FAQs
I recognize that most of my clients don’t hire music entertainment very often. In fact, many people don’t really know what to ask when hiring a DJ service, so I’ve assembled this list of most frequently asked questions to help you learn more about my service and to help you make a more informed decision about the music entertainment for your event.
HOW FAR AHEAD SHOULD WE BOOK YOUR SERVICE?
It depends upon the date. Some clients choose to contract a year or more in advance, while some find themselves attempting to book several months prior to their event only to be disappointed to find most good DJs will be already booked. It pays to be proactive and book as far ahead as possible. Saturdays are the busiest nights for wedding events. Waiting too long to hire a DJ (or any wedding vendor service) for a Saturday night might lead to disappointment. A deposit will be required to secure a date for your event. The cost of the deposit will depend on the extent of the service being contracted.
WHAT ARE YOUR RATES?
Rates vary depending on level of performance needed and upon the date, time needed, location, package chosen, your specific needs and other variables that can impact the final rate. Feel free to call me to discuss the rate for your particular event. Each event has a different time frame and need for equipment. It is very helpful for me to understand every aspect of each event to accommodate for the right equipment, setup time, distance to travel, special requests, etc. A typical 6 hour wedding reception runs as much as $1100 for prime time Saturday events and can vary in price for other days and perhaps fewer hours needed.
HOW MUCH IS YOUR DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT?
I generally require a $250 deposit to lock in the date for most events, however it can be as much as $450 if the contract includes not only DJ services, but also photo booth and special up-lighting services. My web site will be accepting PayPal payment options soon. By paying with a credit card, there will be a surcharge to cover the cost of using merchant services.
DO YOU CHARGE FOR TRAVEL AND LODGING IF REQUIRED?
Travel charges depend upon the circumstances. We normally do not charge travel for events 40 miles from the metro Grand Rapids area. Beyond that, it depends upon the distance involved. If the miles exceed the normal accepted distance of 40 miles to the venue location, consideration of mileage will be considered and quoted appropriately. Over the past 5 years, I have been contracted to provide DJ service at northern Michigan destinations such as Petoskey, Gaylord and Traverse City. Because my business's home location is in Grand Rapids, I do charge additionally for lodging. Often times, there are very few good DJs to chose from in some of Michigan's more northern cities. The best one's book up quickly. That is generally when couples resort to hiring DJ's from more southern cities. More often than not, I get booked for out of town events because couples understand that my services are top notch and consistent.
CAN WE CHOOSE THE MUSIC?
Absolutely. It’s your event! While I am happy to make suggestions, you have total control over the music that is played at your event. I have had clients who chose every single song to be played; as well, there are clients who leave it entirely up to me, and everything in between.
DO YOU HAVE CURRENT MUSIC?
My music library is updated every week with digital songs of various genres, so the most current music is available. There are 1000s of songs in the library. I am prepared to download songs while at events as they are being requested if in case they are not in the library. It is impossible to maintain a library of music with every song cross section. The average song cost DJs $1.29 each. We pay for our music to conform to industry guidelines. Please let me know if you have specific songs or artists you want played at your event. If the music for your event is well outside of what we will refer to as MainStream, (i.e.) the thousands of new Indie song titles that are coming each month, it would not be unusual for any DJ to request assistance in covering the cost of that music if it is specifically called out for for an event.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T HAVE A SONG WE WANT, CAN WE BRING OUR OWN CDS DIGITAL MUSIC?
Chances are I will have the music you are looking for. Many of my clients bring their own CDs or MP3′s for any rare songs they don’t think I will have. I am happy to play any music you wish to provide in addition to the normal library of choices. Should there be a special song you need that neither of us has, we will attempt to locate and purchase that song for you. We cannot guarantee that a particular song is in print or is available, but we rarely come across a client request that we cannot accommodate.
WHAT ARE THE TRADITIONAL CEREMONY SONGS?
Most of our clients ask us to play prelude music prior to the ceremony, along with a wedding processional for the bridal entrance and a wedding recessional for the exit from the ceremony. Occasionally, I am asked to play special songs for the seating of special family members or the entrance of the bridal party. Also, music can accompany any special moments that sometimes occur during the wedding ceremony (like a candle lighting or sand ceremony for instance).
WHEN DO WE NEED TO COMPLETE OUR SONG SELECTIONS AND RECEPTION DETAILS PAGE?
Ideally, I recommend that you return your planner to me at least two to three weeks prior to your event. This gives me time to look for specific songs requests and to help put the right questions together to fully encompass all the details of your event in a final event itinerary which will be sent to couples to approve prior to their event.
WILL THE DJ HELP WITH ANNOUNCEMENTS?
Of course. This is a significant part or what I do for your event. Your event has access to a wireless and wired mic making it convenient to make announcements and to help coordinate activities at your event. These activities and announcements are planned with you ahead of time so there are no surprises or disappointments at your event.
WHAT DO YOU WEAR FOR OUR EVENT?
Unless directed otherwise, for wedding receptions, you can expect that I will present in a formal tuxedo. Other events may necessitate semi-formal attire (jacket, tie, dress shoes & slacks). For casual outdoor events I might wear something like a Polo shirt and Khakis. Expected dress attire is discussed in pre-event meetings.
WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
PTAK Entertainment uses state-of-the-art, professional-grade sound equipment. I prefer QSC and Mackie active speaker systems for high quality sound. At your disposal, I have a wireless and a wired microphone for toasts and announcements, a significant array of dance floor lights with 10' truss system, and access to an array of LED wireless up-lighting, projection equipment and top-of-the-line Photo Booth with all the accessories.
DO YOU HAVE A BACKUP SYSTEM?
Yes. A backup DJ and/or sound system is on call in the event of an emergency.
HOW MANY DJS ARE ON YOUR STAFF?
Only one...myself - besides several partnering DJs that make up the backup system.
WHAT TIME WILL THE DJ ARRIVE?
You can expect that all the equipment will be setup and test run at least 30 minutes prior to guests arriving. It typically takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours to set up the sound system and lights depending of the level of the equipment needs, but I prefer arriving extra early just in case.
SPECIAL REQUESTS?
Please let me know if you have special needs to consider. At a previous reception, I performed at an event in which a guest challenged with epilepsy. Because of that, I was asked not to run any flashing dance floor lights in consideration of their condition. I took this very seriously, but found myself caught off guard when the subject came up for the first time after dancing for all guests had already started. I should have been informed prior to the event. It resulted in other guests not understanding why I wasn't running the moving and flashing dance floor lights. It did not leave a very good impression of my services, but it was the customer who made the request. As a professional, I had no other choice but to grant their requests.
WHAT DO YOU NEED THE FACILITY TO PROVIDE FOR YOU?
I require grounded electrical outlets, ideally within 20 feet from where the equipment will be set up. Generally I provide my own table and stand. Many times, I will contact an unfamiliar venue to discuss access to light dimming functions and accessibility. For the best sound and lighting equipment set-up, I like to be offered a space of 15 ft. wide by 7 ft. deep for the most ideal sound projection and dance floor light configuration. I can work with in a smaller foot print, but the setup can loose its functionality and eye appeal. 15'x7' is the most preferred, and like I suggested, have had to work with a smaller footprint. If a venue is told what I need for space, they can generally accommodate. One of the biggest challenges is that a venue will setup their movable dance floor too close to a wall, leaving very little space for my equipment and forces my equipment to reside on the dance floor. If my equipment touches the dance floor, vibrations can make CDs skip when played and can make for tripping hazards for the guests.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE DJ DOESN’T SHOW UP?
If this ever happens, you’ve hired the wrong company. But let’s think of worst case scenarios for a moment. On the way to your event, hypothetically, the DJ is involved in a serious accident (knock on wood). At some point, someone will notice that the DJ has not arrived (usually the event venue coordinator) and will call my emergency number. If the DJ cannot be contacted, our backup will be immediately dispatched to your event. Depending upon the timing, the music may start a few minutes late, worst case. By comparison, with 99% of the other companies out there, you would simply be out of luck. No music, unless you can find a phone book and get lucky.
DO YOU NEED TO SEE THE ROOM YOU’LL BE WORKING IN BEFORE THE DAY OF MY EVENT?
Almost never. I’ve worked in every possible situation in our over the past 16 years and can make virtually any room or area work. Again, this is something that gets discussed in pre-event planning. If I feel it necessary, I don't hesitate to visit a venue I have never been to if there are concerns.
WHY SHOULD WE CHOOSE PTAK Entertainment OVER ANY OTHER SERVICE?
Because I believe that you are going to be provided the best service in the region. I pay attention to every detail and every effort is made at every event that is goes flawlessly. You are hiring exceptional talent and equipment to make your event a success.
You are contracting me to make you look good, not for me to make myself look good. No egos, showboating or embarrassing behavior - just a professional in place to serve you.
The DJ will “make-or-break” the party. A great DJ means a great party and an event you will never forget, regardless of any other circumstances. A bad DJ will send people home early and probably ruin the night, no matter how much you have invested into the rest of the event. Good food and cake does not make up for a DJ job gone bad.
Truly, the DJ might be the most critical decision one can make when planning an event. You cannot find a higher quality DJ service in the region, with fair prices that reflect the quality you will receive. I hope to have the opportunity to serve you.
I recognize that most of my clients don’t hire music entertainment very often. In fact, many people don’t really know what to ask when hiring a DJ service, so I’ve assembled this list of most frequently asked questions to help you learn more about my service and to help you make a more informed decision about the music entertainment for your event.
HOW FAR AHEAD SHOULD WE BOOK YOUR SERVICE?
It depends upon the date. Some clients choose to contract a year or more in advance, while some find themselves attempting to book several months prior to their event only to be disappointed to find most good DJs will be already booked. It pays to be proactive and book as far ahead as possible. Saturdays are the busiest nights for wedding events. Waiting too long to hire a DJ (or any wedding vendor service) for a Saturday night might lead to disappointment. A deposit will be required to secure a date for your event. The cost of the deposit will depend on the extent of the service being contracted.
WHAT ARE YOUR RATES?
Rates vary depending on level of performance needed and upon the date, time needed, location, package chosen, your specific needs and other variables that can impact the final rate. Feel free to call me to discuss the rate for your particular event. Each event has a different time frame and need for equipment. It is very helpful for me to understand every aspect of each event to accommodate for the right equipment, setup time, distance to travel, special requests, etc. A typical 6 hour wedding reception runs as much as $1100 for prime time Saturday events and can vary in price for other days and perhaps fewer hours needed.
HOW MUCH IS YOUR DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT?
I generally require a $250 deposit to lock in the date for most events, however it can be as much as $450 if the contract includes not only DJ services, but also photo booth and special up-lighting services. My web site will be accepting PayPal payment options soon. By paying with a credit card, there will be a surcharge to cover the cost of using merchant services.
DO YOU CHARGE FOR TRAVEL AND LODGING IF REQUIRED?
Travel charges depend upon the circumstances. We normally do not charge travel for events 40 miles from the metro Grand Rapids area. Beyond that, it depends upon the distance involved. If the miles exceed the normal accepted distance of 40 miles to the venue location, consideration of mileage will be considered and quoted appropriately. Over the past 5 years, I have been contracted to provide DJ service at northern Michigan destinations such as Petoskey, Gaylord and Traverse City. Because my business's home location is in Grand Rapids, I do charge additionally for lodging. Often times, there are very few good DJs to chose from in some of Michigan's more northern cities. The best one's book up quickly. That is generally when couples resort to hiring DJ's from more southern cities. More often than not, I get booked for out of town events because couples understand that my services are top notch and consistent.
CAN WE CHOOSE THE MUSIC?
Absolutely. It’s your event! While I am happy to make suggestions, you have total control over the music that is played at your event. I have had clients who chose every single song to be played; as well, there are clients who leave it entirely up to me, and everything in between.
DO YOU HAVE CURRENT MUSIC?
My music library is updated every week with digital songs of various genres, so the most current music is available. There are 1000s of songs in the library. I am prepared to download songs while at events as they are being requested if in case they are not in the library. It is impossible to maintain a library of music with every song cross section. The average song cost DJs $1.29 each. We pay for our music to conform to industry guidelines. Please let me know if you have specific songs or artists you want played at your event. If the music for your event is well outside of what we will refer to as MainStream, (i.e.) the thousands of new Indie song titles that are coming each month, it would not be unusual for any DJ to request assistance in covering the cost of that music if it is specifically called out for for an event.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T HAVE A SONG WE WANT, CAN WE BRING OUR OWN CDS DIGITAL MUSIC?
Chances are I will have the music you are looking for. Many of my clients bring their own CDs or MP3′s for any rare songs they don’t think I will have. I am happy to play any music you wish to provide in addition to the normal library of choices. Should there be a special song you need that neither of us has, we will attempt to locate and purchase that song for you. We cannot guarantee that a particular song is in print or is available, but we rarely come across a client request that we cannot accommodate.
WHAT ARE THE TRADITIONAL CEREMONY SONGS?
Most of our clients ask us to play prelude music prior to the ceremony, along with a wedding processional for the bridal entrance and a wedding recessional for the exit from the ceremony. Occasionally, I am asked to play special songs for the seating of special family members or the entrance of the bridal party. Also, music can accompany any special moments that sometimes occur during the wedding ceremony (like a candle lighting or sand ceremony for instance).
WHEN DO WE NEED TO COMPLETE OUR SONG SELECTIONS AND RECEPTION DETAILS PAGE?
Ideally, I recommend that you return your planner to me at least two to three weeks prior to your event. This gives me time to look for specific songs requests and to help put the right questions together to fully encompass all the details of your event in a final event itinerary which will be sent to couples to approve prior to their event.
WILL THE DJ HELP WITH ANNOUNCEMENTS?
Of course. This is a significant part or what I do for your event. Your event has access to a wireless and wired mic making it convenient to make announcements and to help coordinate activities at your event. These activities and announcements are planned with you ahead of time so there are no surprises or disappointments at your event.
WHAT DO YOU WEAR FOR OUR EVENT?
Unless directed otherwise, for wedding receptions, you can expect that I will present in a formal tuxedo. Other events may necessitate semi-formal attire (jacket, tie, dress shoes & slacks). For casual outdoor events I might wear something like a Polo shirt and Khakis. Expected dress attire is discussed in pre-event meetings.
WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
PTAK Entertainment uses state-of-the-art, professional-grade sound equipment. I prefer QSC and Mackie active speaker systems for high quality sound. At your disposal, I have a wireless and a wired microphone for toasts and announcements, a significant array of dance floor lights with 10' truss system, and access to an array of LED wireless up-lighting, projection equipment and top-of-the-line Photo Booth with all the accessories.
DO YOU HAVE A BACKUP SYSTEM?
Yes. A backup DJ and/or sound system is on call in the event of an emergency.
HOW MANY DJS ARE ON YOUR STAFF?
Only one...myself - besides several partnering DJs that make up the backup system.
WHAT TIME WILL THE DJ ARRIVE?
You can expect that all the equipment will be setup and test run at least 30 minutes prior to guests arriving. It typically takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours to set up the sound system and lights depending of the level of the equipment needs, but I prefer arriving extra early just in case.
SPECIAL REQUESTS?
Please let me know if you have special needs to consider. At a previous reception, I performed at an event in which a guest challenged with epilepsy. Because of that, I was asked not to run any flashing dance floor lights in consideration of their condition. I took this very seriously, but found myself caught off guard when the subject came up for the first time after dancing for all guests had already started. I should have been informed prior to the event. It resulted in other guests not understanding why I wasn't running the moving and flashing dance floor lights. It did not leave a very good impression of my services, but it was the customer who made the request. As a professional, I had no other choice but to grant their requests.
WHAT DO YOU NEED THE FACILITY TO PROVIDE FOR YOU?
I require grounded electrical outlets, ideally within 20 feet from where the equipment will be set up. Generally I provide my own table and stand. Many times, I will contact an unfamiliar venue to discuss access to light dimming functions and accessibility. For the best sound and lighting equipment set-up, I like to be offered a space of 15 ft. wide by 7 ft. deep for the most ideal sound projection and dance floor light configuration. I can work with in a smaller foot print, but the setup can loose its functionality and eye appeal. 15'x7' is the most preferred, and like I suggested, have had to work with a smaller footprint. If a venue is told what I need for space, they can generally accommodate. One of the biggest challenges is that a venue will setup their movable dance floor too close to a wall, leaving very little space for my equipment and forces my equipment to reside on the dance floor. If my equipment touches the dance floor, vibrations can make CDs skip when played and can make for tripping hazards for the guests.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE DJ DOESN’T SHOW UP?
If this ever happens, you’ve hired the wrong company. But let’s think of worst case scenarios for a moment. On the way to your event, hypothetically, the DJ is involved in a serious accident (knock on wood). At some point, someone will notice that the DJ has not arrived (usually the event venue coordinator) and will call my emergency number. If the DJ cannot be contacted, our backup will be immediately dispatched to your event. Depending upon the timing, the music may start a few minutes late, worst case. By comparison, with 99% of the other companies out there, you would simply be out of luck. No music, unless you can find a phone book and get lucky.
DO YOU NEED TO SEE THE ROOM YOU’LL BE WORKING IN BEFORE THE DAY OF MY EVENT?
Almost never. I’ve worked in every possible situation in our over the past 16 years and can make virtually any room or area work. Again, this is something that gets discussed in pre-event planning. If I feel it necessary, I don't hesitate to visit a venue I have never been to if there are concerns.
WHY SHOULD WE CHOOSE PTAK Entertainment OVER ANY OTHER SERVICE?
Because I believe that you are going to be provided the best service in the region. I pay attention to every detail and every effort is made at every event that is goes flawlessly. You are hiring exceptional talent and equipment to make your event a success.
You are contracting me to make you look good, not for me to make myself look good. No egos, showboating or embarrassing behavior - just a professional in place to serve you.
The DJ will “make-or-break” the party. A great DJ means a great party and an event you will never forget, regardless of any other circumstances. A bad DJ will send people home early and probably ruin the night, no matter how much you have invested into the rest of the event. Good food and cake does not make up for a DJ job gone bad.
Truly, the DJ might be the most critical decision one can make when planning an event. You cannot find a higher quality DJ service in the region, with fair prices that reflect the quality you will receive. I hope to have the opportunity to serve you.