crpartyrock

I'm a wedding DJ with over 6 years of experience (98 weddings) in Costa Rica. I know that most weddings go for at least $1000 for decent 4-hour service in North America, but I charge about 60% of that for the same or better quality of service here. Because of the small population and the high price of imported electronics here, it is very difficult to find a DJ with experience, good equipment and attention to detail; logic dictates that good wedding DJ service should be more here in CR than up north! Here are some of the most important things you are missing with the iPod wedding, especially in Costa Rica: 1. To rent the same concert-quality sound system equipment that I use here in Costa Rica is going to cost the same or even more as my service, and you will have to bring the equipment from and back to San José. 2. If you play through the house systems of most reception areas (i.e. crusty bar speakers exposed to ocean air or rain), it's just not going to have the same impact as a real sound system. 3. If you've ever attended an iPod wedding, you will be familiar with constant abrupt music changes and inappropriate music coming on at the wrong time. Of course there's also the drunken struggles for control of the iPod that often happens as the night wears on. Be prepared for lots of dead air and false starts as you try to search for that song that you can't find easily in the menus or remember the name of, that rap song with the N-word comes on during dinner, or the same song keeps coming on again and again. 4. Whoever is in charge of the iPod will need to maintain concentration over the entire night instead of enjoying the party fully. Most people unaccustomed to DJing end up failing at this task. 5. A pre-mixed set sounds like a good idea at first, but it lacks the foresight of not being able to change the direction of the music, especially if your group starts losing interest or someone wants to make a request. 6. A good DJ will help you plan an optimized playlist of the best music (and a "no play" list if desired) for your group ahead of time, and also be ready to take popular music requests from you or your guests at the reception. 7. A good DJ will be able to watch the floor and play music in a flow and appropriate volume that keeps you and your group dancing, as well as to connect with the crowd and direct the attention of your group enough to have a great time together. 8. A good DJ is also a master of ceremonies that can handle all of the special programming perfectly, including cocktails/dinner music, your introduction, first dance, parent dances, cake cutting, bouquet/garter toss, group games and activities, and even your ceremony music and vocal amplification needs if desired. You just can't get that from an iPod. Hope that helps! Joshua

Hi, I'm a wedding DJ with over 6 years of experience in Costa Rica (98 weddings). Here are some equally excellent coordinators/planners that I've worked with in the past, in no particular order:
 1. Donna Mickley of Pura Vida Weddings is amazing and there's never a problem at her events. She is super friendly and cares more about your experience than the money. It is a pleasure to work with her and the receptions are always a lot of fun. She specializes in weddings in the Tamarindo area and surrounding beaches. 2. Barbara Broutin of FourNineteen Weddings; she has a lot of experience with upscale weddings with lots of class and attention to detail. Another gem of a person who aims for the best experience over money, and one of the few planners I've met who charges zero percent commission on her vendors. I look forward to events with her because I know the guests will always be in a good mood for the reception. 3. Meghan and Ryan Cox of Our Costa Rica Wedding; I actually played their own wedding after they started their business years ago!
 Lots of attention to detail, friendly, and they specialize in weddings at Arenal and the Pacific beaches. They don't charge a commission for my service and it's always a good time at their receptions. Sadly, there are a few planners with an attitude problem that could be easily avoided by prioritizing service over profit, something I think is essential for a great destination wedding experience. Though most planners do a generally good job here, I have had problems with two of the planners mentioned in the previous post, mostly concerning undisclosed high commissions, poor communication/planning, and possibly vindictiveness over my direct contracting with the client. Look for someone who has experience, good reviews, and a detailed blog with examples of their work. Another way to tell that they are good is that they are communicative via email or phone and answer all your questions directly. There’s no dilly-dallying about what you get for what you pay. Try to talk voice with them to get a feel for their demeanor and go with the friendliest. Hope that helps Good luck in your search! Joshua

I'm a wedding DJ with over 5 years of experience in Costa Rica (98 weddings) and have some comments on 3 of these planners: 1. Donna Mickley of Pura Vida Weddings is amazing and there's never a problem at her events. She is super friendly and cares more about your experience than the money. It is a pleasure to work with her and the receptions are always a lot of fun. 2. Costa Rica Paradise Wedding (Sylvia Chaves); Though offered many gigs when I first started my business, I ceased sub-contracting with her when I found out that she was nearly double-charging a client for my services. Though she has a good track record, the fact that she jacks the commissions on her vendors should be a red flag. 3. Prestige Weddings (Ana Montesino), what can I say... the one gig I had with her is known as "The Disaster Wedding" by the other vendors I spoke with afterward. The wedding was set at the height of the rainy season with no cover at the ceremony and reception at a private house with difficult layout for a good outdoor DJ party on a night with constant rain. This planner double-talked or was silent in her communications to turn the bride against me and to misdirect attention from her own mistakes. The bride even mentioned that this planner had urged her own DJ over me, so there may have been some commission envy involved in this treatment. In the end, I was stuck with my only bad review and a lot of negative and false perceptions from my client. Here are some other very good coordinators/planners that I've worked with in the past: 1. Barbara Broutin of FourNineteen Weddings; she has a lot of experience with upscale weddings with lots of class and attention to detail. Another gem of a person who aims for the best experience over money, and one of the few planners I've met who charges zero percent commission on her vendors. I look forward to events with her because I know the guests will always be in a good mood for the reception. 2. Meghan and Ryan Cox of Our Costa Rica Wedding; I actually played their own wedding after they started their business years ago! Lots of attention to detail, friendly, and they specialize in weddings at Arenal and the Pacific beaches. Always a good time at their receptions. Hope that helps! Joshua

There are serious drawbacks to the iPod wedding... First of all, equipment rental for god equipment is going to run you at least 75% of what it would cost to include a DJ. The other thing this idea misses is that you can't pre-program a live experience; an iPod cannot interact like a real human, and no one who is celebrating is going to have the concentration to manage your party! http://weddingscostarica.wordpress.com/2011/08/25/why-hire-a-dj-cant-i-just-ipod-it/