Tips for the bride
Please tell your venue that we will need a STRONG (like in not rickety) 6–8-foot table on the end or side of the dance floor near a power outlet with a table cloth that matches your décor. We are going to put about 100 LBS. of professional DJ equipment on this table! Please have your venue set this up 2 hours before your start time so it will be ready when your DJ arrives to set up.
Please do not seat guests between the DJ and the dance floor. If you don't have a choice on that then do not sit the older people with hearing aids at those tables. The music will be loudest in this area.
If possible, arrange with your venue that your bridal table not be set up by a fire alarm, extinguisher, or exit sign so they won’t be in your photos.
Your DJ and photographer/videographer will work long and hard making your special day the best! Regardless of who you hire please include them in your head count for dinner and instruct the staff to serve them right after the bridal party and family so they’ll be ready to perform when you are finished eating.
Ceremony
Plan on being late! 99% of the thousands of weddings we have done did not start on time. There are many variables that can cause your ceremony to run late. It's your day, nothing starts without you! Be sure to assign someone to cue your DJ when to start the ceremony music!
A 2nd sound system for ceremony music is included in all of our most popular packages! Please let us know ahead of time if you will need a mic for your officiant.
If you need a 2nd sound system for your ceremony and it is not at the same venue (like at the beach), please call 321-844-7132 to add it in (usually $100 depending on distance to reception).
Extra DJ time is $200 per hour. Our time starts when it is scheduled for, not when you are ready.
You'll need to pick music for your ceremony.
Prelude Most people leave that up to the DJ, you won't be hearing it anyway.
Ceremony 3 songs; processional (bridal party), bridal march (bride), recessional (bridal party exit).
Please assign someone at your ceremony to ask guests not to jump into the aisle in front of your photographer to snap cell phone or toy camera photos. They will ruin some of your wedding photos. Many of our clients choose to have an "unplugged" wedding and put up a sign asking guests not to photograph or have their officiant announce it. If you have a planner, ask them to try and stay out of your photos unless you want them in them.
For indoor weddings be sure and assign someone to open the door for the bridal party.
If you are having really young children walk down the aisle, consider having an adult that they are comfortable with walk with them. Although it is really cute to have them included as flower girl or ring bearer, sometimes it is very uncomfortable for them. Keep in mind that they will be in the spotlight with everyone staring at them. Sometimes they cry, wander off, fall down, and/or don't execute the small job you gave them.
As you walk down the aisle and reach the alter.... hand your bouquet to your Matron/maid of honor. She should then straighten your train if needed.
Find out if your officiant is OK with having the photographer move behind them to capture your ring going on your finger. If you are getting married on an altar or other raised platform your photos will all, be at an up angle unless your photographer has access to be at the same height as you two. If your ceremony is in a church find out if we can use flash and if we are free to move around.When you put the rings on each other use your fingertips from underneath the hand so we can get you some photos of your rings actually going on. If you don't do it this way then all we can get for you is the back of the hand of the person putting it on. Practice this.
Ask your officiant to step out when you do your first kiss so that they are not in your photo. When you do your first kiss, hold it for 3-5 seconds so we can get you several great photos of this very special moment. If you just do a quick peck, we may not be able to capture it at all.
When the officiant turns you around and introduces you as the new Mr. & Mrs. don't start walking down the aisle immediately. Just stand there and smile for 3-4 seconds so we can take several photos. Your DJ should coordinate with you that the start of your recessional song should be your cue to walk back down the aisle.
ABOUT BEACH CEREMONIES
In a perfect world you’ll have a nice calm day with beautiful blue skies and calm waves and no people on the beach. In all honesty, that rarely happens. Most days the beach is windy (sometimes VERY windy), which will affect your hair as well as the sound on your video. If the wind is blowing hard, peoples’ eyes will be watering, and salt spray will affect camera-video lenses and people that wear glasses. If you are having your ceremony on a beach, we highly recommend that everyone that you want in your photos wears their hair in an up-do. We do charge extra for beach ceremonies because we have to have our expensive camera gear professionally cleaned after your wedding.
AFTER THE CEREMONY
Be sure and tell us on your planner how much time allowed for your photographer for after ceremony fun and formals.
Make a list of all of the people and groups you will want photos of after your ceremony. Please assign somebody that knows who everyone is that needs to be in the photos to keep them all together (We don't know who anyone is). (We can't stress enough how important it is for you to make yourself a list of people you want photos with, and assign somebody that knows who everybody is to keep them all together! A lot of your reception time can wasted trying to round
everybody up)
Add any special photos that you want that are not on our generic list below to the notes section on the bottom of your planning form. Extra photography time is only $200 per hour. If there is more than one venue involved, we may need to charge a small fee for gas if it is more than 10 miles.
Reception photography
At your reception the flash/video light from cell phone cameras will fool professional cameras into thinking that there is lighter than there really is and sends a false message to the camera's flash on how much light to send out for perfect lighting. This will ruin some of your professional indoor photos, and they will also be in some of your important shots. We cannot be responsible for the photos that they ruin, so it is totally up to you if you want to allow your guests to be snapping away with their phones and cameras. Again, many of our clients choose to have an "unplugged" wedding and reception and put up a sign asking guests not to photograph. If you have a planner, ask them to try and stay out of your photos unless you want them in them.
Please assign someone to remind your guests (and your makeup artists and hair stylists) that your photographers have been hired by you as professionals with professional gear. They are not there to take photos with anyone's cell phones. Your guests will have access to your professional photos if you share the link with them.
DJ Reception
Normally there is no charge for set-up and tear down but if your reception is held at a gigantic hotel please call 321-844-7132 immediately as in some cases there are additional charges for loading and unloading depending on the hotel’s policies and layout.
We roll our DJ equipment in on carts. If your venue has steps, and no ramp of elevator let us know right away. There is a $100 charge added to your balance to make several trips up and down the stairs carrying our equipment individually.
If this is an outdoor reception a covered area must be provided
by the client for the DJ's equipment. It can’t be in direct sunlight or get wet. (Those cheap 10 x 10 pop up tents will not be sufficient if there is rain and wind.) If rain shortens an event our contract will be considered complete and no refunds are given nor implied)
Your DJ will also be your "day of" coordinator at your reception. He/she will line your bridal party up for introductions, coordinate with your photographer on where to go when introduced, announce and coordinate all of the activities, call tables for your buffet, and keep you on your timeline as much as possible. He/she will also coordinate with your food staff for dinner, champagne pouring, and cake cutting times. Be sure to have someone cue him/her when the bridal party is ready to be lined up for introductions. If you have hired a planner that is going to micro-manage the DJ, make sure that you have selected the proper package.
We highly recommend doing your garter, bouquet, and cake cutting at the start of the last hour so your guests don’t leave early. Many people plan on leaving right after the cake cutting at weddings. By doing it almost at the end most people stay until after your last dance.
Video at your reception
We recommend turning all the lights on for all of the key events so that your video will be the best it can be. Without good lighting you will have orange skin tones and your video could be a bit grainy.Music
This Site https://zach2769.djintelligence.com/search/ has the most requested songs for each part of a wedding and reception. We have all of these songs so feel free to choose from this list, or you can request any song that has ever been recorded. If we don't have it, we'll buy it! When selecting music keep in mind that your guests will probably want to dance. Your DJ will work choices that are not good to dance to into your dinner music unless specified. You can make a must play list and if there is time list.
Typical 5-hour music timeline
Prelude 15 minutes prior to ceremony 4-5 songs
Ceremony 15-30 minutes unless held in a church. 3 songs; processional (bridal party), bridal march (bride), recessional (bridal party exit).
Cocktail/mingle time before bridal party arrives 45 minutes to 1 hour 15-20 songs
Introductions and 1st dance 10-15 minutes. 2 songs, 1 for Bride and Groom entry and 1 for 1st dance.
Dinner 1 to 1 1/2 hour 15-25 songs
Father daughter, mother son, garter, bouquet, catchers', cake cutting, last dance 35 minutes
Open dancing 1 to 2 hours 15-35 songs
If you think your guests will want to dance a lot or you are running short on time, you can add an extra hour of DJ time for only $200. You can figure on an extra 15-20 songs per hour.
Photography
4 TIMELINE TIPS FOR A STRESS-FREE WEDDING DAY
A great perk when we are hired as your wedding photographer is that even though we are not necessarily a wedding planner or coordinator by any means, we are on it from the time you decide to hire us through the end of your reception. A wedding is an expensive event already as is, and one of our biggest things we are very concerned with is making sure nothing feels rushed for you.
1. FIRST LOOK (This is 10 times better on video)So, if you have absolutely no idea what this is; This is where you both see each other for the first time in your wedding attire before the ceremony. BREAKING TRADITIONS, YOU SAY? UMMM, HECK YES! I cannot recommend this enough. To us to it is probably one of the most important stress-free things you can really put into place for your wedding. This also creates a backup in case if weather goes bad, it adds more photos to your gallery and really it creates a moment JUST FOR YOU TWO. Weddings can be pretty fast paced and rushed and sometimes you almost feel like you can’t have a moment just for you two. Almost all of our couples that have had a first look said they were more relaxed throughout the rest of their wedding day and who wouldn't want that? Need to book more photography time? It's just $200 per hour.
2. BASE EVERYTHING ON LIGHTI can't stress this enough. Light is one of the most important parts when it comes to planning on the photography side. You don't want to push your ceremony too late so you won't have enough light for great portraits if portraits are being taken afterwards. There is definitely a sweet spot and really it is so important to keep in mind the time of year because the sunrise and sunset changes throughout the entire year. 70% of the couples that contact us haven't thought about the time of year and lighting, which is why we're here to educate. If you and your partner are wanting beautiful sunset photos, you will need to make sure you don't push your ceremony too late so that you won’t miss that awesome sunset lighting.
3. BUFFER YOUR TIME
If you think your wedding won’t run late, you are wrong. I hate to burst your bubble. Anything can and will happen and 99% of the time they run late. Hair and Makeup takes too long, family is stuck in traffic, or the ceremony ends up being too long. You will want to make sure that you leave just a few minutes in between certain parts of your day. We recommend leaving around 15 minutes in between certain parts throughout your day. Be real and up front with yourself in the beginning and that will pay off on you having a relaxed wedding. It’s about preparation.
4. REACH OUT TO THE EXPERTSAll of us vendors do weddings almost every weekend so we understand the flow very well. We can help you plan the most perfect timeline for your special day. We can help you make your day run as smooth as peanut butter!
Generic wedding photo shoot
(Only if you have photography in your package)
Let us know on the planner if there is some special shot(s)you would like to add. If you are not using us for photography, you are welcome to use this list anyway.
GENERIC PHOTO SHOOT GUIDELINE for WEDDINGS
Event/item # of shots
Outside of ceremony venue 2-5
Arrival at
ceremony venue, décor 5-10
Processional 5-10
Bridal march 5-10
Ceremony 40-80
Recessional 5-10
After ceremony
fun and formals, ring shots 50-100
Outside of reception venue 2-5
Arrival at reception 5-10
Introductions 5-10
1stdance 10
Blessing 2
1stbite 2
Food 5
Décor (flowers, decorations, table setting, guest book, etc. 5-10
Cake (whole cake, top layer, topper, serving set) 5
Greeting guests after dinner 50-100
Toasts per person 2
Father-daughter dance 10
Mother-son dance 10
Dancing photos Train, Shout, Cupid Shuffle, Cha Cha Slide
etc. 7-10 each 30-40
Candid and posed guests and tables
dancing, couples slow dancing 20-40
Garter removal 5-10
Garter toss 3
Bouquet toss 5
Putting garter on bouquet catcher 5-10
Cake cutting 5-10
Last dance 5
Total photos 303-530
We usually shoot much more than this!
DAY OF WEDDING CHECKLIST FOR THE BRIDE
Based on our extensive experience doing over 20,000 weddings and events we have created
a check list for you for the day of your wedding. Print out the list below and get someone to help you with this. Once you have each item check it off…
when you load it in the car simply check it off again.
If you use this list, you will not be one of those brides that has to say “OMG I forgot my…”
READY LOADED ITEM
____ ____ WEDDING DRESS / TAGS ALREADY CUT OFF AND REBAGGED
____ ____ UNDERGARMENTS/ BRA/PANTIES/STOCKINGS/GARTER NO TAGS
____ ____ WEDDING SHOES/ JEWELRY
____ ____ WEDDING VEIL
____ ____ MAKE-UP-/HAIR SPRAY/PERFUME
____ ____ CHANGE OF CLOTHES
____ ____ EXTRA PAIR OF COMFORTABLE SHOES
____ ____ MARRIAGE LICENSE
____ ____ VOWS
____ ____ WEDDING RINGS
____ ____ BOUQUET
____ ____ CENTERPIECES / DECORATIONS
____ ____ GUEST BOOK
____ ____ PHOTOS TO DISPLAY
____ ____ MEDICATIONS
____ ____ WATER
____ ____ BRIDESMAID DRESSES
____ ____ FLOWER GIRL DRESSES/ BASKET / ROSE PEDALS
____ ____ SHOES
____ ____ RING BEARER TUX/SHOES/SOCKS/RING PILLOW
____ ____ BOUTONNIERES (WHO IS PINNING BOUTONNIERES) SAFETY PINS
____ ____ BRIDESMAIDS BOUQUETS
____ ____ GROOM’S TUX/TIE/SOCKS/SHOES
____ ____ GROOMSMEN TUXES/TIES/SHOES
____ ____ IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS/ VENDORS/DJ/PHOTOGRAPHER
____ ____ CELL PHONE
____ ____ CHAMPAGNE/ WHO IS IN CHARGE
____ ____ CHAMPAGNE GLASSES/ WHO IS IN CHARGE
____ ____ CAKE CUTTING SET/ WHO IS IN CHARGE
____ ____ BUBBLES/ WHO IS IN CHARGE?
____ ____ UMBRELLA/ CHECK THE WEATHER
____ ____ PURSE/GUM/ BREATH MINTS/PEPTO/ASPIRIN/ TISSUES
____ ____ CREDIT/DEBIT CARD
____ ____ MONEY FOR VENDORS (PAYMENT AND TIPS)
____ ____ VENDOR CONTRACTS
____ ____ DISPOSABLE CAMERAS?
____ ____ WISHING WELL/ CARD BOX
____ ____ GLASSES/ CONTACTS
____ ____ SAND OR CANDLE CEREMONY ITEMS
____ ____ DIRECTIONS
____ ____ KEY TO VENUE
____ ____ SEATING CHART OR NAME TAGS/WHO IS IN CHARGE
____ ____ PERSONAL HYGIENE
____ ____ FEED AND WATER ANIMALS
