Elope The Formalities
I Was Referred
Once I started to talk with Nancy and Jeremy, I found out that this wasn’t going to be your Average Social. They didn’t know that my services provided them with an opportunity to share in some special moments. Even though my referral was coming from one of their friends (whom I had worked with for their own social 3 years prior) that’s where the process stopped. I then picked it up from there.
After a couple of emails, I knew that the referral wasn’t going to be enough. They had in mind, like most, that hiring a DJ was hiring someone to simply show up and play music. When we began to discuss pricing I knew I needed to talk to them one on on in order to properly show and explain to them what I truly had to offer.
They agreed to meet over a cup of coffee down at the Johnson Terminal. There we could finally get a proper feel for one and other. They told me their story on how they got together. I had a chance to listen.
What Made This Night Special
Something For Momma
It was an honor, and I am very proud to say I get to do this for a living. Not everything we get to do in life gets to make an impact the way we want it to. For that I am truly grateful!
Congratulations again Nancy and Jeremy!
-DJ Steven P
Redefining the Celebration Experience
Top 3 Ways To Sell Out Your Event
I’ve been hired to provide music and entertainment for clients and their events. Some times the turn out can be very low in numbers. Here in Manitoba, our Wedding Socials are events where we can generate money for the Bride & Groom to be and their inevitable Wedding Celebration. However, the attraction of the Social event in itself, is no longer a mandatory attendance for most people.
Follow this simple formula for the best results in a market that’s been over done.
1) Sell Tickets
It’s obvious that you should sell tickets. Sometimes the sales do not add up however. Want to sell more? Try selling way in advance. You should be selling your tickets 6 months in advance. This ensures you meet with every prospective attendee.
A good way to break the ice with a prospective ticket buyer is to start by asking “Hey, do you have $10?” They will most likely reply “I do actually!” Then you say “Great, here’s a ticket to my Social (or whatever event)!”
My recommendation is to over sell your space. And be conscious about how many people you think you can actually attract. Don’t go searching for the biggest venue because it may have come with an easier price point. If you only can think of 100 friends, and think you can sell two tickets each, then that’s only 200 people that may attend. Do you need a hall that can hold 500 people? Most likely not. There are halls for all sizes of audiences. You should pick the one that best suits your needs.
Over sell by at least 100 tickets. This will ensure you have a buffer to fill the gaps for the people that are only looking to purchase ‘support tickets’ or can’t make it after the purchase of the ticket.
2) Put the Right Info On Your Ticket
Does your ticket have a link to your Facebook Event page that you created? (you did create one didn’t you?)
Your tickets should have a link to your event page. Build some community around this event. The more professional it looks and feels, the more enticing the event will look to people whom you may not even know that might attend. Seriously! Ever seen that a friend of yours is going to a show that you didn’t know existed? You know, those notifications you see on Facebook! Now imagine if people saw that you were going to an event that looked like a lot of fun, with an enticing cover photo that showcased your unique theme for the event etc. I bet more people would be intrigued.
Your ticket should also state the theme of your event if you’ve chosen one. Maybe even a goofy picture of you and your fiance! Why not engage people right from the beginning?
3) Follow Up With Everyone
So you sold how many tickets to how many people? Take the steps necessary to follow up with people. Ensure them that it it would truly mean a lot to you if they were to come. This isn’t a ploy. It’s a very true statement. I know personally, that I would love to see all my friends enjoy and be entertained at what I have put together for us. I know that if they were not to come, that I would be saddened.
If you know they are on Facebook, make sure they know where to find the event page and remind them that you are expecting to see them there. There you can post pictures of your prizes that you’ve put together and remind everyone of what kind of fun they can be having.
I would highly recommend checking out my blog “The Average Social is Dead“. There you can find more tips on spicing things up for your event!
BONUS
If you’re getting married next year, make sure to attend EVERY social you get invited to. Why you ask? Because when it comes time to ask those same people to attend your social, you can easily and confidently state (in maybe a not so direct way) that you attended theirs, so you’ll expect to see them at yours 🙂 #reciprocity
Did this help? If so comment below!
Steven Petznik
Redefining the Celebration Experience
www.DJYourLife.Com
Andrea and Charlie Said ‘I Do’!
This past Saturday I had the honor of providing Sound, Entertainment and Master of Ceremony services for two very wonderful people. Both of them were from neighboring towns; Ninette and Dunrea Manitoba. The Wedding Celebrations was held at her parent’s farm just outside of town with 220 of their friends and family.
Her parents worked very hard in the weeks that preceded to make sure the yard stayed in pristine shape. The lawn was cut and trimmed and as green as I’ve ever seen. The farm itself was situated in a valley with rolling hillsides as the back drop. The accommodating space was enough for a great majority of people to bring their campers to stay the night.
The Ceremony
Their ceremony started at 3:30 where they exchanged vows and planted a tree to symbolize their union as they grow together. The weather was wet earlier in the week but there was not a cloud in the sky for them that day. They opened the bar for everyone to cool off where the iced water was plentiful. We played classical remixes of pop songs by the Vitamin String Quartet while the guests arrived. For the wedding party’s processional they chose the Beetle’s – Here Comes the Sun. Andrea and her father walked down aisle with Israel Kamakawio’ole – Over the Rainbow. For the book signing it was The Temptations’ – My Girl and for their recessional we played the Zach Brown Band’s – You Make Loving You Easy
The Entrances, The Speeches and Toasts
As we proceeded with the reception, it was clear that everyone was in great spirits. Being the Master of Ceremonies allowed me to keep the pace moving. We introduced the wedding party and of course, our newlyweds. Andrea and Charlie picked the theme songs for everyone to be introduced to. They chose ZZ Top’s – Sharp Dressed Man for the gents, and Justin Timberlake’s – Can’t Stop the Feeling for the ladies. For themselves they chose AC/DC’s – You Shook Me All Night Long.
Andrea’s cousin Scott said Grace for us before we invited everyone to partake in dinner. It was a buffet style meal with cranberry chicken, roast beef and all the fix-ins. Andrea and Charlie wanted to release the tables with song titles. There was 24 tables that had a song chosen for each of them. It worked out really well since the songs they chose were easily identifiable.
After the meal we began our speeches and toasts. I invited everyone that they had mentioned to the podium. It was heart felt, emotional and full of good laughs. I as well had to acknowledge that it is an emotional roller coaster. Afterwards, we cleared the tables on the dance floor.
The Magic
The cake cutting took place as we explained the importance of time honored tradition, and I went into detail of where it came from. We then went from one side of the tent, we all made our way to the dance floor. Here is where we made some magic happen.
When I first met with Andrea and Charlie I found out that they wanted to personalize their wedding. One of the ways we determined that brought the whole thing together was by presenting their Love Story. They decided to have this presented before their first dance. It worked out wonderfully. I took the time to ask them a few questions, and crafted a speech that highlighted their lives together, and how we got to the point we were all Celebrating. There was some great moments through out the presentation that had everyone laughing and cheering! We then had their first dance with Lee Brice’s – Woman Like You. Her father was then invited for a moment with his Daughter as we played Heartland’s – I Loved Her First.
The Celebration
We opened the rest of the night with Alabama’s – I’m In a Hurry with everyone joining in. The mood was set as everyone danced the whole night through. Andrea tossed her bouquet with Gwen Stefani’s – Hollaback Girl. We also stopped to surprise/honor Andrea’s parent’s 40th anniversary. We played all types of music that kept the pace very up beat where everyone young and old could share in a great experience. It meant a lot to Andrea and Charlie that everyone was included and they were. And of course had Nick Lowe’s – I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock & Roll
From the beginning of the afternoon, til the last song; everyone knew it was a celebration they were happy to be apart of! I was happy to provide them with something more than expected from 80% of the services out there. We wouldn’t have been able to achieve this level without Andrea and Charlie’s trust in our services. They allowed me to work with them. They allowed us to create once in a lifetime moments in fun and creative ways. I am so pleased to have the honor of being apart of their Wedding Celebration, and this is my tribute to that wonderful day.
For more information on how to book your wedding with us: Click Here
-Steven
Redefining the Celebration Experience
www.DJYourLife.com
204-881-3548
204-204-995-6664
StevenP@DJYourLife.com