Selecting your Wedding Professionals

How do you choose a reputable wedding professional? Well ... the answer is to keep looking and talking to them until you find the ones that are right for you ... you will be comfortable with them and they have heard what you are saying as they understand what you have in mind.

• Trust your own judgement ... don't go to someone you do not feel comfortable with just because your best friend said they were good ... maybe they are good, but maybe they're not the ones for you.
• Is their shop or premises clean, professional and comfortable? If there is staff involved...do the staff members understand your requirements as well?
• Are they busy? True professionals are booked well in advance.
• Have they been in the wedding industry for a while? Have any of your friends heard anything to the detriment of their business?
• Are you comfortable with them and have they really understood what you have been explaining to them?
• Are you comfortable with the time schedule they have worked out with you for their services?
• Are you happy with the fee charged? If so, pay your deposit to secure their services.
• Have you negotiated the payment details so that each party is completely clear as to the terms and conditions?

More specific thoughts on your choice of DJ / entertainment for your Reception.

• Does the DJ you have chosen also do the MC job? If so, have you heard him doing this at another wedding?
• Does your entertainment have crowd participation skits and do they talk personally to the audience? It is easy to play the music but do they entertain? Are the crowd participation skits in good taste and would they appeal to your guests?
• How long does it take for them to set up?
• Do they carry lights?
• Does your DJ have a cloth table skirt or are they going to use a draped table cloth?
• What is their wedding attire?
• When does their clock start ticking and how much for additional overtime?
• Do they have a web site or e-mail for you to communicate with?
• Be sure to ask for satisfied clients you could go and speak with. Also, are they recommended by other reception venues / photographers etc?
• Do they have any thank you letters from past brides for you to review?
• Entertainment can make or break a reception. If you are unsure, ask for permission to go out and see them perform. Better to be safe than sorry. If they really know their job, they will be happy for you to come and see them in action.. it takes the worry away from them too
• Do you want entertainment that is background to the wedding proceedings, or do you really want to be entertained by them with the wedding proceedings in the background?
• Be sure that the music selection is to your taste and to the taste of your guests... perhaps it is not wise to choose modern music if they majority of your guests are 40+
  

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