages to the dance floor.

Anniversary Dance—Ask all married couples to bring their spouse to the dance floor. Play a slow song (or two if the floor is packed with couples) and ask couples to go to the outside of the dance floor when their “number of years of wedded bliss” has been announced. This count is usually something like 1, 2, 5, 10, 15 years, etc until the couple longest married couple remains on the dance floor. Sometimes the bride and groom present the couple with a rose or the “throw-away” bouquet. It is nice to introduce the couple and have them share their advice on how to stay married for XX years to the newly married couple.

Snowball Dance—Start with the Wedding Party on the dance floor. Any style of song can be played as long as it is a longer song or two complimentary songs. Call out “snowball” and the dancers on the floor go out into the audience and bring a new dance partner to the floor. This goes on until you can no longer double the number of dancers on the floor. All remaining guests are asked to join the dance floor and then “change partners” is called so guests are dancing with a new dance partner.

Dance Circle—The bride and groom are in the center with their family and friends forming a human circle around them on the dance floor. It is best to use fun, upbeat, easily danceable music. The bride and groom show off their dance moves and then move to part of the circle and someone else showcases their dance talents in the middle of the circle. This can also be used with guests celebrating their birthday. The Beatles “Birthday Song” works out very well for all to share in a special birthday dance.

Dance Off—Two columns/lines of dancers form on the dance floor facing each other. It is good to use either funky or very up-beat music for a dance off (think of the Dance Off scene from “Grease”). The first two people at the head of their line dance together down the middle of the line to see who is “best”. For that 50’s feel, use the “Grease-Mega-mix” for your fast best selection.

The Stroll—Very similar to the “Dance Off” although it is slower and you should use the song “The Stroll” by The Diamonds. This works best with a group who is familiar with the song or with a 50’s theme.

A Human Arch—The first couple raises their hands to form an arch. The second couple dances under the arch and then forms an arch next to the first couple. The next couple dances under the newly formed arch and adds to it. Each couple does the same until all of the couples have formed a human arch. At that point the first couple dances under the long arch. This continues with each couple dancing under the arch through the remainder of the song(s). A human arch can wind around the dance floor many times if enough couples are available.

Macarena—“The Macarena” by Los Del Rios is a line dance that consists of eight steps. It requires very little movement on the dance floor and this line dance can be used with many other songs as well. If you want to challenge your guests, simply speed up the song at the end for some interesting results.

Y.M.C.A—This dance is for more than just the guys. Have guests form a circle and raise their hands up high. They can then spell out the letters to the “Y.M.C.A” by the Village People.

Conga Line—A conga line can be staged or spontaneous. The best songs to use are “Hot, Hot, Hot” by Buster Poindexter or “Conga” by Gloria Estafan. The dancers join the leader of the line around the room and hold on the hips of the dancer ahead of them. Use a Conga Line a while after guests have eaten because it can be a fast paced workout dancing around the room.

Party Train—This line dance is similar to a conga line although the lead person acts as the “engineer” of the train. “Com’n Ride the Train” by the Quad City DJ’s or “Locomotion” by Kylie Minogue are your best bets for a packed dance floor that moves around the room.

Bunny Hop—This old-fashioned “follow the leader” dance is made up of repeating patterns of eight beats. “The Bunny Hop” by Ray Anthony will definitely give a work out to the younger dancers.

Chicken Dance—Guests form a circle on the dance floor with this old German dance. The “Chicken Dance” song is a standard for young and old alike. It includes a lot of body shaking and acting like chickens for a lot of dance floor fun.

Hokey Pokey—Use the song “Hokey Pokey” by Ray Anthony for guests to form a circle on the dance floor. The song offers a good beat and you almost feel like you are sharing the “Twister” game with your friends.

Cotton Eyed Joe—If you want to add fast-paced square dancing to your dance floor, you will want to play “Cotton Eyed Joe” by Rednex. This version is spunkier than the original and will keep your country music fix in check.

Boot Scootin’ Boogie—A classic country tune (Boot Scootin’ Boogie by Brooks & Dunn) that turned into a fun line dance. It is very easy to pick up on for all ages.

Electric Slide—This mainstream line dance has many variations. Most use the song “Electric Boogie” by Marcia Griffiths. Guests can learn the steps by watching other dancers on the floor. A few other song versions (“Detroit Slide”) have appeared over the years and are really just variations of the slide.

Cha Cha Slide—All of the dance steps are used in the song by Casper (“Cha Cha Slide Part 2"). On the Casper CD, there are several versions. The radio edit is the 6+ minute “version” of the song and that selection is the easiest for most people. It is upbeat and also allows dancers to show off their dance moves.

The Cupid Shuffle—This is an easy to learn, upbeat (hip-hop) dance that uses the “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid. Again, a song with the entire dance steps included in the lyrics making new-comers at ease on the dance floor.

This list is only a portion of the group-type dances out today. Many cultural dances offer the opportunity for your guests to celebrate a new marriage through dance.

Enjoy and keep on dancing!