iPod, Dj or Band?

 

I’m having a party, I want some music and entertainment to make the event more fun and memorable and I need to decide what to do about that!

So I need to answer the following questions and then based on my responses, check out the options 1-6 below – this allows me to make the best choice for my party based on my needs!

            

      

Based on your needs from the guide above, find your number below – this is the best advice for you at this stage in your planning!

Advice: Based on your needs and concerns for the party, it looks like your expectations of the entertainment are higher than the budget you have allocated to achieve the result you want. Seriously consider how much budget you are allocating for entertainment – at this stage you are at serious risk of the party not going the way you have planned and all of your hard work and effort being wasted because you have not allocated enough funds for the entertainment you will need to provide to know that your guests are going to have a great time!

Actions: Reallocate money from other spending (venue, food, alcohol, invitations, event coordination), to entertainment, or seek more funding from other people who want your party to be a success.

 

Advice: You and your people are easily pleased and are happy to groove along to some tunes, but its not the main focus of the event so there is no need to spend too much time and money on entertainment. You might want to hire in a sound system so that its loud enough but other than that get your play list together in iTunes and get ready to party!

Actions: Program the songs you want into an iTunes play list, and listen to it while you are doing other things at home or at work to see if it’s the right mood and that all the songs are complete and clear. Then get a sound system that will be loud enough – one from your existing stereo, or a hired one if you want it be louder or you are worried about your guests blowing up your speakers. Then test the iPod adaptor with your sound system before the party to make sure it works!

 

Advice: You want to party, your budget is tight and its not going to be the end of the world if there are few glitches or dramas on the day. So save your money and get a mate who is keen and able to DJ for you. Remember that they are just a mate helping you out so don’t be too hard on them if they have a few sound problems, the music starts a bit late, they get drunk and go a bit crazy with the songs and volume level or they make some inappropriate but hilarious gags on the microphone during the speeches. You and your crew are happy go lucky, so this will make for a fun time for everyone involved!

Actions: Organise for a mate to do the DJing and make sure they have an assistant in case they are sick or delayed on the day. Find out if they can MC as well, and if not organise an MC as well. Brief them both about how important the day is to you and the other guests and make sure they are definitely up for the responsibility. Give them a list of you and the rest of the guest’s favourite songs so they can get the right music together. Give them a basic running sheet for the event – when it starts and ends, when the key bits will happen (speeches, toasts etc). Organise a sound system for them to use and make sure someone is there to set it up and test it out the day before or early on the day to make sure its all working. If there are key songs that must work on the day, burn them on to a CD and test it on the sound system before that party.

 

Advice: You want to have some memorable entertainment but you have a strict budget. You want a live music feel and you aren’t too worried if it doesn’t all go to plan what you want is for people to have a good time and for your friends to be able to make the night great without having to spend too much money. This will make for a very friendly affair without too much formality that wont be cookie cutter perfect but also will be very personal to you and your guests.

Actions: Meet with the leader of the band and work together wit them to figure out how the entertainment will work for both the band and the guests. Ensure that the band members can MC and if needed organise a MC for the night. Organize for the band to come to your home or the venue and rehearse with you (and the MC if separate to the band) in attendance so you can all make sure everyone is on the same page and that the set up works in the party space you have arranged. Then create a basic running sheet for the event so that everyone knows when the key things are happening. Organise for them to sound check several hours before the event starts so they have plenty of time to address any last minute sound hassles.

 

Advice: You want a modern, professionally run party with a wide range of music and someone experienced making sure that everything runs smoothly both during the preparation and on the night and you think its worth investing in making sure the event runs perfectly and that people have a fun and memorable time. It is important to you that things are done well as you know that your guests will really appreciate and remember the party if the entertainment, MCing, hosting and music are of the highest quality.

Actions: Find a DJ or DJ company who you know are good based on a recommendation or your personal experience and book the DJ in for your day, ensuring that they can MC, unless you have a separate MC organised. Give the organizer a list of the music you and your guests like and all the details of the party including a running sheet. Meet with the DJ either by phone or in person to make sure they have all of the details and clearly understand your vision for the event. Mark in your diary to confirm with the DJ 1 week prior to your event to double check that all is well in the week leading up to the party.

 

Advice: You want to create a strong memory for your guests and make sure that everyone has a great time on the night. You are willing to invest in a professional entertainment experience for your nearest and dearest and it is important to you that everyone who comes appreciates that you are willing to go to great lengths to make sure they have a memorable experience. You are not so concerned with making sure everything is ultra smooth and that people can get exactly the song they want to dance to, preferring to create a powerful experience that is driven by the entertainers on the stage rather than your guests. This will be a party to remember.

Actions: Decide on the band you want and go and see them live at a gig. Speak to the lead singer during a set to see how they will treat your guests on the night and then if they pass this test speak to the whole band during a break to see if they are available for private gig and get their details. Speak with the leader of the band and find out if they are available on the day of your event and then communicate your vision for the day to them to see how they respond. If they are still interested, send them a list of the songs you think you and your gests will enjoy most as well as a basic running sheet for the day and the details of the location and the contact there so they can liaise regarding set up and pack up. Find out of the lead singer can MC, and if not organise an MC. Mark in your diary to confirm with the band 2 weeks before the day to check that all is well leading up to the event so that you will have time to make alternative arrangements if anything goes wrong. If you are ultra cautious you may want to also organise an iPod as a back up (see option 2)