This Saturdays wedding is going to be a hot mess.

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
MIXMASTERMACHOM

MIXMASTERMACHOM

DJ Extraordinaire
ODJT Supporter
Oct 16, 2011
14,847
2,318
65
Before you post anything let me say this my friend who plays in the same tavern I do told me a problem he just went through at the Galloping Hill Inn.
My partner has a Wedding to do there this coming Saturday. The original time for the reception was to be from 6pm to midnight. The venue changed the time from 4:30 to 10:30. The problem is there is another event taking place in the same room their reception is to be in and that doesn't end till 4:30.

So there is no way their reception can start on time. So we have to wait for the other people at that event to leave before we can bring in any gear to get setup.

It's supposed to be 250 attending the wedding. It's a gay wedding and the couple is pissed which they should be. He told them it's going to take about an hour and a half to get set up. So they can't blame us. He told them they should ask for some of their money back. If they told me no I would tell them than I will see you in court.

We have to bring all the gear in. Set everything up and do a sound check with the gear and mics. We're using the 2 Yorkville subs and powered tops. As most of you know those subs are very heavy. So we won't be in a mad rush to get them in the venue. Neither one of us want to risk hurting ourselves.

I guess if enough people complain about this on social media they will charge how they do things.
 
Is the whole reception six hours? Usually wedding receptions are five hours with the first hour being the cocktail hour usually in a different room. In my contract we specify how much time needed for set up to cover my behind. But quite a few times we've been given as little as 10 to 15 minutes to setup because like you said there is another event going on in the room. What we do is assemble and pre-position in the system in the hallway then when the event is over we just roll it in plug in the AC connect the speakers and Walla ready to go in a few minutes. Although you always want to have plenty of time sometimes with these halls it just doesn't go that way. It is a lot easier to do the quick setup than upsetting the client even though it's totally the catering halls fault. But Really won't take 1 1/2 hrs to hook up a simple system. My Daughter and I can hook up our video dance party system moving it from the van to the room, have it fully operational with sound with subs, video with a screen 17ft screen & lighting in that time. Everything Rolls in on two rock 'n' roller & one regular hand cart. To me the big issue is when they don't have an elevator and haven't told me beforehand or the elevator breaks. That's when you need to have things spelled out in your contract.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Scott Hanna, DJKLEEN, Jeff Romard and 2 others
Galloping hill is NOTORIOUS for doing this! Nothing you can do and they honestly don't care... They've been using this approach for years.

However... the first hour is typically a cocktail hour in a SEPERATE room so you will have that time to set up. A sound only setup can be done within 15 minutes after everything is loaded in. Bring an extra assistant.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJKLEEN, ittigger and DJ Bobcat
Of course it's gonna be a hot mess Mix is involved. Seriously an hour and a half I set my system with subs in about a half hour, sound check ? Check the mic works play a song that works wow that took 30 seconds, get your sh@t together and quit blaming everything on someone else yea the timing sucks but instead of making it worse by telling them it's gonna take an hour and a half why not think of ways to speed things up
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJKLEEN, ittigger and DJ Bobcat
tunes4046 said:
Of course it's gonna be a hot mess Mix is involved. Seriously an hour and a half I set my system with subs in about a half hour, sound check ? Check the mic works play a song that works wow that took 30 seconds, get your sh@t together and quit blaming everything on someone else yea the timing sucks but instead of making it worse by telling them it's gonna take an hour and a half why not think of ways to speed things up
Click to expand...
I see you're missing the whole point. It's about how the venue is treating clients. Al@Also what about people who show up seeing us still setting up while we should have alreadybeen done. They will think we got there late if they don't know what happened. Also what about the couple sending out invitations with one time and now they have to let all the people expected to attend the wedding that there is a time change for the reception. Not to mention things might have to be changed for the ceremony. It's a shame that this venue gets away with treating clients like that. I guess of enough people complain or take their business elsewhere then they will stop doing this s***!
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I see you're missing the whole point. It's about how the venue is treating clients. Al@Also what about people who show up seeing us still setting up while we should have alreadybeen done. They will think we got there late if they don't know what happened. Also what about the couple sending out invitations with one time and now they have to let all the people expected to attend the wedding that there is a time change for the reception. Not to mention things might have to be changed for the ceremony. It's a shame that this venue gets away with treating clients like that. I guess of enough people complain or take their business elsewhere then they will stop doing this s***!
Click to expand...
It won't change... even back in 2010 and 2013 when I had events there the same thing happened and you see the size of my productions... your guests will spend an hour in cocktail hour so they won't see anything unless you go beyond that amount of time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJKLEEN, ittigger, MIXMASTERMACHOM and 1 other person
I wonder how the agreement between the client and the venue is worded. Most Venues specify a start time and end time of the event. Most venues give the client a minimum of 2 hours for load in/set up. Unless the agreement states the venue can change the times at any given instance, I don't see how they can do this.

This is another reason why so many wedding veues have opted to only do 1 event per day here in Maryland. The bride/groom book the venue for the day, and can start their event pretty much at any time as long as the event is over by 11 pm or mid night (or whenever the local noise ordinance law kicks in). Most farm/rural venues are like this. They may charge $4,500 or more to book the venue, but the client gets a ceremony site, plenty of grounds for pictures, and the peace of mind that knowing they are the only event at the venue that whole day.

I am pretty quick in loading in, setting up, but quickest I can get a system going is 25 minutes, and that if the load in is real easy. It sounds like this event will need 2 people working it. It sounds like you will need a system set up for cocktail hour in another room, and while cocktail hour is going on, you set up in the reception room.

Another question. If they are moving this client's event to 1.5 hours earlier, then why can't the venue move the prior event to start 1.5 hours earlier? It sounds like the venue wants the 2nd event to be done at 10:30, and not mid night so they can get cleaned up, and not have to pay staff for working until 1 am or whatever their end time would be.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ausumm and MIXMASTERMACHOM
Yesterday I left my house at 11:30 AM, drove from eastern Massachusetts to New York, arrived at 3:00, did a wedding from 5:00 to 10:30, rolled the last piece of gear out of the venue at 11:20 PM and was home at 2:30 AM. Ceremony in one location, cocktails in another, reception in the big room.

1 guy... me. 1 four-speaker sound system (EV Live-X tops with 2 subs). 2 additional speakers (Denon Envoi). Minimal but effective lights. No elevator. 8 steps at the entrance, and 20 yards down the hall. Everything was set up by 4:15.

Aced it. Rocked it. Loved it. Would gladly do it all over again... because I love every second of my job.

MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
It's a gay wedding and the couple is pissed which they should be.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure they know they're gay. Why should they be pissed about it?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Valerie Hicks, Ausumm, dunlopj and 5 others
Right on bro! You will never hear me complain about moving stuff in,or out of a venue! I love it and it is part of being a roadie! If you move audio gear ,,,,you are a roadie! I love moving it,,, touching it, Wiring it, playing on it!!!! And all espects of audio especially playing music for people!
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Ricky B, DJ Bobcat and ittigger
tunes4046 said:
Of course it's gonna be a hot mess Mix is involved. Seriously an hour and a half I set my system with subs in about a half hour, sound check ? Check the mic works play a song that works wow that took 30 seconds, get your sh@t together and quit blaming everything on someone else yea the timing sucks but instead of making it worse by telling them it's gonna take an hour and a half why not think of ways to speed things up
Click to expand...
I'll agree with tunes!!!! I can usually set up by myself with lights in about a half hour. I can usually start playing music in 20 minutes. At most 45 minutes I can have lights, backlights, monitors, and looking for some food!

Man, the other month I was playing in the New Orleans area! The crab and corn bisque was awesome, and the fried shrimp !!!!man I ate a Lot a Lot!
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bobcat and ittigger
B-Sharp said:
Yesterday I left my house at 11:30 AM, drove from eastern Massachusetts to New York, arrived at 3:00, did a wedding from 5:00 to 10:30, rolled the last piece of gear out of the venue at 11:20 PM and was home at 2:30 AM. Ceremony in one location, cocktails in another, reception in the big room.

1 guy... me. 1 four-speaker sound system (EV Live-X tops with 2 subs). 2 additional speakers (Denon Envoi). Minimal but effective lights. No elevator. 8 steps at the entrance, and 20 yards down the hall. Everything was set up by 4:15.

Aced it. Rocked it. Loved it. Would gladly do it all over again... because I love every second of my job.



I'm pretty sure they know they're gay. Why should they be pissed about it?
Click to expand...
First off who said anything about them being off for being gay. They are pissed off and have a right to feel that way since the venue is treating them this way.

My 2 big issues are this. I don't like the way this couple is being treated. We're talking 250 attending this wedding. So the venue is making some good money off of this wedding. So why should they get treated this way!?

I know this wedding is almost here so it's got to be done there. Forget about the time it will take for us to get things set up. That shouldn't be an issue at all if the venue was doing things right.

My second problem is people coming in while we're still setting up. Those people may not know what's going on and blame us for it not starting on time. You could have someone there in need of a DJ in the future and because of this say to themselves don't book these guys because they making things late and they are the reason aren't starting on time.
 
B-Sharp said:
Yesterday I left my house at 11:30 AM, drove from eastern Massachusetts to New York, arrived at 3:00, did a wedding from 5:00 to 10:30, rolled the last piece of gear out of the venue at 11:20 PM and was home at 2:30 AM. Ceremony in one location, cocktails in another, reception in the big room.

1 guy... me. 1 four-speaker sound system (EV Live-X tops with 2 subs). 2 additional speakers (Denon Envoi). Minimal but effective lights. No elevator. 8 steps at the entrance, and 20 yards down the hall. Everything was set up by 4:15.

Aced it. Rocked it. Loved it. Would gladly do it all over again... because I love every second of my job.



I'm pretty sure they know they're gay. Why should they be pissed about it?
Click to expand...
First off who said anything about the people being upset for being gay. That has nothing to do with it.

My 2 big issues are first how this couple is being treated by this venue. Especially with 250 people attending this wedding. That's not a small wedding and I know the venue has to be making some good money from this. I get there is nothing they can do with the wedding this close. If it were me and I knew of this at least 2 weeks prior to the wedding day, I would have demanded a full refund and found another venue to have it. If they were to refuse I would be taking them to court.

The second thing I have a problem with is the time for us to get things set up. Forget the time it will take to get things set up. If they were doing things right that have to be an issue. What about people coming in as we're setting up and blaming us for things not starting on time? What about someone possibly in the future looking to book a DJ. I could see them saying to themselves don't book these guys.
 
  • Like
Reactions: B-Sharp
This particular venue back in the day is exactly the reason I added the clause on my contract requiring at least 2 hours to set up. If I can't be provided that, additional labor is required and charged at $200 per person necessary. I also have this venue on my do not play list, as they are notorious for this. They are considered a very low end venue, and survive based on quantity so they need to fill up their schedule as much as possible, and they'd gladly deal with an annoyed client if that means they can book a daytime event.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ JohnThe1, DJ Ricky B, Ausumm and 4 others
There has to be a lot more to the story because how can they move the reception forward 1.5 hr. Even if the ceremony is at the hall something doesn't sound right. How would you get every body involved in the wedding to the location 1.5 hr earlier when at times people are flying in from out of town. In the NY area the standard is 12 - 5 or 1 - 6, and 7 - 12, 6 - 11 or 8 - 1 if it was a major catering hall. Doing a afternoon & a evening wedding was the norm for me when I did weddings. Generally at the halls each an every room is always booked and like I said before cocktail hrs are usually in different rooms giving time for change overs. I have had cases where events in catering halls have had their rooms changed at the last minute but never the time. When I got married I didn't read all at small print but I bet you a dozen donuts there was probably wording in there that would allow them to do it if they gave you a comparable room. In the case when the event in the room end let's say at 5pm and another starts at 5 ( which is highly unlikely) it doesn't make sense because is would take the hall time to change over the room although I have seen them do it in 1/2 hr. There absolutely has to be more to the story because moving a wedding reception forward and having that event starting at the same time one is ending leads me to believe we don't have all of the information.
 
adj2ent said:
There has to be a lot more to the story because how can they move the reception forward 1.5 hr. Even if the ceremony is at the hall something doesn't sound right. How would you get every body involved in the wedding to the location 1.5 hr earlier when at times people are flying in from out of town. In the NY area the standard is 12 - 5 or 1 - 6, and 7 - 12, 6 - 11 or 8 - 1 if it was a major catering hall. Doing a afternoon & a evening wedding was the norm for me when I did weddings. Generally at the halls each an every room is always booked and like I said before cocktail hrs are usually in different rooms giving time for change overs. I have had cases where events in catering halls have had their rooms changed at the last minute but never the time. When I got married I didn't read all at small print but I bet you a dozen donuts there was probably wording in there that would allow them to do it if they gave you a comparable room. In the case when the event in the room end let's say at 5pm and another starts at 5 ( which is highly unlikely) it doesn't make sense because is would take the hall time to change over the room although I have seen them do it in 1/2 hr. There absolutely has to be more to the story because moving a wedding reception forward and having that event starting at the same time one is ending leads me to believe we don't have all of the information.
Click to expand...
I don't anything other than what I was told. My friend that plays in the same tavern I do said he had an event to do there in the room in the basement and the start time for the event he was doing was to be 7pm and he didn't start playing till 8. They had an event going on in the room he was to be in and he had to wait till those group of people were out before he could come in and setup. My concern was if the client was mad at him. He said none of the people were upset with him. They knew the situation and knew it wasn't his fault.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I don't anything other than what I was told. My friend that plays in the same tavern I do said he had an event to do there in the room in the basement and the start time for the event he was doing was to be 7pm and he didn't start playing till 8. They had an event going on in the room he was to be in and he had to wait till those group of people were out before he could come in and setup. My concern was if the client was mad at him. He said none of the people were upset with him. They knew the situation and knew it wasn't his fault.
Click to expand...
You should give your friends names that way they they way they won't have to be referred to as "my friend who plays in the same tavern I do"
 
  • Like
Reactions: steve149
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
My 2 big issues are this. I don't like the way this couple is being treated. We're talking 250 attending this wedding. So the venue is making some good money off of this wedding. So why should they get treated this way!?
Click to expand...

Because the venue makes more money by doing this. They'll save at least 2 hours of payroll by running events back-to-back instead of with downtime in between.

MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
Sorry if I said it that way. They are upset and should be with an issue this big. Not having their reception start on time because of this.
Click to expand...

The reception will start on time. In this case, it'll even start early. The downside is that invitations have been printed and guests have to be notified; I agree that this is the hallmark of bad service on the venue's part, but as Taso noted, this isn't a very good venue to begin with. Either way, the right to shift the start & end times is probably noted in their contract somewhere.

MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
What about people coming in as we're setting up and blaming us for things not starting on time? What about someone possibly in the future looking to book a DJ. I could see them saying to themselves don't book these guys.
Click to expand...

Nobody's going to come in as you're setting up, unless it takes you more than an hour (which we've already determined shouldn't happen). If the room isn't ready, the venue's not going to let anyone in. In addition, nobody's possibly in the future looking to book a DJ right now, so get rid of those scenarios. When people need a DJ, they'll ask their friends on Facebook who they should contact.

You're putting yourself before your client. Stop that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: steve149, Jeff Romard and ittigger
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
Sorry if I said it that way. They are upset and should be with an issue this big. Not having their reception start on time because of this.
Click to expand...

You didn't have to say it at all. It has nothing to do with the situation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: steve149, Scott Hanna and ittigger
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back