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  • That is probably the most important question you can have. A DJ must take his or her job very seriously - seriously enough to have a very impressive track record, and naturally has a long list of referrals. Nowadays, it's easy to find a Vermont DJ business in town, but it's important to ask questions before you confide in the DJ service for an important event. Many DJs may not have the competence or capacity to accommodate you as well as an experienced DJ could. As a quick guide, it's important to have a DJ with the following qualities:

    - The customer is always right... don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.
    Planning for a wedding is a lot of work, and it can be a process that is lots of fun, or very difficult - depending on who works with you, versus against you. Don’t forget that this is YOUR day, and that YOU’RE the one paying for the services. Don’t let any DJ service (or other vendor for that matter) disagree with you in the creative aspect of your planning.

    For example, if you wanted to hear a song from the eighties that may seem obscure or out of the ordinary (but you want it all the same), don’t let the DJ reject that request or laugh in your face. A good wedding DJ is open-minded, and although he’ll offer recommendations, he’ll NEVER force something down your throat nor will he ever tell you “no”. To the same effect, feel free to put him to work for the amount of money you’re paying... give him a playlist if you want, give him a ‘do-not-play’ list if you want. Whatever DJ you choose, make sure that he/she respectfully acknowledges your needs and acts on them. Anything less should be considered a red flag.

    - DJ has a comprehensive list of referrals
    This is probably the most honest thing a DJ will do to earn your trust, because it relies on the testimony of former clients through e-mail or phone. Those former clients have openly volunteered to give insight to the quality of service, as well as business ethic. It's is VERY important to insist on referrals from your DJ service. El Folio Entertainment offers a long list of referrals on request.

    - DJ does NOT play msuic exclusively off a laptop
    There is no shame in a DJ using a laptop to retrieve and play a song that is hard to find and might not be so readily available. However, anybody that frequently uses a computer knows that they can freeze up and may require a reboot from time to time. This would create an unacceptable and annoying gap in the music service. Not to mention, MP3 files do not sound as good on a powered speaker system as the natural sound files on CD (keep in mind that MP3s are COMPRESSED audio files). Tracks on audio CD are in full quality. El Folio Entertainment keeps all genres of music readily available on CD, and uses a professional dual-CD player that plays CDs with a very powerful anti-skip, anti-stop mechanism that can read the scratchiest CDs.

    - DJ is NOT on "autopilot" for most of the night
    This happens too often, and it really bothers me. Imagine: you hooking your iPod up to the sound system and just have it randomly play with gaps between music throughout the night. That's pretty much the experience you'd have with a DJ that cues up the music on his computer (or ironically even HIS iPod) to a random mix, while he just sits back and reads a magazine. Even if it's the sequence you've asked for, or the music you've asked for, your money pays for an attentive human being watching every component throughout the whole night, interacting with the crowd and adjusting. Anything less, and you might as well just be hooking up your iPod and setting the sequence yourself. El Folio Entertainment will never substitute a computer or iPod for a professional DJ (unless it's called for... i.e: during dinnertime or short excused restroom break).

    - Confidence, not cockiness
    As mentioned before, being a DJ is a job... not an ego. A good DJ is charismatic enough to speak lively to the crowd without having to sport a cartoony voice or sound goofy. A DJ has to have the capacity to pay attention to the needs of a crowd and adjust accordingly. El Folio Entertainment has prided itself on keeping up with the needs of audiences and adjusting on the spot to make sure the whole audience is engaged and entertained. It's our strict attitude that the bride and groom are the stars of the evening... not the person playing music.

    - Wedding DJ vs. Club DJ
    Do you know somebody who chose their DJ for their wedding because they saw him rock the house at a club? Be careful about who you choose, because a DJ who usually does mostly club work is usually not such a good wedding DJ. Clubs are meant to be upbeat and keep people dancing with the new music and club bangers; not to mention they're designed for people over 21. Weddings are meant to be sentimental and incorporate music from all generations so that everyone is happy and entertained. I've heard horror stories about weddings who hired a DJ who works at the local nightclub and played nothing but rap music [the explicit edits if I may add]. Needless to say, neither of the families were quite impressed. In fact, the loud music made people leave and kept the dancefloor empty. El Folio Entertainment, on the other hand, incorporates music that is suitable for all generations at weddings. With a vast variety of music from generations ranging back to the forties, we make it a point to play music that will keep everyone entertained - even the kids. Weddings not only have the bouquet toss and the garter ceremony, but sometimes throwing in the YMCA or other favorites helps everyone have a better and more memorable time. El Folio Entertainment also works very closely with the bride and groom for pre-consultation, so every song that comes out of their speakers is tasteful and entertaining.

    - A great amount of attention is paid to your wedding reception plans
    El Folio Entertainment does a very limited number of wedding events per year. Consider it like being served a gourmet dinner in a fancy restaurant, each client as a diner, one of the few people lucky to be there. Then, put that against waiting in line at a fast food restaurant, waiting for your order to be thrown together as clumsily as the last one was. Think about the detail and service that's sacrificed between either example. We're serious when we say that the 'care factor' is one of the most important things about being a good wedding entertainer - of course experience and professionalism is (and always will be) a must, but remember that can't be compromised with lack of human contact and communication. This can not be a "conveyor-belt" experience. The person on the other end of the phone is the person who will be Djing at your wedding, as it should be.

    - DJ will consume NO alcohol at your event
    As the organizer of your event, you have enough to worry about and coordinate aside from the DJ. Not only can an open bar can cost an arm and a leg at times, but it makes no sense for the DJ to rack up your bar bill    . Also, to be a DJ is a job, and drinking on the job is not only unprofessional, but an intoxicated DJ can lead to a humiliating and unenjoyable experience.

    - Overall, the price matches the experience
    Find out from the referral list provided how the overall experience is, based on the experience of past clients. As another client, they can give you the most honest insight to how the DJ does business, how reasonably the price met the expectations of the client, and finally, how well the service was.

    We won't tell you to choose our services. Instead, we'll educate you on what a good wedding DJ should be, so that you may be informed while choosing the right entertainment for your wedding… that's why many people come back and choose us in the end.

  • A: We follow package sets for different kinds of events:

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  • A: This is a very important question, as a good DJ can make or break your wedding experience, and El Folio Entertainment will leave nothing to chance.

    El Folio Entertainment
    WILL:
    El Folio Entertainment
    WILL NOT:

    ...come dressed ONLY in the appropriate attire for your wedding (or other special event).

    ...arrive with ALL of the information you've provided: via our online planner, via e-mail and via special request.

    ...use GPS technology to accurately find your event location and always arrive punctually.

    ...arrive with ALL of the special music requested, whether or not it's on our music database.

    ...answer ALL of your questions promptly and professionally.

    ...accommodate requests and improvise throughout the night as necessary.

    ...accommodate 'do-not-play' lists

    ...engage the audience, no matter what the age.

    ...stay beyond the contracted time if needed, and continue to play. (May require price negotiation)

    ...WILL NOT alienate members of the audience with music that caters to only ONE genre.

    ...WILL NOT play music with explicit or suggestive content.

    ...WILL NOT be boisterous or overpowering on the microphone.

    ...WILL NOT play music off a laptop or iPod.

    ...WILL NOT subcontract other DJs or DJ companies (some guys charging $1000+ will... be aware of this).

    ...WILL NOT flash company banners or promotional materials which may appear tacky and distracting at a wedding (however we will provide business cards upon request).

    ...WILL NOT attempt to use dumb gimmicks (such as magic tricks, jokes, cartwheels, etc).

    ...WILL NOT blast the audience out of the room by having speakers too loud.

    ...WILL NOT consume any alcohol.

    ...WILL NOT smoke, or arrive intoxicated (you never know nowadays).

  • A: Absolutely. We'd need to plan a date and time based on our availability, as well as a location workable enough for the both of us. We travel the state much more during our prime wedding season, so it might be a better time to intercept us.

  • A: Weddings are a very elegant event, and there is a large amount of coordination surrounding it, including: venues, headcounts, guestlists and so on. For this reason, I can't overtly invite additional guests to the weddings of one of my other clients, even for just a quick peek inside. In other words, I can't let you "crash" somebody else's wedding. If I'm in your area on the day of a wedding, I'd be happy to arrange a meeting with you in a public place to discuss the matters of your wedding, or even let you conduct an interview on me if you will.

    If you're fortunate enough to find out that I'll be working at a club on a certain night, then I invite you to join me at that venue whenever possible to see me in action. Keep in mind that the nature of club music and wedding music is dramatically different - I have plenty of experience in both. Admittance fees to those clubs may apply.

    Although I can't let you crash somebody else's wedding, I can give you my reference list so that you can call the people I've serviced in the past, so that you can see what they had to say. :)

  • A: Absolutely. We understand that guests will do what they please, and it always makes for a better night when people want to stick around (including the DJ). We never make other commitments on the night of your event, so there is no pressing need for us to dismiss ourselves at the ending contract time. We charge by the hour (smallest time denomination is $75 per extra hour). Keep in mind that this is the same rate for additional hours that we charge during primary preparations of the contract - there are no additional fees or obligations when the adjustment is made on the spot. We do ask, however, that the extension you're requesting is ok with the people managing the venue.
  • A: I only use the most reliable and recommended equipment for my business. My CD player is a Numark CDN-88 which never halts or skips, which also is a performance CD player with which I do mixing and beat matching - a similar feature that famous DJs use on mix shows. I also study my music carefully so that music mixes better (ask for one of my demo CDs). My mixer is a Behringer VMX1000. I also use two Pyle Pro wireless mics for emceeing, as well as for guests to announce and make toasts. At every event, I use two Behringer B215A speakers for a total of 900w of power, which is enough to fill a small or large room indoors, or an outdoor venue that you can hear from a good quarter mile away. The bass response is also incredible. We don't mess around. All of my music, as mentioned before, is on CD (wav) format for superior sound. Every now and then for an unusual request, I will play off a professional Vortex MP3 DJ control system... ONLY when it's not available on CD. Although an average of only 40-50 songs are played at a wedding reception, we have over 10,000 songs to select from. Should your venue have an open wi-fi Internet connection, we can obtain music legitimately while on the job through the iTunes music store, expanding our library of music to tens of thousands of titles of music (at no extra charge to you).

  • A: Due to copyright laws and royalty issues, I'm not licensed to re-distribute or broadcast any of the music I use at my venues. Don't get me wrong, as I'd love to - I'm sure it would be one of my strongest selling points, as I do a good amount of mixing, beatmatching and so on using state of the art equipment. Having years of practice mixing music in the wedding industry under my belt makes a large difference, not to mention the competence that a person can offer with a Masters Degree, as well as a Bachelors degree in audio.

    The best thing that we have readily available to offer which speaks towards the benefits of our business is the extensive list of business references (which are made available with every contract) as well as the testimonials we offer on our website. The people on our reference list would be happy to enlighten you, as far as their experiences were with me, as well as insight to my business ethic. We also invite you to view the video on our main page, which offers info on our mission to serve you.

  • A: Most mobile DJs are not licenced to reproduce copyrighted material in exchange for money - I'm no exception. To ensure the longevity of my business, I can't offer illegal party favors. Sorry. :(

  • A: Absolutely... we offer some very cool add-ons to make your wedding more memorable. Keep in mind that they are not included in standard packages, but must be selected with your online planner.

    Add-On
    Price
    Special Effects Lightshow
    ALWAYS
    INCLUDED
    Wireless Microphones (for toasts)
    ALWAYS
    INCLUDED
    Online Wedding Planner
    ALWAYS
    INCLUDED
    Mini bubble bottles for tables
    $25
    Photo Slideshow via Projector
    $150
    HD Video of Ceremony
    $75
    HD Video of Ceremony and Reception Entrance
    $100
    HD Video of Ceremony, Entrance and Dances
    $250
    Portable Battery PA System
     (For ceremonies far from power source. Includes wireless mic.)
    $75
    Extra Hours of Service (After six hours)
    $75/hr
    Prices adjusted for add-ons will not appear on contract, as they are selected and adjusted after confirmation.
    Prices and resources are subject to change.

  • A: Our speakers have the capacity to get really loud while maintaining crystal clarity - but that doesn't mean we'll use all of the power at our disposal. We will make the music loud enough to fill up the room, without driving everyone out of it.
  • A: Absolutely not. The only thing that we need beforehand is the deposit, which should have either been returned via mail with the contract, or via the Internet by way of your online planner. You do not owe the full balance until during or after the event. You may pay in full in advance if you'd like, however, we recommend that you wait until the date of your event to pay up, so that you can decide on a proper gratuity for the service you received.

  • A: Our policy is a rather simple one. We will only honor ONE client per date - that is the client who submits their deposit first. In the nature of this business, it's not unusual to send out multiple contracts to multiple clients for the same date - even if only one is going to be honored. This is because over the course of booking months in advance, plans can change during the process of planning a wedding. In the past, some people eventually decide on options other than a DJ, for reasons of: finance, date change, family emergencies, resources, conflicts, and so on.

    Therefore, we may send out more than one contract per date. This way, nobody is left uninformed, business isn't refused, and we can help you find another Vermont DJ through our consultation and recommendation if somebody else acts on the date you wanted. El Folio Entertainment will NEVER cancel an event once it's confirmed, nor will we accept a better-paying event for that date through another party (as some DJ companies do, which is really unprofessional and annoying.) In El Folio Entertainment, we try our best to maintain fairness between all parties, and we gladly accept input from any and all of the people we do business with.

    You will immediately be notified by either mail, e-mail or phone if:

    • The date you request is already pending with somebody else
    • The date you request is at risk of being acted on by another party
    • The date you requested becomes unavailable

  • A: In a year, there are approximately 52 Saturdays and 52 Sundays (104 dates total). In the same year, we receive over 500 requests to fill those dates, (most often on Saturdays and Sundays, which are prime wedding days of the week.) Brides, grooms, parents, and vendors come to our web page to make requests for their special dates. Unfortunately, most of those requests get turned down because those dates are already filled by others.

    If you are lucky enough to find your date available, and you request a contract, there is still always the chance that somebody else might want the date as well. To ensure that your date is confirmed before anyone else has a chance at it, the best thing to do is to act soon. We offer an online wedding planner which allows you to pay your deposit online - once that's paid, you're confirmed. If you'd prefer, you can pay your deposit by check instead.

  • A: No. Tax is included in your total, and filed by us later on.

  • A: Absolutely. The reason that is, is because ALL ONLINE PAYMENTS by us are handled by PayPal. When you enter a secure page, a picture of a lock usually appears next to the web address - that is an indication that you're on a secure server, and that the information you're providing is secured. You do not need a PayPal account to make payments online - there are forms to simply fill in your credit card or check information.

    Nobody at El Folio Entertainment sees your credit card or checking information - we will only receive your payment. When you use PayPal, your financial information is never shared with the merchant. PayPal is trusted by many different notable online stores, including eBay.

  • A: Absolutely! With all wedding packages, we include a lighting package that will make your event very memorable for the whole night (at no extra cost!!). We recommend that your event be at night or in a dark environment to optimize our lighting experience. Our lighting package includes:

      • - Activator Color Light Effect (2nd on top)
      • - Colorbank Light (3rd on top)
      • - Rotating Starball Light (Discoball)(bottom)
      • - Fog machine (if desired)
      • - Bubble machine (if desired)
      • - Strobes
      • - All lighting, special effects units mounted on our secure lighting truss.
  • A: Making sure that everything goes as well as planned is something that I insist on, so to be safe, I have a backup speaker set and DJ CD player on hand. I also keep all the music that I have on CD on my computer as a reserve. All of my equipment is industry standard and I only use the MOST trusted equipment, so that you don't need to worry about a thing.
  • A: My business is based out of Arlington, Vermont in Bennington County. I'm willing to travel, in fact, my business thrives on it. No event is too far away, and I'm proud to serve all of Vermont as well as the capital region of New York.

  • A: I've been DJing professionally since 1999, and I've actively been serving since. I specialize in weddings, birthdays, proms, dances, private parties, karaoke service, and well, there's not really an event I haven't accommodated. Please do not hesitate to ask for a list of my business referrals when booking with me.

    There is no official school qualification for DJing, but a bit of technical know-how goes a long way - so, I do have a bachelors degree in audio-radio production. Having the technical qualifications I do helps immensely in problem-solving as well as quality assurance. One thing that college won't teach you is reading an audience - that's why I also have vast experience in multiple club venue settings including (amongst others):

    The Wobbly Barn; Killington, VT

    TABU Nightclub; Killington, VT (Where I opened for a Ministry of Sound DJ)

    Electra Nightclub; West Lebanon, NH

    Rockett Superclub; LaColle, QC

    Plage D'Arcachon Ampatheater, France

  • A: No. I pay strict attention to lyrics, and I make sure that music is edited for content for all ages. As a matter of fact, El Folio Entertainment has a large selection of Disney's Disneymania music and Disney artists, (ie Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, The Cheetah Girls, Ashley Tisdale, etc.) which is perfect for young audiences.
  • A: Sure. In fact, all venues include a wireless mic for your convenience.
  • A: Yes. That's not a problem. If this is an important event where the dialog is vital (such as a wedding entrance or performance), then please get me a script fashioned as soon as possible before the event so that I can rehearse and keep from messing up when that event comes.
  • A: Yes. In fact, I always try to get to the venue as soon as possible, preferably at least TWO hours before the scheduled time. Although we have a keen sense of direction, we use GPS navigation in our vehicle to make sure we ALWAYS find our way.
  • A: No - setup time is included, and is expected to begin two hours before contract beginning time.
  • A: I've done theme weddings, including: halloween, Star Wars, Rocky Horror Picture Show, even a Lord of the Rings wedding - all a success. Also in college, I was always relied upon for many different student functions which my performance was put on the spot, including: talent shows, fashion shows, bachelor auctions, up-all-night parties and gameshows. For the price you pay, it's my firm attitude that everything can go just as you plan, given the proper amount of communication and detail. Rest assured, you can work with us to create a wedding that's unforgettable, not just for you and your guests, but for me as well.
  • A: We have a good amount of experience with Jewish weddings, and we also cater to the Jewish traditions with a special worksheet which will help you along. From your ceremony at the Huppah, until the Hora happens inside, we'll make sure that all of your needs are met to your satisfaction. We'd also be happy to mix your Jewish traditions in with any conventional wedding rituals you may want as well. As always, your needs are our first priority, and we will tailor to them accordingly.
  • A: Absolutely. References are available on request.
  • A: Absolutely! However, this is something that we need to negotiate beforehand and have a mutual agreement in. Discounted or non-profit events are still subject to the contract process. I will not provide music to organizations that are providing alcoholic beverages to minors under 21 (in the United States). If there are any illegal drugs at this event, forget it. If I arrive to find out there are either of these things present, I am within my legal right to cancel on the spot.
  • A: Thank you very much. Actually, I constructed this website. I would be happy to do up your website the way you want it done. Just get in contact with me and I'll see what I can do.
  • A: Because it costs money to pay by credit card, we prefer checks.
  • A: You can go to the full terms and conditions by scrolling down or by clicking here. You can call me on my cell phone at (802)-558-3800. My e-mail address is e1foley@aol.com. Contact me anytime.

  • Official Terms and Conditions are subject to change without notice and clients are liable for only the printed contracts they sign. For the most recent set of terms, please request a contract from us - they are non-obligatory and there are no commitments unless a deposit is placed.

     

 


 

 

 

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