Wedding Forum - I am your UKbride Disco Expert - Please...

Hi

We're having our evening reception on Saturday (got married a few weeks ago away from home). We've booked the dj and I've been in touch with him with a list of 'essential' tracks that we want, as well as some 'desirable' tracks that would be nice, but not too bothered if they're not played. I also explained the type of music we like, and the type of music we like on a night out. I also gave him a general idea of age range of guests, with some exceptions - so I think I've covered everything lol. But is there anything I should be looking for/checking/asking that I might have missed?

Hello, Looking for advice/tips obviously my wedding is a while away (as im often reminded) but i have no clue about what is the best price charged by DJ's etc the venue i have chosen can provide one but his current price is £600 and they dont know by how much his prices will go up in 2014. I am aware that obviously a DJ's price can and will go up but i feel £600 is a little steep, or is that price the norm? and how can i find a trusted DJ as building trust and comfort is something quite important too me. Is it best to just keep google searching for my area too see what is best? Based in Essex Area. xx

claire can i suggest that you have meetings with various DJ`s ......i really believe that you get a good feeling , we did that with ours and after going throught bits we ended up chatting about all sorts and got on really well with him.... i would be more than happy to reccommend him to anyone in the westmidlands area ...just ask if you would like details .

Thanks for that tip Lala :0) x

Clairebear i have posted on your wall babe

Hi Scott,

I'm near to booking my DJ, lighting nd dance floor (comes as a package) I just wanted to check with someone in the business that what they're stating for a package price isn't a rip off basically. Right the two packages and prices they are offering is:

Package 1
• DJ
• Lighting in the colour of our choice
• Black and white chequer board dance floor
Total: £750

Package 2
as above but with an LED dance floor
Total: £900

Much appreciated in advance!

Hi Kimmy,

Sorry I haven't replied sooner, i've been extremely busy and haven't had time to check this forum.

Yes there are effects your DJ can use to do that for you. If they are using a computer based play-out system, then there are usually built-in effects on there. I use Virtual DJ and there is one simply called 'Scratch'

I hope this helps. :-)


Hi KarenZ,

Before I can tell you whether your price is about right, could you please tell me, if possible:

What size dance floors you have been quoted for?
How many uplighters will the DJ install around the room?
How much is he/she charging for each individual service, i.e Disco, Dance floor, LED Uplighting (You don't have to tell me, but it would help me greatly to see whether they're quoting in the right region)

You can email the info to scott[@]sjsdiscos.co.uk if you don't want to share on the forum.

Thanks a lot and I look forward to your reply :-)


Regards,

Scott.

Thank you Scott!!

Hi KarenZ,

The smallest dance floor I hire out is 12ft x 12ft which would take about 30 dancers, so for a Black & White one, it would be around £285. A 12ft x 12ft LED dance floor is around £625.
LED Uplighting, IF you are having you whole room lit, it would normally need around 10 - 12 units + Set-up & Removal = approx £250...If you are only having 4 units, then I would think no more than £100 for them.
Then for a good quality disco, it'd be about £300+

So package one would be around £835 and package 2 would be around £1200.

Please check to make sure what size dance floor and how many uplighters you are getting.

Hope this helps,

Scott.

Hi Stevie_Dee,

To be honest, either is ok with me. If the B&G submit their requests through the website, then I try to play as many as I can, all that I ask is they don't try to make me to play them in a strict order...leave that bit to me as the DJ.

If they just want to submit genre's or particular decades of music they want, then I am happy to work with that.


Regards,

Scott.

Hi All,

I'm still about if any of you have any questions DJ/Disco related.

Feel free to post below and i'll reply asap!


Regards,

Scott.

hey scott dont know if you can offer any advice or not... we found DJ that has a snow machine, he said that if its on a light setting and not on for long than it wouldnt make our dancefloor a danger zone. we only want the snow machine on just for our first dance- so about 4mins at the most. he's fully insured and we said that we'd wipe over the dance floor after to let it dry.... the hotel were using are saying no to it though as its against health and safety. surly the point of a indoor snow machine is that it already complies with regulations. i asked the co ordinator to make sure the h&s person knew that it would be 4 mins, dj's contact info etc etc but is there any advice you could give us to get this in our favour as we are going to see the hotel later and a snow machine would just be more than a dreams come true xx

Hi Scott, I'm having a bit of a dilemma. I've booked a DJ for my wedding and paid the deposit. He's charging £675 and when I tell people this they are gob smacked but for what we're getting I think it's a good deal. He is doing the music for our ceremony, background music for the photos and during the wedding breakfast, full use of his pa system for the speeches then background music before the band, then disco til 12.30am. He has full insurance and all the official memberships, a website with a unique password where we and our guests can make online requests. He's doing 12 hours work on the day plus the preparation before and I think he's given a very reasonable price. What do you think?

Really grateful for your professional opinion.

Thanks Scott, that's really put my mind at rest. I thought it was a great deal but others made me doubt myself.

Hi Embben,

You can get £10m PLI included with a membership for £75 from either the National Association of Disc Jockeys (NADJ) or the Alliance of Mobile & Party DJ's (AMPdj). You will get 12 months membership included with whichever association you choose.

With either association, your bother will have to follow a strict code of conduct otherwise, should he receive any complaints etc, his membership can be cancelled which will also void his PLI.

Hope this helps.


Regards,

Scott.

Thanks for your advice Scott, we managed to get what we wanted on virtual dj, it sounds great we just need to practice now...thankyou.xx

Hi Sussie,

To find a reputable Mobile DJ, you could try:

Needadisco/DJMark
National Association of Disc Jockeys (NADJ)
Wedding DJ Alliance (WdjA)
Alliance of Mobile & Party DJ's (AmpDJ)

Alternatively, I know many DJ's from all over the UK, so I could provide you with contact details for the more local ones to you.


Hi Kimmy,

No problem, here to help. I hope it all goes well! :-)


Hi fairy-cakes,

Apologies for the delay, it's been a bit mad with Christmas kicking in. As far as a Snow Machine goes, unfortunately, the majority are saying that if the venue are saying 'No', there's not really anything you can do.

Maybe and I mean MAYBE, if you get a copy of all the DJ's insurance documents and print the manufacturers information about the snow machine and possibly type up a signed letter, stating that it will be on no longer than 4 minutes, you agree to wipe the dance floor etc and you have insurance (DJ's PLI) to cover any incidents etc (So you or the DJ are taking responsibility), they might think about it.

Usually, the main reasons for saying no would be:

A) They don't really know what a snow machine is/does, so just say no, like many venues do with smoke/haze machines.

B) They have had an incident in the past due to a snow machine, so they won't let anyone use them.

C) They are worried that if the dance floor is slippy and someone does injure themselves, they will try to make a claim against the venue.

I hope this helps and sorry I can't give you a definitive way of swinging it in your favour...Good luck! :-)


Regards,

Scott.

P.S. It's unlikely I will be around much or at all until after Christmas, as it's getting busier by the week with Christmas Parties etc, plus I have family coming over in 2 weeks, so I will be trying to spend time with them.

I hope you all have a great Christmas and don't get too drunk on New Years Eve lol! ...At least, think of me whilst you enjoy a drink on NYE as i'll be sober and DJ'ing haha!

happy new year to you too Scott ......

when would you recommend a meeting with your Dj prior to your wedding ? i have a fantastic Dj

yes it does thank you i will get hold of my DJ and arrange a meeting nearer the date of my wedding .... i thought this would be a good time to hand over a list of songs we would like to have played etc

Would I be considered pushy if I make a list of songs to play and nothing else, as in to say that DJ is not allowed to improvise and choose songs, and can't play songs requested by anyone but me? There are so many popular songs that I hate with a passion, and don't want to hear them, but know for a fact that they would be played either by DJ choice or requests from guests.

you make me feel better, but I think its just fair, like you say we are the ones paying him, so we should be entitled to hear what we like

Hi Scott or anyone else out there!!!

Can you recommend a d.j in the solihull area. I finding it really hard to know who is good and who isnt...any suggestions would be fantastic!

Thank you

x

Hi, Scott,

I have just found a DJ in Bridgewater ( you may know him from the location). His prices are very reasonable indeed - £250 for five hours, pus a video wall.

He uses MP3's for his music and MP4's for his videos. I asked him about Pro dub license, and as he buys his music direct from iTunes, he says he negates the use of pro dub. is this correct? and you you think his prices are *too* cheap?!

That's great, Scott. Thank you. It's pretty much what he said to me, but wanted to run it by you, just in case.

Update:

Just got back, and we were so impressed with who is now, our DJ! We have got: disco, inc. full lightshow, '32' plasma screen for videos/messages, four up lighters (normally £25 each to hire), - all for £275! - £250 for the disco and screen, and £25 for the uplighter hire. Bargain! Plus, he has 15 years experience, and he never let's anyone near a wedding unless his DJ's have a minimum of seven years experience under their belt.

He's based in Bridgewater, so if anyone in the south-west is looking for a really cheap, but good DJ, I'm more than happy to post on their wall.