So Your Wedding Is In Jeopardy...

With this outbreak sweeping all over each country throughout the world, it’s no why wonder people are on edge. Especially when one of the most important days of your life is on the line.

Heading into the 2nd half of March 2020, I got 2 phone calls within one hour from two future brides that need to re-schedule their wedding - That same month! So I can understand your frustration. When your family and friends were set to fly in, the money you already spent on the venue, vendors and having to postpone something you have been looking forward to for months… even years. So I’m here to try to help make this transition a little easier. Most of this you may already know, but my goal is to help you to see things a little clearer on how to manage through this transition. So what are you going to do now?

Well the first important thing to note is, try not to cancel your wedding/event.

Contact your venue/event planner and see if they may be able to reserve you another date that might be available. If they have other dates available, choose one that is convenient for you (assuming this will be over) and ask them to hold it for you.

Contact your vendors to see if they are available on that date. Assuming one may not be available, you should discuss your refund and try to get your deposit back (if within your contract) in order to book a similar vendor or better yet, ask for a referral. That might save you some time searching for one.

Depending on if you printed any items for your wedding - Try to utilize anything that can be useful for your event. If the printed item has your original wedding date, you might have to take a loss on it.

Check on your family & friends when you call them. Make sure they are safe and staying healthy. Then invite them to the new wedding date and that you hope to see them. Hopefully they can make it to your event.

Assuming your venue is currently open for business and you go through with the event - it’s important to note to practice safe hygiene. In a recent event, no one was allowed to enter the ballroom without first washing their hands. Guests were still able to enjoy their dinner and dancing. Have fun and try to make the best of this.

In stressful times we have to learn to adapt to the situation. I believe this is the best course of action. These are just a few pointers to help you get started to maneuver through these uncertain times. We are here to work with you and still make your wedding day as special as ever. If you have any questions feel free to contact us: info@soundforceremony.com

Stay safe out there!

Hiring A Wedding DJ - A Few Simple Steps.

When it comes to hiring the right wedding DJ, this can make or break your wedding day. So let’s get into how to do it right the first time around and make this process easy for you.

Now, the first thing most engaged couples will do when hiring a pro wedding DJ is:

1: Think of someone they might know or be referred to.

2: Ask the venue if they have a DJ as one of their preferred vendors.

3: Turn to the internet and do a little research until you find the right match.

The process of booking a DJ is not a difficult one, but you want to try to ensure it’s the right fit for you. Especially on certain occasions where you’re not meeting in person before the wedding, which happens more often now-a-days. So when you think you found someone get in touch with them. Better yet, see if you can schedule a Skype call with them to see and speak to them face to face (virtually) or if they’re local try to set up a meeting. Believe me this is a great way to break the ice and find out first hand if this person is the right DJ for your wedding. Personality plays a big role, especially if the DJ is also an MC. Which brings me to my next point….

Does the DJ also MC? This is something you need to confirm. Most of the time, people assume you MC because you’re a DJ, in most cases that’s true. But, it doesn’t hurt to ask. You can also ask if they are bi-lingual and able to communicate with some guests who might not fully understand English. I personally get this from many different cultures who do traditional weddings. So find out what their level of MC is.

Are they in your budget? A pro wedding DJ doesn’t cost nearly as much as a full wedding band for example, but each have their own price - mostly based on their level of experience, so each one is going to vary. Some DJs tend to charge more for a Saturday wedding rather than a Sunday. Find out if there’s a difference in price. Also, find out what else is included in their DJ service; is lighting included for the dance floor, or is that extra? So find one that you like within your budget, you’ll find most are willing to negotiate.

Be clear about what kind of music you do want to hear and don’t want to hear. If you have a lot of kids attending your wedding and want to keep the music clean then mention that to them. Most DJs are already well aware of this in advance. If there’s a certain type of music, artist, song you don’t want to hear simply because it brings down your mood for any reason, then mention that as well. Remember the DJ is there to play the music you desire for your wedding so any information you give them helps. If you’re not sure what you want, then give them a general idea of similar music you like listening/dancing to and let them do the rest.

From that point on make any final arrangements before your wedding date and get ready to dance your biggest dance yet. Enjoy the moments of your first dance together as a married couple and if you like, tip your DJ as well. Remember this is how they make a living, they are there to entertain you when it counts most. If you have any questions about booking a wedding DJ, feel free to reach out to us for more information. We’ll help consult you on booking the right DJ for your wedding date at no extra cost.

• E-mail: info@soundforceremony.com

How To Hire Musical Entertainment For Your Wedding

First, Establish what it is you're looking for... a DJ, a live band (what genre), a violinist, or a string quartet perhaps perhaps is what you're looking for. Each one will set a different tone for your wedding. After you've decided what kind of music you would like it's time to contact them. You can find hundreds of musicians in your local area, but finding a good/reliable one can be a daunting task. 

Once you've made contact, relay the message to the musician(s) what it is you're looking for or the "feel" you want to capture in your ceremony. Most musicians are compliant, for the most part. If it's a DJ you're booking, ask them if they also an MC. The difference is one will be able to communicate with your guests, like a host, while the other one will just play music and barely say a word. If it's a live band ask them if they play other popular hits (cover songs) or if they play their own material. That way you get a better sense of what kind of music you expect to be played at your event, and so do they. Communication is the key during the planning process. 

Next find out if they provide their own sound system. Many musicians travel without so much as even a microphone. Believe it or not, many of them expect things to already be set for them by the time they arrive. They just want to plug in and play their instruments. But incase they don't provide their own sound equipment, then you will need to hire someone to put a sound (PA) system in place. Most DJs are self sufficient and will arrive with their own audio equipment ready to load in. But it is also a good idea to find out the musician's needs as far as power to plug in their equipment. You might need to purchase power from the venue for them.

Most musicians will need to get paid in advance before performing at your ceremony. So establish a price that is fair. Tell them what your budget is. If pricing is a concern you should look at what is the most cost effective option for you. For a reception party, a DJ is usually more affordable than a live band for example. For the ceremony you can hire a solo musician such as a violinist or your can have a music playlist with some of your favorite wedding songs ready to play during the ceremony. These are ways to save money and be able to still have some form of musical entertainment during your wedding.

Finally, meet them (or their manager) in person. Find out if they are willing to check out the venue or have a vendors' meeting to make sure everything is on point before the big day. Most musicians are happy to do this. If they are not or "too busy" maybe you should look for someone else to perform at your wedding. There should not be any hiccups before or during the wedding. Set up a sit down meeting to go over things, see if there is anything you want to add or remove. Are you satisfied with the songs they will be performing? Also it's important to let the artist have their freedom to play some of what they believe will bring your party to life. There is a certain level of trust that they have the knowledge and experience and know what to do.

On a final note, Sound For Ceremony can help you find the right live musical entertainment you're looking for along with providing a great quality sound system for your wedding that will have all your guests dancing. It's one less thing for you to worry about between all the immense planning that you're already doing. Just tell us what you're searching for and your budget and we will get the job done.

Wedding Venues and DJs

I was having a conversation with a good friend of mine who recently got married. When congratulating him and his wife, I asked, "so how was the wedding?" At first it sounds as if everything went smooth. The wedding venue they had chosen was nice and cozy and provided them a special package that includes everything they need for the ceremony and reception, including the DJ for the reception party. When they asked if they were able to choose their own musicians for the reception, the venue quickly persuaded them to stick with the "in-house" DJ as if it was the better option. So the story goes after the ceremony when it came time to introduce the new bride and groom, the entrance seemed a bit off. The music wasn't right and it was interrupting the rehearsal routine they had practiced before. Not only that but the DJ completely butchered their first dance. "It was the worst part of the entire night" my friend blatantly said. Sounding a bit regretful of going with the DJ the venue had provided them.

The truth is you have the freedom to choose whoever you want for your wedding. You can provide any DJ/Musician(s) you would like on your wedding day. The venue will always tell you that their packages are the best options. However, it's the small details that make the biggest difference. Music is one important factor in any special event that you will notice and remember for a lifetime. Every event is different, and it requires the right musician to accommodate your entertainment. If I'm attending a Persian wedding, I'm hoping to hear a good mix of Persian music that will get people dancing. If it's an Indian wedding, I expect that the DJ should know what he is playing for this type of audience. People want to enjoy themselves and have fun. With that being said, don't always go with what seems to be the most convenient or cheaper option. This is your special day and your family and friends will be attending. Make it as much of a memorable experience for them as you want it to be for you. 

We understand time is a factor and there is no room for error. You want your wedding day to be special, memorable and most importantly to have a little peace of mind knowing you have reliable people to make it happen. If you're in the market looking for a specific style of music for your wedding, engagement party or any special celebration, we're here to help. From DJ's that play top 40 hits to rock & roll bands, solo musicians, wedding singers and more options to choose from, we'll make sure the music captures the magic for you on your special day.

"I Do"

When most couples visualize the moment they both say "I do", the two most important words in the entire wedding ceremony, they don't often think about how everyone else is going to hear those words. I can't say that I blame them. Couples have their heads so busy wrapped around other things that audio is one of the most important aspects that's often overlooked.

Imagine the ceremony outside, on a beautiful day, the weather is perfect, you can picture it now. Your family and friends watching you with a smile on their faces. Suddenly, the officiant points the microphone close to your mouth without you even realizing it.

All you're thinking about is saying those 2 simple words, "I do."

Lucky for you, somebody remembered that part of the ceremony and hired the right guys to make sure everyone attending heard it too. But you would be surprised how often sound production is over-looked when it comes to special events even when that includes your ceremony and your reception. We're here to help you make everything sound nice and Smooth!

Organization is the key. When you need things organized in a matter of time, you need reliable people so you don't have to micro-manage everything. My recommendation - leave the audio in the hands of professionals to make sure your event delivers all the expectations of how it should sound. So you can focus on the other important things you need for your big day.