You want music at your wedding, but for obvious reasons, you don’t just want to hook up your favorite iPod mix. Hiring a DJ means your reception dance will go off without a hitch, and your Uncle Buck won’t have to stand in as your emcee either. Meet with your DJ to decide on a playlist and the details. Your DJ can also provide the sound system and visual entertainment to go along with the tunes.
We asked a few Maui DJs for their insight on being the life of the wedding party:
Why should I hire a DJ?
A wedding DJ becomes a unique component of your wedding celebration because she is interacting directly with all of your family and friends for hours. You want to take the time to interview several DJs to really get a feel for their personality, style, professionalism, experience and overall vibe, to make sure that you are all a good match. If you’re off-island, you should definitely have a phone interview or even a Skype call to meet your future DJ.
Budget is always an important factor in planning your wedding. But if you’re only choosing a DJ because of their price, you might be disappointed because the motto of “you get what you pay for” could come back and haunt you. We’ve all been to weddings or events where we’ve felt sorry for the organizers, cringed at the music and wanted the cheesy DJ to stop yapping.
You want your wedding day to be the most magical day of your lives, so my advice is to take your time, enjoy the process and get to know your DJ ahead of time. A great wedding DJ knows that her job is to make the bride and groom shine on their special day and keep the party upbeat and flowing smoothly.
– Valerie Sapourn
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How do I shop for a DJ?
To find a personality and price that work for you, check WeddingWire.com (Martha Stewart’s wedding network) to see DJs profiles and reviews. You can also ask other wedding vendors who they like to use. Be careful choosing just the cheapest DJ out there, because things can go wrong like the sound system doesn’t work properly or they show up late or not at all. Also, check if they’re insured to avoid nightmares. It’s best to stick with the professional DJs that are well established and have many good reviews.
– Adrian Blackhurst
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Am I limited to your music collection?
With today’s technology, I’m so excited to buy and play any genre of music, according to each couple’s preferences. In the old days of vinyl, I was limited by how many 50-pound record boxes I could lug to each gig. Now, the sky’s the limit. I specialize in magical weddings and creative corporate events but I love celebrating life with people from all over the world by sharing incredible music from all genres and decades.
– Valerie Sapourn
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Is it okay to give you a Do Not Play list?
Always! I take pride in being a DJ that caters 100 percent to what the clients and the people at the event would like to hear. I take requests and always make sure I’m playing for everybody, not myself. Sometimes clients give me a Do Not Play list, which can avoid the songs or styles they do not like.
-Adrian Blackhurst
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Can you provide other entertainment and visuals at my wedding?
Definitely. Couples are always looking for ways to make their reception unique and memorable. Adding custom video projections and artistic lighting is a fantastic way to create a wedding that will be talked about by friends and family for decades to come. I collaborate with a great company called Event Horizon Audiovisual Services to deliver stunning visuals and amazing lighting.
Because of my background with Valerie and the Vibe Tribe, I love to offer couples ways to enhance their celebrations by adding fire dancers, aerialists, belly dancers, stilt walkers and musicians. I partner with the best performers on the island to create the best wedding ever!
– Valerie Sapourn
All photos Courtesy of Sean Hower, Howerphoto.com
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DJ VALERIE
808-633-8015
djvalerie@mauidjvalerie.com
ADRIAN BLACKHURST
808-463-5856
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