Gonna Do Some Djing At My Sisters Wedding

[Josho 0]

Hey.

My sisters got a wedding in Octiober, and she has two rooms. Food and dance. I've done DJing a bit before, but I'm setting up probably HiFi speakers for some quiet music, for older people who don't like the dance music and for some quiet dinner music.

 

I'm setting up lighting and stuff in the dance room though. Gonna buy a fog machine, questions though:

 

-Are chauvet machines any good? Thinking of getting an F800.

-Fog scent, is it nice?

 

I'm also gonna be setting up some lighting. I'm going to get something like this. Maybe a couple of different ones, and amaybe a laser.

 

However, I've never set up a laser before, and was wondering, do they get in people's eyes ect.?

 

Is there anything else that will be nice for a wedding? I'm going to put some LED "lasers" near the fog machine so the fog comming out is coloured, I'll probably solder up a circuit for that so it shifts between colours slowly.

 

Thanks! smile icon

[McCardle 1]

Before you even consider a smoke machine, have you checked whether the venue where the Wedding is to be held as smoke detectors fitted?.

 

This small oversight could have you setting off the venue fire alarms and evacuating the entire building :scared: should you use smoke in a room with smoke detectors . Hopefully you will be speaking to the venue?, perhaps ideally also arranging a visit to see the layout and ask these types of questions?.

 

Also, are the attending guests all going to be Young?. I only ask this question as older generation age groups don't really appreciate them, in fact most adults at formal functions won't really appreciate you filling the room with smoke, some may even find it uncomfortable.

 

Also, another tip if you want disco equipment, then go to a disco equipment retailer or outlet, somewhere with experienced Dj's who will give you the benefit of their advice.

 

You mention music for background, and uttered the dangerous words 'hi-fi speakers'. Why are you intending to use speakers made for a front room, in a venue with 100 or 200 people?, even at background levels do you think that they will be adequate and of high enough quality to rise above the chattering of 100's of people and the clattering of plates?

 

More importantly what are you using (or intending to use) for the 'main' sound system? how many watts?

 

You also talk a lot about fog machines and lights but barely mention any interest (and seem to be corner cutting) on sound. Really you focus should be 100% on Sound, because people can dance to music but they can't dance to pretty lights. If your sound system can't cope with a gig, or its sounds distorted and like crap then people won't be impressed.

 

Also what about music, assuming you have people attending of all ages (e.g Gran and Granddad), have you got a wide music selection?, 60's, 70's 80's - cheesy stuff, rock and roll, motown?

Edited March 31, 2009 by McCardle

[deejaymitch 0]

Josh, this is very ambitious. McCardle makes several good points. All I can add is that I urge you to research, plan and consult for the next few months until you have a show that you, the venue, and your sister will all be happy with.

[Kingy 0]

I would not DJ at my sister's wedding. There is more to an important family wedding to me than being a DJ.

 

Just my view.

[am.entertainment 0]

I wouldn't normally say this and i am all up for DIY disco's and partys i think they can be some of the best sometimes! but this time something is screaming at me NNNNNOOOOOO! for what you are buying you could pay a little more and get a dj with alll the gear!

 

also for what you are paying for lights,lazers etc..... why not hire it if you really want to do it your self? I really do like the DIY partys("wont be liked for it but hey my opinion") but there is a bit of a difference between a party and a wedding. And im not saying that in a way you could balloon the price up! im saying it meaning its normally alot more work than say an 18th,21st etc.......

 

but just my opinion

[dj will 0]

A few questions. Have you any equipment at all already? Have you any experience? And are you looking to start up doing discos or is this just a one off? As the wedding is in October you have got plenty of time to get some equipment or, if you want to start up as a dj, then you have plenty of time to do some gigs and get some experience before you take on such an important gig as a wedding. Please don't take this the wrong way but doing a disco at a wedding is a big responsibility and whilst your sister probably would be more understanding than most clients if the disco doesn't go too well, you would ultimately feel responsible. As it is in October there is still plenty of time to contact a dj to do it for you.

 

If you are adamant that you want to do it then what is your budget?

[Josho 0]

Shesh.

 

Thanks for some of the advice.

 

I'm not doing the main DJing, just some quite music for the food and older people. The HiFi equipment has been used for this and dancing before and was fine.

 

The main music is done with proper set up.

 

Good point with the smoke machine, but is a fog machine actually smoke?

 

Does it get into your lungs?

 

I'll be setting up the music in the food hall, getting it started, use a mic for the announcements and then leaving a friend to look over it.

 

I asked first before buying so I have some idea, like do lasers get in eyes, are they really wedding suitable?

 

The arc lighting from Maplins would be fine IMO, and the people getting married say that they're fine.

 

My sister and boy friend said yes to a fog machine, but if they make people cough ect. maybe it's a no.

 

I'm asking now as I wanted to buy soon and test everything out well in advance.

[Dream Catchers 0]

I'm not doing the main DJing, just some quite music for the food and older people. The HiFi equipment has been used for this and dancing before and was fine.

 

The main music is done with proper set up.

 

.......I'll be setting up the music in the food hall, getting it started, use a mic for the announcements and then leaving a friend to look over it.

How come the DJ isn't doing the announcements?

 

The main music is done with proper set up.

Surely the DJ will have his own lights.

 

I asked first before buying so I have some idea, like do lasers get in eyes, are they really wedding suitable?

The arc lighting from Maplins would be fine IMO, and the people getting married say that they're fine.

My sister and boy friend said yes to a fog machine, but if they make people cough ect. maybe it's a no.

The subject of lasers at weddings has been discussed in this thread, I think the majority believe that the cluster type lasers are OK. The cheap crab type lasers don't normally go down well at weddings.

The majority of lights from Maplins are aimed at bedroom DJs and house parties and will be of little effect in a hall with 200 people in it.

Fog is Smoke, Haze is very fine smoke. In general smoke/fog is not allwoed in venues and will almost certainly set off the smoke alarms. Haze is sometimes allowed and in general doesn't set off most alarms, haze is simular to the amount of smoke you used to get in the lounge area of pubs, if they haven't updated the fire alarm system since the smoking ban came into force then it is normally OK, you MUST check with the venue before you use ANY smoke or haze.

 

How many people are going to the reception and how big is the room, why is the DJ not supplying his own lighting.

Another thing to consider is if the DJ can set up another set of speakers in the food room and just run them at a lower volume than the main room.

Also at weddings it is quite normal for the DJ to be playing only background/easy listening music during the buffet/meal, why the need for 2 'discos'?

 

Jim

[Josho 0]

DJ has one light, not that great.

 

He's not a professianal professianal if you get me.

 

He used to be, but he doesn't do it for a living anymore, so he just has some equipment.

 

I'll have to check with the owner about the fog.

Edited April 1, 2009 by McCardle

[McCardle 1]

Shesh. Thanks for some of the advice

 

Your welcome, we try to do the best we can, but sometimes the quality of the answers reflect the quality of the information given. Sadly I cut corners on my Crystal Ball purchase, and bought it from a high street store rather than from a specialist crystal ball supplier and now I find its woefully inadequate and letting me down in front of all of these people. How embarrassing!, thank god I didn't make the same mistakes with buying my disco gear .

 

I'm sorry, but I find your comment (especially the deleted one) to be rude and unnecessary You came on here voluntarily asking for advice and several professionals do take the time out to reply to you, based on their many years of experience, (and successfully attending literally thousands of weddings) and you reply in such an ungrateful manner, did you really expect everybody to agree with you?. Sheessssh yourself :zzz: , I for one won't be wasting anymore time and effort on you, as despite this being your first ever wedding, you obviously know it all.

 

My final piece of advice, is to leave it entirely to the 'professional professional' to sort out and hope that he is as professional as you say he is. He should know plenty of places to hire decent quality lighting from, bung him a few extra quid to cover the hire and benefit from his experience.

 

 

:rant:

Edited April 1, 2009 by McCardle

[exbutlinred82 0]

By the same token I think we should give the chap a chance.

 

20 years ago I did my Sisters wedding with a twin deck cassette player.I made just about every possible mistake.Talking too much,waving at my Mum,seeking attention,playing the wrong tracks.Because I didnt have a yardstick I thought I had done really well.Especially when FOUR PEOPLE got up and danced!!

 

 

Looking back now it wasn't really that good.....but the family and particularly my Sis was really grateful...and it gave me taste for it which manifested itself 15 years later.

 

 

[McCardle 1]

20 years ago I did my Sisters wedding with a twin deck cassette player.I made just about every possible mistake.Talking too much,waving at my Mum,seeking attention,playing the wrong tracks.Because I didnt have a yardstick I thought I had done really well.Especially when FOUR PEOPLE got up and danced!!

 

Yes, we all started from very humble means, I did too but you are not STILL using the same gear and thinking its adequate are you?. . I doubt very much that you also hurled abuse at those who TRIED to help you either.

 

 

But fair enough, if you have time to invest then I'll let you take the floor and go ahead and advise the chap in more detail, and you can cop the flak. Personally, i'm going to test the ignore function

Edited April 1, 2009 by McCardle

[exbutlinred82 0]

As the lad is a little inexperienced he is probably overwhelmed a bit by it all.

 

He must feel a bit like he's getting changed with Ronaldo,Rooney and Ferdinand.

 

Understand where your coming from though cos you obviously take a lot of time and care with your posts.The guy has some valid questions though....all of which could be answered if he posted similairly to gazzas thread.......Anyone need a hand!!

 

[McCardle 1]

which could be answered if he posted similairly to gazzas thread.......Anyone need a hand!!

 

funnily enough I nearly posted that as an example, but figured i'd be wasting my time. Hopefully somebody will be able to help the other chap - Gazza out, like you say there is a right way and a wrong way to ask for help, there are lots of apprentices out there who are also inexperienced, but I doubt any investment would be spent on changing their level of experience if they were rude and abusive to their mentors / employers right from the offset.

 

 

The guy has some valid questions though

 

Well now you have the opportunity to go ahead and answer them without me ranting, its all yours. Good Luck :Thumbup:

Edited April 1, 2009 by McCardle

[exbutlinred82 0]

There wouldnt be Liverpool and Manchester United without Peterborough and Rochdale??

[Dukesy 0]

I saw in the logs the comment which has since been deleted, and I agree entirely that it would not be tolerated under any circumstances whether it be from an experienced DJ or one with four posts looking for advice.

I am glad this was discovered and edited by a moderator rather than admin, as I doubt I would have been so lenient.

 

 

 

[dj will 0]

I don't really understand what is going on with this other dj. Did you book him knowing that he only had one light?!? Is he a mate? I don't know how much you paid him but by the time you have bought even a budget smoke machine and a couple of cheap lights you could have at least booked a dj with more than one light. A good dj would certainly have more than 1 light, make all necessary announcements and would deal with all aspects of the disco (certainly wouldn't expect the client's brother to sort out smoke machines, lights etc.). Most djs would also offer background music to be played

 

On the point about 'does smoke get into your lungs' - it is not like smoke from a fire, apart from a vague smell that is about all. The problem is that smoke detectors are particularly sensitive and so they will detect this and sound.

 

If your sister is trying to do one of these real cheap weddings like the recent one I read about £700 all inclusive - that includes venue, food, dress, entertainment etc....then more fool her if the entertainment is not up to scratch.

 

If you have agreed with this dj and you are wanting to just get a few lights then I would hire them, as you will get better lights for a similiar sort of price. I know that you won't have them at the end of the day but nobody would want to buy them anyway.

 

I agree with exbutlinred82 about giving him a chance but at the end of the date as I just mentioned if his sister has paid the dj peanuts then what does he expect. I don't think that you meant to be offensive though. And can we please all calm down!! It's like watching a soap!

Edited April 1, 2009 by JimBoylan

[eazy 0]

maybe the bride and groom don't believe that the disco is the most important part of their whole wedding day/experience ???

 

weddings are about a couple loving/enjoying each other and vowing to spend the rest of their lives together

, not having the best party ever and a superstar dj

 

yes some people have more money than sense and like to show off with the most expensive do possible

 

others see marriage as 2 people wanting to declare there love

 

as for the cheeky ness of his comment ??? i only seen shhhhh didn't see the original post but from his perspective alot of the replies he got translated into basic english said you haven't a clue don't even think about it leave it to the pro's

 

( possibly as dj's always feel threatened by cheaper alternatives )

[UKHero 0]

I saw in the logs the comment which has since been deleted, and I agree entirely that it would not be tolerated under any circumstances whether it be from an experienced DJ or one with four posts looking for advice.

I am glad this was discovered and edited by a moderator rather than admin, as I doubt I would have been so lenient.

 

Damn missed it again... Can you guys pm me before posting juicey stuff so I can see it.... Just kidding behave now...

 

Nik

[YourBigEvent 0]

There wouldnt be Liverpool and Manchester United without Peterborough and Rochdale??

 

 

Yes there would, most of their players come from Portugal/Spain/Holland/Germany etc.

 

But I do see what you're saying.