Education - Weddings

Please use these guides to develop your own show

Weddings

If you are working with a wedding coordinator then discuss the event plan with then and use their expertise - if not you are in charge

You need to have either a meeting with the couple to organise their music choices and discuss the formalities of the first dances or use an online form of meeting i.e. Zoom or DJ Event Planner:

How many dances there are?

What these dances are

Who is dancing with who

When are they being done - all at start or perhaps one after the buffet (this sometimes is the case for the father and daughter dance, if there is going to be one)

  

All day weddings

All day weddings are not for the faint hearted, you will need to have the confidence to be the Master of Ceremonies and entertainer (not just a DJ)

The couple will expect that their every wish is carried out - you simply can’t say no (garter toss etc).  That could be from playing games to problem solver and everything in between

You will have to dress formally, at least a nice suit or better still - a kilt

And after all that then you are the evening entertainer

Evening weddings         

Its important to get the names correct and you need to make sure the couple are given the correct titles

TIP - on your computer screen create a word or similar document and type the names and and titles i.e. Mr and Mrs or ‘the happy couple’ - and make the font size large enough to read easily

TIP - have a backup computer - you cant ruin a couple’s day because you dropped your hard disc

TIP - read this over  and over again - you are the most important person after the Clergy or Celebrant - must get it correct

Things you may need to do before the first dance:

•   Speak to the couple regarding what will happen next and confirm their music choices also check how much of the first dance they will want to do before the bridal party join them. If you need to guide them then give them the options
•   If the guests are outside the room you need to get them in and seated

The first dance:

•   Bringing the couple into the room - I get all the guests to stand and clap (I make this a bit of an event) then while they are clapping I announce the couple into the room using their titles
•   I then get them onto the floor to cut their cake - I treat this lightly but with ceremony
•   I give the guests a little time to take photos then immediately after its time for the first dance
•   Again get the guests to stand and applaud then bring the couple onto the floor and introduce them as the new (title) (surname) - this can be complex so be careful
•   Follow their wishes regarding the other dances
•   Get to know the photographer, you are working together and be supportive (turn off lighting that could affect the video and photos
•   Remember if its a video, in 10 years time, you don’t want them reliving the DJ getting their names wrong

Last dance

The couple should have decided on their last dance in advance and the song should be confirmedly before they come into the room

TIP - if they haven’t picked ‘Loch Lomond’ have this cued up just in case

By now you should have worked out why wedding djs get a bit more money lol

Shadow someone who knows what they are doing before you do the job - the above is a guide, in practice you have a lot of minor things to do and be aware of, a mentor will help with these