The Average Wedding:
Church time is 1/2 hour to 1 hour.
Limo time is about 1 hour.
The time after the Church to the end of the Meal is about 2 hours.
Cake is usually seen for 2 hours and eaten for the next 1/2 hour and sometimes worn by members of the wedding party.
The DJ Time is usually 4 hours to 6 hours. Sometimes more.
Most of the time, the entertainment is the least expensive part of the evening.
Most of the time, your guests are going to want to be entertained.
Our professional Dj's and entertainers will make this part of the evening FANTASTIC!!
These are a few rules to remember:
Whoever you get, make sure they listen to your instructions and you. We get this information from a special form we use. We like to have all information in writing so there are no misunderstandings.
Make sure that if you request specific music that your hall or venue will allow it first. There are some multi-hall venues and hotels that will not allow certain types of music such as hardcore rap, hip-hop or extreme heavy metal rock. Be sure to ask the venue manager first. This is especially critical in rural rental halls such as VFW halls, Moose or American Legion clubs or church halls as well as some hotels with attached public bars and/or restaraunts or country clubs.
It is always better if everyone is on the same page and can work together. We like to coordinate with your photographer, your planner, your venue, and you to make sure everything goes as planned.
The DJ should never over rule the Bride or Groom, however;
We will offer suggestions if we think something should be different, and will tell you why, but the final decision is yours.
We don't know your guests until we get there and start your entertainment. Allow us to find a mix that will be good for everyone. Wedding guests usually vary widely in age and style, and is the hardest audience for a Dj, no matter how well seasoned, to entertain. And just because the bride and groom love a certain type of music, it usually will not fit all generations and styles of the guests at your reception. Having something for everyone and knowing when and what, are the key elements to a successful reception party.
One other thing to remember, is that this is usually a FAMILY style event and there will be children there. Once again, some people feel that some modern pop music is offensive to young children. So rather than upset the aunt or uncle with all the little cousins, nieces or nephews, keep in mind that while this is your day, you have to look out for your guests too. If you have a "special" song that is meaningful to you or your spouse, make sure that it is not too risque for the youngsters or check with us or your dj to see if a "clean" version is available.
We emphasize DJ interaction and not just a person who plays music. If you just wanted music, you could rent a juke box. We do not use or allow automated programs or equipment, everything is done live, by hand, mixed manually, one song at a time. Your guests will most likely ask for what they want, and that can change from one minute to the next. This is why we do not use or allow "playlists". Suggestions and requests, yes by all means, but don't try to plan the whole night's music as that has been repeatedly time proven to be a recipe for disaster.
The other extreme we have seen, is the DJ that thinks that the evening is all about the DJ. We look for a balance; entertain yes, but not be the focus for the evening.
This is the longest part of your special day. Make sure you ask enough questions to be sure you are getting exactly what you want and expect.
Rental halls, Church basements and outdoor venues:
Certain lighting and effects have certain power requirements and price charges. Make sure that it is allowed at your venue, and if outdoors, that there is adaquate power and lighting for your entertainment and your guests, not just the Dj lighting, but the background lighting for your guests as well. Nobody wants grandma or grandpa to fall while coming back from the dance floor. Your photographers will have certain requirements as well. Be sure to ask them. Some church halls only have florecent lighting on one main switch. When its off you are left with only the dj lighting and a large dark room full of people. When on, you will not see the effects of the dj lighting. Make sure you find out first so you are not dissapointed.
Also make sure that if you want certain effects, especially strobe lighting, or smoke machines, that this will not cause any medical side effects to you or your guests. Smoke machines use a non toxic compound that is supposed to be non-allergenic, however, it will still affect people with asthma or breathing difficulty.
It is required in some cities, counties and states to display a "Strobe Lights In Use" warning sign at some venues due to local zoning and insurance requirements.
We have access to certain stage lighting effects that have to be rented, however we get a discount and pass that on to you. This will reflect on your price, make sure they can be used at your venue and with your guests or you will wind up paying for special effects that cannot be used and this is non refundable.
We have sound equipment capable of playing any size event from a living room to a football stadium, we also do lighting and sound for bands, indoors or out. The creativity is yours, but the capabilities of the venue always have the last word. There has been many occasions in an outdoor wedding reception where upon arrival, the area that was planned for the DJ or band, was nowhere near any electrical power, or the available power could not sufficiantly power the equipment neccesary. Make sure you plan ahead, and always remember, the only bad question is the one you never think to ask.
Karaoke and weddings:
Karaoke, while widely popular among singers, does not usually work that well at a wedding recption. Down thru the years it has become more and more pronounced that there are people that love karaoke, and people that equally hate it as well. Karaoke at a wedding recption more often than not will usually clear the room all the way down to just the people that like to sing, soon after the cake is cut and the gifts are opened.
However, if you happen to be from a family of singers and the whole bunch just absolutely loves to sing karaoke, then that may be for you. All our systems carry a large song library that includes 150,000 karaoke titles in 95 different professional brands in 6 different languages, as well as a 80,000 song dj library from the earliest 1901 recordings, to todays modern music in all genres, updated daily. We can switch from one to the other from song to song instantly upon demand. Please let us know beforehand if you want karaoke at your recption so that we can bring the right system for your needs.
Video Dj:
1st Entertainment Services was one of the pioneers in the area to put a Video Dj show on the road 3 years ago, and now carry 10,000 music videos in our systems, but time has proven it to be a bit of a problem outdoors and at certain venues because of lighting, and available viewing area. This also means a difference in price. However, if you have the right venue, and want the latest in entertainment as well as the ability to show the photos from the wedding immediately at the reception, please let us know and we will put together a package just for you and your special day.
If you want to view one of our Video Dj shows in action, there is one running every friday and saturday night at Club Impulse, 132 W. Grand ave, Beloit Wi. @ 9pm.