OK so first thing, check the weather (Weather App, Um hell my watch shows the weather) and prepare ahead of time! 2nd put in your contract the you have the right to suspend or cancel due to weather. It is understood that if this is a "Rain or Shine" event, the DJ’s compensation is in no way affected by inclement weather. For outdoor performances, Client shall provide overhead shelter for setup area. The DJ reserves the right, in good faith, to stop, suspend or cancel the performance should the weather(or any other circumstances) pose a potential danger to him, the equipment, or audience. Every effort will be made to continue the performance. However, safety is paramount in all decisions. The DJ's compensation will not be affected by such cancellation or suspension.
I dont do outside events anymore just because of this reason, F that, too much money in equipment and the venue nor wedding party gives a rats ass about your shit.
You don’t have big plastic trash bags on hand to throw over your equipment just in case? Do it. Here in Florida where it can DOWNPOUR for 10 minutes on a literal dime having trash bags to throw over equipment in case of emergencies are life savers.
Hey Nick great video. I have some verbiage in my contract that empowers me to make an executive decision if I deem it unsafe to perform due to inclement weather. There is also another clause that holds the client liable if there is damage to the gear caused by guests, employees of the venue, or any other attendees. I make sure they understand those terms and the why behind it and that the client initials beside those clauses. I know it’s a little harsh, but it’s also not fair for us as DJs to be out thousands for loss of equipment. To this day, I haven’t had any push back about the terms. I’d be happy to share it with you privately 👍
I have a similar clause in my contracts. So far whenever there is a chance of rain 20% or higher I request a canopy tent on standby. I won't setup in the rain unprotected. Make clear expectations and things will go well for you. What I find that helps is I tell them if it rains *at all* during the setup, music, or tear down it's a no-go for me. People can handle a 5 min sprinkle. My equipment cannot.
@@charlesthomas4032 agreed. Communication with the couple is crucial. Good call on the rain % being included, though in Miami, I’ve seen a drizzle come out of no where with a 0% forecast.
Great story telling Nick. So funny when you lose your shit and tell us why! For everything that goes wrong at a wedding, I note it down, and put in place a strategy for avoiding it happening again. In your case, I would carry a large sheet of plastic to cover all my equipment, folded neatly in my bag. It's a simple approach but I realise, there is very little love for DJ's from venue staff. Three weeks ago I had a wedding in central London. The room was on the first floor and the elevator was out of order. I was on my own and there were 58 steps to climb to get to the room. It was the hardest load-in ever. Took me over an hour to get everything in the room before I could set up! Next time, I will ask the question before I arrive "Whats the situation with the elevator"?
People only care about themselves, it's amazing... I told someone I don't do outdoor events when the weather channel said it was going to rain! they just asked the next DJ, lol
Teach them a lesson. Take them to small claims court. Unacceptable and totally the venues fault. That comment "I've been to thousands of weddings, I know what dj speakers look like, you could of moved it". I would of lost it 🤬
Sorry to hear this Nick the couple should sue. "A 30 minute window" is not anywhere near enough of a margin of error window for rain at a ceremony and since when did wedding venue employees become meteorologists 😂 great insight 👍🏻
Same fucking shit happened to me this weekend in Jersey as well. The venue's event coordinator with whom I've never worked (she did the thing where they start barking orders at you without introducing themselves) decided to push the ceremony through. Given all the forecasts for the day and despite it being sunny 3 hours before ceremony, I told her we need to call this 20 minutes before because I need to prepare to move my outdoor ceremony equipment and be ready to go for our stand-by covered ceremony / rain plan. They expected rain. Know why? The venue was handing out umbrellas to all the guests in a fucking field near a tree that's already been struck by lightning. Within moments of processional, of course the storm rolls through and my shit gets DRENCHED. FFS, I was using a Denon Go Prime for it's first time out of the box. The clencher is that the venue owner Mario stood by within feet of me and watched me schlep my gear under the covered space without even offering to help, saying some dumb shit like, "wow, it's really coming down out there." No shit, fuckhead. The venue coordinator avoided me the rest of the night. The officiant ran for the hills and left my mic just sitting in field and acted confused when I asked if she'd grabbed it. I was visibly pissed off, but luckily the couple's planner was super sweet and supportive through the whole process. The couple were extremely grateful as well - we got through it and had a kick ass party. But yeah, fuck that venue and the people that run it.
The Banquet Manager or the venue doesn't owe you anything. Eat it up.... it's happened to all of us. If anything the Bride and Groom owe you an extra hour, if they want to go the extra overtime. You have a contract with the Bride and Groom to play from 8pm to 12pm. You're ready to start at 8PM all set up. It rains thing get pushed back and contract ends at 12 midnight. Now if the venue wants to give an extra hour to the bride and groom then it's the bride and grooms responsibility to compensate you for an extra hour not the venue.
Your such a professional with insane amounts of experience. I’m doing my first two weddings this summer as a favor. I’m not a DJ I’m a pretty successful sound guy but your videos have opened my eyes to how much work I have ahead of me especially with dealing with the venues
I've done a few wedding DJ gigs for friends and just booked my first one where the couple is truly a customer, no pre-existing relationship. All of your vids have been extra helpful for me in the planning process, thanks for sharing all of your insight!
Awesome Show! Thanks for being real about this. You’re not alone on this issue. At the end of the day… You Came, You Saw and You Conquered!! That my friend is a Professional Dj. I’m honored to know you! 🤜🤛
You should prepare your own rider (check list) what organizer need to prepare for you. Normally I will discuss speaker location, wiring plan, activity area, mixer / booth location, etc. However if you provide all in service I believe you should recce the location to estimate what is the plan and requirement including wiring, etc.
After many years I've found this will happen either from the bride or the venue, as you noted. My best one was like a movie: "We are gathered here today" -- cut -- BOOM immediate DOWNPOUR! But any sign of rain and I will set up my black eurmax canopy. Secured or staked for wind. Then I chill with everything under it so the venue or bride can do whatever the HECK they want!! Important to note that in your situation they could have simply WAITED 20 min for storm to pass! Always an option to consider vs inside ceremony! Ahhhhh.
Nick...I had the same thing happen to me this past Friday. I was to have a sound system set up for the ceremony outside. It was raining of and on the whole day. Like we all do, we have a separate system for the reception. We should always have a great rapport with our clients. You should of to her that that rain is coming and I can't have my equipment outside if that's the case. The maitre d' shouldn't be the call on you going ahead on having your equipment out in the open. It's your equipment and you have the resources to see if rain it coming. I can tell you're a follower and not a leader. Because I would've told my Bride this is what could happen during your ceremony and my equipment can't have water on it. Once again I'm sorry your equipment got damaged. But you should've been upfront about your concerns from the beginning to your client and the the maitre d.
I have in my contract any outdoor events the client or venue has to provide a strong tent or awning or it ain't happening. I also have a tarp if for the ceremony speaker and table in case it rains sideways. LOL! Learned our lesson a few years ago.
The few times I've been in a similar situation, I just say that ''If you want me to risk my $12 000 setup, if it goes wrong, that's now yours, and I need the money in the bank today. If I need to rent stuff until you've paid me and I've my own gear again, you pay for that too. I hope your stacked, because I'm not joking''. Once people realize how much our gear really cost, and that it's not compatible with liquids of any sort, they usually listen, and follow my recommendation. Usually if it's a outdoor wedding or whatever event, this is something I bring to the table in the prep phase to not ever be in your situation at all. It's been a couple of close calls, but fortunately never like what happened to you.
Awesome story, Had a September outdoor wedding, under the tent reception. 300 people with singers, keyboard, guitar, multiple mics all running though my mixer / outdoor system. Forecast was rain but they wanted to wait as long as possible to move under the tent. Sure enough, it started raining and I'm running equipment under the tent. A couple of very cool groomsmen helped me out. I always tell clients for outdoor events that if there is ANY water, I shut down and save my equipment. They get it.
I find most venues are VERY controlling when it comes to any events including weddings. You try and make suggestions to make the customer experience better for the client and they look at you as if to say "who are you to tell us how to run or do anything? You're just a lowly vendor." They are only worried about getting another booking for themselves. That's it.
You have never been to Cameron Estates Inn CEI Mount Joy Pa. You can’t bring your speakers or subs into the Venue, they have their own sound system. Max Volume is 80db. I had my Controller maxed out and mixer maxed out, here they had their own mixer in their sound room.
Maybe I’m just out of my mind, but if I was booked for a outdoor wedding, I would make sure there’s a shed or shelter for my workstation, just in case there would be any sort of drizzling what so ever. Just that the ceremony could go on without interruption.
Hahaha great story. I'm picturing the guests scrambling for cover just like in the end of the Guns N Roses November Rain music video lol +1 on the advice to not involve the bride and groom in the drama. I was a wedding DJ for nearly 20 years and this was the number one rule!
Comedy is when shit happens to someone ELSE! I enjoyed this story very much! I bring a case with a couple of essentials . . . A foldable waterproof cloth that can quickly cover and protect my mixer table and . . . black plastic garbage bags to cover my JBLs which protect those speakers with minimum loss of audio quality. A waterproof pop up tent in my vehicle which provides shade and shelter from severe heat or rain. I work now in the NW in Oregon and Southern Washington state but as the saying goes: "The SHOW must Go ON!" Sincerely Portland DJ Dan
Hey there. As A completely blind dj, I truly appreciate that you described what the clouds visually looked like. thank you very much. I'm sorry this happened to you.
I feel for you Nick but at the end of the day, it was your call to decide to still do the ceremony with the weather pending. I've been in the predicament myself and did not do the ceremony after explaining the situation to the B&G.
I've been in this same exact situation before. My inclination is to always approach the parents of the bride and/or groom (or best man/maid of honor) and give them my assessment of any impending bad weather. I'll usually pull out my phone and show them a weather radar and ask if they want to delay things for a little bit. That way they can deal with the venue directly without involving the bride and groom.
Great video - is it possible to share what to do from a contract perspective and actual day what to do when it starts raining? I want to start clearing my equipment before the rain starts but then since its BEFORE the rain starts, I am thinking people will think that it's bad of me to do that (party pooper) and also the amount and if it will rain is unpredictable (it could just do the slightest drizzle).
Yup! We have a digital sticky note on our office computer screen: Venues to Avoid! Luckily, the list is short, but we have learned our lessons with some venue coordinators. Never again!
I agree with alot if what you are saying here Nick however, I would like to propose something to you and all the other DJs here. Don't use expensive speakers and laptops to do outdoor ceremonies. I use a Tonshia laptop to run virtual DJ, a Bose S1 speaker, a wireless lapel mic and a foldable 4 ft table with a drop skirt I made. That's it. If the couple needs an extra mic then I bring that with a stand. If it starts to rain, I can be down in 30 seconds. Also remember, you don't need that much power to run a Ceremony. And if you are blowing out the crowd at a Ceremony, then you are not a good wedding DJ. I never use expensive equipment for ceremonies for this very reason.
I had a bride who, even though there was a heavy mist outdoors, was adamant about having an outdoor wedding. She made the florist build the ceremony outside. I told her, there’s no way I will setup my gear outside without any protection because she wants an outdoor ceremony. She yelled back, “but I’m the bride!?” I told her, you’re todays bride, I want my equipment to be there for other brides. Ten minutes later, the florist was rushing to bring in her whole setup and then thanked me for standing up to her.
I did a wedding where rain was forcasted and there was a debate between bride and her father. Father was right, it rained. Bride had challenged him and made me and guests get wet. Father ditched the wedding after that. Cancel FOB speech, cancel daddy/daughter dance. He left.
This almost happened to me. I found the bride and told her what was about to happen. and She made the executive decision to move inside. I hate onsite wedding coordinators .
Did the couple not have a wedding planner? If so, how did he or she NOT get involved in the decision to keep having the ceremony outside despite the oncoming rain?
I was deejaying a wedding in August that got rained out. Well the dinner/dance. They had the tent at the bottom of a parking lot of the golf course. And I was checking the weather app calling for thunderstorms to roll thru. So I just asking the head guy should we move everything inside? It’s suppose to storm, and we are at the bottom of a parking lot next to a lake.. never got moved in until after it broke out into a severe thunderstorm, and a river of rain came rushing down the pavement into the tent creating a literal pool in the tent. Of course the guest were opening up parts of the tent to watch the lighting, which of course let the rain come in sideways… Yeah. It was a shit storm
I don't do weddings.....but...all my events the past few years have been outdoors...and I make it well known that in rain or high winds...I am not setting up..period...I will not charge them but I will not risk my equipment or safety....I had my entire rig get blown over in a wind gust...luckily only an external HD took a hit....but that is OK. My laptop and mixer made it through it... (Mackie ProFX mixer is a tank).
We had a pop up storm over a lake about 3 years ago (the angle of the hill we were at the bottom of made us unable to see the horizon). Me, the photographer, and the videographer were set up. Ended up tearing down in a storm, in a suit. At that point I was using a fender passport and somehow it survived after me pouring the water out of the speakers.
Fduck!! This is crazy I was so mad as I was listening to your story. Sorry man hope your gear survive witch I though since is rain water. Good luck and thank you for the updates. I’m Texas but have dj friends in Jersey. God bless brother.
So funny! It happened to me TODAY. Wedding. Put black garbage bags as cover the i got from the hotel reception. No damage though. But it was chaotic. I was so stressed!
I was dj’ing a wedding last Saturday at a 146 year old hotel in California. The reception was inside the ballroom and during the middle of the toasts this strange noise was emitting through the room. We thought it was microphone feedback but we powered down the equipment. The noise was still there for good 8 minutes. It was coming from the ceiling but it was super weird and annoying. I can’t believe this happened
Another thing this tells me is that I have to shrink my ceremony setup And or bring a tarp Just in case. I still use a 12 or 15" monitor and laptop and a small mixer. Thinking about grabbing that JBL PRX One. I thought about the RCF and I'm sure it's great, but I've been using JBL since day 1 and just like staying uniform. Great vid man. I hope that speaker is all good and shoutout to Shure Wireless for holding up in the rain. Bigger shoutout to you Nick for staying composed and professional in front of the couple. That venue sounds like a bunch of clowns are running and you spoke to the ring master on the phone.
Send the venue a bill for everything. when the refuse to pay, tell them if they don't pay it will affect their credit. a business doesn't want to hear that.
Disaters happen man ...thing is you work on the most important days of peoples lives so its bound to happen sometime - but i totally agree with you ...dont tell the couple if you can help it - some venue managers actually treat and sometimes speak to outside contract workers like crap ...they dont care as you are not their concern and they will blame you for anything if they can and you just have to blank these people dont let them spoil your mood - but you do well to out them. Its like to a paying guest they put on this mask of niceness but then it slips when they talk to the outside contractor. Maybe they are jealous you are getting more in one evening than they earn all week who knows? Its sad but understand they are hired staff who dont care that you just entertained hundreds of people all night and went to all that effort entertaining hundreds who went to the bar and drank it dry making their venue thousands of profit - they have the attitude its not their business and so they dont care -they get paid regardless of what you do and you are an inconvienience to them - they would rather no people/hassle and still get paid. They just want you in and out quick n go home...Some hotel managers are different though any some offer free drinks/ food service check you are ok need help in and out etc etc - personally I think venues should offer a dj/entertainer any spare room free for the evening with breakfast - pack in morning would be so much more relaxing and chilled that way for everyone. That would be good management/hospitality. Some venues just have terrible management / poilicy. There are nice ones too though. Luck of the draw I guess. But you do well too out them on social media -too many get away with bad behaviour - djs should out them on social media or its just going to be bad for the next guy who works there.
Thank you for speaking on this. The venue should see this video and help them improve the way they handle their guest services. Completely negligence on the venue. No human spirit behind it.
My question is this… you made it clear at the end of the video to not be the bearer of bad news to the couple on their big wedding day IE talking to them directly about the rain protocol. Considering everyone else has no skin in the game other than getting a little wet, why is it anyone else’s concern to ensure your equipments safety and not yours? FYI I ask that as a long time fan currently dealing with the same weather related issues and trying to lock down S.O.P.
Bro a few months ago, I was set up for ceremony & cocktail on Holiday Inn rooftop and it started to rain (and all day was forecasted)….. 10 min before prelude the bride decides to move it inside 7 floors down. And didn’t tell me!! I got my gear down there and we started a few minutes late but I was pissed.
I have one thing Ill agree on, and one I disagree on... The agree: dont tell the couple shit. As you said, its their big day. Do your part to make it amazing. The disagree: I never let a venue dictate what happens to my gear. Every place and event is different, but im not putting my gear in harms way like that. If its not safe to leave it out there, im telling the venue that, and what they do after is on them.
Yo…Ive actually had to do a ceremony in the rain one time. I feel like its so rude to even risk it. People spend hours getting ready for a special moment, spend money on photographers…now rain indoors , with a nice window and the bride and groom in front is Beautiful, even Moody , it has a vibe. But yeah , cold or rainy ceremonies outside is a nono
This might not sound right to most people but if I book clients and they tell me that the ceremony is outside I don’t book them unless I have some type of shelter… PERIOD! no exceptions
OK so first thing, check the weather (Weather App, Um hell my watch shows the weather) and prepare ahead of time! 2nd put in your contract the you have the right to suspend or cancel due to weather. It is understood that if this is a "Rain or Shine" event, the DJ’s compensation is in no way affected by inclement weather. For outdoor performances, Client shall provide overhead shelter for setup area. The DJ reserves the right, in good faith, to stop, suspend or cancel the performance should the weather(or any other circumstances) pose a potential danger to him, the equipment, or audience. Every effort will be made to continue the performance. However, safety is paramount in all decisions. The DJ's compensation will not be affected by such cancellation or suspension.
Facts!
I dont do outside events anymore just because of this reason, F that, too much money in equipment and the venue nor wedding party gives a rats ass about your shit.
I own a canopy…
@@whereintheworld333 😹😹😹😹😹😹
He did it for the Couple, he knows its wasn't their fold.
did you watch the video.
You don’t have big plastic trash bags on hand to throw over your equipment just in case? Do it. Here in Florida where it can DOWNPOUR for 10 minutes on a literal dime having trash bags to throw over equipment in case of emergencies are life savers.
So do I keep the big clear ones in my van and with my ceremony system, cheap insurance investment. I've seen that storm to many times creep up.
You can even throw the thin lawn bags over speakers while they are playing and the sound isn't altered so bad anyone would complain.
"look a duck can even look at a cloud and can tell its going to rain"
-epic
Hey Nick great video. I have some verbiage in my contract that empowers me to make an executive decision if I deem it unsafe to perform due to inclement weather. There is also another clause that holds the client liable if there is damage to the gear caused by guests, employees of the venue, or any other attendees. I make sure they understand those terms and the why behind it and that the client initials beside those clauses. I know it’s a little harsh, but it’s also not fair for us as DJs to be out thousands for loss of equipment. To this day, I haven’t had any push back about the terms. I’d be happy to share it with you privately 👍
I have a similar clause in my contracts. So far whenever there is a chance of rain 20% or higher I request a canopy tent on standby. I won't setup in the rain unprotected. Make clear expectations and things will go well for you. What I find that helps is I tell them if it rains *at all* during the setup, music, or tear down it's a no-go for me. People can handle a 5 min sprinkle. My equipment cannot.
@@charlesthomas4032 agreed. Communication with the couple is crucial. Good call on the rain % being included, though in Miami, I’ve seen a drizzle come out of no where with a 0% forecast.
Great story telling Nick. So funny when you lose your shit and tell us why! For everything that goes wrong at a wedding, I note it down, and put in place a strategy for avoiding it happening again. In your case, I would carry a large sheet of plastic to cover all my equipment, folded neatly in my bag. It's a simple approach but I realise, there is very little love for DJ's from venue staff. Three weeks ago I had a wedding in central London. The room was on the first floor and the elevator was out of order. I was on my own and there were 58 steps to climb to get to the room. It was the hardest load-in ever. Took me over an hour to get everything in the room before I could set up! Next time, I will ask the question before I arrive "Whats the situation with the elevator"?
Great idea with the small plastic sheet! I’m going to do this!
People only care about themselves, it's amazing... I told someone I don't do outdoor events when the weather channel said it was going to rain! they just asked the next DJ, lol
The DJ gods were angry that you weren’t allowed to move the ceremony inside….so they pissed on everyone! 🌧☔️
NAILED IT........ we hide the drama!!!!! 100% agree!!!! We perform every time! We hide it all. We perform......it's there BIG DAY....PERIOD.
Always protect your interest.
Teach them a lesson. Take them to small claims court. Unacceptable and totally the venues fault. That comment "I've been to thousands of weddings, I know what dj speakers look like, you could of moved it". I would of lost it 🤬
I will definitely make sure I have oversized umbrellas when I do an outside ceremony. Thanks Nick.
Agreed!
I keep lots of heavy duty 50 gallon yard bags and duct tape in my road kit as well. They make good equipment covers in an emergency situation.
I usually check ahead of time and ask the venue to provide a canopy and have a rain clause in my contract
Sorry to hear this Nick the couple should sue. "A 30 minute window" is not anywhere near enough of a margin of error window for rain at a ceremony and since when did wedding venue employees become meteorologists 😂 great insight 👍🏻
His big toe bunion wasn't throbbing yet. LOL!!!
Same fucking shit happened to me this weekend in Jersey as well. The venue's event coordinator with whom I've never worked (she did the thing where they start barking orders at you without introducing themselves) decided to push the ceremony through. Given all the forecasts for the day and despite it being sunny 3 hours before ceremony, I told her we need to call this 20 minutes before because I need to prepare to move my outdoor ceremony equipment and be ready to go for our stand-by covered ceremony / rain plan. They expected rain. Know why? The venue was handing out umbrellas to all the guests in a fucking field near a tree that's already been struck by lightning. Within moments of processional, of course the storm rolls through and my shit gets DRENCHED. FFS, I was using a Denon Go Prime for it's first time out of the box. The clencher is that the venue owner Mario stood by within feet of me and watched me schlep my gear under the covered space without even offering to help, saying some dumb shit like, "wow, it's really coming down out there." No shit, fuckhead. The venue coordinator avoided me the rest of the night. The officiant ran for the hills and left my mic just sitting in field and acted confused when I asked if she'd grabbed it. I was visibly pissed off, but luckily the couple's planner was super sweet and supportive through the whole process. The couple were extremely grateful as well - we got through it and had a kick ass party. But yeah, fuck that venue and the people that run it.
The Banquet Manager or the venue doesn't owe you anything. Eat it up.... it's happened to all of us. If anything the Bride and Groom owe you an extra hour, if they want to go the extra overtime. You have a contract with the Bride and Groom to play from 8pm to 12pm. You're ready to start at 8PM all set up. It rains thing get pushed back and contract ends at 12 midnight. Now if the venue wants to give an extra hour to the bride and groom then it's the bride and grooms responsibility to compensate you for an extra hour not the venue.
Your such a professional with insane amounts of experience. I’m doing my first two weddings this summer as a favor. I’m not a DJ I’m a pretty successful sound guy but your videos have opened my eyes to how much work I have ahead of me especially with dealing with the venues
I love it! "GOD BLESS THE PRIEST!"
I've done a few wedding DJ gigs for friends and just booked my first one where the couple is truly a customer, no pre-existing relationship. All of your vids have been extra helpful for me in the planning process, thanks for sharing all of your insight!
Awesome Show! Thanks for being real about this. You’re not alone on this issue. At the end of the day… You Came, You Saw and You Conquered!!
That my friend is a Professional Dj. I’m honored to know you! 🤜🤛
Nick, you are a NATIONAL TREASURE. I feel like I am having a post gig convo with a buddy anytime I watch your videos!
U reminded me why I don’t do weddings! Thank you!!
You should prepare your own rider (check list) what organizer need to prepare for you. Normally I will discuss speaker location, wiring plan, activity area, mixer / booth location, etc.
However if you provide all in service I believe you should recce the location to estimate what is the plan and requirement including wiring, etc.
After many years I've found this will happen either from the bride or the venue, as you noted. My best one was like a movie: "We are gathered here today" -- cut -- BOOM immediate DOWNPOUR! But any sign of rain and I will set up my black eurmax canopy. Secured or staked for wind. Then I chill with everything under it so the venue or bride can do whatever the HECK they want!! Important to note that in your situation they could have simply WAITED 20 min for storm to pass! Always an option to consider vs inside ceremony! Ahhhhh.
greatest wedding DJ video EVER!!!!!
Nick...I had the same thing happen to me this past Friday. I was to have a sound system set up for the ceremony outside. It was raining of and on the whole day. Like we all do, we have a separate system for the reception. We should always have a great rapport with our clients. You should of to her that that rain is coming and I can't have my equipment outside if that's the case. The maitre d' shouldn't be the call on you going ahead on having your equipment out in the open. It's your equipment and you have the resources to see if rain it coming. I can tell you're a follower and not a leader. Because I would've told my Bride this is what could happen during your ceremony and my equipment can't have water on it. Once again I'm sorry your equipment got damaged. But you should've been upfront about your concerns from the beginning to your client and the the maitre d.
I have in my contract any outdoor events the client or venue has to provide a strong tent or awning or it ain't happening. I also have a tarp if for the ceremony speaker and table in case it rains sideways. LOL! Learned our lesson a few years ago.
The few times I've been in a similar situation, I just say that ''If you want me to risk my $12 000 setup, if it goes wrong, that's now yours, and I need the money in the bank today. If I need to rent stuff until you've paid me and I've my own gear again, you pay for that too. I hope your stacked, because I'm not joking''. Once people realize how much our gear really cost, and that it's not compatible with liquids of any sort, they usually listen, and follow my recommendation. Usually if it's a outdoor wedding or whatever event, this is something I bring to the table in the prep phase to not ever be in your situation at all. It's been a couple of close calls, but fortunately never like what happened to you.
Awesome story, Had a September outdoor wedding, under the tent reception. 300 people with singers, keyboard, guitar, multiple mics all running though my mixer / outdoor system. Forecast was rain but they wanted to wait as long as possible to move under the tent. Sure enough, it started raining and I'm running equipment under the tent. A couple of very cool groomsmen helped me out. I always tell clients for outdoor events that if there is ANY water, I shut down and save my equipment. They get it.
I find most venues are VERY controlling when it comes to any events including weddings. You try and make suggestions to make the customer experience better for the client and they look at you as if to say "who are you to tell us how to run or do anything? You're just a lowly vendor." They are only worried about getting another booking for themselves. That's it.
You have never been to Cameron Estates Inn CEI Mount Joy Pa. You can’t bring your speakers or subs into the Venue, they have their own sound system. Max Volume is 80db. I had my Controller maxed out and mixer maxed out, here they had their own mixer in their sound room.
That is redic! I had a 200 person wedding that was pushing 93 db talking during cocktail hour. Loudest crowd ever.
This hit too close to home. Agree with everything you said 100%!!!
Maybe I’m just out of my mind, but if I was booked for a outdoor wedding, I would make sure there’s a shed or shelter for my workstation, just in case there would be any sort of drizzling what so ever. Just that the ceremony could go on without interruption.
You are awesome and my favorite DJ. I love your stories and all the advice. Thanks a million
i would leave a review on their venue and on all social media platforms
Love your stories Nick!
"It's like rayyyeeeaaayynnne on your wedding day"
So ironic
Love your videos thank you 🎶👍
Nick you are a excellent storyteller
Hahaha great story. I'm picturing the guests scrambling for cover just like in the end of the Guns N Roses November Rain music video lol
+1 on the advice to not involve the bride and groom in the drama. I was a wedding DJ for nearly 20 years and this was the number one rule!
Comedy is when shit happens to someone ELSE! I enjoyed this story very much! I bring a case with a couple of essentials . . . A foldable waterproof cloth that can quickly cover and protect my mixer table and . . . black plastic garbage bags to cover my JBLs which protect those speakers with minimum loss of audio quality. A waterproof pop up tent in my vehicle which provides shade and shelter from severe
heat or rain. I work now in the NW in Oregon and Southern Washington state but as the saying goes: "The SHOW must Go ON!" Sincerely Portland DJ Dan
The fact that they started over and redid the entire ceremony says a lot for your case IMO.
Hey there. As A completely blind dj, I truly appreciate that you described what the clouds visually looked like. thank you very much. I'm sorry this happened to you.
inspired to know there's a DJ out there who is blind and still working. care to share how you do it ?
@@nowananda i’m not a working Dj I just do it for fun in my bedroom
I feel for you Nick but at the end of the day, it was your call to decide to still do the ceremony with the weather pending. I've been in the predicament myself and did not do the ceremony after explaining the situation to the B&G.
damn im glad i found your channel, you are a champion, thank you
20$ tarp,… always a must have for any outdoor setup,… A MUST!
Waoooo just earn my Respect.
Man this story was great. You should keep telling these types of stories. 👍
Oh boy. Got one coming up at this venue in a couple of weeks. If I meet Sarah, I’m gonna make a comment 🤣
I've been in this same exact situation before. My inclination is to always approach the parents of the bride and/or groom (or best man/maid of honor) and give them my assessment of any impending bad weather. I'll usually pull out my phone and show them a weather radar and ask if they want to delay things for a little bit. That way they can deal with the venue directly without involving the bride and groom.
Great video - is it possible to share what to do from a contract perspective and actual day what to do when it starts raining?
I want to start clearing my equipment before the rain starts but then since its BEFORE the rain starts, I am thinking people will think that it's bad of me to do that (party pooper) and also the amount and if it will rain is unpredictable (it could just do the slightest drizzle).
You are a great storyteller!!
This is one of your best videos. I could feel your stress level! 😅🤣
Yup! We have a digital sticky note on our office computer screen: Venues to Avoid! Luckily, the list is short, but we have learned our lessons with some venue coordinators. Never again!
Suggestion... Bring TARPs 5x6 or whatever like as many as you need to throw over any setup
Jeez I feel you, I got so mad by just watching this, I couldn't imagine being there
Ahah excellent story 👍😂🍾 sorry for the évent but you are a master in telling it ! Cheers from Belgium.
I agree with alot if what you are saying here Nick however, I would like to propose something to you and all the other DJs here.
Don't use expensive speakers and laptops to do outdoor ceremonies. I use a Tonshia laptop to run virtual DJ, a Bose S1 speaker, a wireless lapel mic and a foldable 4 ft table with a drop skirt I made. That's it. If the couple needs an extra mic then I bring that with a stand.
If it starts to rain, I can be down in 30 seconds.
Also remember, you don't need that much power to run a Ceremony. And if you are blowing out the crowd at a Ceremony, then you are not a good wedding DJ.
I never use expensive equipment for ceremonies for this very reason.
And I've been DJing weddings for over 29 years
I bought a white canopy from Walmart last summer due to 110 degree f heat and full sun. It saved me twice this year in light rain.
I had a bride who, even though there was a heavy mist outdoors, was adamant about having an outdoor wedding. She made the florist build the ceremony outside. I told her, there’s no way I will setup my gear outside without any protection because she wants an outdoor ceremony. She yelled back, “but I’m the bride!?” I told her, you’re todays bride, I want my equipment to be there for other brides. Ten minutes later, the florist was rushing to bring in her whole setup and then thanked me for standing up to her.
I did a wedding where rain was forcasted and there was a debate between bride and her father. Father was right, it rained. Bride had challenged him and made me and guests get wet. Father ditched the wedding after that. Cancel FOB speech, cancel daddy/daughter dance. He left.
Sorry to hear what happen to Nick. I feel your pain.
Love the story. You had me balling... I would change the title of your TH-cam video and add the name of the Venue.IMHO
This almost happened to me. I found the bride and told her what was about to happen. and She made the executive decision to move inside. I hate onsite wedding coordinators .
Did the couple not have a wedding planner? If so, how did he or she NOT get involved in the decision to keep having the ceremony outside despite the oncoming rain?
LMFAO - Comment of the video -
"A DUCK CAN SEE THAT IT'S GOING TO RAIN"
Ilove your comentary Brother.
I was deejaying a wedding in August that got rained out. Well the dinner/dance.
They had the tent at the bottom of a parking lot of the golf course. And I was checking the weather app calling for thunderstorms to roll thru.
So I just asking the head guy should we move everything inside? It’s suppose to storm, and we are at the bottom of a parking lot next to a lake.. never got moved in until after it broke out into a severe thunderstorm, and a river of rain came rushing down the pavement into the tent creating a literal pool in the tent. Of course the guest were opening up parts of the tent to watch the lighting, which of course let the rain come in sideways…
Yeah. It was a shit storm
Undercover NYC makes weather-resistant and water-repellant speaker covers. Their FS/W series has worked really well for all my ceremony cabinets.
I don't do weddings.....but...all my events the past few years have been outdoors...and I make it well known that in rain or high winds...I am not setting up..period...I will not charge them but I will not risk my equipment or safety....I had my entire rig get blown over in a wind gust...luckily only an external HD took a hit....but that is OK. My laptop and mixer made it through it... (Mackie ProFX mixer is a tank).
This is absolutely hilarious 😂
If you were that positive that rain was coming, shut it down and move the equipment - period!
We had a pop up storm over a lake about 3 years ago (the angle of the hill we were at the bottom of made us unable to see the horizon). Me, the photographer, and the videographer were set up. Ended up tearing down in a storm, in a suit. At that point I was using a fender passport and somehow it survived after me pouring the water out of the speakers.
You are hilarious 😂 and definitely inspiring man, appreciate your video’s. A duck can tell it’s going to rain 😂
Fduck!! This is crazy I was so mad as I was listening to your story.
Sorry man hope your gear survive witch I though since is rain water. Good luck and thank you for the updates. I’m Texas but have dj friends in Jersey. God bless brother.
I appreciate that thanks man!
I played this back at 1.5X speed and it is hilarious
So funny! It happened to me TODAY. Wedding. Put black garbage bags as cover the i got from the hotel reception. No damage though. But it was chaotic. I was so stressed!
Thank you for this video. I have a tent I use. I risked it a couple times this year and it sprinkled. After hearing this I will never do that again.
I was dj’ing a wedding last Saturday at a 146 year old hotel in California. The reception was inside the ballroom and during the middle of the toasts this strange noise was emitting through the room. We thought it was microphone feedback but we powered down the equipment. The noise was still there for good 8 minutes. It was coming from the ceiling but it was super weird and annoying. I can’t believe this happened
BRO IM DYING LMAOOOO
Dude you are hilarious 😆 I so see myself under the umbrella agonizing looking at my equipment getting soaked😡
I feel you Nick, been there done that in B-More at the inner harbor for a pool party
Another thing this tells me is that I have to shrink my ceremony setup And or bring a tarp Just in case. I still use a 12 or 15" monitor and laptop and a small mixer. Thinking about grabbing that JBL PRX One. I thought about the RCF and I'm sure it's great, but I've been using JBL since day 1 and just like staying uniform. Great vid man. I hope that speaker is all good and shoutout to Shure Wireless for holding up in the rain. Bigger shoutout to you Nick for staying composed and professional in front of the couple. That venue sounds like a bunch of clowns are running and you spoke to the ring master on the phone.
Send the venue a bill for everything. when the refuse to pay, tell them if they don't pay it will affect their credit. a business doesn't want to hear that.
I always keep a 10x10 canopy tent in my truck
Nick, if you click on the hashtag you’re one of the top videos for the resort!!
Nick , you should have said I am going in with my expensive equipment, I will you you there soon!
Disaters happen man ...thing is you work on the most important days of peoples lives so its bound to happen sometime - but i totally agree with you ...dont tell the couple if you can help it - some venue managers actually treat and sometimes speak to outside contract workers like crap ...they dont care as you are not their concern and they will blame you for anything if they can and you just have to blank these people dont let them spoil your mood - but you do well to out them. Its like to a paying guest they put on this mask of niceness but then it slips when they talk to the outside contractor. Maybe they are jealous you are getting more in one evening than they earn all week who knows? Its sad but understand they are hired staff who dont care that you just entertained hundreds of people all night and went to all that effort entertaining hundreds who went to the bar and drank it dry making their venue thousands of profit - they have the attitude its not their business and so they dont care -they get paid regardless of what you do and you are an inconvienience to them - they would rather no people/hassle and still get paid. They just want you in and out quick n go home...Some hotel managers are different though any some offer free drinks/ food service check you are ok need help in and out etc etc - personally I think venues should offer a dj/entertainer any spare room free for the evening with breakfast - pack in morning would be so much more relaxing and chilled that way for everyone. That would be good management/hospitality. Some venues just have terrible management / poilicy. There are nice ones too though. Luck of the draw I guess. But you do well too out them on social media -too many get away with bad behaviour - djs should out them on social media or its just going to be bad for the next guy who works there.
Thank you for speaking on this. The venue should see this video and help them improve the way they handle their guest services. Completely negligence on the venue. No human spirit behind it.
Hahahaha i felt the 'you can have the most expensive equipment in the world but if you suck YOU SUCK!
I don’t think I have ever heard the words “beautiful & New Jersey “ in the same sentence lol
I want with a tarpaulin and hugh garbags bags. I'm in Jamaica..it rains here quite often..😎
My question is this… you made it clear at the end of the video to not be the bearer of bad news to the couple on their big wedding day IE talking to them directly about the rain protocol. Considering everyone else has no skin in the game other than getting a little wet, why is it anyone else’s concern to ensure your equipments safety and not yours? FYI I ask that as a long time fan currently dealing with the same weather related issues and trying to lock down S.O.P.
We need more stories lls
Bro a few months ago, I was set up for ceremony & cocktail on Holiday Inn rooftop and it started to rain (and all day was forecasted)….. 10 min before prelude the bride decides to move it inside 7 floors down. And didn’t tell me!! I got my gear down there and we started a few minutes late but I was pissed.
I would have made a command decision & appealed to the Best Man Maid of honor and moved it b4 the rain but you did the best you could
Damn! I'm getting HEATED just listening to this story Nick 👿
I have one thing Ill agree on, and one I disagree on... The agree: dont tell the couple shit. As you said, its their big day. Do your part to make it amazing. The disagree: I never let a venue dictate what happens to my gear. Every place and event is different, but im not putting my gear in harms way like that. If its not safe to leave it out there, im telling the venue that, and what they do after is on them.
Yo…Ive actually had to do a ceremony in the rain one time. I feel like its so rude to even risk it. People spend hours getting ready for a special moment, spend money on photographers…now rain indoors , with a nice window and the bride and groom in front is Beautiful, even Moody , it has a vibe. But yeah , cold or rainy ceremonies outside is a nono
Absolutely no frickin way. No sound at the ceremony if I see a storm cloud approaching.
There always has to be a walk out song. Do not allow the walk out song not to happen. I feel ya
This might not sound right to most people but if I book clients and they tell me that the ceremony is outside I don’t book them unless I have some type of shelter… PERIOD! no exceptions
venues always try to put the blame on others and will use any excuse to cover their ass. its a joke. nice video fella. love it
That is so True. WTF were they thinking. I would of been pissed as well. Hope that guy gets diarrhea and your speaker gets fixed.