Steve Hoffman - GOOD NOTE DJs's Blog – February 2010 Archive (5)

Are you considering a photo presentation at your reception -- photographs tracing the lives of the bride and groom, compiled into a slideshow or montage on DVD or PowerPoint?



You can have the slideshow running on a continuous loop somewhere off to the side, for guests to view at their leisure. Or you can present it as a “show” front-and-center at a particular time while guests are seated.



Presenting it as a show gives you the emotional impact of an audience sighing or… Continue

Have you thought about what song you'd like to have played as the last dance at your wedding reception?



The last dance is not as significant as your first dance. As years go by, you'll remember the song you picked for your first dance as your "wedding song"; you might not even recall your last dance selection. And it's the first dance that shines the spotlight on you; for the last dance, everyone's on the dance floor with you.



But the last dance is still worth thinking… Continue

Typically, a wedding DJ will play background music during cocktails and dinner. There are many types of music suitable for these phases of your reception.



Jazz is one category that comes to mind.



However, to make sure the music suits your style and your taste, don't just think "jazz." Telling your DJ to play "jazz" is like telling your caterer to serve "beef." Just as there are many cuts of beef and ways of preparing it, there are many styles of jazz.



Here are… Continue

One of the standard questions wedding guides suggest brides ask prospective DJs is "Do you carry back-up equipment with you to each event"?



Good question. The only problem is, every DJ you interview will answer "Yes" regardless of whether it's true.



I arrive at each event in a full-size Chevy van chock-full with speakers, mixers, CD players, microphones, cables and cords, and various accessories. I have extras of everything with me on-hand -- not back in my… Continue

You might think that a DJ's place at a reception is always behind the table where his equipment is set up.



Most of the time, that's where the DJ should be.



But not ALL the time.



First, there is no way the DJ can ensure the music sounds just right -- not too loud and not too soft -- from behind his table. He needs to occasionally walk the room and check out the sound from where the guests are. Believe me, things sound much different in front of the speakers than… Continue