Often times though, couples choose a DJ/MC without even keeping their appointments to meet them…making choices based on the lowest price alone.

What words of insight do you have for the prospective couples currently planning their weddings?

Choosing the right entertainment/MC/DJ is one of the very most important decisions that a couple/family will make for their event. If they don’t understand its importance because they’ve never seen the difference a qualified professional can make, they’ll not place too much emphasis on “the DJ.”

However, any party or special event, especially one as important as a wedding reception, is by its very definition a function of entertainment – it’s an entertainment function. Therefore it must be entertaining, which is the responsibility of the entertainment professional(s).

ANY PARTY IS BY ITS VERY DEFINITION A FUNCTION OF ENTERTAINMENT – IT’S AN ENTERTAINMENT FUNCTION.

Even when spending the absolute most for a DJ, when hiring the very best they can find, saying that “money is no object,” the amount spent is minimal as a percentage of the total cost of the event. It’s an even greater bargain when taken as a percentage of the overall success of the event. Most couples who hire great entertainment will tell you that it apprised much more than 80% of the success of the event. 10% of the budget for 80% of the success of the event is an amazing deal.

Yet most couples will spend more money on favors, ice, veggie trays, flowers, etc., and “save” money on a “cheap” DJ. But the “DJ” will have more impact – good or bad – thanany other item a couple and their families will choose for the event. If people leave the event early because the entertainment isn’t good enough to keep everyone included, engaged, entertained, informed, and pleasantly surprised — the couple has effectively wasted everything on which they spent money to create this event, because their guests didn’t stay to enjoy it. Hiring the best entertainment you can afford will ensure you and your guests enjoy the full value you’ve spent for this one and only event.

IF PEOPLE LEAVE THE EVENT EARLY BECAUSE THE ENTERTAINMENT ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH  — THE COUPLE HAS EFFECTIVELY WASTED EVERYTHING ON WHICH THEY SPENT MONEY TO CREATE THIS EVENT.

When the proper importance is placed upon the function of entertainment at a reception or other special event, the event is made more special. Then it becomes enormously important to find the right entertainment choice, which comes down to interviewing and qualifying someone that, not only has the right training and experience, but is also a personality match with the couple and families. This person, more than any other person the bride and groom will deal with, will represent them directly and be a spokesperson on their behalf.

Bottom line: A bride and groom can hold their event at a recreation room in a mobile home park and serve beans and franks, and if they have great entertainment, the celebration will be fantastic and a huge success. On the other hand, they can have it a the Ritz Carlton with 5 star dining, but if they don’t contract the right entertainment, people will politely leave early, muttering, “That was a great dinner! Ya, lovely setting.”

Don’t scrimp on entertainment. It’s the one thing that will truly make or “break” your party. And the most expensive special event DJ/MC you can find is still an incredible bargain if you and your guests have an amazing event and rave about it for years to come.

And…you can quote me on that.

©2013 Mark K. Ferrell

Tagged as: Brides and Grooms, DJs, MarBecca, Weddings

On September 29, 2012 Cassandra and Steve tied the knot on the Beach in Ocean City, Maryland with family, friends and God. The ceremony was beautiful and the rain held off for this special occasion. After the ceremony family and friends gathered upstairs for the reception which was a blast. The meal was great, the atmosphere was full of fellowship, love and celebration. After dinner the guest danced the night away to some awesome dance songs for a night they are sure to remember. Cassandra & Steve we wish you guys the best and thank you for letting us share in your special day! Congrats!

On August, 25 2012 Kristen & Michael tied the knot with a reception to remember... Mother nature was kind enough to bless us with constant rain downpours, thunder and lightning. The guest got to have a true candle light evening since mother nature knocked the power out not long before Kristen & Michael got there... We worked through not having any power and half way through their first dance with my laptop, the power came back on! After that we were able to enjoy the evening with the guest and down pouring rain outside. Even with the weather the guest danced the night away with the beams of light from our Light Show lighting the dance floor up. The room was decorated beautifully with our up-lighting around the room giving it a nice warm feeling. Kristen & Michael were truly a fun couple to work with and made the best out of a difficult situation and turned it into a blast! We wish you guys the best of luck!

Wednesday Afternoon Laura & DJ we're supposed to get married on the beach in Ocean City and thankfully the rain held off! Laura and DJ had a small reception to follow at the Ocean City Elks Lodge. The reception was a group of family and friends sharing in their special day. The guest had a great time and danced it up and really enjoyed the night. The food and cake was great and a wonderful atmosphere for such a special occasion. Laura we wish you and DJ the best of luck in years to come! Thanks for letting us share in your special day!

Ashley & Weston tied the knot in Salisbury on 8/11/12 and had their reception in the Dorchester Room in the Commons at Salisbury University and amazing does not even describe the beauty of the room. We used red Up-Lights to match the wedding colors and we lit the room all the way around including two large columns that are located on a second floor balcony that overlooks the room. Ashley & Weston had their name and date projected on the wall with out Name in Lights and it looked truly amazing. Definitely check back to see the pics in the gallery! Our setup was located in the corner of a large room and we used our custom Facade to blend in  with the lighting as well as shield our setup. We had our large sound system with four speakers plus a sub and the party crowd was awesome! The guest danced the night away and made the night one to truly remember. Ashley & Weston we wish you guys the best and we had a blast at your reception, it was awesome!