The music you choose for your event will set its mood and energy. It will help make or break your party. If you're planning a speaking segment or engagement, poor sound can diminish the message. We've provided a few ideas for making sure your music and sound is loud, clear and ensures an enjoyable event!

Book Bands/DJs in Advance!

• Typically you can book a DJ/Band as far as 6 months in advance.

Remember the meter is running!

• If your party includes a garter/bouquet toss, cake cutting or other special events, these things will take time away from the total amount of music played. In a typical evening, only about 50 songs are played.

Do They Take Requests?

• Your guests will stay longer if their requests are being played.
• Be sure to choose between 10 to 15 songs you would like to hear to fill in the gaps.

TOO Risky!

• If there are certain songs you do not want played, make sure to notify the DJ in advance.

Personalize It

• If your event is a wedding, be sure to tell your DJ or band your first song, father/daughter song and wedding party's song.

Know Their Music.

• Ask for a demo tape and listen for yourself
• With what event themes do they have experience?

What's the Sound System Like?

• Acoustics can be very different in a variety of facilities. High ceilings, walls and floors provide many surfaces for sound to "bounce" off of and cause difficulty with acoustics. Hanging fabric from the walls, draping it from the ceilings and angling speakers in a higher, yet downward position can improve acoustic abilities dramatically.

Book Them at an Earlier Time

• Bands often start a little late, so accommodate for it. Tell the band you want them to start playing 15 to 30 minutes before the party.

Can't Afford the High Rates?

• Music is a must for cocktail and dinner functions. If you can't afford a band, what about a soloist - keyboard guitar or even a sexy saxophone? If you can't afford live music, you should use tapes or CDs - with music selections in keeping with the party.

Bands

Advantage

• A good live band will usually do more than perform the music. They have the ability to monitor the crowd for the appropriate music at the appropriate time, and will usually adjust their performance depending on the guests' reaction.

DJ's

Advantage

• DJ's will have recorded music at your request. This allows you to choose the music performed by the artists you want to hear. Also, DJ's usually cost half of the price of a live band and are a good economical way for providing continuous entertainment for your special event.

Smart Questions to ask potential Bands/DJs:

• Are they available for your event date?
• Have they ever played for an event of your type?
• What types of music do they play?
• Have they ever played at your event's facility?
• What exactly are you getting with their cost?
• How many members are in the band?
• Do they provide a lighting system?
• Do they provide staging?
• How many sets do they play? Length of the sets?
• Do they provide taped background music during their breaks between sets?
• What do they wear?
• What are their electrical requirements?

Source: Hospitality Networks -- www.eventplanning.com

*Event Tip: Be sure to hold a sound check prior to arriving attendees at your event. Turn the sound up a notch or two to compensate for the sound that will be absorbed by people and chatter!

Some Suggested Party Themes and Complementary Music

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