Why doesn’t a baker supply their own table? Not really a good comparison. A wedding cake is a drop-off item. And, an extension of food and beverage service. It is cut and served by venue or catering staff, not the baker. A baker would then have to come back at a later time to retrieve a specialty table.

For get what I might think. Listen to the caterers and event planner’s comments. What they are saying, in summary, is two things.

* A disc jockey’s equipment should be clean in appearance, not an eyesore
* They would strongly prefer if disc jockeys came self-contained

The issue is not whether a venue CAN supply a table. We know they can. What their comments say, clearly, is that it would be preferable if the only thing a disc jockey needed was electricity.

One could set up a bar on a banquet table, but when bar areas are not built-in, then a single, roll-in, self-contained bar is much more efficient and easy-on-the-eyes.

In the end, this is a marketing issue, as much as anything else. If coming self-contained helps differentiate you company from others, and creates a better relationship with the venue management and staff, an improved referral situation usually results.

Andy

I do agree that providing your own table is pointless. The facilities have them, so why the need to provide your own? Do the bakers bring their own cake tables? Ice sculptors bring the water tray and light but never a table. Do the decorators bring their own head tables?

For those that say this or that is cheesy, well we all have individual tastes, so everyone does something that is cheesy in someone else s eyes, no matter how professional you dress or behave.

Are DJ’s worth $2000 +. The good ones are worth a lot more. if 80 to 100% of the success of a wedding reception is due to the entertainment, why are brides budgeting 95% of the budget on items that only contribute 20 to 0% of the success!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This equation applies to everything this, clubs, birthdays, weddings, corporate and schools.

I also notices that a lot of banquet managers and planners chimed in here. All I would say it, kindly get your own act together before you criticize others. While I realize that some DJ’s are awful (personality, tact or performance), at least 90% of events I do, something is screwed up by the manager or planner. Usually it’s the champagne toast or the cake cutting. I am always amazed at the amount of staff at their disposal, yet during speeches, not a single banquet staff member will be in the hall. I run around trying to find someone to pour the champagne or find a knife, plate, fork and napkin for the cake cutting.

I also believe a skirted table is better that a facade, even though I own a custom made facade and charge extra to use it. A facade draws attention, when all attention should be on the Guests of honor!

The Bose L1 have the best presentation of any speaker on the market, sound awesome and are less visible in photographs. All wedding Dj’s should be using them.

Tardiness is unforgivable.

By the time the actual event rolls around, I am a friend of the Bride and Groom, and they want me to have as much fun as possible. So I eat at every event. I hate being sent to another room to eat with the vendors because even during dinner, guests have requests, planned schedules change, dinner may finish early or any variety of things. I always get my food after most of the guests. I’t just the right thing to do.

Going back to the wedding planners and banquet managers. What are you guys thinking when you assign the furthest corner to be the DJ setup location. Just who are we supposed to entertain over there. We need to be in touch with the dance floor. I hate it when you tell me that the Bride wanted you there. This is the first wedding for the bride and it is your job as the experienced professional to educate the bride and help he make the best choices.

I don’t know how to schmooze or kiss up, I simple know I have to do everything I can to make the event elegant, organized and most of all FUN! I love what I do and it shows!

Balvinder