Tip time...

[Charlie Brown]

After a busy few weeks in the disco world its now time for my first wedding this Saturday...

The village seems to be quite posh and there is around 90 coming. I have to be setup for 5 before they serve the hog roast, ready to play background music while they eat....

I just wondered if anybody has any last min tips, running and timing, what to say on the mic, any particular songs that go down well...

They booked me a few months ago when I was charging a tad less so I'm only getting £135 so I wounder what they might expect.....

Thanks in advance guys...Charlie:)

[Impactdisco]

Just because you priced it cheaper than you now are - still give it 100%.
Always always give your best, and at the end of the day you will at least know that.
If they're not expecting much, then you will be able to prove them wrong and they'll be over the moon!
Which will do your reputation no harm whatsoever

[Reminisce disco]

Hi,

As Impactdisco says, give it 100% of your effort, if you put your heart and soul into it , that will shine through during the night. Be polite, and smile :D . Music wise keep it fairly mellow during the food and at a lowish volume so guests can hear themselves chatting. If you are able to use any "mood" lighting that would be good , however, at 5pm it still wont be dark so you may not need any at all.
As for speaking on the mic, 9 times out of 10 the groom or bride or auntie's uncle's mother will come up to you requesting you announce things on the mic on their behalf , like the buffet is ready, or a toast to the bride and groom. Be yourself, be polite to your clients , show them you are enjoying it as much as they are, and use the time wisely when they are eating ,to tidy your rig and organise your music.
Finally if its a posh "do" dress smart as well, i don't know what you wear normally but I always try and dress to suit the occasion, no string vests and bermuda shorts if you get my drift.
Good luck and all the best and try and get some pictures up of the night, i will be interested to see how you got on!! :beer1:

[rob1963]

I just wondered if anybody has any last min tips, running and timing, what to say on the mic, any particular songs that go down well...Charlie:)

Hi Charlie,

Where do I start?

On the subject of the running order & timing, every wedding is different, and it's worth noting that they always run late anyway, so if you're given any particular timings in advance, be prepared for them to be out (or maybe way out) on the actual night.

What I normally do is to set up & then tell them I'm ready & that I'll put on some background music, and if they can let me know when they're ready for the first dance. As for the type of background music to use, it is a good idea to ask them if they want any kind of music in particular. I usually just use a 70's disco compilation CD (it's good because although most people know the tracks, it doesn't contain any of the classics that I might play later). Sometimes if they're a younger couple and have requested a fair bit of recent music, I might use some R & B as background music instead.

On the subject of what to say on the mic, the only difference with weddings is that there are several formal parts to the evening which you will have to announce, the main one being the first dance. I just say something like "Ladies & gentlemen, I believe we're ready for the first dance, so can we please have the bride & groom on the dance floor" After the first dance, I ask everyone to give the bride & groom a round of applause & usually back announce the song.

I usually then go straight into something fast & put all my lights on, although some couples will have a second slow dance, and some even have a third one as well.

Other things which you may or may not have to announce are the cutting of the cake (where you can also ask everyone to gather round with their cameras), throwing the bouquet and the bride & groom leaving (if they do so before the end of the night). These things are in addition to the regular announcements which you're probably used to such as the buffet, last orders & time at the bar.

As for which songs go down well, make sure you ask the bride & groom for some requests (including the first dance!). Apart from that, you need to remember that weddings will usually have a massive age range...from the small kids right up to the grannies, so you need to play a real mixture of music.

I'm sure that quite a bit of the stuff you normally play will also work well. Songs I often play at weddings include any Abba, Billie Jean, Dance the night away, I'm in the mood for dancing, I wanna dance with somebody, Build me up buttercup, I want you back, Brown eyed girl, Valerie, I don't like dancing, You're the first the last my everything, Night fever or Staying alive, Summer of 69, Young hearts run free, Mustang Sally, Girls just wanna have fun, Chain reaction, Cha cha slide, December '63, Jump, Walking on sunshine, Celebration, Spinning around, Macarena, Mambo No 5, I've had the time of my life, Sweet Caroline, I'm gonna be 500 miles, Don't stop me now, Rock DJ, Brown sugar, Car wash, Man I feel like a woman, We are family, Stuck in the middle, Relight my fire, The best, Disco inferno, Dancing in the moonlight, The Grease megamix, YMCA, It's raining men, Uptown girl & I'm your man.

I hope this helps a bit...and have a great gig!

:)

[djsteve10]

After a busy few weeks in the disco world its now time for my first wedding this Saturday...

The village seems to be quite posh and there is around 90 coming. I have to be setup for 5 before they serve the hog roast, ready to play background music while they eat....

I just wondered if anybody has any last min tips, running and timing, what to say on the mic, any particular songs that go down well...

They booked me a few months ago when I was charging a tad less so I'm only getting £135 so I wounder what they might expect.....

Thanks in advance guys...Charlie:)

Just be yourself and make sure you give 110% and make sure you give the Bride & Groom a night to remember.

[DJ INDIE]

top advice from Rob, follow that and youll be spot on.

on top of that be prepared for a few requests on the night too, as people will have been drinking all day and may ask for all sorts of songs - use your discretion to whether or not its suitable to play it.


and last tip of all ........... enjoy it! time will fly by at a wedding as theres so much going on.

[Spirits High]

Charlie,

You'll love it. Relax, be confident and like it's been said enjoy it.

One thing I do is write down the B & G's names in big letters at the top of your requests sheet, that way it's more personal for them rather just saying "B &G" ;)

And there can't be anything worse than forgetting their names or getting it wrong :D

[JAMdisco]

One thing I do is write down the B & G's names in big letters at the top of your requests sheet, that way it's more personal for them rather just saying "B &G" ;)

And there can't be anything worse than forgetting their names or getting it wrong :D

I do the same only have it on my laptop. Christian names and Mr. & Mrs. xxx
Usually the Bride will prefer the new surname (if that's what they've decided on) so make sure you use it. It's her first day as Mrs. so she'll be chuffed. :D

Oh yeah, good luck and enjoy it :D

[rob1963]

One thing I do is write down the B & G's names in big letters at the top of your requests sheet, that way it's more personal for them rather just saying "B &G" ;)

Interesting idea.....I do the complete opposite!

I usually just refer to them as the bride & groom, and I do this for two reasons.

Firstly you don't need to remember or write down their names, and don't have to worry about the possibility of forgetting the names.

Secondly, I prefer to use the term "Bride & groom" rather than their actual names because they will ALWAYS have the same names, but they are only the bride & groom on this one special day of their life...unless of course it doesn't work out & they both re-marry!

[theoloyla]

I must admit I do both. I definately write down their names on a small piece of paper which is discreetly placed where I can see it but a lot of the time I will also refer to them as the bride and groom.

[Sapphire Disco]

Get there earlier than you really need to, so if you have any last minute hitches you've got time to sort them out, also you will have time after you have finished setting up to have a little breather before you have to start playing.


GOOD LUCK :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

One thing I do is write down the B & G's names in big letters at the top of your requests sheet, that way it's more personal for them rather just saying "B &G" ;)


I agree, though I do use their names to start the evening off as it is much more personal. I do say bride and groom too though.

[theoloyla]

I also refer to them sometimes as the "Happy Couple".

[soundtracker]

I usually follow up the first dance with Three cheers for the new Mr & Mrs .......and then straight into the next song

[Danno13]

I usually always say something along the lines of ".. so lets have a big round of applause for the Bride & Groom, XXX & XXXX".. thats both bases covered!

(And then "the new mr. & mrs. XXX after the first dance" )

[Tom]

...still give it 100%


make sure you give 110%

In fact, just give 120%. :lol:

There is a lot of good infomation in this thread. Lap it up.

[DJ INDIE]

charlie, if you can try and remember the face of the best man too, and perhaps the brides father - these are good contacts (potentially) should you need to discuss anything without disturbing the bride and groom.

some dont do this as potentially the best man can be heavily intoxicated (bladdered!!) and not much use - but just make a note just in case you need them in an emergency or you need them to mention something to the organisers or bride and groom :)

[Charlie Brown]

Just because you priced it cheaper than you now are - still give it 100%.
Always always give your best, and at the end of the day you will at least know that.
If they're not expecting much, then you will be able to prove them wrong and they'll be over the moon!
Which will do your reputation no harm whatsoever

No no I think I worded it wrong....I love what I do, and no doubt by the end of the end I will singing and dancing with the guests-for a change:eek: I just thought it was a little cheap for a wedding thats all, thanks for your comment:)


Hi,

Finally if its a posh "do" dress smart as well, i don't know what you wear normally but I always try and dress to suit the occasion, no string vests and bermuda shorts if you get my drift.
Good luck and all the best and try and get some pictures up of the night, i will be interested to see how you got on!! :beer1:

Why thanks for you advice but I wouldn't dream of going to any disco other than white shirt, black tie and suit trousers!
Thank you all for your great comments, although I do a fair but of discos but you are making me nervous reading the comments! Many thanks to all for the advice, especially Rob who decided to write the next Harry Potter (it was a great help :)) A full account with pictures (videos if you are luckily) will follow Sunday morning!!

[Daryll]

Good luck Charlie.

However, by reading your more than mature views on hear I doubt if luck will enter the equation :D

I can only echo the excellent advise that you have already had hear.
Just be yourself ( and hear speaks a man who is still waiting to do his first wedding :) ).

Looking forward to pics reports etc.

Have a good one..........

Daryll