How many hours should I hire a DJ, I bet you don't know... | Table7 Events

This may sound like the most useless blog post ever, but bare with me.  You have secured the venue for "Event Time" from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m, and your ceremony starts at 5:00 p.m.  So you hire the DJ for 6 hours, right???  WRONG, FALSE, UNTRUE!!!

This is the most common mistake I run into with DJ's when I send out my agenda.  We are all on the same page when it comes to the ceremony starting at 5:00 p.m., however, when they see that the prelude music (pre ceremony music playing to create the atmosphere for your guest arrival period and to set the tone for your event) is to start 30 minutes prior, at 4:30 p.m., things sometimes take a turn for the worse.  "I was only hired for 6 hours!  You need to call the bride and see what she is going to do about it."  It is you, the client, that usually pays the price.  Literally!!!

There are a few scenarios:
1.  You have a really cool DJ that says, "No Problem, I will be there a little early!"
2.  You get a call from me, via the DJ, requesting an additional fee for 30 minutes of time!
3.  Your DJ will start at 4:30 p.m. and will be done at 10:30 p.m. because you had a 6 hour deal!

Now, which DJ do you want to work with?

I am probably one of the most judgmental planners in Orange County when it comes to a DJ.  Sorry to any DJ reading this!  I am stickler for a professional, with a fantastic personality, they must play nice with others, plus know a little something about pleasing the entire crowd!!!

The answer to the original question:  "How many hours should I hire a DJ?"  "Event Time"plus 30 minutes if you are having the DJ play for the ceremony.  I urge you to discuss the prelude music during your initial interview to see if it is included in your contracted time.  If not, ask that the DJ include it in writing before signing the contract.

I would LOVE to refer you to someone great in the Orange County area.  Please contact me directly at Table7 Events for your referral:  www.table-seven.com

Photo Credit:  STUDIO EMP

The Villa, Orange: Desiree's 1 Direction, Sweet 16 | Table7 Events

Venue:  THE VILLA

Event Coordination:  TABLE7 EVENTS, INC.

Photography:  KIMBERLY APRIL PHOTOGRAPHY 
Floral Design, Uplighting and Candy Bar:  DE-LIGHTED

Cake:  CREATIVE CAKES

DJ:  VELOCITY DJ

Entertainment:  GEMS ARCADE
Photo Booth:  SHUTTERBOOTH

I have not been 16 in many moons, but man did this party take me back.  My Sweet 16 consisted of a trip to the DMV and a slumber party, so I was excited that Desiree's mom wanted to go all out!

Mom wanted to make sure that the kids had plenty of activities because she knew that this group would stand in a huddle on their phones the entire night, while Desiree's main focus was on decor.  She mainly was into the decor and her colors:  red, black and white with cheetah print.  I think we combined both mother and daughter's wants and created exactly the party they both had hoped for.

Meet our birthday girl, "Happy Sweet 16!"

To keep these teenagers entertained, we brought in the ladies at Shutterbooth for fun photos, an air hockey table, a few video games, a candy buffet and of course we had to have music.  The DJ's from velocity put up huge screens to show the music videos as the kids danced.  What would a 16 year old's birthday be without a 1 Direction cake!!!  Loved it!!!

Parisian 50th Birthday Celebration | Table7 Events

Location:  YORBA LINDA RESIDENCE

Event Styling and Floral Design:  TABLE7 EVENTS, INC.

Catering:  ALICIA'S

Wine Pairing:  VENDOME LIQUOR

Photography:  TABLE7 EVENTS, INC.

Rentals:  CREATE-A-PARTY RENTALS

Months ago, the hostess and best friend of the birthday girl contacted me about hosting a party for her best friend, but she was unsure which direction she wanted to go with the 50 guests she would be inviting into her home.  The trickiest part when throwing a party for a third person is figuring out what the uninvolved person would prefer.

After a little Q & A, the same words kept reoccurring:  good wine, intimate, fine dining, Paris...  We decided on a Parisian themed event, complete with a food and wine pairing of passed hors d'oeuvres.

It is fantastic when the host and hostess are willing to entrust you with all of the details of the event, not exactly knowing the outcome.  On this occasion, I had an engineer as my host, so he willingly made my visions a reality.  He spliced together strings of market lights to create a glow on the dance floor, I envisioned a a fountain in the pool, and he even lit an Eiffel Tower in the background to bring Paris to Yorba Linda.  (I think I may just hire him!)

Luckily, I have had a few floral design courses in my past so I was able to create lovely centerpieces from my inventory, and save the host and hostess the expense of hiring a florist.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted with tray passed champagne, a display of fresh fruit, imported cheeses, baked brie en croute, dried bread, crackers and date rumaki.  If you have never had Alicia's date rumaki, I would hire them just for that bacon wrapped pleasure!

Next up, the whites!  A chardonnay and pinot grigio paired with beet & chive crostini, petite chicken picatta skewers, and spinach & feta empanadas with cilanto yogurt.  The guests were raving and so eager for their next course of red pairings.  The red wines included a blend, pinot noir, and petite sirah, but it was the food that brought out each flavor.  The third course consisted of a gorgonzola stuffed mushrooms, roasted red pepper soup shooters and bleu beef tenderloin canapes with caramelized onions.

After the third course, I heard so many satisfied groans from full bellies, the dessert selection had to be spectacular to continue the indulgence:  chocolate mouse shooters, red velvet and lemon pound petite cupcakes, cheesecake tarts with fresh berries, a beautiful butter cake with white chocolate shavings for the birthday girl and a coffee bar complete with chocolate whipped cream.  Since this WAS a wine party, we had to offer a dessert wine.  The Cocoa Vino was a huge success!  If I hadn't been "on the clock" I would of had a little taste myself.

In keeping with the theme of the party and art being part of the French culture, we added a blank canvas as a keepsake for the birthday girl.  The guests were invited to bring out their inner artist and paint their message...

This Parisian themed party has been my favorite of 2012, thus far.  I have to thank the wonderful vendors I brought together to make this evening successful.  Alicia's has never let me down and exceeded the host and hostesses expectations and Vendome Liquor completed our event with the selection of pairings.   Vendome went above and beyond to accommodate the budget and quality desired which is a feat in itself.

~Au Revoir~