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NO PROPS... GUARANTEED
Since you made it here, let's talk on the level.
I created this page so I can speak my mind about my DJ services and be even more frank about the DJ business as a whole. Some of the points made here are strictly my opinion, some are cold hard facts.
Since my very first wedding, I still believe in focusing on a solid mix than boring the crowd with a microphone and a cheesy routine. When I was just starting out, I met my share of entertainer (prop) DJs who tried to take me under their wing and they told me that I needed to conform to their style of DJ entertainment if I was going to last in this business. I did my thing and they kept doing their tired routines and playing the same old mix every weekend and I watched them fade from existence. Oddly enough, 14 years later, I'm still standing.
With that being said, if you're looking for a DJ who wears sunglasses, glow stick necklaces, plastic leis, Village People hats while yelling into a microphone and leading a conga line, thank you for stopping by, but I'm not the DJ for you. I am not a prop DJ. I do not offer props as part of my services as I do not believe in the prop concept. Some people will think it's a bad business decision to turn away a particular wedding market (clients who want props and high energy interaction), but I'll take my chances. I am a music-oriented, anti-prop, anti-gimmick DJ with a simple, tasteful approach. Ask around. No one appreciates the loud, self-serving, over-the-top DJ who likes to hear himself talk and his obnoxious "game show host" personality.
Why do I shoot straight with prospective clients? Because I don't need to mislead anyone to fill my schedule. Go ahead and research the local wedding DJ websites. You'll find most of them are generic, not informative and very amateur. They are the equivalent of an online business card. When I started this website, I went a step further in detail because I want to educate you so you have a general understanding of how a reputable DJ conducts business, even if you don't hire my services. I have the most detailed DJ FAQ page on the Internet today because I have nothing to hide. I'm an honest, hard-working DJ and I'm good at what I do. You hire my services, I get it done. I'm not a sales guy, so I'm not going to hound you with repeat phone calls or send you emails everyday about making a decision. That's not my style. I don't pay past clients for referrals or need to use high pressure sales tactics to generate business. I book more weddings from word-of-mouth referrals than advertising and Internet search engines. That's a pure indication there's a demand and an appreciation for what I do.
Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Are you willing to jeopardize the memories of one of the most important days of your life by handing the ball to an old, cheesy, burnt-out DJ whose better days are behind him? Or do you want a DJ who is personable, experienced, professional and knowledgable of all formats of music from Oldies to this week's Top 40 and can keep your dance floor full all night long simply by reading the crowd?
OK, if you're not convinced I'm the DJ for you, very well, but before I let you leave, I feel an obligation to advise and educate you on what to look for and what to avoid as you continue your search for your DJ.
Good luck.
The Wannabes : There are hundreds of hacks in Massachusetts who claim to be professional DJs "specializing in weddings". Keep in mind that anyone can illegally download MP3s from Morpheus or Limewire, burn a CD collection, buy some used gear, order business cards and claim they're a wedding DJ. Not so fast. Having a great set of tools does not make you a mechanic. In 2008, every professional DJ who is serious about this business has a fully functional, updated website. It should provide you a broad overview of the DJ's performance style, music listing, sound system, online planning, FAQ, photos, video and general information. A reputable DJ company will respond to all email and telephone inquiries in a prompt and professional manner within 24 hours.
Market Value vs. Highway Robbery : If you've been emailing and calling DJs for prices, you've probably received price quotes ranging between $450-$2500 and you're probably confused. You ask yourself, "Why do some DJs charge so little and others charge so much?" The lowest priced DJs are usually rookies who are building their experience or hacks who hope a very low price is exactly what you're looking for. There are bottom feeders in every line of work. So, now you're wondering, "What does a $2500 DJ do that a $1500 DJ doesn't?" In my opinion, nothing. Most brides book their DJ at least a year in advance, some even earlier. It's 2008 and let's say you're interested in a Saturday in October 2009. Saturdays in the fall are the most requested dates for DJs. For DJs in demand, these dates always book, so some DJs will quote you an outrageous price in hopes you will book the date now. Some people actually think "Wow, that's pretty expensive, but if they charge that much, they must be good!", book them and overpay. If you don't book, they still have a whole year to lure in someone else.
The Burnt-Out Veteran DJ : Thinking about hiring that DJ everyone raved about at your cousin's wedding 15 years ago? Are you skeptical because he's older now and seems a little out of touch with today's music and wedding trends? You should be. In the past 20 years, the roles of the wedding DJ and bride and groom have completely changed. The wedding DJ of the late 80's/early 90's used props and played songs of their choice (mainly Motown, Oldies and Classic Rock) and were constantly interacting with guests. The bride and groom pretty much went with the flow of what the DJ wanted to do and had very little say regarding music and wedding reception events. Meeting with a DJ for a personal consultation back then was unheard of. Times have changed. Today's bride and groom are much more involved in the planning process and the "showtime" style of DJ entertainment is considered cheesy in today's standards.
Why did I just quickly recap the history of the wedding DJ? Because some of these DJs are still in business and believe Oldies, interaction and props are what people want and what makes a successful reception. I don't care if a DJ claims to have performed at more than 10,000 functions since 1975, you're only as good as your last wedding. Many DJs hang around the business too long and don't know when to call it quits. They just go through the motions, delivering one lackluster performance after another because they just can't keep up with new music, technology and the constant change in wedding trends.
The Golden Oldies DJ plays the same old mix, week-after-week, year-after-year with no variety. Why? Either he doesn't care or he doesn't know any better. Let's face it. It doesn't take a musical genius to stand behind a DJ system and play the same mix of overplayed wedding songs. These songs may have worked in the past, but what about now? Some guests cringe after hearing the first three seconds of these songs and run off the dance floor! These songs peaked over 25 YEARS AGO and people expect a balance of old and new music today. Music has evolved since the 1970's. Top 40, 80's, Hip Hop, Alternative, Techno, Disco (faded and returned) and Country has crossed over to mainstream radio. Granted, some of these genres of music may not reflect your taste, but shouldn't your DJ carry should carry the current Top 40, Modern Rock and Hip Hop hits should your guests want something new, something different? My point is we all know a 50-55 year old wedding DJ doesn't listen to Justin Timberlake in his spare time, but if he's still performing weddings, he better know who JT is. The Golden Oldies DJ just opens his CD case and says, "What you see is what you get." This is unacceptable and all too common. Not just in the DJ business, but in any business. If business practices change, you either step up and roll with the changes or become a second rate hack.
Don't believe everything you read : More than 80% of vendor research is done online and message boards are a great resource for brides to network ideas, give advice and help each other plan their weddings. I've been told by prospective brides that my name has been mentioned on a few message boards. While I'm very flattered that brides have said some very nice things about me, don't believe everything you read. Brides will say "My DJ was the best!" because no bride will admit her wedding fell short of her expectations. I'm not just talking about DJs either. I'm talking about photographers, limos, florists, videographers, etc. If a bride raves on a message board, "XYZ Florist has the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen and at a great price!" and you buy into it and XYZ delivers ugly, half-dead flowers to your church, what's your recourse? Take everything with a grain of salt and remember that everyone's taste is different. What Bride A loves, Bride B might hate. While message boards are very helpful, there's also a downside. There are plenty of shady wedding vendors lurking on message boards posing as brides in hopes of luring in unsuspecting brides and duping them into using "their" DJ, florist, limo or photographer. It's very important that you draw your own conclusions from your research and choose vendors that reflect your style and taste... not because a bride you never met raved on a message board.
Research your vendors and be patient : I know the time and effort that goes into planning a wedding. It's no picnic. The research process is time-consuming and can be very frustrating. Reviewing vendor websites, sending emails, making initial and follow-up phone calls, scheduling and traveling to meet with vendors, it's a long process. Most people get to the point of "If I have to meet with another (insert vendor type here), I'll scream!". This is when people make careless, brash decisions because they "just want it done", one less thing about the wedding to worry about. They roll the dice and hope for the best. Sometimes the gamble pays off, sometimes it doesn't. You cannot gamble on your DJ. Music is too big a risk to take. Take the time to do your research and select your vendors based on their professionalism, style and people skills... not because you're tired of planning and they just happen to have your date available.
Unsure about a vendor? Ask for references. Ask to meet them in person. You can save yourself one or two years' worth of worrying with a simple 20 minute informal meeting. Most people can tell in the first five minutes of meeting a vendor whether or not they would seriously consider a vendor simply by their character. People skills are very important in this industry. This short process may very well save your reception from disaster as vendor websites can be very deceiving and the actual vendors themselves even worse. The vendors you hire are a reflection on you and I've met plenty of unprofessional vendors who do not dress properly, chain-smoke and more concerned about when the vendor meals will be served than doing their job. Vendors can be arrogant, condescending, unprepared, unorganized, uneducated, unprofessional, socially inept or to put it bluntly, creepy! You should be 100% comfortable and confident with your vendors as you have to depend on their professionalism and ability.
DJ Understanding and Compliance : You and your DJ should always be on the same page. It's in your best interests to give your DJ detailed instructions of what music and reception events to showcase and more importantly, what music and events to avoid. What you want and what your DJ might do or what music he might play could be quite different. Have you ever been to a wedding and the DJ takes it upon himself to start a "Dollar Dance" and you see the horrified look on the poor bride's face? Have you been to a wedding when the DJ asks a guest from each table to take out a dollar and everyone lets out a collective groan because everyone knows the cheesy "Pass The Dollar" game is about to begin to see who wins the centerpieces? These so-called wedding "traditions" are not common in weddings today and you need to nip these sideshow antics in the bud before they happen.
Aside from reception events, you need to ask and consider how often your DJ uses the microphone and what special effects/lighting they intend to use. Some DJs use the microphone to segue into every song like they're a radio DJ and it's very annoying. If you're having a simple, conservative, elegant wedding of less than 100 people in an antique or rustic reception venue, do you want to run the risk of an obnoxious DJ who won't shut up, playing bad music with blinding, flashing lights running the show? If you don't make yourself perfectly clear, your DJ could ruin your wedding.
Well, that's it. If you thoroughly reviewed my website, you should have a very good impression of the type of DJ I am. You've seen my music lists, sound system, video and my wedding page, and if you read my FAQ page, you'll agree that I know this business. Add that with my experience, professional approach and extensive knowledge of music, you will soon realize you made a wise decision choosing me as your DJ for your wedding.
Bottom line, the best mix of new and classic hits... without gimmicks.
Thank you for considering my disc jockey services.
DJ Gregg MacDonald
South Shore DJs
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