Weddings A guest DJ & other requests?

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Bill Kexel

Well-Known DJ
Dec 5, 2006
2,097
59
65
Phoenix, AZ
A few days a go, I met with a prospective couple. (haven't signed yet)
They recently emailed me some additional questions/requests:

I'm thinking about walking away from this potiental wedding gig. I see red flags everywhere.

Your thoughts?


How do we incorporate a violinist into the ceremony? and is there a discount for this, since he will be providing the music?

-Have you ever incorporated a spinning DJ into your set-up, only because one of our cousins is a Hip-hop DJ and would like do some DJing with you. If you don't have turntables, can he plug his turntables into your system?

-What if we wanted to incorporate a band for a few songs.
 
Bill Kexel said:
A few days a go, I met with a prospective couple. (haven't signed yet)
They recently emailed me some additional questions/requests:

I'm thinking about walking away from this potiental wedding gig. I see red flags everywhere.

Your thoughts?


How do we incorporate a violinist into the ceremony? and is there a discount for this, since he will be providing the music?
I would welcome the opportunity to work with any talented artist you may choose and we certainly have the capability to seamlessly incorporate a live violinist, if that is your desire.

This, request to incorporate a live musician, will require allocation of additional equipment and effort, but there will be no additional costs to you.
Simply include the reasonable but profitable fees in your proposal and you indirectly answered her "discount" question AND added apparent value to your service.

-Have you ever incorporated a spinning DJ into your set-up, only because one of our cousins is a Hip-hop DJ and would like do some DJing with you. If you don't have turntables, can he plug his turntables into your system?

I am not sure I completely comprehend this option and would need to discuss further to get the necessary details to provide you with a reliable proposal.
I would not personally agree to this but it could be eliminated with open discourse with the client. The less than optimal nature of reliance on unknown talent is not a practice I willingly submit to. It may be possible that this client has simply not considered all the possible negative impact such activity can results.

-What if we wanted to incorporate a band for a few songs.

Just as with the violinist, we enjoy and look forward working with talented artists. However, without knowing the requirements for the band, as with your cousin, we would need to discuss further to get the necessary details to provide you with a reliable proposal.
When you find out the requirement, include the reasonable but profitable fees in your proposal.
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If you have the capacity and ability, and have not submitted your final proposal this could be a lucrative, successful, and beneficial event.

I offer my answers, for whatever they are worth, to their questions in blue.
 
You are correct on the red flags. The violinist? They're trying to nickel-and-dime you. I'd counter with "I'll won't charge extra for this". The "spinning DJ"........oh h$ll no. Big time trouble brewing. The live band.......my last 3 have been misery and I will charge at least TRIPLE if I ever do take another.

Don't walk, run away from this prospect. Tell them "Sorry, the date is now filled." or they may back-track, talk you into it, then try to wedge all this back into the deal.
 
python_run_away_small.jpg

rickryan.com said:
run away...
Click to expand...
Kinda like ignoring people.



Bill,

Sorry if offended you by not telling you to run away.:triwink:
 
I, like Rox, see the need for clarification, and would really prefer a phone call to an email to iton it out, though an email after the call to finalize your agreements/quote would be advisable.

It all hinges on whether or not you feel comfortable with the elements provided and working with/around them. If so, work up a proposal based on what you determine their needs to be and go from there.

Violinist: Not too big of an issue, but you will have to communicate well with the performer ahead of time to see what, if anything, they are bringing to the table sound reinforcement-wise to aid in the performance, and price your bid accordingly.

Band: I highly doubt they want you to "run sound" for a band, they're only asking if you can hit the "stop button" at a couple pre-determined times to let the band do their thing. If this is the case, no big deal. Just work out timing for the performances, and communicate to the client that their performance time in no way affects or impacts your fee. If they DO have sound reinforcement needs, clarify that as well. You may or may not have the tools required for the job. Be honest with yourself, and the client on that part.

"Guest DJ" : Your preference. IF I were to do it - again, "IF," and Im not saying I'd be inclined to - I would set some very clear boundaries, ie specify that the appropriate outputs from his system could be plugged into the appropriate inputs on mine, but that I and I alone run the final sound going out. IE, NOBODY touches my stuff but me. As far as I'm concerned, he's just another deck/source to be "mixed in."

Get lots of clarification as to their desires and needs, reiterate/repeat it back to them in writing, and incorporate the items and stipulations in your final contract. Don't leave anything out.

You don;t need to run unless your gut is really telling you do, but you do have to be smart and proceed cautiously - both for their benefit and yours.
 
I guess I gave a knee jerk reaction. However, with so many things going on, the potential for problems is magnified dramatically. Bill may very well be set up to deal with all of the things this couple envisions. I don't have the temperament or the patience to deal with what they are asking for. It seems too complicated and too elaborate. I'm a one man show and to have a violinist, a guest DJ and also a band to deal with is just more than I would personally want to take on. Of course there are DJs who are experienced technicians who deal with bands all the time and this may be no big deal to them. Sometimes you just have to know when to say "thank you, but I think you may need to find someone else for your event". Trying to be everything for everyone can sometimes get you in trouble IMO.
 
Understood, but it doesn't have to complicate you that much. The trickest part for me - that I would have the most issue with would be providing sound for the band IF thats what they were looking for. Likely equipment would need to be rented and run to do the job right, but having done events with other performers before, and reading that email, I don't see her asking or even hinting at needing sound for the band.

It's a personal barometer thing for sure. No doubt about it! :triwink:
 
The violinist, I'd work with them on that. The "guest dj" sorry but no way in hell. Nobody touches my gear and nobody plugs into my gear...period.
 
Actually, if it was just the band that you needed to set up a sound system for that might not be so bad. I have extra speakers, extra amps, extra mixers etc. But to have a violinist at the ceremony, a guest DJ at the reception AND a band to deal with? To me that's a bit much. If for some reason I did take on a project like this I would charge dearly and if they accepted I would need to bring someone to help with the load in/set up and tear down which would add to the price. Add a light show and you could spend4 hours setting up.

No lights and just pressing mute while the band plays on their own sound system simplifies everything. Guest DJ plugging into my mixer and all I do is EQ and adjust volume-not that hard. Plugging the violinist into a DI box? Not a large amount of work. Dealing with everyone involved in this "production"? Priceless . . .
 
If you can get clarification and are able to set parameters that are agreeable to both parties and if you are equipped to handle their requests, I'd say go for it. If they are willing to pay you what you want for going to do for them. If they want all these "extras" they should be willing to renumerate you handsomely then, correct?

Get more info, think about it and then make your decision.
 
Bill Kexel said:
A few days a go, I met with a prospective couple. (haven't signed yet)
They recently emailed me some additional questions/requests:

I'm thinking about walking away from this potiental wedding gig. I see red flags everywhere.

Your thoughts?


How do we incorporate a violinist into the ceremony? and is there a discount for this, since he will be providing the music?

-Have you ever incorporated a spinning DJ into your set-up, only because one of our cousins is a Hip-hop DJ and would like do some DJing with you. If you don't have turntables, can he plug his turntables into your system?

-What if we wanted to incorporate a band for a few songs.
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I do this all the time.
1.Your Price should remain the same and more so maybe higher.
2. You need to have a Live Sound Mixing Board.
3.If the Violinist is to be mic'd then that requires a special microphone
4. You need to know what cables are needed from the instrument(s) and to the Live Mixer Board.
5. DJ can plug into your mixer or bring his own own. Either way, the DJ Mixer then plugs into the Live Mixer Board.
5. If its a Band and you are using DJ gear/speakers, it may not work. If it will you will need monitors for the band = more gear and more $$$$$
 
What gear do you now have and what were you planning on using? DJ sound and Live Sound are two different animals. You don't want a bass guitarist blowing your DJ speakers. How big is the band and what do they all play?
BTW, the DJ is the least of your worries, unless of course you have a big ego and view him as competition. I rent/provide sound to DJs and Bands on a weekly basis.
 
Canute, you're slipping, if somebody wants to plug onto your system you need a compressor/limiter. Bill is using the DJM-5000 if I'm not mistaken. To do the other stuff as Canute mentioned you need to get a small board just for that. You can plug the Pio into that board and then to the processing and speakers I believe Bill is also using powered EV's. It can be done but I suggest spending a little money and buying the other parts of the system you need and go over connections and parameters with somebody that knows and can show with your equipment. We can give you the basic directions but you won0t really understand how everything is setup correctly until you do it hands on. JMHO.
 
DJ SVO said:
Canute, you're slipping, if somebody wants to plug onto your system you need a compressor/limiter. Bill is using the DJM-5000 if I'm not mistaken. To do the other stuff as Canute mentioned you need to get a small board just for that. You can plug the Pio into that board and then to the processing and speakers I believe Bill is also using powered EV's. It can be done but I suggest spending a little money and buying the other parts of the system you need and go over connections and parameters with somebody that knows and can show with your equipment. We can give you the basic directions but you won0t really understand how everything is setup correctly until you do it hands on. JMHO.
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Thats why I was asking him what gear he intends to use!:triwink: If he only has DJ gear I would not recommend it! A solo violinist, maybe. A band, nope! You are correct, he does need a compressor and an EQ too. The system should be at least a two way bi amped. I would not use two powered DJ full range speakers for a band. No way.
 
First off, this couple is on a tight budget (aren't they all?)

* I have no problem providing my services for the ceremony & letting the violinist handle the music. (I doubt he needs any amplification) but if he does, I can give him a lav/clip-on mic. .....But there is NO reduction in price!

* As far as the hip-hop DJ, I don't care what he does....but he is not using my gear.

* Yes, the band would be providing their own gear. I could not imagine taking on the task of renting gear for a band!...I'm a DJ!

Thank you for your responses. It was interesting to see how each would deal with this.
Some of you would take on the extra duties if needed (renting extra gear, Etc)
I noticed a few others mentioned that they do not care for the extra added duties/mess.

I am the same way. As a single op that is providing the services for the ceremony & reception & all the planning with them, I have no time or desire to risk biting off more than I can chew. If I had a staff of helpers and I knew the client had the money, it may be a different story.

But for this gig:
My rates are FIRM, I'll mic the violinist if need be.
The hip-hop DJ can play if he provides his own gear (he's not patching turntables, etc. into my system) and if the band's set-up does not hinder me from doing my job properly, I'm fine with it. But I refuse to climb over/tiptoe around someone else's audio gear all night long. I've done this before & will not do it again.

Like others said, sometimes you gotta know when to say "no thanks, this is not my type of event" and tell yourself, There are other gigs out there.

It makes you wonder in some of these situations, how many other DJs before you declined this gig, or charged extra and the prospect just continues calling other DJs until they can find someone that will do it at all at a cheaper rate.

Thanks!
 
Bill Kexel said:
* As far as the hip-hop DJ, I don't care what he does....but he is not using my gear.
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I provide sound for other DJs every week at my club and they do not touch my gear. I am at the controls all they do is their thing and send me a signal. If you have a way of controlling the incoming signal either with a Limiter/Gate of using your gain, then I don't see how it can be an issue. You really are not letting anyone else use your gear!:triwink:
 
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