A and W Disc Jockeys

Party for KIDS!

2012-02-06T21:47:45Z

Today we want to talk about throwing a party at home without driving yourself crazy. Just for arguments sake, let’s say that you weren’t convinced. Here are some tips for picking a place outside of the home for your kid’s next party.

The first decision in choosing a kid’s party venue is whether you’re just looking for a place to have a party, or if you want the place itself to be the party.

Children can quickly get overwhelmed. If you are planning a party with a Clown, Musician, Magician or other kid's entertainer, you don’t want to throw the party at a place like a children’s museum or playland that comes with it’s own entertainment. Instead, look to your local park district or community center, or YMCA. Talk to your chosen performer about his or her recommendations. These entertainers get around and know the best (and worst) venues. Also make sure to talk to your performer about his or her needs in terms of space, electrical outlets, etc. A prime example is about a week ago a bride and groom wanted to book the platinum package at the Grand Rapids Museum. For that place you can't do anything like that there, because their is only 4 outlets on the main floor. Trust me I would love to book a bigger party, but fees ably we couldn't accommodate for something like that.

Many restaurants have party rooms. Even a restaurant that you wouldn’t take a kid to normally may be surprisingly accommodating for a party that’s taking place during off-hours (really, what else do they have going 10-12 on a Saturday morning?).

If you are considering a place like a children’s museum or playland, make sure you fully understand their policies regarding outside food, number of guests, and for how long you can have the room. Make sure to ask how many other parties are going on simultaneously and if the place is open to the public.

If the venue tends to be crowded, you may want to consider making a bright colored shirt the party favor. Hand the shirts out at the beginning of the party and make sure each kid in your group wears one. Large nametags can also be made and brightly colored (easy to see) yarn can be used to hold the nametag on.

Even if you’re having children of several different ages, the venue should be chosen with the age of the birthday kid in mind. When it comes to a party, older kids often don’t mind the chance to regress a little and play like a younger child.

What are your tips for finding a great place to hold a kid’s party?

Craiglist DJ-Sounds too good to be true!

2012-02-06T06:57:00Z

Brides and their families are always looking for a way to save some money on the wedding. In today’s economy, there is nothing wrong with that. I tried to save money everytime I’m making a purchase weather it’s for the business or for my own personal use. Just recently I had to replace a couple of speakers that were not working right. I could have gone online and picked out the first one I came across and been done or I could have picked out the one with well known brand name (well known in the world of video and photos that is). Now, the first one that came up on my search was a unknown brand with a sticker for $399. (for ONE) That’s not bad, it was light weight and seemed like it was a good deal but I wasn’t sure it would hold up to what I needed it for.

The second option was from a well known brand. It was rugged, tough and would do everything I wanted it to do and then some. The major drawback was the $849 price tag. $849 is a lot of money to spend for a simple speaker, but it is the best out there. The company that makes it is well known for it’s quality and ease of use of it’s equipment. The value was there but the cost just made it impossible to justify. I ended up not getting either of those monopod’s but one that just as good with quality, did excatly what I wanted it to do and the cost was more inline with what I could afford.

Brides and their families do the same thing every time they meet with a wedding vendor, weather it’s the photographer, the caterer or even the florist. They all want to find the best items or vendors for the wedding but at the best possible price. But, sometimes shopping for just price can end up costing you more.

A few weeks ago I was talking with a fellow wedding professional and we were sharing stories of wedding days. Most of us do that a lot, it’s kinda fun, but every now and then, you hear a story that breaks you heart, like this one. Seems the bride was looking for a DJ(wedding entertainer as they like to be called now), but she wanted to find one who wouldn’t cost a lot as her budget was petty much spent. So, she went to Craigslist. She found one she liked and after a nice phone conservation, the bride wanted to book the DJ. He wanted the entire amount up front and when the bride asked about a contract, he said not to worry, his word was his contract.

Everything was great until the day of the wedding. As the bride was getting ready and preparing for the ceremony, she got a call from her DJ. Seems the DJ got a chance at a better job that day and since they didn’t have a signed contract, he was taking the other job. He wished her well and hoped things worked out well for her. When she asked about the money she paid him, he told her he would return it to her early the next week. As far as I know, she still hasn’t gotten her money back and I don’t think she ever will.

I hear about things like this all the time. You would be amazed about how many weddings are thrown for a loop because the Bargain Vendor either: A. Didn’t Show Up. B. Has Gone out of Business or, as in this case, C. Found a better gig to work. I’ve heard and seen these stories play out almost every wedding season and believe me, it’s not fun to watch the dream wedding the bride and her family have worked on for months just suddenly fall apart because the photographer didn’t show and no one can find them.

I have said it more times then I can count; DON’T GET WEDDING VENDORS FROM CRAIGSLIST!!! Here’s why: To advertise on Craigslist is free. You don’t have to put anything into it, just the 5 or 10 minutes it took you to write the ad. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve used Craigslist to get things like tickets or furniture and the like. Today, as I was writing this, I went to pick up a beautiful Armoire for our new studio. A true professional is going to pay to do more traditional advertising. They are NOT going to use Craigslist. Professional vendors are going to be able to answer your questions AND, they are going to be able to put you in touch with brides they have worked with in the past. Ask your self this, would you use Craigslist to find a doctor, a lawyer, or how about a tax specialist? Of course not, but brides everyday go to places like Craigslist to find their wedding professionals and then wonder why they didn’t show or did such a poor job on their wedding day.

The most important thing to remember is the decision is yours to make. Write down the things that are important to you. Some brides put the biggest value on the flowers, others put it on the reception venue or food. Still others put it in the memories and capturing the day with either photos or video or both. When you make that decision, you can start looking at places to make cuts in areas that are not that important to you. If photo and video are the most important thing to you, then you can cut in areas like flowers or decor. But, please know what your getting before you sign any contract, NEVER pay the entire amount up front, most vendors only request an initial investment when you sign the contract (We charge $75) and the balance is due sometime just before the wedding day or on wedding day. (We are on the day OF)

Good old fashion iPOD wedding?!?!? WHAT?

2012-02-03T21:46:46Z

The Bride and Groom enter the reception with no music playing and no advance announcement to the guests.The Bride wanted to have her first dance with her groom immediately following the Grand Entrance, but the guests weren’t even aware that she was entering the reception area, and there is no MC.

The First Dance is awkward, the song wasn’t cued up properly, there was dead silence for over a minute as the Bride and Groom stood nervously in the center of the dance floor waiting for someone, anyone, to help.

When the music finally played, it sounded terrible.

Does this sound like a reception that went according to plan? It’s even more painful to watch! Check out this video of an iPod wedding disaster:

IPOD VIDEO

The best part about all of this is the Bride and Groom paid good money for Photos and a Videographer... WHY NOT A DJ? As a wedding DJ, I know it doesn’t have to be this way. I have other thoughts about the iPod wedding disaster, but I wanted to link up the video first. I’ll address some of the other problems of an iPod wedding in a future article.

A&W Disc Jockeys

Same ol' Cheesy DJ

2012-02-03T21:29:56Z

A&W Disc Jockeys recently exhibited at the Devos Place Bridal show hosted by Kohler Expos, as we do twice each year. Every Bride or Groom we speak with at these shows and elsewhere seems to have 1 common concern about their wedding DJ, and that is,“We Do NOT Want a CHEESY DJ!!!”

We do offer a very classy, fun, yet low profile lighting option, such as our up-lighting which has been a huge seller for us and makes any room or space look amazing.

So, if that’s truly the case, I wonder why so many DJ companies still present themselves as the same old Cheesy, bad joke telling guys forcing you to endure an overkill of personality with silly props and flashy lights and 80′s costume jewelry. I suppose it stands to reason why our company is doing so well, because simply put, we are not cheesy. We’re a bunch of regular guys with an extraordinary passion for music, an extremely high level of experience in providing a top level DJ/Emcee service for our clients, especially Brides & Grooms and their families, on one of the most important days in their lives.
I say we’re regular guys, and I mean we don’t have to dress in costumes, wear makeup and flashy jewelry, tell jokes with horrible punch lines, or sell you crap you don’t need. I admit, I’m not a used car salesman, none of us are…we develop packages and upgrades that people need, and we won’t force you to spend money on fluff that cheeses up your wedding.

When our DJ’s are in front of all of your friends and family, we look our best, always well groomed and wearing a suit and dress shirt, sometimes a tie, depending on the location and style of your wedding. Let’s face it, if your wedding is in a garden or outdoor location, it should have a more romantic, elegant yet relaxed, fun, and even perhaps a rustic appeal. There’s no need for all the Club lighting and a DJ wearing a tuxedo with a sequin vest (heaven help me! I’ve seen DJs still wearing this early 90′s get-up in 2011!)

If you read our reviews onlineor talk with any of our preffered vendors who consistently refer us, you’ll find that we are considered the cream of the crop and the top choice for the “modern” Bride and Groom. I believe people are far more savvy today, and we don’t need cheapness and cheese to entertain us. Sometimes I think our colleagues or competition think they need that cheesy DJ appeal to be fun, but I completely disagree and argue that our DJs and others like us make weddings extremely fun by allowing the music to entertain people, and the Emcee is there to facilitate the event in a professional, fun and friendly way, without being a wannabe gameshow host, or a failed comedian. We are experts with audio and music mixing for all age groups and we don’t play outdated crappy music. We play music that people love, that incites nostalgia, and that people WANT to dance to, not what they feel forced to danced to. We promise not to grab your mother in law and force her to dance with the DJ. We promise not to tell unfunny scripted jokes, although from time to time something funny does happen at an event and we may help highlight that in a light hearted way…there’s a big difference in being “funny in the moment” and sounding forced and scripted. Most people, Wedding DJs included, do not have this gift.
Our DJs won’t put feather boas on with big platic sunglasses, unless you want us to…but we think it’s best left at the photo-booth. We won’t haggle you to purchase “club lighting” and “motivational dancers” at your gorgeous, elegant wedding. If you want your wedding to feel like a Bar Mitzvah, or a Las Vegas Revue, let us know, we’ve got packages for that, but this is NOT the norm and it’s not something we push on our clients.
We do promise to run your event perfectly, to execute the timeline efficiently without ever forcing it or being rude and pushy to you and your guests. We can pretty much guarantee that if you give us the music requests you want to hear and allow us to do what we do best, your guests will dance their legs off, and they’ll hear great music all night long without having to endure the Macarena and some DJ giving dance lessons in the middle of your event. Your guests will never want the party to end, but when it does, they’ll tell you how amazing it was for years to come. They won’t say “that DJ was so corny”, they’ll say, “that DJ was perfect for this wedding!” That’s what we do, without being phony. In over 1000 weddings, we’ve remained consistent, and we hear from our clients and fellow wedding vendors all the time about how great we are, without any cheese on top! Interview with one us, and I am confident you’ll find that we are far better suited for your wedding than the cheesy lounge singer who happens to DJ weddings. At the end of the day, your wedding DJ should be someone who makes you comfortable, who you’re confident in his/her ability to execute as they say they can and as you wish, and who will look great and present themselves well in front of everyone on your most special day.

If you are a Bride or Groom who wants a more interactive DJ at your wedding, just let us know, we have expert entertainers who can adapt to any type of event, but our overall style is not the DJ who gets on the mic every five minutes for announcements like “ALLLLRIIIGHT EVERYBODY let’s hear it for the SALAD COURSE!! Up next, the ENTREEEEEEE!” “Now let’s all do the YMCA!!!”.
If you’re one of these DJs and you’re reading this, I’m sorry if you’re upset or offended, but I’m sure you’re business is doing fine and there are lots of Brides who want you at their wedding, The purpose of this article is to simply let our client base know that we aren’t like you, and I’m sure they’re happy about that. Say “cheese!” because I’m sure you’re not smiling.

A&W Disc Jockeys

Hiring a DJ

2012-02-03T21:18:45Z

So you’re having a party? Great! Everyone loves a Party! If you’re trying to decide if you should hire a DJ for your party, I’d like to help. Here A&W Disc Jockeys, our DJs make the bulk of our living as Wedding DJs, but we all still DJ for parties in Grand Rapids and throughout West Michigan, a ton of them in fact. Since so much of our marketing is directed to Brides and Grooms, I thought it was time to write an article for those of you who are having a party or special occasion which might require a DJ Service. I speak for all of our DJs when I say, We believe Every Party would benefit from hiring a DJ…but…I’m going to give you some tips on how to decide if you really need a DJ, and if you do, what you need to look for and questions you should ask when hiring a DJ for a party.

First thing’s first! What type of party are you having? Is it a Birthday Party? DJs for Birthday parties can be great, but not every birthday party is created equally. Is this a sweet 16, a 21st, 40th, 50th, 60th? You get the idea. Milestone Birthdays are typically more emphasized than an odd numbered birthday. And there’s a big difference between a 16th and a 21st birthday, or a 40th and a 60th birthday for that matter. So, when you’re hiring a DJ for that special Birthday party, consider these tips:

If you’re throwing a kids birthday party, make sure the DJ is comfortable with and experienced with working with children. Also, be sure that the music is age appropriate. Ask the DJ if he has “edited versions” of current music, without explicit language. Also, if you plan to be really involved in the control of the music for your child’s party, make sure you explain that to the DJ ahead of time and be sure he understands and is ok with those constraints.

On the flip side, no matter the reason for the party, you don’t necessarily have to spend an arm and a leg and get the worlds most experienced and well known DJ…perhaps you can hire a younger, less experienced DJ who is eager to improve his skills and his craft and who works well with clients, but just hasn’t had 5 or 10 or 15 years of Pro DJ experience. We have a few young guys just like this on our staff and they do a great job for parties that don’t require the best MC/DJ in the world.

When hiring a Party DJ, some of the most important things you need to know are: Does the DJ have at least a full year of training with a reputable DJ agency…or if not, do they have at least 5 references you can talk with on the phone? You Must call the references! Ask the references about the type of music the DJ played, what type of equipment they had, how they dressed and presented themselves at the party. Make sure to find out if there were any uncomfortable breaks in the music, inappropriate actions from the DJ, or technical difficulties, and if so, how did the DJ handle that? Ask a lot of questions and if the positives far outweigh the negatives and the price seems right, make the deal and book the DJ before someone else does!

If the DJ is really “green” and you’re willing to give him a shot, he should be relatively inexpensive, but make sure you have some type of written contract and not just a “Verbal” agreement. The Contract should list you as the “purchaser” and the DJ should be listed by name. The date, start, and end times should be clearly listed, and the address where the party is going to be held should be on the contract. The DJ should arrive an hour early to set up their gear and prepare to entertain, and this should be in the contract somewhere. You should also make sure there are no “hidden” fees in the DJ contract, and see if there is at least some mention of the “manner of performance” the DJ will give.

When you hire a DJ for Party or some other type of momentous occasion which requires music, make sure to have a list of entertainment ideas, music requests, and general guidelines for what you want from the DJ. Ask the DJ to give you some ideas of how he will entertain your guests and what type of music he suggests. Keep in mind that the DJ will likely be playing “Background” music for dinner or cocktails and then switching to dance music later in the evening. When you’re shopping, bear in mind, there are some great “Club” DJs who have a vast knowledge of Dance music, but they sometimes fall short when it comes to playing great background music. Background Music is still very important, and it should still incite nostalgia and a general sense of happiness and joy. Your guests will subliminally “hear” all of the music that is played throughout the event, and you want a DJ who can play across a wide variety of genre’s and age groups, and not just showcase their ability to creatively “mix” music you and your guests aren’t familiar with.
For example: If you’re hosting a Retirement Party for a 65 year old, the DJ needs to know music from the appropriate genre’s that the guest of honor loves to listen to and the party guests love to listen to and/or dance to. Whereas, if you’re hosting a 70′s or 80′s themed party, the DJ needs to have a vast library and knowledge of those particular genre’s. All the better if you find a Party DJ who has knowledge of all sorts of musical genre’s and artists.

There may also be some announcements and “Emcee” responsibilities at your party, and you’ll want to ask the DJ how he handles those issues before you hire him. If he isn’t comfortable on a microphone, he may not be your guy!
Most of all, you’re looking for someone who is confident, upbeat, and passionate about their work. They need to have professional equipment, a large library of music, a sharp look, a good speaking voice, and a professional attitude. You can expect to pay anywhere from $450 all the way up to well over $1000 for about 4 or 5 hours of performance time. There will most likely be additional charges for upgrades and rental such as LED up-lighting, dance club-lighting, etc. You should also be prepared to pay a deposit or retainer to reserve that particular DJ for the date of your special event. (ours in only $75 bucks)

Please keep in mind, some DJs will be more expensive than others, and some may be really cheap, but always ask yourself how important the success of your party is to you and the guests. A BAD DJ can ruin an event faster than almost any other vendor, and a Great DJ can turn any party into an unforgettable and fantastic event! You may decide that your event is so small and low key, that you’d be fine playing some tunes on your i-pod and a home stereo system, but if you don’t want to worry about the music and you want your party to be a Blast, Hire a DJ and relax and Dance the night away!

Best of Luck to you in your search for the perfect DJ for your special event. You might also like to read my article on Hiring a Wedding DJ, which has a list of questions to ask the DJ before you hire, many of which can be used when you hire a DJ for a party or special event.

Thanks,

A&W Disc Jockeys

1000 Oaks Country Club

2011-05-04T04:26:00Z

Jason and Ashley

Their reception was over at 1000 Oaks Gulf Course, and instead of Toasting with Champagne, they toasted with Champagne and Jagermeister!

The five tier cake was over 6 feet tall and made by the staff at 1000 Oaks and by the BRIDE!

They also decided to have the Platinum package with their names on a light that rotated on the dance floor all night.

The groom is a huge state fan, so notice the GREEN walls in the background...

Later in the evening the bride even got on top of the table!

Thanks again from the team over at A and W Disc Jockeys. Here is the LINK if anyone wants some of the photos, and please feel free to leave a COMMENT or TWO!

They ended the night with lanterns.

Sunnybrook Country Club

2011-05-04T04:24:00Z

1-8-11

Lee and Sarah Adams

Their reception was at Sunnybrook Country Club. It was a very intimate setting, and after all the toast Lee (groom) had a special announcement that he was taking his bride to Montego Bay, Jamaica . They were expecting on going back to work on Monday.

1000 Oaks

2010-10-19T14:56:00Z

5/3 University Club

2010-10-19T14:36:00Z

Bride and Groom

Jump on it, or Shout anyone?

Thanks again from the team over at A and W. Here is the LINK if anyone wants any of the photos.

Frederick Meijer Gardens

2010-10-19T14:16:00Z

Frederick Meijer Gardens

Austyn and Brad
9-24-10

Thanks again from the team over at A and W Disc Jockeys.

Manistee National

2010-10-14T15:03:00Z

Your BRIDE and GROOM!

They had a put for a BUCK

You can see how the Gold package lights up the whole dance floor!

Thank you to Betsy at Manistee National, and everyone who made it a fun event. Here is the LINK if anyone wants some of the photos, also please feel free to leave a comment. A and W Disc Jockeys

Cascade Hills Country Club

2010-08-30T12:11:00Z

8-28-10

Ally and John McCall

Cascade Hills Country Club was the venue, and what a great day it was. It was a bit hot out so they didn't even get a chance to ride around on the trolley. Marie Clark was the photographer, and Valerie Smies was the event Coordinator. Valerie also did the linens and the invitations.

At 8:30 Cascade Hills put out a candy bar, then later in the night they had little baby sliders and french fries. What a great idea!

Close to the end of the night Ally switched into her evening dress.

The guest wanted to hear "Thriller" and we could tell why by looking at the PICS!

Thanks again from A and W Disc Jockeys. Here is the LINK if anyone wants the pictures, and please feel free to leave a comment or two.

Thorneapple Pointe

2010-08-30T11:36:00Z

8-27-10

Shelly & Jessie Holman

Panoramic views, and they decided to have the reception right there on Thorneapple Pointe Golf Club.

Here comes the BRIDE!

After the reception they had lanterns that they lit and sent on their way.

Thanks again from A and W Disc Jockeys. Feel free to leave a comment.

Snow Moon Ranch

2010-08-18T17:27:00Z

8-14-10

Laura and Ryan Hampton

Laura and Ryan had their reception at the beautiful Snow Moon Ranch in Maple City.

DJ Dano kept them going all night long. Thanks again from the team over at A and W Disc Jockeys. Here is the LINK if anyone wants the photos, and please feel free to leave a comment.

1000 Oaks Golf Club

2010-08-15T14:49:00Z

8-14-10

Kim and Mark

Mark and Kim had strings for the ceremony, and sound from A and W Disc Jockeys. Oh yeah one of the best Photographers in the biz, Memories By Mandy. Thousand Oaks is perfect for both the reception and your ceremony.

Horderves were great, just look!

Mark even got some cake on Kim's shoulder...

Thanks again from the team over at A and W Disc Jockeys. If you want any of the picks here is the LINK. Please feel free to leave a message.

Bass Lake

2010-08-08T20:33:00Z

8-7-10

Matt and Cindy's wedding was right on Bass Lake in Pentwater Michigan. The ceremony was right by the lake and the reception was right there as well.

The weather was beautiful and they even had yard games to play.

Their cake didn't arrive until 7:30 because it was brought in from Traverse City. It was an ice cream cake made by Moomers.

Here is all three sisters!

If anyone wants any of the photos please go to this LINK.

Thanks again from the team over at A and W . Please feel free to leave a comment or two.

Felt Mansion

2010-07-28T03:19:00Z

7-16-10

Deanne and Dan Flores

Not only did these two have the reception at the Felt Mansion, but they had the ceremony there too.

Dan had his own cake, and he shared the wedding cake with his lovely bride Deanne.

Just after the ceremony at the Felt their was a cocktail hour, and then the dancing commended. Of course you can not forget their dog who was there to wish them luck.

All of the bridesmaids got together and had a special dance for the New Groom. He didn't even know about it. Dan went to get the garter off Deanne, and Next thing you know all of the women swarmed him.

They decided to go with the Platinum package so the white tent turned colors all night long.

Thanks again from the team over at A&W Disc Jockeys. Here is the LINK if you want some of the pictures. Also please feel free to leave a comment.

Grand Haven Golf Club

2010-07-17T17:01:00Z

7-10-10

Jenny and Travis Walker

Grand Haven Golf Club
Travis and Jenny had bright colors and cocktail hour was set outside by the put practice and you could put using a bat (for a Dollar) or a putter (for Two Dollars). This was another way you could not do a dollar dance and still raise some cash.

On the menu was summer squash, Parmesan rice, asparagus, and some tasty chicken. When it was time to cut the cake they both had some frosting on their face.

They went with the Gold package and DJ ADubs was using the NEW V7's.

Let's not forget that the bride and groom stand at a combined 12 feet 5 inches tall, WOW!

It was a great night and please feel free to leave a comment. If you want a link to the pictures please email us @ anthony@aandwdiscjockeys.com Thanks again from the team over at A And W Disc Jockeys.

Jackson Country Club

2010-07-06T19:20:00Z

6-26-10

Lora and Scott Webster

Jackson Country Club
Very clean lines and a beautiful facility. They not only had a cake, but also had little desserts with fruit on them. A very nice elegant touch, all done with glass blocks and rectangular cut glass.

Please feel free to leave a comment, and if you want any of the pictures that we took that evening please go to this link. Also thanks again for looking, from the team over at A and W Disc Jockeys .

A And W Disc Jockeys

A and W Disc Jockeys

Party for KIDS!

Craiglist DJ-Sounds too good to be true!

Top Wedding Videos

Good old fashion iPOD wedding?!?!? WHAT?

Same ol' Cheesy DJ

Hiring a DJ

1000 Oaks Country Club

Sunnybrook Country Club

1000 Oaks

5/3 University Club

Frederick Meijer Gardens

Manistee National

Cascade Hills Country Club

Thorneapple Pointe

Snow Moon Ranch

1000 Oaks Golf Club

Bass Lake

Felt Mansion

Grand Haven Golf Club

Jackson Country Club