I got a call to do a Quince about a month before the event. A quince takes time to prepare since there is a lot to ponder. What events do we want to do in the quince? How traditional do we want it to be? 

  We were fortunate enough to have it at a spacious San Martin Home. We could be as loud or quite as we like and have as much light as we could since we had a lot of room to work with. 

We always need a grand entrance and the birthday girl came out with Turn Down For What. Right after that they went straight to the Baile Sopresa. Then we did a little dancing then we went into dinner. When dinner was announced the parents did a thank you speech for the guests. 

Then it was time to do some quince events. There was the shoe exchange which was sneakers into cowboy boots which was done with the dad and the quince. Then the crowning was done by the mom and the birthday girl. And finally the sisters presented the doll which was wearing the same type of dress as the quince.

After that then we did the 15 Candle presentation where 15 people who are significant were called up one by one to be with the birthday girl.

Then they had open mic speeches then we went straight to cake with the mananitas. 

After that it was party time with a mix of cumbias, pop, and west coast old school hip hop. 

Once the first steps are done then the fun begins. A lot of folks do not know the names of songs but only have a few must haves. At BWADJ we send out playlists that are popular and it makes the song selection easier. Client can also include songs that are not on the list. I like having the list a week in advance so I can secure the music especially if its not on my list.  If it’s a wedding then BWADJ send a wedding coordination sheet with song suggestions and helps organize the events if no wedding planner is involved. A wedding is a custom event so there is no set way to do a wedding. Its based on what the bride and groom wants. If it’s a birthday party and the client wants party music the whole time then we do party music the whole time. Who needs to sit to eat dinner! Most of the time they do eat dinner sitting but it can always be an option! 

We keep in contact with the client to see how their list is going and to see if anything has changed. Then before the event we finally touch base to go over the game plan. 

We show up 1 to 2 hours before the event depending on how many set ups are needed. To set up one simple set up it takes 30 minutes. 

Then we have a fun event with dancing and memories being made.

Right off Highway 152 in Gilroy, there is a winery that can hold many kinds of events. There is plenty of space around it to have a good festive event there. The winery is called Fortino Winery.

I had a call for a Holiday party for a school at Fortino Winery. I have gone to Fortino Winery a few times since its one of my favorites wineries with one of the best tasting rooms around. I do like the fact that it has a long bar at the tasting room and friendly hosts. I  always wanted to play there since it has a good feel.

At Fortino Winery they have a large area for big events. They are able to hold large weddings at their facility. They do also have a smaller venue area to have smaller parties. At this event they had about 10 tables with 10 seats each. You can easily fit 3 more tables to have at least 130 guests at this wine house venue. They had 10 tables and they had plenty of room for a dance floor and an area for the dj plus an area for the phtobooth and it’s props.  On the opposite end they had a self served drink station and a bartender serving drinks on the other end.  

Staff was very friendly and accommodating which a plus at a venue. At some venues, some staff members may say hi but Fortino staff made sure we were taking care of. So if they are that great to the vendors imagine how nice their guests.

Single  Dj Operator Business (one owner)

When a business is ran by a single operator then it’s the owner that the client speaks with and it’s the owner of the company who shows up to the event. The client knows whom they are going to get. Typically the company will have one set up with a possible back up. I am a single operator business and I have my main set up, but I can set up like an outside ceremony and have my main set up for the reception plus can do the cocktail area if needed.

A Multi Operated Business (fewer of these but own the market)

When a business is ran by an owner and may speak with the client and owner may do the event but can send another dj to do the event.  The person who the client spoke and gave details about the event may not be the same person who shows up. If a group has mulitipe events, one dj can be awesome but at the next event can be done by someone who is not as great.  I have seen ads on craigslist for djs to join multi op dj companies who ask for no experience and will train. Do you want that  inexperienced person to do your event?

Which is better?

A Multi Op dj company may have more online reviews and a bigger presence online. It helps having more help on the phones booking wedding venues as their preferred vendors thus increasing more gigs thus earning more of an online presence. But then again one dj may be good and the other ones in the same company may not be as talented.

A Single Op dj clients know what to expect since they are at every event, so there are no surprises and less chance of miscommunication. A single Op dj is the owner of the company and puts in the work. In an ideal world, a multi op dj company would be the best option since they have multiple djs and if the dj could not make it then they could have a replacement and lots of back up equipment but the level of talent is not consistent. If I had to hire an multi Op dj company I would request the owner to do my event, since I know s/he would be passionate with their work. Anyone who has talent  and passion would establish their own dj company. A growing relationship can evolve with a Single OP Dj company since communication is with the same dj and s/he will be there to share the important event with the client.

If you are thinking of taking your dj company to the next level please email me at omar@bwadj,com

Multi op versus Single op revisited