Get Your Party Started Right
Thursday, August 21st, 2008
The right band or deejay will truly make or break the party at your wedding reception. And Jason Della Valle, owner of Jason Craig Entertainment in Wayne (jasoncraig.com), with more than 35 years of experience offering nine bands and a full-service spectrum of deejay and orchestral services, shares some tips with me on how you can ensure the time of your life.
He reminds us that “the one thing wedding guests remember more than anything else about the affair is the entertainment. It is solely up to the band or deejay to keep them entertained the whole night through and ensure them an unforgettable time.”
Here are his five tips on selecting the right music for your wedding:
1. When deciding upon a band or deejay, make sure to take into consideration your budget and your room size.
2. Consider the target age range of your crowd, and choose music which will best suit them.
3. Once a potential band or deejay is considered, request a list of catering halls they have performed at to verify they’d recommend using their services.
4. Preview the band or deejay at a showcase well in advance before your wedding to ensure they have the right sound you are looking for.
5. Speak with the band or deejay regularly to ensure they will play the songs you want and avoid the songs you don’t.
“Following these keys is imperative as you want to make sure the band/deejay you hire is fully capable of running a catered affair and coordinating with the venue and all your service providers,” says Della Valle. “You’re not looking for just a great band or deejay with great music—but also one that knows how to run your party.”
I found these tips to be a great guide, especially number 3. Don’t overlook your catering manager—he or she is a wealth of knowledge and can be a great source of recommendations for ALL of your vendors. After all, they’re seeing the best and worst in the wedding business week after week and would never compromise their own integrity by recommending someone they think is substandard.
Thanks, Jason, for sharing your valuable advice!
