Wedding Advice from a Top Philadelphia DJ

As the quartet played, the flower girls carefully scattered every delicate rose petal evenly along the aisle. The bride’s father shed tears while escorting his daughter to the altar. The rings were exchanged and the vows were recited. The couple then kissed before a room full of applauding friends and relatives. A perfect ceremony was executed with flawless precision. Now comes the hard part … conducting the perfect wedding reception celebration.

As many occasions as there are to celebrate – pool parties, picnics, sweet sixteens, school dances, proms, anniversaries, christenings, birthday parties, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and wedding receptions – there are as many kinds of mobile DJs. DJing a wedding reception is a highly specialized service too important to entrust to a “Jack of all trades.” Do yourself and your guests a favor – hire a master of the trade, the wedding entertainment director.

The role of disc jockey is one of the five specialties of a wedding entertainment director. A wedding entertainment director is also trained and highly skilled as an announcer, host, master of ceremonies, and event coordinator. The most critical (and most often overlooked) of these responsibilities is that of the announcer, for it is he who sets the tone for the wedding reception with the first words he speaks through the PA system. Even though an event may be held in a glorious ballroom with vaulted ceilings, regal chandeliers, elegantly appointed tables and lavish floral decorations, the bridal party introductions will set the tone of the entire event. It should be stylishly classy and delivered with perfect inflection, diction and pronunciation. There are strict rules regarding decorum and etiquette that must always be heeded when presenting a bridal party.

Finding the right person to handle this pivotal role is the key to making sure your wedding reception fulfills your expectations. It’s very important to meet the actual DJ who will be at your reception before signing a contract or sending a deposit. I encourage prospective clients to, during a preliminary consultation, ask to see a DVD of the DJ in action at another wedding reception. The video footage should show more than a crowded dance floor and should clearly demonstrate the announcer’s artistry in conducting the bridal party announcement, parent dances, cake cutting and bouquet toss. Keep in mind that a DJ who invites you to actually observe him at another wedding reception (rather than watching a DVD) will also be inviting prospective clients to watch him at yours. Do you want uninvited strangers attending your wedding reception?

It’s paramount that you and your fiancé’s personalities “click” with your DJ’s and that your DJ has a clear understanding of your tastes, styles and preferences. Naturally, you will want to ask for references that include the names and phone numbers of previous clients and the locations of their wedding receptions. If you’re having an elegant reception at an upscale facility, and the DJ’s references are all from clients whose events took place at bowling alleys, pool parties and backyard barbecues, it’s unlikely that you have found a good match. If you are hiring through an agency, find out what percentage of the fee actually goes to the DJ. For example, you wouldn’t want to pay $1,100 for a DJ who is only earning $400.

As a bride-to-be, you probably have a vivid picture in your mind of your wedding day, and you may have dreamed of this day since your first crush. It is essential that your DJ be capable of interpreting that picture and then bringing it to life according to your precise expectations. Don’t just hire a DJ. Hire a master who specializes in turning childhood dreams into wedding day realities. Hire a wedding entertainment director.

Frederick B. Hart is a PA announcer and voice over artist who became a professional DJ in 1989 and a wedding entertainment director in 1997. He was selected by NBC 10 and V.I.P. Wedding Magazine to host and emcee the televised “Ultimate Wedding.” A resident of Cherry Hill, N.J., he is a U.S. Navy veteran who has conducted over 1,100 wedding receptions and is available for national and international travel. www.FHEntertainment.com

Same Day Edit - Part 2 - DVDs Delivered Instantly

In a world where 20 seconds left on the microwave timer can seem like an eternity, it would seem obvious that there are some of us who just don't want to wait weeks or even months to see their wedding films. Sure, everyone wants high quality - but some just want it NOW!
One of the benefits of the modern Same Day Edit is that guests may take copies of the movie home with them the same night. Newlyweds can watch their iPod version on the flight to their honeymoon. Guests or family who couldn't make it to the wedding could be watching it over the internet before the cake is even served.

Innovations in technology such as faster computers, tapeless cameras, and DVD printers and duplicators have made it possible to deliver polished, artistic wedding video productions to the big screen, DVDs, portable players, and the internet in a very short period of time.

Day-of delivery also means that Same Day Edit DVDs don't require the same amount of post-production a fully edited production would require. Therefore, a Same Day Edit alone is going to cost less to produce and give us a way to deliver the same great style to more people.

Of course some people want (and have the budget for) both. That's fine, because a Same Day Edit still offers the flexibility to buy a longer edit later on.

At DVideography, our all-inclusive Same Day Edits (day of coverage, 3-5 minute high-impact production, projection screen, sound, and DVDs delivered that night) start as low as $3500. Please call toll free 866-989-0158 for more information.

Nominated for Best Videographer on the Jersey Shore by myfoxphilly HOTLIST Jersey Shore Edition

We were just notified and we are excited to announce that we have been nominated for the myfoxphilly HOTLIST Jersey Shore Edition. We're listed under "Videographers" as Dave Williams Films.

We shoot in South Jersey quite often because it is one of my favorite areas of the country to shoot. We are recommended by most respected venues from The Seaview Marriott near Atlantic City all the way down to the Congress Hall Hotel in Cape May.

To see some of the work we've produced in South Jersey, check out these clips:
Atlantic City Wedding Video Bridal Prep Chapter at Trump Marina
Cape May Wedding Video Recap at Congress Hall
Save The Date Wedding Video in Ocean City NJ
Congress Hall Promo Video - Congress Hall Wedding Video

Vote for your favorite local businesses!
500+ businesses in 70+ Categories

WEDDINGS SECTION
Cakes, Caterers, DJs, Flowers, Invitations, Limousine,
Music, Photographer, Rings, Venue, Videographer,
Wedding Dresses, Wedding Planners

The Sound is More Important Than The Picture?

One of our recent grooms (a New York wedding and event videographer himself) recently asked me how we do our audio. In fact, when I speak to professional videographers associations, it is one of the top questions I am asked. Well, I let my audio engineer, Tamer Tewfik, answer this question directly and I thought you might want to read his response. . .

---

Hi Michael,

I'm happy to be available to you to talk about the logistics about improving audio for your productions. I have spoken to many videographers about this since I started working with Dave. Basically, the biggest question I get from videographers is how to get DVideography quality audio on their own. It always makes me chuckle inside because I suppose they believe it's a secret and that the only reason I am at a DVideography shoot is because Dave just doesn't want to be bothered with audio. False. My answer is always, if anyone could do it alone, there would be no need for professional audio engineers. I'm sure there's a way to improve your audio - down and dirty style - but I'd need more information to see where you are with your audio now.

Keep in mind that I met Dave after 15 years of experience freelancing mostly for broadcast television and film so my experience comes from those realms. The result is a high standard of audio equipment I need to be able to work in that market. The equipment I know best and use is of the utmost quality that can only be purchased from specialty audio places and, as you may have already realized, the equipment is pricey. For example the SoundDevices 744T that records 4 track for Dave is about $4000 and the 4 channel field mixer we use (SoundDevices 442) to send the audio to the 744 is about $3000. So your talking about $7K before you even talk microphones. We use 2-4 Broadcast quality Lectrosonic wireless, standard for broadcast television, which cost about $3K each and Sennheiser Evolution wireless to send wireless to cameras. The camera mix is also just for reference as the 744T records everything as separate feeds so the editor can have full editorial control over the final mix. So, in all, we are bringing almost $20K in equipment to a wedding. This equipment is essential since it determines what sound goes onto tape. The better the wireless, the quieter the noise floor, the stronger the wireless signal and all around control over the audio "environment", if you will.

If I sat you down to tell you all the components involved, it would become obvious to you why Dave's audio is exceptional. I don't have much advice as to how you can improve the audio alone without an audio engineer as even I get nervous about not monitoring the audio feeds when I play cameraman and audio engineer at the same time. When I have to leave the mixer, I still wear a broadcast quality IFB in my ear so I can monitor the mixer while I shoot, but it's still not ideal. Even with the best equipment in the world, you really need a second set of ears to monitor and babysit the audio. One will never have TRUE quality audio without an audio engineer. Good audio depends on mic placement, knowledge of how to use the equipment, ect. There are so many components that quality audio depends on.

Now, that being said, there are some prosumer recorders out there that can at least help you improve your audio (down and dirty style) but I'd need to talk to you personally. To assess your situation, I'd need to know what you're doing now and what you're looking to do. In other words, I'd need to know what your doing to assess how much you can improve doing it on your own. Feel free to call me anytime at the contact information below.

Best,
Tamer

Photo by JordanOplinger.com

The Residences at Two Liberty Place - From Offices to Luxury Condos

What a view we had as we shot from the top floor of The Residences at Two Liberty Place, the third tallest skyscraper in Philadelphia. We first blogged this shoot back in July. The tallest is the new Comcast Center Building. The second tallest is Two Liberty's sister, One Liberty. But hold onto your hats, folks - days ago, PhillySkyline.com broke news of what will be not only the tallest building in Philadelphia, but the tallest building in the United States - The American Commerce Center. At 1,500' to the top of the spire, it will drastically change Philly's skyline.

Philadelphia Video Production by Media Wave Video Productions and Splat Productions

Construction Workers in Drag - It's INTECH Idol

Now here's a company who can let its hair down - maybe a little too MUCH hair. Enjoy these highlights from INTECH Idol 2008 hosted at Philadelphia's World Cafe Live. Post a comment here.

Produced under our corporate brand, Media Wave Video Productions.

JDRF Walk to Find a Cure

Through our corporate brand, Media Wave Video Productions (MWVP.com), we are fortunate to work on several Philadelphia corporate video projects each year for various non-profits. Once again, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Philadelphia (JDRF) called on us. Our latest production is being used to promote their annual Walk to Find a Cure. Below are some behind-the-scenes shots taken with my production assistant's iPhone.

Mail Bag: Philadelphia Bar Mitzvah Same Day Edit

Credit goes to Jordan for a great Same Day Edit.