Event Pacing - The key to the "Magic" (blog)

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rickryan.com said:
It's simple, because you're clueless and you yet you keep spewing. Canute, I really do like you but brother, you need to learn when accept that someone else is right and you're wrong.....and to admit it publicly. I have a perception of the events you probably do and yes, I'm sure you've done your share of weddings. That said, what we're describing is accurate and right-on. The events we're doing (wedding jocks) are often events in the 100-250 person range and half the time there won't even be someone (planner/coordinator) to take orders from. Of the cases we actually do have someone there, that person is out of the loop and clueless 70% of the time and often their biggest concern is how to talk the Bride into just cutting cake and doing all the first dances up front so she can go home early. It's a completely different animal to deal with. No better, no worse than anything you do, just different and requires to be addressed differently and from a different approach.
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I fully understand what you all are doing. When there is no Planner you take on the task yourselves. Sure I have done the Planner Part (When it comes to the Music to be played at a certain time) many times but what I don't do is run around rounding up people. There is a designated person to do that task. You fail to realize that things can be done differently. Why are you continuing to doubt how I do and have done my Wedding or for that matter other events? Its almost the same kind of coordination that needs to be done at some other events. When a person's name is called that person has to be there. I am not trying to tell you all to do anything different nor am I doubting how you all do yours. Why then are you doubting me or telling me how to do mine?

Do you all run around picking up the empty glasses and plates too? I won't be surprised if you do!
 
ahoustondj said:
I have also done many Weddings with no Planner and had the Client designate someone who would coordinate what I wanted so when the time came everyone would be in their place. All one has to do is ask.
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Houston, you have yet to answer any of the pertinent questions posed. i.e. What happens when you don't get a heads up? When there is no wedding planner? When the person designated isn't around?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

 
mikemerlin said:
Houston, you have yet to answer any of the pertinent questions posed. i.e. What happens when you don't get a heads up? When there is no wedding planner? When the person designated isn't around?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

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The same thing I would do if there is no Cake. I don't have to answer your question because it does not apply to me. If I take on a Task other than DJ first I will be paid for doing it. If they have the money to pay me for that task, they can pay someone else. My purpose is to make the Announcements, Play the Music and keep the party lively.

If I don't get a heads up that means they are not ready to do that part! What is so difficult to understand about that????

Y'all complicate things too much but thats DJs for ya! If the Groom is in the Restroom when it is time to cut the Cake, then its very simple, the Cake does not get cut until the Groom comes out of the Restroom. In the meantime the DJ continues playing other music until he appears! How simple can that be!!! Is your brain so feeble that you can't wrap your mind around that scenario?
 
Remember, Canute rarely works directly for the client .. he works mainly through an agency.
 
Yes, but your style seems to be very 'hands-off'. Most good wedding jocks are very 'hands-on' and their clients and co-vendors appreciate it. In addition to my DJing, MCing and Coordination tasks, I help the caterers light candles on the tables. I bring my own candle lighters, one for me and a few for the caterers. They love it. Guess what? Many caterers refer me because I make their jobs easier. And yes, I've even been known to pick up dishes at the end of the night. Offer value added benefits to your clients.
 
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ahoustondj said:
The same thing I would do if there is no Cake. I don't have to answer your question because it does not apply to me. If I take on a Task other than DJ first I will be paid for doing it. If they have the money to pay me for that task, they can pay someone else. My purpose is to make the Announcements, Play the Music and keep the party lively.

If I don't get a heads up that means they are not ready to do that part! What is so difficult to understand about that????

Y'all complicate things too much but thats DJs for ya! If the Groom is in the Restroom when it is time to cut the Cake, then its very simple, the Cake does not get cut until the Groom comes out of the Restroom. In the meantime the DJ continues playing other music until he appears! How simple can that be!!! Is your brain so feeble that you can't wrap your mind around that scenario?[/QUOTE

If you are a wedding dj it's YOUR JOB to manage the tempo and flow because it directly relates to the overall experience and enjoyment of the client and guests. Now go back through the posts and study what is being said sir! Our job as the MC is to facilitate things so the guests can have a good time and that requires coordination and being pro-active so that the reception flows smoothly. If that means approaching the Bride & Groom and letting them know that it's time for the parent dances that's what you do. If it means having the Wedding planner do it you do that as well. No where in this thread has anyone said that it's the DJ's job to personally round up every individual.
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DJ Wes said:
Yes, but your style seems to be very 'hands-off'. Most good wedding jocks are very 'hands-on' and their clients and co-vendors appreciate it. In addition to my DJing, MCing and Coordination tasks, I help the caterers light candles on the tables. I bring my own candle lighters, one for me and a few for the caterers. They love it. Guess what? Many caterers refer me because I make their jobs easier. And yes, I've even been known to pick up dishes at the end of the night. Offer value added benefits to your clients.
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Y'all are splitting hairs here. Do I offer help sometimes where help is needed, sure! Do I make it my business to do other people's jobs, Hell No! It seems like you all take pleasure in racking up Brownie points. I get referrals from the good Performance that I do as a DJ not as a brown noser! I wonder how many of those other vendors help y'all unload and load in your gear on a regular basis? It is people like ya'll that set bad precedents. You all are training Clients to get services for free but yet you complain when someone comes along and takes your job away when they recommend the Client use an iPod. I get the same respect, even more, from the vendors without having to do all the things y'all are doing. That is professionalism! If one has the confidence in what they do, they won't have to act like Puppy Dogs wagging they tails hoping to be liked and to get a pat on the head!

I really don't see why you all are getting so ticked! Did I touch a raw nerve or something? Just continue doing what you do and I will continue doing what I do. After being in this business over 30 years I can say with all conviction that I have the experience to know what I am doing!

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mikemerlin said:
If you are a wedding dj it's YOUR JOB to manage the tempo and flow because it directly relates to the overall experience and enjoyment of the client and guests. Now go back through the posts and study what is being said sir! Our job as the MC is to facilitate things so the guests can have a good time and that requires coordination and being pro-active so that the reception flows smoothly. If that means approaching the Bride & Groom and letting them know that it's time for the parent dances that's what you do. If it means having the Wedding planner do it you do that as well. No where in this thread has anyone said that it's the DJ's job to personally round up every individual.
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I can keep the tempo going, I have no problem with that and that is what I do. All I am saying is that there is someone else to do the other things so why do I have to worry. I have turned down many Weddings when the Client to be was expecting to much than they were willing to pay. It was not worth my time. May I remind you all that I do this as a Business and not as a Hobby!
 
mikemerlin said:
Houston, it is clear from your post you don't do many weddings and lack a clear understanding of the responsibilities that a "typical" wedding DJ has. A HUGE part of keeping guests entertained is tempo and flow. Included in the "scope" of a wedding DJ's responsibility is making sure the other vendors are aware of what's going on, that the parents are ready (as in not in the bathroom or at the bar) and that the venue has the silverware and plates in place when it's time to cut the cake (you'd be surprised)

When I talk with clients and they tell me their planner/venue person suggested putting all the dances together to "get them out of the way" I remind them of the significance of the parent dances, I remind them that when you lump everything together these moments become drawn out instead of magical. Forward momentum sets the tone for what's to come. A Bride may have a DOC (day of coordinator) or a wedding planner but NONE of it happens without the DJ which is why he/she must be aware and involved with all aspects of the reception. Putting your head in the sand and expecting others to take care of it is a great way to derail a reception. As always communication is the key.
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With all due respect Mike, I don't think you are making your case at all.
What you are claiming as some kind of professional responsibility is simply basic competence. The notion of you making sure parents are in the room or that a plate and knife is present for the cake cutting is no more magical than expecting a truck driver to tie down the load before driving away. The fact that the DJ can wipe his own nose does not make him the spark that ignites all fires.

If you don't believe you can make three consecutive formal dances magical then that is reflection on your predispositions and speaks nothing of any given wedding planner. Believe it or not Mike, there are weddings taking place all over the country in ways you'd never conceive of - so, things do happen and work out just fine even without a DJ in his/her magical Captain's chair.

There will be times when it is necessary for you to facilitate things where no one else is there to take up that role and an expanded set of competencies is laudable. It will make you the more competitive choice as well. There are also many other times when it is equally important to know that having a microphone merely makes you the messenger not the message.
 
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Proformance said:
With all due respect Mike, I don't think you are making your case at all.
What you are claiming as some kind of professional responsibility is simply basic competence. The notion of you making sure parents are in the room or that a plate and knife is present for the cake cutting is no more magical than expecting a truck driver to tie down the load before driving away. The fact that the DJ can wipe his own nose does not make him the spark that ignites all fires.

If you don't believe you can make three consecutive formal dances magical then that is reflection on your predispositions and speaks nothing of any given wedding planner. Believe it or not Mike, there are weddings taking place all over the country in ways you'd never conceive of - so, things do happen and work out just fine even without a DJ in his/her magical Captain's chair.

There will be times when it is necessary for you to facilitate things where no one else is there to take up that role and an expanded set of competencies is laudable. It will make you the more competitive choice as well. There are also many other times when it is equally important to know that having a microphone merely makes you the messenger not the message.
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Well this is rare, I find myself actually saying "thanks" for some of this (although I do think Mike's making his "case" perfectly). I think part of the disconnect in this little thread fight is in writing instead of talking. I'd venture to guess that if we were all sitting in a bar together, this would be a grand ole discussion and everyone would have a smile on their face. It's my impression that most all of you guys are top-notch, no-slacker kinda guys and pretty much all here will do whatever the situation calls for (with limits) to make an event successful. I thank you for the input.
 
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rickryan.com said:
I think part of the disconnect in this little thread fight is in writing instead of talking.
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I will rephrase that for you. The disconnect occurred because of lack of comprehension.
 
ahoustondj said:
Don't give me that crap that I don't do a lot of Weddings! I have done a lot of Weddings in my time and still do but certainly not as much. I prefer to stay away from them because they are not as enjoyable as my other events.!
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When was your last wedding?
How many have you done this year?
No B.S.
No beating around the bush
No excuses.
Just give us the date of the last wedding you did...
and the number of weddings you did this year.
Maybe post a few pics.

ahoustondj said:
BTW it is not my job to see that the "Venue has the silverware and plates in place when it's time to cut the cake", what in the Hell does that have to do with playing music? They are supposed to cue you when everything is ready to go. You don't see the Photographer running around doing those sort of things!
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Yes, it IS your job.
Maybe you're not the one who has to REMIND them to do it..
but if you're in charge, you need to take a moment to make sure all the ducks are in a row before you announce something.

ahoustondj said:
If everyone who is charged with a task does their job in a professional manner then everything should go off without a hitch. The only difference between a Wedding and a Corporate Party, Anniversary, Reunion etc is that there may be more people involved in making the pieces come together.
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SHOULD is a very dangerous word.
When was the last time you were at a venue that hired 32 professionals to serve dinner....
rather that hiring a bunch of 17-year old high school kids earning minimum wage?
And if you think that there is no difference between weddings and other events,
then that pretty much PROVES that you haven't done a wedding in a long time.

ahoustondj said:
BTW do you also make sure that all the centerpieces are correctly centered on the tables? If you all want to run around like busboys and wait staff then do so but don't make clients feel it is to be expected by all other DJs!
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Now you're just being stupid.
Once again you bring up a ridiculous point, trying to distract from the fact that you are wrong.

I care about my clients enough that I like make sure things happen the way they should.
That doesn't mean I pour the champagne, that just means that I take a moment to look at the glasses before I announce the toast.
Isn't that being proactive, just like visiting the venue before the gig?

How dare you talk about being prepared, not being a button pusher,
and getting the right setup and the right sound, for your client's sake...
and then criticize people who put in the extra effort to make everything flow.
 
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In my area i have never had to deal with a planner, i go over with the bride and groom want they want to do that day. When the time comes to do certain events i make sure everyone is ready and then we proceed
 
Ausumm said:
When was your last wedding?
How many have you done this year?
No B.S.
No beating around the bush
No excuses.
Just give us the date of the last wedding you did...
and the number of weddings you did this year.
Maybe post a few pics.



Yes, it IS your job.
Maybe you're not the one who has to REMIND them to do it..
but if you're in charge, you need to take a moment to make sure all the ducks are in a row before you announce something.



SHOULD is a very dangerous word.
When was the last time you were at a venue that hired 32 professionals to serve dinner....
rather that hiring a bunch of 17-year old high school kids earning minimum wage?
And if you think that there is no difference between weddings and other events,
then that pretty much PROVES that you haven't done a wedding in a long time.



Now you're just being stupid.
Once again you bring up a ridiculous point, trying to distract from the fact that you are wrong.

I care about my clients enough that I like make sure things happen the way they should.
That doesn't mean I pour the champagne, that just means that I take a moment to look at the glasses before I announce the toast.
Isn't that being proactive, just like visiting the venue before the gig?

How dare you talk about being prepared, not being a button pusher,
and getting the right setup and the right sound, for your client's sake...
and then criticize people who put in the extra effort to make everything flow.
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I can tell that you did not read the whole thread. I can also tell that you are oblivious to what goes on outside your little world where you are relegated to being put in Corners. I don't have to answer your petty questions because none of them hold any relevance to me. Carry on!
 
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OK, here's the 20 + years of experience kicking in. I know I have been out of the business now for close to five years. But, with all that said...

Rick nailed it.

When I first started I had a detailed timeline with times on it and I was real anal about it. Then I learned that are just certain things out of the DJ's control; like the other vendors. I soon learned to take the times off and just have a flow of events. That made it much easier.

Now, you will run into the pushers; that is, the coordinators, photographers, whatever, that want to run their agenda. The curt reply I would use is, "Whose event is this, yours or theirs?" The only one I would let push was the client.

Just my 2% of $1.
 
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rickryan.com said:
Methinks thou dost protest a bit too much. Last wedding you ran. Come on, out with it........
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What does it matter? Seems as though when y'all hear the truth or something different to what y'all do or how y'all operate that it strikes a raw nerve.
 
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redhotdj said:
now your starting to sound like mix, someone asked a question just answer it
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I am not evading the question, I said I won't answer it! I don't have to prove anything to anyone here. I am not out looking for a pat on the back like some. If some DJs are hired to do one thing and they want to go out and do a bunch of other stuff just to get brownie points from their clients then let them knock themselves out. Go back and read a few of my Gig postings and you all may get the answer if you are so obsessed.
 
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