Ceremony DJ

[Scoot]

I'd like to have some opinions from Marriage Officiants and Wedding Planners in particular on this, although I'm also interested in opinions from other vendors and brides and grooms.

Do you think you would use the services of a Disc Jockey who specializes only in ceremony music?

In other words, a disc jockey who provides a wide selection of traditional, and not-so-traditional, recorded ceremony music, while also providing the service of helping the couple to creatively choose the appropriate music for the atmosphere they want to create. Or perhaps helping them to develop a musical theme for their ceremony (e.g. Celtic theme, jazz theme, baroque theme, romantic theme, seaside theme, new age theme, Christmas theme, Italian theme, etc.). The musical selections would include a wide variety of recorded prelude, processional, interlude, recessional, postlude, unity candle and other special ritual music, and background music for readings, etc.

Very much like what a professional DJ would do for the music for a reception, only applying that method to ceremonies only. The DJ would work closely with the couple as well as with the Officiant, and the Wedding Planner/Coordinator. It would be a very creative endeavor for the couple who are interested in creatively customizing their ceremony music.

[Kacie_bride]

While I think having that kind of specialization is great and would be wonderful, I don't think it is a good idea to only do that. I think it would not be practical for someone to have 2 DJ's booked. Maybe it would work for someone not having music at their reception. I think if you are into specializing you should also have a selection of reception music as well to accomodate the entire wedding. Most people are more concerned with the reception anyway.

[Scoot]

Thanks for your response Kacie_bride. Points well taken.

Having been a Wedding DJ and JP, I was thinking that although most people are more concerned with the reception, there might be a market for those couples who are more concerned about the ceremony.

There are an increasing number of couples who are getting very creative with customizing their ceremonies, and I was wondering if the next step might be having an expert help them to customize their ceremony music to better reflect the atmosphere they want at their ceremony. I think that, in many cases, DJs play the music for ther ceremony, but their specialty is the reception music and performance. Also, it might work for couples whose ceremony and reception are in two different locations, such that it might be difficult for their DJ to play in both locations.

[Kacie_bride]

It could work for people with ceremonies and receptions in different locations. You would have to find those type of people who could afford to pay 2 DJ or a DJ and a band. I just know that we are already spending $800 on a DJ and could not afford to add another DJ. I think the speciality thing is cute though. I just would offer other services as well if it were me.

[The Wedding Diva]

I think this is an excellent idea, only if you are currently a DJ that offers reception services. You're right, personalization is the biggest trend to hit weddings in a long time. However, some churches and/officiants have rules about they types of music that can be played and the types of systems they can be played on. Some churches may not be able to accomodate you-- many of them are known for their historical value. If this would be the only service that you would offer, then this would immediately count you out for this particular couple. Better to get the reception than nothing at all, KWIM?

I think this is an excellent service to offer to give you an edge over your competition though. For example, I just booked a DJ for a client b/c of a similar situation. He plays the saxophone and is a DJ. This saved us from having to book two different entertainers. The couple wants him to play the saxophone before and during the ceremony and to DJ during the reception. This gave him an edge over the saxophonists and DJs I interviewed.

I hope this helps some!

[Scoot]

I hear what you both are saying, and it's very helpful in getting me to think about things. Thank you for your input.

Kacie_bride,

As far as hiring another DJ... If music is going to be played at the ceremony, and if a couple wants their reception DJ to do that, the DJ will most likely charge for that service. So, looking at it that way, it would not necessarily be paying for an additional DJ, it's more like paying for the additional service. That being the case, if the reception DJ does not have the same ability or selections to help the couple customize their ceremony, I wonder if it would make sense to hire someone who could do that?

The Wedding Diva,

I was a Reception DJ, and had the opportunity to do some ceremonies with music. It seems to me that a lot more emphasis was placed on the reception, and I wonder if that is because the perception of the couples, DJs in particular, and the public in general is that a DJ's specialty is, and he/she is hired for, the party. Yes, I could see Professional DJs add this as an additonal service, but if someone were to make this their sole focus, perhaps it could be brought to a new level.

For instance, how about a Ceremony DJ who provides the highest quality lavalier mics for the couple and officiant, a handheld mic for any readers, ceremony planning and coordination, lighting for evening services, state-of-the-art audio equipement, consultations, and a great number and variety of musical selections to truly customize and create the atmosphere the couple is looking for. Of course, the Ceremony DJ would need to coordinate all events with the Officiant and the Wedding Coordinator. Also, I wonder if this could not be an add-on that an Officiant could offer to a prospective bride and groom. In other words, not only would the Officiant be able to offer customized wording for the ceremony, but now they could offer customized music to compliment the wording.

[Kacie_bride]

It still would cost more to have 2 DJ's. My DJ is not charging extra for ceremony music because our reception and ceremony is at the same location. Another DJ I talked to would only charge us $75 more.

Like I said, I think it is a great idea. It's sounds like you could do a really nice job. I think you would need to do some research on your particular area. I really do not see the brides in my area being that into it at this time. I know a lot of recently married or people who are planning weddings and their biggest concern is with reception music. I think they would like the extra touch, but there would not be room in their budget. Maybe the type of people in your area have more expendable income. I would suggest that you involve yourself in a bridal fair or something. Get advice from local people planning weddings. What works in one place may not work in another.

[rainbowtreat]

I hear what ever oen is saying and I like the idea of it all. I understand also that as most would like some music for the ceremony most of that is focused on the reception. Seeing how mine ws set up ( we had to have the ceremony where the reception was help because of the weather) I could hve used the DJ ( but was able to have my bagpipes that I wanted anyway ). If you were to do both I think would be a better idea. My DJ didnt take long at all to set up. So having the same DJ for both ceremony and reception in different places could work. Most people take time for pictures between the two so the DJ would have plently of time to move from place to place. My DJ was willing to play music for us if I was not able to have my uncle play the bagpipes but I luked out and had him. And my DJ was not going to charge me extra. I only paid a total of $350 for 4 hours of my dj's time and that time didnt start untill the bride and groom arrived. And if we wanted him later it was $50 each additional hour.

[Scoot]

Thanks for all your suggestions. As I read your replies, and as I think about this more, I wonder whether this type of service could be combined with the officiant service. In other words, in wedding ceremonies where the officiant helps the couple to put a very creative ceremony together, could the music also be a part of that? This, of necessity, would become a two person operation - one where the officiant and ceremony dj would work hand-in-hand to create a unique wedding where both the words and the music reflected the unique personalities and values of the couple.

As you can tell, I still wonder if not enough emphasis is given to the ceremony which, I would think, and with due regard to the reception, is the most important event of the day. In other words, if you've put some thought into your vows, and followed them with a musical interlude that means a lot to both of you, this is going to be remembered more fondly, and perhaps long after the music at the reception.

Maybe I'm just a romantic, but the ceremony wording combined with just the right music to compliment the ceremony wording seems so much more important to me. And, from my work and conversations with DJs, many of them have some good music to choose from for the ceremony, but they don't emphasise the ceremony, or put nearly as much effort into it, because the reception is their specialty.

When I did reception DJing, I worked with my wife, and together we helped the couple to craft a reception that expressed their unique personalities, values, and interests - and no two were alike. We charged a fair price for that service and we were busy with referrals. Toward the end of our run, we began doing the same for ceremonies, (I became a JP) but because we did not emphasise the ceremony, the music was rather run-of-the-mill, as was the ceremony (e.g. The Wedding March, The Bridal Chorus, and perhaps some new age prelude music), and we did not charge that much to do the ceremony. I think it was $700 for the reception and an additional $100 for the ceremony. But since then I've often wondered why the ceremony got such short shrift. As I consider returning to DJing, I'm not so interested in the receptions anymore, but I am more interested in the Ceremony, and this is the reason for this post. I'm still trying to figure out a way to bring the ceremony it's due while making the music an important part of that due.

I see excellent DJs now charging between $800 and $1500 to do a reception. They will charge an extra $250 - $400 to do the ceremony - just the music. a harpist will charge between $200 - $300 just to play two to three tunes at the ceremony. Somewhere in there, there must be room for a person knowledgeable in recorded ceremony music to work with an officiant/JP/celebrant in helping the couple to create a very momorable and personalized ceremony, without having to charge much more, if any more, than a DJ or harpist would charge, while providing some planning and coordinating services, lavalier mics for the couple and celebrant, a handheld mic for the readings, some lighting for evening weddings, and creative personalized, and unique music to be used for example for prelude selections, the seating of the mothers, the entrance of the bridesmaids, the entrance of the bride, an interlude selection after the vows, music for the unity candle and/or wine ritual, music for a butterfly release, the recessional, and lively post-lude music for the transition into the reception. The right music can add so much to the ceremony. But I'm rambling now...

Sorry for being so long-winded. I don't blame you if you don't read the entire post.

[ikkin510]

I personally think your ideas are great! I really like the idea of the DJ helping out and doing the Ceremony. That would be great for me, but I don't have any in my area. I am horribly with picking music out, but want sutff that reflects us. I ended up just picking the usual music for everything. This would definaly be a great and useful service!

[Kacie_bride]

Well Scoot, I think it could work if you had a service combined with the officiant in one price.

[The Wedding Diva]

I agree, call some local officiants and see what you can work out. Meanwhile I'm going to pitch this at my officiant friend and see what she says, to give you more perspective.

Additionally, would you be interested in perhaps pitching this to ceremony venues? I think that is a huge consideration as well. If you can get teamed up with the officiant, great, but if the ceremony site cannot accommodate you, what will happen? Maybe you can set up some time to speak to with site managers/coordinators through the week. Offer to do a few for free so they can see how it goes. They may consider to bundle your services in with their own.

Sounds like this will be good for you :)

[Scoot]

Thanks for all of your replies. I am encouraged.

ikkin510,

You don't have to settle for just the same old music.

A professional wedding DJ will play the selections you want and, if he/she doen't have those selections, should be able to get them.

There are several sites on the net that suggest music for your ceremony. You might try doing a search on the term "wedding ceremony music" or something similar.
Sorry, I tried to post a couple of urls that might be helpful but the board wouldn't let me because I'm not yet a trusted member.:(

Kacie_bride,

I knew I could convince you of the value if I could just find the right service to bundle it with, and it sounds like bundling it with the officiant sold you on the idea. That is very helpful, because I will probably need to use that same kind of rationale to convince other couples of the value of the idea. Thanks.

The Wedding Diva,
I would love to know what your officiant freind thinks. I am going to begin to contact some JPs, other officiants and vendors around here to see what they think.

When you say ceremony venues, do you mean chapels, or function halls, or both? I think that is a good idea, but I think that the reception halls in particular usually have house DJs that they would recommend for this. Although, again, I am thinking of a service that would be highly specialized and would be offering things like ceremony coordination that most DJs don't do. But, there may be a function hall person who does the coordination, so the coordination might not be needed. My guess is that this would be appropriate for some venues, and not for others - just as you suggested.

I'm also wondering whether it would be wise to partner up with just one JP/Officiant, or whether to offer it to all in the area.

[Kacie_bride]

Maybe make a partnership with a couple of different officiants or venues. The type of venues I think would be the best would be wedding chapel type places. Eventually I think it would be best to be with just one. That way you can form a team type relationship. This would probably take time to figure out whom you would work best with, so that is why I say at first to partner with a couple of people. Good luck! Let us know what is happening.

[Scoot]

That sounds like a good idea. Thanks for all your help and suggestions Kacie_bride.

And Congrats and Best of Luck on your upcoming graduation and wedding!