DJ Trouble!

[septemberbride06]

Okay, so my FH hired a guy he works with that DJ's on the side to do our wedding ceremony and reception. Now, a week before the rehersal dinner the DJ says he cannot make it because of hiss daytime job. I am seriously frustrated, because how is he gonna know what to do? I tried to talk to my FH about this matter, but he refuses to fire him, and says he comes "highly recommended". I'm just concerned because he also has not ever done a wedding ceremony before.
At first we were going to just use a juke box, but then we decided that we wanted to make sure everyone could hear the music. I need some help. Anyone else had a similar experience? What should I do?

:velo:

[ladymelissa]

If the DJ is doing the ceremony he really should be there for the rehearsal. Is there any way to arrange the rehearsal around his schedule? Like do the rehearsal after work? If that is not possible I would talk to FH about finding another DJ just for the ceremony who would be able to make the rehearsal. If it comes to that make sure you make the schedule very clear to the new DJ right up front.

[Kacie_bride]

My DJ is not going to be at our rehearsal, but his main business is with weddings. I think it'll probably be alright. Have him come in a little before hand if nothing else. You probably would not be able to find another DJ now anyway.

[countrygirl]

If the DJ is doing the ceremony he really should be there for the rehearsal. Is there any way to arrange the rehearsal around his schedule? Like do the rehearsal after work? If that is not possible I would talk to FH about finding another DJ just for the ceremony who would be able to make the rehearsal. If it comes to that make sure you make the schedule very clear to the new DJ right up front.

I agree w Melissa. The DJ has to be there to know what he is supposed to do and when. Good luck.

[Jenn060306]

We didn't have the music at our rehersal. It worked out ok for us. But i was a bit lost on the day of because we didn't have the timing down. It worked out ok and i don't think anyone knew that it wasn't bang on.

I would talk to the DJ and ask him if there is anything he can do since he did make a commitment to you and our FH to be there. If possible adjust the time of the rehersal (i know that's tough cause there are lots of people involved). If not then you'll have to meet with him again seperatly to go over everything. Perhaps letting him know you are not happy and looking into finding someone eles might be able to get him to be there.

Good Luck.

[MOB Karen]

I just called Amber and she said that her DJ will not be at the rehearsal. She said it was not in his contract to be there.

[countrygirl]

I just called Amber and she said that her DJ will not be at the rehearsal. She said it was not in his contract to be there.

Wow, how is he going to know his q's?

[Kacie_bride]

Wow, how is he going to know his q's?

A lot of DJ's do this for a living. They are really good at knowing these things. I don't think mine will be any big trick. He plays music for 30 minute prior to the ceremony. At a designated time the mother's will be seated. That is to Jesu, Joy of a Man's Desiring. Then the bridal party walks out to Canon. He has a list of how many people are in the wedding party. And he will be there several hours early so he will even know what they look like. I walk out to the bridal march. It really is straight forward.

[LaceyinPgh]

We didn't have our musicians at our rehersal. I went over everything witht he group leader a few weeks before the wedding. We workd out all the kinks via email. Then a few days before the wedding he called and we went over it all again. The day of the wedding, they showed up about 15 minutes eary and we went over exactly how I want it. It turned out perfectly.

[septemberbride06]

Thaks for everybody's help on this. I have just been stressing over it big time! I think everything will be okay, I was just upset because he just told us that he has never done a ceremony before, and I am still debating whether to just use a boom box or what to do. He did prepare the CD with all of our songs on it though, My FH is getting that today. I will just have to listen to the CD over and over to find the right Q's. My guest Book attendant will be qing him. Anyone else have a DJ doing their ceremony?

[ladymelissa]

The DJ is better than a boom box, he has better equipment so it will sound better. Our church had a fantastic sound system, so we used CDs and they were played by their sound guy. He was at the rehearsal though, I wanted to make sure all the songs were long enough and for mine, I wanted it timed perfectly.

The DJ should know this, but for song changes (unless he uses 2 CDs with a sound mixer) fade the volume on the first song down, switch the tracks and fade the volume of the next sound up, so it is not an abrupt switch.

[septemberbride06]

The DJ is better than a boom box, he has better equipment so it will sound better. Our church had a fantastic sound system, so we used CDs and they were played by their sound guy. He was at the rehearsal though, I wanted to make sure all the songs were long enough and for mine, I wanted it timed perfectly.

The DJ should know this, but for song changes (unless he uses 2 CDs with a sound mixer) fade the volume on the first song down, switch the tracks and fade the volume of the next sound up, so it is not an abrupt switch.

Thanks! I know I really want everything to be perfect, but it just seems like there is still so much to do, but not enough time to get it done.
I mean, we had to sacrifice our wedding photographer for the location,a nd now this!!!

[AngelinLove]

I have a DJ (actually a husband and wife team) doing my ceremony and they will not be at the rehearsal, but like Lacey did, I will meet with them 2 weeks before the ceremony....next week OMG!!!...and go over all the details step-by-step, and since they do weddings and receptions at this venue all the time, I am really not that worried about it!!!

[ladymelissa]

If you want to rehearse with the music you could always use the boom box for that, have the guest book attendant change the music and get familiar with the cues so they will be able to really help the DJ at the wedding.

[Kacie_bride]

My DJ is doing the ceremony. We are going to meet in advance too.