Shaun
25-06-2012, 12:00 PM
I won't name the Hotel as this forum section is viewable by the public, but the local guys will probably know which venue it is by the next sentence below...
The hotel in question has their own sound system which they insist the DJ hooks into. Some crap name brand that I'd never heard of before.
I've been turning away bookings at this venue for years as I prefer to use my own gear, but my Bride from last Saturday really wanted me as her DJ and talked the venue into allowing me to use my own setup.
I loaded the gear in to just outside the function room and the assistant manager storms over to me and tells me to "get the speakers out the building, you'll be hooking into ours". I smile politely and inform him that the bride has arranged for us to use our own, he doesn't seem to like this answer and gives me the death stare..lol. At this point the manager comes over and informs the assistant manager that it's ok for us to use our own gear.
The staff begin to change round the room, leaving the tables where we were to setup to last. Not wanting to rock the boat anymore I waited patiently to the side out of their way. When I finally had access to the setup area it meant I had to setup directly on the dancefloor due to limited space. This too seemed to cause a drama for the staff, they stated that there wouldn't be enough room to dance (although I'm not sure why, the dancefloor was large enough). Again, I was told if I had just used their sound and lighting system I wouldn't have to setup on the floor at all. Again, I smile through gritted teeth and carried on with what I was doing.
Next the Assistant manager states that he'll be announcing the first dance. I mention to him that I have all the details here and have gone through all the information in great detail with the bride, and that she is expecting me to make the announcements and introductions. He then proceeds to rebuke that by stating that the bride has told them they would be doing the announcements. Now, I'm fine with that if that's the brides wishes, but I went and checked with the Bride anyway just to make sure there were no crossed wires. Upon discussing that with the Bride she told me she had never asked the venue to introduce the first dance at all. So away I went to politely inform the venue that they won't be required to call the first dances. I just got a stare from them!
A few minutes later. I'm told by the manager that Finale dance (Loch Lomond) must be complete prior to Midnight. This seemed a little strange considering that I was booked until 1am. SO I mention that I'm actually booked until 1am, and he reiterated again that the finale dance must be complete by Midnight and the music reduced to very low levels with the bass reduced for the last hour to appease the hotel guests. I said I'll certainly do my best to find a common ground with the sound levels but I would have to discuss the finale song with the Bride. When discussing it with the Bride she was horrified that the hotel is dictating to her that that her last song of the night is to be played an hour early. I told her to leave it with me and I would sort it out. So again I head back to the manager and let him know that the bride is very unhappy with the situation and would like song she has chosen as her last song at the very end of the evening. He then changes directions and says he only mentioned that as he thought it would be better to have all the guests doing the finale at 12 in case some leave before 1am. I'm completely bewildered at this point, so I just let him know that the Bride has made her decision and the Finale Dance will go ahead as she has indicated.
:daft:
Fast forward to a few seconds before the First Dance. Assistant Manager comes over to me and proceeds to tell me how a first dance should be announced. I had a little chuckle to myself. At this point all the effects lighting that's in the venue comes on (couple of Revo 3's, 4 imove 5's, and about a dozen led panels), all built into the roof...and all going manic. I have to approach the Manager (again) and politely ask that the effects lights are turned off as the manic movement isn't ideal for a first dance. "But the room will be dark if they're off". I'd lost the will to live (and reply) at this point and just pointed to my own lighting that was set to a nice wash effect. A few minutes later and the roof lighting is turned off....and I begin!
Thankfully they left me alone for the rest of the night. I thought they would have asked me to turn the music down at midnight but they didn't approach me again so I carried on as normal.
Brilliant wedding, brilliant crowd...but this is my first and last time in this venue.
Not sure I really had a point to this thread, but it felt good to vent. :)
The hotel in question has their own sound system which they insist the DJ hooks into. Some crap name brand that I'd never heard of before.
I've been turning away bookings at this venue for years as I prefer to use my own gear, but my Bride from last Saturday really wanted me as her DJ and talked the venue into allowing me to use my own setup.
I loaded the gear in to just outside the function room and the assistant manager storms over to me and tells me to "get the speakers out the building, you'll be hooking into ours". I smile politely and inform him that the bride has arranged for us to use our own, he doesn't seem to like this answer and gives me the death stare..lol. At this point the manager comes over and informs the assistant manager that it's ok for us to use our own gear.
The staff begin to change round the room, leaving the tables where we were to setup to last. Not wanting to rock the boat anymore I waited patiently to the side out of their way. When I finally had access to the setup area it meant I had to setup directly on the dancefloor due to limited space. This too seemed to cause a drama for the staff, they stated that there wouldn't be enough room to dance (although I'm not sure why, the dancefloor was large enough). Again, I was told if I had just used their sound and lighting system I wouldn't have to setup on the floor at all. Again, I smile through gritted teeth and carried on with what I was doing.
Next the Assistant manager states that he'll be announcing the first dance. I mention to him that I have all the details here and have gone through all the information in great detail with the bride, and that she is expecting me to make the announcements and introductions. He then proceeds to rebuke that by stating that the bride has told them they would be doing the announcements. Now, I'm fine with that if that's the brides wishes, but I went and checked with the Bride anyway just to make sure there were no crossed wires. Upon discussing that with the Bride she told me she had never asked the venue to introduce the first dance at all. So away I went to politely inform the venue that they won't be required to call the first dances. I just got a stare from them!
A few minutes later. I'm told by the manager that Finale dance (Loch Lomond) must be complete prior to Midnight. This seemed a little strange considering that I was booked until 1am. SO I mention that I'm actually booked until 1am, and he reiterated again that the finale dance must be complete by Midnight and the music reduced to very low levels with the bass reduced for the last hour to appease the hotel guests. I said I'll certainly do my best to find a common ground with the sound levels but I would have to discuss the finale song with the Bride. When discussing it with the Bride she was horrified that the hotel is dictating to her that that her last song of the night is to be played an hour early. I told her to leave it with me and I would sort it out. So again I head back to the manager and let him know that the bride is very unhappy with the situation and would like song she has chosen as her last song at the very end of the evening. He then changes directions and says he only mentioned that as he thought it would be better to have all the guests doing the finale at 12 in case some leave before 1am. I'm completely bewildered at this point, so I just let him know that the Bride has made her decision and the Finale Dance will go ahead as she has indicated.
:daft:
Fast forward to a few seconds before the First Dance. Assistant Manager comes over to me and proceeds to tell me how a first dance should be announced. I had a little chuckle to myself. At this point all the effects lighting that's in the venue comes on (couple of Revo 3's, 4 imove 5's, and about a dozen led panels), all built into the roof...and all going manic. I have to approach the Manager (again) and politely ask that the effects lights are turned off as the manic movement isn't ideal for a first dance. "But the room will be dark if they're off". I'd lost the will to live (and reply) at this point and just pointed to my own lighting that was set to a nice wash effect. A few minutes later and the roof lighting is turned off....and I begin!
Thankfully they left me alone for the rest of the night. I thought they would have asked me to turn the music down at midnight but they didn't approach me again so I carried on as normal.
Brilliant wedding, brilliant crowd...but this is my first and last time in this venue.
Not sure I really had a point to this thread, but it felt good to vent. :)