We speak to Barney at Startrax Disco to find out what brides should look for in booking a quality Wedding DJ

Tell Me about Your Business Barney

Startrax Disco played its first gig (a wedding), in the Drumkeen Hotel, Belfast back in December 1987. The following year we advertised in Yellow Pages were there was only a handful of other DJs in the book. By 1990 we were covering over 100 functions a year, from wedding receptions to birthday parties. In 2009 we did a unique wedding at Ballygally Castle, were the brides parents were one of our first wedding couples back in 1988 at the Country House Hotel (now the Rosspark Hotel). Our high level of service and professionalism has never dwindled. Today with technology growing so quickly, lots of guys are buying a laptop and downloading a lot of music from the internet, and feeling that they are fully equipped to cover an evening wedding reception. Check and double check the company you hire are fully equipped to give you and your guests, a night to remember.

What should a bride look for In Booking A Quality DJ?

Experience – is a big plus. We have covered 95% of all the major venues n the province, and several across the border.

Presentation – is another big factor. Your equipment should be of a neat appearance and have the capability to cover any size of venue, from the Old Inn, Crawfordsburn to the Ballroom at the Slieve Donard.

Insurance – Make sure your DJ / band have PLI (Public Liability Insurance) just in case the unexpected would happen. A lot of venues now insist that your DJ / band have this insurance, and may ask to see their certificate before they can perform.

Website – Most brides nowadays will find their wedding DJ online, so a good, informative website is the best marketing tool, and at Startrax Disco we feel our website is what every bride wants to see. All our photos/videos are our own. All our testimonials are 100% genuine, and we have an online music catalogue for our Bride & Grooms to pick a suggested playlist for their evening entertainment.

Dress Code – If we are at your full day then we are in shirt & tie, in the evening (from 7.30pm) we wear Black Trousers and Black or grey company polo shirts.

Contact Details - Make sure you have a contact name for DJ / band, not just their stage name. Also have their full home address and a landline telephone number. If your only point of contact is, Davy and a mobile number, then the chances are your nightmare is only around the corner. Any professional business will insist on a deposit to secure your date, and the DJ should provide all details in the form of a contract.

Is It Just A Disco You Provide?

Certainly not. We have a 6ft x 6ft large screen & projector so this plays a big part in our show. For example, if a bride & groom are married abroad and have a wedding party when they return home, we will show their wedding photographs / video on the big screen. It is also used for Karaoke, and big screen music videos, like Wham, Michael Jackson, Lady GaGa etc. We can even show cartoons on it at weddings. If the bride & groom are off getting their photographs taken, then we can put on a selection of children’s favourites such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Peppa Pig, Barney the Dinosaur etc. The kids love it, and so do the hotels. We also provide ceremony music for civil & religious weddings, in hotels, marquees etc (a selection of the music can be heard on our website) We can also provide background music during the wedding meal, and have a wireless microphone for speeches. All our bookings come with 100 evening invitations to compliment the occasion.....

Finally, Any Tips For A Bride & Groom Booking A Wedding DJ?

Yes. Don’t jump in and book the first person that says they’re available (even if it’s me) If you’d like to come along and see me play at an evening reception (and with the B&G’s permission) then this isn’t a problem. Recommendations by friends & family or by your hotel is another big factor. We feel though, that our website and our facebook page are our biggest credentials. Our aim at Startrax Disco, is to give every bride & groom and their guests an unforgettable wedding reception.