Karaoke Forums

I run Karaoke and I DJ quite a few High school proms, company parties, etc, but have NEVER dj'd a wedding. If there is anyone who can give me some advise on the "format" to follow, do's and don't's I'd greatly appreciate it.

The basic format in DJ'ing a wedding goes something like this...

!) Cocktail Hour.. Easy listening music Some uptempo but NO dance music

2) Then you have your introductions BRIDAL PARTY / PARENTS / ETC / BRIDE & GROOM

3) First Dance: IMPORTANT

4) Best Mans Toast

5) Blessing (depending ? )

5-1/2 ) Parents Dances ( Depends on B&G )

6) Party Starts

7) Dinner Music when the entree is served ?

More Party Music

9) The garter ceromony

10) Cut the cake ceremony

11) Save your BEST partying music to the last quarter of the party
thats when people are REALLY juiced to party!

It really depends on the B&G and on what type of receiption they want , NATIONALITY? Religion? You need to know all the different CUSTOMS.

I think thats a pretty basic wedding format .....

My routine is cocktail hour, intros, toasts (make sure champagne is ready), grace, then dinner. Cake depends on the banquet hall - sometimes immediate, or between courses or at the end; they usually have a preference; also double-check that somthing to cut the cake is layed out (I've had that happen before...). Wedding dance is done after dinner, followed immediately by daddy-daughter and sometimes (not real common) mother-son, then bridal party dance (ask if it's just members of the BP together, or expanded to include their significant others in attendance). Open dancing after that. Bouquet & Garter I do about an hour into dance time, depending on the clock and flow of the party.

Very important - always make sure the photographer and videographer are given a head's up for any reception event and keep in touch with B&G (usually more the B) so they know what to expect and can also participate in the decision process.

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Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

Outlaw,

1. Don't drink.

2. Don't swear.

3. Don't sing too much.

4. Don't "hit" on anyone at the reception.

5. Get a writtin contract.


Kojak

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

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Kojak - are ya sure ya can't hit on anyone?

Do not hit on anyway. Do not go to parties "upstairs"....

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Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

check this out

http://dju.prodj.com/courses/weddings/index.html

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Spreading the karaoke gospel

Mike... Mike.... Mike.....
I some how had a feeling this week the DJU article would come into this.. the Asst. manager of the "Local" Graham Central Stration Is a former instructor at DJU and very well known DJ nationally, and former club owner. I have alot of respect for him. This article popped into my head this week, and had me windering how long it would take before somebody caught on.

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Brian D.
(BHB)

my advice is if you have not done a wedding reception before, to NOT DO IT.... Weddings are a whole other realm of work....


This I do not understand.....I was asking for advice!!! I am looking to incorporate weddings into the list of services that I provide but as I stated, I had never done one before. I have 2 Karaoke systems and 1 DJ system and 1 professional PA system I use. I will describe -
- Karaoke systems are obvious
- DJ system is used for School dances, benefits, private parties, b-days etc.
- My PA system I use for Company meetings/conventions as well as "speaking" events where a PA is required. That consists of:
- Alesis MultiMix 16FXD 16 Channel Mixer
- Crown CE1000
- Sure FP 16A Press Patch
- 4 cordless mics, cables, speakers, monitors, etc.

Now, I have dj'd almost everywhere imaginable, run karaoke and have done many corporate events, benefits and even a charity auction. I have not done a wedding. I have stayed clear of these not just because I have never done one before, but I have been pretty well booked for the last few years and really haven't had the time. However I have no problem putting together another DJ system for weddings. With regards to them being in a "whole other realm of work", I have pretty much covered the gambit of what is out there and am far from incompetent. I want to incorporate this service (wedding) because I don't like turning down $400-$700 for a nights worth of work. Some people may think that weddings are a big hassle, but try going to a Holiday Inn Hotel convention center and dealing with 50 C.E.O.'s, hotel management, the Press and every other yahoo that knows "everything" about YOUR job but doesn't know how to leave a Mic turned on.

I don't drink at ANY of my show's, the bar/club/school provides me with free soda and I don't pick up women at my shows either. I am not married but have been with the same woman for over 5 years.

I do appreciate all the advice people have given me and even checked out the web sites they listed. I do my research BEFORE I get myself into anything I may not be able to handle, I do preventitive maintenance on all my equipment and aside from 1 of my cordless mics for Karaoke, I have never had any show-stopping problems. It never hurts to ask, and to walk into a show, wedding or any other evnt "blindly" or "unprepared" is just poor business.

Outlaw...

There is always a first time.. Don't get too comfortable

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Brian D.
(BHB)

As Brian said, there's always a first time. One other thing about weddings is you can generally charge more (therefor make more) than regular gigs and/or other type parties. They're one of the best other than maybe holidays, as far as what the going rate is.

One of the plus points to them is that generally speaking, if they're going to have a karaoke, everyone is happy, in a good mood, etc. Therefor, it makes it a lot easier to get everyone relaxed and involved. I say go for it - you'll do just fine.