Yes. Sound system set-up is done prior to your contracted start time. I typically arrive one hour prior to your scheduled start time, set up my sound system and perform a soundcheck. Breakdown is generally 20 minutes.

No. My services are non-stop from your contracted start time until the conclusion of your reception.

Yes, we will accept requests from your guests, but as long as they can be smoothly integrated into the current flow of music and are appropriate for weddings. We won't play something like Metallica during dinner just because it was requested. If given a suitable request that fits the mood and timing, we are more than happy to include it in our set.

Yes. We suggest providing us with 10-15 "must play" songs and 10-15 "play if possible" songs. This approach gives us a clear idea of your genre preferences while leaving ample room for requests and DJ selections. We can read the crowd and adapt to their response, taking into account the age demographic and overall energy of your guests. This way, we curate a perfect playlist that keeps everyone on the dance floor and ensures your special day is unforgettable.

Yes. I highly recommend you create a Do Not Play list. I understand you don't want to hear many of the overplayed wedding songs or certain genres. If a guest requests a song that is on your Do Not Play list, it will not be played.

I carry 75,000+ songs (and growing) of many genres such as Top 40, Oldies, Motown, Easy Listening, Disco, Country, Classic Rock, Modern Rock, 80's Rock, Hip Hop, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, R & B, etc. I obtain new music every week through a professional media service (Promo Only) that is exclusive to radio stations and DJs. These compilations contain projected radio hits 2-3 months before these songs are played on Boston radio stations.

Disclaimer: If you are interested in an event of one particular mix entirely of Latin, Greek, Christian Contemporary, Irish, Jazz, Techno or EDM, do not book me. These genres are not my wheelhouse and there are DJs in Massachusetts who specialize in these types of music. I'll be the first to admit that I am not one of them as I never had a demand to know or carry these genres. Ex : If you want an entire night of various types of Latin music, book a Latin DJ. My strength as a wedding DJ is playing a mix of mainstream American radio pop/rock standards from the 1950’s to this week’s Top 40. I'm not going to claim to know every genre of music just to book a wedding.

Yes. We are committed to delivering exceptional audio quality at your wedding. We utilize a state-of-the-art sound system featuring top-of-the-line digital audio products from the industry's most trusted names. Our setup includes a Denon MC6000MK2 DJ Controller, Shure microphones and two EV Evolve 50 powered loudspeaker systems. We ensure the highest audio fidelity with a music library in high-quality MP3 format (320kbps), stored on solid-state hard drives and configured with VirtualDJ and Dell laptops.

Yes. While my primary sound system is tested weekly and highly maintained to ensure optimum performance, I carry a backup sound system with a backup laptop and external hard drives in case of a technical issue. I've never had to delay or cancel an event due to a system problem.

No, I do not require Wi-Fi or stream audio. All music played is in MP3 format stored on solid state external hard drives. No internet needed.

OUTDOOR WEDDINGS : Effective July 1, 2024, after 25+ years of thunder, lightning, high wind, mud puddles, 95 degree heat, light drizzle, torrential downpours, running extension cords to broken outlets and scrambling to pack up my gear to avoid water damage and running to my truck in a soaking wet sportcoat, I am now retired from all outdoor wedding ceremonies and cocktail hours. It was a great run. Not really... sorry not sorry. INDOOR WEDDINGS : I am available for sound support for onsite indoor wedding ceremony for an additional fee of $300 (as it requires a second system setup). I will work with you and plan your processional and recessional selections. Please note : I do not provide a lavalier microphone for your officiant. I will allow the officiant and readers to use my wireless microphone mounted on a stand.

Yes. I carry two Shure microphones, one SLXD24/58 wireless microphone, one SM58 wired mic. These microphones are for speeches and toasts only. All toasts and speeches must be pre-approved and I will not hand a microphone to a guest who suddenly decides to take it upon themselves to make an impromptu speech because these never end well. Overzealous, (often) intoxicated guests ramble, use profanity and make off-color remarks and it's embarrassing for everyone. My speech and toast policy will prevent this from occurring.

Yes. I have a general liability insurance policy with Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, certificate of insurance furnished upon request in person. Providing proof of insurance has become a common practice and it may be required with select hotels and venues. While it's not currently required, you should only consider booking a DJ who is insured. In fact, asking a DJ if they are insured is a simple question that will determined how dedicated and professional they are. Budget/amateur DJs most likely obtained their music library by buying a hard drive of poor-quality pirated music from Craigslist or eBay to cut start-up costs and don't put money back into their product. If they don't reinvest back into the business, they certainly aren't going to obtain liability insurance. If you book a DJ without liability insurance and a guest injures themselves due to DJ negligence, you could be liable and they may be refused entry to your venue. It's not worth the risk. Hire an insured DJ.

I require a $500 non-refundable retainer and a signed contract returned within 7 days to reserve your requested date. The remaining balance is due fourteen (14) days before your wedding date. Note : I do not accept Venmo or credit cards.

Yes. Do not book any wedding vendor who does not offer a written contract. My contract is straight-forward so you can easily understand the terms. Your signed contract and deposit officially reserves your date. A binding contract not only protects you, but it offers you peace of mind that you have hired a professional. I have booked last minute weddings from hysterical brides whose DJ either disappeared off the face of the earth or booked another job. In every instance, they didn't have a written contract with their DJ.

1. Cancellation for any reason forfeits the deposit, no exceptions 2. Cancellation within 120 days of date requires 50% of the balance 3. Cancellation within 30 days of date requires full payment of the balance 4. Cancellation due to inclement weather must be received no later than 12pm on your wedding date. Your deposit (non-transferable) may be applied to a future wedding booking within one year of your original contracted date 5. 2024-2025 : Postponement due to COVID-19 or similar variant due to venue restrictions is allowed up to one (1) calendar year from your wedding date

I require one sturdy, eight (8) foot, rectangular, banquet-style table with skirting located near the dance floor and within 10 feet of a grounded 120 volt, 20 amp power source in good working order. I also require a minimum of 8' of overhead clearance to properly mount my speaker system as Evolve 50 loudspeakers stand just over 7 feet.

In the unlikely event of an illness, physical injury or personal emergency, I have associates that would be able to cover my event. I have never been late or missed an event... ever.

We prioritize client satisfaction and have a history of delivering exceptional service. However, I no longer maintain a reference list from past weddings as it was very difficult to keep current over the years—email addresses and phone numbers change, and people may go through life changes such as divorce and prefer not to be contacted. Instead, I invite you to visit our dedicated page with reviews and testimonials on WeddingWire, where you can read detailed feedback from many of our past clients. These reviews offer a transparent and comprehensive overview of the quality of our services. Please visit our Reviews page with WeddingWire reviews and past wedding testimonials.

No. I do not invite prospective clients to weddings I am performing at out of respect for all clients to keep their wedding private. Weddings are a formal event and very close attention is paid to the guest list and I'm sure you would not want uninvited guests at your wedding. Since the release of the 2005 hit movie Wedding Crashers, there's a popular trend of uninvited guests crashing weddings. Here is a great article from the Boston Globe on the subject of wedding crashers. This article is the perfect example why I do not invite clients to observe my services firsthand. It's unprofessional to conduct prospective business on someone else's dime.

Yes. When you book services with South Shore DJs, Gregg MacDonald is your DJ and I do not subcontract bookings. (Warning : Bait and switch is common with multi-system DJ companies). If I receive an inquiry for a date I have already booked, I respectfully decline the lead and will offer a referral to a professional DJ company in my business network.

No. I do not offer lighting, disco balls, fog machines, etc. Weddings are a formal event and beat-activated, flashing lights are more distracting than entertaining. Please note : I no longer offer uplighting as of 2017. I made the business decision to discontinue this service as I was not seeing the return on investment with the cost of maintenance, time of set-up and the attempted thefts at the end of weddings (yes... it really happens). Many wedding venues offer uplighting as an add-on option (often included in the wedding venue rental free of charge) or they have a preferred lighting vendor.

I do not wear a tuxedo as I am not in the wedding party. When it's a more formal wedding, my wedding attire is a pressed dark suit. For summer and outdoor weddings, I wear the Cape Cod tuxedo, a navy sportcoat, tie and khakis.

Absolutely not. I do not display or promote my business name with any signs, banners or any promotional materials. If someone is interested in my services after observing my performance, they don't need a sales pitch, they need a business card.

After the contracted time has expired, overtime is available (with consent of reception venue). Your overtime rate is listed in the price clause of your contract. Overtime is available in 30 minute increments and must be requested one hour prior to the conclusion of your event.

Unlike most vendors who require a meal as part of their services, we do not. While we greatly appreciate the kind gesture of a meal, we prefer to keep the music going.

If you feel my services surpassed your expectations and wanted to offer me a gratuity, I would accept it as the utmost compliment. A gratuity is never expected, but always appreciated.

No. My services do not have hidden fees. However, additional fees are applicable and noted on the contract if your place of reception : (a) *is located on Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard (vehicle ferry service required) (b) *Sound support for your onsite ceremony (c) *Sound for your cocktail hour outside your reception room (2nd system setup) (d) *is held in an upstairs facility without elevator access and/or difficult set-ups (e) *Weddings held on Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard that end after the last ferry leaves the island for the evening require one night's hotel accommodations (f) *requires paid parking Please inquire for pricing.

I don't post prices online as every wedding is different. Please contact me for a price quote. I also do not match prices because most DJs cannot deliver the quality of service I can. There's a misconception that a DJ shows up, plays a few hours of music and goes home. I wish it were that easy, but it's much more work than it seems. I exchange emails/phone calls to your wedding coordinator regarding introductions and music, creating a timeline for your reception and purchasing requested music. This work is all prior to your wedding, prior to my actual performance. In addition to preparation and performance, there are many expenses that are not directly associated with your wedding that I need to account for. Sound system maintenance and upgrades, auto and liability insurance, gas, website domain and hosting fees, phone bills, internet service, office supplies, postage, advertising, music subscriptions, etc. The cost of doing business as a reputable DJ company is always overlooked when people are price shopping. I recognize the importance of your day and I take every wedding very seriously and prepare like it were my own. This business isn't a hobby to me. My services (booking, event preparation and performance) is one of the best on the South Shore and my experience and easygoing personality is why I'm still booking weddings every weekend. Gregg MacDonald South Shore DJs