Is set-up time included in your price?

Yes. I typically arrive one hour prior to your scheduled start time and perform a soundcheck.

Do you take breaks?

No. My services are non-stop from your contracted start time until the conclusion of your reception.

Do you take requests?

Yes. I not only play them, I encourage them. I will play requests as long as they can be implemented into the proper flow of music and the request is appropriate for a wedding. I'm not going to play Metallica during dinner just because it was requested. If given a suitable request, I will make every effort to play it.

Can we choose the music to be played at our wedding?

Yes. I suggest you provide me with a request list of 10 "must play" songs and 10-15 "play if possible" songs. This will leave plenty of room for requests and DJ selections. I can read the crowd and I know what songs work and won't work by evaluating crowd response and the age demographic of your guests. It's not in your best interest to select every song. If you insist on programming the entire evening of music, I'm not the DJ for you.

Can we have a "Do Not Play" list?

Yes. I highly recommend you create a Do Not Play list. I understand you don't want to hear many of the overplayed wedding songs. If a guest requests a song that is on your Do Not Play list, it will not be played.

What types of music do you have?

Plenty of old and new music. I carry thousands of songs of various genres such as Top 40, Oldies, Motown, Easy Listening, Disco, Country, Classic Rock, Modern Rock, 80's Rock, Hip Hop, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, R & B, etc. I obtain new music every week through a professional media service that is exclusive to radio stations and DJs. These compilations contain projected radio hits 2-3 months before these songs are played on Boston radio stations.

Do you have professional equipment?

Yes. My sound system consists of cutting edge DJ digital audio products from the most trusted names in the business. I use a Denon MC6000MK2 DJ Controller, Shure wireless microphones and the Electro Voice Evolve 50 systems.

Do you have back-up equipment?

Yes. My primary sound system, hard drives and laptops are tested weekly and maintained to insure optimum performance. I've never had to delay or cancel an event due to a system breakdown. I carry a backup sound system with backup external hard drives in case of an extreme technical issue.

Do you have a wireless microphone for a speech or toast?

Yes. I carry two Shure SM58 microphones, one wireless, one wired. These microphones are for speeches and toasts only. Please note : I do not allow my microphones to be passed around to guests for singing. Also, aside from the traditional best man or maid/matron of honor toast, I will not hand a microphone to a guest who suddenly decides to take it upon themselves to make an impromptu speech. All toasts and speeches must be approved by you prior to your reception because overzealous, intoxicated guests will ramble, use profanity and make off-color remarks and it's embarrassing for everyone. My speech and toast policy will prevent this from occurring.

Are you insured?

Yes. I have a general liability insurance policy with Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, certificate of insurance furnished upon request in person. Providing proof of insurance has become a common practice and it may become a requirement with select hotels and venues. While it's not currently required by every venue, you should only consider booking a disc jockey who is insured. In fact, asking a DJ you are considering if they are insured is a simple question that will show you how dedicated and professional they are. Most budget/amateur DJs obtained their music library by buying a hard drive of music from Craigslist or eBay to cut start-up costs and don't put money back into their product. So if they don't reinvest any money back into their business, they certainly aren't going to obtain liability insurance. If you book a DJ without liability insurance and a guest injures themselves due to DJ negligence, you could be held liable. If your DJ is uninsured, they may be refused entry to your venue and you could be left without entertainment for your wedding. It's not worth the risk. Hire an insured DJ.

Do you offer a written contract?

Yes. My contract is straight-forward so you can easily understand the terms. Your signed contract and deposit officially reserves your date. A binding contract not only protects you, but it offers you peace of mind that you have hired a professional. I have booked last minute weddings from hysterical brides whose DJ either disappeared off the face of the earth or booked another job. In every instance, they didn't have a written contract with their DJ. Do not hire any vendor who does not offer a written contract.

What is the deposit to reserve the date of my wedding and when is the final payment due?

I require a $500 non-refundable retainer and signed contract returned within 7 days to reserve your requested date. The remaining balance is due fourteen (14) days before your wedding date. There is a $50 fee for checks returned for insufficient funds for any reason. Note : I do not accept credit cards.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellation for any reason forfeits the deposit, no exceptions. Cancellation within 120 days of date requires 50% of the balance. Cancellation within 30 days of date requires full payment of the balance. Cancellation due to inclement weather must be received no later than 12pm on your wedding date. Your deposit (non-transferable) may be applied to a future wedding booking within one year of your original contracted date.

Are you a DJ agency?

South Shore DJs is not a DJ agency. When you book South Shore DJs, Gregg MacDonald is your DJ. I do not subcontract bookings (Warning : Bait and switch is common with multi-system DJ companies). If I receive an inquiry for a date I have already booked, I will respectfully decline and offer a referral to a professional DJ within my business network.

What backup resources do you have if you suddenly become ill and cannot perform at our wedding?

In the unlikely event of an illness, physical injury or personal emergency, I have DJ associates that would be able to cover my booking. I have never been late or missed a function, ever.

Can we come see you perform at an upcoming wedding?

No. I do not invite prospective clients to weddings I am performing at out of respect for all clients to keep their wedding private. Weddings are a formal event and very close attention is paid to the guest list and I'm sure you would not want uninvited guests at your wedding. Since the release of the 2005 hit movie Wedding Crashers, there's a popular trend of uninvited guests crashing weddings. Here is a great article from the Boston Globe on the subject of wedding crashers. This article is the perfect example why I do not invite clients to observe my services firsthand. It's unprofessional to conduct prospective business on someone else's watch. I do not conduct any prospective business aside from a simple exchange of a business card.

Do you have references?

Yes. I have references, available upon request.

Are you an interactive DJ? Do you offer props, trivia or any other entertainment?

Well, no. While my music performance is flexible, my reputation is not. What I do, I do well. I don't dance around or perform cheesy routines. I don't yell over the music or dress your guests in cheap costumes and parade them around the room. Let me be perfectly clear on this issue. I AM NOT A PROP DJ. In my opinion, the prop DJ concept has been done to death and I keep this style of entertainment as far away from my reputation as possible. If your wedding needs hats, wigs, glow sticks and constant interaction, I'm not the DJ for you.

Do you offer lighting and special effects?

No. I do not offer lighting, disco balls, fog machines, etc. In my opinion, a huge truss of lights is unattractive and I believe lights/special effects are more appropriate for general functions and nightclubs. Weddings are a formal event and beat-activated, flashing lights are more distracting than elegant. Please note : I no longer offer uplighting as a booking option. I opted out as many wedding venues now offer uplighting as an add-on option (for free or a very low price) and often have a preferred lighting vendor.

What attire will you wear at my wedding?

My standard wedding attire is a pressed dark suit. When a wedding is less formal and the wedding party bypass the tuxes and opts for more casual attire, I wear a navy sportcoat and khakis.

What are your requirements that I need to inform my wedding coordinator or function manager prior to my wedding?

I require one sturdy, 6-8 foot, rectangular, banquet-style table with skirting, located near the dance floor and within 15 feet of a grounded 120 volt, 20 amp power source in good working order. Please discuss where the DJ will be located with your wedding coordinator. Some reception venues will place the DJ at the far end of the room away from everyone or 15 feet above the dance floor to save table space. It's very important that I am located near the dance floor for your First Dance, Cake Cutting, Parent Dances and the dancing segment of your reception.

I'm getting married at my wedding venue. Can you provide music for the ceremony?

My sound system is available for your ceremony for an additional fee of $250 (as it requires a second system setup). Please note : I do not provide lavalier microphones for the officiant. I will allow the officiant and readers to use my wireless microphone. After the ceremony has ended, I will break down and set up in the reception room immediately.

Do you hang banners or signs telling everyone who you are?

Absolutely not. You would be surprised to see how some DJs shamelessly plug their business at weddings. The incessant self-promotion is deplorable. DJs constantly name-dropping and displaying banners with company logos or playing pre-recorded sound bytes between songs. Some DJs place business cards on every table and ask trivia questions and award prizes with their logo. It's tacky. This is a wedding, not a nightclub spot. I do not display or promote my business name with any signs, banners or any promotional materials aside from a unobtrusive stack of business cards. If someone is interested in my services after observing my performance, they don't need a sales pitch, they need a business card.

Do we tip the DJ?

By no means is gratuity expected and you'll never see a tip jar on my table. If you feel I have surpassed your expectations and wanted to offer me a gratuity, I would accept it as the utmost compliment.

Should we feed the DJ?

Providing a meal is completely up to you. If you choose to provide a meal, I would greatly appreciate it, but you are not obligated.

Is overtime available?

After the contracted time has expired, overtime is available (with consent of reception venue). Your overtime rate is listed in the price clause of your contract. Overtime is available in 30 minute increments and must be requested one hour prior to the conclusion of your event.

Are there any other fees applicable to your services?

My services do not have any additional or hidden fees. However, additional fees are applicable if your place of reception : (a) *is located on Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard (vehicle ferry service required).
(b) *Services for your onsite ceremony.
(c) *Cocktail hour set-up requires a second sound system outside the reception/tent/room.
(d) *is held in an upstairs facility without elevator access and/or difficult set-ups.
(e) *Weddings held on Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard that end after the last ferry leaves the island for the evening, one night's hotel accommodations is required.
(f) *requires paid parking *Please inquire for pricing.

What are your rates and are they negotiable? Will you match a price quote of a competitor?

I do not post prices online as every wedding is different. Please contact me for a price quote. I do not negotiate on pricing because very few DJs can deliver the quality of service I can. There's a misconception that a DJ shows up, plays a few hours of music and goes home. I wish it were that easy, but it's more work than it seems. I exchange emails/texts/phone calls with your wedding coordinator regarding introductions and music, creating a timeline for your reception and purchasing requested music. This work is all prior to your wedding, prior to my performance. In addition to preparation and performance, there are expenses not directly associated with your wedding that I need to account for. System maintenance and upgrades, auto and liability insurance, gas, website domain and hosting fees, phone bills, high speed internet service, office supplies, postage, music subscriptions, etc. The cost of doing business as a reputable DJ company is always overlooked when people are price shopping. I recognize the importance of this day and I take every wedding very seriously. This business isn't a hobby to me. I'm not a weekend warrior hack with a beat-up system with little to no wedding experience. My service (sales, event preparation and performance) is one of the best in the Boston/South Shore/Cape area and my experience, ability and easygoing personality is why I book wedding after wedding every year without advertising.

The best mix of new and classic hits... without gimmicks.

Gregg MacDonald
South Shore DJs