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Craig Lewis Weddings
Personalized entertainment to make your wedding fun, unique and memorable.
5.0
5.0
out of 5.0
8 Reviews
Johnson City, TN 37614
t: 423-782-6479
Services:
DJs
Description:
Cell: (423) 782-6479
Email: info@CraigLewisWeddings.com
Website: www.CraigLewisWeddings.com
I have been a professional wedding DJ/MC for 10 years. I typically spend a lot of time meeting one on one with every couple that I work with to plan out the ceremony music, grand entrance, first dance, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance, toast speeches, cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter toss, last dance and grand exit. Creative personalization for all of these events is a complicated process, but I will spend as much time as is necessary to guide you through this process, and collaborate with you in the creative process of planning out these events exactly as you want them.
My focus is on making weddings fun, unique and memorable. I like to bring out the bride and groom's personality during the event. One example of this is my style of grand entrances. Rather than simply reciting the names of the wedding party members, and then announcing the bride and groom, I like to work with you to create personalized introductions for each wedding party member. These may be simple biographical introductions, or they can be comedic if you want. Then, right before I introduce the bride and groom, I like to tell their "love story". This is the story of how they met, their first date, first kiss, and engagement, leading up to the day of the wedding.
I also work hard in the background to make sure that things flow smoothly. For example, ensuring that before I announce your father/daughter dance, that your dad is prepared and ready to go, providing coaching and encouragement to a nervous toast speaker, and ensuring that there is a knife by your cake before I announce the cake cutting! Small, but crucial details like this will make a tremendous difference to the flow of your event.
When you book me for a wedding, you are guaranteed to get me, personally. I have completed extensive specialized training in wedding entertainment, such as Peter Merry's renowned intensive training programs "The Professional Process", and "Make it Grand". I regularly attend mobile DJ conventions and stay active in the community. I am a charter member and officer of the East Tennessee chapter of the American Disc Jockey Association. I am a member of the Eastman Toastmaster's Club, and I have completed extensive training in public speaking, and theater at ETSU, as well as training in comedy and improv.
If needed, I can provide various lighting options, including uplighting and custom monogram projections. I can also help with directing your ceremony rehearsal, and running ceremony sound if needed. I am also an ordained minister and, although it isn't a part of the normal services I offer, in the event of an emergency, I am prepared to officiate a wedding myself.
Because I provide a highly personalized service, I do require an in-person meeting before I give a price quote so that I can find out more about what you're looking for, and give you a price quote that fits. Use the "Schedule Appointment" button at the top-right of this page to schedule an appointment. I am based out of Johnson City, but if you live within an hour drive of Johnson City, I will come to your area for this meeting. We can either meet at a cafe or restaurant in your area, or I can come to your house if you prefer. If you do not live near Johnson City, we can do the meeting over the phone. Just set an appointment for a time when you and your fiance can talk to me on the phone and also have access to a computer.
Although weddings are the primary focus of my business, I also provide services for birthday parties, sweet sixteens, school proms, corporate events, etc.
Cell: (423) 782-6479
Email: info@CraigLewisWeddings.com
Website: www.CraigLewisWeddings.com
Business Details
Categories:
DJs
Frequently Asked Questions for DJs
Do you have liability insurance?
Yes
Describe your DJ style:
I spend a lot of time meeting one on one with every couple that I work with to plan out the ceremony music, grand entrance, first dance, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance, toast speeches
Is there a limit to the amount of music that can be requested?
No. Of course, there is only a certain number of songs that can be played during the course of an evening, and I do encourage brides to allow me the freedom to use my own music selection skills to augment a list of special song requests. But no, there is no hard limit to how many a couple is allowed to request.
What is your usual attire?
Whatever the bride wants me to wear! Usually I wear either a red tux with a black jacket and black pants, or a black buttom up collar shirt and black trousers with a red tie. I don't mind to match your wedding's color scheme if needed. And if you're having a halloween wedding and want me dressed as a hotdog, then that's what I'll do!
If you do not have one of the songs pre-requested by the client, do you require that they provide it?
No. I buy it myself, unless it is a very obscure song.
How many other DJs do you work with?
I am a single-op DJ, meaning I work by myself. When you hire me, you are guarenteed to get me personally. Sometimes I may bring an assistant with me, or occasionally two for more complex events.
What is the minimum amount of time you will DJ for?
I don't charge by the hour, so I have no minimum.
Is the client able to meet the DJ before booking?
This is absolutely crucial. I typically meet with the bride and groom three to five times in the process of planning a wedding. If more is needed, that is not a problem. I allow couples who I work with to schedule as many planning meetings with me as needed, and always block out at least an hour and a half in my calendar for these meetings. I have a detailed planning process which I guide couples through.
For long distance couples, we will have these planning meetings over the phone.
Do you specialize in any ethnic or international events?
Most of the weddings I do are American, but I have also done quite a few Indian weddings.
Can the client submit a do-not-play list?
Yes. I typically ask for two distinct categories of do-not-play lists. One for songs that are negative emotional cues (associated with a deceased relative, past relationship, etc.) and one for songs that the couple simply does not like.
Do you bring your own equipment?
Yes. I have access to a huge amount of professional PA and lighting equipment. Any unique equipment that is needed for a specific event which I don't have, I will rent.
What (if any) special equipment, such as disco balls or lighting, is offered with your service?
I have a large variety of lighting options which I can provide by request, including uplighting (colored mood lighting that matches the bride's color scheme), custom monogram projections (bright projections of the couple's initials and/or wedding date onto a wall or floor), dancing in the clouds effects (a low-lying fog for the first dance), and, IF appropriate for your wedding, all kinds of flashing, spinning, colored gizmos to illuminate your dance floor.
How much time do you usually need to set up? Do you require that the site or client provide a table for you to set up on?
I bring everything I need myself, and can often set up in as little as 30 minutes, although I do require an hour and half minimum just in case I run into any obstacles in setup. If time is not limited, I typically prefer to arrive 2-3 hours before the beginning of the wedding.
Do you have any extra space requirements?
Typically space is not an issue for me. If you have a situation with extremely limited space, I can be flexible with my equipment setup. If you want some of the more involved lighting options, some of them require a little extra space.
Do you have a sign or banner that you use at events?
Absolutely not. It's your wedding, not an ad slot.
Do you usually emcee the event or talk between songs?
Yes, in fact, I consider this to be the most important part of my services. I spend a lot of time with the bride and groom planning out the special events of the evening and making them fun, unique and personalized. This commonly includes the grand entrance, the bride and groom's first dance, the father/daughter dance, mother/son dance, the cutting of the cake, the garter toss, bouquet toss, last dance and grand exit. I have received extensive training in public speaking, theater, comedy and improv, as well as extensive specialized training in wedding entertainment.
How would you motivate the crowd if no one is dancing?
Getting on the microphone to demand loudly that your wedding guests get on the dance floor is tacky, cliche and ineffective. I believe very strongly that if you choose the right songs at the right times, the dance floor will usually fill. If it doesn't, then it may not be a dancing crowd--and that is OK! I don't judge the success of the wedding purely by the number of people on the dance floor. I judge it based on the number of special memories I can create for the couple and their guests.
If you do really want to make SURE people dance at your wedding, the number one best thing you can do is to get on the dance floor yourself, and ask your wedding party to join as well. Your guests will get excited when they see the bride, groom and wedding party on the dance floor, and they will join in. Also, be sure to discuss with me how important dancing is to you personally. Some couples want dancing, and others couldn't care less; just let me know which you are.
What is your policy on taking breaks? If you require a meal break, do you require that the client provide your meal?
That's one of the major advantages of a DJ over a band; DJs typically don't need breaks. If you wish to provide me with a meal, I certainly don't mind, but this is, of course, not a requirement.
What is your backup plan in case you become unavailable on the day of the event?
It has never happened once so far in 10 years in business. But as a member of the American Disc Jockey Association, I would be able to find an emergency replacement. This has never happened, and would only happen in an extreme situation, such as a medical emergency.
Do you book yourself for more than one event in a day?
No. One wedding keeps me busy from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed, not to mention the months of planning beforehand. There is no way I could handle more than one event in a day.
What is your overtime rate?
I typically discuss the expected length of the event with a couple before providing a price quote, so this is factored in from the beginning. I always err on the side of keeping time limits very high so that the couple doesn't have to think about it. If your wedding is extremely long, or your are completely uncertain of how long it will go on, then we can talk about this and negotiate an hourly rate. I am very flexible with my pricing options.
Do you charge for travel expenses? If yes, how much do you charge?
I don't charge for anything in the Tricities area, Asheville, or the far southwest corner of VA. If your event is longer than about an hour drive from one of these places, then I typically charge for travel expenses. If I can do the trip as a day trip, then I simply keep the receipts and charge you exactly what it costs me for gas. For overnight travel, I will provide you with a fitting price quote, but I generally don't try to profit on travel expenses.
What is the required deposit to secure your services?
I require an in-person meeting in order to give a price quote. From there, if the couple would like to book me, I take a 50% deposit, and set up the contract at the same time. I also have a 3-payment plan available if needed. The final payment is not required until the day of the wedding, but I strongly encourage brides to pay all of their vendors before that, simply so that they aren't worried about money on their wedding day.
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