Shakermaker Promotions

I've done many memorable weddings but one that stands out would be when both the Bride and Groom told me in advance that they hardly ever danced. With all of my Brides and Grooms I like to go over their requirements in a pre-wedding meeting a couple of weeks before their big day. I always go over the first dance(s) with them and ask them to choose a last song of the night so that we can finish off with something memorable. This couple in particular ended up dancing all night once they realised that they could have input into the music and that not all weddings have to be 'cheesy'. They couldn't think of a last song of the night so I suggested one and played Starship - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now. Every single person (120 guests) was on the dance floor at the end and when the song finished they wouldn't stop applauding. From that wedding I have done at least 4 others and every single one of them has been great. Word of mouth, recommendations or actually seeing the DJ at work is the best form of advertising there is, in my opinion!

Friendly, Welcoming, Approachable, Professional, Experienced

I am most proud of the fact that year on year I have a busy diary and that my details get passed on to others looking for a DJ as I get recommended a lot. Being a full time DJ can be hard work with lots of competition. Technology has moved on so quickly that anyone can go out with some cheap equipment and THINK they are a DJ and offer a sub standard service but experience counts in this business.

In my experience, many couples will leave the DJ / Disco until last when planning their wedding. This can sometimes be a bad move if they have their hearts set on a particular supplier as that DJ may be unavailable. Some will have no problem spending (for example) £500.00 on a wedding cake but will have a very low budget for the DJ. The wedding cake usually gets wasted and it is not going to give them a great finish to their special day. Usually their budgets are low for the DJ too. A professional DJ is worth the money. If the couple don't have a particular DJ in mind then I would advise calling a few and finding out what you get for your money. You will get a good idea what the DJ is like by speaking to them. Lastly, I would also recommend reading the small print on venue contracts. Some venues will have a resident DJ but it does not mean you have to use them! Some venues will use agencies so you may not know who is going to be your DJ. ASK to meet them. Usually you will find that the venue will not have a problem with you taking your own DJ as long as they have the correct documentation (PLI & PAT). Also, check that the venue does not have sound limiters installed as these can cause problems.

Favourite personal touch has to be the wedding I did that had an 'Only Fools & Horses' theme. Each table was named after a character from the show, the couple arrived at the venue in the yellow 3 wheeler car and at one point during the evening a Del Boy lookalike came in and went around the tables and had his photo taken with guests.

From the initial enquiry, either by email or phone I will take down some details. I will tell them that everything I have gone over with them will be put into an email and I will send a confirmed quotation. In that quotation will be a breakdown of what they get for their money (For example)... A Disco Duration of 4hrs - 4.5hrs, A full sound & lighting system, A full back up system (to avoid any disruptions to their evening), Early access and set up of the equipment (if the venue allows it) and a Pre-Wedding meeting at a convenient time to go over their expectations for the evening.

I try to provide as much information as possible so that it answers as many of their questions before they have to ask them!

If they accept the quotation I will get some additional information from them and then send them booking forms and a song request sheet. They will pay a booking fee / deposit and then that will be everything confirmed. I will keep in touch regularly and then a couple of weeks before their wedding I will either visit them at their home or meet them at their venue and go over everything with them.

I concentrate mainly on the first dance(s) and go over their song request sheet with them. It usually takes 45 minutes.

I think it totally depends on what the Bride and Groom like. I don't think it always has to be a slow song. It could be the song that reminds of them when they first met or something totally different. I think too many couples worry about the lyrics etc. It should be whatever makes them feel comfortable and puts them at ease. It will be memorable.

At the moment it is Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars but some tracks that will always get people on the dance floor are Abba - Dancing Queen, Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody, The Killers - Mr Brightside.

I would have loved to have been in T Rex. I think Marc Bolan was a genius.

I couldn't really pick a soundtrack to my own life. Possibly late 70's (Gary Numan, Blondie, Madness, Specials etc.) and the 80's (the more new romantic and SKA music and NOT the cheesier stuff!!)