It was obvious after meeting Walter Hohman, Founder and Senior Event Consultant at Entertainment By Design, that this isn't your average DJ company. From specialized DJ's (and we mean specialized...think Portuguese and Big Band specialists) to incredibly cool services like a Kissing Wheel or gorgeous up-lighting (to name a few), you'll be hard pressed to find anything like this dynamic London-based DJ and Event Services company for your wedding day.

To say that the team at Entertainment By Design goes above and beyond for their clients might be an understatement. For example, your DJ doesn't just play from a generic list of songs that they "think" you'll want at your wedding. During your planning process, they take the time to find out exactly what you're looking for, to create a personalized playlist that truly reflects you.

Part of the appeal is their hands-on experience and easy-going approach to each and every event they take on. Says Walter, "If you know what you want, you'll get it. If you need help, we give you options." Another part of it is their long list of unique and personalized services that caters to any couple's style, vision and budget. Add in an experienced team who simply loves what they do, and it's no wonder that Entertainment by Design has a loyal client base that keeps coming back time and time again.

The EBD motto, "Great parties don't just happen.. they're designed that way!" couldn't be more fitting for this fabulous team. Let us tell you more...

Personally Speaking

From the time he was a teenager, it wasn't uncommon to find Walter DJ'ing for friends and crowds of all sizes. As the Social Director at his local high school in Timmins, Walter had a distinct knack for entertaining crowds and was often the favoured choice to DJ at school functions.

With an entrepreneurial spirit and a unique talent for entertaining, Walter and his brother began to host their own public dances for teens. Word quickly spread about the dynamic team of brothers and Walter soon found himself DJ'ing for everything from service clubs to corporations like Molson Breweries and CKGB Radio.

Walter remembers, "Most of us start out DJ'ing for the fun of it and to enjoy the party ourselves or for our friends. When I started with public events, this taught me that satisfaction was measurable with its impact on customers' enjoyment and return business."

Soon, Walter was added to the roster at Casey's Restaurant in Timmins as a "fill-in" DJ. The restaurant management saw his talent and dedication and contracted Walter to perform as a full-time DJ. His responsibilities quickly grew to include buying music as well as hiring, training and managing the DJ staff. He eventually ran award-winning summer promotions at the restaurant and gained invaluable knowledge throughout the process.

In 1990, Walter had more than enough experience under belt and was ready to officially open his business. Thus, Entertainment By Design was founded in Timmins, Ontario. In 1994, Walter moved the business to London. "As I worked for various companies around London, I gained more and more experience for all types of events. Production and entertainment mixed as technology and events evolved. I began to realize that production (equipment and techniques) could add to entertainment."

Today, after twenty-six years in the business, the team at Entertainment By Design has performed at nearly 700 events and averages about 55 events per year. "We have a faithful repeat client list who enthusiastically refer us."

So after hundreds of events, what keeps Walter and his team inspired? It's all about happy clients, "We get a lot of genuine surprise from family members and all ages and types of people that we enhanced their event so much. We play 'Build me up Buttercup” or “Sugar Sugar” with the same enthusiasm as we play the latest chart toppers like Katy Perry or BEP. Good music is still very much in need at parties – unbelievably, it is still uncommon. And now, with our event services, like the kissing wheel or even video screens, people are surprised with how much a small personal touch or a properly done setup can add to special moments at a reception and translate into long-lasting memories."

Trevor and Cindy Allman hired EBD for their wedding and say that Walter was simply brilliant, "It's not so much their style, but your style. He played to our group and wedding (not for himself). He had the professional expertise to ask us questions for details we didn't know/think of. Walter will make the dance floor and entertainment like winning the Stanley Cup."

The EBD team

Today, Walter's business has grown to include a team of eleven, which includes DJ's (even specialized Wedding DJ's), setup and tear down crew and a receptionist/client contact. "Most of our DJ's are music enthusiasts from a young age, and have what we call 'artistic humility' and a fun-loving attitude."

A big reason why brides love EBD is the fun, unique and vibrant personality of the company. "This flows directly from our DJ's attitudes in the way they 'serve' music to clients and produce full dance floors. Caterers serve food. Bartenders serve drinks. We serve music. We are committed to the details that make your party great!"

One of the many things we love about EBD is that you can hire a DJ that is specifically suited for your event, such as their Portuguese DJ or Big Band Specialist. Walter explains, "We expect a proven family-oriented temperament from our performers for weddings. You require a different approach to handle a teen school event vs. a 40th birthday vs. a retirement party."

Melanie Overholt told The Ring about her experiences with EBD while planning her wedding day, "I worked with Walter for our wedding a couple years ago, and was really happy with the service. He was very professional, organized and made great suggestions to think about. He also made sure that all of our unique requests (i.e. special songs, tributes etc) were done exactly as asked and also worked great with the crowd for requests! I'd definitely recommend him to anyone!"

Experience & Expertise

For Walter, decades of hands-on experience has helped him truly hone his craft. "My DJ work in my teen years, college and Casey's gave me a solid basis for entertaining. My talents evolved and grew in London working for various companies at various venues for various types of events which I translated for my own personal parties I hosted on-going.  My success at cultivating bigger and better clients for repeat business kept me on track for continued great experiences.  I combine all of my experiences to deliver the best services I can for today's clients."

Each DJ at EBD comes with at least five years of experience, which has helped play a huge role in the success of past events, "With our rich history of performing for a wide array of events in people's lives including but beyond weddings, we understand what your granny wants, your aunts and uncles want and your nieces and nephews too."

The EBD Difference

Walter told The Ring that one thing he hears time and time again from past brides is the enormous impact the music selection made at their reception and the surprising number of people who actually dance at EBD functions (we know firsthand how hard it is to actually get your guests dancing!!).

Another memorable mention is the attention that goes into checking the quality of the sound at each wedding. Entertainment By Design DJ's take the time to ensure that everyone is able to hear everything perfectly. "We always ensure speech intelligibility whether it is our sound system or not, checking from all hall locations. We ensure everyone can hear those special moments that occur at emotional times of sharing at weddings. We equalize the sound level between your boisterous people and your soft-spoken relatives or younger/shorter family members whether it is a toast or heart-felt reading."

Couples also love that the team at EBD can service your entire day, with music starting at your ceremony, right up to the last dance of the night. EBD's record to date includes a crew and DJ who worked sixteen hours continuously on one wedding!

EBD also ensures that quality standards are built into every package so that every couple receives the same great service, everytime. Here are just some of the items that their team guarantees at every event:

•    Request cards on all tables. 
•    An advance formal setup before guests arrive. 
•    They offer microphone use and what they call “automatic dinner music” (clients must assign someone to be oriented to adjust levels to ensure best results). 
•    DJ's dress in formal attire but will allow you to specify DJ attire if you're looking for something a little bit different (i.e. for theme weddings). 
•    EBD communicates with the bride and groom (subtly and inconspicuously, at the head table) to ensure quality enjoyment overall!

Packages and Pricing

Entertainment by Design offers several packages to suit any budget. To give you an idea, their Standard Package is a good representation of what is included with all packages as all other packages offer ad-ons or discounts stemming from this one.

The Standard Package includes four hours of entertainment for $449.00, including unlimited hours for wedding consultation, a request-driven expert DJ personality, a pro-quality sound system with fail safes, a wired microphone, CD/digital music library of at least 15,000 songs. This package covers up to 250 guests but can be increased to 350 or 450 guests for $50.00 more. Larger systems are also available for bigger groups (contact EBD for a quote based on your guest count).

Additional performance or technical hours typically run at $50.00 per hour or, in some cases, EBD offers a flat rate. We love that you can add hours as needed, even on-the-spot if you don't want the party to end!

EBD also offers Wedding Services Plus- options and services that go beyond DJ'ing, to add an extra element of personalization to your wedding day.

For example, you might want your dinner music to go beyond the typical background music. EBD offers fun options like a kissing wheel or, a projector for a slide show.  Everything is cued and co-ordinated with your MC so that it times perfectly with your speeches and cake cutting.

Your EBD DJ can also act as your MC for the evening or, they can assist your MC for a smooth wedding reception.

Some other "Plus" services offered include:

•    Custom processional/recessional mix or bridal party introductions.  
•    Setting up in multiple locations (i.e. your ceremony and reception location).
•    Light shows of various types/sizes.
•    Weatherproofing, whisper generator and special cabling for outdoor events. 
•    Technical services to incorporate live performers.
•    Double DJ service

These are just a few of the “plus” services that EBD offers. Says Walter, "All of this combined is the essence of the EBD Difference. We have facilitated dream weddings to date of up to $1,500.00. And it's not that the options are expensive, it's very value added. You can be as creative as you want to be and still suit your budget. There is always a technical event services solution. This is why we include event services in the company name.  It's important."

Hot Trends

The team at EBD likes to keep up with the latest trends in wedding music and entertainment. Walter says that he is seeing personalization of music that goes beyond the  reception dance. Either for the wedding party entrance/introductions or more recently, the recessional/processional. "When the couples see our enthusiasm for giving them the exact music they want at the reception, they feel free to indulge themselves at the ceremony or before dinner or early evening. These are brief allowable guilty pleasures during otherwise traditional proceedings. We are lucky to have the years of experience to encourage this."

Couples are also choosing to mix songs to create something totally unique for special wedding day moments. Walter explains, "An upbeat personal pre-dinner entrance song can mean a lot to a couple but lasts only short minutes. Or a mix of a romantic tune and an alternative tune for a first dance. Meaningful untraditional songs altered in some simple way such as speed/pitch (to honour tradition) or with a clever edit (to not drastically break tradition) can make for a very memorable processional/recessional. "This novelty can also be used to smoothly incorporate ethnic or cultural music elements into otherwise modern proceedings.  We help make these lasting memories."

In terms of entertainment extras, Walter says that the Kissing Wheel is a popular "plus" service. Walter explains, "It's unique, entertaining and can be personalized. It is also unexpectedly entertaining – it keeps things lively over dinner when people are usually just eating."  Find out more here

The EBD Bride

While many EBD brides can be described as "fun-loving," the team at EBD has worked with brides of all budgets, lifestyles, attitudes, locations – including challenging clients or situations.  Since couples can personalize the EBD services as much or as little as they want, it's no wonder that they attract such a wide clientele. "We give them permission to be unique in their own way through music or presentation of events. Overall, I suppose our ideal bride would share our key point of view: wedding receptions are to celebrate yourselves and your marriage for both you and your families."

Walking you through it

If you're interested in booking with EBD, send them an email or, give them a call. Heather at reception is often your first point of contact on the phone while Walter handles the e-mails.  Walter is also the main event consultant for your first meeting and from here, you'll meet with your selected DJ for the music consultation. EBD also offers technical consultants for light shows and media such as projector slideshows or graphics for kissing wheels.

Music is the main focus of your first consultation – everything comes together after that. 
EBD will go through several questions with you to ensure that the music is a true reflection of your style. "Our questions all have a certain amount of overlap and help to truly flesh out the couples expectations and likes/dislikes."

For example, they'll find out what specific bands and songs you do and don't want as well as the type of music you like (in general). They'll find out about your individual likes and dislikes and, musical taste of family members. They'll also ask what general format you would like to see (i.e. 10% country, 50% new hits, 25% retro, etc).

Walter says that some couples have very specific requirements and some have very few. "This method helps catch it all either way so we can accurately deliver what the couple expects at the reception. The multiple questions approach makes us very thorough."

After you've gone through general music preferences, you'll discuss custom music needs (if any) such as ceremony music, the wedding party entrance and introductions, special dances at the reception and the garter and bouquet toss. "This helps the agenda take shape for our DJ's."

From here, you'll go over other event details that EBD may need-to-know and all basic services you'll need for your wedding day: the agenda for the day, announcements, dinner music, possible tech support for speeches or live performers. "This lays out the day to be recorded for what we like to call the Master Details Agenda (MDA). The MDA is our key to our commitment to attention to detail."

Lastly, you'll discuss any further entertainment services that you'd like, such as dance lighting, a kissing wheel, a video slideshow, remote or challenging location details (if any). You'll also discuss options for solutions to questions or situations that have arisen from the meeting consultation.

On your wedding day, EBD is there to help make sure that your big day is incredible! "We are mindful of your day, your agenda, your needs and facilitate as appropriate, flexibly working your MDA. EBD “basic” services for all packages co-ordinate any needed mic talk in general and the complete post-dinner timeline from speeches onward. We also go further with required crowd wrangling to ensure all guests are present for special moments. Couples can count on our expertise for a worry free flow of events."

In most cases, the DJ can handle the setup, however, more involved setups can include added technicians or a setup crew. On heavily booked weekends, there is a dedicated setup crew who preps and delivers equipment and does setups all day to ensure that setup is smooth and stress-free.

After your wedding, Entertainment by Design will post action photo's to their website and follow-up with the bride and groom for performance reviews.

Trevor Allman told The Ring about his favourite memories of working with EBD, "It was the flexibility Walter provided. Our wedding was not traditional, and yet, he orchestrated the night's entertainment wonderfully. And seeing him playing another wedding (very close friends) and him remembering us and the laughs and memories shared."

Details, details, details

•    The average bride spends $600.00 for dinner/reception to $1,200.00 (or more) for a full day of services, including the ceremony.
•    Deposits are transferable to other events. 
•    Events must be paid in full a minimum of twenty-one days in advance. 
•    Entertainment by Design offers a stag and doe discount, small party discounts and a wedding/stag&doe package discount. 
•    There is a $125.00 or 30% deposit required to secure Entertainment By Design for your event.
•    It's best to book about eight to ten months before the wedding to ensure that your date is available. However, contact Entertainment by Design for last minute bookings or events.