Why do I bring this up?

Because Komodo Music employs both male and female DJs.

We make it a point to ensure that providing the person can do the job to our standards, there is no difference between a male and female DJ!

• Both can MC your event
• Both have an extensive knowledge of your music tastes
• Both can handle any and all situations regarding changes and requests
• And ALL my DJs can give as good as they get

As with any DJ, you will meet with them before your event to ensure you get along with them, they can answer all your questions, and you ensure you get to ‘suss them out’. If you really don’t want a female (or male) DJ that is fine as well! We will happily give you what you ask for, but ask yourself why!

Some people may be slightly shocked to see a female DJ as it is not industry standard, but just because you might not see that many women firefighters, accountants, taxi drivers or chiefs does not mean that they are bad…it just means they are going to try extra hard to be the best.

Change has to start somewhere, and at Komodo Music it starts here!

So after looking through hundreds of venues, comparing the pricing and locations, you finally think you have found the perfect reception!

BUT…it never hurts to find out the good, and not so good benefits before you sign on the dotted line.

Here are a list of things to keep in mind and ask the venue:

Sound

Some venues have strict sound restrictions relating to their location. They may have an inbuilt system which they can monitor how loud the music goes.Some places say music must be turned off by a certain time, and others may not be able to have doors open if the sound is likely to carry. Always be sure to find out all sound restrictions before you book.

PITFALL- With venues which have an inbuilt system, they may demonstrate it for you, but keep in mind hearing how loud it is in an empty room is not a good way to see how loud it will be when you have 100 guests taking up room and talking. Always ensure you do some research on forums and ask other couples who have had their reception there how they found the system. Some places like Caversham House have a really great system, others do not. Do you research!

Venue Access for Guests

With most specific wedding venues, guests can usually rock up whenever they want. However some restaurant venues or yacht clubs may not allow you and your guests to arrive before the official start time. This may be because they are serving restaurant customers and they still need to “turn over” the venue or it may be rules and regulations regarding ‘Members’ of the club. This will not be the case for EVERY venue of this type but ask the wedding coordinator for the details.

PITFALL- With some restaurants and yacht clubs, if guests do arrive early they may not be able to buy drinks prior to the start time. If this is the case, ensure you inform your guests of the nearest pub.

Venue Access for Suppliers

While this does not affect you directly, ensuring all your suppliers have access to the venue is very important. Some suppliers (like a DJ) may only need 1-2 hours for set up (depending on how large and how close to the room they can get) whereas other suppliers (such as a cake deliveries) may only take 15 minutes. Ask the wedding coordinator what time your suppliers can get in and ensure it is enough time by your suppliers standards.

PITFALL- Some suppliers will add extra fees for setups that have difficult access (i.e. only stairs with no lift, 12 mile hike to access point, etc) Be sure to keep this in mind for your budget

Weather

Some venues are very much designed for only a certain kind of weather! When you book your place, ensure the following:

-Does it have air conditioning/heating (and what type)

-Are there any “leaky” holes you need to be aware off

-What happens if it rains/snows/windy/45 degrees/-10 degrees

PITFALL- Some couples decide to have an outdoor/open marquee wedding, thinking that because they get married in summer there is no chance of rain, and this has caused some problems when the heavens unexpectedly open up. Ensure you and your venue have a contingency plan for your guests and your suppliers that need electricity should it rain (no matter how unlikely)

Food, Drink, Smoking

Most likely you have already tried the food and you are happy, but also ensure you have checked the following:

-The venue has dietary options for you guests should they need it (Gluten free, vegetarian, etc)

-Should guests wish, can they buy spirits?

-Where are guests permitted to smoke and can they take their drink with them?

Parking and Disabled Facilities

There are some fantastic venues in Perth and Melbourne, but if it is going to be a nightmare to get to the place you may want to ensure your guests carpool. Parking is one of the things that get over looked but it is important. Check where available parking bays are, the costs and what time they close. Also it never hurts to ensure all guests who may be wheelchair bound or have difficulty walking will be able to get to and navigate the venue. If you are expecting guests like this, ensure there is a disabled toilets for them as well.

Finish Times

And finally, know what time you need to be out of the venue. If your reception finishes at Midnight, check how long you and your guests are permitted to “potter” as you gather up the belongings. Some venues have strict policies and may charge you if you take longer than 30 minutes to vacate the premises. Most venues are very flexible but check with your wedding coordinator of any possible restrictions.

If you asks these questions, it will help you in the planning process.

The last note of advice is no matter what answers your wedding coordinator gives you, ensure it is written down in your contract, that way it is all on record.

 (Image courtesy of “Youthgrouptruth.com”)

Below are Top 20 Upbeat Farewell Songs that relate to leaving

I’ll Be There For You – (Friends Theme)-The Rembrandts

Its The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)- REM

I’m On My Way- The Proclaimers

Life is A Highway- Joe Crocker

Don’t Stop Me Now- Queen

We Got To Get Out Of This Place- The Animals

Highway To Hell- AC/DC

Beat It- Michael Jackson

The Bad Touch- The Bloodhound Gang

Stay The Night- James Blunt

Forget You- Cee Lo Greene

Love Generation- Bob Sinclair

Hit The Road Jack- Ray Charles

Bye, Bye, Bye- N*SYNC

Oi-Li-Di-Oh-La-Da- Beatles

All Night Long- Lionel Richie

Into The Night- Santana feat. Chad Crouger

Have A Nice Day- Bon Jovi

American Pie- Don McClain

Save Tonight- Eagle Eyed Cherry

For the Top 20 Slow Farewell Songs, click HERE

(Photo courtesy of “secretweddingsongs.com”)

Below are Top 20 Slow Farewell Songs that relate to leaving

Closing Time- Semisonic

Come Away With Me-Norah Jones

Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing- Aerosmith

I’ve Had The Time Of My Life- Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

My Happiness- Powderfinger

You’re My Best Friend-Queen

Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)- Greenday

Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World- IZ

You’ll Never Walk Alone- Jerry and the Pacemakers

Just The Way You Are- Bruno Mars

Love Me Like The World Is Ending- Ben Lee

Lay Your Love On Me- Roachford

Wish You Well- Bernard Fanning

Throw Your Arms Around Me- Hunters and Collectors

New York, New York- Frank Sinatra

Hey There Delilah- Plain White T’s

Sweet Caroline- Neil Diamond

Oh What A Night (1963)- Fankie Valli and the Four Seasons

Today Was A Fairytale- Taylor Swift

River of Dreams- Billy Joel

To see the top 20 Upbeat Farewell Songs, click HERE

(Photo courtesy of “secretweddingsongs.com”)

For details on the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, check out our Venues page HERE

If you want to keep dancing at your wedding all night long, these 3 tips will hopefully help ensure you want to keep dancing.

1) Comfortable footwear for you

As the bride, you are no doubt wearing a pair of beautiful shoes. This kind of shoes that girls all over the world wish they had…but come dancing time those shoes are going to be a pain!

There is a good chance that dancing around after a long day of walking in those shoes are going to make your feet hurt, so have a change. You can still get a nice ‘Bridal’ pair but ensure they are flats so you can keep yourself on the dance floor.

2) Comfortable footwear for your females guests

So you might now have a spare change, but what about the rest of the females? A solution to the problem is to get a lot of $2 flip-flops so the ladies can still dance without hurting their soles.

This is becoming more and more popular and for an extra $100, your female friends will truly appreciate it.

3) Leave your drinks off the dance floor

I know it sucks, but if a drink spills or worse, breaks on the dance floor, both you and any females who have taken off their shoes and are dancing barefoot will need to put their shoes back. The best option is to leave drinks on a side table next to the dance floor and keep going back for sips

But you still need to say goodbye!

At the end of the reception there are 3 traditional ways to get out. A Circle, and Archway or a Final Song. Depending on how you feel there are some pros and cons with each:

Final Song:

You aren’t really the “hugging” type or don’t really want to spend longer than you have saying goodbye as it is cutting into your dance time; so a Final Song is the way to go.

With a final song there is no goodbye, the DJ will simply announce:

“Well ladies and Gentleman it has come to the end of the night. We have one last song chosen specifically by the Bride and Groom so don’t be shy, get on the dance floor before we get out of here”

And that’s it, once it’s over the lights come on and the music stops. Short, sharp and easy

Archway:

Ok so maybe you want have an official sendoff but don’t want anything that takes too long. An Archway is usually the best option. With this everyone gets into two lines, holds their hands up and you guys run through.

HOWEVER, there can be a problem with this…if someone decides they want to “catch” you to say goodbye you can find that you are hunched over talking and kissing people. You should always have 2 songs ready just incase it is difficult to organize the people do the the free flowing liquor.

Circle:

There is no way your family are going to let you go without saying goodbye to them! So a circle it is!

Everyone gets into a big circle on the dance floor. You and your bride/groom start off at the same person. You go to the left, and your partner goes to the right and you meet back up where you left off. This is good as you can say goodbye to everyone, spending more time on close friends and family and just giving a brief and simple “thank you for coming” to everyone else.

BUT….this can also take a while as some want to relive the first moment they met you, other family members may be in tears and won’t want to let you go, and some may even try to pass on worldly advice as to what to do on your honeymoon. Whatever is said, you will need a minimum of 4 songs and depending on the size of the crowd, may need to start either 20-30 minutes prior to close.

So there you have it! Now all you need to do is determine which method best suits your needs and your family.

If you are wanting a comprehensive list of “Leaving Songs”, click HERE (link not active yet) to be taken to our blog on it

While you are looking under the sofa for chocolate or stuffing your face with Hot Cross Buns, we here at Komodo Music DJs would like to wish you all a Happy Easter

By the way, these bunnies work for us

Click here to view the embedded video.

(Video courtesy of “youtube.com/d11btv”)