DJ reviews

DaraK

I've been looking around for DJ's and from what I've read from everyone the DJ company and DJ Bri Swatek seem to be everyone's favorites.  When I looked at the DJ Company's packages they have one for $750 for the DJ and another for $1500 for a DJ and an MC.  Did anyone just get the package for just the DJ and were you happy with that?  When I asked what would be different from having just a DJ and having a DJ and MC I was told that the DJ would provide the music but the MC would act as the coordinator of all the vendors, make sure they're all on the same page, and announce key moments of the evening, like the cutting of the cake.  But doesn't the DJ traditionally do that?  Any adivce?

Thanks,
Dara

mocknine

I used Jimmy Dee, and had a DJ and an MC.  The DJ strictly played the music.  The MC did all the introductions and any other important announcements.  He also was the liaison with my venue's matre d', and my photographer.  

I think traditionally the MC is better at the introductions and any announcing (and is more "front and center"), and the DJ's forte is more picking and mixing music....  if that makes sense?

smatuza

agree with PP, i had both

kristinanddan

We also had both

chrisnjay2010

agree with PP's we had both.

ssage

I used DJ Bri and it is just him...I honestly did not notice an issue of not having an MC...not saying having one is a bad thing, but I thought he did a good job of doing both

camceverett

We had The DJ Company for our wedding and got the DJ and MC.  Our MC handled all of the announcements, but also made sure that everyone had a great time.  He interacted with all of our guests, and coordinated the multiple vendors we had on premise to assure that everything we wanted was taken care of.   I personally couldn't see having a wedding without an MC, unless it was a smaller, simple wedding without the formalities and demand that a traditional wedding normally has.

TerriandJoe

We also used DJ Bri. (He is awesome by the way) We had a tradtional wedding with all the formalities and he was perfect. He is just him so he is a DJ who also acts as an MJ for all the important stuff.

You may not feel that you need a DJ and MC. And you probably, don't need two people if the one DJ you hire will act as an MC and make announcements. DJ Bri will (also MC Fish will. He was the DJ at my sisters wedding and he did a good job)

Most of the indivdual guys that are in business for themself will do both for the events they work at. The problem is when you look at "companies" where they have on staff a DJ and an MC. And they have prices based on DJ and DJ and MC pacakges. Basically, in these companies the DJ's don't talk. They play music. And that's it. If you want an intro, they make you hire one of their MC's (and pay the price). You might think, that you only want "simple" announcements and shouldn't a DJ be able to do them. Of course they should, but the way that these companies write up their contracts, their DJs may not say anything.

If you go with an individual who is a DJ who will also act as your MC that's a good option, and not only that, they know what they are doiing!

(Their was a girl on here practically in tears a few months ago because she found out a few weeks before her wedding that her "DJ" didn't talk, so she had to re-write her contract and pay double to get the DJ and also get a seperate MC.)

Do you need both a DJ and an MC? No.

But do you need someone to make announcements (and introduce you and your groom? Yes.  So make sure you ask when looking.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

M2N

Does anyone know the difference in prices between Jimmy Dee and DJ Bri and did they seem to know all of the music that you requested?

TerriandJoe

Not sure what Jimmy Dee charges, but DJ Bri was $1200 when we booked him a year ago. (Not sure if he is still the same price) But he has a planner that he has you fill out with the special songs (first dance, parent dances, cake, etc). There are also areas on the planner where it asks you for your "must play" "suggested play" and "DO NOT play" songs. The planner even has a types of music section where you can indicate if you want a lot of one type of music and just a few  songs of another type. (It lists the types of music out for you)  He also emailed me a great "Top 200 most requested songlist" We used that quick a bit to hi-light the must plays, check the "suggested plays" and cross out the do not play songs. It was great because there are so many songs out there and this was a good general "top 200" most requested songs at weddings list.

He was really wonderful.

But, just remember, no matter who you ultimately decide to use for your wedding, any respected DJ should listen to your musical preferences for what you want at your wedding. They all ask you to make a list of "must play" and "do not play" songs.

Go with the one that you feel will give you the right "vibe" for the reception you envision.

Good luck!