wwyd

Now ya know why I went corporate, and no longer do weddingd. And do you notice that it's always the bride that puts a new slant on stupid?

Did she ever give you a reason for this asnine comment of hers. This gal needs an attitude adjustment. Stick to your guns and mean no now its not worth the headache to you or your staff.

I'll be a devil's advocate here

I would have said yes to doing the show but also would have added

they best have at least 3x Ambulances ready at the door incase I lapse into a Coma for lack of heat stroke, no water and having no insulin in all the 6x hours of the wedding

they would have said words to her big Compensation bill in the long run
also an Occupational, Health and Saftey issue as well....

Or the other option is to say...we would love to do the event. Your total price will be $7,499...would you like to put that on a credit card or check?
(for that much...i can sneak a drink from the sink in the men's room)

Gee Mam. I would love to do your event, but If I can't drink my Bud's and smoke my Mary Jane then forget it. Call the guild..

Scott Hanna said:

Or the other option is to say...we would love to do the event. Your total price will be $7,499...would you like to put that on a credit card or check?
(for that much...i can sneak a drink from the sink in the men's room)

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Now remember Scott your not eating or drinking at this event. So thus you won't need to use the bathroom. The bathrooms are for guests not the hired help. So just hold it you'll be OK:sqerr::sqerr::sqerr::sqembarrassed:

I guess wearing a wifebeater is out of the question?

Look, all you need to do is wear a Camelback, like the bike riders wear. Then you just hide the drinking tube under you lapel and sneak a drink when needed. If you need to pee, just wear depends.



Or just tell her that you have to keep your mouth moist and you'll either be chewing gum all night, sucking on candy or snoggin' with the bridesmaids!

It looks like you made the right call by telling this bride-to-be to go pound sand, but perhaps there's a bigger question...

GoodKnightDJ said:

I usually say something to the effect that some of our DJs and assistants smoke but if the client doesn't want them to, they won't. I then explain that we don't drink alcohol before, during, or after the event and that eating is more important for the photographer than us.

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I would never bring this up to a prospect at a meeting unprompted! Certainly if the prospect brings it up you can address it. But why create a possible point of contention if you don't have to?

I don't think a prospect has brought up the topic of drinking/smoking with me ever. Eating, yes. But usually only to ask if I wanted a plate made for me or if I get something at the buffet.

If I had have employees who smoked, I would let them know before I hired them that they could not leave the event, period. They're free to smoke before or after the event, but during the reception they have to abstain. They can wear a nicotine patch or just pretend they're on a long airplane flight.

I'm curious for other DJ's who smoke...how do you deal with your habit during events?

Joining this very interesting thread late. Some observations:

1) What a controlling bitch! No other way to describe her. Demanding that no one take a drink of water in 6 hours time, who does she thing she is?

2) Accept these limitations, but like Jeff said, write a 15-minute break per hour into your contract, just like a band, and agree to turn the music off completely during this time. Then, since you're not performing, you're on your own time. Have your drink of water now.

3) Write into your contract that if you are not to have a drink of anything in 6 hours, the bride is not to be off the dance floor for that entire time, as well. The second she leaves the dance floor, for any reason, you shall consider the contract broken and you can then turn it off and break it down and head for home without consequence.

4) Write into your contract that if you are not to have a drink of anything in 6 hours, then neither is she and every time you see her take a drink of anything, you will do the same. If you see her with any type of drink in her hand, you shall consider yourself able to do the same.

5) Notify the hall where this reception is to take place and inform the manager of her unreasonable demand and to expect her to ask the same of the waitstaff. If she does, then the manager has to deal with it, but he/she was warned ahead of time. If she doesn't make the same demand, call her and ask her why the ^#$&* they can have a drink but you aren't allowed to have a damn drink of water in 6 hours!

6) Post it on the Knot and ask the other snotties to discuss it. Just for kicks.

7) Accept the gig with these limitations, but write into your contract that no one is allowed to make any requests, even the bride....hell, especially the bride. You will only play what you want at whatever volume you feel like and if she complains, tell her that whenever you get dehydrated, you just feel the urge to play unedited gangsta rap and death metal at maximum volume. It calms you down, tell her. Oh, sweetheart, you want to make a request? HOW ABOUT GETTING ME A GLASS OF WATER FIRST!!!

There, I feel better for Tom having written that.

(I also hope that everyone recognizes satire, even poor attempts at it. )

Coming in this one way late too.

Experience dictates that this particular client could be a major pain. Ya think??!!!

BUT (ah, yes, the but) rather than walking away from such a ditzbag, why not play the game? Seriously! Stuff your indignancy, the anger, the outrage, and toss the hot sausage back in her lap. Engage her in the mindf...

Where does it say a DJ has to (as in universal mandate) be nice to any and every one who wants to (in this case) literally kill them? Nope. The game is ON!

For example. "Yes, we'll agree not to drink, smoke, or eat anything on prem, and will guarantee it in writing. Will that be acceptable and will you sign the contract right now?"

Once she agrees, have her sign the contract. Then remind her AFTERWARDS about state labor laws requiring a break every four hours (whether it's true or not doesn't matter) and that the DJ will leaving the premises for 30 minutes for a leagally required break every four hours, the clock starting from when they leave home, which will mean 3 such breaks during the event at their chosing.

She'll, of course, stop payment on the check (a fee). You'll of course, threaten to enforce thae contract. Then, at the last minute, say "Neener neener, just kidding. Buh-bye!"

Stuff like that, ya know what I mean? Make sense or is it just me that loves the mind game game just for giggles?