Hints for Hiring a DJ

1. Experience

The first thing to consider is experience. More specifically, experience in the type of event you are planning. Do they have Wedding, Grand Opening Experience, Club Style What do they do? What kind of training has the DJ received? Myself having started out on as a Radio DJ as well as nightclubs, train all of our staff in the proper way to handle a wedding or other event! I feel confident that "All" of our DJs years of combined experience prove to be one of the finest offered in Florida.

2. Meetings before and Arrival Day Of

Many DJ’s will try to conduct all of their business either by e-mail, phone or a combination of both. While that is sometimes necessary if the client is at a distance we often feel that at least two meetings with the couple and ourselves are necessary to provide them with the level of service they should expect from a professional. The first meeting usually involves us meeting with you so that you can decide if we are what you are looking for in a DJ. The second meeting involves sitting down and going over the itinerary for your event. We discuss songs, order of events, dances involved and also can help provide you with ideas for your event if you are having troubles deciding what you want. We are open to meeting more times than that if you feel it is needed.

What time do you arrive: This is a important question to ask. We prefer to arrive one to two hours before the event starts (this is one thing you also need to check with your venue what time to they allow vendors to arrive for set up). This allows us to set up, clean up, change, talk to you about any last minute changes and have music playing as your guests arrive


3. Music Library

This category is a distinguishing factor that drastically varies with people who provide this service. Quite simply, anyone can claim that they have a variety of music that includes oldies, country and Top 40. The question is, are they really equipped to play the music that you want, and can they play most of the requests that they receive from your guests? How many selections does the DJ have and do you have control over what is played? If you are planning a wedding or other event where you expect a variety of ages and music tastes, it is important for you to select a DJ who has invested in a music library that allows him or her to play most of the requests received from your guests. Our DJ Music Library consists of over 75,000 song selections and we add more every week!

4. Equipment

Do they use computers to play the music, If not, you will be paying for an obsolete performance. Your Florida DJ should have high quality, industrial equipment that is designed for on the road use. All of our sound systems have been designed to provide clear, distortion-free sound with products from American DJ, and Numark. Also be sure your DJ can provide the right size equipment for your venue! Don't let equipment failure put an early end to your event. Make sure there is backup equipment and a back-up DJ If needed.

5. Personality/Interaction

It is important for you to select a Florida DJ who will provide the style and personality that you prefer. Do you want an energetic and fun DJ, or do you prefer that the DJ provide a more low key approach which is normal for weddings but not for a stores grand opening? These are questions you should ask yourself, and the disc jockey, and make sure that you can match your needs and tastes to the ability and style of the disc jockey.

6. Contracts

The importance of getting a written contract from your Florida DJ cannot be overemphasized. There are numerous horror stories of DJ's who canceled a booking at the last minute. At least 90% of the cases we have seen where a DJ canceled at the last minute, was due to NO CONTRACT:

All DJ’s you interview may not have the same level of professionalism. One of the signs of a DJ’s professionalism is his ability to provide you with a contract. A contract should include what the DJ is going to provide you in terms of service, what he requires from you to provide you this service, the total cost of the service he will provide you along with the date, time and place so there can be no confusion later if some problems should arise. A written contract provides you with the assurance of what you are receiving from your DJ and protects the DJ from any changes that he was not made aware of. I consider a written contract an absolute necessity before hiring a DJ for your event.

7. Appearance/Dress

We will always wear professional attire. Never Jeans. We will typically wear nice slacks, and a shirt. We don’t always wear a tie, however if requested we will have no problems complying.

As you can see, there are many factors that go into choosing your Florida DJ. We welcome any questions or concerns you may have about your entertainment needs. We hope that you take serious consideration when choosing your Florida wedding or event DJ.



Happy Planning to you!



Sincerely



Terry
Magical Moment Weddings and Events

239-369-7797 or 239-878-3526

Tips for Planning a Simple Wedding

Tips for planning a simple wedding:




Set your wedding budget with money that you already have in a bank account. No one, under any circumstance, should go into debt for a wedding. If you only have $500 to spend on a wedding, then plan a $500 wedding. If your parents are paying for the wedding and say that they have $5,000 for your wedding, then plan a $5,000 wedding. Best case scenario, spend less than you have budgeted.



When choosing bridesmaids dresses, remember that the dresses will only be worn the day of the wedding. (No matter how many times a bride tries to convince her bridesmaids otherwise.) Asking your bridesmaids to spend hundreds of dollars on a dress and matching shoes might not be the best way to treat your friends. Consider letting them choose their own dresses, or buy them matching floor length skirts and ask them to buy coordinating tops in any style they want. OR Keep your attendants minimal. Have a maid/matron of honor and a flower girl and that’s it. Pick the color and let the maid/matron pick her dress. This way you know they will wear it again and it will fit in her budget.



When hiring a wedding photographer, work with someone who will shoot your wedding digitally. You won’t have to pay for printing proofs.



When choosing groomsmen tuxedos, consider letting them wear their own if they have them instead of forcing them to rent.



Be sure to ask your wedding venue their policy on flowers and musicians. Many churches require that you leave altar flowers after your ceremony and pay for their staff musicians even if you don’t use them. If there are other weddings on the same day work with the other couples who were getting married on the same day at your venue and split the costs of two large arrangements that worked with all of your flowers.



Be willing to think outside the box. You and your future spouse are unique individuals and your wedding should reflect that. Just because everyone else has their wedding a certain way, doesn’t mean that you have to. Be sure to manage guest expectations, however.



Consider having wedding flowers that are locally grown and in season — you’ll save a lot of money if they don’t have to be flown in from the tropics.



Remember that your marriage is what is most important, not your wedding day. Keeping this in perspective will save you time and stress when it comes to making decisions about minute details.



If you choose to have party favors, consider something edible, useful or consumable.



Keep in mind that even if your cake is destroyed or your friends start a fight or your organist doesn’t show up and everyone has to sing a cappella that at the end of the day, you’re still getting married. Most important don’t stress what you can’t change or control on your Magical Wedding Day sometimes you have to go with the flow and JUST ENJOY!!!

Happy Wedding Planning to you
Terry
http://www.magicalmomentweddings.com/
239-369-7797 or 239-878-3526

Effective Negotiating Techniques

There are a couple things that nobody bothers to forewarn you about when you call to tell him or her you just got engaged.. Some things it goes without saying that each bride must figure out in their own time. As soon as you announce that you’re getting married, everyone will give you some form of advice. But very few people will tell you how stressful wedding planning and negotiating contracts is going to be..




There’s also the pain in your head when you are looking at the estimate on that little piece of paper with all the details of your hopes, dreams and visions to have at your Magical Wedding Day mean while hearing the choir of demons singing “la la la la la You CAN’T afford that!” It’s an awful thing to have to say, to yourself and certainly to a vendor who you were hoping would help you build your dream wedding. But there are a couple facts that nobody ever bothers to tell women while they’re on the process of getting married. There is always room for negotiating!!



Fact 1: There will never be enough time or money. No matter how you try not to, you will always inadvertently stumble across something that you just can’t get married without, and it will be alarmingly out of your budget. Don’t be a compulsive shopper this is NOT the time! When you find yourself in this predicament take a photo of it, show it to your fiancé (it is his wedding and most often money too!) mull it over for a few days then if you still have to have it…look at your budget and see where you can cut corners to afford it!



Fact 2: You can get married without it, your wedding will still be beautiful, and your guests will not know the difference. Unless the item in question is…



A. Officiant

B. Your Partner or



C. The marriage license



You can get married without it. You will still be beautiful, the day will still be perfect and your guests will not miss what was NEVER there to be seen!



Fact 3: No one is going to give you anything for free. The wedding industry is titled that because it’s just that, an industry. People working in this industry (myself included) are some of the sweetest, most patient, most understanding souls on the face of this planet. We are some of the most deserving people when it comes to earning a living. Considering we happily do what we do to attempt to please couples in the face of the possibilities of sheer ugliness and Mother, Mother in Law rampaging.



Just shoot straight when trying to negotiate it’s the best tactic and save you and the vendor time!





Tip 1: Know your budget BEFORE you visit with any vendor. have a ballpark idea of two things: what it was going to run us, and what we were willing/able to pay. It will help you avoid looking at venues and items you will love but can’t afford, and give you and your vendors the confidence to show you choices within your budget. The vendor will feel good and you won’t leave feeling depressed about wishing you could have had this or that!



Tip 2: Don’t ask to see top line. If your budget for flowers is $500. You can’t fill your venue with high priced Mini Calla lilies on a shoestring budget! But find the flowers that are IN season during for your wedding date. Know the difference between your ideal flower choices and ones you can live with. Know what you are willing to trim in centerpieces and aisle décor so you don’t risk cutting something in a moment of fevered price-slashing that’ll be missed later (like your bouquet) never cut back on your bouquet as YOU are the star of YOUR day!



Tip 3: DIY. If you’re really pulling your wedding together on a shoestring budget, you always have the option to do a lot of the work yourself. If you or a friend can bake, make floral arrangements, etc…then call in favors or do it yourself! More money saved or money that can be used to get those Have to Have items!



Tip 4: Use the right language and know your vendors work! Let them know up front by saying “Look, I love your work, you’re remarkably talented. But I have to be honest with you the most money we have is (fill in the blanks). What can I do to make this work for both of us?” A lot of vendors are leery of this speech; so only use it if you are being honest! Vendors do talk to other vendors and if one vendor feels stiffed you may regret your dishonesty in the end!



Tip 5: This is my most important tip for all couples!!!! Say please and thank you and if they did a great job TIP them!!. Vendors are not your slaves, indentured servants or younger siblings. They are human beings. As such, they need to be treated with respect and appreciation. It is only through their mind-blowing talents that you will be clothed, fed, and photographed on your big day. That Magical Moment Wedding you’ll remember each time you think of your wedding day? That feeling was given to you at the creative hands of your vendors, the people who kept the seams from showing, bursting or being mismatched. Saying please when asking to negotiate a package doesn’t make you sound submissive, it makes you sound polite. And thanking people is the best way to make a lasting, positive impression!



“Thank you so much for all your hard work and attention to detail. You’re such an exceptionally talented person, I’m grateful to you for working on my wedding.”



Tip 6: Barter. If you have a service to offer that may benefit your potential vendor, such as a new website, printing brochures and business cards, don’t hesitate to throw it on the table and play to your strengths to help offset the cost of your wedding package. It may not work for you every time, but it may work once and that is better than never! Be sure everyone benefits equally, and get the deal in writing. (This is especially important if you’re amending your contract, as whatever is in writing last is what matters in a court of law, should things head south for any reason.)



So there you go, some effective negotiating techniques. Happy Wedding Planning to you and Don’t forget – we’re all in this together!



Sincerely,
Terry
239-369-7797 or 239-878-3526
Magical Moment Weddings