1. Do you have a written contract? If not, go no further.
2. Are you the person that will actually be the DJ at my wedding? If not, can I meet with that person? Whoever is doing your music should convey a fun, but respectful, attitude.
3. Will you go according to my playlist and respect those songs that I do not want played?
4. Will there be silences between songs or does your equipment allow you to blend the end of one song with the beginning of another?
5. Will you need to take a break during the wedding reception? If so, how long and when?
6. Will you take guest requests for certain songs?
7. Do you also act as an MC to make general announcements, if we require you to do so? Consider the style that you want your announcements made in and ensure that your DJ does not take it upon himself to crack jokes or make personal comments during these announcements.
8. Will you only be working on our wedding on that date? If not, how do you plan to juggle your schedule?
9. How many weddings do you average every year?
10. We are getting married at the Paradise Hotel, have you ever worked at that venue before? If not, will you visit the venue beforehand to decide where and how to set your equipment up?
11. What does your final quote include and exclude?
12. How do you handle an empty dance floor?
13. Are you able to increase your current collection of music if there are numbers that we want that do not appear on it?
14. Would you want to advertise your services to the wedding guests? If so, how do you go about it and are you discreet (there is a big difference between leaving their business card on their table and announcing their name and number over the PA system).
15. What do you normally wear when you work at weddings?
16. Will you require a plate of food during the evening? If so, will you eat it at your mixing table or will you require a reserved seat?
17. Do you have any video footage of you playing at a wedding?
18. Do you have previous clients that I can call as a reference?

Photo Courtesy of FHP Entertainment

Dancing is the magical ingredient that rids people of stress, puts an instant smile on your face and gets the atmosphere of fun going at your wedding. Many couples have nightmarish visions of their reception hall being filled with awkwardly silent family and friends all gazing at a lone couple of 12-year-olds shuffling on the dance floor. But, take heart! There are a few secrets to ensuring that your tables are suitably deserted as couples flock to sport their unique gyrations.

First of all, make sure that you have a good, open relationship with the person in charge of your music selection (whether a band, DJ or laptop-operator!). They need to understand your requirements and preferences and also need to be able to ‘read’ your audience. If there is a lull on the dance floor, he or she needs to pick up the pace.

It is important to have a variety of styles and genres of music. This is especially true if your wedding guests come from different age groups, cultures, and so on. To ensure that the largest proportion of them enjoy themselves, choose tasteful music (i.e. no Eminem with swearing and offensive lyrics). Take your guests into account when choosing your music. Being adamant about a certain style of music may only exclude guests and take away from the potential fun of the event. In addition, by mixing the styles, you ensure that people who came onto the floor for a particular song are likely to stay for the next song, and the next.

If you known that some of your guests absolutely love a song and cannot resist leaping out of their chairs to dance to it, then play it. Even if you have to resort to Billy Ray Cyrus’ Achy Breaky Heart, it will be worth it to see your dance floor occupied by giggling line-dancers.  Have your DJ or band leader announce that this song is being played for a particular group of people, so that they feel special and motivated to get up and boogie. If you do not know what songs your guests cannot refuse, ask them to include their favourite number on their RSVP, so that they can look forward to the possibility of hearing it. And, if their song is played, it will certainly be very difficult for them to stay sitting, after having been in expectation for so long. Be sure to take the lead, getting your new spouse, the bridesmaids and the groomsmen on the dance floor, so that other guests are encouraged to join in.

Once all the younglings are on the dance floor, do not forget about the older ones. Try to include fun hits from the 50’s and 60’s that they can enjoy. These are also really popular amongst younger ones, so this should go down a treat.

Some great choices for wedding music include:

Christina Aguilera — “Ain’t No Other Man”
Ciara — “One Two Step”
Justin Timberlake — “Summer Love”
Outkast — “The Way You Move”
Commodores — “Celebration”
Kool & The Gang — “Get Down On It”
The Clash — “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
The Weather Girls — “It’s Raining Men”
Violent Femmes — “Blister In The Sun”
Grand Funk Railroad — “Some Kind Of Wonderful”
Lynyrd Skynyrd — “Sweet Home Alabama”
Rolling Stones — “Miss You”
Aretha Franklin — “Respect”
Beatles — “Twist & Shout”
Credence Clearwater Revival — “Proud Mary”
Four Seasons — “Oh What A Night”
Rolling Stones — “Satisfaction”
Supremes — “You Can’t Hurry Love”
Chubby Checker — “The Twist”
Contours — “Do You Love Me”
Elvis Presley — “Can’t Help Falling In Love”
Platters — “Only You”
Frank Sinatra — “It Had To Be You”

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Dawn Photography

There are, broadly speaking, three main categories of wedding entertainment: 1) a live band, 2) a DJ and 3) pre-recorded music that is played off a laptop.

A Live Band

Having a live band performing at your wedding reception is certainly the most formal and expensive of options. However, it does exude a sense of elegance and an unrivalled quality. This band can play a range of fun hits that are familiar to most in the audience, or can be more specialised (as in the case of a string quartet or jazz band, for example). Before the time, ask your band if they are prepared to play certain numbers if the guests request them at the reception. In addition, ask for their playlist so that you can be sure that your favourites are included and that no inappropriate songs are played (such as a piece that was a favourite of your ex or something that could be religiously offensive to certain guests). Remember that having a live band means that their repertoire is somewhat limited and that their ‘sound’ or style is characteristic and somewhat unchanging. They cannot go from a Bon Jovi sound to a Soweto String Quartet sound seamlessly.

Disc Jockey (DJ)

A wedding DJ is less costly than a live band and allows you, as the wedding couple, far more flexibility in terms of the range of songs played. In addition, a DJ will likely be prepared to take requests from your wedding guests as he or she should have a large number of popular songs on hand. Confirm with your wedding DJ if this is the case. An experienced DJ that has experience at weddings will play an integral role in setting the mood and encouraging guests to dance and have a good time. A DJ is not as formal or elegant as a live band, though, so consider what type of wedding you plan to have and ensure that this style corresponds favourably with your choice of entertainment. A successful DJ will be able to perceive the flow of the celebrations and adjust their playlist accordingly, ensuring that the vibe is maintained and that the guests keep having fun.

Pre-recorded Music

A laptop linked to an amplifier and a good set of speakers has made it possible for almost anyone to play DJ. This is certainly one of the most budget-friendly choices, especially if you get a cousin or friend to man the laptop and ensure that the songs are playing smoothly. This allows you, as the couple, to choose dozens of your favourite songs, giving you the ultimate control over what is played and in what order. The disadvantage lies in having to appoint someone to sit at the laptop and be attentive to the quality and volume of the music. If this person is a close friend or family member, they may be willing to do it for free. However, if you have to ask someone a little less familiar, you will likely need to pay them and trust in their judgement. If this person was going to be an invited wedding guest, bear in mind that asking them to do this for you means them having to sit there all evening, not being able to join in the celebrations.

For brides- and grooms-to-be that want to explore different options, consider getting a karaoke machine and encouraging guests to belt their favourite tunes out, or in investing in a classic jukebox.

Walk in Songs

• A New Day – Celine Dion
• One in a million – Boston
• I’m a believer – Monkees
• My African Dream – Vicky Samson
• It had to be you – Harry Connick Jnr
• Beautiful Day – U2
• Love is in the air – John Paul Young
• Kiss me – Sixpence none the richer
• Love & Marriage – Frank Sinatra
• From this moment – Shania Twain
• O’ Fortuna – Spiritual Project
• I swear – All 4 One
• I say a prayer – Aretha Franklin
• Slave to Love – Bryan Ferry
• The Mission – Gabriels Oboe
• Conquest of Paradise – Vangelis
• You sexy thing – Hot Chocolate
• Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
• I do I do – ABBA
• You the 1st the last – Barry White
• Pasgetroud – Anton Goosen
• Someday – M.L to Rock
• Dreams – Cranberries
• I finally found – Barbara Streisand & Brian Adams
• Have I told you lately – Van Morrison
• Whats a Woman – Vaya Con Dios
• 500 Miles – Proclaimers 4th
• Rendezvous – Jeanne Michel Jarre
• One Love – Bob Marley
• Life is Life – Opus
• Forever Young – Rob Stewart
• I feel good – James Brown
• Love Changes Everything – Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Let your love Flow – Bellamy Brothers
• Every Breath you take – Alice
• Simply the Best – Tina Turner

Waltze

• Be Mine – Helmut Lotti
• Strauss Waltz
• Love is a beautiful song
• To really love a woman – Bryan Adams
• We’ve only just begun – Carpenters
• True Love – Elton John & Kiki

Opening Dance

• I knew I loved you – Savage Garden
• Unbreakable – West Life
• I’m alive – Celine Dion
• Unchained Melody – Gareth Gates
• Evergreen – Will Young
• Dancing Queen – ABBA
• Angel – Lionel Richie
• Angel Eyes – M.L. To Rock
• Breathless – Corrs
• Amazed – Lonestar
• Cloud No. 9 – Bryan Adams
• True Companion – Marc Cohn
• When you tell me that – Julio and Dolly
• When you say Nothing – Ronan Keating
• Dreams made to Last – Dana Winner
• Beautiful in my Eyes – Joshua Kadison
• Dance me to the end – Leonard Cohen
• My Only – Colesky
• I don’t wanna miss a thing – Aerosmith
• Truly Madly Deeply – Savage Garden
• Because it’s love – Kelly Family
• Endless Love – Lionel Richie and Diana Ross
• You’re the Inspiration – Chicago
• Baby I love your way – Big Mountain
• Paint my Love – Michael L to R
• More & More – Joe Dolan
• Wind beneath my Wings – Bette Midler
• Power of Love – Celine Dion
• Nothing’s gonna stop us – Starship
• Wonderful tonight – Eric Clapton
• Queen of Hearts – Bad Boys Blue
• Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
• You’re my 1st Love – New Romance
• Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
• Words – FR Davids
• Love is all around – Wet Wet Wet

At first I just need to point out that there are a few different types of DJ’s in the market. I am not going to do a layout of all the different types and their specifications; all you need to do, as a bride to be or groom who is booking the DJ, is to make sure your DJ understands what a wedding entails and what is expected of him on your wedding.

A few years ago when DJ’s were still using the old LP’s, there were not many
DJ’s to choose from, but the more we progress into the digital era; the more DJ’s suddenly appears. With the “birth” of the MP3, there was a sudden explosion in the market with DJ’s, as every Tom, Dick and Harry who has a computer with a few thousands song titles on it sold himself as a DJ. I am not saying that all DJ’s working with MP3′s are bad. It is just that DJ’s who are bad is more likely to be one of those with a computer full of MP3′s. The problem is not as such the MP3, but the way these guys, who have no proper equipment or experience, flooded the market in search of a quick buck at the cost of the client. Very similar are individuals with digital cameras who are all of a sudden doing wedding photography and do not have a clue about photography as a whole. So let us look at a few points that will help you to make a calculated choice when it comes to the choice of a DJ for your wedding.

SAMRO

SAMRO stands for South African Music Right Organization. Who are they, and what do they do? SAMRO is a non profitable organization that generate funds by means of issuing licenses to any DJ, company or building where music is played, whether it is a radio in the back ground, live performance, a shop playing CD’s in the background, restaurants, basically anywhere. This money is then distributed to the composers of music, and to the families of such composers if they half passed on, for up to 50 years after the death of such composer. You see the money is not paid to the artist as they generate their income from the sale of their albums and live performances. If you want to broadcast or perform music that is not composed and performed by you, you must have a license to do so.

Now what on earth has this got to do with my wedding you would say? Very simple: If you book a DJ to play music on your wedding, he must legally have a valid SAMRO License. SAMRO occasionally sends officials to do random checks at various venues to ascertain the validity of the licenses of the venue as well as the performer. Should your DJ not be licensed, he might be arrested and this could mean the end of your wedding as you always dreamed it to be. There are literally hundreds of DJ’s who feel that this license is only a “moneymaking scheme” and refuse to pay and rather take the chance, but there are also a few of us who are serious about our work and do not want to jeopardize our names or our clients. So make sure your DJ is registered; it is just one concern less.

The DJ

A DJ does not just change CD’s. There is a lot more to a wedding DJ than meets the eye. To be a wedding DJ is not the most difficult job in the world, although it can be very stressful. It takes a few years to build up experience, a good name and a good reliable sound rig. It takes time and patience, and you must learn the flow of different weddings, how the wedding industry works, how the different service providers work, how the different venues work etc. The DJ must take in consideration the preferences and requirements of his clients and must act accordingly.

I have been asked many times by people why a wedding they attended did not function as was planned; everything was great, they even had a club DJ for the evening. Being a wedding DJ is different from being a DJ who plays in a club. You, as the client, must keep in mind that a DJ, who is a “killer” in the club, is not necessarily going to be a “killer” at your wedding. When we go to a club, we go there because we like the type of music that is played, whether it is House, Trans, Kwaito or even Langarm.

The people who you would invite to your wedding are close family, relatives, friends and business colleagues. The age of this group of people varies from 5 to 85 years of age, and your DJ must make sure that every one is having a fantastic party. To use a DJ who will only cater for a selected few can be concerning. He will either frustrate or infuriate the rest of the guests and make their evening one to forget rather than one to remember. And what is the point in inviting your guests if you do not want them to enjoy the evening?

Here is a simple yet valid example: Say for instance there are some guests who do not like a certain part of the meal presented to them. They can simply eat what they like and send the rest back, but with music it is different, they are exposed to the music whether they like it or not and the worst that can happen is that they will leave the wedding. Now you will say that there is always going to be someone who will not like what is played. Yes, you are right, but at some stage in the evening the music is going to appeal to that person in some way or other and this is where a good wedding DJ comes in. He must know when to play which kind of music. He will see when your guests arrive what type of music they like and dislike. He must look at the reaction of the people when he plays certain genres of music. Basically must be able to read the guests even before the dancing starts. This sounds like a tall order, and even I sometimes do not get it right the first time, but as the evening progress, so the tastes of music changes due to a few factors, such as the fact that some guests have left the function, and suddenly there is a burst of energy in the remaining crowd as people are prone to be more reserved in the beginning of a party as well as the presence of other important guests like the grandparents, the dominee/minister work colleagues, ect. This sound ridiculous, but it is a fact that we as wedding DJ’s are confronted with, and have to adjust to.

Conduct

The DJ is a working service provider on your wedding, same as the photographer and videographer, and must also be neatly dressed. Do not expect him to wear a tuxedo, but ask him about his dress code. You do not want someone at your wedding wearing shorts and a baseball cap…don’t laugh, this do happen. His dress code must be neat yet practical for the work he is doing.

When you are in doubt about the DJ you are planning to book, ask for references. Contact these references and ask about his overall conduct, use of alcohol, and interaction with guests, punctuality, ask other service providers how he treats them and work with them.

Ask your DJ to liaise with the master of ceremonies during the evening to ensure an even flow of events, such as speeches, throwing of the garter and bouquet, cutting of the cake.

Equipment

You might now argue: but what has his equipment got to do with me, I know nothing about sound equipment. The DJ who looks after his equipment is already starting on the right foot. There is nothing more unsightly than a beautifully decorated hall with flowers, drapes and candles, and here in the corner is a table with the most dilapidated sound equipment you have laid your eyes on. A DJ who looks after his equipment and keeps it neat is serious about his work and is worth considering. You as the client can also ask him if he would object if his speakers were covered to make is less visible in the hall.

Always try to choose a DJ with decent equipment. Here I must be very careful not to step on any toes and I am also not going to mention brand names, but the equipment is very important to the success of your wedding. Proper equipment will give good sound quality that will not be disturbing for your guests. There is nothing worse than to be seated close to a disco speaker that is producing poor sound.

Ask your DJ if he has any backup equipment, should something go wrong. A CD player could stop working, amplifier can blow, microphone can break, motherboard of his PC can burn out etc. Make sure there is a plan B should this happen. Not all DJ’s have backup equipment, as it is costly to have extra equipment just to be on standby, but it is worthwhile considering.

The Music

This is an imperative part of this article that you should take notice of. You and your fiancé have a certain music taste. Please, please, please, under no circumstance try to enforce this on your DJ. Believe me it is a foolproof recipe for a disaster. The point I want to make will come clear in the following. A few years ago I was booked for a wedding and when the couple came to see me about the music, I was told to play only the music that will be provided by them. I was not allowed to play any of my own CD’s or anything requested by the guests. In spite of my warnings to the couple that this not the way to do it, they were adamant and just said it is their wedding and so it will be and if the guests did not like it,
then tough. Needles to say this couple were the only people who danced that evening and by half past ten I was on my way home as the party was a total failure. Do you want your wedding to end like this?

Ask your DJ if he has a list of his music collection and if he would object if you highlight a few tracks you would like him to play during the evening. Ask him if he accept requests from your guests. Some DJs do and others do not like to do requests; it all depends on their personal style.

Tell your DJ what kinds of music you like and dislike. This will give him an indication of what is required, but give him the freedom to experiment as well. I am quite often told that “our friends are party animals and they will dance till sunrise if you play this type of music” believe me it does not work this way. Remember your guests are involved in your wedding from the early afternoon and it is very seldom that a party goes on that long. I always say that is good practice to end part on a high note, rather than let it die slowly.

Every wedding is different from the previous one and no DJ will treat it the same. You have guests from all over the world and it is a challenge to keep everyone happy and dancing for the time that they are attending your wedding. Having an experienced DJ is a key factor in ensuring a free flowing, enjoyable, successful wedding.

I hope these few points I mentioned will help you when you need to book your DJ. If you have any questions or if you just want to discuss a few issues, please feel free to contact me.

Enjoy your wedding…after all it is YOUR DAY!!!

Things to keep in mind when choosing your hymns:

• Keep the key and notes in mind – you don’t want your guests to struggle reaching certain notes.
• Think about the words of the hymns – the words may have some elements that appeal to you or reflect something about your relationship with your future life partner
• Think about the length of the hymn(s) – if you are planning on having a long ceremony, avoid choosing hymns that are too long to avoid guests getting tired

20 Hymns to consider for your Wedding Day

• All Things Bright And Beautiful
• Amazing Grace
• Give Me Joy In My Heart
• Glory To Thee, O Lord
• How Great Thou Art
• The Lord’s My Shepherd I’ll Not Want
• Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven
• Morning Has Broken
• Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us
• Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
• Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven
• Jerusalem
• Lord the light of your love is shining
• Make me a channel of your peace
• Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
• Immortal Invisible
• Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
• Abide with me
• O praise ye the Lord
• Dear Lord and Father of Mankind

For other hymns, speak to your minister, pastor or church where you will be getting married as they will have a hymn book for you to reference.

Apart from the fact that a jukebox is a direct-line for your guests’ musical requests, it has many benefits over a band or DJ including:

• A jukebox is generally half the price of any other entertainment
• A jukebox has a huge song selection (certainly more than a band)
• A jukebox does not require breaks (unlike a band)
• A jukebox plays all night (no cut-off time)
• A jukebox plays exactly what you and your guests want
• A jukebox does not need to be fed or looked after (saves on catering costs)
• A jukebox allows you to control the volume to suit your preference
• A jukebox is compact (doesn’t take near as much space as a DJ or band)

Considering the total cost of an average wedding in this day and age, it may be well worth your time and effort to consider a jukebox as an entertainment option for your wedding. Apart from the cost saving, you are also guaranteed that your guests will enjoy the music they have selected, and you won’t have the worry that the DJ or band won’t play suitable music.

What to Look For

First and foremost, you need to ensure that the jukebox provider is SAMRO registered. This is the same requirement as for DJs and any recorded music in South Africa and could land you, the customer, in trouble should the Jukebox not be licensed.

Track selection – you want to ensure that the jukebox has a large track selection. Be wary of CD jukeboxes as these generally have very limited selection due to the fact that they are CD-based. You want to ensure that all your guests musical tastes are catered for, which will generally mean everything from the 60s to current chart-toppers

Upgradeability – you want to be able to use a microphone for speeches and maybe some lighting for the dancing, so ensure that the jukebox provider offers these extras.

Quality Equipment & Interface – Forward-thinking jukebox providers are offering touch-screen jukeboxes which are an ideal solution for weddings. Touch-screens are much easier to use thanks to their graphic interface and offer search facilities. Ensure that the jukebox provider is using quality sound equipment which can cater for your number of guests.

Flexibility – make sure that the jukebox provider is hiring on a “Per Day” basis and not per hour. This way, you can party all night and not have to cut off at a certain time. Also, make sure that the jukebox is cashless (ie, not coin-operated like jukeboxes in pubs and bars) so that your guests needn’t part with their coinage in order to hear a song!

Be sure to have a look around at the different service providers and get a well-rounded idea of what all is on offer. Make sure that you are comfortable with the company, the jukebox and the price.

Enjoy – it is your special day!

This article was written by Derek Jay Productions .