Weddings How Do I Address This?

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C

Capital Disc Jockeys

New DJ
Nov 5, 2006
1,202
4
55
Schenectady, NY
Last night's ceremony and reception and was awesome! Unfortunatley, the bride and groom lives out of state and we couldn't meet in person. No biggie, we communicated via email and 1 phone call.

It was determined in our discoussions that everything was going to happen in one room, ie: The ceremony, cocktails and the reception.

I got there at the venue especially early to find out that the venue had to partition off 1/2 the room. I even showed them the contract. Nope. I then found out where the cocktail hour was. Yep, in another separate room.

I just happened to bring my laptop and Bose compact system. I don't just bring it along.

It's not the $, it's not the labor. It's the principal of it all. I actually gave her a small disount because everything was supposed to be in 1 room.

I did not approach the bride at all...Wouldn't think of it. I did of course get the advice of the venue. They advised me to address it with the bride in one week.

But, how do I address it with her???

Thanks.
 
If everything else went well, I'd just as soon mark it down to "things happen" and move along without making an issue out of it.

YMMV
 
nextgen1 said:
Hmm now might be a time to get a nice testimonial from her. Especially if she knows you gave her something for free. To me they are worth more than tips. My brides read them all the time and they help sell our services. Other than that just let it slide and chalk it up to a great job done.
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Thanks for this. She has no clue we did this for no charge. But I will let her know what we did.
 
Take it as a lesson learned. Maybe have something in your contract & point out to the client prior to the wedding that if there are any changes in logistics, additional setups, etc. discovered at the gig.....there may be additional charges, and you will collect at the event. (or added onto the balance at the end)

Just like a mechanic or home repair etc. How many times has that happened where there are additional things that they discovered and you were charged for them.

I have run into this MANY times. For music in a separate area, I use a EV ZXA1 powered speaker & a MP3 player (w/a Ltiblox) loaded with various sets of different type of cocktail music, I plug it in & let it run. It's no biggie. But yes, they are charged for it!
 
I agree with Daves advice as well. However I would not offer the additional discount given as it might make the client uncomfortable and possibly obligated and ashamed.Perhaps how you word it if you truly feel the need to mention it make sure you lay the blame on yourself for not knowing the venue and perhaps mention but because you are a pro you always give yourself multiple options.
 
DJ Zac said:
Tim - What venue was this? Frankly, we both know you're better than this...

Now go to your office and write 100 times: "I will contact the venue 2 weeks before the event."

As for the bride and groom, you're doing the right thing... Let it slide and get the testimonial. Dave's advice is spot-on!
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The venue was in Saratoga. I'll tell you lata. Venue was informed of this. I was told it was impossibl;e to do it that way.
 
I think you are handling it well Tim. Nicely Done.
 
Primarily, you should stop devaluing your service by discounting.

Your fees should be reflective of the level of service you deliver and not that of the lowest common denominator.

As a example, I have never needed to use my back up system at wedding reception. But the cost of having it is built into my fees and it is a component of my service. If it ever became necessary to utilize it, I would have no issues in do so. It is no different than any other business expense.

Discounting pollutes the legitimate fee structure and creates losses.
 
one thing you could have done
is mention it to the bride when she arrived
not as a bitch session, or a complaint, and not in a way that frazzles her...
just like,

"...geez. when I got here I found out the ceremony was in another room. FORTUNATELY I had my backup system in the car...sure am glad I had it with me today....normally I wouldn't be able to do this.....
but everything will work out just fine"

kinda lay a little guilt on them
just enough so they know you jumped thru a few hoops to make it work for them
 
Ausumm said:
one thing you could have done
is mention it to the bride when she arrived
not as a bitch session, or a complaint, and not in a way that frazzles her...
just like,

"...geez. when I got here I found out the ceremony was in another room. FORTUNATELY I had my backup system in the car...sure am glad I had it with me today....normally I wouldn't be able to do this.....
but everything will work out just fine"

kinda lay a little guilt on them
just enough so they know you jumped thru a few hoops to make it work for them
Click to expand...
I'm sorry bud but NOT AT ALL. That is awful advice. Why ever would you hit the bride with negative energy like this. Chaulk it up to the cost of doing a great job do what you got to do and don't bother the bride with this.
 
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