Wedding Couples Left In The Lurch
Call me crazy, old-fashioned, out-of-touch with the real world, Polyannish, but I approach my DJ service with the idea that my clients are important and deserve my attention. I know…it’s probably not what you might think when you think of a DJ. But the service I perform is usually for a once-in-a-lifetime event for a person or a couple who are trusting me with a very important day. They will usually sign up with me months in advance and trust me, at least, to honor their deposit and contract. But to me, it’s more. It’s about building strong relationships with clients and going beyond their expectations. But for some wedding vendors, it’s nothing more than business and service has little or nothing to do with it. I’m sure it happens all the time, though I can’t prove it. A couple lays down a hefty down payment for wedding vendor services and, at the last minute, the couple is left in the lurch with little time to secure another service and a big fight on their hands to get their deposit back. Here are just a few of the stories I’ve found that prove my point.
A VENUE CLOSES WITHOUT WARNING – This first story is about a local venue in the Philadelphia suburbs called “Gypsy Rose Inn.” I am very familiar with this venue and though it seemed a little old to me, it was a nice venue nonetheless. Most impressive was the outside garden area under a thick canopy of trees. The garden area, perfect for ceremonies, was bordered by a cool creek which looked so refreshing on a hot August Saturday afternoon. Some time last year, however, I went by the venue and saw it was all boarded up with a “Closed For Renovations” sign. It was an unexpected sight. Turns out, it was not closed just for renovations…it was closed for good due to liquor violations and financial mismangagement and the property is now in disrepair and up for sale.
In the aftermath, according to the article, there were a dozen or so couples who had just weeks or a few months to find another venue, and a big fight to get back their deposit. You can read the whole story here.
ANOTHER VENUE CLOSES – Another story of a venue which closed is posted here. In this case, however, it doesn’t seem to have closed as abruptly as the Gypsie Rose Inn. Further, it seems all but a couple of the brides were notified. But those brides who were not notified were left scrambling for another venue with only weeks before their wedding. Now, new invitations had to be printed; new contracts for the other vendors had to be re-inked; and a whole lot of stress had to be managed in those final weeks leading up to the wedding.
NO-SHOW DJ – At the risk of indicting my own profession, here is a bride’s story of a DJ with 21 years of experience who never showed up at the wedding. This one is very gripping and you will want to watch the whole vid. I was saddened when I saw this. See the vid in 2 parts: Part 1 and Part 2.
Although I find a lot wrong with that video and with that whole case, it can’t be disputed that this DJ should have at least notified the bride that he would not be able to make it to the wedding. That would be the first thing I would do. The second thing I would do would be to find another DJ. In fact, that bit is in my contract; that is, if I can’t fulfill my duties, I will look for a replacement DJ.
But long before the wedding day, my brides hear from me on a regular basis. I send out a monthly newsletter, if for no other reason than to let my brides know I have not skipped town with their deposit. I know this is her big day, her once-in-a-lifetime event; an event which she, in a lot of cases, has been dreaming of since she was a little girl. Therefore, for me, it is not just another Saturday night gig. I have to believe she wants to hear from me; I have to believe she wants to know I’m still there. …That I’m thinking about her and watching the calendar for her day to come. …That I’m doing the requisite prep commensurate with such a special day. …That I consider her big day to be my big day too, and that no small thing is going to delay or divert me.
Like I said, call me crazy.
Will Stephens is the owner/operator of 4Most Sound & Light based in the Philadelphia, PA area. He serves Delaware Valley brides with superb service and a memorable experience. If you are in the Delaware Valley, Lehigh Valley, or Reading, PA area and you are looking for a Philadelphia wedding DJ, you are welcome to visit his site at www.4MostSound.com.
Copyright Will Stephens, 2009
Tags: Choosing A DJ, Wedding DJ, wedding receptions
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