It is true what they say about the entertainment at any event, it is one of the key components to a great time. It is no secret that the market is saturated with DJs, so how do you hire the right DJ for your budget?

The process of narrowing it down: DO NOT make price the deciding factor. Compile a list of DJs you have seen in the past, ask friends for referrals, and ask for “preferred DJs” and opinions from your other event vendors. Then narrow your selection down to 3 professional DJ services. Look for a DJ Service that stands out from the rest.

Make contact: Book your DJ at least 6 months in advance. Although email inquiries are increasing in popularity, nothing beats talking with your DJ service over the phone. How they conduct themselves over the phone is a great indication of how professional they are and how they perform in public. Things to listen for… Are they confident? Can they offer you a professional and easy to read website to refer to? Did they answer their phone when you contacted them? Was there a quick turn around time when responding to your inquires? Or do you have to wait days for a reply back? All of these are indications of whether you are considering a full time professional DJ service. Do not be fooled into thinking that all-inclusive packages are the only options for your entertainment. A professional DJ service will spend the time getting to know you first and talk about pricing last.

The consultation: Whenever possible, ask to meet with the DJ or DJ Service at their office/residence. A professional DJ service will be proud of their environment, and will welcome the opportunity to display their equipment. This consultation is a great opportunity for you to meet with them in person, and start to build a relationship. This consultation will give you an idea of how they will treat your wedding/event and make your day a memorable one.

The full package: For your special event you need the full package. This includes a professional DJ, high quality equipment and lighting, and the right songs for your party. Some DJ companies emphasize the need to have a music library in the tens of thousands. Ironically, only 60-70 songs will be played, but if they are not the right songs then your celebration will not be memorable. An experienced DJ can help with this. Determine a general play list in advance and provide your DJ with a “do and don’t” play list. Get their input on your evening. Will they be interactive? Can they help with the cake cutting ceremony and the first dance? What are their suggestions?

Get it in writing: A professional DJ service will send you a contract. Make sure you discuss payment options and cancellation policies prior to signing. This is the time to determine additional items like: whether dinner for the DJ needs to be provided, music request list policies, exterior arrival times, lighting packages, and determining your assigned DJ. And let’s not forget pricing and extra charges.

Don’t just take their word for it: Ask to see the DJ service’s references and then qualify them by calling. Make sure to contact a previous client that has used the DJ that is assigned to your function. A professional DJ service will be honoured and proud to provide you with at least 3 recent contacts.

Pricing: Price is one thing – quality is another. All DJs are not created equally. A DJ’s rates can vary from a low $500 to a high $1500 in most Canadian cities. Anyone below $500 should be scrutinized to ensure quality of service, equipment, and track record.” Chances are, they are not a professional full time DJ, and they may lack experience, and most likely don’t have a license or carry liability insurance. Most good DJs should be priced in the $700-1000 range, depending on experience. Book the DJ you can afford and NEVER EVER book the cheapest (unless you are receiving a discount or there is a valid reason that they are the lowest price). Trust your gut feeling for the DJ you like and go with them. Remember, with hiring a professional, comes peace of mind.

Key questions to ask:

1. What type of sound system do they use?
2. Do they have a business license?
3. Do they carry liability insurance?
4. Do they use AVLA licensed music?
5. Are they members of the Better Business Bureau (BBB)?

Ozzie Kipnes is co-owner of Hot Wax Mobile Music and is a preferred Amuse Supplier. How Wax has been in the DJ business for over 24 years. Look for more music and entertainment tips to come from Ozzie in the coming months.

First stop; imagine you’re at a fancy Champagne cocktail and everyone is dressed in basic black (surprise surprise). And you show up looking radiant in French glam! In an instant, you’re the hit of the party. You inspire energy and glamour into the event and all because you dressed for success.

Photo Credit: Mike Chatwin

Take a lovely summer garden party, for example. Dressing up isn’t just for kids, and the Boo La La team knows how to turn an average affair into a world of wonder! With Alice in Wonderland being one of the biggest dress-up trends this season, the Boo La La team showed up to this garden party and turned it into a wildly fun fete!

And a simple single mingle with friends just isn’t the same if there’s no chance of meeting prince charming! Not to worry friends, with costumes in hand you’ll always attract attention…

We promise, life’s more fun in costume!

Boo La La Bio: After 25 years Carol’s Costume Corner recently rebranded and the store is now named Boo La La!

Boo La La (previously ‘Carol’s Costume Corner’), located in North Vancouver, is one of Canada’s most reputable and successful costume stores. The store offers thousands of costumes for rent (many of which being gorgeous vintage threads), hundreds for sale and a large assortment of costume accessories and wigs. Plus, now you can buy your favourite costume online from anywhere in North America!

Since 1985, Boo La La has been supplying Canada with the most sought after costumes and high quality vintage assortments. With exceptional personalized costume styling, Boo La La is renowned for their complete head-to-toe shopping experience. Whether looking for the perfect Halloween costume or a great get up for a theme party, the Boo La La team rocks the look every time. With our strong fashion background we understand not only the key costume trends, but also the proper fit and style. We ensure your costume looks amazing every time! We rock the look so you can rock the party.

Life’s more fun in costume! www.boolalacostumes.com

Thanks again to all who came out to show their support and of course a huge thank you to all my suppliers and sponsors. Lonsdale Rentals Mobiry Seven 25 Design & Typography House of Q Michi Sushi Road 13 Mozart Bakery & Cafe Hot Wax Mobile Music & Tattoos For Now

The rest of the great photos taken by Cole & Jakob from Nordica Photography can be found here http://www.flickr.com/photos/amuseconsulting/

Now you may wonder why I’m getting nervous after all I’ve planned over 100+ events since starting Amuse Consulting in 2005 and 6 years of events I planned at all Vancouver Capers Community Market stores. Well the answer is simple, this is a huge milestone both for me personally and for my company and so I’ve really put it all out there.

I’ve lined up a fantastic array of suppliers doing their best work and some neat and nifty surprises that are sure to please and get people talking. It’s an event with a Marc/Amuse twist. To find out some of the special treats in store for you check out an earlier blog from last week.

Something I have not shared yet with  most folks is how truly thankful I am for the amazing support I have received from clients, friends, colleagues, and the fantastic social media world that I dipped my toes into last year. So here is my public thank you in the largest voice I can muster THANK YOU for an amazing 5 years. I really look forward to the next 5 years and beyond.

For those sitting on the fence yes there are a few tickets left. $20 gets you a great evening of fun, of course my thanks, and the knowledge that the money is going to charity. Two in fact Kids Up Front Vancouver & A Loving Spoonful. Buy your ticket here http://amuse5year.eventbrite.com/

So here’s to seeing you on Wednesday May 19th at the Harrison Galleries, at 6pm. I’ll be the one smiling from ear to ear.

I’m super stoked about the event and want to share with you some of the cool sponsors and services that will be on display for your enjoyment. Oh there are still a few tickets left so click on the poster and register yourself.

1. To start with I’m showcasing some cool neat technology courtesy of Mobiry. I’m not going give too much of that away as it’s kind of cool and I like the surprise factor.
2. For food well have we a treat for you. To start with we have the award winning House of Q serving up real southern BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Southern coleslaw! Then we have the unique and super tasty Michi Sushi serving up their innovative and easy to eat sushi rolls. To further delight your taste buds and to be honest a meal isn’t over till you’ve had dessert we have… Mozart Bakery & Cafe doing up Sweet Potato Pie & Lemon Tartlets. Yummy Yummy Yummy!
3. Now that we’ve taken care of your taste buds how about your other senses? Spinning some tunes that will have all our toes tapping will be DJ’s courtesy of Hot Wax Mobile Music.
4. For you sight we’ve even got that covered! Tattoos For Now will be creating a special piece of body art that will be on display plus they will be offering airbrush tattoos for all in attendance. Maybe you’ve been wanting one on a certain spot bust just didn’t know how it would look well now you’ve no excuse Ted Couling will also be on had as a crowd favourite to create some lasting memories with his caricatures.
5. Did you think I’d forgotten about what you are drinking? Not to worry this is going to blow you away. Irene will be sampling some beautifully aged rum and Lambic beers that I’m sure you’ll enjoy + the surprise guest is Michael Bartier the winemaker of Road 13 will be pouring wines all night and will be hosting a very special and exclusive mini event in our party at approx 7:30ish.
6. Think I’m done? nope but you’ll just have to be there to find out what else I have in store for you. Plus you have to be there to win 1of the 8 door prizes valued at over $3500!

So I really hope to see you on the 19th. It’ll be a great event and the crowd is looking fabulous. Don’t leave your ticket purchase till the end they are selling fast and I have put a cap on number of tickets available.

Thanks again to sponsors that have come on board at the last minute and didn’t make the poster designed by Isabelle and the team at Seven25 Design & Typography.

To celebrate our “birthday” we are throwing an exclusive event and you are invited. Please see below for more details and click on the poster to be taken to the registration page. Proceeds from the event are being donated to A Loving Spoonful and Kids Up Front. Both are new Amuse Clients.

Thanks to the fantastic sponsors I’ve got quite the line up of events happening + over $3500.00 in door prizes. Thanks to Road 13, House of Q, Michi Sushi, Mobiry, Seven25 Design & Typography & Mozart Bakery & Cafe

Only 125 tickets are available and they are selling fast so please make sure to get yours right away   Click on the poster below to be directed to the registration page with all the details.

click here for party registration

Christmas Cookies

Everyone during the holidays has friends over, serves up drinks, and eats too much. It’s an age old formula and it works. What if you want to be different? How about a Christmas Cookie Party? Invite your BFF’s over, bake some yummy treats, drink some festive cocktails and give them a goodie bag when they leave.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Invite your favourite friends over. Keep in mind how many ppl your kitchen/entertaining space can comfortably hold. Ideally pick a week day that doesn’t conflict with other parties and leaves plenty of time to enjoy the cookies.
2. Pick one or two simple yet tasty cookies recipes. These can be cherished family recipes or from a tried and true resource like the Joy of Baking.
3. Guestimate about 2 doz cookies per guest, make your shopping list and get all your ingredients ahead of time.
4. Go to your fav store and pick up some cool containers. Places like Paboom and Wonderbucks offer a wide variety at great prices.
5. Create a cool and festive holiday cocktail. Nathan Fong of www.foodconnect.com has a few ideas for you.
6. The night of the party make a batch of your festive cocktails, lay out a spread of easy to prepare ahead snacks, organize and display all the cookie recipe ingredients on your kitchen counter, put on your favourite holiday play-list and put a stick of cinnamon in a small saucepan of water on your stove (festive smell without toxic candle fumes).

Yummy Cookies

Cookies, memorable moments and tradition sharing all great gifts for the holiday season. Happy baking.

Canuck Place

One of the staff team building events I was tasked with was a holiday party where I was charged with energizing the team, connect them to the community at large and ramp up the holiday spirit. I’m happy to say we did it and here’s how.

1. We set aside $20 per staff from the budget for a charitable donation.
2. Reviewing the company’s brand and staff demographics we selected Canuck Place as the featured charity.
3. Contacted Canuck Place fund-raising office and researched areas of need within the organization.
4. Canuck Place created a wish list of toys and items that would enhance the stay of families receiving support at the hospice.
5. Taking the wish list provided we researched prices online and created teams that would cover the cost of each item. For example a toy costing $50 would have 3 staff assigned to it. Team size varied from 1 person up to 5 and included all 48 employees and management.
6. With teams numbers and gifts made into raffle strips 1`manager + 1 employee put all raffle slips into a “hat” and one week prior to the party walked around the office and had every person pull a ticket.
7. Staff then had one week to find their team members, pool their $ resources, source the gift and purchase it.
8. At the start of the party (drinks and appies in the office) we set up a gift wrapping station and invited all teams to wrap their presents.
9. All staff was transported to Canuck Place where they presented their gifts and were invited to treat on homemade cookies and hot chocolate. Canuck Place has amazing holidays light displays so staff were welcome to tour the outside grounds + got to hear a small story about the work and families supported by CP.
10. Inspired by the amazing team at Canuck Place we loaded the staff back into the bus and continued on to the restaurant where they partied on in true holiday style.

So in short a great experience for the employees to work together and give back to a well deserving charity. Employees understood that management cared about them and created an experience that thanked them for the past years work. All in all a huge hit!

Problem: Then the worst case scenario happened. 24 hours before the party was to start the forcast called for 1mm of rain. My client was starting to panic, what do we do she asked?

Answer: I returned all the previously purchased decor, went to a supplier and purchased 3 10′x10′ gazebos, 3 sets of net lights and some garden torches. Working with her family we installed the gazebos at key points throughout the yard, attached the net lights to the inner roof of the gazebos and hide all the extension cords in the garden. As the night progressed guests were able to stay outside enjoy all the food and entertainment plus they relaxed under the twinkling lights secure in knowing that if it starting to rain they were safe.

Lesson: be flexible, build extra time into your planning so that last minute emergencies don’t derail the event, make sure you have help so that you don’t shoulder all the work alone and most importantly enjoy yourself. If you are having fun everyone else will as well.

Stay tuned next week for an exciting project announcement I have been working on for 3 months. It’s very exciting for me and I hope you will be as excited as I am.