Choosing Wedding Music

For those looking for wedding DJs in Denver Colorado and beyond, we want to offer you a few pointers that will help you when it comes time to make your wedding reception playlist. Choosing music isn't always easy, and there's plenty to think about. You have multiple options when you come to this stage of wedding planning, and we've outlined them below.

1) Do nothing, allowing your wedding DJ to choose all the music.This is fine if you have seen us before and know you will like our selections, or if you do not have the time to choose music. The DJs at A Music Plus are at events every week and can quickly determine the kind of music that you and your guests will enjoy. Additionally, our DJs bring a wide variety of all styles of popular music so that they can adjust to your preferences and those of your guests accordingly.

2) Choose a few songs and/or artists you most enjoy. This is what most clients choose to do. This gives your wedding DJ a clear indication of some of the music that is important to you, while allowing them to take guest requests and play songs that they know from experience will please your guests.

3) Choose several songs and artists and identify a list of "Do Not Play" songs and/or artists, as well as possibly forbidding the playing of guest requests. If you have the time and inclination, this option gives you more control of the music played at your event. While more time consuming on your end, it can help you feel that you have more say in what is or is not played.

4) Provide a list of music choices for your wedding DJ, requiring that only songs on that list be played unless you specify otherwise at the event. This option ensures that you will not hear a song at your event that you have not approved, but is somewhat restrictive and eliminates guest choices as an option for the DJ.

5) Create the list of music you want played, in order, and require that your wedding disc jockey stick to it. While we will happily do this for you, it is not recommended. Making such a list requires a great deal of time and effort on your part. Additionally, it cannot account for or allow flexibility for what may be happening at your event at any given time.

Good luck, and have a great reception!

A Music Plus
Denver Disc Jockeys
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Wedding DJs Pt. II

Of all the Denver disc jockeys out there, we obviously think we're the best. But when it comes to choosing entertainment for your reception, it's up to you to decide which dj will make your wedding fun. To help you make this very important decision, here are four questions you should ask yourself when choosing your wedding dj.

How important is it to you that your guests dance?
This is a huge issue at wedding receptions. We sometimes get clients whose primary concern in selecting music is to demonstrate to their friends and families how eclectic or eccentric their music tastes have become. While we will certainly help them accomplish that goal, we try to warn them not to be shocked if most of their guests don't recognize the music and, therefore, choose not to dance. Again, we make no judgment here as to this being right or wrong, it is just how it is. Most people tend to dance when they feel comfortable, and that usually requires recognizing the music.

What if the DJ is off track with music selection at our event?
We at A Music Plus think of performing at an event much like waiting tables in a fine restaurant. A great DJ will do their best to provide exactly what you want, but they cannot know you want something different unless you say so. If your soup is cold, the finest waiter will not know unless you tell him. If you want the music selection at any particular time tweaked, tell the DJ so they can adjust.

Do we have to hear the same old songs that we hear at most weddings?
Of course not. This is your day and you should have total control of the music played. On the other hand, songs that fall under the category of “popular music” are called "popular" for a reason. Popular songs like YMCA, Loveshack, the Electric Slide, for instance...these are songs that make some people cringe, while others flock to the dance floor. You need to decide what matters most. If hearing a particular song or artist will irk you at your event, you should tell us in advance. If you'll be too busy visiting with guests to notice or care, and the song has your guests dancing end enjoying themselves, then you might be best served to not worry about it.

Should we allow the DJ to take guests requests?
This is up to you. We cannot possibly know you and your guests as well as you do. Sometimes guests come up with some good and fun ideas for music selections. The DJ will always use discretion, anyway, so you shouldn't worry about your wedding DJ playing inappropriate songs. Unless you are concerned about the music your guests might request, or you want the DJ to play from your list only, it is generally okay to let guests make requests.


A Music Plus
Colorado Disc Jockeys
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Wedding DJs Pt. I

Music preferences are so personal that we make no attempt at A Music Plus to determine what is "good" music or "bad" music. The kind of music you like is up to you...not up to your wedding disc jockey. I think that's what sets us apart from other wedding djs in Denver Colorado!

Unlike the other djs you may have met, we do not try to educate our clients about music. We only play the music that our clients ask to hear. With their permission and only with their express permission, we will supplement their choices with selections we feel will appropriately compliment their event.

Live bands are generally limited to the songs they carry in their repertoire. With djs, the choices are much more varied. That doesn't necessarily make it any easier on you -- what if your musical tastes are limited? Don't worry about it. Many clients aren't sure what should be played at their event.

First, ask yourself what do you want the music at your event to do? Is the purpose of the music to provide a format for dancing, to provide ambience, to set a mood or enhance the moment? Determining what you want the music to do will help you decide what should be played.

Then, ask yourself how much control you want over your wedding reception playlist. Again, this is up to you, but here's an analogy. You've asked the chef to prepare a wonderful meal for everyone. You've told him/her what you like. Now, do you stand over his/her shoulder and direct the preparation of the food? What spices to use, what temperature to cook the food at, which pots and pans to use, what order to prepare the food in, etc.?

Providing music for dancing is similar. Your wedding dj should know what you like and dislike and try to play music accordingly. But micro-managing the disc jockey at your event tends to take away much of your enjoyment of the party and makes a long night for everybody.

Balance is best -- tell your disc jockey what you absolutely do want to hear and what you absolutely do not want to hear, and let him or her fill in the rest. We can't vouch for the other Colorado disc jockeys out there, but we here at A Music Plus will always abide by your wishes!

A Music Plus

Denver Wedding Disc Jockeys

http://www.amusicplus.com/

Choosing A Denver Wedding DJ or Live Denver Wedding Band?

Many clients ask us if we recommend live music or a DJ for their wedding. That answer really depends upon each individual wedding. What we offer here is some considerations to make when deciding which is best for you.

DJs

DJs can bring thousands of songs to your event, far more than any band or musician can play and the music sounds just like the original recording. A DJ should be extremely flexible, able to play most any song at your request and at an easily controlled volume. DJs generally do not take breaks, so there is no dead air or loss of energy and DJs are almost always much more affordable than live music.

On the other hand, while a great DJ can really get a crowd going, they don’t have the ability to alter songs on the fly (lengthening them, adding solos, bringing guests on stage to sing, etc.); DJs have what has been pre-recorded as their only option. Also, many years ago DJs had the stigma of being simply a less expensive alternative to live music and that notion does still linger for some.

Live Music

Quality live musicians bring energy, enthusiasm and ambience to any event. Live music at a wedding ceremony (soloists, strings, etc.) offers elegance and romance. A great jazz trio or dance band can adapt to the situation and adjust their music and energy accordingly.
On the other hand, live music is almost always more expensive. Bands take breaks, risking an energy loss while they are offstage. Musicians generally have styles of music they can and cannot play, making them less flexible than a DJ.

Why Not Both?

One request we are seeing more and more often is for a band/DJ combination. With this package, you eliminate any negatives associated with either while enjoying the best of both worlds. A soloist or trio can start off the event, with a DJ onsite to play during breaks and to help with announcements. During dancing, the DJ can play during the band breaks, offering the availability of songs that the band may not know or be able to perform. Many clients then have the DJ play the last hour or so of their event, again offering perhaps newer music that most variety bands don’t play.

We have found that live music/DJ combinations are a very effective way to please all of your guests. Ask us to help put together a package that is perfect for you.

A Music Plus
Denver's Wedding Entertainment Specialists
Disc Jockeys, Live Wedding Bands, Event Entertainment Specialists
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Finding the Right Denver Disc Jockey For Your Denver Colorado

You can search on the Web for phrases like "denver DJ", "denver Disc Jockey" and "denver emcee" and come up with several websites. You can also look in the phone book and find pages of entertainment companies offering Disc Jockey services in Denver. There is no shortage of DJs ready to perform at your wedding, but how do you find the one that's right for you and your guests? Here is a checklist to finding your best wedding DJ.

Compile a list of candidates...

Have you been at an event within the past year or two, not necessarily a wedding, where the entertainment seemed to keep the crowd going? Ask friends and family who have recently been married or who may have recently attended a wedding with a great Disc Jockey or band for suggestions. The contact person at your wedding reception venue may have worked with someone in the past they trust. If you're working with a wedding coordinator, he/she will have several vendors that they work with on a regular basis, including wedding DJs. He/she may even have favorites that he/she prefers to work with. Ask him/her for recommendations. Set up a time to meet in person.

Ask for references, prices, a copy of the contract, and what the wedding DJ services include. Ask them how many wedding receptions the DJ has worked. Take note of their attitude and how your personalities mesh. The DJ may be able to provide a video of their work as well. Although you shouldn't expect a wedding DJ to allow you into a private party to watch them work, there may be a public event their working that you could attend. Establish early on that the DJ is available on your event date.

Get bids from your top three picks...

A wedding Disc Jockey should be able to provide you with a written estimate of the services they will offer and the price. Be sure you understand what you'll be getting for the money, and compare apples to apples.

Crunch the numbers...

If one wedding DJ's services costs more than another, there may be a difference in the service they are providing. Have the DJs taken the day of the week and the hour of the day of your reception into consideration? Does one bid include lights or other special effects? While one Disc Jockey may be offering a complete package, another one may be offering things like special effects and emcee services separately. Cost will vary depending on your city, the day and season of the event, and the time of the event. Plan on providing at about 10-15 percent of your wedding budget for entertainment.

Initiate the contract...

Most wedding DJs have a contract that they provide. While this contract will protect them, be sure that it protects you and spells everything out very clearly. It should have the time of set-up and tear-down, number of hours worked, breaks, contingency plans, equipment used, and services provided.

You are planning for the biggest day of your life. Your wedding DJ should appreciate this and be cooperative and enthusiastic about providing her services at your event.

A Music Plus
Denver's Wedding Entertainment Specialists
Disc Jockeys, Live Wedding Bands, Event Entertainment Specialists
http://www.amusicplus.com/