Weddingguide


	Music at the reception
	by Black Tie Mobile Disco

	Each bridal couple’s personal taste and style determines their preferences
	regarding the music played at the reception. The right background music
	creates the right ambiance to start the reception, and this is followed by
	other suitable reception music. The special first dance requires a perfect
	song; and the closing song must also be very special.

	How to choose a disc jockey to suit your function
	The choice of a disc jockey is important, since the sound and music play a
	big role in the success of your function. In the years to come, your guests will
	remember few of the finer details of your wedding, but they will remember if
	they enjoyed dancing, laughing and socialising.

	Most people fall into the common error of believing that all disc jockeys are
	more or less the same. This is far from the truth. Each one has his or her own
	unique style and level of professionalism. It is best to choose a disc jockey
	that specialises in weddings. When you request a quotation, give as much
	information as possible, for example, the date of your wedding, the function
	venue, the number of guests, and whether the music is needed only for the
	reception or for the church service too. Also check that the disc jockey has a
	wide variety of music available. Bear in mind that your guests’ tastes in
	music usually include a wide variety of genres that are spread over the last
	five decades.

	Entertainment forms a large part of the reception and it is therefore
	essential to choose the best disc jockey you can afford on your budget. Once
	you have made your choice, it is advisable to sign a contract. In your
	contract, it is important to stipulate that the disc jockey or his or her
	company will not cancel under any circumstances. Every year, many disc
	jockeys give bridal couples short notice that they are cancelling. In many
	cases this happens because the disc jockey has been offered more money
	by another bridal couple, with the result that the disc jockey cancels the
	cheaper quotation. Even if he or she returns the bride’s deposit, that does
	little to help: even if the cancellation is made a month before the wedding,
	it is highly unlikely that you will find a good disc jockey to replace the one
	you lost, since good disc jockeys are booked six to 12 months in advance
	(especially if your wedding date is between September and May). The disc
	jockey may require a deposit to book the day for you.

	Placement in the hall
	The disc jockey should be placed next to the dance floor so that he can
	monitor the volume. Avoid placing tables between the music system and
	the dance floor. Doing so will prevent the music from needing to be played
	across the tables, which would cause the music at those tables to be too
	loud for the guests to hear each other while they socialise. The correct
	venue arrangement can help to ensure that the guests can chat comfortably,
	while a satisfactory volume can still be maintained on the dance floor. In
	many cases where the wedding guests complain that the music is too loud,
	it is not that the disc jockey is playing the music too loudly, but that it is the
	arrangement of the hall that is at fault. However, disc jockeys should still be
	sensitive to requests to turn the volume down.

	Equipment
	Sound systems should be set up neatly which as few visible wires as
	possible. Find out what your service provider requires for your function in the
	way of tables, chairs, and other necessities, such as electric plug points.

	Microphones are set up next to the bridal table, since it is the main focus for
	formalities and speeches. It is also important that the disc jockey can see the
	microphone clearly for good cooperation with the master of ceremonies.





	Make sure that the disc jockey or company has additional equipment of the
	same quality on standby for the unforeseen circumstances that the
	equipment breaks. It is important that the equipment should be on the
	premises where your reception is to be held at all times. If you need to wait
	for standby equipment, the guests will lose interest, which may result in the
	festivities’ petering out.

	Find out what the package involves and the duration of the performance, as
	well as which equipment is included, such as a cordless microphone, and
	the size and quality of the sound system. Make sure that the disc jockey has
	the necessary equipment to accommodate the number of guests. A function
	with 250 guests needs a much larger sound system than a function with 50
	guests. Check whether or not travel costs and VAT are included in the price.
	Many bridal couples have been caught unawares by fine print on these
	details.

	Details regarding the disc jockey
	Your disc jockey should look clean and neat because he represents you to
	your family and friends.

	Check if the disc jockey or the company he or she represents is registered
	with SAMRO so that he or she is licensed to provide music in a public place.

	Some people suggest that you ask how long they have been in business. It
	is irrelevant whether a company has been in business for one year or 20
	years. Many disc jockeys who have no experience claim to have more than
	ten years’ experience. Ask the disc jockey for details regarding his or her last
	eight to twelve weddings (good disc jockeys are booked each weekend) and
	contact any of these clients to hear whether they were fully satisfied. Also
	phone the wedding venue to hear if the wedding was actually held there.
	This will prevent a disc jockey from giving acquaintances or family members
	as references.

	When the disc jockey is supplied with a meal and fruit juice, alcohol should
	not be included, since he or she is working.

	Playlist
	When choosing music, take into account your own taste in music as well as
	the guests’ ages and tastes. It is advisable to choose your music two to six
	weeks ahead of your wedding date, so that your music choices also include
	new releases.

	The piece you choose for your first dance should be special. If you cannot
	find any music which reminds you of a special time, choose a song with
	lyrics that express your feelings towards each other. If you cannot dance
	well, choose a song that does not have a set rhythm that you have to follow.
	The idea is to enjoy your first dance and not to wish that it was over.

	In general
	Conclude the speeches and formalities before the dance floor is opened.
	Too many interruptions in the night’s music programme may make guests
	who want to dance lose interest and go home.

	Opinion polls show that 63% of guests cannot remember what they ate, but
	they do remember the entertainment.

	To quote Martha Stewart’s comment from her magazine:
	“The entertainment for your wedding is responsible for 80% of the success of
	this special day.”