Wedding Celebrate Philosophy...

While in Las Vegas during the Mobile Beat Conference, I had the opportunity and good fortune of meeting several dj's from around the United States (and beyond). When gathering together at a conference of this magnitude, it's easy to get lost in the crowd. Since I reopened my business a little over two years ago, I really wanted to set this business apart from what I've seen out there. Granted, there are many industry leaders out there who are an inspiration to me and countless others; however, for every talented and hard-working DJ out there, there are many more of those who are hobbyists that claim loudly to be professional. I hate complacency and would hate to be thought of as just another "average dj". I say this not to badmouth any of my colleagues, but as a means to propel myself toward reaching my full potential as an entertainer, a host, and a businessman. I know there is always room for improvement, both for myself and for those who have chosen this profession.

So I have been thinking.... I want to create a unique identity for this company I call "Wedding Celebrate". Moreover, I wanted to establish a credo that I can always look to as I expand this business and improve my own skills. So I took a pen to paper and started writing. What I came up with was a business philosphy I could stand by... a standard by which I could measure my progress as I grow. Though I believe this to be a preliminary draft, I think it is sound enough to post. I hope, or rather I strive to remain ahead of the curve in this precarious industry and offer these thoughts...the Wedding Celebrate Philosophy into the blogosphere for the eyes of the world to see. A measure of self-accountability is always a good thing:

The philosophy of this company is simple: the value in what we do centers on our abilities to successfully host and entertain an audience...NOT in how much DJ gear we can accumulate. The unfortunate fact is a great number of those in this industry concentrate too much on stockpiling various pieces of equipment and not nearly enough effort honing their performance skills and talents. Just do an online search for “mobile DJ companies”. It is astounding how many of these businesses make lofty and generic claims to being “the premier” or “best” mobile DJ service around but do little more than showcase their inventory to support these claims. As entertainers, owning the right equipment is vital for what we do; however, it should never be the first or only priority of any professional mobile entertainment service. In too many instances, a DJ operator will rely solely on their equipment to carry them through a party. For various reasons, they have become accustomed to “hide” behind their console throughout an event and the value of their performance is mediocre at best. Many of these guys make the mistake of literally disconnecting themselves from the very audience they should be entertaining.

Wedding Celebrate will always utilize the latest in audio-visual technology to support talent, not replace it. It is precisely this approach that sets this company apart from [may I dare to suggest] the competition. I constantly strive to uphold the standards of those elite few who do have the insight, experience, and skill to bring together all the details of a wedding celebration into one smooth and enjoyable evening for your guests. In addition to meeting with my clients personally, my production team meets regularly to plan, rehearse, and discuss our schedule on a per-event basis. This means we will pool our creative energies and contribute to the overall success of your wedding celebration. We will be well prepared and ready to give our best the moment we arrive. Every announcement will be articulated clearly and delivered on time. The names of everyone in your wedding party will be pronounced correctly. And as host to your special day, I will never "hide" behind the console from your guests. I will always remain accessible to your guests every moment of your reception.

Well, those are a few of my thoughts. I would love to hear some insight. Perhaps I will post this on the Wedding Celebrate website as well....

Planning Makes Perfect...

     Planning your wedding is no small feat. Often I meet future brides at bridal fairs with that doe-eyed expression on their faces, seeming like they are about to burst open at the seams from an endless barrage of information that comes their way. I met one couple recently during the NM Wedding Expo at the Sandia Resort & Casino. When I asked the bride-to-be how her wedding plans were coming along, I could have sworn she was about to break down in tears. After a few choked-up moments, the groom explained that his fiance was having a rough time planning for their special day. He has been away from home for some time (armed forces) and most of her family and wedding party live outside of New Mexico. I truly empathized with how she felt as a person who has orchestrated entertainment plans for hundreds of weddings myself. 

     Needless to say, there are as many resources for wedding planning as there are wedding vendors. Sifting through all that data can be a daunting task in itself. My advice? Create a Wedding Event Portfolio. One can start with a three-ring binder and dividers, or you can use a scrapbook personalized and designed as a keepsake. The purpose of such a portfolio is to bring together all various components of your wedding preparations into one cohesive and organized collection. If you find some online photos of a particular style of chair cover that tickles your fancy, or a venue that has been brought to life with amazing decor for instance, you can easily print these photos and place them within the appropriate section of your event portfolio. Google Images is a magnificent tool for undertaking such searches. Two colleagues, Jesse Lopez of JL Exclusive Events (Las Cruces, NM) and Ryan Mennenga of Elite Chairs & Linens (Champaigne, IL) have several photo galleries on their respective websites from which one could draw much inspiration. In terms of ceremony and reception planning, Peter Merry's publication, "The Best Wedding Reception Ever," is brimming with creative ideas and helpful insights.

     Just remember, divide your wedding "To Do's" into smaller more manageable projects and incorporate these projects into your Wedding Event Portfolio. You will be amazed how quickly and efficiently your dream wedding will begin to take shape. 

Another Successful DJ Conference....

I am returning home after another week of day-long seminars, networking, and Cirque-Show watching. Sitting at gate A30 in Sky Harbor Airport, the concourse is curiously warm and the sound of a basketball game lingers from a gate several yards away. I'm hovering in a suspended state somewhere between exhaustion and inspiration. And I'm just a couple of hours of my final destination...HOME SWEET HOME. I learned a lot from this year's Mobile Beat Conference (MBLV'09). There were many new DJ faces from around the country, as well as those seasoned veterans who generously shared their time, knowledge, and experiences. My batteries are recharged ready to take on another year of Bridal Shows, Consultations, and Wedding Receptions!!! Yes, I love my job!