nerves

[marting]

I'm doing my 6th gig tonight which is my first wedding, very posh venue very posh family, I'm also providing up lighting in the form of 12 adj mega bars which will set to master slave config. I'm confident in my gear have had a gig my second which was the gig from hell see bag gig good gig i have done a venue visit have been listening to the provisional playlist for hours have backed up the tracks to a dvd as well as having my main hard drive which has my music collection on it and cd back ups.

I knew i was always going to be nervous doing my first wedding don't want to ruin some ones perfect day but now its here the butter flys have definitely paid me a visit.

[WWDJ]

Backup, twice backup and thrice backup the first dance.
This the moment that everyone is waiting for so you don't want any technical issues.

Confidently announce on the microphone

"Hello Ladies and Gentleman, it's now time for the first dance, pleas put your hands together and welcome to the floor XXXX and YYYY, Mr and Mrs ZZZZ"

Then relax and get on with, what will be a normal function disco.

[Larry B Entertainment]

I had the first dance song fail a few years ago even though I had tested it beforehand. I got the same reaction as if I had just been upto and slapped the brides mother.

You will be fine. Things are never as bad as what we think they will be.

[DiscoMagic]

Hey Martin,

I also had my first proper big wedding this year (since then I've done four more), very upmarket gig and the groom was a DJ for Ministry of Sound! I was cacking my pants!!! Even considered passing it off to someone on the forum, but in the end did it and got some great feed back from the B&G.

So you have visted the venue, met with your clients, got your request list, ensured you have their first dance 100 times over, and checked and double checked you equipment is all ready.

All you need to do is smile, enjoy yourself, and relax. Its amazing how this comes across to your audience. Arrive early to check everything over again, and be pleasent to everyone you meet!

The butterflies still get me becuase like you I totally understand how important the day is to your clients - but that's good and shows you care.

Enjoy yourself mate, and I look forward to your gig report!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

"The butterflies still get me because like you I totally understand how important the day is to your clients - but that's good and shows you care".


That is proper sound advice and spot on! That's exactly how I am. I've done probably a 1000 weddings over the years (that sounds scary :eek: ) and I still get nervous. I used to actually be physically sick but got over that a few years ago. Butterflies is good, it keeps you on your toes.

Good luck and enjoy!

[NKR]

This the moment that everyone is waiting for so you don't want any technical issues.

.

Watch out for sound limiters. We were taken down by a sound limiter on a first dance a few weeks back, very embarassing. The sensor was behind us, so should not have been a problem, but it was.

[marting]

just got back from setting up the weather was appalling i got drenched from head to foot and before i go back tonight i have to get some more phono to xlr leads only getting sound out of one speakers both speakers fine the mixer fine so must be a cable grr. first dance isn't till till 8 and i was planning on being there for 7 just hope it is a cable and nothing else. 2 hours 20 to set up including 10 up lighters will hope to get some pics later if im alllowed.

[Kernow]

I got the same reaction as if I had just been upto and slapped the brides mother.

Cheers and a round of applause ? ;)
It would be with some of the BM's I've met over the years :D

[Larry B Entertainment]

Cheers and a round of applause ? ;)
It would be with some of the BM's I've met over the years :D

Not quite lol

[yourdj]

will hope to get some pics later if im alllowed.

Why would you not be allowed? :p I have only ever had one venue say they did not want to be advertised but the manager was a proper numpty who got fired shortly after :D

Do not be scared of people just because they have more money than you. The people with proper money (not new money chavs) are often allot more laid back and you will have a much more enjoyable night. I cant remember the last "OI play somfing good mush" gig (even though the dancefloor is full) I did.

How did it go then?

good you have an early set up. I would have said if you are setting up on turn around leave the lighting till last. they can do without lights but cannot do without playout and sound. ;)

[DJ Paulie]

The last wedding I did would have been great for pics n vids but the bride said she didn't want me to take any. I was on after a band & so was pretty busy from the get go, so wouldn't have had time anyway !

[yourdj]

The last wedding I did would have been great for pics n vids but the bride said she didn't want me to take any. I was on after a band & so was pretty busy from the get go, so wouldn't have had time anyway !

I have never had anyone say that they did not want photo's taken.
I just do it as its a paramount part of my marketing (as I never answer the phone :p ). i do not at kids parties, high brow events and school discos.

Its all in the t&c's that I will take photos for promotional purposes and every bride has been cool when i walk past them with the video on.

i was going to video a dj the other day. I had spent ages getting there and then the DJ (one of mine) asked the groom and he said no.
The only reason he said no is because he was nervous about the first dance. Nothing about confidentiality or the likes - it was a knee jerk decision spurred on by the question. its 50/50 and he was nervous anyway so would opt for the negative option.

I have been to loads of other DJ's gigs and no one has given a monkeys. In fact they have not even noticed I was there.
Everyone else in the room is videoing anyway :)