I will put answers after your questions (that I have made bold italic). I am confident that my unbiased approach to assigning the best DJ to each wedding works, and that our system of having staff in the office to manage and curate the details for our DJ, is the best model in our industry. This will be one part of your day and you will not need to worry about it. We will be your best value!
Call me and we can discuss. (647) 549-6642
Rod
1. Will you be doing any beat matching at the wedding?
Some of our DJs come from a club background and are very proficient beat mixers. Others are better at just blending the songs and will not be super technical. But, I find out what each of our couples are looking for, and make sure to match the right DJ to them. Sometimes couples do not want beat mixing and find that the shortened songs annoying. Let me know what you prefer!
2. Do you have an Omni-directional lapel mic for our officiant?
No. We have not had success with lapel microphones and if your ceremony is in the garden at Graydon Hall, we also cannot put a speaker out there anyway (no DJ is allowed). In my opinion, to have the sound come from a speaker and not the person speaking sounds weird and puts technology between an intimate exchange of vows. (There are times when we provide a handheld cordless mic, and I can better evaluate your situation in a phone call if you like)
3. Where do you get your music? Is it all from iTunes?
We subscribe to a music service called Multi Music. This company has provided our base library and we receive updates every 2 weeks. We also use iTunes to fill in the gaps if a song is not released on our music service, or if there are specific cultural or ethnic songs we need.
4. What sort of experience do your DJs have? Is it self-taught, or do they have some formal education?
There have been attempts in Toronto at a “DJ School”, but that does not make a successful DJ in my opinion. All of the “good” DJ’s that I have ever worked with have been mentored and practiced for hours. (As a result, none of our DJs will “practice” at your wedding.) There is a big difference between a club DJ and a wedding DJ. You can be good at both, but, in my experience, a wedding DJ needs much more people skills, less ego, and that’s also something that cannot be taught. I am confident that I have chosen great DJs and great people and that is why Graydon has recommended us since they opened. (No one else can boast that fact!)
5. Do you have any backup equipment? If so, what sort of equipment do you have?
A backup laptop at each event. Our speakers also have a built-in power supply and amplification so there is redundancy there, too. A backup mic on-site, and me or one of our team members is also available as a backup should your DJ not be able to perform, or have any issues and need some technical help. Many of our photos also come from me visiting weddings on a busy night!
6. Do you have an unedited video clip of you MC’ing a wedding grand entrance?
Not really. We do not shoot videos much at our events because our clients ask for privacy. We have about 40 videos on our YouTube page and what clients and professional videographers have given us. The video on our homepage at www.maximumDJ.com also has lots of footage of an introduction at Graydon Hall in 2015 that was shared with us by a very happy client! Some of the most successful receptions we do have a combination of the DJ and someone from the bridal party or family share the MC duties. It blends personalized heartfelt speaking from one of your people, and we can fill in the gaps that might include introductions, for example. But all weddings are a little bit different!
7. Could you provide us with a recent outline/timeline that you prepared for a wedding?
We work with the outline and timeline that you create with your wedding planner and/or your venue contact. We’ve got a detailed wedding planning form and music request list builder on our website. This is not a “once size fits all”. We’ll work with you to make sure that the music is fitting to the different parts of your reception as well.
Each wedding files include your guest requests, your requests, the schedule, and info on the show report. I create this report from the information we collect. This level of detail allows you to have an excellent night and NOT feel like you also have to micro-manage details. In my opinion, this is an awesome snapshot and very representative of what we need to do our part in creating a successful wedding and reception.
8. What lights will you be setting up for the dance floor? Is it also customizable?
We do not bring lights to Graydon. This is because they ask us not to. Occasionally, we have also done LED up lights or simple dance floor lights but frankly, they can look cheesy. They can also get in the way if the room is full. if you are interested we can talk about some lights. Here is a link to a Facebook photo album with our lighting.
9. What music do the DJs have the most experience with?
To work for Maximum Music, DJs have to be good at everything. But, if you have a specific taste that is a bit more obscure, I will take that into account when assigning your DJ.
10. Can you send a picture of what your DJ set-up looks like at a wedding?
Here is a link to a Facebook photo album that has our DJ setups at different venues.
There are also many more photo albums on our Facebook page! But it is basically a DJ controller and laptop with speakers on tripods. Really, nothing over the top and we try not to look cluttered. We have a lot of photo albums on Facebook, and also lots of great information on Instagram and Pinterest.
