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General Advice and Tips on Booking a DJ for Your Wedding Reception or Party.
Most people don't book DJs everyday and hence are totally unfamiliar with the new 'requirements' and obligations that DJs increasingly are required to meet. Apart from simply asking "how much does it cost ?", they don't really know what other questions they should be asking.
Whether you use Stargazer or another company, here are some general pointers on what to look for when booking professional DJ entertainment for your private function.
Is the DJ Available for Your Date ?
The planning phase for an important function can be anything from a couple of months to two years. Choosing the right entertainment should equally not be rushed or compromised. So start your search as early as possible ...
Initial contact with a DJ these days is usually via an enquiry form on the DJ's website. Occasionally, on a basic site, you might simply need to send them an email. You should state the date, times, nature and location of your event. However, every function is different and you should be very wary if a DJ automatically emails straight back to you with a firm price, based on such scant information. Frankly speaking, the price tells you very little about the DJ.
Now, taking the trouble to make a series of telephone enquiries yourself may be considered 'old hat' but it is by far the best way of finding the right DJ for you.
Where possible, speak to the DJ in person or, to save time, what about sending an email asking them to call you , if they are free. If they don't call or if there is a long delay, if they sound uncooperative, rude, cocky or downright clueless, would you really want them to work for you on your big night, even if they offer an attractive price ?
And ask yourself this, how on earth would you know these things if you simply relied on a flashy website and a price quote which was generated automatically by an auto-responder !
What sort of things should I ask during the calls ?
Speak to as many DJs as possible, give each of them exactly the same information. Make good notes, not only about what price they offer but what else they tell you (and ask you).
A good experienced DJ will listen carefully to your function requirements and ask you intelligent questions about the venue, number of guests, what floor, timings etc. He or she will discuss music with you and probably have some sort of request form for you to fill in, indicating not only what you like but also what you do not want to hear. This information will enable him to plan and smoothly guide your event from start to finish, enabling you to relax and enjoy the party with your guests.
You should make very sure you get a formal contract, or at the very least a letter from the deejay, confirming all the details. Also be certain to get a written receipt for any deposit.
Finally if you have not seen the DJ work, it is also an extremely good idea to ask for several checkable references.
Why Must I Ask a Mobile DJ if he has Public Liability Insurance and PAT test Certificates ?
Many venues require a DJ to have his own Public Liability Insurance these days. With premiums rocketing, the last thing a venue wants is to claim against their own insurance, if there is a disco related accident.
The DJ's P.L.I. indemnifies the venue in the event of a claim; so venues can insist on the degree of P.L.I. required. A typical hotel or banqueting suite usually requires between £2 and £5million.
.. Portable Appliance Test certificates are something else which many venues (particularly council halls) now insist upon. Ask your venue which certificates your dj needs when you book. Don't let it be a nasty surprise later on, when they finally remember to tell you. Ask your dj if he is insured and tested. Make it one of your first questions when you speak to him.
Important !!!
Whether your venue needs these certificates or not, you should still ask the DJ if he is insured and tested. If he is (and can prove it), you have probably found somebody who is extremely conscientious and professional and as such deserves the chance to go on your shortlist.
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