All Occasion Entertainment Services was
recently fortunate to be asked, along with other nationally known entertainment
services, to participate in Modern Bride Magazines Special 50th
Anniversary Issue. We were asked to
supply our most recent full year of past brides and their contact info. The Brides were then surveyed by Modern
Bride Magazine and asked to respond to the following question; What
percentage do you feel that your DJ / entertainment contributed to the overall
success of your reception?
Quoting Bride's Magazine Post
Wedding Survey response article "After the Wedding Reception Bride's
& Grooms polled felt that the DJ / entertainment had a direct impact
influencing the success of their reception and was no less than 75% responsible
contributing to the overall success of their reception”
With the average wedding reception
budget at approximately $15,000 - $20,000 nationally, DJ’s are valued at less than
5% of that budget. Example, at 5% that equals
$750 to $1000 yet, actual costs are quoted in smaller markets of $250 or less
that’s only 1.25% to 1.75% of the national average. The article went on to say; This
seems to be a grossly disproportionate average when comparing the degree of
influence of the entertainment over the success of the reception (75% or more),
and the earned wage.
An average Wedding Reception audience
typically consists of 250 people. Two
hundred and fifty guests entertained over a period of 5 hours (the average
length reception) divided by $750 works out to $3 per person. This is less than the cost of a matinee
movie. Noting also the average length
for most movies is 2 hours. "The only
way I could beat that price is to rent a new release movie and show that at my
reception."
The difficult task that any couple faces
is judging what type of talent is right for them and their guests. It’s not easy to know what to look for in a
competent DJ / Entertainer. But here
are some characteristics that you should weigh heavily when considering your
talent. First I should preface,
remember, that you are hiring your entertainment to entertain your guests as
much as for yourselves.
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Check references, you would be surprised how many couples don’t
take advantage of this very simple way to insure their special day.
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Command of the English language should not be overlooked.
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Your DJ / Entertainer, foremost should possess the ability to know
how to “read” an audience and respond accordingly.
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Most brides polled stated that, in the absence of a hired
professional wedding consultant, they actually hoped that the DJ / MC would be
qualified to guide them through the formalities of the evening.
Entertainment cannot be shopped for like a toaster where the same brand name and model can be purchased at different stores at different prices. Entertainers or DJ’s possess varying degrees of quality including talent, ability, experience, character, and professionalism. The ones that demonstrate these qualities are priceless!
