DJ on a traditional wedding

Paul:
Hello, ladies and gentleman. This is Paul from TaraWeddings and with me Alex from TaraWeddings. Today we’re going to speak about traditional weddings and DJs on the traditional weddings. Why they need a DJ and what’s different between traditional wedding and non traditional wedding.

Alex:
Speaking of that, let’s talk a little bit about the main requirements that we need for traditional wedding DJ. So first of all, whenever you do traditional wedding as a DJ you always, rule number one, you always have to talk to your customers and consult with every move you make just because Canada is a multicolor traditional country. So there are so many different cultures and you simply can’t know everything. It’s just impossible. Yes, the more weddings you do, the more experience you gain. Correct?

Paul:
Exactly.

Alex:
However, there was some specific details that you may not be aware of just because you don’t speak that language. So whenever you do a traditional wedding, always talk to your customers about every song, every move, everything. Also, please have it on your paper, on the papers that you’ve signed on the contract. The reason being, if there is any misunderstanding or maybe the bride changes her mind on the fly, at least you have something on the paper that says, “Hey, we should go with the plan and this is the plan and that’s how we go.” Because you know a wedding, everybody’s nervous. Everything can happen, right? You can change things as you go, however, it’s mandatory. From a DJ perspective it’s mandatory to have editing on the paper. So that’s one side.

Alex:
The other side is ideally if you do a traditional wedding, if you can speak that language, that helps a lot because if you know that language, you know the tradition and you know exactly what to do. If you don’t speak the language, so first of all, before you even approach this niche of international weddings, research, do research about the weddings that you do.

Paul:
The culture.

Alex:
Yes, the culture. Again, as long as you gain experience, it will be easier to do different traditional weddings. I would say if you’re just starting doing this, take three or five, make a research, go to only five different traditions. Then when you gain a certain level of understanding the culture and what you are expected to do in the wedding, then you can add some other cultures. At least that’s what we’ve been doing, right?

Paul:
Every culture counts. They’ll get to know each other better.

Alex:
Exactly. Once you are aware about, at least basic details, so when you talk to your customers, you both are on the same page. You both know what you are discussing. This is another thing. Also, usually, usually the structure of the weddings, especially for DJ, it’s the same unless you’re participating in ceremonies and stuff, but for DJs it’s not a necessity. Usually with DJs just for night party.

Paul:
Reception?

Alex:
Reception, as well, yeah. Well again every wedding will [inaudible 00:02:43], but in general the structure is pretty much the same. Always, always keep in mind that appearance is the most important part. If you screw that up, it doesn’t matter what happens after. When bride and groom steps into the venue, again, this is number one priority. This track should be discussed with your customers. Usually they approach you and say, “Okay, so when we come in, we want this music to be played,” and so on.

Alex:
This applies to any wedding, but for the culture, specifically if you don’t speak language just ask for the track. When you’re with the bride, play the track for her before the wedding, of course, and say, “Okay, is this the version that you want?” Then if she confirms them, yeah, everything is settled down. When the party comes, again, there will be different scenarios. Some cultures like to use performers and it can be anybody.

Paul:
Especially the Russians. Everything they can fit into their wedding. This is okay. From ballerina to fire dancers, whatever. In some cultures they don’t like any kind of performers on their weddings day. For the music, if it’s, for example, Indian wedding, you cannot just put any Indian song because there are lots of different subcultures in India and some of them are not big friends to each other. Some of them speak completely different languages.

Paul:
So if you’re going to put just song from India and it’s the complete opposite side of the country, they will not understand that and they will not appreciate it at all. So you pretty much messing up the wedding. As a DJ in a cultural wedding, you’re supposed to know where your couple is coming from, what area of the country and to understand who they are. Because, for example, in Indiana there are some people that are Buddhists, some people that are Christian and so on. These are completely different Indians.

Paul:
You need to know about all this because this will make a difference in their dances, in their performances, in whatever they’re going to do. There are some Muslims that are getting married in Catholic churches, and you’re like, how come?

Paul:
The reason why because they’re from some kind of Sudan country and you’re like, really? There are some people who are going to the actual church in this country? Yes. But at the same time their friends can go to the temple and they will have completely different cultural event. As a DJ you’re supposed to know all this differences to be able to provide the best possible quality for your clients so they will cherish this and they will forward your information to their friends, to their guests. That’s how you get referrals. You pretty much grow.

Alex:
Yeah. And that brings us back to the original statement and original rule number one. So whenever you do a traditional wedding, always talk to your customers. Always discuss what you’re going to play. Always discuss the track list and everything. At least that will help you during the wedding itself.

Paul:
Yeah. Usually during the cultural weddings there is a part when DJ plays the actual cultural songs, traditional music from Greece, for example, they do their dances, they’re just having fun, dancing and all this stuff. Then they proceed to just a normal average music, more than one American, Canadian music, whatever.

Paul:
For the second part, when just general music plays, you can play whatever you like, but for the traditional, you need to have a playlist for every specific moment of their celebration. In this case, there will not be any kind of surprises for you. Makes sense?

Alex:
Absolutely, makes sense. Absolutely makes sense.

Paul:
Thank you guys for watching. Hope you found some interesting information for you and see you the next time.