Wedding Reception Party Music-Cornwall-Devon

The best man introduces the first dance and...silence. All eyes turn to the middle-aged man dressed like Shakin' Stevens frantically pushing buttons and pulling leads in a state of panic. The PA suddenly bursts into life with an ear-deafening howl to the sound of the Motorhead classic 'Ace of Spades'.

Not the best start to the finale of a perfect day. Although it sounds far fetched, it is an event I actually witnessed at a friend's wedding. And if you thought that series of events was dire enough, the musical proceedings on that special day soon got a whole lot worse.

So many couples overlook the music for the evening party and plump for the first DJ they come across, assuming that all wedding DJs are the same. Believe me, they are not.

As the technology to play music gets cheaper along with the ease of acquiring music online, there are more opportunists out there willing to have a shot at wedding DJing.

Wedding DJ fees are higher than regular club DJs as the work is much more involved. A DJ in a club might play two hours of similar music to a crowd of a certain age and musical taste. A wedding DJ will have to transport and set up all the equipment, play to a varied crowd of age and musical tastes for more than four hours and then pack away the equipment and take it home. Keeping anywhere from 50 to 250 guests on the dance floor all night is a challenge and it takes just one slip-up of a tune to clear the floor for a good while - perhaps the whole night. So what do you look for in a wedding DJ and how do you go about finding the right one?

First, ask your married friends if they can recommend anyone or ask a representative from the wedding venue if they have a regular DJ. Failing that, there's the local press, directory listings or an online search. A good source of quality DJs is the Wedding DJ Association (weddingdjassociation.com) and the Alliance of Mobile and Party DJs (ampdj.co.uk) who will have members local to your area.

Upon selecting a few prospective DJs, I would recommend a meeting to discuss the event. A good DJ will be polite and well presented, and should bring a notepad to record your preferences. He should also hold DJ public liability insurance. Discuss the following points and base your decision on the responses - that way, you can ensure your evening entertainment puts the gloss on a memorable day.

Does the DJ accept requests?
Your DJ will be working for more than four hours and each song is about four minutes long - that is a total of 60 songs that will be played. While you will want to hear your favourite songs, you should rely on the DJ to determine the best tracks to get people on the dance floor. Your DJ will know what songs have worked at weddings in the past. Your guests will probably vary in age from five to 85 years old and it is quite a task to cater to all tastes. An experienced DJ will know when to play which style of music. He/she will take note when your guests arrive of what type of music suits the crowd. Ask the DJ what their tricks are for encouraging people to dance. Do you get a sense that they are able to 'read' a dance floor? Can they give you examples of which songs they would use in different circumstances?

Also, remember to mention any songs that you don't want played; 'Tainted Love', 'Every Breath You Take' and the 'Macarena' can sometimes send the wrong message, as can anything by Gary Glitter. If you have a band playing, make sure the DJ has their set list. You don't want the DJ playing all the songs the band is going to perform half an hour before they take to the stage.

Does the DJ have a back up system and how good is his equipment?
You see some DJs with nothing more than a laptop, headphones and a set of speakers. I've been to many a wedding where the guests stand idle while a fumbling DJ reboots his PC. Make sure he has CD or vinyl decks as well. Also ask about his sound system. How big is it? Will it be loud enough for the venue? Is he familiar with the venue? A good DJ will contact the venue first to discuss timings, access and the availability of power supplies.

What is the lightshow like?
Lightshows seem to be totally over the top or woefully inadequate. There will probably be older guests present so strobes and other 'hectic' lighting is unnecessary - it's not a rave after all. Likewise, avoid rotating blue (or yellow) lights, which can give the impression of a police raid - not a good look. Insist on simple but effective lighting. Also, be sure to discuss whether the DJ intends to use a smoke machine. Smoke machines can set off fire alarms, resulting in bemused guests being sent to muster points in the car park.

Will the DJ arrive early?
Timing is everything. The evening party often takes place in the same room as the reception. As soon as the reception is over, the DJ should be ready to set up. If the evening party is to start at 8pm, then the DJ should be set up and sound checked by 7pm. Also, make sure the DJ knows when to play the last song. Most venues have strict license enforcements and don't want their livelihood threatened by someone who won't stop banging out Abba hits. Get the best man to liaise with and pay the DJ. The best man is there to help make the day run smoothly so put him in charge of the musical arrangements.

Do you want a DJ to MC?
Some DJs feel it's their duty to perform and be charismatic, which can often enhance the mood of the party and get people dancing. At worse, a 'funny' DJ who won't shut up can be cringingly embarrassing - and remember mother-in-law jokes are strictly off-limits.

Will the DJ be too loud?
A good DJ will read the crowd and set the mood with a good selection of tunes played at the right volume. A DJ might play some quiet music while the guests are eating and then increase the volume as the evening warms up. When evening guests first arrive they will want to chat with friends and relatives; they won't want to shout over the cacophony of rancid techno. Speaking of loud, ask in passing what the DJ might be wearing. The aesthetic appeal of a classy wedding might be somewhat tarnished by a DJ dressed like Timmy Mallett.

Are you having a first dance?
Make sure the DJ has the right track but, for peace of mind, bring along your own version just in case. The current trend is for the best man to introduce the first dance so a microphone helps. Also, it might be wise to also choose the second song. Guests often join in towards the end of the first dance so 'Mr Brightside' by The Killers as follow-on to 'Angels' by Robbie Williams might not be an appropriate choice.

Have you agreed a price?
Be sure to set a fair price for the service. This can range from anything from £150 to £500 depending on the quality of DJ, amount of equipment and distance he/she has to travel. Make sure a price is agreed; you don't want to pay £50 extra because the DJ had to play an extra song at the end of the night.

Finally, look after the DJ. Give him some food if he is there when it is being served. Make him feel welcome and relaxed - it will help the performance.

So enjoy the music, get ready to pull some shapes on the dance floor and let's hope the next tune is by Pink and not Black Lace...

OFFBEAT ENTERTAINMENT

words Nigel Pengelly

Wedding DJ Devon
Copyright WED Magazine 2013