Ways to Find your Wedding Vendors

One way to find vendors is to ask someone who recently got married and ask for their input. The newly married person can give their recommendations and who to stay away from. 

Also once you secured your wedding vendor then you can ask them if there are people they worked with that would be a benefit to the wedding.  People in the industry know other folks in the industry and have seen and heard of their work. 

Also the venue may have their own preferred vendors to help you get ideas of who to select. Usually the preferred vendor has been there a few times and knows how the venue does their business. 

Another way would be to go under yelp and see who has good reviews. It is quite humorous how people trust stranger’s recommendations. Yelp uses an algorithm rank the top performers. I would trust someone with more reviews than someone less that 15. 

A way to find vendors would be to search under Google. Google will rank based on how often the vendor is searched. If the business is registered as a business then they will have Google reviews. 

Another way would to go to a bridal show. To actually set up a display at a bridal show as a vendor is very pricey. Vendors who invest in a booth are serious about their business to invest so much. Beware of the folks who hide behind the table. The best vendors are in front of the table and make them easy to approach. Be aware of those vendors that seem too pushy. Ideally, you would want to select someone you chose as opposed to someone who bullies you to buy his or her service.

One of the first items on the to wedding to do list is to book a venue. Once that is established, then next on the list is to find the dj. Often times, we can select a dj that you seen perform at a wedding that you liked. It is recommended to book your dj 9 months to a year in advance to secure the dj of your choice. Most weddings happen on Saturday but if another day such as Friday or Sunday is selected then there is a better chance that your dj maybe available.  A lot more weddings happen during wedding season during the summer months. The temperature is better suited for the wedding and some weddings can be held outside without it being too cold or rainy.

For me, it would be good to have the booking 6 months ahead. In that time, there is not a rush to meet and go over logistics and gives the dj and the couple time to work on the playlist together. Then once the date is around the corner the list is already done and the plan is already established so there is less to worry about.

It is beneficial to pick your number 1 dj since he will not be booked that day and also for peace of mind. There is so much going on for the wedding that it is one less item to think about.

The dj will most likely ask for a nonrefundable deposit to secure the day. The reason for the nonrefundable deposit so the dj will not lose business in case the original customer cancels on the event and the dj turned down other events since he was booked for that prior event. 

These days everyone and their mom are a dj. With technology advances, many folks can play music and make legit transitions.

Do you truly like the dj you hired based on his or her skill level or just the price that the dj gave you.  For the sake of your wedding reception, please make sure the dj has experience to play at a wedding. The Dj makes or breaks the wedding with his music and microphone presence.

If a dj is charging 200 or 300 dollars then they are a beginner dj and its best to get a family friend to play music off their ipod since it will be the exact same experience.

You get what you pay for.

Djs that charge 400 to 600 are part time djs who have full time jobs.  They do have some experience and can have a good experience with these djs.

Djs that charge over 1000 to 2500 dollars are the real deal. They can really talk up the wedding and 9 times out of 10 a full time dj. Since djing is their full time gig, they can spend more time preparing for the wedding.

On average the wedding couple spends 700 to 1400 dollars on a dj. Especially now couples are spending more money now than in the past to ensure a good wedding experience.

Take the time to interview djs to get a feel of what kind of wedding you want.  Also take a glimpse of their reviews to get a sense of the quality work of the dj. A common question would be can we see you perform a wedding. That makes it difficult since weddings are usually made for private events.

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Photos are nice to have and put in a wedding album and even decorate the house.  A photographer can take many shots and they secure the memories of the important event of the couple’s life.  The ceremony itself can be filmed and also the reception.  Budget maybe an issue but there are different services rendered for filming a wedding and there can be some sort of video made of the wedding.

The wedding is one of the most monumental events in a person’s life. If worst comes to worst vows can be recorded on a mobile phone but ideally it would be great if it is done professionally.

There is some magic of the first dance and mother/son dance or father/ daughter dance.

Video can capture the beauty of older relatives sharing a joke at a table or baby cousins giving each other a hug. Video can capture the moments a picture may miss.

Toasts can live forever in video.

The couple can relive their magical day through video so the can reminisce the wedding during anniversaries.

It may take many months to plan a wedding but the wedding itself goes quickly and it best captured on video. The couple will not catch everything that happens but can see what the camera sees when the day is long over.

Photography should be done by a professional no and ifs or buts. Video should be included in the wedding. If the budget allows, but if the budget does not allow then a guest with a video camera would be option B. Given an option of no video or a video done by a non professional the non-professional wins hands down. 

I like to set up multiple microphones during a live P.A. event. I have one microphone on the stand plus one for the dj booth.  I spread out the speakers as far as I could to cover more ground.  I do not put the speaker at full volume. I typically put it at 50 percent and max out at 75 percent.

More often than not there are different people who speak at different volume levels. Every time someone speaks, you may have to adjust the volume based on how loud they talk into the microphone and how close they have it to their mouth.

Also it is a good idea to tape down the cabling and wires. I always do a sound check before I tape anything down in case I have to use different cables or a different microphone.  It is good to have more than one extension cord in case one needs more cord to reach the power.

I use microphones that are always on, but I am able to turn them on or off from the mixer I use. It is good to turn them off when people are talking to each other before the ceremony not knowing it is on, because the audience can be able to hear them talk other business.

Also it is good to be aware of how hot it is. Certain speakers may have issues since it is really hot. It is good to keep speakers in a shaded area and if not some speakers have weather proof covers. It is good to take an extra speaker, since the elements may cause the speaker to overheat or get wet.  Heat can be an enemy, but also rain can be a party pooper. 

A few weeks ago, I did a prom in downtown San Jose. The Tech Museum was the venue. When you think of the Tech Museum, one thinks of hands on activities of interesting concepts. Every few months they do change the theme so if one goes a few times a year then they do not see the same exhibits twice.

If you do not know, the Tech Museum can be an event venue that can be rented out. Three floors were used for the prom. One floor had the appetizers and fantastic food and drinks. The middle floor was the dance floor. And the top floor, prom goers could get their hands on the Tech toys, which drew lots of interest.

I was in awe of how helpful the staff was.  They helped me secure VIP parking and were very accommodating with the logistics with the location. I even got a phone call from the events manager to get important details. 

Always have your backups

I always try to be two steps ahead. I always take multiple computers with me to events. 2012 was the last time I had a beach ball on my mac on my external hard drive and it took like a minute but have had not other issue since.   The next day I ordered another mac book pro and no longer use an external hard drive but an internal hard drive. Not only computers, I take I do take multiple set ups too since I always like being prepared. I am grateful for controllers since it is turntables and mixers all in one.

I have a big suv that I fill it up to the brim with equipment. I believe in having back ups to my back ups. Yes, it is more work to carry everything but it is for a piece of mind. I was talking to another dj that only carries one controller and one computer. I asked him what happens if something does not work. His response was oh well. I do not do oh well. If for some reason my computer is not working, I have another one with the same music and I will have the playlist on my phone. Say my controller goes on vacation, and then I have another one who is ready to be on the starting line up.

One never knows what to expect at a gig. One gig may not have electricity at a close proximity or extra speakers maybe needed. I have speakers on the bench waiting to wave them in.

A lot of events that need djs are special days and everything has to be run smoothly. Every little detail counts to make your special day even more special. Be prepared at all times!

HIP HOP LOVE JAMS

LL COOL J  I NEED LOVE

BUSTA RHYMES AND MARIAH CAREY  I KNOW WHAT YOU WANT

THE PHARCYDE  PASSIN ME BY

BIG DADDY KANE  SMOOTH OPERATOR

JA RULE AND VITA  PUT IT ON ME

50 CENT FT NATE DOGG  21 QUESTIONS

METHOD MAN AND MARY J BLIGE  ALL I NEED

POOR RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS  SHAKIYLA

MOBB DEEP  HEY LUV

SNOOP DOGG FT PHARRELL  BEAUTIFUL

LL COOL J  AROUND THE WAY GIRL

CHINGY PULLIN ME BACK

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