There are lots and lots of things to consider when hiring a professional DJ/MC event coordinator. Below are a few of the most commonly asked questions.
- What's so special about A Special Request?
- Do your DJs attend entertainment training seminars?
- Why is there a wide range of prices between DJ services?
- Why wouldn't we book the cheapest DJ possible?
- Do we give you a list of songs we want to hear?
- What if you don't have our First Dance Song?
- Can I give you a list of songs I don't want played?
- When will my DJ arrive to setup?
- Is the DJ's sound system large enough for my hall?
- Can you also provide music for the ceremony?
- When to choose a Single vs. Double DJ Show?
- My
hall provides dinner music. Why should I have the
DJ there during dinner? - Do I need to include the DJ for dinner?
- What happens if my DJ is ill or can't perform at my event?
- Do the DJs carry backup equipment?
- Do you
carry insurance?
Part of the service you receive when you book A Special Request is the experience of a professional entertainer who knows how to get the crowd going with a great music selection.
Our DJs will play music from three groups of music; songs you've selected on our questionnaire, songs your guests request and music the DJ/MC knows will encourage people to dance.
About two months before the event we will send you a questionnaire that has a sample of approximately 500-700 of the most requested songs. If there is a song you would like to hear that is not on the questionnaire you are more than welcome to write it in and, if we have it in our master list, we will be more than happy to play it for you. Our master library is comprised of thousands and thousands of songs and includes favorites from genres such as Big Band, 50s and 60s, Disco, 80s Dance, Latin, Country and Today's Top 40 hits.
During the event, your DJ/MC will take requests from your guests. Using our good judgment of music, we will play their songs at the appropriate times during the night.
Because our DJs have such wide experience, they have a great knowledge of the type of music that encourages people to dance. The DJ will play an excellent selection of instrumentals during the dinner and cocktail time, great listening music before the dancing begins and a great variety of dance music during the night.
Why is there a wide range of prices between DJ services?
The main goal when choosing a DJ/MC is to find a company that will provide a high-quality performance that will fit your budget. No one wants to pay more than they have to. However consider the potential reception damage of paying too little. In many cases the DJ and the music selection can either make or break the evening. The DJ can either leave your guests feeling like they had a fun time and the music was great or they can leave you feeling like you can't wait to go home.
If you add up all the costs involved in planning a wedding the cost of the DJ is usually only 5% of the total cost. With this thought in mind think about the last wedding you personally attended. What is one of the things you remember about the wedding reception? If you are like most you remember that the DJ and the music was either "great and you danced a lot" or "the DJ didn't know how to motive the crowd". The value of the DJ's performance was probably more important than 5% of the day.
When the price is too low to be believable it may suggest that the DJ service does not have the experience or the equipment that is necessary to provide a quality performance. If the company does not provide you with a contract or ask for a date security deposit this may be a sign that the price is "too good to be true". On the other hand if the price of the service is too high you may be paying an inflated price. Sometimes very small companies will charge as much as they can because they have few schedules to fill. Others are trying to recoup the cost of expensive equipment that, in reality, is not necessary. A 5000 watt amp and a $10,000 light show is great -- if the reception is going to be at the Bradley Center Arena.
We believe you will find A Special Request to be exceptionally competitive and you will receive a high-quality, professional performance second to none.
What if you don't have our First Dance Song?
A Special Request GUARANTEES that if for some reason we would not already have your First Dance, Father/Daughter, Mother/Son or Bridal Party Dance song in our music library, we will make every effort to find and purchase the song for your day. If for some reason we can't find the song because it is out of print, if you have a copy of the song, we will make sure we can play your copy even if it is on tape or vinyl.
For samples of some of
the most popular specialty dance songs, visit our "Hot
Lists" page.
Can I give you a list of songs I don't want played?
We understand there are certain songs that just "get under your skin". We can handle these songs one of two ways based on your comfort. If they are songs that are likely to be requested we can tell your guests that the bride and groom asked us not to play this song. Or, you might decide that if two or three guests request the songs it is then OK to play - but only if requested. One thing to keep in mind is that any time we have to tell the guest that we can't play their request the likelihood of them making another request does decrease - which can also discourage them from dancing.
When will my DJ/MC arrive to setup?
This is a good questions to ask, especially when deciding when to have the DJ start playing. Typically the DJ will arrive approximately an hour to an hour and a half before you would like the music to start. So, if you would like the music to start at 5:30 the DJ will arrive around 4:30. Some reception halls are a bit more difficult to get into so we might arrive at 4:00.
When we arrive we are as quiet and non obtrusive as possible however, we still have large equipment to bring in. So, from a logistics viewpoint, ask yourself what will be going on an hour before the DJ starts playing. If guests will be arriving the same time as the DJ you may decide to have music start 30 minutes early so the guests arrive to nice background music.
Is the DJ's sound system large enough for my hall?
When we are assisting you to plan an event with background or dancing music there are a few guidelines we keep in mind. We want to make sure that the music can be played loud enough - especially on the dance floor. However, we also want to make sure that the volume is softer farther away from the dance floor so your guests can "escape" the music and talk. This means that our DJ/MCs will need to check the music volume several times during the night so that the music isn't too soft or too loud. Volume checks will begin during dinner music and continue through dance music. During dinner the music will be played much softer than during dancing.
Music that is played too loud could give your guests a reason to want to leave. Our goal is not to blow Aunt Betty's wig off - even though we have the systems that could.
When you meet with the planning staff of A Special Request, we will discuss your hall arrangements and configuration to make sure the right package of equipment is selected for your hall.
Can you also provide music for the ceremony?
Yes. Even if the ceremony is not in the same room as the reception, we can provide ceremony music and a microphone.
When to choose a Single vs. Double DJ Show?
Single DJ Advantages: Because all of our DJs have had excellent training and extensive experience our single DJ/MCs are a good choice for parties up to 250-300 guests. This size crowd allows the DJ to handle both providing the music as well as tend to the master of ceremonies duties. The DJ can still be interactive with the guests and provide an excellent variety of music by taking requests.
When you are inviting a group of people who are known to get up and dance to a great variety of music a single DJ show is the best choice. A single DJ set is slightly less expensive than a double DJ/MC show so this can help when there are tight budget considerations.
Double DJ Advantages: When you are inviting a larger number of guests, 300 and up, this is an excellent opportunity to choose a double DJ set. With a party this size there tends to be lots of DJ-guest interaction with music requests. A double DJ show allows one person to concentrate strictly to the music while the other person is able to take on the role of master of ceremonies - taking care of announcements such as the first dance, father daughter dance, etc. The second DJ can take requests from the guests during dinner, lead the specialty dances and get the crowd motivated.
A second DJ/MC also allows us the ability to coordinate more freely with you and your vendors. For example, we can better coordinate with your hall to make sure announcements are in sync with serving dinner. We can make sure you, the photographer and videographer know when special dances are about to begin. By having your DJ/MC coordinate these types of activities, all you have to do is have a great time. We take care of the rest.
My hall provides dinner music.
Why should I have the DJ there during dinner?
It is true that some halls provide background music during dinner. This could range from playing a radio station with lighter music to the ability to play a CD. Having the DJ there for cocktail/dinner music allows us to play music -- and a whole lot more.
Let's assume that dinner is being served at 6:00 and you decide to have us start playing at 5:30. This is especially nice because we are set up and ready to become part of the evening -- playing music for you and your guests from the beginning to the finish of the reception.
It also allows us an opportunity to introduce the bridal party to music as they walk up to the head table. Some halls offer this service as well, but just as you wouldn't hire a DJ to cook your dinner, you probably don't want to hire your hall to be your MC.
After the introductions of the bridal party we can introduce the person offering the dinner prayer. We can also offer the best man and/or maid of honor the cordless microphone for the bridal toast.
During dinner we'll play light jazz or big band instrumentals. In many dinner situations the DJ/MC can actually greet your guests at their tables and take music requests. This significantly increases the dancing later in the evening. If there are other announcements any of your guests would like to make, we will adjust the music accordingly.
Towards the end of dinner, around the time when cake is being served, we'll start to bring up the tempo -- music with vocals -- this will help to transition from a dinner atmosphere into a dancing atmosphere. This is a great period of time to greet your guests, get a drink, let your food settle and get ready for the night. Then whenever you are ready we can start the dance music.
Do I need to include the DJ for dinner?
We ask that the DJ is able to participate in the non-alcohol beverages - soda, water, juice, etc. however, actually being part of the meal is entirely up to you. Many times our guests will invite the DJ to join them for dinner - especially when the DJ is performing cocktail/dinner music - but you are under no obligation.
As a side note, the DJs are not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages during the evening.
What happens if my DJ is ill or can't perform at my event?
We can honestly say that in the seven years of operation, A Special Request HAS NEVER HAD A DJ UNABLE TO PERFORM AT AN EVENT OR NOT SHOW UP! I don't know of many, if any, other companies who can say that. However, should the situation arise where the DJ is just unable to physically perform, it is the job and responsibility of A Special Request to have a backup DJ perform at your party.
Do the DJs carry backup equipment?
Yes. Each A Special Request DJ/MC has the equipment needed to make sure that, if for some reason, something were to happen you will still receive great reception music and entertainment.
As a professional service provider it would be irresponsible not to carry insurance. Your DJ/MC is insured with $1,000,000 of liability coverage.
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