We got 99 problems...
but a FAQ ain't one.
We know you've read about the questions you're supposed to ask your DJ in the first meeting, so let's get them out of the way!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the cost of my event?
Our flat rates starting at $1000 gets you four hours of performance time and includes ALL equipment (including up to 4x 15" Electro-Voice Speakers, 2x ETX18SP Subwoofers, Shure wireless microphones, dance floor LEDs and lasers that intelligently "chase" the music, 8-12 uplights, custom monogram, and projector with screen). There are no hidden charges, we won't try to lure you into a "consultation" first and find out if you've booked upscale venues or have peculiar tastes before we give you a price. Here's a video of the type of fun you can expect at any of our weddings:
To add additional hours to any service, it's just $100/hour. We don't charge for setup time, breakdown time, or travel up to 100 miles (one way from Portland, OR).
Do you have a contract?
Yes. All legitimate DJs will have a boilerplate contract. Ours is much more relaxed though and we don't actually require that you sign it. The reason being is that our policy is that if you're not 100% satisfied at the end of your event, you don't have to pay! How could we enforce that if we made everyone sign a contract for a set amount? It does, however, give most brides a warm fuzzy feeling to have a signed contract so she knows somebody will show up that day ready to rock and roll! (We're really just there for the cake!)
How do we book you?
We are happy to "pencil" you in for seven (7) days following your initial inquiry. That should give us plenty of time to setup an in-person meeting or Skype Call so that you can get to meet your DJ, look over the contract, and talk music. After 7 days, we'll need a $100 deposit in order to secure the date. The deposit can be paid in cash, check, or using the "PayNow" button at the bottom of each page of this site! The deposit amount goes towards the total due at the end of your wedding or event. Deposit is non-refundable if cancelled less than 6 months before event date.
What's your mixing style?
To start with, we play good music in whatever genre you want to hear! There are a few good scratch DJs in Portland, but quite honestly, you can't dance to most of the music scratch DJs use for material. We don't have pre-made "sets" that we play during the dancing portion of the night. We use loops, effects, and beatmatch music "in key" with the purpose of creating seamless transitions between songs and maintaining the momentum on the dance floor. Mixing for us is something we do on the spot, based on the energy and key of the music and the reaction of the crowd. Sometimes, you have to drop the tempo to get the older relatives involved. After a slow song or two, and the younger crowd have refilled their drinks, we'll pick the tempo back up again. We always use the original radio versions of each song unless there’s a really good reason not to. We find this helps guests to recognize the next song earlier and start fist pumping accordingly!
Do you use party props?
Starting in 2016, we are offering Photobooth services through Dionne Kraus Photography! If you choose our add-on Photobooth service starting at $600, then yes! We'll bring all the props you need to keep your guest entertained with selfies all night :) Otherwise, No. We don't supply party props like hats and boas in our DJ package.
Will you bring an assistant?
Not usually. With today's technology, DJing a wedding is a one-person job. However, if we aren't both booked on separate gigs, then we'll occasionally crash a wedding together :) If we do, we bring our own protein bars and snacks so you don't have to feed yet another vendor!
Can we visit you at a wedding to "see you in action"?
We'll be a bit snarky here and ask you in return, "Would you like perfect strangers dropping in on your wedding?". That being said, our references, online reviews, videos, and the impression you get at our initial meeting will speak volumes of our experience, style, and professionalism. If we're performing at a public event, we'll let everyone know about it on our Facebook Page and you can definitely swing by to say "Hi" and hear the quality sound equipment!
Can we pick all of our music?
We encourage you to give us as much music as you can! This gives us a better idea of the type of music you want to hear at your wedding. If you would like to select every song, we are happy to accommodate you. The majority of our couples, however, prefer to make a few special requests and leave the rest up to the DJ (We are the professionals after all). We pride ourselves on listening to our clients and becoming their personal iTunes Genius or Spotify Playlist champion. That being said, you will never hear songs you have asked not to be played, or genres you’ve told us you don’t like.
Will you also be the Master of Ceremonies?
That's a fancy title! But.. yes! Unless you have a preferred person that may speak other languages, we expect to handle all the introductions and other announcements. We always work in close coordination with the caterer, photographer, and other vendors to ensure that the timeline stays on track and that we help keep the evening flowing smoothly. We can tell when guests are anxious to move on to the next stage of the night or if they need another drink before we kick it up a notch! We'll gladly be your wedding coordinator at no extra cost!
How do you dress for an event?
For Weddings, we usually wear a dress shirt and tie. If a tuxedo or other attire would be more appropriate for your event, simply let us know your preference ahead of time!
When do you arrive to set up for an event?
Our wedding DJs always arrive on-site at least an hour and a half prior to the contracted start time of the event, and earlier as needed by the setup requirements of the site.
What kind of equipment do you use?
We use the highest quality professional-grade equipment available. Specifically, we use Numark NS7 Turntables, Macbook Pros, Electro-Voice Speakers and subwoofers, and Shure microphones. Wireless microphones are always provided, and we'll discuss lighting requirements with you ahead of time to ensure we get just the right "look" for your dance floor.
What do you require from my event site?
We require at least one 6-foot banquet table, with linens, and adequate power (110-volt, 15-amp dedicated circuit on a grounded outlet) within 50 feet of where the DJ will be set up. In case of inclement weather, we'll need to be indoors or covered with a canopy.
For any additional questions, please reach out to craig@siliconforestdj.com