What should you look for when choosing an entertainer? First thing is to interview the individual or business you’re looking to hire to see if they provide the service you’re looking for. Ask them questions that are important to you. Some examples to ask might be, can we choose specific music for the background music? Can our guests make requests? Can we select songs we don’t want played? How will the DJ dress? Can I meet with my DJ/entertainer before the night? How much experience has the person had? How big is your setup? Do they have a backup DJ available for emergencies?

You probably looked at many photo albums or web galleries before choosing a photographer, I suggest taking care to choose the person who will best represent your style on the night. Do they have the personality and style to suit your event? Are you looking for a more interactive DJ who encourages guest participation or a laid back style that includes minimal microphone use?

If you are also looking to hire an MC you will have different questions for them. Can they create the atmosphere you’re after? Can they suggest ways to enhance your reception? Are they experienced in the formalities and timing of a reception? How will they introduce you into the room? At how many events have they been MC? Different DJs & MCs have unique styles, you want to meet with the person who will MC your event to ensure they are a great match for you. They should be able to suggest how the night will run and how they will ensure it runs smooth and you can relax throughout the reception.

Are you considering a band for your reception? Will they be taking regular breaks? What music will they play during these breaks? Can they make announcements when needed? Can guests make requests? Do I need to provide a meal for each band member? Will their setup work with the chosen location? What styles of music can you cater for? You will have thought of more, but don’t be afraid to ask questions, they should have an answer for you.

I would look for wedding entertainment providers who can provide testimonials from past clients who were satisfied with the service. Speak to friends to see who they used or if they have heard anything great about someone. Do they have video of a past performance? Have they got photos from current events?

Things to consider. Good entertainment is not cheap and cheap entertainment is not good. Are you spending $15000 on your wedding but only wanting to spend $500 on entertainment which can make or break your reception? Will you choose an entertainer based on price or level of experience? I recommend meeting or calling the entertainers you’re considering, to see what they will do to ensure your reception is everything your wanting. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as you should know exactly what you are getting.

Jono Toohey, Owner, DJ and Master of Ceremonies, Albury DJ Entertainment.

A great start to the wedding season for Stacey & Peter’s reception at Lake Hume Resort Albury. I (Jono Toohey) was MC & DJ assisted by DJ Brenden. We included our premium setup and some purple uplighting throughout the room to enhance the already beautifully decorated room by Tracey @ Enhance Design and The Elegant Chair.

We included a personalised introduction about each bridal party member and how they are related before welcoming the Bride & Groom into the room. The “shoe game” was a hit and drew some great crowd applause (this is where we ask the bride and groom a series of questions including ‘who made the first move’, ‘who hogs the blankets,’ ‘who spends the most money,’ etc). After the speeches we went straight into the bridal waltz, which was a choreographed rehearsed dance which kept everyone entertained. The next two hours saw plenty of fun moments on the dance floor.

A highlight of the reception was the garter removal. I encouraged Pete to use some props from his job as a fire fighter in the removal to put on a show. With some creativity we managed to include a fireman’s hat, fire extinguisher and fire hose under the bride’s chair, giving the illusion they were under Stacey’s dress. One of the funniest and most creative garter moments I have seen.

Stacey & Peter were such easy going clients and a pleasure to work with. I am sure people will be talking about the special moments we helped create throughout the reception for months and years to come. I love what I do!

Jono Toohey - owner and professional DJ & MC at Albury DJ Entertainment.

If you lived in the Albury area, you would know that last weekend was one of the wettest weekends ever, many towns flooded and many wedding ceremonies moved. Claire & Dean’s wedding was no different. The ceremony was originally planned for All Saints Estate’s beautiful rose garden, the weather forced the move to the barrel room at All Saints. In no way did the weather dampen spirits. We provided the music before, during and after the ceremony. Claire was possibly the happiest (and most in love) Bride I had seen and truly enjoyed the ceremony and reception and showed no sign of stress from the weather.

We played a different song for each bridal party couple, which was a lot of fun (Bride & Groom choices), including Thank God I’m A Country Boy, Sexy & I Know It, Don’t Stop The Party, Good Feeling and Signed Sealed Delivered for the Bride & Groom. The guests then enjoyed the reception which included 3 courses, some great speeches and myself hosting “The Shoe Game”. This is a game during the reception when we ask the bride and groom a series of questions, such as “who made the first move” and the bride and groom hold up a shoe of who best describes the answer (a Bride or Groom’s shoe). It brought many laughs and funny results. The fun did not stop after the bridal waltz with some karaoke from the groom, group dances and a variety of music from 60′s to top 40. A friend of the Bride & Groom did sang Michael Buble to perfection and The Bridal waltz was Burn your name – Powderfinger followed by Your Song – Elton John & Everything  - Michael Buble.

The Picture Perfect Photo Booth was lots of fun with most guests getting a pic or two in the booth to put in the bride and grooms wedding keepsake. They had the option to dress up with props supplied from Picture Perfect, a fun concept.

It was great to be a part of the wedding as I was the DJ at the local nightclub when they first met and worked with the bride years before. With over 90 guests the dance floor was full for almost 3 hours when the crowd departed by bus to Albury. Venue up lighting (purple) and photos provided by us.

Photo Booth – Picture Perfect Photobooth
Photography – Simon Dallinger
Videographer – Capture Films by Emma Dallinger

Jono Toohey – owner and professional DJ & MC at Albury DJ Entertainment.Click to view slideshow.

Saturday the 12th of November turned out to be a really fun night. After providing the ceremony music at St Patrick’s Church, the reception was held at The Best Western Hovell Tree in Albury. Everyone was ready for a great night, with friends from all over Australia moving through the room to catch up, and even handing out the request cards I could see this was going to be a party crowd. The speeches were a crack up, and then the party started right after the bridal waltz. A highlight was the bride Katrina singing Summer of 69 to perfection, seeing everyone shuffling (LMFAO style) and everyone loving the party tracks like time warp, cotton eye Joe, and even nut bush. The crowd really got into the music and kept the dance floor full for almost 3 hours. We finished with an action packed bouquet throw (great catch), a great performance from Josh (the groom) getting the garter and a pickup from the back for the garter throw. The feedback to Facebook from the bride the next day read “Jono we can’t thank you enough!!! you did an awesome job. Everyone had a great time including my mum” which was great and appreciated.

It was a really enjoyable night and was great to see so many familiar faces in the crowd. More photos can be found at our Facebook page, don’t forget to “like”  https://www.facebook.com/alburydj.

It was a pleasure being a part of their special day, Jono – Albury DJ Entertainment.Click to view slideshow.

One of my favourites was an entrance at All Saints Estate where the Bridal party stayed at the bottom of the stair case after being announced into the room. The Bride & Groom were then announced into the room, then a choreographed dance begun with all bridal party members involved. This was a treat for guests and everyone really enjoyed seeing the Bridal party taking part in the Bridal Waltz, it was also unique as this was during their entrance to kick of the night on a high. To make it even more unique, half way through, another 20 guests joined into the dance that they had been practicing making a great show for the remaining guests and was the first time I had seen anything like this. The only problem, no one was had a video camera ready as it was surprise.

I have seen other Bridal waltz dances include their bridal party to create a memorable 1st dance. Others have worked hard working a routine to wow their guests and make the bridal waltz a highlight of the night.

What are you planning, will you do something people will remember over other weddings they have attended? Be unique..be daring…but have fun!