MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT
DJ SERVICES
_Q: How long in advance should I book my DJ?
A: You’ll want to book a reputable DJ as soon as you book your church or hall. Most of our DJs are booked anywhere from six months to two years in advance. If you wait too long, you may be forced to use another company who will send a less than professional DJ, who was available only because no one else wanted him!
Q: When Will my DJ arrive at my event?
A: You DJ will arrive approximately one hour prior to your affair to ensure that he will be set up and ready before your guests arrive at no extra charge. If he has more than audio, such as lighting, photo-booth, etc., obviously he will a lot more time.
Q: Do you have a back-up system?
A: Absolutely. We’re the only DJ company that carries the extra expense of having a 24/7 answering & texting service with immediate response, plus a staff of stand-by entertainers and technicians to cover any emergency situation. Murphy’s law says “anything that can go wrong, may go wrong”, so what is your back-up plan?You will have a qualified DJ and a working sound system at your event. WE GUARANTEE IT.
Q: Will the DJ talk to my Maitre’d or event coordinator before my affair?
A: Your Disc - Jockey will coordinate all of your events with your Maitre’d or Banquet Manager prior to your reception. Plus, our DJs will work with your caterer, photographer, videographer and YOU to ensure that your reception runs as smoothly as possible.
Q: How do I know if I’m paying too much or too little for a DJ?
A: The standard rate for a professional DJ is between $800-$1,500. The difference depends on the day of the week, the season, the times, equipment needed, ceremony coverage and location of your event. Inexperienced DJs charge low rates just to get work. Just keep this in mind...you always get what you pay for. And you really don’t want to find out why during your event, do you?
Q: Will East Coast Event Group supply the required insurance at my venue?
A: Most, if not all reputable venues require a 1 or 2 million dollar liability policy which can name them and you with the protected insurance. If your DJ doesn't have insurance, you probably will be required to provide a "wedding vendor insurance policy" to protect the hall from liability and damages" and that cost will come from you or the vendor. The policies can range from $250-$500 per policy, per vendor. So you may initially save on the low cost vendor, but will have to pay for a policy costing you more than your allotted budget the week of your event. "Just like a warranty, better safe than sorry, what is this type of service worth to you?"
Q: Will the catering hall or I have to provide anything for the DJ?
A: The only thing we need is electricity and a 8 foot by 6 foot space. If your event is on a beach or park, you can rent a generator from us or rent one yourself, whichever is easier for you.
Q: Will my DJ contact me prior to my event to go over details and time lines?
A: Your DJ will contact you the week of your affair to review all of your details of your event and your music selections. We find that a call from the DJ the week of the event is best, as all of your changes and final details should be completed by then and it will be fresh on the DJ’s mind:)
Q: Can you provide references?
A: Yes we can. We’re recommended by some of the best venues and country clubs I the area and please fell free to contact them about our services. If you want personal references, we can provide them too or you can check out our reviews on-line.
Q: Will my DJ be properly dressed?
A: All of our DJs wear tuxedos to formal events, a suit & tie to semi-formals or an outfit that will fit you occasion. The choice is really yours:)
Q: Will my DJ have a wide variety of music to choose from?
A: Yes. All of our DJs carry an enormous CD & MP3 (on Laptop) library of over 100,000 selections of music consisting of every genre of music created . The back-up system of music is right on location, in case of any computer malfunctions, we have a CD library cued and ready so we won’t skip a beat:)
Q: Can I send a list of songs that I want played to make sure the DJ brings them?
A: You sure can. We recommend you pick a few must play songs at your event along with some other favorites you know you and your guest will enjoy. Also, give us any special announcements or dedications that you would like made during your event and let us know if you want us to take your guests requests. You can even send us your most hated song list; the songs you don’t want played! Please note that your DJ plays an average of 17 songs per hour, so a very large list can help a DJ understand your music tastes but obviously the time of event will limit the music selections.
*Tip: Remember, most events have mixed ages, sometimes 15 to 95, so picking music can be tricky, but your DJ can advise you of the “guaranteed packed dance floor” songs that will ensure you a fun event.
Q: Does the DJ take requests?
A: Yes, unless it is inappropriate or may not fit the mood, then we will ask you before we play it. We’ll stay within the guidelines that we discuss during our meeting before your event.
Q: Should I feed or tip the DJ at my event?
A: Providing a meal or a tip is up to your discretion. An average 5 hour event becomes an 8 hour day for a DJ with set-up, travel & break down, so sometimes even a vendor meal is appropriate as it is less expensive than the guests meal. However, the DJ doesn’t have much time to eat because he is continuously entertaining and takes no breaks, so we recommend he is served before or during the same time as your guests. In regards to a tip, he is there to entertain and service you the entire event, so a gratuity is greatly appreciated, especially if you feel he exceeded your expectations:)
Q: What about the quality of the equipment, should I ask what brands or type he uses.
A: I know most of our customers don't ask about what type of DJ equipment is used or even if the DJ has knowledge of the event he is playing to, but they should and here's why. A DJ is performing around 4 to 6 hours continuous throughout the night with really no breaks, so if he is a bad DJ with no clue on the traditions or specialized event he is entertaining at or he has a bad audio system with mics cutting out, speaker distortion, sound not properly set-up for that room, too loud, etc., "you may have a very long night with guests leaving early".
Q: Will my DJ take breaks?
A: No way! We provide continuous music from the beginning to the end of your event. All of our DJ’s are trained with beat matching / mixing skills to ensure no dead air or fades in between songs which could clear a dance floor!
Q: Can you assist or help us plan a great event?
A: We have event coordinators in our office that will be happy to plan your event from timelines, to music selections and event traditions that you may want. We will send you the proper forms, music lists, event tools, do’s and don’ts, recommendations and more.
Q: Will the DJ use banners, signs or contests to promote their company during my event?
A: No. Banners and signs are gaudy, and may appear in your pictures and can take away from the elegance or theme of your room.
Q: When and how should I pay East Coast Event group?
A: For your convenience, we take all major credit cards, personal checks and cash for your deposit. Your deposit is due on the date shown on your contract to lock in your date. You have up to the date of your party to pay your balance in full. Note: Payments on the day of the event must be either in cash, money order or certified bank check. We will take a personal check 2 weeks before the event. Please make checks payable to: East Coast Event Group.
A: You’ll want to book a reputable DJ as soon as you book your church or hall. Most of our DJs are booked anywhere from six months to two years in advance. If you wait too long, you may be forced to use another company who will send a less than professional DJ, who was available only because no one else wanted him!
Q: When Will my DJ arrive at my event?
A: You DJ will arrive approximately one hour prior to your affair to ensure that he will be set up and ready before your guests arrive at no extra charge. If he has more than audio, such as lighting, photo-booth, etc., obviously he will a lot more time.
Q: Do you have a back-up system?
A: Absolutely. We’re the only DJ company that carries the extra expense of having a 24/7 answering & texting service with immediate response, plus a staff of stand-by entertainers and technicians to cover any emergency situation. Murphy’s law says “anything that can go wrong, may go wrong”, so what is your back-up plan?You will have a qualified DJ and a working sound system at your event. WE GUARANTEE IT.
Q: Will the DJ talk to my Maitre’d or event coordinator before my affair?
A: Your Disc - Jockey will coordinate all of your events with your Maitre’d or Banquet Manager prior to your reception. Plus, our DJs will work with your caterer, photographer, videographer and YOU to ensure that your reception runs as smoothly as possible.
Q: How do I know if I’m paying too much or too little for a DJ?
A: The standard rate for a professional DJ is between $800-$1,500. The difference depends on the day of the week, the season, the times, equipment needed, ceremony coverage and location of your event. Inexperienced DJs charge low rates just to get work. Just keep this in mind...you always get what you pay for. And you really don’t want to find out why during your event, do you?
Q: Will East Coast Event Group supply the required insurance at my venue?
A: Most, if not all reputable venues require a 1 or 2 million dollar liability policy which can name them and you with the protected insurance. If your DJ doesn't have insurance, you probably will be required to provide a "wedding vendor insurance policy" to protect the hall from liability and damages" and that cost will come from you or the vendor. The policies can range from $250-$500 per policy, per vendor. So you may initially save on the low cost vendor, but will have to pay for a policy costing you more than your allotted budget the week of your event. "Just like a warranty, better safe than sorry, what is this type of service worth to you?"
Q: Will the catering hall or I have to provide anything for the DJ?
A: The only thing we need is electricity and a 8 foot by 6 foot space. If your event is on a beach or park, you can rent a generator from us or rent one yourself, whichever is easier for you.
Q: Will my DJ contact me prior to my event to go over details and time lines?
A: Your DJ will contact you the week of your affair to review all of your details of your event and your music selections. We find that a call from the DJ the week of the event is best, as all of your changes and final details should be completed by then and it will be fresh on the DJ’s mind:)
Q: Can you provide references?
A: Yes we can. We’re recommended by some of the best venues and country clubs I the area and please fell free to contact them about our services. If you want personal references, we can provide them too or you can check out our reviews on-line.
Q: Will my DJ be properly dressed?
A: All of our DJs wear tuxedos to formal events, a suit & tie to semi-formals or an outfit that will fit you occasion. The choice is really yours:)
Q: Will my DJ have a wide variety of music to choose from?
A: Yes. All of our DJs carry an enormous CD & MP3 (on Laptop) library of over 100,000 selections of music consisting of every genre of music created . The back-up system of music is right on location, in case of any computer malfunctions, we have a CD library cued and ready so we won’t skip a beat:)
Q: Can I send a list of songs that I want played to make sure the DJ brings them?
A: You sure can. We recommend you pick a few must play songs at your event along with some other favorites you know you and your guest will enjoy. Also, give us any special announcements or dedications that you would like made during your event and let us know if you want us to take your guests requests. You can even send us your most hated song list; the songs you don’t want played! Please note that your DJ plays an average of 17 songs per hour, so a very large list can help a DJ understand your music tastes but obviously the time of event will limit the music selections.
*Tip: Remember, most events have mixed ages, sometimes 15 to 95, so picking music can be tricky, but your DJ can advise you of the “guaranteed packed dance floor” songs that will ensure you a fun event.
Q: Does the DJ take requests?
A: Yes, unless it is inappropriate or may not fit the mood, then we will ask you before we play it. We’ll stay within the guidelines that we discuss during our meeting before your event.
Q: Should I feed or tip the DJ at my event?
A: Providing a meal or a tip is up to your discretion. An average 5 hour event becomes an 8 hour day for a DJ with set-up, travel & break down, so sometimes even a vendor meal is appropriate as it is less expensive than the guests meal. However, the DJ doesn’t have much time to eat because he is continuously entertaining and takes no breaks, so we recommend he is served before or during the same time as your guests. In regards to a tip, he is there to entertain and service you the entire event, so a gratuity is greatly appreciated, especially if you feel he exceeded your expectations:)
Q: What about the quality of the equipment, should I ask what brands or type he uses.
A: I know most of our customers don't ask about what type of DJ equipment is used or even if the DJ has knowledge of the event he is playing to, but they should and here's why. A DJ is performing around 4 to 6 hours continuous throughout the night with really no breaks, so if he is a bad DJ with no clue on the traditions or specialized event he is entertaining at or he has a bad audio system with mics cutting out, speaker distortion, sound not properly set-up for that room, too loud, etc., "you may have a very long night with guests leaving early".
Q: Will my DJ take breaks?
A: No way! We provide continuous music from the beginning to the end of your event. All of our DJ’s are trained with beat matching / mixing skills to ensure no dead air or fades in between songs which could clear a dance floor!
Q: Can you assist or help us plan a great event?
A: We have event coordinators in our office that will be happy to plan your event from timelines, to music selections and event traditions that you may want. We will send you the proper forms, music lists, event tools, do’s and don’ts, recommendations and more.
Q: Will the DJ use banners, signs or contests to promote their company during my event?
A: No. Banners and signs are gaudy, and may appear in your pictures and can take away from the elegance or theme of your room.
Q: When and how should I pay East Coast Event group?
A: For your convenience, we take all major credit cards, personal checks and cash for your deposit. Your deposit is due on the date shown on your contract to lock in your date. You have up to the date of your party to pay your balance in full. Note: Payments on the day of the event must be either in cash, money order or certified bank check. We will take a personal check 2 weeks before the event. Please make checks payable to: East Coast Event Group.