Weddings What are your red flags during the interview?

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My number one is caring about their guests. Yes, the wedding is the B&G's day; however, if they don't care about their guests then their guests probably won't have a good time and will leave early.

How can you tell if they don't care?

Ask what their music preferences are; a) what their guests want, b) what the bride and groom wants, or c) a combination. If their answer is a) or c) then you're good to go. If they say only their music then ask about preferences and if it sounds like it will work then press on; otherwise, pull the plug on the interview.

Ask them if their will be a meal blessing. If they say no, ask them if they have considered their guests with a religious preference. If they out and out say they don't care then I would pull the plug on the interview.

To me, if they don't care about their guests then my job would be more difficult than it had to be.

Other red flags were signs of micro management from the bride or groom.
 
if the bride wont allow her guests to wear white sox Im outta there. I pack up without a word. If she lives in Chicago I slap her first born.
 
Wes I turn that list into a green fllag during the comp meeting. I rarely lose that battle. IF your interested in how perhaps a phone call is in order.
 
To put things back into context for you there Wiz:

Please note what I said; this is covered at the interview.

Most have a blessing no matter what their beliefs are because they take into consideration their religious guests.

I had one bride say that she did not want a blessing because she was an atheist. I asked her to consider her guests beliefs and she said that she did not care. I am sorry Jon but I cannot work with a person that does not care about their guests. There are plenty of other DJs for her out there.

A few years back I was not that concerned about this factor. During those days I did not even bother to ask at the interview and if they told me that there was no blessing I just figured the guests that wanted a blessing could do it at their table. That was until I ran into the bridezilla that absolutely freaked out when her religious guests started blessing their meal. She wanted me to make an announcement telling them not to do that. I refused to make the announcement. I also ran into a groom that freaked out when I prayed (to myself) before the meal I was invited to eat. Shortly after that is when I started taking the blessing issue into consideration.

Folks, I have run into some dillies in my time as a DJ.
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I just went through this type of situation. The bride proceeded to tell me she liked hiphop and wanted to know how much I knew about that type of music. I was kind of stunned by the question seeing as she's a white mid-20's woman living in a blue collar town where country and classic rock are wedding mainstays mixed with some current top 40 hits. She also wanted to know if I'd be walking the crowd hyping them up. All I could think of is this woman thinks this is all about her. She wants her wedding to be a hiphop concert.

Told her I was confident in my ability to provide a good time for all her guests. She then told me she'd already had her bridezilla moment and went on to trash several other vendors. Some deserving, others quality professionals who I happen to think do a wonderful job.

This woman is the daughter of College president who makes in excess of a $250,000/year. I can't wait to see mom's rich 60 year old friends dancing to hiphop, should make for an interesting wedding video.

At the end of out meeting, the bride requested I send her a song list to help her decide if I was the right DJ for her. I'm thinking wtf, your wedding isn't for 18 months alot can change in that time frame. That showed me that she doesn't care about the DJ or the person's ability to keep a diverse crowd entertained. She only wanted to see how much hiphop I had and how current it was.

Instead of forwarding a playlist, I sent her a message thanking her for the opportunity, but I didn't think we were the company for her. Not once throughout our 40 minute meeting did she or the fiancee smile and neither really made any attempt to make eye contact. They were so disinterested in being there, I felt 6 inches tall. I'm guessing the fact I was a 40 year old white DJ with 27 years experience wasn't enough to keep their attention on the task at hand.

This was a referral was a respected videographer who I do several events a year with. I phoned him after the meeting and wished him luck, he's going to need it. I also feel sorry for whatever DJ company gets stuck with this prima donna. Their reputation is going to take a hit. I'm lucky enough to have several prominent clients who use my company's services year after year because we don't pigeon hole our music into any one genre. We read and react to a crowd, rather than assuming anything. This woman might get the wedding of her dreams, but I have a funny feeling she'll be dancing at 10pm by herself.
 
Tom sorry buddy

even with this quote I totally disagree.

"Most have a blessing no matter what their beliefs are because they take into consideration their religious guests."

Wrong!!

Most have blessings even without knowing the meaning or nature of it simply cause its been engrained through a life and also cause on most all planners its listed. Unless of course its out of respect for Grandma, Ma or pa etc but most often got nothing to do with or a thought of religion .
 
Tom, you can deny it, but IMO, you really don't want to leave DJing... If you truly did, again, IMO, you would not come here and take the abuse you are getting. You would take the nice, peaceful road to retirement... why get more frustrated by something you say you can't wait to depart?

Like whenever the day comes that I turn in my notice at my job, I'll just walk around with a smile on my face for two weeks.
 
I know Daddys got a deep pocket and probably told her

vpver2 said:
I just went through this type of situation. The bride proceeded to tell me she liked hiphop and wanted to know how much I knew about that type of music. I was kind of stunned by the question seeing as she's a white mid-20's woman living in a blue collar town where country and classic rock are wedding mainstays mixed with some current top 40 hits. She also wanted to know if I'd be walking the crowd hyping them up. All I could think of is this woman thinks this is all about her. She wants her wedding to be a hiphop concert.

Told her I was confident in my ability to provide a good time for all her guests. She then told me she'd already had her bridezilla moment and went on to trash several other vendors. Some deserving, others quality professionals who I happen to think do a wonderful job.

This woman is the daughter of College president who makes in excess of a $250,000/year. I can't wait to see mom's rich 60 year old friends dancing to hiphop, should make for an interesting wedding video.

At the end of out meeting, the bride requested I send her a song list to help her decide if I was the right DJ for her. I'm thinking wtf, your wedding isn't for 18 months alot can change in that time frame. That showed me that she doesn't care about the DJ or the person's ability to keep a diverse crowd entertained. She only wanted to see how much hiphop I had and how current it was.

Instead of forwarding a playlist, I sent her a message thanking her for the opportunity, but I didn't think we were the company for her. Not once throughout our 40 minute meeting did she or the fiancee smile and neither really made any attempt to make eye contact. They were so disinterested in being there, I felt 6 inches tall. I'm guessing the fact I was a 40 year old white DJ with 27 years experience wasn't enough to keep their attention on the task at hand.

This was a referral was a respected videographer who I do several events a year with. I phoned him after the meeting and wished him luck, he's going to need it. I also feel sorry for whatever DJ company gets stuck with this prima donna. Their reputation is going to take a hit. I'm lucky enough to have several prominent clients who use my company's services year after year because we don't pigeon hole our music into any one genre. We read and react to a crowd, rather than assuming anything. this woman might get the wedding of her dreams, but I have a funny feeling she'll be dancing at midnight by herself.
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she must interview X amount of vendors before he opens the wallet. You were a formality. On the other hand. Though we always want to please the couple and guests. It should be geared more to the Brides wishes than the distant step cousin. I also know when I dont click with a client. I simply move on and know they arent my client and Im not their DJ. Nothing more. Shes not a Bridezilla cause I dont allow her to be. She is simply just not my client. More power to her. Who she is dancing with at midnight or Goodknight:sqlaugh: is not mine to predict.
 
Chuck:

I take the abuse because I have experience to share. Some of it is off the wall but it is experience.

As I have explained in another thread, once the gear is sold I will not be visiting the DJ boards anymore.

Will I miss it? Of course I will. But since this is the second time around for me and I'm 50 now, I won't be coming back to it. I have too many other things I want to do.
 
I look forward to atleast an email or a reply here to let us know of your successes beyond the fader.
 
Well I know that Sarah and I took into account our guests musical tastes with our music choices (which is why we are including country in our music list), BUT we will certainly be having a blessing in the name of Jesus Christ the son of God at the wedding. Not that we do not care about our guests (who range from Christian to Catholic to Jewish to Hindu) but rather that we care about our faith more. Just like we are having the ceremony in a church with a sermon (all be it a short one) and worship songs.

I don't see why we must be tolerant to everyone but Christians.

Mike
 
What are your red flags during the interview?
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When they tell me they just met with Tom of Goodknights and they are very interested in him. Then they show me their engagement picture they took in Tom's back yard.
 

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GoodKnightDJ said:
Ask them if their will be a meal blessing. If they say no, ask them if they have considered their guests with a religious preference. If they out and out say they don't care then I would pull the plug on the interview.
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If they flat out say they dont care, maybe I'll be a bit put off like you.
But on the other side, what if they are not the religious type and just dont do meal blessings? Its not because they dont care, its just not something they do. Why do the guests religous preference have to be a priority over theirs. The worlds gotten so effin PC that we are always trying to make sure every single one in the room is pleased. They can throw their own party then.
As an invited Guest ( not the DJ) I dont go into someones event expecting them to cater to my needs or my enjoyment. If I have fun, its was great, if not, it wasnt the right party for me to enjoy, but I wont bitch about it. It was gracious enough on the hosts part to invite me. People these days just seem so entitled about everything. As a guest, be happy you are even getting invited , eat the free food, enjoy the bar if you have a designated driver with you, and go with the flow.
 
GoodKnightDJ said:
Ask them if their will be a meal blessing. If they say no, ask them if they have considered their guests with a religious preference. If they out and out say they don't care then I would pull the plug on the interview.
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I look at this part as absolutely none of my business.

Nothing precludes the guests from saying their own prayers.

As far as if they actually say that, well, I guess my role in that only pertains to music. Religion is too personal for me to get involved in as a DJ. I have enough to worry about with music and MCing.
 
1) When the first question is, "How much?" (Can be overcome but a red flag nonetheless)
2) Refusal or reluctance to answer simple questions like where, when, and duration.(Also, can be overcome but a red flag nonetheless)
3) Any serious language barriers
4) Fiancé's mullet
5) Facial tattoos
6) If they would claim to be good friends with Tuck (Cannot be overcome, I just hang up or leave and change all my phone numbers, move to a new address, and change my name to Cap Capello)
7) When the bride ain't paying but summarily dismisses any suggestions made by the person that is paying
8) Statements similar to or exactly like, "I don't want all that fancy B.S., I just want to get drunk and party." Not my kind of wedding client.
9) Statements similar to or exactly like, "I want only X type music, regardless of the guest's response or specific requests." Not my kind of person.
10) If I suspect they are being deceptive about the type of event to avoid the necessary fees that accompany some events and not others. Usually tried based on the ignorant advice from a website or person. I abhor dishonesty.
11) If the reception venue is a Waffle House or bar room.

As to the "controversial" subject matter, decisions regarding any blessing or ceremonial event are the exclusive domain of the clients. I definitely wouldn't perform for or agree to work with a client for whom I was required to behave in a manner or be contributory to acts outside my fundamental beliefs but, IMHO, not blessing a meal is not an overt act of disrespect or a sin in an manner.
 
Absolutely, Waffle House is a big red flag for me too. Last wedding I did at a Waffle House they ran out of syrup. Almost erupted into a full blown riot.

Another red flag is when I tell them that it's customary that I have sex with the bride a few times to break her in so there is no surprises on the wedding night. If they don't go for that then they're not my kind of client and I tell them to take a hike. If they don't move fast enough they get my foot up their a$$.
 
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