Booking Rock The House for your Reception Music
With a presence in Northeast Ohio for 20 years, Rock The House Entertainment has earned the reputation of one of the most requested and respected entertainment companies in the area. This week, we sat down with them to answer your questions about booking reception music.
What should a couple look for in a potential DJ?
With any vendor, you want to make sure you feel comfortable with them and build a trusting relationship. You should never hire someone if you don’t feel confident in their skills and experience or comfortable around them. “It’s all about comfort level,” says Jeff from Rock The House. “Make sure you’re spending your money with a company that’s going to not only deliver on, but exceed your expectations.”
Because your wedding planning takes place over a long period of time, you will talk to and be around this person quite a bit. Consider questions like, do they quickly return your phone calls or emails? Are they easy to work with? Do you get a good vibe from them? “You should always feel like your questions were answered and always be more excited for your wedding date to be here each and every time you interact with your vendor,” Jeff advises.
What Rock The House offers that other DJs may not:
“Your investment is not just for the day of; it’s from the moment you book us through your wedding day.”
Jeff Kutz
Vice President of Sales , Rock The House Entertainment
With Rock The House, you’re not just hiring an individual to press play. You’re hiring a company to be there for you to answer questions and also give advice every step of the way. “If you’re looking for someone to help you along the process, that’s what we’re there for. Our clients can reach out to us anytime and expect to hear from us that day. I do my best to never leave my office until all emails and voicemails are answered.”
What if we just don’t click?
If you’re looking for someone to press play on a pre-made playlist, Rock The House Entertainment may not be the DJs for you. “It’s all about finding the right fit. Sometimes that’s not us, and that’s okay! But we stand by offering amazing customer service, an amazing planning experience, and an amazing event.” When you book with Rock The House, they make it their mission to earn your trust. “We do that by catering to your needs and listening to our clients by offering guidance and advice to give you the best possible reception for your friends and family.”
Just like marriage, it’s all about communication. You have to be upfront with each other and honest about your expectations. Therefore, if you’re comparing several entertainment companies, let them know what you like and don’t like about these other companies and what’s holding you back. “We want to work with you as a team to come up with the best plan to make your reception is the best it can be.”
Why can’t I just use Spotify or make my own playlist?
“There’s a difference between someone playing music and someone entertaining a crowd using music.”
Jeff Kutz
Vice President of Sales, Rock The House
Your wedding day is the most important day in your life. At any live event, the energy in the room can change at a moment’s notice. “You could put together a great selection of music and they’re all songs we would play, but your dance floor won’t be as packed as it would with a DJ,” says Nick from Rock The House. A DJ can read the room and the energy of the guests and make snap decisions. “If a song plays a quarter of the way through and everyone leaves the floor, then what? We use music as a tool. No one wants to hear 4 minutes and 45 seconds of Staying Alive. After 2 minutes, we’ll switch songs to avoid a mass exodus.”
“When you are playing off an iPod or preset playlist, you cannot deviate from the plan. Therefore, you risk having an empty floor with guests leaving early.”
Rock The House Entertainment
How do I choose the right music?
The music you play at your ceremony is different than you cocktail hour which is different than dancing music. Nick asks clients what they want their guests to feel when arriving. “We want the music to have a good flow and energy, and for the guests to feel energized and excited for what’s happening next. That all starts with what your guests see and hear.”
“Choosing the music to play in the background is as important as making the room look pretty.”
Nick Duve
General Manager of Entertainment, Rock The House Entertainment
Imagine watching a movie. The entire premise of the story can change based on the music selection. You instantly know whether it’s a horror, romance, or comedy because of the song playing. Likewise, the music at your wedding is going to dictate what mood your guests will be in.
Choosing the right music all comes down to planning and coming up with solutions to potential problems ahead of time. For instance, “If the groom is really into classic rock, then maybe we’ll play that during the cocktail hour or dinner. That way, the groom is happy, but it doesn’t change the dynamic on the dance floor. We have to marry what the couple wants with what our experience has proven works.”
What can a couple expect when they book with Rock the House?
When you book with Rock The House, you’re investing in a company, not just an individual. “One thing Rock The House has never offered is a one-man team. We always send a minimum of 2 people – a DJ and an MC.” Most couples rely on their DJ to introduce the wedding party, make announcements for dinner, cake cutting, bouquet toss, and special dances, and also keep them on schedule. It can be a lot to handle if you’re balancing all of that with playing great music! “The DJ can focus on the music, and the MC can play the part of wedding director. It’s their job to make sure the couple, parents, guests, and vendors know what’s happening and have one person to go to.” This also allows the couple to enjoy their reception, rather than run it. You can trust that it’s in the good hands of reliable vendors.
Finally, Rock The House has a team of over 130 employees and entertainers with a vast amount of experience in special events. Their experienced and trained team paired with their quality equipment prevents a lot of stress down the road. You don’t have to worry about your vendor getting sick, backing out, or clashing with your personality. “All of our staff are trained to provide an amazing experience. You’re not locking in with one person and hoping for the best.”
“Rock The House is celebrating our 20th anniversary this coming year. We’re extremely fortunate to be part of thousands of events over the years and will continue to offer a memorable experience to our clients and their guests for years to come. Thank you for including us on your special day!”
Jeff Kutz
Vice President of Sales, Rock The House Entertainment
Rock The House Entertainment is a full-service company that provides lighting, photo booths, DJs, and live bands. They also offer the experience, consistency, equipment, and customer service you need to create memorable reception music. Find out why thousands of couples have booked them for their wedding! Contact them today to work with a company who will listen to your ideas, be there for you every step of the way, and work hard to exceed your music expectations.
