Weddings represent the biggest part of our business and we pride ourselves on the service we provide.
This may be the first wedding that you are organising, but we are involved with two or three (or more) nearly every week.
Over the years, we have provided the entertainment at literally hundreds of weddings and have the experience to provide the perfect end to your special day.You want everything that you have organised (and paid good money for) to be as promised. Not just the entertainment, but all the services provided for your big day.
When you first contact a service provider, what impression do they give? Are they helpful? Do they listen to what you want? Are they prepared to go out of their way to help? Are they professional in the way that they deal with your ideas? Obviously, experienced wedding suppliers will be able to offer advice on all aspects of your big day, but don't forget!. You are the customer. You are paying vast sums of money for your wedding day and should have everything just the way YOU want it.
The main thing is that you (and your partner) enjoy the day from start to finish. It is your day. The biggest day of your life and you want everything to be perfect. Don't be bullied by family and friends into something that you don't want. Your Day, Your Way.
There may be the odd hiccup during the day. The car may get stuck in traffic or the photographer may take longer than expected. These things do not matter so don't get upset by them. At most weddings the timings are slightly out. Sometimes by minutes, sometimes by an hour (or more). Your guests don't know that everything isn't exactly as planned, so as long as everyone is enjoying themselves, have fun!
We will be there at the stated time to set up. If we have to wait around because of any delays, that's fine. As soon as you're ready, we're ready.
If you book a Chain Reaction Disco for your wedding, we will go out of our way to provide exactly what you want. See the Frequently Asked Questions section.
We have been providing wedding entertainment for over thirty years and are pleased to offer any help and advice that you may require. There are many fantastic wedding venues in Cornwall. We have worked at most of them. We can offer an unbiased opinion. The same goes for wedding planners, photographers, cakes, chocolate fountains, balloons, marquee hire, outside caterers, etc.
Whether you are booking a Chain Reaction Disco or not, please give us a ring for any advice you may need. We'll be glad to help.
Back to the entertainment.
If you book a Chain Reaction Disco to provide the evening entertainment for your wedding, everything we agree during the planning stage will be confirmed in writing. You will be sent two copies of a contract to avoid any possibility of confusion regarding dates, times and places. You sign both copies, returning one to us with a deposit to confirm the booking and retaining the other for your records.
We will contact you a week or so before the event to confirm your first dance, any second or third dance i.e. the bride to dance with her dad, groom to dance with his new mother-in-law etc. (We get all sorts of requests).
We welcome a list of your favourite songs and will try to play as many as possible. It is best to keep the list reasonably short, just including your absolute favourites but letting us know the style and type of music you prefer. This gives the DJ some scope, as the right DJ will know what to play and when to play it based on the reaction of the crowd. Bear in mind that for a four hour show, with the average track being four minutes in length, the maximum number of tracks we can play (back to back) is sixty. Also you will have a very diverse group of people from young children to your grand parents, great aunt's etc. so when compiling your list, remember that the music has to suit everyone.
Our job is to keep as many of your guests dancing, for as long as possible and we will do whatever it takes to achieve this.
Cost
As with everything in life, you get what you pay for, although the most expensive are not always the best. We are not the cheapest in Cornwall.We are registered with the Inland Revenue, have Public Liability Insurance cover to £5,000,000 and have our equipment PAT tested annually.
The fee quoted to you will include everything discussed during the planning stages and will not contain any hidden extras.
The cost of entertainment at the wedding reception (the single longest event of the wedding day) is only a small proportion of the overall budget. According to Modern Bride Magazine, only 5% of the overall budget will be spent on entertainment, yet over twice as many guests will remember the evening entertainment, over any other aspect of your reception.
So, when you're spending a lot of money on a once-in-a-lifetime event, does it make sense to save a few pounds by hiring second rate entertainment. This can include the disco included in many hotel packages.
Many hotels do not seem to realise the importance of a really good disco. The day has gone really well, the food was fantastic, the staff were helpful and everyone has enjoyed themselves.
By the time the entertainment starts, the day is practically over from the hotels point of view, (apart from the bar staff) and quite often the wedding co-ordinator will disappear quite early in the evening.
The hotel may only pay £150.00 or less for the disco, even though they have charged you double that (or more), in your package. So you might not be getting the bargain that you thought you were.
You should always deal with the DJ directly, to avoid extra costs and to confirm their suitability for your wedding.
Interesting Wedding Statistics
After The Vows....- 72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment.
- Almost 100% say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment.
- During wedding planning, Brides say their highest priority is their attire, followed by the reception site and caterer - reception entertainment is among the least of their priorities.
- Within one week of their reception, 78% of Brides say they would have made the entertainment their highest priority!
- When asked 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment.
- 65% of all couples that chose a band to entertain at their wedding, said, if they had it to do over again, they would have chosen a disco.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you choose the Chain Reaction Disco, or not, the following are a few informative questions you should ask before you make your final decision on choice of entertainment.
Q. Does your DJ provide a written contract for your booking?
A. It is extremely important to have your booking confirmed in writing. All terms of the agreement should be in writing to avoid any confusion at a later date. If your booking hasn't been confirmed in writing, then you haven't got a booking!
If you book a Chain Reaction Disco, you will receive two copies of our contract, one for you to keep and one to return to us. It contains all the relevant information and the accompanying letter will cover everything that we have discussed and agreed.
Q. Does your DJ use professional equipment?
A. There is a big difference between the audio equipment you have at home and the equipment a professional DJ uses. Professional audio equipment is built to go on the road day in and day out. Make sure your prospective choices use only professional equipment to ensure the music sounds as good as possible for all of your guest's enjoyment.
We use state of the art professionally built and regularly maintained sound and lighting equipment and carry spares of anything that we may need.
Q. What happens if your DJ is ill, or has an accident prior to my wedding?
A. We have several DJs on call, so if the worst happens, we are in a good position to provide you with a replacement. In all the years that we have been providing wedding entertainment, we have never let anyone down. We are 100% reliable.
Q. Does your DJ know the proper procedure and etiquette for your type of wedding?
A. A professional DJ will be prepared to handle all announcements and special events on the day of your wedding.
On average we provide the entertainment at well over 70 weddings per year and have performed at literally hundreds of weddings during our time together.
Q. Is your DJ registered and/or insured, and is their equipment PAT tested and regularly maintained?
A. A DJ who has taken the time to register their business, arrange adequate Public Liability Insurance (PLI) and regularly has all electrical equipment tested to ensure that they comply with the standards required for Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) demonstrates that they are serious about their business.
We are registered with the Inland Revenue, have £5 million PLI cover, and all of our equipment is PAT tested annually. Our equipment is professionally built and regularly maintained.
Q. Will your DJ arrive on time?
A. Punctuality is paramount, and as professionals they should be aware of their responsibilities to their clients.
We would rather arrive an hour or more early, than ten minutes late. We usually arrive at least one hour before the scheduled start time. It takes us around 45 minutes usually to set-up our normal wedding show equipment, depending on access to the function room.
Q. How much music should a DJ bring?
A. Some discos boast a huge music library. It's no good if it's at home or if they can't find a song. Don't forget that for a 4-hour reception, the maximum amount of songs that can be played is around 60! (Average of 4 minutes per song played back to back).
I carry 50,000 to 60,000 music tracks of all types, at all times and approximately 6,000 to 7,000 karaoke tracks. The other DJ's carry several thousand tracks of all types in well organised music libraries. We are all very capable of playing the majority of requests that we receive.
Q. What kinds of music styles should the DJ's library contain?
A. A DJ should have all types of music with them at the wedding reception in order to please a diverse audience. The DJ should be able to play music from the big band, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's, right up through today's hits.
We all carry all types of music from the forties (or before) to present chart hits. Most of our DJ's have been collecting their music for over twenty years. I spend £50.00 per week (approx) on CD's and keep in touch with the current music scene.
Q. Will the music be too loud?
A. The volume will be as loud or as quiet as you want it. We will play background music while your guests arrive, so you are able to greet them without having to shout. When you are ready for the dancing to start, we will turn the volume up to the level that you want. If you are having an evening buffet, we will turn the volume down and the house lights up, so your guests can talk comfortably and see what they are eating. After twenty to thirty minutes 'eating time' we will turn the music back up and party till the end of the evening. If at any time you would like the volume adjusted, up or down, just ask. During all parts of the reception, the music should add to, or help create the proper atmosphere. Some people may prefer conversation over dancing. They should be able to find quieter areas away from the dance floor.
We monitor the volume at all times. We will play background music during your meal or evening buffet, with the music for the main disco as loud (or as quiet) as you want. When creating your table plans, it is advisable, when possible, to place elderly people at the opposite end of the room to the stage area, where the speakers will be located. At any time, we will be pleased to adjust the music volume up or down at your request.
Q. If the contract is for four hours but everyone is having a great time how should I handle the overtime?
A. Your DJ should have discussed that with you prior to your reception and included details in your contract.
We are happy to play on after the contract time, providing the venue manager agrees. The rates for additional hours are clearly stated on your contract.
Q. Am I obligated to provide the DJ with food & drink?
A. No, you are not obligated to feed the DJ; however, it is a nice gesture to offer a meal of some sort while everyone else is eating. Often your DJ sets up several hours before your actual reception, plays for a minimum of four hours, and will be there packing away, after everyone has gone. Most professional DJ's do not drink when working.
We are always pleased to be offered food of any description, but wouldn't visit the buffet until all your guests had eaten. I usually only drink shandy or soft drinks when working. Even on New Years Eve!
Q. We want the disco to start straight after the meal at 5.30pm and finish at 2.00am. Is that OK?
A. We are happy to play for any time period that you may require but bear in mind the following:-
You do not have to keep your guests occupied for the whole day. They may appreciate a break in the proceedings to freshen up etc. They will be happy chatting to friends and family that they may not have seen for a while.
The bride will be up early in the morning, busy with hair, nails and make-up etc. and will normally be exhausted by 10.00pm. Many of the guests, especially the older ones, will also be tired. Normally we quote from 8.30pm to midnight, but are happy to play later. We would advise however, that you only book until midnight. That way you are only paying until midnight. If at twelve, the party is in full swing and you are still up for it, pay extra on the night to go on later. That way you are not paying for something that you may not need. If you plan to leave before the end, many of the guests will leave just after you.
Q. What should we pay?
A. When compared to the other wedding expenses, a mobile disco is a bargain. The national estimated cost of a wedding reception is well over £11,000. Photographers will cost as much as £2,000; high-quality digital video £800-£2,000; your wedding cake £500-£1,200, basic meal service (chicken) for 150 guests £3,000+. Don't forget flowers, balloons, chocolate fountain, invitations, dresses and tuxedo rentals, evening buffet, limo's and even postage.
Do not cut corners when booking your evening entertainment. It is a false economy. Our fees will take into account:- The size of show required, distance we have to travel, time we will have to spend on site, accessibility to venue and start and finish times.
We are not the cheapest, we are the best! We provide a professional and reliable service which is excellent value for money. For your personal quote contact us.
Q. How early should I book?
A. The best DJs tend to get booked well in advance and the later you leave it the less choice you'll have. If however you are let down at short notice, or even on the day, give us a ring and we will try to help. Holiday periods and other special dates attract premium fees. To receive a quote please complete the contact form.
We are currently taking bookings up to two years in advance. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Q. Emergencies do happen; how would you handle a situation where you were ill and could not attend our function?
A. This is one of the advantages of having several DJs of similar quality available to us.
Our record, over the last thirty years, is 100% reliability.
Q. I've been told by my venue that any DJ must possess Public Liability Insurance and that all their equipment is fully PAT tested?
A. This is quite standard these days, all of my equipment is Portable Appliance Tested annually to the current HSE Electricity at Work regulations, and every item has a PAT certificate. Additionally I have £5 million worth of full public liability insurance.
Q. I have a friend who has a friend who can do it cheaper.
A. If price is your main concern, we are not the disco for you! We are not the cheapest, we are the best! Disco's, as with anything in life, you get what you pay for. We offer high quality entertainment at affordable prices! Not cheap! It is a sad fact that anybody who has a set of decks in their bedroom and a few records, can call themselves a DJ. Don't risk it for your 'Once in a lifetime' event.
Q. Some of my guests suffer from asthma, do you use smoke machines?
A. We use a haze machine to enhance the beams of the lighting effects. They are water based and will not adversely affect any asthma sufferers or anyone else. They are much more subtle than a smoke machine.
Q. One of my guests suffer from epilepsy, do you use strobe lighting?
A. Unless requested in advance, we do not use any form of strobe lighting.
Q. We have a wide range of ages coming; can you get them all dancing?
A. Most weddings include guests from all age groups. We are all experienced DJ's and are very used to performing to a wide age range and keeping the dance floor busy by playing music for everyone.
Q. Do you accept play lists as we have some favourite songs we would like the DJ to play at our party?
A. We welcome a list of your favourite tracks and will endeavour to play as many as possible. One bride, when sending out her invitations, asked prospective guests to include their three favourite dancing tracks in the reply. She then compiled a list for us. Remember that a four hour show will only be time for 60 (approx) tracks of music. We will make sure that we have any very special requests for your first dance etc.
Q. How can we be sure you will remember all we have asked for on the phone?
A. The booking confirmation letter that I will send to you will detail everything that we agree.
Q. Have you played at many events before as we want someone with a lot of experience?
A. Most of our DJ's have well over twenty years experience in all types of event.
Q. Can you set up the entertainment prior to our arrival at the venue?
A. I can arrange to set up equipment at any time that is most suited to your event and this can include setting up during the morning or before the meal.
Q. Can you play background music during the meal?
A. This again is easily arranged. Just choose the style of music you would prefer to have played during the meal. The most popular choices are the easy listening/rat-pack style sounds. Other popular choices are jazz, acid-jazz & smooth soul.
Q. What type of music will you play?
A. It is your event, so we will play the music that you want. All I ask is that you give me a guideline of the types of music you would like to hear, as opposed to a set play list for four hours, as these are usually much too rigid and invariably make for a very boring night for the guests. We will play whatever it takes to get as many of your guests dancing for as long as possible. Remember that even if you don't like YMCA, your grandma and granddad may be devastated if they don't hear it!
Q. Does it take you long to set-up your equipment?
A. Our normal wedding show generally takes us around 45 minutes to set up. We usually arrive at the venue well over an hour before the start time. Our large show can take up to five hours to set up, so we would arrive at a mutually convenient time, to set up before your guests arrive.
Q. We attended a friend's wedding in Cornwall and would like you to provide the evening entertainment at our wedding in Hertfordshire. Is that a problem?
A. No problem. We will travel anywhere in the UK. We have recently provided entertainment in Central London, Hertfordshire, Worcester, the West Midlands (twice), Southampton and South Wales. Obviously our fees will reflect travelling time and expenses.
Q. How can I confirm a booking?
A. I will send a contract to you which you would sign and return with a deposit to secure the booking.
Q. Will you keep talking on the microphone over the music all night?
A. No, for most functions we use the mic sparingly and much prefer to let the music do the talking. We will of course make announcements, read out requests, dedications etc.
Q. We want our first dance at 8.15pm. Is that OK?
A. We will play your first dance whenever you want it. It is better for you to wait and see on the night, rather than state a time in advance, in case things are running slightly late. You want all of your evening guests to be there for your first dance so we will normally wait for you to tell us when. As long as we have five minutes notice, you can have your first dance at any time.
Q. The groom isn't too keen on a first dance. Are we going to be the only ones on the dance floor for the whole song?
We will normally let you dance alone for 40-50 seconds while everyone takes photos and then tell everyone else to get up and join in.
Q. Do you do karaoke?
A. We can provide karaoke as an extra to some of our shows.
Q. I have some other questions that haven't been answered here. If you require any further information, or a quote, do not hesitate to contact us.
