I have just comfirmed with my client that I will do a disco for their daughter who is getting married.
I just want to know how many songs there could be in the first dance. I really dont know much about this first dance buisness! Do I ask the bride or Groom or their parents for the song or songs in advance? and get hold of the songs I dont have?
I've done may discos before for various age groups so I dont have any problems there but this disco is making me nervous! Just to make things worse it will be outside in a marquee and the attendance of people will be around 100-150 which is quite large!
Full Version: My first wedding disco comming up!
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Relax! 
. Entertaining 150+ people will become normal once you get your roadshow fully established, and as for the nervousness - well some of us still suffer from that even after many years!.
For the first dance, ask the Bride & Groom, or the person who has made the booking with you for that information. For Weddings, where logistically possible, I try and arrange a meeting with them, in person, at some point before the Reception. It gives the personal touch, allows them to discuss all the finite details, and also gives them re-assurance.
Find out what they would like as the first dance before the function - it'll give you time to sort it out.
. Entertaining 150+ people will become normal once you get your roadshow fully established, and as for the nervousness - well some of us still suffer from that even after many years!.For the first dance, ask the Bride & Groom, or the person who has made the booking with you for that information. For Weddings, where logistically possible, I try and arrange a meeting with them, in person, at some point before the Reception. It gives the personal touch, allows them to discuss all the finite details, and also gives them re-assurance.
Find out what they would like as the first dance before the function - it'll give you time to sort it out.
For all the weddings I do I ask for input into the evenings music. If the reply is 'just a selection of everything thats dancy' then thats fine but I think it makes the night much more memorable for guests if the bride and groom do spend some time thinking of some of the special tracks they would like played at the evening reception. I tend to do this by email then simply print the list and take it along with you.
With regards to the first dance make sure they are actually having one. I know its generally the norm but ill have half a dozen a year where they are definetly not having one! Planning the first dance well will certainly make your clients feel more at ease...some of the general questions I ask are:
1.Choice of first dance
2.Would you prefer the bridal party and family and friends to be invited to join you half way through the first dance (often the case I find), or have the full first dance with just the two of you on the dance floor
3.Any specific choice for a second dance?
4.Would there be any formalities with the second dance, eg bride & father sometimes choose to have a dance after the trad first dance
5.Preference of time for the first dance, in relation to buffet
6.Any specific choice when moving from the (generally) ballads for the first dances to more upbeat tracks
etc...
Depending on the range of your music collection try to get any ideas from the clients well in advance. Choice of first dance will occasionally change but their general music taste won't so this will give you time to track down anything you dont have.
Steve
With regards to the first dance make sure they are actually having one. I know its generally the norm but ill have half a dozen a year where they are definetly not having one! Planning the first dance well will certainly make your clients feel more at ease...some of the general questions I ask are:
1.Choice of first dance
2.Would you prefer the bridal party and family and friends to be invited to join you half way through the first dance (often the case I find), or have the full first dance with just the two of you on the dance floor
3.Any specific choice for a second dance?
4.Would there be any formalities with the second dance, eg bride & father sometimes choose to have a dance after the trad first dance
5.Preference of time for the first dance, in relation to buffet
6.Any specific choice when moving from the (generally) ballads for the first dances to more upbeat tracks
etc...
Depending on the range of your music collection try to get any ideas from the clients well in advance. Choice of first dance will occasionally change but their general music taste won't so this will give you time to track down anything you dont have.
Steve
Hi folks
Definitely make sure you get the b and g to tell you the first record, and if you haven't got it, for goodness sake, beg steal or borrow it, or if all else fails, buy it.
The main ingredient for making a wedding disco work for everyone is communication and making sure that you have as many bases covered as humanly possible.
If you can, try and get some sort of idea of what will be happening when, speaches, cake cutting buffet etc. This isn't set in stone and things very rarely run to a time schedule, but having an idea will put your nerves at ease.
I still get nervous before gigs and tend to spend a couple of hours before setting off, in and out of the bogs.
Good luck
Darren
Definitely make sure you get the b and g to tell you the first record, and if you haven't got it, for goodness sake, beg steal or borrow it, or if all else fails, buy it.
The main ingredient for making a wedding disco work for everyone is communication and making sure that you have as many bases covered as humanly possible.
If you can, try and get some sort of idea of what will be happening when, speaches, cake cutting buffet etc. This isn't set in stone and things very rarely run to a time schedule, but having an idea will put your nerves at ease.
I still get nervous before gigs and tend to spend a couple of hours before setting off, in and out of the bogs.
Good luck
Darren
Please please please,arrange a meeting with the bride and groom and make sure that the first dance is their choice,it is after all their wedding.
also, with regards to the bride dancing with her father thingy, make sure that the dad is still alive! Im not joking here either..... it is a very important thing to establish.
| QUOTE (kazzachi @ Jan 27 2004, 10:12 AM) |
| also, with regards to the bride dancing with her father thingy, make sure that the dad is still alive! Im not joking here either..... it is a very important thing to establish. |
Else you'll need a sack-truck, somewhere near the dancefloor...
(sorry, that was low...even from me)As recommended above definately contact the bride and groom for this info...
If you're nervous about talking to the on the phone or face-to-face before the big day...and are good on "Microsoft WORD"...draw up a letter or form. You know a sort of confirmation of the time, date and venue (OH AND THE AGREED FEE
) etc...this will assure them...as will putting your contact details on there too, with a "Dont hesitate to contact me..."Then, have a tear off bottom bit to the form with questions like "Bride & Grooms choice of first dance:___________________", will both sets (4 people) of parent be there?_________________. "are there any other anniversaries/occasions etc which you would like mentioned?___________.
Send this out at least a couple of months
If you havent got, or cant find ANYWHERE, a copy of the Bride & Grooms choosen tune, and its getting within a fortnight of the big day....call them and ask if they have a copy...or an alterative.
Also, on the night (of the big day) I tend to "interview" the Bride & Groom early on (off-air) and ask them what time they'd like the first dance to happen (they ALWAYS say "uhhh what time is it now?") - they might be waiting for a special evening guest to still arrive etc, who wants to see the first dance, I also ask things like:
Would you like background music for a few minutes during the buffet so people can have a good natter about ol' times while munching?
Was there a stag and a hen night (saves you calling "all those who attended the Stag night" up to the dance floor, when there might not have been on...doh!
)Where are they honeymooning?....(you might have a record thats apt to play)
Are the bride & groom staying until the end? Many a wedding reception sees the bride & groom disappear off in a booby-trapped car, or a taxi with a nervous looking taxi...about 30 minutes before the scheduled end of the night...be prepared.
If leaving early (see directly above) would the bride & groom like an Arch (two lines of guests which the happy couple wander down toward the exit...as you play "Goodbyeee" or the "eastenders singalong album" or "she's having my baby"
(RISKY!!!!)Have fun....
In additions to gary's top advice.... I ask the bride and groom if there are any personal details I need to know about so that I dont cause any embarrassment on the evening. They generally catch my drift without having to ask personal questions outright, and will tell you if parents are deceased or divorced etc.
All good ideas, I normally ask if the second dance should be bride and father or close friends once that is established things tend to go smoothly. (and sometimes the B & G want one dance and then to escape from the floor)!!!!
The only other thing with Weddings as they tend to be so family orientated is to ask if there are any records which are a definate NO NO (cos auntie Flo was buried to it three weeks ago)???
Relax and enjoy its not that difficult, of course if the 1st dance is THAT obscure you could always try those nice people at DJU maybe somebody would lone you a copy for the evening.
Just my 4d worth
Spin
The only other thing with Weddings as they tend to be so family orientated is to ask if there are any records which are a definate NO NO (cos auntie Flo was buried to it three weeks ago)???
Relax and enjoy its not that difficult, of course if the 1st dance is THAT obscure you could always try those nice people at DJU maybe somebody would lone you a copy for the evening.
Just my 4d worth
Spin
I did my first wedding last October and i was nervous as hell, but it all went well and there was no need for any of my nervousness.
If you do make any little slip ups, talk your way out of it with a bit of humour and people will hopefully still be on your side.
If you enjoy the night i'm sure u will make the crowd enjoy themselves as well.
Good Luck.
If you do make any little slip ups, talk your way out of it with a bit of humour and people will hopefully still be on your side.
If you enjoy the night i'm sure u will make the crowd enjoy themselves as well.
Good Luck.
Hi there,
We always insist on meeting our wedding clients at the venue to discuss arrangments etc, at this meeting we discuss music, first last dance etc etc, running order, times of speeches and catering, we have a booking document that we complete and then get them to check. Theres little chance for hicupps then, we exhibit at wedding fairs so you do get to know the form, wedding clients are generaly more picky and careful of arrangements, it is a very important day after all so its our job to ensure no hitches from our end.
We always insist on meeting our wedding clients at the venue to discuss arrangments etc, at this meeting we discuss music, first last dance etc etc, running order, times of speeches and catering, we have a booking document that we complete and then get them to check. Theres little chance for hicupps then, we exhibit at wedding fairs so you do get to know the form, wedding clients are generaly more picky and careful of arrangements, it is a very important day after all so its our job to ensure no hitches from our end.
Hello ps.
Always ask if theres anything that they DO NOT want played, we had a wedding where the couple had been previously hitched and there were two tracks that they specified must not be played, we left them at home just in case.....
Always ask if theres anything that they DO NOT want played, we had a wedding where the couple had been previously hitched and there were two tracks that they specified must not be played, we left them at home just in case.....
Thanks everbody. Will take on board what you all have said.
Well Shaun M I hope I'm not too late in wishing you all the best for your first wedding disco. One things for sure - it won't be anything like the first one I did because you've got lots of advice & back-up on here. Anyway good luck - what was the question again? 
i did a wedding last night, they didnt want to do a frist dance so we got the buffet done, started and got the floor full to the all the old relyables then they came up to me and decided they wanted a first dance so fine we did it and it took some work to get it all going again afterwords eventualy they got up and we had a great night! the point in this story is always be prepaird for anything, if the bride wants somthing she gets it it is her day after all
have a good gig and let us all know how it goes!
have a good gig and let us all know how it goes!
some great advice a few more points from myself.....
1/Prepare the three songs after your first dance you are going to play, prepare a readable list of party games, and any props you may need....theres plenty of sites with party games on the net, but remember for a mixed aged crowd keep the games simple and clean!
2/ Have a starter tune, so that people know after the first dance that the dancing music is beginning, ie John Anderson Big Band Glenn Miller Medley is one I use all the time, you can play anything 60's or 50's after that!
3/ Always play clusters of songs in 3's ie three rock and roll songs, three disco songs etc etc....alot of the older people at the weddings like formal ways of dancing...and a few old time waltzes if there are alot of older people there goes down a treat!
4/ Always include a few slow sets in the night, and also ask if there is any special music required, I do alot of weddings and mobiles in N.Ireland, in fact right across Ireland Jimmy Shand and The Sawdoctors are never out of my disco box! and also there is special music for example Jewish etc weddings, it pays to find out! plus it gives everyone a great nite and you get more bookings etc:)
5/Also find out from the management from the venue what time they want you to finish on the nite. ask the F&B manager or the night manager, there is nothing worse than a dj still playing music, and the hotel manager glaring because he/she and the staff want to go home:)
6/ Always be polite and remember you are helping the couple and the family into the end of their perfect day:)
7/Never drink when you are working, its unprofessional and after all you wouldn't drink if you were driving a truck or whatever for a living....
8/ Have fun:)
1/Prepare the three songs after your first dance you are going to play, prepare a readable list of party games, and any props you may need....theres plenty of sites with party games on the net, but remember for a mixed aged crowd keep the games simple and clean!
2/ Have a starter tune, so that people know after the first dance that the dancing music is beginning, ie John Anderson Big Band Glenn Miller Medley is one I use all the time, you can play anything 60's or 50's after that!
3/ Always play clusters of songs in 3's ie three rock and roll songs, three disco songs etc etc....alot of the older people at the weddings like formal ways of dancing...and a few old time waltzes if there are alot of older people there goes down a treat!
4/ Always include a few slow sets in the night, and also ask if there is any special music required, I do alot of weddings and mobiles in N.Ireland, in fact right across Ireland Jimmy Shand and The Sawdoctors are never out of my disco box! and also there is special music for example Jewish etc weddings, it pays to find out! plus it gives everyone a great nite and you get more bookings etc:)
5/Also find out from the management from the venue what time they want you to finish on the nite. ask the F&B manager or the night manager, there is nothing worse than a dj still playing music, and the hotel manager glaring because he/she and the staff want to go home:)
6/ Always be polite and remember you are helping the couple and the family into the end of their perfect day:)
7/Never drink when you are working, its unprofessional and after all you wouldn't drink if you were driving a truck or whatever for a living....
8/ Have fun:)
Good luck with the wedding
Tell us all how it went afterwards
Joe
Tell us all how it went afterwards
Joe
I got to a point that all I would take was a wedding. They can be fun even for you,
If you do things right.
as far as it being a disco wedding, Music is music.
If you need advise on popular songs from a certain era, let me know and maybe I can help.
If you do things right.
as far as it being a disco wedding, Music is music.
If you need advise on popular songs from a certain era, let me know and maybe I can help.
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