StevensDJservice.com Blog

Decorations will help set the mood. Lighting will help set the atmosphere. Flowers will give it that fresh feel. Things will all add up to give the guests and the family the correct elegance level for what you want.  Having fun can be broken down may ways and good food, drinks and music can be major factors. If the food is bad, people will leave early to go get something good to eat. If the  drinks are too expensive they will not get as loose and uninhibited. If the music is too stuffy, too loud, or not at the right level people will go to a club, go home or just sit there. Your guests all have different ideas of what to expect at your wedding. Some just want to get drunk and hook up with a bridesmaid. This is fun for them. Other want to reminisce and talk about glory days. This is fun for them. While still another group will just come for the chance to see you trip down the isle. lol. This is fun for them. I have found that after 19 years in the wedding DJ business that most people will at some point make their way to the dance floor. With good music and a little crowd participation nudging from the MC, everyone will step out a little and let it all hang out. The trick is to not overdue one genre of music for too long. Everyone wants the chance to dance. This is fun for them. A club is a young persons atmosphere and a wedding reception is a family event. Family events demand a little different style, a few songs that are somewhat cliche. Yes, I hate those songs but every kid wants to chicken dance and every drunk 40 year old wants to hear baby got back. Every mom wants to slow dance just once and this is her chance to get him out there in the last 20 years. Parents have given time, energy, love, money and everything to make sure their children has a better chance to get ahead. They deserve a few songs to glance back over the years and smile. This is fun for them. At the end of the night when the drinks have been drunk, the food has been eaten, the decorations have been yanked from the ceiling, the gifts to the room, the tuxes all gathered up, everyone will have an elegant evening and most of all hopefully have had a fun time.

So if you want to make sure you event is done your way, interview the vendors and then interview again. Once you get to know them, you might like them or not. After all you and your guests will be spending about 6 hours with them that night. Don’t trust a 15 minute phone call to the most important, fun, elegant day of your life.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

217 585 4008

www.StevensDJservice.com

So, getting sick is not an option for me. NO way, no how, can’t happen. Well, let me tell you a story about a thing called sickness can’t tell time, and if it could it woudln’t care. lol. I finish a bridal show on Saturday and head home. Not feeling my best but I’ve been on my feet all day and it was a  long show. I unload the equipment and drop the suit on the floor, climb into bed and fall asleep fast. I woke up about an hour later to get something to eat and then right back to bed. After pulling a 16 hour day it was time for some rest. At 6 AM on Sunday the pain hit me, unlike any pain I’ve ever had. It made me curl up in a little ball and scream for my mommy. OK maybe not scream but moan and groan did happen. By 8 AM I was asking my wife to call an ambulance. Sometimes you just know when it’s not right. Oh wow did I know, no doubt, no way no how, it was happening. I had my wife call my crew and set things in motion to take care of the days events. Alex took the lead and made things happen and did it right. TYVM. My mother in law and sister in law rushed over to help with the boys and off to the hospital I went. This was going to be the worst car ride ever. Every bump, every turn, every stop and start made me hurt more. I took a bucket along just in case I got sick and man my wife’s car was I glad I did. I arrive at Memorial and they were quick with wheel chair, rushed me in and got me to a quiet room with a nurse asking questions to my wife. I could not sit still, I was on fire, freezing, crawling out of my skin. I was in serious pain, the kind you wish you could just die and get it over with. The kind that hell itself unleashes on us as a reminder that we’d rather go to Heaven. So I’m sure I asked God a few things but don’t remember actually folding my hands. In comes the IV and meds, yea me. Off to a CT scan and blood work. A few more tests and they’ll have an answer. Well at this point Tinkerbell has visited me and the fairies are singing songs to the drugs. My face is warm and my feet are cold so the very nice lady in CT gives me a warming blanket. Yea me again. My wife tells me that I’m not making sense and to just be quiet. She was right, but that didn’t stop me. lol. So more drugs and more tests and then the answer, a kidney stone. OMG that little sucker hurts. But it will pass naturally, um there is nothing natural about this pain. So, back home we go.

It’s now Friday and my crew has put things together from the weekend perfectly. Everything is in the right place and ready to go for this weekend. Calls got called, copies got copied, things got done. I trained them right and they took the initiative to make things happen. WTG team. You ask what does this have to do with me? Alrighty then I’ll tell you, Everything. You’re event takes planning, time , effort and concentration. It must be prepped and set for in advance so that everything is perfect on your day. My team is the best and they made sure that when I was back up and able to move around that I didn’t have to stress about the details. Now I can relax, get better and be 100% for your event. Having an emergency plan written down, planned out and ready to be acted upon just in case something happens,  is one of the many things I do to make sure your event is as close to perfect as we can get it.  You can trust me that my plan works for your event. With a 100% customer rating and never missing an event perfect record, it’s no wonder why my clients have great events. One of the biggest things that can go wrong is the DJ not showing up. I make sure that it won’t happen. I have a great team and a back up plan with the members of the ADJA Downstate chapter. Those that plan for emergencies get through them without damage. Those that don’t have a plan will ruin the event and their reputation.

So, thank you for the prayers and get well cards. Thanks to my family for seeing me through this. Thanks to my team for making things happen, correctly. Thanks to God for only giving me what I can handle and getting me better. Thanks to the Memorial ER for treating me and getting me on the road to recovery.  Thanks to my clients for rescheduling some meetings to next week. I am so humbled and thankful for everyone in my life.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

217 585 4008

www.StevensDJservice.com

Ok so I have to admit that I was pretty set in my ways. Then I went to a national convention and met hundreds if not thousands of other DJ’s in the same position I was in. Wondering if there was more to IT. Wondering if it wasn’t too late to learn more and do more, be better and eventually make more money doing what I love. I love watching the crowd dance. I love seeing two families come together and have fun. I want to learn more and share it with my clients. I want to get better and hear back from my couples that with out my help the event wouldn’t have been as spectacular. Every time I get a chance to learn more or have an old idea taught differently it pushes me to be better. Never stop learning and your customers, clients will become your friends and testimonials to others. Word of mouth is still the best form of advertising because its the true genuine reaction to your worth. I want to be worth more, to you.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

217 585 4008

www.stevensDJservice.com

No seriously, why would you take the word of a competitor? Are you trying to convince yourself that you are not cheap or stupid! Are you trying to justify not knowing if the guy in front of you will screw you over for a buck! Are you wanting your wedding day ruined because this guy switches you to another DJ at the last minute or doesn’t show up at all!!!   Don’t think it doesn’t happen, it does. Call any banquet hall and ask if they have ever had to let a couple use the phone to call another DJ because the first guy backed out at the last minute. I know because I’ve gotten those calls, plenty. It’s horrible to think that our industry is so bad that a DJ will take advantage of a couple by booking multiple events on the same day and then only showing up to the highest priced one. The result being you get left with nothing or worse, a guy that has no clue what to do or how to do it.

My wish is that if you ask me a direct question about another DJ I will give you my opinion. But If I do my job correctly, you will be so impressed with me that you forgot about the other guy entirely. I try to recommend the good guys in my area. I try to help any DJ who really wants to learn. I try to improve myself with proper rehearsal and education.  I don’t like my competition, I love them for one simple reason, they make me look great. There are many types of DJ’s: bait and switch, take the money and run, forgot to show up, moved out of town, got sick, totally crazy, Mr. obnoxious, drunk, outside smoking, on the phone half the night, and many other worst case scenarios for DJ’s. They are out there and they are cheap, inexpensive and not able to handle your wedding due to lack of proper equipment and training i.e. experience.

I don’t want to scare you, but there are proper ways to learn and one is not at your event. On the job training should be supervised by a veteran. A rookie DJ should have rehearsal time in the office. They should tape a performance and watch it to learn what to do and most importantly what not to do. Then rehearse and re record it, critique it and learn from it again and again and again. Then submit it to a veteran for review. Never learn bad habits to the point that they become your style.  I’m a member of the ADJA – the American Disc Jockey Association. We have proper monthly training, yearly conferences, seminars, webinars, skype, F2F, workshops and much more. I will gladly help any rookie out. When you think you’re ready to handle weddings, send me your dvd and I will give you honest feedback, good, bad and ugly. Even I continue to improve, everyday with every educational possibility I can get.  Gear won’t make you better it will just make your stupidity and in-experience louder.  Never stop learning ways to improve your skills and your performance. Anyone can copy your gear, lighting and suit. But no one can copy your talent, skill, ability and performance. Many have tried and no one is even close to the original.  Take my word for it.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

1 217 585 4008

www.StevensDJservice.com

So you’ve chosen your hall, facility, gym, bar, venue, now what? Why did you choose it? Will it hold everyone you’re inviting? Will there be enough room for the band, DJ, Lights, Cake table, Gift tables, head table, reserved tables, bar, dance floor, etc.. I know the halls, venues and facilities for what will and won’t work. I know the layout and how sound will be best positioned so that everyone can hear and not get blasted out. I know where the gift tables, candy bar and other items should be placed so that the flow of the room doesn’t bottle neck and over crowd.  I know which halls are easy for vendors to get in and out of. I know which halls are handicap accessible for your guests. I know which halls are easy to work with and get a few free extras thrown in. Experience is key to a great event. I wouldn’t go to my dentist for back surgery. I wouldn’t go to my neurosurgeon for a root canal.  When choosing your wedding vendors and services keep in mind that the bar or club you love isn’t going to work for your wedding reception. The great spicy food you love will upset some of you guests delicate tummies and they will leave early. Some halls have their own caterers and you should taste test them all. See what you like and then ask them to make a few suggestions. Trust the pro, let the chef create something for you. Why choose this hall over that hall?  Simple, for a great experience.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

www.StevensDJservice.com

217 585 4008

Please hold my calls is cryptic for you are the most important thing to me right now. Your business is the one thing that I know I want. Your relationship is the only thing on my mind. Helping you get what you want is my top priority. Chances are you won’t be getting any calls right then but you want to give the client the sense that they are important to you. You want to communicate that their business means a lot to your business. Plus it sounds really cool that you are so busy that you are getting calls while in a meeting. I know the second I step behind closed doors my phone rings, my email alert goes off, my text will go BING and then I fumble to silent it. It never fails that when doing something meaningful and important you will get interrupted. So, why not use it to your advantage and let the client in front of you know how important they are to you.

BTW I put my phone on silent when in meetings, or leave it in the other room. Clear your schedule so you don’t have interruptions. But if you do, let the person in front of you know they are more important.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

217 585 4008

The definition of high price is charging more that the worth of the item, service or information. This does not mean you charge more than someone else, It means that you aren’t worth it. When you find a vehicle for purchase at one car lot and the same car at another lot: are they the same price? Probably not. There are many things that go in to calculating the sale price of those vehicles before you get a chance to buy it. The miles, the paint job, the tires, brakes, cracks in the glass, interior condition, wear and tare, overall condition plays a part in the cost. It’s  the same for your DJ, overall look, appearance, style, use of equipment and condition, suit and tie, or blue jeans. So many things go in to making the final price. Did you get the Car-fax for your vehicle? Did the DJ offer you a similar report on his services? Can they even offer a report? A great DJ can give you testimonials from past clients. A great DJ can give you letters of recommendation from other wedding services. A great DJ has a resume, business plan, insurance, subscription to a music editing service, can provide you a copy of the written contract, a time to meet and chat,  pictures of the equipment, etc.. It’s not hard for you to see the value of that car with 10,000 less miles on it but will you know what to ask in order to find the better DJ? Now you do. Ask for copies of the insurance, contract, testimonials, subscription, BBB report, national memberships, accreditation, etc.. For the great car you will ask for a test drive, a Car-fax so take the time to shop for the right DJ and not just the cheapest. Having a higher price does not mean they are high priced, it just means they are worth more. If you ask the right questions you will know the difference and who you really want to hire for your wedding.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

1 217 585 4008

www.StevensDJservice.com

You get what you pay for right? Well for the most part. When shopping weddings and going through so many things that will be needed in such a short time frame it’s best to know what you want and what it costs in relation to the success of the event. Some will argue that food is the most important part of the reception. Some will say photos are the most important. Some will say the entertainment is huge. All three are correct but which one is correct for you? I recommend doing a top ten, then top 5, then top 2. This way you and your fiance can work together as a team to have what is truly important to you on your day. You might place the end of the night with crazy dancing as the most fun and memorable thing. They might place the main course as the thing that stood out the most. Other will look for the pics online, in a book and at the next family gathering with anticipation. Narrow that list and then narrow it again. When it comes to the end result just be happy, for yourself. Don’t worry about pleasing your extended family, if you are happy then they will be. It’s your day and trying to provide a good time for everyone is important but if you’re not smiling, no one will. You can do it cheap or you can spend  a fortune. You can place all the money in one part of the day and hope for the best in everything else. OR……. You can get the best quality at a reasonable price and have a well rounded out event that everyone can walk away from with a smile, including yourself. Sure you can always find a cheaper, less expensive, lower quality vendor to do that thing. But in the end you won’t be happy. Give me a call to set up a free no stings attached one hour consultation to learn how you can have the best and still stay on budget.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

217 585 4008

www.StevensDJservice.com

Most wedding receptions are planned backwards. First the couple find what they like and then they try to figure out how to pay for it. Backwards. I can show you how by starting with the money fist you will get more for the same and be happier down the road. I rarely take credit cards as a form of payment, why? Because I want to be done and paid for after the event is over and not be the nagging bill that shows up for the next six months with your credit card statement. I want you to leave me with positive, happy memories. I think that everyone wants to enjoy their wedding but doesn’t want to plan a budget. Budget aren’t usually fun. I know that this is hard for some of you but here it is: budgets suck. But on the flip side budgets are great. Think of it as the straw that gives you the ability to get every last drop of that 12 dollar premium coffee you just bought. Well planned events have a higher success rate. Well budgeted events are even higher. As a licensed wedding consultant I can show you how to stay on budget, have fun and get more for the buck in the long run. I choose a team that can accomplish your goals, see your vision and make it happen for you. Don’t work your own event, sit back and chat with me so I can make IT happen for you.

Give me an hour and I’ll show you how to have more fun.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

www.StevensDJservice.com

217 585 4008

You can get a plain coffee,,, at home. If you go out you will have to settle for iced mocha frappe blended triple rich shot with whip on top, extra freaking large. I tend to bring a second person along to help carry it around until it’s cool enough to actually drink. I had burns on my tongue last time I drank right in. lol. But my point is that there are so many choices and the guy in front of me is always the rookie that takes 30 minutes to order. ugh.. Why are there so many choices? Because the big coffee houses figure out that by offering more options they could earn more money and charge more for almost the same things. Presentation, appearance and overall satisfaction are factors to price. So why would you call your wedding reception entertainment last? When you look at all the factors to a great night, I hope that dinner and entertainment are at the top. Great food, good drinks and some totally off the chart dance floor fun. What will your friends and family being talking about after the event? I’m sure it will be the relish tray, I can hear them now, what great celery we had. Ugh, I hope not. If you want plain old coffee you can expect to pay a lot less for it than you will a premium blended brew that fits your style and is exciting. Don’t let your entertainment be the last thing you reserve for your wedding. Plan on getting what’s right for you, interview a few and then make a choice. Until you’ve tried a few different coffees how do you know which one is your favorite?      Stevens DJ Service–your favorite wedding entertainer.

Matthew Stevens

Stevens DJ & Wedding Services

www.StevensDJservice.com

217 585 4008