Love Plus One Wedding DJs: 10 Questions with Darren Revell

DJs - Darren Revell

Business: Love Plus One Wedding DJs
Location: Southfield, Michigan MI
Experience: 20+ Years
Profile: Love Plus One Wedding DJs
Website: www.loveplusone.com

1. Introduction: What's your story?

It’s always been a passion of mine to bring great music to people. I’ve been making a living at it my entire adult life. For over 20 years I’ve been working in clubs and radio. In 1995 I started my own radio show in Detroit and eventually moved it along with myself to Los Angeles and then full circle back to Detroit. Over the years I’ve gathered so much useful experience that I decided to bring together a team of great DJs with the same love for music and entertainment. Nothing beats the excitement of playing the next song and having the dance floor go crazy! This company is all about providing professionalism while still having fun. Our team understands how important weddings are to our couples. It’s fun but also the most important day of their lives.

2. What's your experience as a wedding DJ? How many weddings have you done?

I’ve been in the DJ and radio industry for 20+ years as a wedding DJ, radio DJ and emcee. I’ve brought together a team of DJs that share the same values and professionalism. During wedding season our DJs are out every weekend. Each of us are dedicated to providing the best experience musically while keeping the timing and order of events flowing seamlessly with our emceeing.

3. How far in advance do couples need to book your services?

As soon as possible. Most couples book 1-2 years ahead of their wedding date. A wedding has so many moving parts that need to be figured out well in advance. That’s why we have an Online Entertainment Planner that comes standard with every DJ package. This is where our couples ultimately customize their wedding day entertainment details and keep them organized. The Online Entertainment Planner includes all of our couple’s must-play and do-not play song choices, special dance songs, wedding party names and their entertainment timeline. We ask that our couples get their Online Entertainment Planner completed 30 days before their wedding date, followed by a final details phone meeting with their DJ. So, the sooner our couples book, the sooner they can start to plan.

4. What's your rate? What does that include?

Our rates start at $1295 for Sunday weddings and go up from there. Our packages are customized to each wedding depending on if a ceremony, cocktail hour, extra hours, speakers, etc., are required. Each package starts at six hours and includes:

• 6 hours of professional DJ/Emcee service
• 2 hours of set-up & 1 hour of breakdown (9 total hours)
• Online Entertainment Planner for music & wedding day details
• Professional entertainment planning + support
• All announcements & introductions
• Music included
• Professional-grade sound system
• Dance floor lights
• Wireless mic for toasts, etc
• Backup equipment on-site
• Backup DJ available in case of emergency
• DJ liability insurance

5. Are you available to travel if needed?

Yes. We cover the Metro Detroit Area. Beyond that area there’s an extra travel fee.

6. How would you describe your style?

Our reviews consistently say that we kept everybody out on the dance floor all night long. As DJs, keeping guests on the dance floor is our #1 job and we do that by reading the crowd, and playing requests for our newlyweds and their guests. As emcees, we take a less is more approach. We don’t crack jokes on the mic or get out and teach people how to dance. No cheese or big egos here! As DJs/emcees we keep the party fun, moving forward, energetic, and on point.

7. What's your backup plan if there's an equipment malfunction? Do you bring backup equipment?

Back-up equipment is a must for every wedding and event and it’s included in every package. We always have extra speakers, cables, microphones and a backup music library in case our equipment were to malfunction or get damaged.

8. What's your sick day policy?

If our scheduled DJ gets sick, we have another on-call who will jump in. The backup DJ can login to the Online Entertainment Planner and get access to all the wedding day details and quickly get up to speed.

9. How do you motivate a shy crowd to dance? What do you do to motivate the crowd if nobody is dancing?

One of the greatest skill sets of an experienced wedding DJ, or any DJ for that matter, is to know when to switch up songs or genres that aren’t working. If a song is clearing the dance floor, we mix out of it and play something different. Our DJs are constantly reading the crowd and choosing songs that they know will get people out on the dance floor. That type of quick thinking comes with years of experience. In addition, our DJ’s also get to know our couples to learn about their song choices, guests demographics, and genre preferences. Going into the wedding armed with these details makes for a great wedding.

10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?

Deposits are non-refundable. If cancellation is before 90 days we only retain the deposit. If the wedding is cancelled within 90 days before the wedding, the full amount is due. This is to offset the loss of business for the company and our DJ.