Wedding help - my dj is a drunk

[basil]

Well, I feel kind of stupid now. Sap483 warned me about him like a year ago and I kind of dismissed it as a fourth-hand rumor, because he had gotten such good reviews and I didn''t want to lose my deposit ($400). But today this negative review posted on my local Knot board, from a July 4th bride:

"We picked "DJ" based upon all the good reviews they had. I don''t think I ever saw a bad review and I can''t believe I have to post the first one.

We met with "DJ" a week before the wedding. We told him the music we wanted for the cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. we reviewed the pronunciation of names for the wedding party. we also went over the special songs that meant a lot to my family and to myself and my husband. A few in particular were traditional irish songs that are played at every wedding in our family. we made him a cd to make it easier for him to play those songs. He looked at the list and said he had all the irish songs and didn''t need our cd. This was a relief-one less thing I had to remember on the wedding day! We left feeling very confident. The day of the wedding he completly missed introducing a couple in the wedding party. he played the wrong song for the mother/son dance. When my mom requested the Irish songs he told her he didn''t have them. He denied the grooms father a few of his requests. he didn''t play half the songs that were on our must play list. There were about 10 in total. Didn''t play Frank Sinatra for the dinner like we asked (we are hugh Frank fans). To top it off he was at the bar the whole time. He would play a song, leave the booth and get a drink. Guests were asking if the dj was drunk.

In fairness to him the dance floor was packed and no body knew of the mishaps with the music. The guests did say they had a great time and didn''t leave the dance floor. It was just upsetting to us since the songs that meant the most to us were not played. I unfortunately can''t recommend him to others."

Obviously this is quite upsetting 2 months out. I don''t know what my chances of finding another DJ are, and I would definitely lose my deposit. The underlined part is the worst part, I think. I am definitely going to make sure that my caterer is instructed to serve no alcohol to any of the vendors. But I don''t know if I should scramble for a new DJ??

 

[jcrow]

good idea on the no drinks to the dj policy. in the meantime, i say it can't hurt to look around for a new one.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 7/17/2008 7:21:06 PM
Author: jcrow


good idea on the no drinks to the dj policy. in the meantime, i say it can''t hurt to look around for a new one.

Ditto, at least call around see if you have any options. If not, then the no-alcohol policy sounds like it might do the trick.

 

[blondebunny]

hmm thats a toughy.. Do you get your money back if HE cancels?? Maybe you could confront him about what happened or send him an email with the info, maybe he''ll be embarrassed and cancel and you''ll get ur money back or assure you it was a fluke and that it wont happen. Id def do the no alcohol to vendors though, i mean they are working and shouldnt be drinking on the job, i dont think thats in the contract... anyways goodluck

 

[winston26]

That is a tough one! I''d be nervous. The no alcohol rule would be good. Our DJ company said they were very strict about that--if we see them getting a drink, they''d get fired. In the end I would have much preferred the DJ you''re having. Our dance floor was empty.

 

[marchswallowbird]

I would do the no-alcohol policy and also make it clear to the dj that if he does not perform as agreed you will make a deduction from the rest of the fee he is owed. Like $100 or $200 less or something. Write this into your contract with him and make sure he signs it. Specifically say things like introducing all bridal party members by name based on the list you provide (you can''t really penalize him for mispronunciations, though). Also spell out anything crucial. For example, if you were the other bride you could have mentioned the playing of the specific Irish songs (naming each song) and that the Frank Sinatra songs should be played during dinner. At the very least, if he is afraid he will lose some of his money, this should keep him on his toes.

 

[basil]

I''m a little paranoid about bringing it up with him. Mostly because I''m shy and I hate confrontation. And secondly because what if he is an alcoholic and he decides to drink beforehand if he knows he won''t be served?

 

[Blair138]

I''m not sure about your venue but one I looked at specifically said that the vendor dinner that we could have did NOT include alcohol and your vendors should NOT be at your bar. Besides it being a good business practice (I don''t many who get to drink while working) you should inform him and your banquet staff that vendors MAY NOT drink. It should not be hard to point them out and refuse them booze. good luck

 

[Courtneylub]

Ummm...I would enforce the no drink rule AND hire a new DJ. 2 months should be plenty of time to find someone else.

That is horrible.

 

[ladyciel]

Oy. DJ at the bar is such a huge no-no. Nearly every vendor we hired who will actually be at the reception (including DJ) had written into their contract that they will not drink on the job. I thought it was a little unnecessary for them to spell that out (thinking WHO would DO THAT??) but apparently it happens and I should appreciate them a lot more. I''m going to give advice based on the assumption that you''re stuck with this guy. Any songs you MUST have played - bring on cd with you. Even if he says he has them, bring them with you. That goes for first dances, special requests like the reviewer''s Irish songs, etc. Instruct the bartender to refuse alcohol to any vendors who ask, but don''t necessarily confront the guy ahead of time. Like you said, if he has a real problem there''s always the chance he''d do some pre-partying if he has the warning.

 

[loverocks]

I totally agree with ladyciel''s advice. And also the advice to get everything in writing w/ a penalty of the final balance if not followed. This is a difficult one. The saving grace with him is that he does appear to keep the dance floor packed and guests have a great time. To me, that is very important, so that is why in this situation I might be a little hesitant to drop him. So sorry that you are having this problem......

 

[sap483]

Aww I''m sorry you''re in this situation. I honestly think you''ll be fine if you make sure that the bartenders will not serve the DJ''s. The bartenders can just say that they''re sorry but vendors were not included in the package. I agree though that you should not confront him ahead of time.

As for playing everything right, even my DJ screwed up some stuff and he was completely sober. I''m not sure how to avoid that. At the moment I was really annoyed, but I''ve gotten over most of it- and the guests of course didn''t know.

If you are looking for a new DJ, I have heard so many excellent things about John Bellagama at Rhythm Productions. You could also try Ormonde Productions- I hired them for lighting and they did an amazing job, so perhaps their DJ Services are good too. My DJ was Groove Entertainment out of Boston- they''re ok, but I do wish I had gone with someone else.

 

[marchswallowbird]

In terms of the no-alcohol policy, make sure he knows it covers ALL vendors, not just him, that way he won''t feel singled out. You do have a valid concern about him drinking beforehand and showing up drunk. Not much you can do about that, except cross your fingers and hope he realizes that if he does this to you he will be ruining his business because of the bad word of mouth he will get.

Is it worth your piece of mind to lose the $400 deposit and get another D.J? Something to consider.

 

[[email protected]]

I might fire him...but try this...tell him about the bad review and your concerns....and see what he says.Maybe there is more to the story.