Things I hear at Wedding Fairs ~ Number 1 in a series

As regular readers will know, I’ve done quite a few wedding fairs over recent months and will be doing more in the New Year. I’ve decided to do a couple of blog posts on some of the things couples say as they make their way past my table – please don’t take this as sour grapes, I’m just trying to help couples make sure their reception is everything they want it to be.

So, I frequently hear “We’ve got a DJ in our package” and/ or “We’re using the resident D.J.”

First please let me point out that there is nothing wrong with DJ’s that work with/for venues – I’ve done it in the past myself. Obviously if you are working on a strict budget this can seem very appealing and many resident DJ’s are excellent. However I’d recommend that you ask to meet the DJ before you confirm you want that part of the package. Find out if there is actually a resident DJ or are they just using anyone of several DJ’s that an agent might supply?

If you are booking with a hotel in the previous calendar year perhaps they will supply you with a discounted table at one of their Christmas functions so that you can have a look at their recommended entertainer and check out the food and service. If you don’t want to use their DJ they should be able to reduce the cost of the package or substitute something else, for example soft drinks on the tables, to balance the price of the package. Getting to know the team at your chosen venue can only be a good thing and, if it is a hotel and open to the public, I’d always recommend having at least a couple of meals in the restaurant to get a real feel for what you can expect on your big day.

I feel awkward about writing this next bit but I really need to share this with you, some venues will charge you, or allocate from their package price, £400 or £500 to the entertainment and actually only pay the DJ between £200 and £250. That is not to say that every venue does this, or that the DJ they are supplying isn’t worth the full fee they are charging, but I do believe it’s not an uncommon practice.

If you are booking direct with the venue it will also mean you will have to pay V.A.T. on the fee, resulting in an additional 20% to your total.

In conclusion, a DJ supplied by a venue may well be excellent but you really need to be happy that he’s the right person for the job. The DJ at your wedding is the last piece in the production of your greatest day, you need to be really comfortable that he understands exactly what you want so that you can relax and enjoy it. Please remember a DJ is a service not a product, not all DJ’s are the same and it’s worth taking time to find the right one for you and not just accepting what’s offered.