Valentine’s Day means roses, candy, romantic dinners—and marriage proposals. If you’re planning to pop the question to your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day (or whenever you choose to do it), here are some tips from your favorite DJs in Central Florida to make your proposal a memory you’ll both treasure:

• Talk about marriage before you propose. Your proposal shouldn’t be your first discussion of the “M” word. Have conversations about what you both think of marriage, kids, family relationships, and so on. You should have a pretty good idea of what her answer is going to be before you ask.

• Practice what you’ll say. Don’t just ask her to marry you—tell her why you want to marry her. You don’t have to memorize a script, but rehearse enough so you can get your message across without stammering.

• Choose a special and meaningful place. The location should be a reflection of your relationship—a place that is important to both of you.

• Make it private. Public proposals—especially those that end up on YouTube—may appear to be popular, but most women would prefer this special moment to be between them and their husband-to-be. Unless you know for absolute certain that your lady would appreciate a public proposal, keep it to yourselves. You can always tell people about it later.

• Be creative, not complicated. Don’t set up a scenario with so many moving parts that you can’t enjoy the moment because you’re worried about the details.

• Get down on one knee. Sure it’s old-fashioned and corny. Do it anyway.

• Seal the deal with a ring. Slipping the engagement ring on her finger is almost as important to most brides as exchanging wedding rings during the ceremony.

What about the ring? Keep these points in mind:

• Most of the time, it’s best to let her be involved in choosing the ring. It’s a piece of jewelry she’s going to wear for a long time—make sure she likes it and it suits her style. You can use a placeholder ring for the proposal.

• Don’t hide the ring in food. It’s not funny or cute—and you just might end up with a huge dental bill and/or a lost ring. And who wants to put on a ring that’s got some kind of food—or worse—all over it?

• If you have a family heirloom you want to use as her engagement ring, be sensitive to her feelings about the ring’s style and history. Kate Middleton was probably delighted to accept Princess Diana’s ring; other brides might not be so enthusiastic about wearing a deceased relative’s jewelry. If she wants a ring of her own, she should have one.

Once you’re officially engaged, you can begin planning for the next big event: your wedding, wedding reception, and honeymoon. Our team of the top DJs in Central Florida are here to help you in any way we can. Call us!

When you decide to hire a DJ for your wedding reception, party, or other special event, you expect that person to play music and perhaps emcee, but that’s not all top-ranked DJs do. We coordinate with all the other service providers at the event, we make sure everything is in place for each segment before we announce it, and we’re even willing to give directions to the restroom or accept a dirty plate from a guest who mistakes us for a member of the wait staff.

It’s common for the go-to person at an event to be the one with the microphone. After all, we’re usually the most visible. And when there’s not a professional wedding planner or event coordinator, that job often defaults to the DJ—which is why you need a DJ who is experienced, flexible, and willing to go above and beyond at your event.

For example, at a wedding reception, anniversary party, or other celebration, I know to make sure the champagne has been poured before introducing the people who are going to make toasts. In fact, I’ve popped more corks and poured more champagne than I can remember at wedding parties where the couple did the food themselves and didn’t think about serving. I don’t mind—it’s all part of the celebration. But a tip: if you are doing the food and beverages for your event yourself (rather than using a caterer), be sure you have a bottle opener and corkscrew for the beer and wine.

Before I announce anything that puts a bride and groom in the spotlight, I make sure they’re ready. The bride may need a few minutes to check her hair and makeup—and do all the other things brides and their entourages do when they head to the ladies’ room. The groom might need a few minutes for a pit stop as well. When I get the green light from the couple, I let the photographer and videographer know what’s next in case they need time to adjust lighting, change memory cards, or replace batteries. I check to make sure everything else is in place. More than once a caterer has told me everything is ready for the cake-cutting but the knife and cake plate are missing. It only takes a few seconds to take a look at the cake table, so I check before bringing the bride and groom up and letting the guests know what’s going on.

This level of communication, caring, and concern is something excellent DJs do as a matter of course for every segment of every event. We know what can go wrong and we know how to prevent it—well, most of it, anyway. We can’t stop an obnoxious relative from saying something rude, but we can help guide them off center stage if they start to misbehave.

What it really comes down to is this: In addition to being highly-trained professionals, the DJs at Marc Burgess Productions are personally vested in your event and are willing to use every ounce of their talent and expertise to make it a success—and that usually means going far beyond just playing music.

The holiday party season is upon us. I am definitely not a party planner, but I’ve learned a few things about holiday parties over the years. Allow me to share some thoughts as you finalize the plans for your company’s 2011 holiday party:

Consider an alternative to the traditional splashy Saturday-night full dinner event. You can save money and reduce the chances that the people you want to attend will have conflicts.

One option is a mid-week party. You’ll find venues have greater availability and are more likely to be willing to negotiate on prices and services. Instead of a full dinner, offer a heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet instead.

Another option is to have an event in your office during a portion of the workday. Set up a sandwich and non-alcoholic beverage buffet in your break or conference room, and have a DJ come in to play music and MC any award presentations or announcements you want to make. I’ve had a lot of experience with events like this, and I’d be happy to share more details with you. An in-office event like this can not only work during the holidays, it can be effective at any time throughout the year that you want to observe something special, like a company anniversary or performance awards.

If you’re having trouble finding a workable date for your holiday party in December, think about scheduling it earlier (November) or later (January). In November, you’ll still be competing with weddings, but January is a very slow month for event service providers, so your chances of getting a great venue, excellent rates, and the service providers you want are strong.

Regardless of where, when, and how you hold your company party, keep these important tips in mind:

1. This is a company party and all company rules of conduct apply.

2. Limit alcohol consumption by hiring a bartender, issuing drink tickets, or restricting the hours the bar will be open.

3. If the party is at a hotel, negotiate a special room rate so guests can go to their rooms after the celebration instead of having to drive. If the party is not at a hotel, arrange for designated drivers or even taxis to make sure your guests get home safely.

4. Before the party starts, do a check of the room for safety issues. Scan the floor for cables and other things people might trip on. Make sure decorations are secure and aren’t likely to shift or fall. Check that candles are positioned so that the flames aren’t going to ignite an unwanted fire.

What’s your best business holiday party tip? Please use the comment function below to share.

Music has a tremendous ability to invoke feelings and trigger memories, which is why it’s important to consider the nature of your event when choosing the music you ask your DJ to play. In my blog, “Choosing the Right Music for Your Event,” I talked about issues you should think about as you put together your playlist. Let’s take that further and talk about the types of music that work best for various events.

You want the music to evoke positive memories and emotions, not to drag up unpleasant feelings. You also want the music to be appropriate for the situation. For example, a lot of contemporary music contains profanity, violence and sexually-explicit references—the beat may be great, but do you want those lyrics at your wedding reception or a corporate event?

Wedding receptions are probably the most sensitive event when it comes to choosing music. Typically, you’ll see every age group, from youngsters (especially if your wedding party includes a flower girl and/or ring bearer) to seniors (grandparents and even great-grandparents) and every generation in between. It’s okay to skip the Sesame Street songs the children listen to, but otherwise your music selections should span all generations. In addition to being romantic, the melodies and lyrics should be positive and uplifting—after all, do you really want to dance to a song about heartbreak and misery at your wedding?

You also want to be sensitive to how the music will affect your guests. You certainly can’t be aware of everyone’s special songs, but if your parents are divorced and will be attending your wedding with new partners, you probably don’t want to play “their song” at your reception.

Mitzvahs are interesting events and bring their own special challenges when it comes to choosing music. Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs are Jewish coming of age rituals; it makes sense that the music should appeal to the kids who are being celebrated. But it’s important to keep the adults happy as well. I’ve already mentioned the special challenge of contemporary youth-oriented songs, yet a good disc jockey will be able to play music that the kids will enjoy but that won’t give Grandma a heart attack. At Marc Burgess Productions, we get our new music from a reputable subscription service that provides us with cleaned-up versions of current songs (it’s the same service that provides Ryan Seacrest with music for his radio program).

When it comes to corporate events, the issue of appropriateness is critical. If your goal is to motivate your sales team to hit some new quotas, you don’t want to play a bunch of sappy love songs or slow dance music that could lead to some inappropriate behavior (and possibly damage some careers). Consider your program, the various presentations, and how the music and lyrics can positively contribute to the mood. When people get pumped, they’re likely to start singing along, so be sure the words reflect the results you want.

As you interview prospective DJs in Central Florida, ask what they recommend in terms of music that is appropriate for your event. Their answers will help you choose the right DJ.

Choosing the Right Music for Your Event

When it comes to the music for your event, hiring a good disc jockey (whether you’re looking for a DJ in Orlando or somewhere else) is only the first step. Once you’ve chosen your DJ, you need to work with him or her to choose the right music. Here are some key points to consider:

What is the nature of your event? Is this a wedding, an anniversary, a celebration of some other sort, a general party, a fundraiser, or a corporate event? The type of event, the size, the guests, and the venue will all affect the type of music you’ll want.

What impact do you want the music to have? Think about the atmosphere you want to create. Do you want your guests to mingle and talk quietly to each other? Or do you want them dancing? Do you want a mood that is relaxed and mellow or dynamic and high energy? This information is important so the DJ can not only play the right songs but can play them at the most appropriate volume.

Just because you want the music to be more of a background element doesn’t mean your DJ is restricted to instrumentals that might just put your guests to sleep; there are plenty of middle-of-the-road songs that can create the right mood without being distracting. Of course, if you want folks moving and up on the dance floor, you’ll want different songs—or at least, different renditions. You might want music specifically designed to get folks up and doing dances such as the Electric Slide, Conga, folk dances, and other popular line dances. This can be especially effective if you have a DJ who demonstrates the dance and then leads it so that everyone knows what to do and is going in the same direction at the same time instead of stepping on each other’s toes.

What are your favorite songs? If your event is a personal celebration such as a wedding, birthday, or anniversary, certainly you want the music to reflect your tastes. On the other hand, you need to consider your guests as well. Hours of nonstop Gregorian chants might seem like paradise to you, but your guests may have a totally different opinion. Even if it means playing some songs that rank far down on your preference list, keep your guests in mind. If the event is honoring a person, couple, or group, you should include some of the favorites of the guest(s) of honor on the playlist.

I recommend a mix of music from a variety of genres so that everyone will likely hear something they’ll enjoy. Years ago I did a wedding where the bride and groom insisted on choosing every song and the order in which I was to play them. The entire list was comprised of techno and heavy metal music. I wasn’t surprised—although the bride and groom seemed to be—when the reception ended early because the majority of guests left right after the cake was cut.

A good DJ will want as much information as you can provide about your music preferences. Many DJ companies offer the convenience of creating your music playlist in a specially designed section of their websites—although you should still talk with the DJ before you finalize your list. If you aren’t sure what to request, tell the DJ what stations you have programmed into your car radio—these are obvious representations of your favorite music (excluding the talk stations, of course). An experienced DJ can make a playlist using that information and requests from your guests at the event.

In a future blog, I’ll explain more about choosing music for specific types of events.

As you evaluate DJs for your wedding, party, or other event, you’re asking all the right questions, finding out about their equipment, music selection, experience, pricing, insurance, contracts, and more. But did you ask how they learned their craft? And does it matter?

To answer the last question: Yes, it matters, because how your DJ was trained will tell you a lot about how they are likely to perform at your event.

Here are the most common ways DJs get trained:

1. They attend a few events, watch some movies, and think the job looks cool. So they go out and buy a bunch of gear on their credit cards, often spending too much and not getting equipment appropriate for events, get some music that is possibly downloaded illegally or of questionable quality, and they consider themselves “in business.”

2. They get a job with a larger DJ company that sends them out a couple of times for some on-the-job training with a “senior” DJ or the owner, then assigns them some equipment and turns them loose. This DJ is not as risky as the first, but much depends on who trained the trainer and how well that trainer is able to share his or her knowledge.

3. They invest in professional training from a reputable DJ school where they learn the different aspects of what it takes to manage an event, emcee skills, event-specific protocols (like how to present the bride and groom at a wedding reception), music knowledge, karaoke, equipment, and more. Once trained, they invest in continuing education by attending conventions and advanced seminars, as well as belonging to industry trade groups for DJs and event-based associations.

Think about it: What type of training would you prefer your DJ to have? What type of training will give you the confidence that the DJ is a true professional and is going to be able to handle your special event to your expectations? And what commitment has the DJ made to stay up-to-date on industry trends, technology, and other important issues?

Before you make your final decision on hiring a DJ, ask these two questions:

• How were you trained?

• How often do you participate in continuing education programs?

I welcome questions like this, and so do other professionals.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am the senior instructor at the F.A.M.E. (Florida Academy of Mobile Entertainment) DJ School, and we provide excellent training. We are not, by any means, the only DJ school, but if you are interested in learning more about becoming a professional DJ, I’d be happy to talk with you about what F.A.M.E. has to offer.

When it comes to hiring a DJ in Central Florida, you have a wide range of choices, and it’s important that you make the right choice. Whether you need a professional disc jockey for a wedding, party, corporate event, or another type of special occasion, how do you choose one who will deliver the performance, impact, and results you want? These tips will guide you:

Pay attention to the chemistry between you and the DJs you’re considering. Certainly this is a business arrangement, but you need to like each other—you need to click. Be sure you appreciate and understand the DJ’s style and sense of humor, and that the DJ gets yours as well.

Cover all the basics. Ask about equipment, available music, contracts, insurance, staffing (who will actually perform at your event), experience, and, of course, fees and payment terms. Be clear and specific about what you want the disc jockey to do and make sure the DJ is willing and able to deliver on your requests.

Talk about culture. No, don’t ask if the DJ knows the difference between a cocktail fork and a salad fork—you want to find out if the DJ can handle the cultural issues surrounding your event. Is your wedding likely to have a mix of American and even international regions represented, creating a range of cultures that all need to be respected? If it’s a business event, do you want reserved and formal or freewheeling and casual—or something in between?

Be candid and honest. If this is a wedding reception, the DJ needs to know if the bride’s mother hates the bride’s father’s second wife (or girlfriend); if the best man is likely to drink too much and say embarrassing things; if there’s a guest whose claim to fame is starting fights; if there’s a family member who always cries or sings along loudly when a certain song is played; or whatever other personality and behavioral issues are likely to come up. A good DJ will know how to deal with such situations, but it’s easier if you’re upfront about what to expect.

You’re hiring a DJ for your wedding reception or other special event because it is, indeed, a special event. Be sure the DJ you choose has the experience, sensitivity, and ability to make your event the occasion you’ve been dreaming of. When you hire Marc Burgess Productions, you’ll get a professional, experienced DJ who understands the challenges of event planning, the politics and personalities involved, and who cares as much about making your event as perfect as you do.

We all get those funny emails from time to time I'm sure. I received this one recently about love and marriage as seen through the eyes of kids. We all need a laugh now and then. Please enjoy.

1. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?  
 - You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
- - Alan, age 10  

- No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.  
-- Kristen, age 10
   
2. WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?  
- Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10

3. HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
-You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8
 

4.  WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
  - Both don't want any more kids..
-- Lori, age 8
   
5. WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
  -Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)
 -On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10
   
6.  WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
  -When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7
  -The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- - Curt, age 7
The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
- - Howard, age 8

7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
  - It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)

8. HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
  - There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 favorite is .....
 
9. HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
  - Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck .
-- Ricky , age 10   (isn't he just the smartest kid going)

When choosing your honeymoon, the first and most important step is deciding and agreeing upon your destination. Among couples who have a traditional wedding, 99% take a honeymoon. Roughly 60% travel to a foreign country and 40% honeymoon in the United States. You want a destination that will please both of you, so here are some tips and ideas to ensure your honeymoon lives up to your expectations:

Get your free Honeymoon Planning Questionnaire to help you decide what type of honeymoon you and your fiance want by emailing us at marc@djmarcburgess.com

Thank you to Monograms Travel for the information provided in this article.