Useful Information Written by Alan Garner Professional Mobile Disco & DJ
YOU’LL NEVER BE SORRY WHEN YOU INVEST IN QUALITY
The information featured on this page is the answers to the questions that are most frequently asked when booking a mobile disco and travelling discotheque. Whether or not you choose to book me or choose an alternative mobile disco supplier, please make sure that you ask these questions to make sure that you get one of the few professional quality mobile disco and DJs.
What Equipment do you use?
Professional Equipment and there’s a huge difference between your general hi-fi and what a professional mobile disco will use. Professional equipment is designed to loaded in and out of vehicles, withstand the transportation process and be used each and every day. On a whole, domestic hi-fi equipment is just not designed to withstand this. For example, the venue may have a very bouncy dance floor, when 15-20 or more guests start dancing, the movement is so great that it causes the CD’s to jump, as you can imagine this is particularly bad when dancing. Professional CD players are designed to ‘read ahead’ of what is playing out of the speakers, so if a bouncy dance floor does make the CD jump, the player has time to go back and read it again, so the song is, 9 times out of 10, not affected.
Can we choose our own music?
Quite simply, yes. When you book with me you receive a questionnaire that asks questions about 1st dance, 2nd dance, any special requests, type of music in general and any music not to be played. I’m happy to work from spreadsheets, listing your songs in a specific order, or I’m happy to work with general guidance, it’s your special day and you deserve the music you want!
How do we know you will turn up?
Every booking I receive is confirmed in writing with legally binding contracts, which layout exactly what will happen, they confirm the venue address, contact on the day, dress code, time i will arrive, what time i will be set up by and what times you need me to work, and the agreed fee.
Are you able to supply background music?
For a small additional charge I am able to supply whatever kind of background music you would like during your wedding breakfast / meal. Normally I would set up before you sit down for dinner / the wedding breakfast and set up my laptop or mini disc to play the style of music you request.
What will you wear?
My standard dress code when i’m working for weddings is bowtie and tuxedo, however, if you think this is too smart i can wear trousers and shirt or dress up within the theme.
What are the different options available?
I generally have a vehicle full of equipment which is taken to events. The show can be 3m wide up to 5m wide depending upon the space available. For weddings there are two optional extras for weddings which are a 6m black backdrop to give the show more of a production show feel and a venue colour system whereby I can illuminate the venue with up-lighters in any colour in the visible spectrum.
Is your equipment safe?
All of my equipment is tested annually and certified for electrical safety, (certificates available upon request) this is not a compulsory test (but, it will become standard one day). I also have sufficient circuit breakers (RCD devices) which are placed on every plug socket where I get a supply.
Do you have insurance?
I have £10 million public liability insurance. With more and more ‘no win, no fee’ legal companies around, it is really important to check that your DJ and Mobile Disco has public liability insurance. A professional DJ and mobile disco will have no issues with showing you confirmation of his PLI insurance and you should insist on seeing a copy!
Will it be loud?
Generally, any disco will be loud, however, if at any point during the event, you feel that it is too loud or guests have complained, I won’t be offended if during the night, you ask me to turn it down, nor, will I turn it back up again five minutes after you ask either!
I’ve booked a band as well, can you work with them?
As a professional DJ I have no problem working with any type of act that is booked to appear on the same event as me, more often than not we end sharing each others equipment to save on space, for example the band may use my lighting and I will plug into their speakers or vice versa. Any professional DJ and Mobile Disco will have no problem working with other entertainment / entertainer.
Are you available? How soon should we book?
Generally the best wedding DJ’s get booked up between 6 to 10 months in advance, of course there are exceptions to the rule, check my datesheet for my availability. I operate a very strict first come first served policy, this means that once I have accepted a booking for a specific date, the date in question is struck from my diary and nothing else will be taken on this day.
We’d like to book you, can we see you work first?
It’s difficult to come and see me work, the majority of the functions that I work at are weddings and corporate functions, and it can cause problems if uninvited guests just turn up. It also may put you off what I do because I tailor the music to the clients requirements, and you may not like what you hear if I’m playing some weird and wonderful music that a client has requested.
