In the words of two aspiring 60’s philosophers  “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try, sometimes you might find you get what you need” ( Jagger and Richards – 1968).

Well, that could be said about a lot of things but, in this instance, we’ll relate it to your forthcoming event. You have an idea of what you want so, to help you get what you actually need, you should look for a bit of advice on what’s best for you, given that you have a budget to stick to and, usually, a venue organised first. All this has to be taken into account.

This may be the first time you’ve had to organise an event, and if so, it can be a daunting process  – ask any bride planning her wedding!  Some people have a very clear picture in their minds about what they want and some can have a rough idea but decide to rely on the experts to guide them. It comes down to the same thing – we ask advice and hope that the person giving it will have our best interests at heart.

With the best will in the world, this isn’t always going to happen, for a number of reasons.

For example, you’ve decided to go with a hotel function. You ask the hotel management to “recommend” a band or a disco, thinking that they’ve more experience of organising this part of the event, or that they might as well go the whole distance since they’re putting on the food – right?

There is some merit in this, since most reputable venues will not risk their reputation by recommending a mediocre disco provider. However, you need to be careful. Some will have their own in-house disco, or an arrangement with an independent provider where, sometimes, there can be  something in it for the hotel or the manager to recommend a certain entertainer.  There may be a hidden commission involved, of which you would be unaware. There’s nothing wrong with this, it’s a fairly standard business practice. Just make sure it’s what you want, and that it doesn’t restrict your freedom of choice.

Or you might be swayed by a well-meaning acquaintance who remembers a great disco at a 21st he was at last year. Fine, only he forgot to mention that the birthday girl was into Hip Hop and Dance… and so was the DJ!  OK if you want this at your event (we can do this too – we provided four hours of this at a recent 30th birthday party),  but it might not suit Great-Auntie Maud who is, happily, hard of hearing anyway, but wouldn’t appreciate the pounding bass and a bouncing floor when she’s trying to navigate her way to the Ladies.

So, you have to do a bit of homework too. You should check out what’s available in your area and, once you’ve narrowed it down to a couple of DJs, talk to them to make sure they can AND WILL  provide the sort of music you want.

Remember too, that cheapest isn’t always best. You get what you pay for. We’re all for getting the best deal – who isn’t? But, some companies will deliberately undercut a quote you’ve been given without bothering to check what you actually want. Cheaper is great, especially when you’re on a budget, provided you don’t let that one fact cloud your judgement. Listen to everything else they say as well.

Then, weigh up the pros and cons of each quote with that in mind, but not to the exclusion of all else.

If it’s possible to hear them at a public venue, then go along to see them in action, see how the crowd likes them.

Don’t be afraid to ask what back-up provision they have if their system goes down. Faults can occur, even with carefully maintained equipment, and an apology and refund is hardly what you want when your event is ruined by a music failure and you have a hall-full of friends and family with disappointed faces.

As a matter of routine, BDK carries backup for all critical equipment to every event.

BDK is happy to provide any information you need to make you happy with your choice.

In other words, what we’re saying is this: don’t leave it all to chance – you just might not get what you want …or need!