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Wedding Receptions
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Author:  Tymzdad [ Sat Mar 27, 2004 7:48 am ]
Post subject:  Wedding Receptions
Can anyone give some insight into what might be encountered with KJ'ing wedding receptions...over and above normal club gigs. Special music that may be requested, any other things that one may be called upon to do. A lot of you experienced people out there probably have some good tips (and stories as well)! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Author:  Lonman [ Sat Mar 27, 2004 12:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
Rotations - out the window. Often times the bride or groom or friends of want up now because they need to make a special song dedication.

Expect Nana's 5 year old niece to be getting up alot singing twinkle twinkle little star (again & again because she thinks it's soo cute).

Expect half (or more) to be getting antsy because they would rather dance & there are only a handful of singers (this usually will increase throughout the evening with the consumption of mass quantities) because the bride/groom is a singer themself & that's the only reason karaoke is there. Keep a good base of dance music on hand (you may end up dj'ing a good part of the night).

You will always get 1 person that will need to get up over & over & the drunker he gets, the more he wants to get up (singing with everyone else as well - which is ok with the bride/groom).

Make sure you have a good damage clause in your contract (just in case). Weddings CAN get kind of wild at some point in the evening. Partly why you can make so much at them as well.
I won't do karaoke at wedding receptions anymore myself.
Author:  marty3 [ Sat Mar 27, 2004 3:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
You must find out what the B&G want as far as karaoke vs. DJing. I've done many receptions with karaoke, but it's usually been very "controlled"; either specific short sets, or pre-designated singer/guests. Regardless, you must definitely plan with the B&G.
Author:  MustangMarty [ Sat Mar 27, 2004 6:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Funny thing this post should come up today...

Just today I went to meet with the planner for a wedding next Saturday. This is going to be my FIRST private gig! Exciting stuff. :D Anyway, I have a lot of the same questions, so I'll be watching this thread religiously for the next week or so. :shock: When I was first asked to do the gig, I assumed they wanted me to run a karaoke show. NEVER assume anything! Good thing I met with her today, because what they want is a DJ who can also run karaoke IF the desire should arise. Now I have enough time get some music material together. As it turns out, I will probably be using mostly THEIR music CD's by their request. I will still have plenty of my own stuff though.

One of the things they want me to do is the announcing for the cutting of the cake, the money tree, the first dance, the garter removal, the throwing of the bouquet, etc. as well as have good songs to play for each particular event. Just being yourself and upbeat should go along way. Also, I found a karaoke Wedding Pack of CDG's that I bought for this gig thinking that it would be mostly karoake.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... gory=64604

Since it's not, I will now go out and get the real version of many of the songs on that pack. It's broken down into 6 CDG's where each disc has about 13 or 14 songs, each disc being for a different event. Cool stuff really. The planner was quite impressed with that. They may have a few special request for you though. The brides sister in my case wants to sing a song for her sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law. So be ready for something like that as well.

Then there's always checking out the place ahead of time to see where they want you to set up, and looking around to think of things like speaker placement, rack set-up, etc. Also MAKE SURE there is a good, reliable power source closeby. I realized this once a long time ago and had to run to Lowe's for a lot of extension cords. I found out today that wedding gig I'll be doing will be in an outdoor pavillion with only ONE power outlet. I didn't check it today with the planner there, but I will go back tomorrow to make sure it is in good working order. If not, there is still plenty of time to have it repaired, or else I'll be buying A LOT more extension cords and blowing circuit breakers in the nearby lakeside restaurant. If yours is an outside gig, also make sure you have a way to keep everything protected from weather.

The people on this site are great and I'm sure others will have a lot to add, so I will stop here and keep watch. Good luck to you (and me).
Author:  Karaoke w/Ron [ Sat Mar 27, 2004 8:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
The other thing that can easily happen, depending on the b&g and her parents etc., is it could very easily turn into a drunken nightmare. On the other hand it may be very civilized. Just depends on the personalities and who/what friends are invited. Rotations tend to go out the window, but it really doesn't make much difference as long as they have fun they'll feel it was worth the cost.
Author:  Tymzdad [ Sun Mar 28, 2004 7:27 am ]
Post subject: 
Hmmm.....thanks for the info! A lot of things I had never considered. Maybe we will wait for a while to do weddings, and just do club gigs while we build up our music library and hone our KJ skills. We don't need anything complicated right now, in spite of the probability of some good money.
Author:  marty3 [ Sun Mar 28, 2004 11:04 am ]
Post subject: 
You might want to hook up with a wedding DJ to get familiar with the events and flow of a typical reception. These are major life events and while they can be a lot of fun, they're something not to be treated lightly, IMO.
Author:  jamkaraoke [ Sun Mar 28, 2004 4:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've done some wedding receptions in the past and I would advise any B&G to limit the karaoke to a specified time frame. Having karaoke at a wedding can seem like a FUN thing but to some non -singers the fun and excitement can wear when --like lonnie said ..The same people get up and sing over and over and usually its the little kids...If they are your kids is cute as hell ...but someone elses ..GIVE ME A DRINK AND THE MACARENA :D .. I would reccomend to the B&G 30-45 mins of karaoke tops and in the middle of the night ..People are just a little buzzed to have a good time but not get carried away ..leaving the end of the night for some serious dancing and partying
Author:  BeachHeadBum [ Mon Mar 29, 2004 10:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Things to bring or to have on a list before the event:

TO BRING:

Extra long speaker cables 100' (you may or may not need them) {make sure they are clean and in excellent shape) especially if you don't know exactly the set up as it may change when you arrive.

If doing karaoke shows with a wireless mic.. keep 2 wired guest mics handy that can be run over 50' with decent mics on them. they are paying the price for them.. and have a damage clause in the contract.

And of course Long 100' Power cords for you .. you NEVER know how far you may have to go if you have to find a back up circuit. run 2 circuits always!!! drop the 2nd behind the rig & tape it up, so no attendee can get injured with it.

Always cover your tables with skirting and table cloths and your racks so the wires are not showing.. I don't know how many gig rigs I have seen that the KJ's gear & wiring hangs out taking away from the whole stage ambiance, if It needs to be cooled install fans in the rear covers and a front panel and put panel jacks in and only remove the rear cover for cleaning & maintence.

I am willing to bet that it is more than feasable to do, and those fan panels are alot less expensive than costing ya a gig based on a poor looking rig at a private gig.

And if ya don't wanna do that. Black "Drop Cloth" works just as well.

You can make more money with a well "dressed" rig than a poorly looking sloppy one.

When it looks "Just Right" you win, and make the industry look that much better. :)
Author:  Tymzdad [ Tue Mar 30, 2004 5:02 am ]
Post subject: 
Brian, thanks for the good tips and advice. I sense that your shows must be of very high quality...I would like to attend one in the future. We have friends in Phoenix, and occasionally visit there. Do you have anything going in Phoenix? Karaoke would be high on our list of things to do while there. I will contact you if we find we are going to be in your area.

I agree with the apprearane issue when it comes to your setup. As they say, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Not many KJ's around here pay too much attention to that. It could really set our show apart from the others!
Author:  BeachHeadBum [ Tue Mar 30, 2004 2:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
Tym,
Right now i'm having my KJ's do most of the work but "Personally" I'm down to 2 club gigs a month and mixing concerts in between.. Averaging 6 nights a month of actual work.. I'm trying to take some more "down time" for myself. but in June I'll be definately stepping up the shows I have a pending show in mid-april (I think Ron has a definate one, in another place) in Colorado. So I'll be doing the Full blown deal if my contract comes through. They want the whole A/V deal for 1,600 ppl.

We'll see how it goes. :D

But I'm very happy to see that your shows are doing real well.

Keep up the great work!
Author:  mcentertainment [ Tue Mar 30, 2004 9:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Some suggestions... #1 be familiar and keep a list of the order of events of the wedding ceremony and reception. Normaly we do the music for both the wedding and the reception. Many couples are on a relitively low budget and will look to you for guidence. We always attend the rehersal and take a small system to practice. This also gives you a chance to get to know the B&G.

I use 2 systems, small powered pa and speakers for the wedding and a larger system for the reception.

As for karaoke, I discouage it. Keep a good selection of DJ music.

Cort
MC Entertainment
Author:  Karaoke w/Ron [ Fri Apr 02, 2004 9:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
I talked to Brian the other day. I got this call to go up to Durango, Colorado to do a highschool reunion in Sept. Gave them the price plus added in for gas/mileage round-trip from Albuquerque and they cover the hotel for my wife and me. We'll have to see how it works out, but I'm usually up for anything that's a change of pace.
Author:  Capt Midnight [ Sat Apr 03, 2004 3:42 am ]
Post subject: 
my advice is if you have not done a wedding reception before, to NOT DO IT.... Weddings are a whole other realm of work.... your client will(should) only have this day once in her life; and this day will be memorable. That memory should not be a bad one. The guests will remember one thing..."did I have a good time"

At a wedding reception you act as the MC, you coordinate all the events; this requires you to work with the other vendors to be sure this event goes off smooth

Check out DJchat.com a great resource for those wanting to DJ events
as somebody else already said GET IT IN WRITING - get the retainer up front to hold the date and the balance a week before

I use a comprehensive wedding planner, it is about 15 pages, 7 of them the actual wedding planner that allows them to pick the songs they want, order of events, how i will announce the entrance, etc... In that packet they get info on wedding interactives, song suggestions for the dances and stuff.

I also offer to meet with them at least 2 times after booking, but before event to go over any questions that they might have

I do hope you are charging more than your normal rate for all the extra work you have to do
Author:  Capt Midnight [ Sat Apr 03, 2004 3:55 am ]
Post subject: 
My List of Do's and don'ts for a wedding
DO
- bring extra cables just incase
- bring a full backup rig, be prepared, if it can break and stop the show, have a backup for it
- do a walk-through with the venue staff, B&G, wedding coordnator/caterer; so you know where to setup
- do have a written contract, signed, dated, and retainer in hand before commiting a date to any client, and get teh balance 7 days before the event
- do have a written/typed wedding planner for the reception that has a time table for how the B&G want things done
- do be confident in what you do, if you waiver at all on the confidence the reception will get out of hand, you will have other vendors breaking the schedule and etc...
- do look professional - clean up the wire mess, rack the gear, dress nice (most of my clients would rather i NOT be in a tux, and that is up to them)
- DO leave the ego at the door

DO NOT
- sweat the small stuff - if something does not go right act like it was susposed to go that way
- swear on mic
- loose your cool
- show up late
- still be setting up when the guests arive - your dinner music should be playing and you should be in your dress clothes and standing behind console
- DO NOT EVER play anything from the DO NOT PLAY LIST without BOTH the B&G approval
- DO NOT EVER allow anybody else to "say a few words" without it being approved or planned
- DO NOT EVER forget who is paying you, in the case you are not being paid by the B&G listen to the B&G anyways
- Don't forget that the ego was left at the door, pick it up on your way out
Author:  timberlea [ Sat Apr 03, 2004 4:21 am ]
Post subject: 
We've done several weddings and in reality they were no big deals. Sure they're a bit different from a bar gig but nothing to write home about. When we are hired they know we are karaoke and not dj. In fact we tell them we do not carry dj music. If they want a "dance set" they will have to provide the music or any other special music.

We do not emcee the events, that's the responsibility of the best man but s/he does use our sound system for that. The rotation is used and only changed at the request of the bride or groom and they get to sing whenever they want. We do of course meet prior to the event (several weeks prior and the week before) to discuss any needs or changes.

On the business side, weddings as well as private functions, we are [aid half one week prior (non-refundable) and the balance at the event. BTW insure prior to beginning who will be paying you (the best man, father of the bride, etc). Once the reception begins and it gets busy the payor may forget, leave early etc. and then you have to chase down your pay.

As I said we've done several weddings and have had a great time at each.
Author:  Karaoke w/Ron [ Mon Apr 05, 2004 10:49 am ]
Post subject: 
I've done a number of them and although sometimes you get a surprise, they usually turn out fine. Last one I did was for this wedding where the groom was a state police officer. Almost all the attendees were connected with the state, city police or county sherrif's dept. Turned out great, and I'll tell you one thing - they're not afraid to party hardy, and don't have the timid/reserved type attitudes that a lot of people have. They're not at all afraid to "let it all hang out". As long as ya know what you're doing, and they know what to expect, you'll do fine. I've even done receptions where I've followed a live band - where the band would play for a couple hours, then a 4 hour karaoke. No big deal - even knew a couple members of the band. If the family of the bride/groom want announcements made we're glad to make them, but no way are we going to take over arranging who does what when or coordinating the reception for them - that's not part of the deal - we're just there to provide karaoke entertainment - that's all.
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