DJs - Eric Swift
- Business: 502 Entertainment
- Location: Louisville, Kentucky KY
- Experience: 6 Years
- Profile: 502 Entertainment
- Website: 502-entertainment.ueniweb.com
1. Introduction: What's your story?
Hi, I'm Eric Swift, owner of 502 Entertainment. I have been passionate about music my entire life and enjoy parties and crowds. Adding those together to form my business was a no-brainer. I have an outgoing personality and love working with couples to ensure their special day is one they and their guests enjoy to the fullest.
My company motto is "let the music make it magical" because music catered to the couple and their guests really does transform the party environment into a magical one where people make memories to last a lifetime. Weddings, especially, are a favorite of mine because of the delicate flow of events that need to happen in a precise order at a precise time to make the day successful. I have a keen ability to determine when music selections need to be upbeat or slowed down to draw more people to the dance floor and am not shy in getting guests to participate in the activities the couple chooses (dollar dances, anniversary dances, bouquet/garter toss) while not being overly dramatic or excessive in the emceeing of the event. My main goal is to ensure the wedding couple enjoys their celebration surrounded by family and friends.
My clients work directly with me from the initial contract signing, to song selection, defining order of events, through the last minute of their reception. 502 Entertainment strives to exceed every couple's expectations!
2. What's your experience as a wedding DJ? How many weddings have you done?
I have been DJing for 6 years and have nearly 100 weddings.
3. How far in advance do couples need to book your services?
Couples should try to book at least one year ahead of their planned date to ensure there is availability. Even if they don't book with 502 Entertainment, couples should try to secure their dates at least a year in advance (especially for prime wedding months - looking at you, September and October!).
4. What's your rate? What does that include?
My wedding reception packages start at $500 and include custom music selections, dance floor "party" lighting, elegant uplighting, and all of the emceeing of the event. This rate includes setup/break down. Overtime is $125/hour.
5. Are you available to travel if needed?
Of course! I love to travel! There is a travel fee if the wedding/reception is not within Jefferson County, KY or one of its surrounding counties (including those in Southern Indiana). There are absolutely no hidden costs - once the location of your event is known I would tell you exactly how much the travel fee would be for 502 Entertainment to DJ your event if it outside of the "home" region.
6. How would you describe your style?
My style is catered to what my couples desire for their event. Suit-and-tie, 100% formal? Jeans, a button down, and cowboy boots? I've done both and everything in between based on my couple's wishes. My personality is outgoing and I will engage with you and your guests as much or as little as you choose. Having an outdoor wedding with games and events in addition to dancing? I've handled a few of those with great success. Do your guests need a little encouragement to make their way to the dance floor? I can actively call people up or issue "challenges" to get more folks involved. Prefer to keep your event low-key with background music so people can socialize and chatter without having to talk loudly over dance music? I've got you covered. My involvement with your special day is as active or as laid back as the couples desire.
7. What's your backup plan if there's an equipment malfunction? Do you bring backup equipment?
I always have 2 laptops, 2 external hard drives backed up with the music for the event, extra cables and cords, extra mics and extra batteries. I also bring extra speakers. At every wedding I have a redundant system in place - two complete setups at my disposal should something malfunction with my main gear. I also ensure that setup happens in advance of the event beginning so I have time to perform quality checks and ensure everything is working as expected (this time does NOT count towards the contracted time for the wedding/reception - for example, if you contract for a 4-hour reception, that 4-hours begins once your reception does, NOT when I begin setting up).
8. What's your sick day policy?
Short of death or serious (contagious) illness, I would make the event regardless of how I personally felt. If I needed, I do have trained backup who can assist with the emceeing. In the event of a death or serious illness preventing my attendance I would offer the bride/groom a full refund and recommendations for a trusted DJ in the area with similar rates or offer one of my assistants to run the day in my absence.
9. How do you motivate a shy crowd to dance? What do you do to motivate the crowd if nobody is dancing?
If a crowd is shy and slow to get on the dance floor and the couple desires that the dance floor "be jumpin", I have several go-to songs that will get young-and-old out on the dance floor every single time. If I notice people are dancing in their seats "chair shufflin," but not on the dance floor I will laugh and joke with them to encourage them to take their moves out to the floor. I also give couples the option on whether or not I can accept custom requests from their guests, and if they allow it, guests are able to come up and request songs they want to shake it to.
10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?
Once the contract is signed and a date secured, the deposit is non-refundable regardless of how soon the cancellation occurs. There are exceptions listed in the contract regarding death and other similar scenarios. Any monies paid over the deposit would be refunded in the case of a cancellation. See contract for full cancellation policies.
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