See? People LOVE "cheese".....
- Thread starter Papa Deuce
- Start date
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
I still do the chicken dance A LOT. When i do a wedding with lots of little kids, when i notice they are getting restless i get them all together to do the chicken dance, hoky pokey and maybe simon says or red light green light. we tell every bride and groom we do this too and its usually a factor in the tip
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
Yup, same here. We let the Bride know that we will do this in our intitial meetings.
Question? Are you doing this before the formalities? We've toyed around with this idea, but haven't done so....yet.
Most normally we do this after all the formalities and before the dance floor is opened up for general "mayhem".
I bring the kids (of all ages) up and we do 2-3 songs just for them. I tell them it's a "challenge" and that if they dance to all the songs they get glow necklaces. We provide the Glow Products at no extra charge to the client and we factor their cost into doing business. It's amazing how excited these kids get (some of the adults too!) over getting a glow necklace or bracelet.
It's a great way to get the kids out on the floor and let them burn off some energy. Plus, so many of the parents' with small kids leave early, it's a way to get the families involved.
If the Bride tells us "no Chicken Dance" we'll substitute something from Crazy Frog or from Shark Tales soundtrack, etc.
Kirby
It depends on whether or not the formalities are happening before or after dinner, because we do the kids stuff during dinner. It seems to take the average kid 4.3 miinutes to eat dinner (maybe an exageration) but then they start doing the wedding slide (shoes off slide across the shiny dance floor) at this time, its time to entertain them.
kyle
It depends on whether or not the formalities are happening before or after dinner, because we do the kids stuff during dinner. It seems to take the average kid 4.3 miinutes to eat dinner (maybe an exageration) but then they start doing the wedding slide (shoes off slide across the shiny dance floor) at this time, its time to entertain them.
kyle
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
Kyle:
I like that...and you're right kids scarf their food and then they're off on the "prowl" looking for some "action."
I guess we'll start giving the Brides an "option" on whether they want us to do this during dinner or wait until all scheduled formalities are done...(almost all of our formalities are done immediately after dinner.)
Thanks,
Kirby
Honestly, I avoid the Chicken Dance, etc unless I REALLY have to do it, I find that doing things on the side are better and keeping the music flowing for the guests works better for me...its all up to individual preference I guess...
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
I actually ask the client if there are going to be children at the wedding reception. If the answer is yes, I charge an extra $ 100 for aggravation money as I call it. I tell the B&G right up front that kids ruin receptions. Plain & Simple.
The kids run around the dance floor all night, inhibiting the adults from taking to the dance floor.
Believe it or not, my $100 surcharge has actually caused B&G's to reconsider permitting children at the reception.
It's amazing how 15 kids can literally KILL a 125 person wedding reception.
As for the CHEESE....I serve all the CHEESE you can eat!
The folks expect it, and with me they get it!
The kids run around the dance floor all night, inhibiting the adults from taking to the dance floor.
Believe it or not, my $100 surcharge has actually caused B&G's to reconsider permitting children at the reception.
It's amazing how 15 kids can literally KILL a 125 person wedding reception.
As for the CHEESE....I serve all the CHEESE you can eat!
The folks expect it, and with me they get it!
Steve, I bet you have lost a few bookings because of this poilcy... but I bet you are A-OK with it.... am I right?
I had a Wedding last night that was made up mostly of members from the church where the bride goes, subsequently her father is the pastor their too and her brother is also involved as a youth director. I was DJMC"s nightmare last night you can't name a cheeses song that I did not play and guess what I heard from several of the guest. "THAT WAS THE BEST WEDDING RECEPTION EVER" take that Peter Mery
I have indeed given up a few booking with this policy. But you have to remember....a bad reception has a its own way of getting around. It reflects on the DJ Entertainer. I tell my clients right out that at a Wedding reception, I am not a baby-sitter. I am available to provide them with entertainment.
Now understand, I do kids parties as well. But the difference there is that in that light I am a babysitter.
But at a wedding, I am an entertainer.And I know that my next event will possibly come to me as a direct result of the success of the wedding reception I am currently doing.
My testimonial file is full of happy , satisfied brides. This is my proof.
All you need is one wedding where nobody was able to dance. Poof-you have a discontented client.
I hate to sound ego-tistic, or, elitist, please, I really do not mean to project that. But I am a somewhat, perfectionist, and to this end, make my case.
Now understand, I do kids parties as well. But the difference there is that in that light I am a babysitter.
But at a wedding, I am an entertainer.And I know that my next event will possibly come to me as a direct result of the success of the wedding reception I am currently doing.
My testimonial file is full of happy , satisfied brides. This is my proof.
All you need is one wedding where nobody was able to dance. Poof-you have a discontented client.
I hate to sound ego-tistic, or, elitist, please, I really do not mean to project that. But I am a somewhat, perfectionist, and to this end, make my case.
Honestly, live in NJ for a while and you will see what Steve is referring too....Steve I sympathize and agree....
I will avoid the situation at all costs....I know the customers is "supposed" to be always right, but if it can potentially kill a dancefloor or destroy an event...oh HELL no it goes..
I will avoid the situation at all costs....I know the customers is "supposed" to be always right, but if it can potentially kill a dancefloor or destroy an event...oh HELL no it goes..
I can appreciate Steves comments and stand. I used to get alot of this and somehow worked in the earlybird fun for the kids, included them, and it worked well for me. It was stressful at best sometimes, and I would likely do as Steve does the past 5+ yrs had I not moved to British Columbia. For some reason the kids here are more respectful and or parented better than anywhere I have held this crazy DJ position. Im in a great place to enjoy the later yrs of my career and I now more than ever love Weddings.
Cheese served in abundance here as people flock to familiarity.
Cheese served in abundance here as people flock to familiarity.
While I agree that the Chicken Dance is by request only, it can be a lot of fun for a lot of folks. It's a dance that most everyone knows and has been around for a very long time.
Little pups at receptions are a fact of life nowadays. People don't hire a neighborhood teenager to mind their pups while they go out dancing much anymore. They take their pups with 'em everywhere they go. I don't care for it either but that's the way it is.
I've seen pups screeching and running 'round the dancefloor during the garter and bouquet. I've seen toddlers bumbling around on the floor and getting kicked and knocked over by the dancers. I've seen 'em grab a glass of punch and take off running, spilling punch all over the floor. Had one come up and push one of my cabs off the stage.
I have seen little pups trash a venue while their lazy, redneck parents were outside BSing and smoking.
And you'ns folks wondered why I preferred the Moose and VFW shows. No one under 21 allowed, lol.
Little pups at receptions are a fact of life nowadays. People don't hire a neighborhood teenager to mind their pups while they go out dancing much anymore. They take their pups with 'em everywhere they go. I don't care for it either but that's the way it is.
I've seen pups screeching and running 'round the dancefloor during the garter and bouquet. I've seen toddlers bumbling around on the floor and getting kicked and knocked over by the dancers. I've seen 'em grab a glass of punch and take off running, spilling punch all over the floor. Had one come up and push one of my cabs off the stage.
I have seen little pups trash a venue while their lazy, redneck parents were outside BSing and smoking.
And you'ns folks wondered why I preferred the Moose and VFW shows. No one under 21 allowed, lol.
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
Man, you guys must have had some rough kiddies at those receptions! :sqerr:
For the most part, the kids that we've been around have been very well behaved and just end up getting a little bored and antsy due to the long day.
Now, I've seen some "so-called" adults that sure didn't act like adults.
For the most part, the kids that we've been around have been very well behaved and just end up getting a little bored and antsy due to the long day.
Now, I've seen some "so-called" adults that sure didn't act like adults.
Oh yeah Kirby, way more bad behavior by adults than the little ones, though I do prefer a wedding with no kids.
BTW, at MY OWN wedding, my wife's drunk cousin walked up to my friend's wife and said " Nice Boobs". ... but in a much worse way.
BTW, at MY OWN wedding, my wife's drunk cousin walked up to my friend's wife and said " Nice Boobs". ... but in a much worse way.
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
Now remember I have a "secret weapon" that I employ if a situation with kiddies arises....."I sic Coreen on them!" :sqerr:
Works every time!
:sqerr:Works every time!
It can be sad, too. I've been at the console and watched 'em come in. The ones who are pushing strollers are gonna be the first to leave.
You've got loud music, dancing, drinking and smoke. It can go 'til late. This not what I'd call the greatest environment for infants and little pups. I have seen young mothers take their babies to an adjacent room or out in the lobby and sit there with fussy pups while everyone else is in the house having a good time.
That's sad and Mom isn't having fun. But they make the choice to bring their pups along.
When we were pups, our parents went out dancing and whatnot on occasion. We stayed at home with a sitter and watched television. We didn't go everywhere with our parents. When we did go to a wedding or whatever we knew to be on our best behavior.
You've got loud music, dancing, drinking and smoke. It can go 'til late. This not what I'd call the greatest environment for infants and little pups. I have seen young mothers take their babies to an adjacent room or out in the lobby and sit there with fussy pups while everyone else is in the house having a good time.
That's sad and Mom isn't having fun. But they make the choice to bring their pups along.
When we were pups, our parents went out dancing and whatnot on occasion. We stayed at home with a sitter and watched television. We didn't go everywhere with our parents. When we did go to a wedding or whatever we knew to be on our best behavior.
We're not talking about general dancing time we're talking about dinner and most of the guests we deal with think its great t hey get free babysitting as well at least for that time. We also offer interactive, bonded, kid sittingas well if the B&G pay for a side room for it, i have a ringling trained clown on staff and his wife who is a kindergarten teacher they bring games, and arts and crafts, and then they teach the kids line dances in the back and we bring the kids back out for them and the parents are very proud of their little show.