DJ Boxhead Entertainment

12/02/2024

It’s going to be a great show! We are excited to be there at the Trussville Show!

Embark on your wedding journey with The Pink Bride – your ultimate guide to inspiration and expert advice.

Explore our upcoming shows and discover the magic that awaits!

https://thepinkbride.com/upcoming-shows/

28/01/2024

What are two traits a DJ should have when setting up on event day?

1. Thoughtful Time Management ⏱️ 🤝 🤔

The Wedding planner has spent a lot of time choreographing the day’s timeline for the best day possible. This involves staying on track for when the bride will be ready in her dress, when all the vendors will be arriving, pre ceremony photos, guests arriving (sometimes so early they get in the way of vendors setting up), time for the first dance, managing guests on behalf of the venue (sometimes the venue mgmt. is nowhere to be found and the planner has to clean the bathroom during the reception). Do your planner a courtesy and arrive on time. The DJ must take into account what is happening before the start of the wedding and arrive at least 4 hours beforehand. For example, the DJ should not be setting up the same time the cake is arriving. This can cause load in issues, floor plan problems, and just too many people coming and going at once. An easy way to avoid vendor drama is to follow what the wedding planner has provided. Some venues may be outdoor, have limited parking, can be difficult to load equipment, and by listening to your wedding planner vendors will not be on top of each other starting the day with bad attitudes. The DJ should be done setting up at least an hour before the wedding starts. In order to give everyone the best experience as a DJ, I will spend the last hour before the event starts getting mentally prepared. This involves coming down from possibly having to deal with another vendor that has brought the rainy-day parade, venue management only allowing the doors open a few hours to setup, readjustments due to weather, getting the lighting just right, and not overpowering one outlet that could cause a circuit to blow. When factors like these are addressed too close to the start of the event, it makes it difficult to go from setup to performance. Make sure the DJ you use for your event is on time and can listen to your wedding planner when they need to arrive.

2. Meticulous Organizational Skills 🗃️ 🗂️ 📝

Each venue is unique. Each event day is unique. For a DJ to carelessly use last week’s setup and music into your event is unprofessional and a disservice. It is up to the DJ with his or her experience to visualize how everything will come together for the best event day possible by getting gear together that follows the wedding coordinator’s floorplan. For example, is the plan to flip the venue after the ceremony? This involves quite the magic trick that can only be done with proper visualization due to a very short time to have chairs and tables moved, lighting adjusted, speakers readjusted, sound rechecked, and many people moving at once. A DJ not only has to be physically organized, he or she must be internally present by keeping the positivity going throughout the event. The quickest way to lose the crowd is taking too long with transitions but also by being passive, lazy, and not in tune with the day. For example, if the DJ plays the wrong song during your first dance, it makes it much more difficult to keep the crowd on your side when a simple double check the day before would have avoided this problem. Playing the right song during the right time shows that you are present, understand the crowd, have spent time getting your music together, and deserve what you charged.

07/01/2024

Looking forward to it! We will be at the Trussville Show!

Discover the magic of wedding planning at The Pink Bride's upcoming shows! 🎊✨

Your journey to 'I do' starts here – explore, connect, and be inspired. Save the date and join us for an unforgettable experience! 💖💍

27/12/2023

Making a Request >> N.S.F.W.eddings 🫣⚠️‼️

1. If you want to make a request, ask nicely and provide a tip if you are a guest. If you did not book the entertainment, most DJs will not play your song unless you provide an incentive. Why? A reputable DJ will have already spent several hours if not a day's prep work leading up to event day where the music has already been picked by the bride, groom, and or payee for the occasion. For example, a playlist for dinner, warmup to dance, a high energy dance set, slow songs, a genre themed cocktail hour, and do not play songs, that are not the same as last weekend's wedding, are all avenues the DJ is multitasking during a reception. Therefore, consider that if the DJ is reputable, he or she has put in a lot of time BEFORE this event and has a better grasp on what music will provide the best experience possible. Know that if asked with a bad attitude, you are indirectly telling the DJ you can do a better job. Ask politely and tip.

2. An in-tune DJ is always trying to manage the events tempo, and unless he or she is really struggling to pick up on the current vibe of the night, it is not easy to take your input when a DJ has the next 3-5 songs in mind to keep the energy up or preparing for a break for some slower moments.

3. A DJ that is actively observing will follow guests that are ring leaders and party starters. Whether it is the flower girl or the grandma of the groom, we will most likely take their wish for the next song because they are actively engaged and providing positive energy.

4. There is no parking allowed on the dance floor. Do not expect your song to be played if you have shown up to a celebration with non-player character behavior, have been anti-social all night, visibly low energy, and suddenly, you begin to power trip and demand off the wall requests to get your motor running. Your songs will never get played, trust me.

5. Don't expect your request to be played immediately. A DJ has at least the next song ready to be played anywhere from Forever Mine by the O'Jays to Jump On It by Sir Mix-A-Lot. Demanding My Best Friend by Tim McGraw while everyone is jumping up and down to Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO will clear out the dance floor and possibly lose most of the party starters for good. Give the DJ some time to let the guest enjoy a few more fast songs and them he or she will most likely give everyone a break with Tim McGraw.

Most DJs will take requests during weddings and events but have these ideas in mind when you are a guest to the bride, groom, or a guest at a private event. Ask politely because a reputable DJ is not just picking songs because they are his or her favorites, they are strategically chosen to manage the tempo based on live feedback from the crowd, specific genres the bride requested weeks ago, songs and genres the bride and groom do not prefer, a nostalgic song from college, and many more examples that a prepared DJ has plotted out in his or her mind WHEN to play these songs.

So, before you begin to make your request, have the humility and understanding that the entertainment has been booked because they have put in the hours, bring some positivity to the space, and you will be surprised on how well the entertainment will respond and reciprocate by accepting your input.

Alabama Wedding & Event DJ! 100+ weddings, 100+ private events, cold sparks, dance floor rental

14/12/2023

What are three attributes to consider when hiring a wedding DJ?

PART 3 - PRICE
One of the most challenging parts of being a DJ is providing a rate that reflects legitimate interpersonal and communication skills, and also performance and experience levels for executing on the day of the event. This is especially more difficult if you have not seen the DJ before at a previous event or wedding.

The price that you pay will hopefully alleviate the myriad of headaches you will endure and justify a legitimate rate on your wedding day by asking some of the questions I have brought up in part 2 (performance) and part 1 (personable). Do you want to enjoy your family and friends by not worrying about the entertainment or do you want to save a little money and have chaos? It is up to you to decide...

The first gig I discussed in part 1 (personable) I did for free, but over the next 10 years I have played at over 120 weddings and dozens of private parties where I have been able to increase my personable and performance levels to justify a higher rate. Regardless, the following are the facts of being a wedding and event DJ that are not discussed related to setting the price.

* Budget timeline. The entertainment at a wedding is usually the last part of the planning process. Brides have already booked the venue, photographer, caterer, coordinator, and if there is room for entertainment, the lowest bidder will be booked without asking questions I brought up in part 1 and part 2.

* Bottom line. Other than seeing a DJ at a previous event, most will only focus on the price. Selecting the cheapest option is never a bad way to save money for your event, but understand that this business may be this low because they are undercutting to get quantity over quality. Get several quotes and evaluate.

* Working with other vendors. As mentioned in part 2 (performance), the DJ has to bring it on wedding day. This involves dealing with other vendors that may show up on a power trip and are in a bad mood. For example, If a photographer is in rainy day mode, they can hide at the reception and still do his or her job taking pictures, but the DJ is front and center despite a bad interaction 5 minutes before your first dance. The DJ has to put the negativity to the side because everyone will pick up on the DJ's body language no matter how hard he or she tries to fake it. Make sure the price you pay for your DJ can meet your budget, but also can manage the events positive emotional intelligence for the best day possible.

* False Advertising. Assuming all DJ's are equally qualified to manage your wedding night. When you buy something after a catchy ad and realize the item is not as practical, the advertiser is attempting to make up for lack of quality; or for this matter, lack of talent for your event. Always ask about how previous events that went well and not so well. Understand you are about to trust this person with a huge responsibility of managing your reception. Ask the DJ for references from other vendors such as a wedding planner that he or she has worked more than one event together. Give this person the benefit of the doubt, but if you don't feel comfortable using this DJ, keep looking.

* Work before the work. A successful DJ does not just show up with a laptop and start playing music. This includes getting your requests and organizing music, programming lighting based on your theme, preparing for multiple sound setups (the ceremony is at a different location that the reception), and creating a backup plan for adverse weather conditions takes several days of work before even arriving at the venue.

Part 1 was about selecting a personable DJ that has an awareness about preparation and great communication BEFORE the event day. In Part 2, I called out some important characteristics on what a DJ should bring to the table to perform and back up his personable skills ON event day. In Part 3 today, I brought up crucial topics to consider on how price is based on Part 2 (Performance) and Part 1 (Personable).

These three attributes have helped me provide a better service as an event DJ and I hope you can take some of these points when you look for entertainment for your wedding planning process or your next private event!

13/12/2023

What are three attributes to consider when hiring a wedding DJ?

PART 2 - PERFORMANCE
* Showing up on time. The DJ should arrive at least 4 hours before the start of the ceremony or reception. This seems like overkill but when you consider potential traffic, unloading equipment, day of last minute changes, taping down cables, sound checks, setting lighting, and before you know it, the DJ is late and throws off your well planned event.

* Following the timeline. Venues are not happy when guests go over time, and some will charge thousands for anytime over the contract. The DJ should know how to start and end the event on time.

* The microphone. Do you want a comedian, or a DJ? In the initial phone consultation / meeting, the DJ must discuss his personality during the event. Are you looking for someone who is jumping around in the crowd? Someone that is very vocal with the guests? Crowd work? A DJ that makes announcements but is more reserved? Be on the same page.

* Controlling volume. Why are you blasting loud music during the dinner?

* Shifting gears. It is very easy to constantly play fast dance songs with no slow breaks.

* Plays the entire song. How do you expect to keep guests entertained by playing the same song for 5 minutes? Playing the entire song is boring and shows no effort to match what is actively happening on the dance floor. This is very lazy and a massive red flag.

* Reading the room. "No one is dancing, the DJ is not paying attention to anyone, we should have just used Pandora or Spotify." Reading the room takes several years to master and can only be learned from experience. For example, selecting the wrong song and/or specific tempo too soon or late can deter guests from engaging. He or she must be able to comprehend the energy level and choose a song to match the moment without relying on requests or old hits that work at the last gig.

* Unique experience. It is easy to just use last weeks wedding playlist and wing it. If the DJ did not prepare properly, it will be evident through his "NPC" / vapid attitude. Going through the motions is a disservice to everyone, unacceptable, and highly unprofessional.

* Manage Lighting. Does the lighting the DJ setup accentuate the venue? Match the bridal colors or theme? Is the lighting distracting and in the guest's eyes during the dinner? "Why is the DJ using a strobe light?" We haven't even cut the cake yet!"

Part 1 was about selecting a personable DJ that has an awareness about preparation and great communication BEFORE the event day. In Part 2, today, we called out some important characteristics on what a DJ should bring to the table to perform and back up his personable skills ON event day.

(Part 3) - PRICE
Will be released tomorrow 12/14/23...

12/12/2023

What are three attributes to consider when hiring a wedding DJ?

It was 10 years ago, and the afternoon of my first wedding. I was nervous, very inexperienced, made several mistakes with the setup, messed up some of the music and struggled with announcements, but gladly, the couple were family friends and did not pay too much attention to my mistakes. Over the next 10 years I have gained a lot of experience with incremental improvements, had several bad gigs at my fault, some due to the guests, some due to the venue management, but I fell in love with providing the best event day possible. You might of heard that being a DJ is easy and all you need is a laptop, but I am going to share what really goes into a memorable night and what to leave out when selecting entertainment for your event.

PART 1 - PERSONABLE
* Great communication before event day. Is this DJ low energy? High Energy? Can you feel that this person wants to be a part of the event? Just going through the motions? Do they have a setup to meet your needs? It this person trustworthy? Will this person be drinking alcohol during the reception? Have they provided references and discussed prior successes and not so successful event details and stories? Can this DJ comprehend what you are looking for and visualize what will work best for you on your wedding day?

* Transparency. From the first phone call / meeting, to the contract, to the last dance song. Did the DJ add hidden fees along the way? "We did not book a comedian, why is the DJ making jokes all night?" "Someone please take the microphone away from the DJ, we did not ask for these constant interruptions." Are you getting what you paid for?

* Positive Energy. This is a special time for you and your families. The DJ must match or exceed the energy on event day REGARDLESS! Show up with a smile or stop being a DJ, no wants wants a rainy cloud of negativity.

* Can work with other vendors on event day. (DJ to Photographer) "Would it be better if i kept the dance lights off during the first dance?" "Would that work better to capture the moment?" (DJ to Caterer) "Is this speaker in the way of the cake table?" "No problem, I can move to accommodate." A successful DJ enjoys being creative just as much as an experienced photographer or caterer want to be able to express themselves through their images or taste. When one vendor cannot work with others or is in a bad mood, this can create a domino effect of negativity. As the DJ or entertainment, this is not a luxury. Regardless of a rude interaction between a vendor or the venue management before the event even starts, you must perform and save "it" for the care ride home. Do you think this person can work well with others on event day?

* Flexible mindset on event day. Do you think this DJ can adapt if adversity arises with weather or issues with the venue setup?

* Active listening on event day. Can this DJ take directions from the wedding coordinator or venue management with music changes. Not making the event about the DJ and leaving the ego out of the event.

* Presentable. Did the initial meeting with the DJ come off looking cheap? Unkept grooming? Don't expect the wedding day to be any different.

These are some of the important characteristics to consider when you have selected a personable DJ for your wedding before event day. Next, we will discuss what it means to perform and follow through on event day.

(Part 2) - PERFORMANCE

will be released tomorrow 12/13/23...

05/10/2023

Alaina & Ricky 4/6/2019 Cypress Inn Tuscaloosa, AL
One of the best receptions! They danced, laughed, cried and slow danced with the best of friends and family!

29/09/2023

Excite Your Night!

Energize Your Guests!

Enjoy Your Moments!

Don't overlook the MAGIC this dance floor can bring!!!

Book today to see this beautiful addition work for you!!!

20/09/2023

20/09/2023

Meet, mingle and makeup🥂 You're invited to get your GLOW on with us! On September 21st, enjoy a night of connecting with local wedding vendors over drinks, music and makeup! Lock down💍 your spot at the party at the eventbrite link in our bio!