Your Experience
The Role of your DJ
Planning: Before your DJ plays the first song, there has been extensive preparation to ensure you receive a professional, well orchestrated event. This is not something that typically happens the week before your special day. Most planning begins as much as 8-12 months in advance and can be as simple or as detailed as you prefer. Our primary goal is that you are well-informed and remain confidant throughout the entire process that you’ve made the right choice for your DJ and entertainment needs. Our company’s solid reputation and long-term success has been built on this commitment and the satisfaction of the hundreds of customers we’ve served since 1992.
Experience/Flexibility: Our DJ’s are experienced professionals who understand their role in helping to make your event a success. Although our DJ’s are familiar with the different music genres and how to mix them for any event, some clients may request a specific song or type of music. We encourage this “personalization” and are happy to modify our playlists to satisfy your music preference. With the thousands of songs in our music library and new ones being added every month, it’s very rare that we’re not able to accommodate a specific request.
Equipment Set-up: Puttin’ on the Hitz prides itself of the quality of our service and the attention to detail that goes into our equipment set-up at every event. For local events, our equipment personnel generally arrive well before any of your guests to ensure the best possible placement and appearance of our sound/light equipment. Unless otherwise requested, we also provide our own table skirting with up-lighting to accent the dance floor. For most events, our speakers are elevated on stands to ensure optimal sound quality throughout the entire room.
Master of Ceremonies: Our DJ’s provide more than just the music at your event. We arrive appropriately attired and serve as your master of ceremonies by making announcements, working with other vendors and keeping the sequence of events flowing. We also provide a wireless microphone for any special announcements/toasts made by you or your guests.
Overtime: In the event you would like our DJ to continue beyond the contracted time, we are flexible and always willing to accommodate this request. Please refer to your Entertainment Agreement for the cost of each additional hour not contracted in advance. We also ask that you obtain approval from the event venue before making arrangements with your DJ. Any overtime charges may be paid directly to your DJ or included with the original balance due.
Final Payment: Puttin’ on the Hitz does not require your final payment until the day of your event. However, you are welcome to pay in advance if it is more convenient. If paying by check, please make your check payable to Puttin’ on the Hitz.
Tips to Enhance your Event’s Atmosphere
DJ Placement: Placing the DJ’s table next to the dance floor maximizes his/her ability to control the sound and interact with your guests. It is not recommended to have the dance floor in an adjacent room from where your guests are seated. Also, be wary of facilities that require you to share a “common area” with other parties or guests. Such arrangements may promote uninvited guests to share in your celebration or impair the overall success due to volume limitations or other restrictions.
Music: Don’t try to select every song your DJ will play. Our DJ’s are professional and are very familiar with blending music for the enjoyment of all guests. Although we encourage you and your guests to make requests, be careful not to focus on only one or two types/genres of music for your entire event. Remember, the events where everyone has an opportunity to enjoy at least a few songs are the most successful. This is even more important at wedding receptions where there are a lot of varied ages. Requests for the more “extreme” selections should usually be held until a little later in the evening. Do you really want to chase away some of your older guests before the important formalities are completed?
Lighting: Be sure the lights are dimmed when it’s time to start dancing. Soft lighting during dinner creates a more comfortable atmosphere. Dimming them after dinner will help facilitate an environment for dancing. Most people are reluctant to dance if the room lighting is too bright. Determine the desired lighting levels for dinner and dancing when you meet with the facility’s event coordinator.
Photographers: Be careful not to allow your photographer(s) to control your event. Select a photographer who has the skills to capture your special moments efficiently and unobtrusively. Don’t allow them to dominate your time with lengthy photo sessions while your guests become restless. Also, choose a videographer who uses equipment that doesn’t require bright lighting which may distract from the overall atmosphere.
First Dance: Don’t wait forever to do it. One of the most important highlights of any wedding reception is the bride and groom’s first dance. Having your first dance after the grand entrance or right after dinner helps to ensure all of your guests share in your special moment. Don’t delay this or your other formal dances too long. Doing so will quickly deflate the energy of your reception and some of your guests may leave.
Group Activities: Don’t rule them out. Think twice before you reject those so-called “cheesy” group dances like the Macarena, Chicken Dance or YMCA. These dances tend to be great “ice-breakers” if your group is a little sluggish to bust a move. It may also be the only opportunity some of the non-dancers have to participate in your special day. Although it’s not necessary to kick off your event with any of these activities, allow your DJ to keep all options open. Many of these group dances are often requested by your guests and can provide a little humor in some of your photos.