Written by Donna Maurer
Photographer + Your Music – Vendors in Sync
Your Photographer + Your Music – how do you keep your vendors in sync throughout your wedding day?
From the dress to the food and decorations, every couple wants their wedding to be perfect. Of course, those details are essential, but choosing your DJ or band is perhaps the most crucial detail of all. After all, your DJ or band acts as the master of ceremonies for your reception. They keep things moving and ensure that your photographer doesn’t miss out on any crucial moments throughout the night. Here’s how to make sure your DJ and photographer work together to capture all of the vital shots at your wedding.
Choosing the Right Music Provider for Your Reception
Choosing the right DJ or Band can make or break your reception. Of course, you want your big day to be filled with fun and excitement, but the right entertainer should also take the stress off of you so that you can just enjoy your night. Here’s what to look for when interviewing music providers for your reception:
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They’re a Good Communicator
Not only is it essential that your music provider listens to your needs and wants, but it’s also vital that they can communicate well with your other vendors, especially your photographer. You want a DJ that understands that this is one of the most important events of your life. They should ask you a lot of questions and offer suggestions to make sure the night goes off just the way you want it to.
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They Know How to Keep Things Moving
According to wedding entertainment experts at Around Town Entertainment “a great music provider does more than just play the music at your reception. They should also act as the master of ceremonies throughout the night.” From introducing the couple to announcing when it’s time to cut the cake, they should know how to keep things running smoothly and call attention to the crucial moments to ensure that your photographer and your guests don’t miss any of those moments that you’ll want to remember for years to come. They set the timeline and flow of events throughout the event.
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They’ll Keep Things Fun for Your Guests
When it comes down to it, your wedding reception is a party, and the right music provider will set the tone for the whole night. You want an entertainer who knows how to read your guests and play the right songs. You want him to play your favorite songs, but also songs that will get your guests up on the dance floor. They should understand how to combine fast and slow dances to make sure that everyone from kids to adults has a good time. Keeping everyone active also gives your photographer more opportunities to get some great informal shots of your friends and family.
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They’re Willing to Work with Your Photographer and Venue
Your music provider should be willing to contact your venue and photographer before the event to make sure everyone’s on the same page. Knowing that all of your vendors are in sync will take a lot of stress off of you and ensure that everything goes off without a hitch.
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They’re Professional
The right music provider will arrive well before your event starts to set up his equipment. They’ll test everything ahead of time to make sure that guests and other vendors can hear him well, no matter where they’re sitting or standing in the room. They should also have backup equipment available in case something goes wrong. Of course, they should also be dressed appropriately for your event and be relaxed and in control throughout the evening. As the master of ceremonies, if they’re stressed out or unprofessional in any way, it will affect not only your guests but your other vendors as well.
Helping Your Music Provider and Photographer Work Together
Communication is the only way to ensure that your music provider and photographer are in sync at your reception. Not only do they need to communicate with each other, but they also need to communicate with you to ensure that everyone is on the same page. One way you can help them work together is to provide them with a checklist of the critical moments that you want to have photographed during the reception.
Here are some must-have moments that should be announced and photographed during the reception:
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The Entrance of the Bride and Groom
Your guests should arrive at your reception venue before you and your groom so you can make a grand entrance. At this time, your MC should introduce you as husband and wife to ensure that your guests don’t miss this special moment. Your photographer should also be in a position to snap photos as your guests applaud your entrance.
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Your First Dance as a Married Couple
As the bride and groom, all eyes will be on you for your first dance as a married couple. You’ve spent a lot of time planning this moment, so your DJ needs to make sure it goes off without a hitch, and your photographer should be ready to snap several shots of this tear-jerking event. Other special dances, like the father/daughter dance and the mother/son dance, are also essential moments to announce and photograph.
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Toasts
Make sure that your MC and photographer know which toasts are most important to you. Your MC should quiet the crowd and announce the best man, maid of honor, and other essential guests as they toast your wedding. The photographer’s job is to capture the emotions of you and your guests as your loved ones make their speeches.
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Cutting the Cake
Cutting the wedding cake is one of the most memorable moments of the reception, so it’s vital that your MC and photographer are on the same page. If the timing’s off, your guests or photographer could miss some of the most essential shots of the evening.
If you will be having a bouquet toss, garter toss, or grand exit, make sure your DJ and photographer are on the same page about those moments as well. You spend a lot of time and money planning your wedding day, and once it’s over all you have are your memories and photographs. Ensuring that your vendors are in sync will ensure that none of the crucial moments are missed so you can look back on them for years to come. Keeping your photographer + your music in sync will certainly keep your wedding day stress free!
Need a DJ? Check out HiWay Productions Wedding DJ
