It’s time to get your Priorities Straight!

But what are your priorities when it’s time to plan your wedding? As soon as you are engaged the FIRST thing you should do is read this blog… (then the rest of them I have written) … then you will be more prepared. So, what’s important to you? As a DJ I can’t imagine you having anything above me on your list… but I am realistic to know that everybody places different values on different things… so let look at the things you will “need” to have a wedding reception. You will need a DJ, a photographer, a venue (reception and ceremony… same location or two separate), somebody to make your cake (or cupcakes!), a Florist, a videographer, an officiant to marry you, caterer… the list could go on and on…

 

As a DJ that has been doing this over 20 years… I know that I can have just as much fun at a wedding in a barn at the fairgrounds as I can at a high-end winery with a breathtaking view and everywhere in between…. So, where somebody gets married doesn’t matter to me… my priority would be making sure everybody is having FUN. If you don’t hire good entertainment… people don’t stick around to enjoy the rest of the stuff…

Other people though might not share that same view… because the view is most important and kind of goes hand in hand with a photographer. The focus for some couples is the perfect venue so once that is booked…they are willing to “settle” for other vendors if their first pick isn’t available.

For some people the date is significant, and they will get married where ever is available and the other vendors they will choose by availability as long as the date is the date.

Some people must have the photographer of their dreams… they have seen their style and portfolio and can’t imagine having anybody else capture their special day.

So what do you do? … First set a budget… plan how much you are willing to spend total… then sit down with your fiancé and decide what is more important to you … I have had weddings where they have spent more on flowers for the day than they have on the DJ (I know… crazy right!?) Once you have your budget in place divide it up in percentages first… then translate it into dollar amounts… it will make sense in a minute…

 

For me I would put the DJ at like 75% but let’s put everybody at equal footing… Say your budget is $10,000… You need a DJ, A Venue, A Photographer, a Caterer, Others (Cake, Flowers etc.), Misc.  20% to the DJ… 16% to the other 5 columns. So, you allocate $2,000 to the DJ… and the others are $1,600 each. Maybe where you live… that budget might be on point… but I know I am not going to charge you $2,000…  so, take the difference and add it to the Misc. column… what’s your next thing in line for your priorities… say it’s your venue… but they charge 2500…. Luckily the Misc. column has extra.…. and you can make up the difference…. Now what’s important… good food… or good pictures… Find your first choice… see if they are in the budget… where can you shift from if they aren’t… or maybe they were less expensive than you thought… so now you have extra for other stuff… maybe now you can hire that videographer you didn’t think you could… Not only are you sticking to your budget… you are making sure to get the things that mean the most to you … You might not care about where you get married and with the same scenario above… you might have committed to $3000 for a venue… then not had enough to hire me… umm er I mean… whatever DJ you decided to go with.

 

To wrap this up, get your priorities straight and that is the order you should book things… What can you do without and what you MUST have… take your priorities and book in that order… so can’t wait to talk to you … Get me booked first because I can DJ anywhere and work with any other vendor…. But can’t party with you if somebody booked me first. Contact me here