EEK!

[soundtracker]

Just been contacted by tomorrows chief bridesmaid, she wants me to interrupt the first dance with the hilarious YMCA, Time Warp & Cotton eyed Joe, this is a surprise for the B&G, I'm not feeling happy, thoughts anyone?

[Mark Wild]

No chance, that would be my response, to risky towards the brides feelings.

[funkymook]

And why not interrupt the marriage ceremony with a hilarious stand up comedy routine!

I'd suggest to her it was saved for later in the evening - perhaps get her on the mic to dedicate a slow dance for the B&G and do it then?

[Javlingames]

Sounds like a wind up to me

[Pe7e]

It's got the potential to spoil someone's big day, and guess who is going to get the blame if it did?

[Mark Wild]

And why not interrupt the marriage ceremony with a hilarious stand up comedy routine!



boooom booooom lol

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I wouldn't do it.

[Ryu]

And why not interrupt the marriage ceremony with a hilarious stand up comedy routine!

I'd suggest to her it was saved for later in the evening - perhaps get her on the mic to dedicate a slow dance for the B&G and do it then?

This is great advice. Offer an alternative solution which ticks all the boxes without the risk of the bridemaids "hilarious" joke falling flat.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

As others have said, its a big fat no from me. How many times has someone said to you oh play this she'll love it etc... and it didn't work out that way?

[DazzyD]

Just been contacted by tomorrows chief bridesmaid, she wants me to interrupt the first dance with the hilarious YMCA, Time Warp & Cotton eyed Joe, this is a surprise for the B&G, I'm not feeling happy, thoughts anyone?

My way of thinking was to check the calendar - no, it's definitely 1st May and not 1st April.

Why on earth would someone, who is not the bride AND groom together, suggest you risk ruining the first dance, one of the most iconic traditions of the wedding day? Is there a bit of a drugs or drink problem amongst Chief Bridesmaids in your local area?

At the end of the day, the Chief Bridesmaid isn't your client - she's not paying for your services - so what she thinks or wants is totally irrelevant. In fact, I'd be quite suspicious of her now. If she's trying to sabotage the first dance what else is she capable of? I'd probaby consider having a word with the couple.

[Vectis]

At customer meetings, which I always insisted on before accepting a wedding, one of my checklist questions was to nominate any "significant others" who could speak on behalf of the B&G on the day/night, and to highlight any potential troublemakers.

You wouldn't believe how often the latter threw up comments!

If I found myself in the OP's position I'd definitely have a quick word with the B+G - even if the only opportunity to do so is when readying them for the first dance (just say something along the lines of "Are you SURE you want the joke version suggested by <name>?")

[soundtracker]

I had already fired off a reply to her with my misgivings, but then thought "am I being a grouch!" so posted on here, glad you're (mainly) in agreement!

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

My way of thinking was to check the calendar - no, it's definitely 1st May and not 1st April.

Why on earth would someone, who is not the bride AND groom together, suggest you risk ruining the first dance, one of the most iconic traditions of the wedding day? Is there a bit of a drugs or drink problem amongst Chief Bridesmaids in your local area?

At the end of the day, the Chief Bridesmaid isn't your client - she's not paying for your services - so what she thinks or wants is totally irrelevant. In fact, I'd be quite suspicious of her now. If she's trying to sabotage the first dance what else is she capable of? I'd probaby consider having a word with the couple.


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEN.

Being at the age where a lot of my friends are getting married, the biggest dramas that revolve around weddings from an insiders point of view (as opposed to a fairly objective DJ person) is mental families closely followed by bridesmaids being selfish, jealous etc... and it manifests itself in a lot of really horrible ways. I'd hope to be wrong but it may very well be that the person who has asked for this wants to sabotage the first dance for whatever reason.

I'd tell her flat out no, the 1st dance is the sole responsibility for the bride and groom and for anyone to suggest you play something else they haven't asked for never mind a pile of poo like that is not on. If she gives you any grief point out that if the bride and groom really wanted to do that, theyd have asked you to.

And I have to mirror Vectis's point about troublemakers. I don't specifically ask (though I might start now) but it's not that irregular to have a couple say "my sister / pal / this colleague is a total prat so ignore them and if they give you hassle, let us know.

[ukpartydj]

Big risk - the bridesmaid might know the B&G well and know that it will work and it will make their night that little bit more memorable.

I wouldn't take the risk here though.

[lazersounds]

I personally would not do it unless the bride and groom have said themselves it alright, its always worth remembering that the bride and groom would have choosen a song that means something to them.

I can't actually believe the cheek that someone would even come to you and try to get the first dance changed :eek:

[Shaun]

I'd suggest to her it was saved for later in the evening - perhaps get her on the mic to dedicate a slow dance for the B&G and do it then?

Absolutely spot on.

[DazzyD]

Big risk - the bridesmaid might know the B&G well and know that it will work and it will make their night that little bit more memorable.

I wouldn't take the risk here though.

I can see you're playing devil's advocate here, and suggesting an alternative outcome, but would any experienced wedding DJ ever take that "big risk"? I can see one outcome given today's compensation culture. DJ changes first dance song, bride and groom sue him (or her - I'm not sexist here!) for ruining their big day. Will PLI cover this? Very much doubt it as it's clearly the DJs fault. Expect a 5-figure compensation sum!

'Nuff said! ;)

Grrr. Tried to delete a post and paste it in to this one but it didn't work! :Censored:

I had posted to Pete as I know he has been involved in the industry for a while and I'm sure he knows the answer to his "dilemma". But, ultimately, it's Pete's call which goes the same for anyone else who faces these situations. We can all advise and say what we'd do but, at the end of the day, it's up to the individual DJ to decide.

I still just keep thinking "is this a wind-up?" and keep checking over my shoulder for any Jeremy Beadle wannabes lurking in the shadows!

[soundtracker]

Thanks for your comments, on the night I did what I felt comfortable with, and didn't get any whinges from the Bridesmaid, so all good! :beer1:

[addoaddo]

I have got a request from the bride of a wedding next month to break in to their first dance. It is a traditional slow dance but after two min they want me to make it sound if the record is scratched and break in with PSY and get every one on the dance floor.

No problem with this as the bride is in charge, but I certainly not do this if someone else apart from the B & G asked

[Jim - Scotland's Party DJ]

I have got a request from the bride of a wedding next month to break in to their first dance. It is a traditional slow dance but after two min they want me to make it sound if the record is scratched and break in with PSY and get every one on the dance floor.

No problem with this as the bride is in charge, but I certainly not do this if someone else apart from the B & G asked

I can see that working and at the end of the day, it's the bride's decision.

I would go as far to say that if a bride or groom suggested something similar to me without the other partner knowing, I'd want something in writing (i.e. text or e-mail) saying that it was all their idea and the partner would be 100% OK with it in their opinion.

The last thing you want is facebook and twitter going nuts with people character assassinating you for doing your job and it backfiring.

[DazzyD]

I have got a request from the bride of a wedding next month to break in to their first dance. It is a traditional slow dance but after two min they want me to make it sound if the record is scratched and break in with PSY and get every one on the dance floor.

No problem with this as the bride is in charge, but I certainly not do this if someone else apart from the B & G asked

I had something similar with one of the first weddings I ever did when I started working for myself. The B&G wanted the first dance to start with a slow track (can't remember which one it was) but then, after about 2 mins, do a very similar break in to a Meatloaf track (it was either Bat Out Of Hell or Dead Ringer For Love - can't remember which one). But I do remember it went down an absolute storm! The crowd loved it. The B&G were not of youthful years but they got right in to it - so much so that, at one point, the groom was dancing on a chair! And I got some really good feedback from that show even though my power mixer (newly bought - first outing!) developed a fault and literally burned out one of the amp channels (heed my warning and remember the 3 B's - backup, backup, BACKUP!!).

Ah, the good old days!! :)

[BeerFunk]

Agreed with everyone, this is a no-no! :eek:


I have got a request from the bride of a wedding next month to break in to their first dance. It is a traditional slow dance but after two min they want me to make it sound if the record is scratched and break in with PSY and get every one on the dance floor.

No problem with this as the bride is in charge, but I certainly not do this if someone else apart from the B & G asked
I can see that working and at the end of the day, it's the bride's decision.

I would go as far to say that if a bride or groom suggested something similar to me without the other partner knowing, I'd want something in writing (i.e. text or e-mail) saying that it was all their idea and the partner would be 100% OK with it in their opinion.I had an interesting twist on this last week, where the bride had asked for the second dance to be just her and her father.. but cut into Sexy And I Know It after 1:30. I thought that they had some dance routine planned, and it didn't occur to me that it was a joke on her Dad! Not being in on it, he furiously turned to face me and shouted "DJ!!!". I was slightly taken aback, but pointed to his daughter who was behind him, in stitches. To his credit, he joined in and put in some dance moves, but it was a hairy moment!

[yourdj]

Agreed with everyone, this is a no-no! :eek:

I had an interesting twist on this last week, where the bride had asked for the second dance to be just her and her father.. but cut into Sexy And I Know It after 1:30. I thought that they had some dance routine planned, and it didn't occur to me that it was a joke on her Dad! Not being in on it, he furiously turned to face me and shouted "DJ!!!". I was slightly taken aback, but pointed to his daughter who was behind him, in stitches. To his credit, he joined in and put in some dance moves, but it was a hairy moment!

Hmm - I always check first with all parties involved. good job you did not get a smack in the teeth ;)

Had one last weekend where they wanted one step beyond right before first dance.
The best man had emailed me in advance so I checked with the bride and she had no clue.
She could not have cared a less but she might have!