dj contract question -- need advice!

kn2130 · October 2009

Hi ladies,I am about to sign my DJ contract and there is something that I am a little unsure of. I need a bilingual DJ and MC, since most of my reception is going to be in Spanish.They have already secured a person who can serve as either DJ or MC for the wedding, but have not been able to get in contract with this other person they thought would be a good fit given the language requirement. I spoke to the one person they found and felt pretty comfortable with him and his ability to speak Spanish. (But there's basically still one person they haven't decided on).The company did not put the name of th DJ or the MC on the contract and when I asked about it, they said they dont usually put the name of the MC/DJ in case of an emergency. So, anyway, I asked what the back up plan would be for these two people and she basically told me not to worry about it, that they will def have a back up. I wrote back saying that I've heard great things about their company, but that this particular issue is important because i know it can be more difficult to find a spanish speaking person if its necessary. So she responded saying that emergencies rarely happen, but if it would be okay if he just wrote on the contract that there would be a bilingual back up if necessary.what do you ladies think? does this sound shady?sorry for the long post.thanks so much!!!karina

jilliibabii · October 2009

No, this does not sound shady at all. I think as long as it is written on the contract that any back up person they have will be bilingual, you should be fine. My particular DJ/MC's names are not on my contract either.

kn2130 · October 2009

thanks so much. I read some articles that said the contract should state the name of the person, and some other knotties i've emailed have mentioned their contracts have dj names...

jilliibabii · October 2009

I was told the same thing for the reasoning behind it. And really, I'm not too particular about who is DJing/MCing as long as they follow the guidelines I give them. Who are you using by the way?

kn2130 · October 2009

I'm using Top Notch... Yeah, i guess it's different for me, i'm particular because it has to be someone who speaks spanish and i'm comfortable with their fluency... agh!!! thanks again!

Diana&Josh · October 2009

I think that you are fine as long as they state that in the contract like they had said.

eileen101010 · October 2009

I have heard nightmares about the larger dj companies that can't deliever on their promises. They should include the names of the entertainer and if they are unable to attend disount should apply. That's why I selected east end entertainment, they are hands on owners who truly care about your wedding. I don't know if they are bilingual adios

Sandey · October 2009

If there's someone you want and you've met them and feel comfortable with them, you should definitely have them written into the contract. I would, also, make sure you've met their back up and have that name written into the contract as the back-up since you're pretty strongly attached to making sure this is someone who's fluency, accent, etc. are at your comfort level. Otherwise, they could stick you with someone who has a basic mastery of college spanish and you could be disappointed. Certainly emergencies happen and you can have something written into your contract that acknowledges that and makes provisions (including a steep discount, etc.) if they don't produce what they promise. But I would have it all written into the contract. I hate to say that all larger companies are out to bilk us (that would be unfair, untrue, and silly) but when they need to hustle and have people at their disposal, the larger companies will often do what they have to do to make the accommodations THEY feel are meeting their contractual obligations but don't necessarily meet our vision of what we wanted or thought was implied in the contract. My twenty-five cents...

slbriz34 · November 2009

Just remember, the contract is your only proof of what you've agreed to. What you say to one another won't matter, if you needed to combat something later, since you reduced everything into a writing and failed to have it lay out all the specifics. Personally, there are plenty of very good DJs with bilingual DJ/MC that if they cannot give you a specific name in the contract, I personally would be concerned. They could always have the name written and add an emergency clause, which many do, in case the person cannot attend your event. Not sure what your budget is, but I'd check out Colorblind Productions. I met with them and it was a tough choice, but I ultimately went with another. Rob has done both Spanish and Portuguese weddings and you can find clips of their work on their blog and youtube. GL.