choosing wedding musicians and entertainment

Following is a list of Questions and ideas to get you started.
Do you want recorded or live music?
Do you want the same musician(s) for both ceremony and reception?
How large is your wedding?
Will you have an indoor or an outdoor wedding?
What time of day?
What kind of meal?
How formal or informal?
Will there be dancing?
Your music preference - For ideas and selections click here
Your choice of musicians - DJ - band - soloist - instrumentalist - a combination?
Should the musicians also be the Masters of Ceremony?
Should the musicians provide additional entertainment? (games - jokes - dancing contests etc...)
Have you prepared all the details for your wedding reception? that is: the names of the bridal party, times of scheduled events, type of music to play - when (First dance, mother and son - father and daughter dance - other special requests, etc...You can probably come up with some more ideas.
The tips, questions and ideas you gathered, is actually a wonderful preparation for your interviews.

What to Expect of the Contact Person:

A business card of each person you will work with.
Contact information including cell phone, email and web site address.
A brochure that explains what is offered and any exclusions, rules, regulations and options.
References
A sample of their work on video and - or CD.

Questions for the Contact Person:
Please note that not all questions apply to all.
Some questions are specific to DJs, some to musicians and some to both.

How many songs and musical pieces are in your library? (Should be at least 5,000-10,000)
Can you provide music for both ceremony and reception?
Will your repertoire be tailored to suit our wedding requirements?
Will you provide us with a list of songs and music selections to choose from?
Will you accommodate special requests for songs or musical pieces we would like played at our wedding?
If so, how long in advance do we need to provide them?
If we include children in the reception can you have music game or activities geared for them?
What is the latest time frame for making changes?
What are your hours - minimum - maximum?
Will you be able to, and prepared with additional material, should we want you to stay longer than planned?
What do you charge for overtime?
What kind of equipment do you use? (The most common sound system for DJs is by-amping. In order to achieve clear and loud music, it separates the bass from the music amplifies it separately and then plays it through bass bins.)
How long before the wedding reception will you set up? (Be assured that there will be ample time before the wedding reception to allow for set up and testing of the equipment, lighting and special effects if any.)
Do you bring backup equipment with you?
Is basic effects lighting included in the price?
Do you provide an entertainment planner?
Will you come to my home to go over the music and - or entertainment plans?
How soon before the wedding will you go over the program with us?
What will happen to us if for some reason you have to back out?
How long have you been accomodating weddings?
How many wedding clients have you served?
Can you provide us with references?
Can you provide us with a profile of the DJ / musicians that will be assigned to our wedding including: musical training and education, experience in performing at weddings and how long what size weddings, full or part time musicians (Professional or hobbyist)
Do you also provide a cordless microphone and an Emcee or someone who will annouce toasts, speeches, special dances, at the reception?
What is your attire? Does it vary according to the wedding theme? (e.g. Western)
Do you offer a variety of wedding musicians - entertainers to choose from?
How many people will perform at our wedding?
How often and for how long do they take a break?
Will they require a meal?
Do you offer a bridal package? More than one?
What are your rates for the different packages and what are the options available?

Package________________options_______________price__________________

Package________________options_______________price__________________

Package________________ options_______________price__________________
Are gratuities included in the price?
Are taxes included in the price?
What additional expenses may be charged? (other than overtime)?
Do you require a deposit?
How much and by when will we need to put down the deposit?
Do you offer any discounts?
Do you accept checks and credit cards?
How many consultations do you provide in your package prices?
Do you offer any guarantees?
Will you provide us with a written contract?
* Does the contract include a 3 day cancellation clause?
What are your cancellation terms should we cancel after 3 days?
Do you carry liability insurance?
Are the musicians - DJ insured and bonded?
Are you members of any professional organizations?

Once you made your choice, you need to receive a written contract signed by the person in charge, and dated.
The contract must include all of your responsibilities and all of the responsibilities, warranties and guarantees offered by the Dj - Music Service Provider.
Caveat Emptor - Buyer beware!
Read each contract very carefully, on, under and above the line. Be sure that you understand it fully and agree with all the terms.
If you have questions, concerns, or are uncertain, contact the DJ or Music Service Provider for clarification.
* In most parts of the USA you have 3 days to examin the contract and if you need to, cancel with no penalties.

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Copyrights © 2006 All Rights Reserved Nily Glaser
Nily Glaser is the founder of A-wedding Day which is very popular as one of the largest wedding portals on the Internet. It provides Wedding Resource, Information and a discount shopping mall for wedding gifts, supplies and bridal accessories. Here you'll find Wedding Accessories By Nily that specialize in theme and family wedding.

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