As students arrived in their white and neon outfits the Alfond Center took on personality unlike anything we’d seen there before. In addition to the backlights we also showcased our signature intelligent lighting system and laser light show. For entertainment we mixed a variety of music videos and audio tracks.

With graduation right around the corner, our team will be seeing the Seniors of St. Joseph’s College again in a couple of weeks for their Senior Boat Cruise and Senior Ball. Congratulations Seniors and thank you for supporting the ER Tour!

In the past five years I’ve seen the trend of providing disposable cameras go to the way side. And in the past few years there has been a nationwide shift to include photo booths at special events (most notably, wedding receptions). Remember going to the mall or movie theatre as a child and jumping in the photo booth, acting goofy for a few minutes and capturing those treasured memories?

Well now, your guests have that same opportunity! With today’s technology, photo booths have become affordable to rent and offer a form of entertainment that each one of your guests (regardless of their age) will truly love. What better way to commemorate an event then with candid photos of your guests re-living their childhood?

For the corporate clients reading this article consider this: photo booths can be branded with your logo. In addition to the booth being branded the photo strips can be customized to include your event date, names and/or logo. Even the screen when guests arrive in the photo booth can be customized for the specific event. At the end of each photo session guests will be greeted by an email screen and given the opportunity to email their photos directly from the kiosk. The email the guests receive can have custom language thanking them for visiting your photo booth. Now, guests have an immediate print out serving as a keepsake but will also receive a digital copy and a reminder of the fun they had.

The best part: guests have unlimited photo sessions during the time the photo booth is booked. You don’t have to worry about running out of film, or guests not having the opportunity to have their turn. In the week following the event, you will receive a DVD with all the digital images taken in the photo booth. You have the right to print those images as you would like. Now, you don’t have to worry about paying money to develop photos that you won’t use. Photo booths are practical, affordable but more importantly tons of FUN!

Being just a few months after our last visit, we knew we had to up the ante. Fortunately, our staff spent the winter developing the ER Tour, a high-energy school production with visual and special effects. After making stops at Mt. Blue High School and Central Maine Community College we knew the ER Tour would be a welcomed sight on the campus of UMF.

 I want to give special thanks to ACE and the Dance Team for sponsoring the dance. The volunteers who helped put the event together are the ones who, in all truth, made the event successful. From a services perspective we brought our signature DJ/VJ entertainment utilizing flat screen televisions and rear projection screens. We built a custom DJ booth and flew a 36 foot truss that held our intelligent lighting system above the crowd. Also showcased were a variety of glow products and special effects.

Our team also worked to create a jaw-dropping multimedia show that Video Disc Jockey Danny D would incorporate into the nights entertainment. As if the light show and multimedia weren’t enough, we also brought along the large Photo Lounge so groups of students could have their photos taken throughout the night.

Once on site our staff  began the setup of all the equipment. From start to completion the setup took nearly five hours. To date, this was our largest production and we wanted to make sure it was done right. In the past, Mt. Blue hired other entertainment companies at a much cheaper rate but struggled with attendance. Knowing that school dances are a great fundraising opportunity, we worked with administration to establish a ticket price that would make our services affordable but also leave plenty of room for profit. It is safe to say, that all of our efforts paid off. With record attendance the student council cleared their largest profit off of any dance. That’s what we call a successful night!

Customer service is key.  It is important that you can easily communicate with your DJ about your overall vision for wedding entertainment.  As the facilitator of your reception, you should trust that your DJ will coordinate specific details of your reception with your other vendors. You should strongly consider an entertainment company that has flexible hours for consultations and responds to emails and phone calls in a timely and professional manner.

Personality matters. Your selection of a wedding DJ is a critical part of your reception’s success. You and your guests should feel comfortable with the level of interactions that this particular entertainer will present. This will translate to your ability to relax and enjoy your wedding day celebration.   A successful celebration is possible when you trust your entertainer’s ability to facilitate your reception, you are confident in his or her ability to create an atmosphere that is upbeat and, most importantly, you believe his or her taste in music can mirror the vision you have for your reception.

Interview your potential DJs. Yes, email is convenient and it is a great way to gather initial information.  Once you’ve narrowed down your search schedule time to meet with the entertainers you are considering. You’ll be amazed how often this step is overlooked and later regretted. Meeting someone face-to-face will provide you with peace of mind about his or her abilities to play an integral part in your reception. If you are destination couple, consider using Skype as an alternative means to meet with your vendors.

Speak to previous clients. Although it may seem awkward to call prior clients, believe it or not – most bride and grooms are excited to re-live their wedding day. Speaking to previous clients will provide you with information about the DJ regarding the planning process, customer service and the overall success of the celebration.  Also consider the power of social networking.  Look for online reviews from reputable sources like Facebook, Wedding Wire, Wedding Channel and The Knot.

Determine what services are important. The reality is, not all DJ Companies are created equally. When most people think of a DJ the assumption is a pair of speakers and someone to make announcements.  Similar to your photographer, there is a creative element to DJs and their entertainment style.  Those professionals who have the ability to design a service package that is an exact match to the client’s vision for entertainment are in higher demand than the rest. Many DJ companies now offer a wide range of enhancement to compliment their musical entertainment services. Often times you can alleviate hiring multiple companies by finding an entertainment service with expanded offerings (known as boutique entertainment companies). Boutique entertainment companies may offer light design, multimedia services, décor, event design, photobooths and musicians. These services are a great way to compliment your entertainment while building excitement for you and your guests.

Ask to see an example of the work provided. Imagine booking your venue without taking a tour.  Imagine purchasing your cake from a baker without seeing examples of their work or tasting their products. Your DJ should be held to the same standard as all of your other wedding vendors. Don’t be shy about asking for detailed examples of their work, including pictures of their set-up area.   Ask if there is an opportunity to see them perform live at a public event. A reputable company should be able to produce photos and/or videos of their performances. When looking at their work consider the aesthetics. DJ equipment is often seen in the background of many wedding photos so be sure you like the appearance of the company you choose.

Do your research. Before you invest in entertainment, research the industry to ensure you can separate the reputable companies from the hobbyists. There are professional DJ companies out there for all budgets. If the company you want is already booked or too expensive ask them for a referral. If you have selected your venue prior to searching for your entertainment you may also consider asking the wedding coordinator for recommendations. Reputable DJ services typically book 8 to 16 months in advance. Keep in mind, like any industry, the demand and experience of your DJ company will often dictate price.

]]> http://www.partymaine.com/what-to-look-for-when-hiring-a-dj/feed/ 0