Wedding Inquiry for January 2009

Got an e-mail tonight for a quote on a Wedding in January 2009. I have to send out a questionnaire and visit the venue before I give a quote. So far I know they need me as DJ, MC and it will be a six hour gig. I need to go and visit the venue on Tuesday. Take a look at the Venues pics. http://www.czechcenter.org/gallery/gallery.asp
I do not have lights as yet and may have to get some. It looks like it may be a $1,500 - $2, 000.00 gig
Any suggestions? Remember, I am just getting back out of an 8 year run at two clubs so all this is now going to be new to me once more. Things have changed. My last three weddings was at the venue where I played at the Nudist Resort. LOL
One thing for sure that I am not going to do is to have a lengthy "Contract" that can paint me into a corner.

No Tips?

Gosh, 22 people looked but not one tip or word of advise.

Cesar said:

Last night when I looked at this thread and went back and looked at your last 50 posts to get a feel for what type of DJ you were. I wanted to ask you could you see yourself and your system in this facility complimenting the decor or would you be the messy DJ in the corner distracting from the elegance of this facility?

I wanted to ask why do you think the client asked you for a price quote if you haven't been doing Wedding Receptions in the last 8 years?

I wanted to ask what you were trying to say about the long worded contract painting you into a corner?

I wanted to ask if you have been doing club work for the last 8 years if your music library was well rounded to accommodate the varied requests that you will get at a Wedding Reception?

What was the music format at these Clubs you were performing at?

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1. The system (Pics that I have in the gallery) is being upgraded. I also have two JBL JRX 125. Everything will be updated by end of Summer.Including new equipment and racks where needed.

2. I have never given a quote without first visiting the venue and having a questionnaire filled out.

3. This way, I know what to write into the Agreement. It does not have to be long winded. If I do not offer something specific thats agreed to beforehand, then I can't be held accountable to it.


4. I have been doing Weddings and other DJ work including clubs way before the last 8 years. My library goes back since 1969. I am familiar with the old as well as the new. So the music experience is certainly there. I have had Promo vinyl since 1978 and Promo Only CDs since 1999 plus Promos from ERG on and off in the past nine years or so. Trust me its well rounded.

5. The music format that I played in the last 8 years was Rock, Classic Rock, Techno, R&B, Hip Hop, Country, Old School, Danceable Jazz (like some Larry Carlton, Kenny G etc), Adult Music with adult lyrics/Parodies, Reggae, Soca, Zydeco, Blues, Spanish/Latin, Merengue, Salsa, Jitterbug, etc etc. My crowd was very diverse and I always got high praises for my DJ work, personality and attention to detail. I was always praised for "being able to read a crowd". If nobody came on the dancefloor, I'd change the music in a heartbeat. 99% of my music is played digital. If I was to finish everything I own to MP3s, I'd probably have a library of over 70,000 songs.

Lastly, I do know that I can't just go to a lovely venue like that with beat up looking equipment, or over bulky speakers with wires all over the place. Everything will be first class by the end of the summer to early fall. I am preparing for the Holiday season too.
I also have a DJ partner who has his own equipment and we usually get stuff from each other if needed.

My Main worry is lighting. I'll be blessed if they tell me its not needed. But by that time I'll have a lighting package of my own anyway. Trust me, I am not going to bite off more than I can chew. I know that this isn't some backyard party in a barn.

I'll be sharing some wedding selection songs for you all in the weeks to come because there are some oldies and danceable Jazz of which some of you may not be aware thats perfectly suitable for weddings and classy occasions.

For a start, try Dianne Schurr (By herself and with BB King), most stuff on the GRP label is excellent, Patti Austin, David Sanborn, etc etc.

I do appreciate the comments and feel free to continue. What you have listed above are important reminders to me to ensure that I have all my ducks in a row and not make the Professional DJ Industry look bad. Most important of all, not to get my azz sued by an irate B&G

Cesar

I want to thank you for the response. It was candid and straightforward. I like that, I already know what works but at the same time need to know what needs to be addressed. Advise, suggestions, hints and constructive criticism only helps to make me become a better DJ.

Why do you think I last so long in clubs? I's still be in my last club if it was not for the high gas prices. They were extremely happy with my performance. At first I stayed at the resort the whole weekend and DJd = 1 Round Trip back and forth to Houston = 152 miles.
Then I started having to come home after the club on each night = 2 Round Trips = 304 miles x $4.00 per gallon in gas for an 8 cylinder custom van. Way too much costs which I did not want coming out my pocket.

DJ Cam said:

It is a sooze you loose business. While you are waiting to check out the venue someone else has called the customer asked a few questions and emailed them a contract. You can't wait around I find most customers make a decision within 24 hours of their inital search for a DJ.


It's completly fine that you are up grading just make sure you deliver. I sell product and ideas to customers that I don't own all the time.

Another note dual 15" spearkers are probally one of the last choices for a wedding setup.

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I know the risks of waiting. That is not a worry to me. I do not have to tell the client that I am upgrading or refurbishing either. That is why I do not furnish an itemized list of equipment that I am going to use, in a contract.
Thanks for the note on the "Dual 15". I do agree, I definitely won't use my big guns as I dont want the Chandeliers falling and Curio cases rattling. I have heard so much talk about the Bose L1's that I just might look into getting a system to add to the ones I have. I have used Bose since in the seventies, however mainly as back up and monitors. My Bose AWM cost me $1,250.00 with power case back in 2001 and I made a ton of money from renting that out. Thats not even pro sound.

By The Way

I am not just looking at a Wedding Market or just waiting to be hired. I am going to be doing my own productions/Dances. I already have a deal with a Banquet facility for NYE. Its a 50/50 after expenses. We are going to have dinner and dance and profits split after outside costs are payed (Party Favors, caterer, drinks etc.) Labor Day weekend will be another example. I am going to be my own client.
Corporate Parties during the Christmas season are bonanza for me too. The entertainment agency that I used years ago are please to have me back on the scene. I reaped in big dollars for them and almost always went into overtime at each gig.
I know, I know, you don't have to say........My website is old and has Broken/unfinished links and that too will be revamped. Look at the name and see how much thought was put into the name "AHOUSTONDJ"
A = First letter of the alphabet.
Houston = City where I'll be doing most business.
DJ = Need I say more?
When it is finished it will be my webmaster's duty to make sure that i come up on top of the search list. This is where the potential client found me. She queried those exact words.

My responses to you.

patrickrlewis said:

I think what you need to do it sit down, and come up with a price that is consistent no matter what the venue is. You do not want to be known as someone who changes their pricing on every event. Come up with a clear and condensing price list, and stick too it.

Secondly, although you may not like it, you NEED a contract. Working without one is just suicidal.

Finally, you have the experience. It does not matter if you have not done a wedding in 8 years or not. Do not short sell yourself just to get the gig.

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Patrick,
I do not like using set prices for canned packages. There are some hotels in Houston that will eat your luch with the wasted time from loading dock to set up and slow elevators etc. Its not nice to then add extra dollars to the Package price because of this, yet you'll have to do so. The client then feels like they are having to pay extra from the get go. if its included in your price then it becomes a true individual/unique price.

I do use a contract, except i choose to call mine an "Agreement". Psycological benefits to this term. No one feels locked in.

Thank you for the vote of confidence in the "experience" department. I have only had one bad mishap in all the years I have been DJing. It was a horror story but thats another post.

Thunder said:

AJ,

As others have expressed I will reinterate. Set a fee and give it to those who call and want a price. Set it high enough to cover your largest system, if the venue doesn't call for it you use a smaller system but the price remains the same, that way you have a price to quote the client and if you want or feel the need you can always adjust it down, most aren't going to want to hear you adjust it up though.

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After a few e-mails back and forth, I was finally able to have the Prospect/Bride answer my questionnaire.(Time 3.30 - 9.30pm) It is a six hour wedding Reception, Ceremony is elsewhere, no lights maybe just a spotlight for B&G Dance. Venue is providing the video projector. I did not asl her who will operate it.
I gave her a general quote for that plus a quote for 4 as well as 5 hours (This is just in case she felt like scaling back the hours to save some money. I made sure and stated "MUSIC ONLY".
She admitted to me that she was price shopping and I very tactfully pointed out to her that the old phrase "You get what you pay for" is something to be considered and would she want to gamble on having her Wedding turning out to be anything less than classy and a success. Now that I have her attention lets see what the final outcome will be.
MY final step down the road, would be to find out what actually made her choose or not choose me.