Can't get in touch with bride - getting that queezy feeling

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rickryan.com

rickryan.com

Mac Daddy DJ
ODJT Supporter
Dec 9, 2009
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18,426
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Hendersonville, TN
www.rickryan.com
I've got an event at a family farm. Reception held in a barn and Ceremony by a lake. I've emailed and called the bride to try and get final details. No email reply and the phone has been busy constantly. It's 80 miles travel (1 way) and this is a full lighting package, so I've hired a helper. Actually, it's a new DJ that I'm looking to book and I want to give him a run-through.

I'm getting that sick feeling and wondering, on your cancellations, have you ever had a bride just hide if the wedding's off? If she'll cancel, I probably won't charge the balance. If she doesn't, then I guess it's time to learn about small claims court, which I really don't want to do. I'm going to try and find an alternative phone for the address where it's held (her parents' house).

Any other ideas?
 
Mail a certified, signature required letter asking for her to contact you to go over final details for her day. Put in a "if I do not hear from you by XX, I will go on the assumption the event is canceled and will be sending you a bill the balance, based on the cancellation policy in the agreement you signed."
 
Guess I didn't make it clear.........the wedding's THIS Saturday. No matter though, I did a phone lookup by address, got the groom on the line, he gave me her cell number. The contract had her parents' number listed and they were hit by the flood in May, still no phone service. I think I woke her up (9am) but did get the 1st dance, oh and they moved the ceremony time from 4p to 5p. Another crisis, narrowly averted.
 
Oops, did not catch the this weekend part.

Even if she had no phone or net because of the flood, she couldn't drop a letter in the mail to you with an outline / worksheet for the day?
 
I had a couple last week that had crisis the week of their wedding. they had their house on the market and they were given last minute info that the house sale had closed and in fact closing on their wedding date. I had to work with pretty much nothing but the fact is. This couple had a whole lot more on their plate than details about their big day. I had to wing it completely as MC and DJ at their event (without any ADJA certification). I think we made it happen even under adverse conditions.
 
I would consider changing your policy. Balance is due before the event. If someone asks if they can pay the balance, I do allow it on the day off....IF THEY SUPPLY ME WITH A CREDIT CARD. That way, if they forget the balance, it's no problem. If they cancel, no problem.
 
Scott Hanna said:
I would consider changing your policy. Balance is due before the event. If someone asks if they can pay the balance, I do allow it on the day off....IF THEY SUPPLY ME WITH A CREDIT CARD. That way, if they forget the balance, it's no problem. If they cancel, no problem.
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Why is it that you never give crappy advice? :tribiggrin:

Many Im-a-thankin-youns.........
 
Rick,

I guess the lesson would be to get as many contact numbers as possible. I can't believe that you had to look the information up for your primary contact? I ask for the parent's numbers when I sign them up.

Best,

Dave
 
Dave Winsor said:
Rick,

I guess the lesson would be to get as many contact numbers as possible. I can't believe that you had to look the information up for your primary contact? I ask for the parent's numbers when I sign them up.

Best,

Dave
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Keep in mind my info is gathered via website. I ask for multiple number but got one in this case. I booked at the end of April and her parents got hit by a 500-year flood, 2 weeks later, knocking out her phone lines. Ultra-weird circumstance but I appreciate and agree with your advice.
 
rickryan.com said:
Keep in mind my info is gathered via website. I ask for multiple number but got one in this case. I booked at the end of April and her parents got hit by a 500-year flood, 2 weeks later, knocking out her phone lines. Ultra-weird circumstance but I appreciate and agree with your advice.
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Still, one would think that they would be contacting you, to let you know of changes.
 
So is the event over yet ?

whats happened so far ?
 
DjDennis said:
So is the event over yet ?

whats happened so far ?
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It's tomorrow. Not really worried about it. I spoke with both B&G and neither of them had much preference on anything so I'm not going to press the issue. Show up, do the gig, go home. My only issue now is the asst I'd intended to take with me, bailed. Will probably take my kid in his place.
 
Papa Deuce said:
Still, one would think that they would be contacting you, to let you know of changes.
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Hey, her parents apparently live in the neighborhood that was devastated by the May flood, that made national news. There are lots of folks who lost everything they owned and no flood insurance. This wedding may be of little concern, in light of everything else they're dealing with so I'm not going to add hassles to their lives now. Just show up, do the gig, go home.
 
rickryan.com said:
Hey, her parents apparently live in the neighborhood that was devastated by the May flood, that made national news. There are lots of folks who lost everything they owned and no flood insurance. This wedding may be of little concern, in light of everything else they're dealing with so I'm not going to add hassles to their lives now. Just show up, do the gig, go home.
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I read that above, but still, there are cell phones and friends.
 
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