Why You Should NOT hire your DJ for 4 Hours

We get many enquiries for DJ services requesting 4 hour of service. Typically, that means 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Whatever your event timing is, from mid day to late night, here’s why you should not hire your DJ for 4 hours.

We got a call from a bride, from her wedding, at 9:30 p.m. Her DJ had not yet arrived. There are several reasons for this:

• He’s simply late (started getting ready too late),
• left too late (misjudged the travel time),
• got stuck in traffic (didn’t factor this one in!),
• can’t find the place in the dark (didn’t do their homework in advance),
• got into an accident (didn’t count on that one either!) and no Plan B,
• forget about the wedding (not enough business formalities, cash deal, no paper trail…),
• subcontracted her wedding to someone less reliable (because something better came along, such as a full dinner dance reception, say, 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
• He offered the shorter package for a lower price, thinking that was more attractive to the bride and groom and they took the bait. So, did they save money? I’ll bet the bar tab for the first hour waiting was twice the DJs’ entire fee for the night, and still, at 9:30, no sign of the DJ nor music. Hmm.

Does it really matter which reason/excuse you choose? Had she hired the DJ for 5 or 6 pm, she would have had this same problem, but hours of time to find someone else and save her reception/dance party. I was booked and at another wedding when she called me, so I couldn’t help her.

Even the money, which was likely the reason for the shorter hired time, is no longer the solution. Her wedding was ruined and no amount of food or drink can actually fix it, or make it “OK.” In fact, it can make it even worse. A dream, turned into a nightmare.

If the DJ ever did arrive, he now has to get through a room full of guests. Can you imagine the questions they’ll be getting asked: “How long will this take?” “How soon can you start playing?” “What’s taking so long?” Getting into a room full of chairs and guests is far more circuitous than mid afternoon when the room is devoid of people and chairs are tucked in. Then they have to park in a lot, now full of guest cars, walk farther… still no music.

We have long since stopped offering “dance only” wedding services, in fact for all our party types. Here’s why what we do offer is so much better for YOU – the client. Repeat, better for you. We do what it takes, to make your wedding or other party/event the best it can be. I’ve done weddings where I start at 8:00 am and finish packing the car at 5:22 am the next day and still at the venue! (new longest wedding record!). That’s what it took to create a wedding, ceremony to last dance, 70 lights in an 80 x 40 foot tent, in theme colour, all computer controlled for epic impact. You want that? I’d love the show you how.

• Early arrival, means less traffic; this is especially important for downtown, up north – there’s always traffic, congestion, accidents that can really mess up the trip.
• We travel in daylight, despite having GPS. It’s just easier and safer;
• Most part time DJs can’t do a mid-day timed event, especially weekdays and particularly on a Friday, a popular option to the premium cost of Saturdays;
• We arrive and get all the gear in (including FULL backup of everything, in the room), setup, sound checked, road cases all packed away or back in the vehicle, parked, and changed into our tuxedo, playing music before the hired time;
• We most often also offer our wedding ceremony music, so not only does that involve a second complete sound system, sized for the event space, it also involves 1) to 4) above being done before the ceremony. Too many DJs bring little speakers, justified by being “only background music”, “only 1/2 hour”. We bring a full sound system so the bride can hear her song when she’s 200+ feet away and starts her magical walk “down the aisle”. Our wireless mics ensure every guest hears every word, and that’s not background, it’s the whole point, so it’s foreground, for a reason. Cheap sound sounds… cheap. You deserve better.
• After the ceremony we can offer cocktail music, indoors or outside/patio, etc., based on venue logistics. This may entail a 3rd sound system, or wireless send from our main system, via our proprietary wireless network, not blue tooth or wifi, which can be very limited and unreliable.
• Now when the newlyweds walk into their room for its reveal, it’s all done up, lighting, music, and WOW. That’s the whole point.

So there’s 8 reasons to not settle for a shorter/cheaper DJ package. There’s no upside for YOU. Only risk. No wonder we call them Risk Jockeys!

With all you are spending on your entire event, cutting corners on what should be the most impactful vendor you hire – the DJ (not the most expensive, most impactful), is the biggest mistake you can make. The music, fun, entertainment and guest experience (and that include the bride and groom – guests at their own wedding !!!) rest on the shoulders of the DJ. The photos prove it, so let’s create an event where the photos also tell a magical memorable story.

We offer DJ/MC, music sound and lighting backed by 40 years of experience, supported by my degree in electrical and acoustics engineering. Since we are also officiants, we truly can take care of your special day, end to end.

Let us be a bigger part of your special day. All day, all night, whatever it takes. You deserve the very best, and we can help you save thousands of dollars in other areas, so we are virtually free!!! Imagine that. To find out more, call us at 647 528 3548.