What to Ask a DJ - any thoughts on Midwest Sound & Light?

KittE7

Hi ladies,
I'm in DJ-seeking mode, and before I ask any more questions of Midwest Sound & Light, I'd like to read more reviews/recommendations from people who have used them for their wedding. I did find a couple on the Minneapolis Bio google page. (One happy, one notsomuch.)

Mostly, I'd like to know if they did a good job of blending your fave music w/more danceable picks - and staying away from stuff you find atrocious or TriTE.
We are assembling our own playlist for the cocktail hour (iPod) & have our dinner-ideas set.  We do not want a dollar dance, flaming torches show (seriously, one review said the DJ wanted to do that), garter toss... just a fun dinner party-turned hip nightclub!

Moving forward w/ vendor Q&A, what should I ask potential DJs?

Thanks!

amberh0515

Before I booked them at the wedding fair, I checked out Weddingwire.com (link).

I just asked them how long they could be at my reception for, when they needed to get in to the venue, and what they required (tables, outlets, etc.). Hope that helps!

Katiemahler

Ask them for previous client references, granted they'll pick ones that liked their service, but you'll start to get an idea of what type of service they provide to ensure it matches with yours.

KittE7

Thank you both!

[QUOTE]Before I booked them at the wedding fair, I checked out Weddingwire.com (link) . I just asked them how long they could be at my reception for, when they needed to get in to the venue, and what they required (tables, outlets, etc.). Hope that helps!
Posted by hook0515[/QUOTE]

Yeah, we covered that when they gave me a quote at the w-fair... Are you giving the DJ a reception dinner or vendor dinner?  They'd be starting to play at 6:30 at ours, so I'm guessing it would be best if they just ate beforehand.

I guess I just need to find out if they - or other DJs we look at - can mix the need for playing dance music while avoiding wedding reception cliches.  We might just make the whole playlist ourselves... well, that'll be FI's job!

strangisj

I'm using BlueEyes Entertains Us and they have a great "What to ask a DJ" questionare. Hope his helps!  

http://blueyesentertains.us/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/BEP_40Questions.pdf

brimaven

Although we haven't had our wedding yet, we are also using Midwest. we met them at the perfect wedding guide show in Feb and talked to Jamie, and then in person at their office, where we met with Hart. We asked them about being able to choose the music and they showed us how to use their planning form to be able to choose anything we want as well as what we don't. Like you i am not into the cliche wedding songs (chicken dance, love shack, etc) they said that it'd be no problem to avoid those. We have seen them at a number of weddings and every time the DJ was great. All of our friends and family members have used them and reccommended them. Certainly it is impossible for ANY company to make all of the people happy all the time. I have to say they have been very accomodating, and I don't think you need to worry.  As far as dinner is concerned i don't know why it would be an issue if the DJ had a plate and ate at their table like everyone else. Just a couple of thoughts. Good luck!

KittE7

thank you! i'll ask for client refs... how do i know which DJ i'm getting?  and does it matter?

I have to say, they are being a bit annoying right now... I got several calls after the wedding fair in Feb... I told Hart that we were busy nailing down other very important details (oh, like a reception contract, and my dress, and ceremony locations)... so I'd appreciate if we continued talking in mid-March.  Then I started receiving a phone call 2x/week from all different employees. Now they're calling me every other day. 
They were threatening to invalidate my quote & wanted me to come in for a meeting & contract review right away... so I tried to make an appt to keep the quote active & meet "right away", but they were completely booked! 

They seem nice, they seem willing to formulate a good DJ set & respect our requests, but ggggaaahhhh they are annoying me! {Don't tell me to come in right away if you aren't even available right away!}

RTrepanier

We had midwest sound and loved our DJ - Mike.  From what he said, he really enjoys working for the company (he has his own DJ company too, but takes jobs through MW Sound) and says it is the most organized option around.

Relating to your questions:
Yes, they had a very extensive survey for us to fill out for our wants/desires down to the song and artist.  We met with the DJ prior to our event and covered all special songs specifically to make sure the company had the right arrangement we wanted.  He also did a nice job at keeping the dance music to the end of the night and playing more crowd pleasers early on, which is what we wanted. 

Moving forward w/ vendor Q&A, what should I ask potential DJs? Just be honest with what you and FI want, any good DJ will not argue with you but will give industry recommendations and then let you ultimately decide what to include in your party. 

Any questions, PM me.  GOOD LUCK!