Just had to vent... DJ problems

allisonny · December 2013

I have been trying to have a phone (or even email!) conversation for 35 days with my DJ (actually, I haven't met the individual who will be DJing my wedding. This is the owner I'm talking about). We kept missing each other on the phone, he would claim he had called and it went straight to voicemail but he didn't leave a message, would call me whenever he was free rather than setting up an actual meeting, etc. I sent at least 7 emails to him over this period, probably more, and only got a response to two. One said nothing about setting up a meeting, but did ask me what a vendor meal was.

This isn't his main business, and I know he also has kids, so I try to be understanding. But there have been problems with timeliness from the beginning. He emailed me last night, to schedule a phone meeting at 10 am today. He's on the east coast, and I just moved to California, so I assumed he forgot that I just moved and got up at 6:45 to call him at 7. I've been calling for an hour and a half. His voicemail is now full, and a message saying I reached his overflow voicemail box picked up, so I must not be the only one calling him. I've sent two emails. No reply.

I keep telling myself that maybe I got the time wrong, maybe his kids had a late start at school and he had to drive them, maybe he's out plowing snow (another of his many jobs...) I don't want to be a bridezilla, but I am so frustrated, and I feel like this guy keeps letting me down! I already feel like I have to tiptoe around him because I sent an email once this summer that he completely misinterpreted, and things have been edgy from then on.

What do I do?!?! Help! We've already paid this guy more than half of the total that we owe, and my wedding is in 24 days!

southernbelle0915 · December 2013

"Dear DJ -

It's been very difficult to get in touch with you so I want to make sure you have our final lists and timeline. Please confirm you received this and agree to it. Your start time is ___ at ______(venue). If you don't know how to get there, please let me know and I'll send directions. You will have ___(time) for set up. Guests will arrive at cocktail hour at ____. We'd like ____(type of music) to play from the start of cocktail hour until ____ (time) when we arrive. The schedule for that and the rest of the evening goes as follows:

WP announced: (time) (song) (names in order)

B&G announced: (time) (song) (Mr. and Mrs ____)

MOG and groom dance: follows announcement (song)

FOB and bride dance: after MOG/groom (song)

bride and groom dance: after FOB/bride (song)

Dinner music while people are being served: (type of music)

Toasts - need wireless mic: (time)

Dinner music while people finish the meal (type of music)

Cake cutting: (time) (song)

Dancing: after cake cutting.

Here's our DO NOT play list: blah blah blah

Here's our DEFINITELY play list: blah blah blah

Thanks in advance and look forward to seeing you. Again, please confirm that you received this and let me know if there are any issues with anything.

Thanks,

allisonny"

RebeccaB88 · December 2013

I think you need a new DJ. I wouldn't trust this one to even show up. Horribly, rudely unprofessional behavior on his part.

OliveOilsMom · December 2013

How big was the deposit and what does the contract say? At this point, I would be finding a new DJ.

allisonny · December 2013

Thanks Southernbelle. Unfortunately, I did already submit all of this info, on forms that the DJ provided to me about 60 days before the wedding. We were supposed to have a phone conversation to confirm these details, and to go over all of the music from the ceremony (because there wasn't a form for this, not one that he gave me at least...) My fiance and I are really into music, so we provided an EXTENSIVE song list, as well as a list of bhangra/Indian songs to include, since my fiance's family is Indian. Basically, we made the whole playlist for the guy, we just need him to be there to mix and read the crowd, announce things like the cake cutting and do the lights.

Rebecca- I have to agree that this is how I'm feeling about the situation. If we had to, we would ask our florist to do the uplighting and we'd take that playlist that I was talking about and either recruit friends to help (at least two people attending the wedding are DJs) or we'd just put on an iPod, and beg for last minute sound equipment from the venue. It would be terrible to not get our money back, and I'm not sure what's outlined in our contract if we wind up firing the DJ...

The worst part is, I had a feeling from the very beginning that this DJ might have personality problems, but he was also the most skilled of the 3 or 4 DJs that we interviewed, and had the best sound and light equipment. I am also an "email person" and like to have everything in writing, and some people just... aren't.

Has anyone out there had to fire a vendor? Advice?

It's nearly 10:00 in California, so I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and pretend that he actually meant pacific time.

Maybe I'll go bake some cookies or something. I am going crazy.

allisonny · December 2013

Olive- The deposit was $900 and the contract says very little, except they aren't liable for any damages due to "acts of God or any other events outside of its control... It is our intention to make your affair as enjoyable and memorable as possible..."

From a legal standpoint here, there are huge loopholes and vague terms.

allisonny · December 2013

Actually, that's not correct. We've paid $595 so far. That makes me feel very slightly better, but not really.

allisonny · December 2013

Finally talked to the DJ. Call forwarding didn't work, major technology breakdown. Feeling much better now.

Thanks for listening!

hlvonb · December 2013

I would still look at getting another DJ. It all just seems too weird to me.

Just had to vent... DJ problems

Re: Just had to vent... DJ problems

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