WEDDINGS ARE MY SPECIALTY!!!
 
There isn't any greater celebration on earth than providing music that unites a man and a woman in holy matrimony and the ceremony that follows. Out of all the types of events I do, weddings are my favorite!!!  When I started out as a Mobile DJ, I was thoroughly trained to perform at Weddings. Since 1993, I have personally performed over 800 Weddings and  Receptions. Quality, Experience, Reputation, and Dependability  are just a few of the reasons why A DJ TO GO has become Pensacola's Wedding DJ of choice. I guarantee I will be the ONLY DJ who performs at your event!!! Wouldn't it be nice to know exactly who you're working with and who will be performing at your wedding?
 
I will do everything within my power to ensure appropriate music is played for all ages to enjoy. My goal is simply to exceed all of your expectations of what you perceive a Disc Jockey to be. I take my job seriously and it shows. Ask anyone what they remember most about the last wedding reception they attended. They will either tell you the DJ was fantastic and they had the time of their life or the DJ was really bad and they went home early. That’s the difference between hiring a cheap DJ service and A DJ TO GO. I am continuously looking to improve my performance level by attending National Disc Jockey Conventions and by participating in DJ Chat Boards with other DJ's from around the world. Continuing education is the key to being a successful, full time DJ service.
 
When planning your wedding and reception, the first thing you want to do is book your entertainment immediately after reserving your church and reception facility.  Do not wait until the last minute!! I often times book weddings up to a year or more in advance!!!

Nearly every week I get calls from a frantic bride who either; 

waited too long to book her entertainment, leaving her with very few options for music on the most important day of her life.
 
Knew a friend of the family who was supposed do the music but backed out because he decided he didn't have the right music, equipment, and experience, or had to work his full time job.

Hired a cheap DJ service who "penciled them in" but overbooked and forgot about them.
 
Talked to a DJ who wanted them to send half of his fee in the mail without signing a contract, only to have this DJ no show at their event.
 
Had their DJ cancel on them because he was over-booked.

Do not make any of these mistakes!! Plan ahead!!! If you're a bride for 2008 or even 2009, you should be making decisions for all of your wedding vendors now!!
 
Always book your entertainment in as far in advance as possible!!! If you live in Pensacola  or the surrounding area, I will personally meet with you  for a free consultation before signing  a written contract.  During our meeting, I will go over my exclusive 12 page wedding planner which I designed myself. No other DJ service has a wedding planner this meticulous, but yet so easy, to help you plan the most important day of your life!!  The planner will help guide you through all of the formalities from the time your guests arrive throughout your departure. Once we review my planner, you have the option of booking your wedding date on the spot, or going home to discuss it with your fiancé. I am not a high pressure car salesman who will tell you to book now. However, I will tell you that nearly all of the clients I meet face to face, book immediately after reviewing the wedding planner. I always hear comments about "how well thought out and well organized it is". Or "I never even thought about  that".  I have just revised and added some new features to my planner for 2008.
 
I am a firm believer in the phrase "Pre Planning Prevents Poor Performance".  Therefore, I spend countless hours before your reception to ensure the it has been meticulously planned and well coordinated. For every wedding I perform at, I spend an average of 15-20 hours from the time of our first meeting until the end of the reception.  Wouldn't it be nice to know  your wedding will be worry free? Wouldn't it be nice to hire a DJ who will exceed your expectations? One who cares deeply about his clients? That's why I'm here. I care just as much about your wedding and reception as you do. I care because I am a full time DJ and this is my full time job.
 
Once we contract, I will give you the wedding planner to take home with you. That will be your guide to customizing your wedding to meet your own particular wants and needs. I do not do "cookie-cutter" weddings where each is the same as the previous one. Your wedding will be unique because it's the way you want it, not the way the other DJ's wants to do it week after week!!  With the planner, you have flexibility to re-arrange, remove, or add any traditions. You may also list some of your favorite songs or types of music you'd like to hear. You may add any special family traditions. You may list some songs or types of music you wouldn't want me to play. Maybe you have a special announcement or dedication you'd like me to make. I'll do it all for you, and then more!!
 
I will meet with you again approximately two weeks prior to your scheduled event. At that time, I will go over your wedding planner to ensure everything is filled out correctly. If you need suggestions for songs or what your sequence of events should be, I can assist you then.
 
When you hire A DJ TO GO to perform at your event, I will take care of all the coordinating and all of the announcing from start until finish so you'll be able to enjoy yourself and have wedding memories to last a lifetime!!! I will speak to your other wedding vendors to let them know what's happening and when, so we are all on the same sheet of music. I will also speak to you during the reception to make sure you're ready for the formalities. Communication is the key to the success of your event.
 
Destination Weddings
 
Are you a bride and groom planning a destination wedding somewhere on the Gulf Coast? I can accommodate you as well!!! I do travel to Fort Walton, Crestview,  Destin, San Destin, Santa Rosa, and as far away as Panama City to the east. I also travel to Lillian, Foley, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Fairhope, Daphne and Mobile, Alabama, and as far away as New Orleans to the west. I also travel north to Montgomery and as far away as Birmingham, AL for weddings.
 
With destination weddings, often times it's hard to book all of your vendors from far away. Therefore, I will work with you very closely to make sure your event is just as well planned as a local bride's and groom's. I will spend as much time on the phone with you as needed. I do have a toll free number and a cell phone so you can call me anytime you'd like. We call also exchange as many emails or snail mail as we need to ensure your wedding turns out as you envisioned. Once again, communication is the key to a successful event, especially for those traveling long distances to have the wedding of your dreams here on the Gulf Coast.
 

SERVICES I PROVIDE


Early Arrival

I will arrive at your chosen location at least an hour prior to scheduled play time. I do not charge for arriving early. I do not charge a setup fee like some of my competitors. I will be ready to play at your event at least 20-30 minutes prior to contracted time. I was in the Army for 11 years and have the "hurry up and wait" mentality. I would much rather arrive early, get set up, change into my tux (my standard dress of choice unless told to dress otherwise), and start pre-programming your music. If guests do arrive prior to your scheduled start time, I have no objection to starting the music a few minutes early, no extra charge!!! Why should they sit there and wait until the exact start time???
 

Master Of Ceremonies and Host

As your guests arrive, I'll greet them and let them know all of the announcements you've chosen to help them get settled.

I will coordinate with all of your wedding vendors so they know what's happening and when.

I will also announce all of the wedding traditions so your guests will know what tradition is coming up next.

"An uninformed guest is an unhappy guest" Think about the last time you went to a reception and the DJ never announced any of the formalities.
Was it boring? Was it unorganized? Why risk it? Hire an experienced professional Mobile DJ to perform at your wedding!

 

Tuxedo Dressed

 Unless I'm told otherwise, I will dress in a full Tuxedo for weddings and receptions.  Professionalism and appearance have always been the cornerstone of my company. If you're having an informal or beach type of wedding, I will dress in accordance to your needs. I will never, ever dress in a beer logo t-shirt, raggedy jeans, and sandals like I've seen some of my competitors do!!! I will not show up to the event without proper personal hygiene. I will not show up to the event with alcohol on my breath. I have more class than that!!

 

Wedding Reception Manager

At a Wedding Reception, it takes all of the wedding vendors to work cohesively as a team to ensure the success of the event. Therefore, I will take charge and provide all the other Wedding Vendors the Sequence of Events we have discussed in our pre-event planning meeting. You will not need to hire a separate Wedding Planner for your reception because I'm your coordinator!!

 

Continuous Music from Start to Finish

 I will play a variety of good, clean music from the time contracted until the end of your reception without any musical breaks. Unlike a band or some other DJ's, I do not personally take any breaks when I'm working. You won't find me outside taking a smoke break. You won't find me at the Bar. You will find me entertaining your guests as that's what I'm getting paid to do.

I encourage you to choose as many of your favorite songs as you'd like. It's also important for you to let me know what types of music, particular songs or artists you don't want to hear.

One thing is for sure. Weddings are a family oriented event. I play a variety of music that's been time tested throughout the ages that people can dance to. None of the music I play will have any explicit lyrics.

There are certain types of music that's not appropriate for music. If you're looking for a DJ to play vulgar Rap music, heavy Hip Hop, Alternative, or extreme Heavy Metal, then I'm probably not the DJ for you.

Here's something to keep in mind. I use a computer specifically made for DJ'ing. The program I use automatically mixes from one song to the next.

I do not use CD's. All of the music I have on my computer was converted from CD's into MP3's. I keep my CD's archived at home. DJ's who are still using CD's to play music aren't in with the technology available today.

I do not scratch records or vinyl. Scratching is more Club-Oriented Styled music. Think about it. How can a DJ that continually scratched records all night, be the Master of Ceremonies? How can they coordinate anything when they have to continually scratch music all night? How much music can they really carry on vinyl as opposed to a computer based DJ?

 

Volume Controlled Music

I use the newest Bose Speakers for Professional Musicians,  so you will never have to worry about a guest complaining about the music being too loud!!! The speakers I use are the latest in technology which projects music at 180 degrees, up and out to the front and sides, rather than straight at you. Therefore, guests in the back of the room can hear just as clearly as the guests sitting near the speakers. And best of all, guests sitting near the speakers won't complain about how harsh the high end frequencies are to their ears!!!

I am proud to say that I am the only DJ in  Pensacola and surrounding area who is using the Bose speaker system. I have 4 complete sets. Most events only require 1-2 sets, and no more. Sometimes I'll do an indoor/outdoor event at a large reception facility, and I'll place an extra speaker outdoors without any problem or fee.

Why aren't others using it? It's the most expensive amplification system out there....and they simply do not charge enough per event to justify owning them. Some other DJ services are part-timers who work other jobs and DJ as a "side job". I don't think you'd want to hire a DJ that has inadequate equipment, do you?

Since I provide first class, quality service, you and your guests deserve nothing but the best from both me and the equipment I use!!!

 

Common Courtesy

I will be courteous to all of your guests at all times!!! During dinner, I will walk around table to table and introduce myself and speak to your guests. I will introduce myself and ask if they need anything or would like to make a request. Often times, I'm mistaken for the wait staff and will be asked for a utensil or napkin. That's O.K., I'll get whatever they need!!!

Here's a few important things to keep in mind:

I am there to work and do a professional job as a DJ, Master of Ceremonies, Coordinator, and Entertainer. Therefore, I will do my absolute best, at all times, to treat your guests with the dignity they deserve!!!

I will not hit on your guests, nor make any rude or inappropriate comments.

 
Modern Bride Magazine recently had an article which stated "The entertainer you select will be taking on the responsibility of over 80% of the success of your reception and most likely is paid less than 5% of your total budget. If the DJ you hire is a poor performer or a no-show at your event, you have wasted your entertainment money. Don’t hire a cheap DJ. You will be sorry in the end".

Another article from the Pensacola Bridal Directory states "Choosing the DJ for your wedding reception can be one of the most important decisions you make to insure the success of your event. Everything else can be perfect, but if the music isn't good, the party can fizzle". It also goes on to state "While the cost is always a consideration, be sure to remember that sometimes the higher prices also reflects the experience of this DJ"

Budgeting Your Wedding Money

So how can you afford first class, quality entertainment? Here are some suggestions to help you budget your money better.

Are you set on having your wedding on a Saturday? If not, most wedding vendors give discounts for other days of the week to hold a reception as Saturday's are considered prime time, and you'll pay more for each service.

Consider a Friday night or Sunday late afternoon wedding. You'll probably find more choices to host your reception. I've even performed weddings Monday through Thursday nights.

I do give discounts for weddings held on nights other than a Saturday.

 

Ice Sculptures

If you're Paris Hilton or Donald Trump, maybe you could afford it. While they look nice, they are often expensive and are going to melt your dollars away. It's merely eye candy. Don't let your money melt away!!!

 

Wedding Announcements

Do you really need a wedding announcement? An announcement informs your family and friends that you're engaged. Why not design and print one yourself on your home computer rather than spend hundreds of dollars? Better yet, make up an announcement and email it to them. It won't cost you anything but time!!!

 

Wedding Invitations

Why go to a print shop and get overcharged? You can order invitations from one of the small catalogs advertised in