The key to great wedding music

When you're planning the ultimate wedding day, wedding music can trump just about anything in its level of importance. Let's face it, no one wants to horrify Grandma with naughty lyrics in the wedding party dance, have the wrong song played for their first dance, or worse, have an altogether empty dance floor.

Wanting to strike the right tone for your wedding day tunes is all about the DJ, live band or other musicians you choose to play on your day. That, and some great song choices, and you're looking at a fabulous night filled with dancing and celebration of your new marriage.

Here are a few tricks to help you hit all the right notes on your wedding day...

1. Don't choose your DJ according to cost, especially if there's a huge gap between the lowest quote and everyone else's. Good DJs take their jobs seriously and of course, they want to be a part of as many weddings as they possibly can. What we mean is that if they could get more business by charging cheaper prices, they probably would. If they don't, then it has to mean that they can't do so without sacrificing quality.

2. Read reviews in The Ring on your potential Disc Jockey or live musicians in London Ontario. You'll be able to see what other brides have to say about them, what their prices and options are, and what type of reputation they have. If they don't have a review in The Ring, you can ask to talk to a few of their past brides, read their testimonials, and talk to other wedding vendors to get a feel for the DJ's reputation in the London area.

3. Find out if they have the licensing and proper insurance.Rob Aitken at Music Centralsays that 2M liability insurance seems to be the standard for DJs right now. Many DJs are also licensed by the AVLA, allowing them to play and copy music with permission (find specifics on the AVLA website). Other DJs may subscribe to music that's sent to them on the ongoing basis, such as on the weekly or monthly basis. In Music Central's case, they have subscriptions in addition to AVLA licensing since they have multiple DJs/units and need more than one copy of each piece of music. Rob also considers it a good sign when a DJ is a member or an organization such as the Canadian Disc Jockey Association. "I think it shows that they're serious about their business." If your DJ is a member of the London Chamber of Commerce or the Better Business Bureau it's also a bonus.

4. Ask your potential DJ all the right questions.

5. Get, read, add details to & sign a contract. Make sure anything that is important to you is written in the contract or paperwork. If it's not on the contract, it's probably not going to happen. This is the case with all of the professionals you work with. Details can easily get lost in the mix of phone calls, emails, Facebook messages and in person meetings, despite everyone's best intentions.

6. Avoid cheese at all costs! No one wants a cheesy wedding. You don't want a DJ that talks at all the wrong times, says things that are inappropriate or who makes bad jokes. If you've chosen someone with a good reputation, you should be able to count on avoiding this, but if you're not sure, then ask the DJ how much or how little they talk throughout the wedding. See if you can take a peek at another wedding they're playing before you hire them. If they're professional DJs, there's a good chance they're playing an event in the next few weeks that you can take a look at.

7. Choose someone who has experience doing weddings. As great as it is to help out a friend, try not to be the first wedding that a new disc jockey does professionally. Note that experience as a high school dance or bar DJ isn't the same as experience as a wedding disc jockey.

8. Get to know and love the DJ or live musicians you choose. When personalities click there's huge potential for making great music together. Besides which, your inner instincts will likely tell you right away if you don't think this is the professional for your wedding. 

9. Once you choose your professional, use and rely on their expertise. Ask them for advice, let them come up with ideas you haven't even thought of. Investing in great music will mean you're able to work with your music professionals to help you turn your ceremony or reception into a hit!

10. Check out all of your options.Many DJs offer lighting, cordless microphones for speeches, and more. For example, if your decorator doesn't already provide uplighting, you can probably find that with a few DJs in the London area as well.

Reviews on London wedding DJs and musicians will get you started in the right direction...
(reviews contain prices, packages, experience, interviews with brides, links to details and more)

A & M Sounds strives to set themselves apart from the rest to give London brides what they want

Through his professional disc jockey services company, A & M Sounds Disc Jockey Service, Adrian Peters has become a familiar face at community and charity events as well as at about ninety London area weddings each year. Adrian provides the sound for all sizes of events, not because it's his job, but because it's his passion - even now after twenty-five years in business. "We strive to set ourselves apart from the rest," he explains to couples - words you can only hope to hear from that one guy who will control the mood of your guest list for about six hours!

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Guaranteeing great dance music is big business for this huge music fan

You want your reception dance to be both romantic and fun. To get that balance, you need a disc jockey with experience. At a rate of three to six weddings per week, it's no mystery that Music Central Entertainment knows how to DJ a wedding with the professionalism and confidence brides look for. Owner, Rob Aitken, personally DJs events for his company fifty out of fifty-two weeks a year, which allows him to keep in tune with what services couples are looking for. Music Central is also fully-staffed with an additional five DJs - all trained, equipped and ready to provide music that'll keep your guests dancing all night long!

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