Wedding DJ Tips

One common issue I run into from wedding to wedding is when guest tables are set-up close to my speakers. If you love music or are drinking the night away it's no big deal. But, for the elderly or those sensitive to sound, it can be a problem. Just the sight of my "big speakers" can create concern for some guests.

The Hardy farm in Fryeburg is one of my favorite venues in the entire State of Maine. The Wooded Chapel is perfect for ceremonies, the patio serves as the cocktail hour spot, the tent is where food is served and finally the barn for the party portion of the night 1. The owners are fantastic people too, Greg & Deb Link.

Be extra sure that your wedding DJ has liability insurance. Many venues request something called a certificate of insurance. It's a form that gives the venue details about who the DJs insurance company is, the effective dates of the policy, the policy number and amount of coverage. Add this little detail to your list of things to prepare for!!

We all want the perfect weather day!! Be prepared to take action if Mother Nature tries to interfere with your outdoor ceremony. Wind and rain in particular can have a negative effect on wireless microphones. For tented weddings, heat & humidity require fans, cold requires several heaters (ones that work too). Be prepared, have a Plan B.

Send me your favorite dance songs and include a "do not play" listing of songs and I'll create a music format at your wedding that'll work in keeping everyone dancing from beginning to end!! I'm watching the dance floor, reading the crowd and making any needed adjustments to the song selection and flow. It's party time and I'll make them dance, guaranteed!

The Parent Dances, The Cutting Of The Cake and the Bouquet Toss, all popular wedding traditions. Some are shortened version, some modified and customized while some are skipped entirely... Consider short versions of you parent song choices, a quiet announcement about the cake cutting or deciding at the last minute on a bouquet toss.

One of the oldest, time-tested traditions at a wedding, the toast or speeches. Be sure to give this tradition some thought, perhaps some time restraints, content limitations? I'll also give a quick lesson to each person speaking as to how to hold and speak into the hand-held wireless microphone!! Clarity and ease of understanding are important.

The Wedding DJ as MC by Dave Dionne

Preparing cocktail hour music is always a pleasure. You can play just about any type of music. Since it's mostly background music, it's a great opportunity for couples to put in their favorite artists or song, even if they are obscure of less played. Put your stamp on the cocktail hour music, your music vibe. The bar is open, food is available and music is playing, setting the mood!!!

Introductions for the reception, go formal or skip entirely? It depends on your vibe as it pertains to formalities. Some couples opt for a middle of the road approach, dignified, clean, crisp and short intros. Or maybe you prefer the Michael Buffer style, the WWE high-powered voice belting out names?

Having children at your wedding, consider buying the children's book "The Best Wedding Ever". It's a beautifully illustrated children's book written by me, DJ Dave Dionne. It's a cool way to show kids what they'll see at a wedding, the ceremony, first dance, cake cutting, etc....

I did a Google search today, I typed in Maine Wedding DJs. One of the top search options was a company offering a Wedding DJ for UNDER $500!!! You might have better luck shopping for a wedding DJ on Craig's List. Maine is a big State, there's no way to offer a DJ for a wedding in Fort Kent or Kittery at the same price (or an island wedding).

For a quick and accurate Wedding DJ pice, feel free to text or call at 207-240-3012 anytime or email me at dave@davedionne.com. A quick phone call can easily get you an accurate quote with only a few basic questions (how many hours do you need the DJ for? Do you need the DJ for the ceremony?). Be sure to book your Wedding DJ ASAP!!!!

It looks like we're headed back to "normal" here in Maine as it pertains to weddings. I appreciate the fact that the pandemic is fading and especially that we here in America are safe and able to gather with friends and family for the upcoming wedding season. When I see how life is in the Ukraine, I'm especially appreciative of where we're at in Maine.

Most couples inquiring to my wedding DJ company ask two main questions, are you available and hoe much do you charge? Each inquiry is unique, it's distance from our home base, the number of hours you may need, whether or not the wedding is on an island (or mountaintop). Typical pricing starts between $1295 and $1695. For a more experienced wedding DJ, the price can be substantially higher.

It's a common question from couples, what's the process for picking music!! Choosing pre-ceremony music, cocktail hour music and dinner music is easy, anything works and fits. Dancing time music is a bit tricker. You may want give your Wedding DJ "Carte Blanche" as far as deciding what to play and when to play it!!

Be sure to take the time to prepare a list of songs to be played during the pre-ceremony time period. Ask your DJ if they'll be including that service on the day of your wedding. in addition to your processional and recessional songs, choosing the right pre-ceremony music helps set the tone or the vibe for the actual ceremony.

If you'll be having children at or in your wedding, consider getting the children's book "The Best Wedding Ever". 38 beautifully illustrated pages that show what typically happens at a wedding, the ceremony, the photographs, intros, first dance, toasts, father/daughter dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss and dancing to the DJ's music!!! Available on Amazon in paperback or hard cover.

Like so many other sectors of the economy, there's a shortage of experienced and affordable Wedding DJs. Be sure to book your DJ as soon as possible. Get a written contract and a certificate of insurance too! Be sure your wedding DJ is easy to reach.

Have you decided to feed your wedding vendors? Photographer, Bartender, DJ, Band, Photo Booth person, etc... It's not in my Wedding DJ contract that you have to feed me, but if you do, I appreciate it. If you do decide to feed your DJ, be sure to convey that fact to your wedding coordinator or caterer! Plan ahead!

Be sure to get a written contract from your wedding DJ. It should contain the date, time, place, cost, cost for additional hours and the retainer/deposit amount. You should also get a Certificate Of Insurance. Like other parts of the economy, Wedding DJs are facing a huge demand with a limited supply.

If you'll be having children at your wedding, consider the perfect gift for them, the children's book: "The Best Wedding Ever". It's 38 pages of illustrations that'll teach kids what weddings look like... Easy to read too, covering various wedding events like the ceremony, the introductions, the first dance, the cutting of the cake, bouquet toss and more... available on Amazon.

If you've got at least 3 years of experience as a Wedding DJ, I'd love to hear from you. You must have your own equipment and reliable transportation. Dionne Entertainment sends DJs to the State of Maine's top wedding venues every single year!! You'll be very well compensated!!!

Be sure to ask your DJ if they provide wedding ceremony services. This service typically includes a speaker system, wireless microphones, pre-ceremony music, processional and recessional songs too. Our company also provides it's own electricity for ceremonies in unique locations that have no electrical power.

If there's one thing that really gets my goat, it's when I send out an accurate and timely quote and it goes to the recipients junk or spam folder and never gets read!!! I take pride in getting back to people quickly. To be on the safe side, feel free to call or text me for a quote anytime, it's guaranteed to be junk and spam free!!!