Doesn't The Most Important Day Of Your Life Call For Doing It Right?

As a proud representative of the American Disc Jockey Association, I see great Disc Jockey / Entertainers doing the same thing as I do every day who seem to be doing excellent in their endeavors providing top-notch customer service to all their Brides & Grooms, and they also seem to be keeping their success level up to acceptable heights. This is fantastic news in this obviously less-than-preferable economy.

However, a trend has risen over the past few months that has many professionals disturbed, not for what it can do to their pockets, but to what effect decisions poorly made can affect a young woman's ultimate wonderful day in her life. A wedding is supposed to be a "Get it right the first time" once in a lifetime shot where there isn't supposed to be any "Mulligans"...Can't tee it up again and say, "Oh dang...Let me try that again!" ...NOPE! Sorry...It's done now...Wedding reception is over...Time to go home and be a dotting spouse.

No one is not quite sure where the nucleus of this trend is culminating from, but the practice of holding out to the last moment in hopes of getting a fine deal in Mobile DJ Entertainment (like some airlines allow you to wait at the gate for cancellations) is going to run it's course, but not before too many brides find out the hard way that they're falling into a trap that will be too late to repair once the videos and photography are prepared and done.

Most brides, young and just graduating college, may be believing the wrong sources who are trying to advise them on how to save a few bucks on their wedding. The problem is these "advisers" have obviously not witnessed the fallout (such as I have) after such decisions have been so poorly pre-investigated.

As an ADJA Chapter Board member, I'm seeing too many brides every week (the ones who muster up the courage to admit it) display their disappointment for allowing their receptions to become embarrassments by choosing somebody (or yes...some DEVICE) only because they were a warm body able to push buttons to play their favorite songs, but finding out later to their dismay that not all DJs are the same, not all are professional (because it's too easy right now to purchase cheap home-stereo equipment, illegally download free music and charge a fee lower than the market standard because they didn't know what it was, and/or because they were comfortable earning a lower income while ignoring the amount necessary to produce in order to professionally support their business). These same rookie "professionals" are also usually not aware of the time and care that is necessary to adequately help a bride prepare for her wonderful day.

Time-strapped Brides desperately constructing their wedding day want to believe when they're told that time with a DJ is not really needed before their wedding. Sure, it's been done many times successfully by very talented entertainers; Even I have occasionally whipped up perfect wedding reception performances with 20 minutes notice...but the likelihood is that the outcome will be something that will usually befall upon regret.

We're also hearing from too many guests of bridal events who have witnessed obviously poorly-made entertainment decisions..."Jeez, Jeff...They should have hired you!"

Unfortunately during the current climate, not everyone can afford to get that Lexus or Jaguar they've always wanted, but even I was sorry the first car I purchased as a teen was this 1984 Ford Escort that I got for under $5000, but didn't last more than two years before it popped its engine head. There are certain items in life that will continue to haunt you if you don't make the right decision about quality...And, unfortunately for those of some suffering from the current times, the correct decision, in reality, will usually end up not being the most preferable budget wise.

It's not easy to pass up a deal when one's trying to keep costs low for any kind of endeavor one may have, but a wedding is the kind of event that will remain in one's memory bank for the rest of one's life...Is it really worth it to skimp on price when it comes to hiring the individual who will be representing you to all your guests and family on the one day you most want to "get it right"?

I implore that people who are trying to piece together their own wedding reception not to take MY word for it, but to please seek out others who have completed their nuptial event experience...Let THEM tell you the best way to go. Take their advice, especially if they were quite satisfied with who (or what) they hired.

An even BETTER idea: Shell out for a PROFESSIONAL Wedding Planner/Coordinator...Sure, your wallet will sting for a bit...but no one...I repeat, NO ONE has EVER gone broke because of a wedding. Besides...Which will sting worse? Your pocketbook temporarily? OR...the memory (and/or video documentation) of some goofball getting all the names totally wrong during your Grand Introductions?