Some great photos from Katherine O'Brien that we did in August 2010:
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Wedding Ceremony Etiquette for Bridesmaids
There are some good points made here which I had not thought about before.
RJ
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Saving Money on Your DJ
TJ & Liza speak about their experience with hiring a DJ on Craiglist and how they got scammed.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Using Google Docs to Plan Your Wedding
Great article from Stacy Zemon at ProMobileDJ.com:
Thursday, June 17, 2010
How Much Should Your Wedding DJ Cost?
Honestly? Probably more than you were planning to pay.
Why?
Because this isn't easy to say, I don't say it lightly: When it comes to Wedding DJ's, Brides and Grooms can and should expect more professionalism than the status quo that has been perpetuated as "acceptable" for far too long.
And that's not just my opinion. Over the years I've talked to brides, grooms, friends, other wedding professionals and even wedding DJ's and everyone seems to agree that the bar for Wedding DJ professionalism has been set (but even more oddly, accepted) at an often shockingly low level of expectation. In many cases the quality of the service provided falls well beneath the level of mediocrity. IMO that's not ok because the reputation of the entire DJ industry is damaged every time a DJ falls short. It's created an atmosphere of apathy where people in need of a DJ often hope to pay very little for one simply because they expect so little in return.
Read the full article here:
Monday, June 14, 2010
Quote For A DJ For "Just 4 Hours"
A great article here.
RJ
Typically these days I am on-site from about two to three hours before the ceremony starts (playing music and providing sound for the ceremony), followed by cocktail and canapé hours, then on to the reception where I am usually both the Master of Ceremonies and the DJ. A 14 hour day (plus travel and prep time) is commonplace.
Before that even happens though, I’m putting in between 12 and 20 hours of preparation time, including up to two meetings with the couple (and their parents where possible and appropriate). Only by being properly prepared can I offer the sort of service that my clients truly deserve.
Of course if all you really want is a DJ for 4 hours, you can find plenty of the old-style DJs in the Yellow Pages. They still need to advertise to get their clients because they don’t get referred as much. There might be a reason for that.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Wedding Tip…
One piece of advice I give my clients before their wedding day is that your guests are there to party with you! Avoid leaving your reception for long periods of time. If your photographer is going to take you out for additional photographs during the reception, inform your DJ before the wedding day and come up with a plan to keep the guests entertained. When couples spend too much time away from their receptions, the guests may assume they have left and think the reception is over. They step outside to see the bride and groom and begin to say their goodbyes. This leads to a chain reaction at the door, and the bride and groom can spend the rest of the reception sending their guests away one by one.
If you are planning extensive group photographs, schedule them after the ceremony and before you make your grand entrance. If a large group of people leave the reception with you, the rest of the guests could feel left out. That will radically affect the positive energy you and your entertainer have worked so hard to achieve. This is going to be an incredible day for the two of you, and you should make every moment memorable.
If you are planning extensive group photographs, schedule them after the ceremony and before you make your grand entrance. If a large group of people leave the reception with you, the rest of the guests could feel left out. That will radically affect the positive energy you and your entertainer have worked so hard to achieve. This is going to be an incredible day for the two of you, and you should make every moment memorable.
Free touches that add something special to a wedding
Julie Zanfagna Roland, who was married on the beach in Narragansett, R.I., two years ago, remembers her favorite touch from a friend’s wedding. “She asked everyone to write their all-time favorite dance song on the RSVP card,’’ Roland recalls. “The DJ used the responses to make the song list.’’ Yin recalls one reception in which a “courageous groom serenaded his wife on the dance floor, playing the guitar and singing their song.’’ Kerry Epstein, a Boston wardrobe stylist, recently helped organize a bachelorette party for her sister, Lauren, in which all the bridesmaids learned the steps from the music video for Beyoncè’s “Single Ladies.’’ The girls then showed off their mastery of choreography at the wedding.
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
8 Best Wedding Apps for iPhone
Wedding applications are among the most popular applications available on iTunes. If you have been involved in a wedding, you are probably familiar with all the hard work that you have to put forth to get through a wedding without any major problems. There is a whole lot of planning and organization that you will need to do to throw a dream wedding event. Thanks to the talented community of iPhone developers, you have access to various wedding applications that can help you get more things done and manage you event like a pro.
If you are looking for a wedding iPhone application, here are 9 options to consider:
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
A Site Survey With Your DJ
I revised a contract today with a couple that wanted to remove the second sound system from their event. The bride's mother called me and expressed her concerns that it really wasn't necessary to have a second sound system when the ceremony was only going to be 15 minutes. The other factor that came into play is that the place at the venue where the ceremony was going to be is only 10 feet from where I will be set up inside. My solution was to put a speaker outside the door for the ceremony and then move it inside after the ceremony. I've done it before and for smaller ceremonies it can work and can also save the couple money. It reduces the time needed for setting up which makes me happy. One thing to make sure of, if you go this route, is to make sure that the DJ inside has proper sight lines to see what is going on during your ceremony so as not to miss any cues. If it is not possible for the DJ to see, then you can use an assistant, or a cell phone, provided that both people on the cell phone are not in view of the guests.
When I set up two sound systems for a ceremony and reception, the ceremony system has to be taken down during the transition when cocktail music is being played. If I am lucky, I have an assistant (often my wife Maria) who can help in putting away that system quickly while pictures are being taken. If not, maybe I can do it quickly, or it may have to wait until the end of the event.
I think the best solution is to do a site survey with your DJ and get recommendations so all this can be worked out before the contract is even put together. Most DJs should be willing to meet with you at your venue to give you valuable feedback on what would work best for everybody involved. During a site survey we can figure out where tables will be placed as well and verify who will provide tables, whether it is the venue or a rental company.
Another benefit is that your DJ can also see where to park their vehicle and load in, and also check power sources and then see about where to get dressed too. I am always open to do a site survey as it also allows me a chance to connect with the coordinator at the venue and begin building a relationship so that we can get to know each other and work more effectively as a team on your event.
The fewer details that have to be figured out on the big day means that there will be less stress that will be in your event and in your team of vendors. All of these are important factors that can really make a difference in the success and flow of your event.
Ask your DJ if he/she is willing to make a site survey happen for you. It is certainly worth it, especially if your DJ has not performed at your venue before.
I appreciate your comments as well on this topic and anything else you care to add.
DJ-RJ
When I set up two sound systems for a ceremony and reception, the ceremony system has to be taken down during the transition when cocktail music is being played. If I am lucky, I have an assistant (often my wife Maria) who can help in putting away that system quickly while pictures are being taken. If not, maybe I can do it quickly, or it may have to wait until the end of the event.
I think the best solution is to do a site survey with your DJ and get recommendations so all this can be worked out before the contract is even put together. Most DJs should be willing to meet with you at your venue to give you valuable feedback on what would work best for everybody involved. During a site survey we can figure out where tables will be placed as well and verify who will provide tables, whether it is the venue or a rental company.
Another benefit is that your DJ can also see where to park their vehicle and load in, and also check power sources and then see about where to get dressed too. I am always open to do a site survey as it also allows me a chance to connect with the coordinator at the venue and begin building a relationship so that we can get to know each other and work more effectively as a team on your event.
The fewer details that have to be figured out on the big day means that there will be less stress that will be in your event and in your team of vendors. All of these are important factors that can really make a difference in the success and flow of your event.
Ask your DJ if he/she is willing to make a site survey happen for you. It is certainly worth it, especially if your DJ has not performed at your venue before.
I appreciate your comments as well on this topic and anything else you care to add.
DJ-RJ
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Is it acceptable to ask for money for your wedding?
A report says that 45% of brides and grooms would like their guests to skip the wedding gifts and just give them the cash.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Where To Seat Your Guests
This is a great article from Clink Events with some ideas on how to set up your guest tables at a wedding:
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Involving Family and Friends in a Wedding
Here's an article from Austin photographer, Lori Luza about:
Involving Family and Friends in a Wedding
Involving Family and Friends in a Wedding
Friday, May 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Bird Seed Favors For Your Wedding
I did a wedding a few weeks ago and my clients had bird seed favors for their sendoff. I got a few that were leftover and the birds in my yard have been very happy when I put them out. They came wrapped in cute little bags with the couples names on the tags. I see from their website that they have many different shapes and also that they are based in Texas as well. You can visit their website, NatureFavors.com and order them via mail if you wish for your big day.
Here is what they look like.
Support the birds in your neighborhood and also local business with these great bird seed favors from Nature Favors.
DJ-RJ
Here is what they look like.
DJ-RJ
Monday, March 22, 2010
Broberg Wedding at Barr Mansion
It was a great honor to work Abby & Kurt putting their wedding ceremony and reception together in February at Barr Mansion. We had many special events that we put together in our planning sessions. One of the most special moments was Abby's father-daughter dance. I got together with her father and we created a medley of three different songs from LP and cassette. It was a big surprise when Abby heard her voice over the speakers from a recording she made when she was only 11 years old. This is one of the special delights I can add to your event when you book me for The Unforgettable package.
Here are some photos from Katherine O'Brien Photography.
Getting a microphone on Kurt before the ceremony:
Me doing one of my infamous Anniversary Dance interviews:
Toasting Kurt & Abby:
Hey, that's me:
Kurt & Abby's first dance:
"Music4Life DJs are extremely professional and fun. They do a lot of the "heavy-lifting" of planning a big party - so you quickly realize you have an ally. I so enjoyed working with RJ. Hey was delightful and I guarantee he will be invested in your event."
~Abby Mooney
Let me know how I can make your reception or party amazing!
RJ
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Great Video of Music4Life DJs
Special thanks for Marc Brown of Digital Legacy for sharing this great video of Music4Life DJ, Jabari Warfield at The Thistle Cafe in downtown Austin.
Jabari and I did the interview together and you can see how it clearly takes this video to another level. This interview is just one of the examples of what you can have when you book with Austin Wedding DJs Music4Life.
Jabari and I did the interview together and you can see how it clearly takes this video to another level. This interview is just one of the examples of what you can have when you book with Austin Wedding DJs Music4Life.
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