PARTY*TIME ENTERTAINMENT BRIDAL FAQ’S
(FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

  Here are general answers to some of the questions our potential clients ask the most.  If you have any additional questions, please contact our office.  One of our staff members will be happy to assist you further and address your concerns.

• When should I book my date?

• Can I see PartyTime perform?

• How do I hold my date and “book” with PartyTime?

• When is the final balance due?

• What does the fee you quoted me include?

• Are you insured?

• What do PartyTime performers wear?

• Does PartyTime take breaks?

• What kinds of music do you play?

• How is the music picked?

• Does PartyTime take requests?

• How many songs will be played?

• When do we go through all of the details?

• When does PartyTime arrive at the event?

• What type of equipment does PartyTime use?

• What happens if the equipment breaks?

• What about optional lighting?

• What are Party Props?

• Is PartyTime available if we decide to extend our party?

• Why are some DJs so cheap?

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When should I book my date?  There is really no set answer to this question. Many factors affect PartyTime’s availability, such as event date, time of the event (afternoon or evening), and on what day of the week your event falls.   The general rule is – the sooner the better.  At times, PartyTime books events as far as two years in advance with weddings generally booked anywhere from 6 months to 18 months in advance.  At other times, you may be able to book with much less notice, however we don’t recommend waiting too long.  The further in advance you attempt to book your event the more likely PartyTime will be available. 

Can I see PartyTime perform?  Yes.  There are two ways to see a PartyTime performance.  We can schedule a private video presentation for you.  The video is very convenient, since you can see all of the key portions of a PartyTime performance in about 15 minutes.  You will also have the undivided attention of a PartyTime staff member to answer all of your questions.  We can also arrange for you to see a live PartyTime performance, as our performance schedule permits.

How do I hold my date and “book” with PartyTime?  To permanently hold or “book” a performance date, a client must sign and return an Entertainment Contract to PartyTime.  The contract must be accompanied by a deposit, in the amount indicated on the contract.  This written agreement details all of the pertinent information regarding the event.

When is the final balance due?  Affair balances can be paid by personal check any time up to 15 days prior to the event date.  Certified checks, money orders and/or cash payments of the balance due will be accepted up to the start of the event.  We will also accommodate any clients who prefer to make several payments over the time period leading up to their event.  In this case, we credit your account balance for any payments received and issue you a receipt for such payments.

What does the fee you quoted me include?  This varies, however all of our packages include a complete professional sound system, several hours (based on your agreement) of continuous DJ entertainment and a qualified and knowledgeable entertainer to operate the equipment.  The PartyTime entertainer will handle all necessary announcements and will interact with you and your guests in order to create a great party. 

For all weddings: We include an additional entertainer, the Grand Master of Ceremonies (GMC). The GMC will coordinate the entire evening for you.  From the grand announcement of you and your bridal party, to the garter toss, cake cutting, parent dances and everything in between, the GMC will coordinate every detail to make your wedding reception run flawlessly. The GMC will also handle all of the evening’s announcements in a smooth, professional and tactful manner.   Finally, the GMC will exclusively concentrate on interacting with you and your guests to create a blend of excitement, fun and elegance to make your wedding day perfect.

      At Shannon’s Country House and Cinderella Ballroom: All PartyTime packages include exclusive use of our Theatre Surround Sound Systems.  We had professional audio engineers design separate sound systems for each of the SCC ballrooms and the Cinderella room.   The systems are permanently installed and blend with the motif of each ballroom.  They were designed to ensure the comfort of you and all of your guests throughout the entire event.  When the dancing begins the music is clear and loud enough for the people on the dance floor to enjoy themselves.  At the same time guests at any table in the room, even those right along the dance floor, can sit, enjoy themselves and carry on conversation at normal levels.  You do not have to worry about some of you guests having to sit near a speaker on a stand that will blast them out once the dancing starts and the volume is increased.  This is an exclusive benefit of using PartyTime at Shannon’s Country House and Cinderella Ballroom.

Are you insured?  PartyTime is fully insured.  We carry a 2 million dollar liability policy, as well as over $100,000 in crime plus equipment insurance The policy is underwritten by Centennial Insurance Company through Emery, Webb and Stern Inc., Fishkill, NY.

What do PartyTime performers wear? PartyTime performers come dressed in full black tuxedo with white shirt, vest and tie/studs or button covers, unless otherwise dictated by the client.  All clothing is well maintained, neatly cleaned and pressed. The performers are well groomed and clean-shaven at all PartyTime events.

Does PartyTime take breaks? Plainly and simply - No.  Our entertainment packages are for a continual period of time.  Whether your affair is for 3, 4, 5 or 6 hours, PartyTime performers are prepared to entertain you and your guests, without any delays, interruptions or breaks.   

What kinds of music do you play? PartyTime plays all types of music, from Big Band of the 30s & 40s to the hottest tunes of today – including country, Motown, disco, rock, Top 40 dance, ethnic and R & B.  PartyTime performers typically carry 8-10 thousand songs to each performance, covering just about every musical genre.  For a small sample, see the PartyTime Top 250, a list of the 250 songs, most requested by our clients and their guests.

How is the music picked?  Music selection is usually based on three factors.  First, you have the opportunity to tell us what you want to hear and if there is anything that you don’t want to hear.  This gives us the overall framework for the event.  From there, your guests’ requests help determine some of the music selection.  Lastly, the PartyTime performers rely on experience to fill in the event’s play list, based on the crowd’s reactions and responses throughout the event.

Does PartyTime take requests? Yes, in addition to our clients’ pre-planned request lists, we welcome direct requests from our clients and their guests throughout the event.  We attempt to play as many requests as possible, as long as they fall within the clients’ guidelines and are appropriate for the event and guests attending.

How many songs will be played? This varies, since song and event lengths vary.  The average song is 3 ½ minutes in length.  That translates into 17 songs per hour, 68 songs in four hours and 85 songs in five hours.  It must be noted that this will be lower at weddings, since the announcements, festivities and formalities will take up some time.

When do we go through all of the details? For weddings, we typically schedule an appointment with you 4-6 weeks prior to the wedding date.  During this meeting we discuss all of the bridal and musical details.  For all other events, final planning is generally handled 2-3 weeks prior to the event date.

When does PartyTime arrive at the event? Typically, the PartyTime performers will arrive at least one hour prior to the start time of the event.  If additional lighting packages are booked, the arrival time may be extended to 90 minutes.

What type of equipment does PartyTime use? Quality is top priority for PartyTime - from our performances to the equipment that we use.  For that reason, we use only top quality, professional DJ equipment, including 100% digital CD technology. 

What happens if the equipment breaks?  PartyTime uses top quality equipment, which is maintained according to our strict maintenance schedule.  For this reason, it is highly unlikely that anything would break or fail to operate properly.  However, PartyTime performers carry backup equipment to each performance.  In the unlikely event there is a problem, the backup or replacement equipment can be in place in a matter of seconds.

What about optional lighting? Lighting effects are a great way to add additional energy, excitement and ambiance to any event.  From the classic mirror ball effect and multi-colored, high-energy effects that react and chase to the music to laser and computer controlled intelligent lights, PartyTime can customize a light show to enhance your entertainment experience.  Feel free to call for further details and pricing.    

At Shannon’s Country House and Cinderella Ballroom: All of PartyTime’s Shannon’s and Cinderella   packages include an exclusive full light show.  It consists of several multi-colored lighting effects that react and chase to the beat of the music, a mirror ball effect for slow dancing, and strobe lighting effects for added energy.  Just like our theater surround sound systems, all of the lighting effects are all permanently installed, blend with the motif of each ballroom and are exclusively used by PartyTime.  The light show is valued at $175.00 but is included at no extra cost for all PartyTime clients at Shannon’s Country House and Cinderella Ballroom.

What are Party Props?  Party Props are items given to you and your guests to use to further interact with the music.  They’re a great way to spice up any event.  Imagine dozens of your guests rock and rolling with blow-up guitars, sax’s, keyboards and drumsticks or Uncle Bob shaking neon maracas with a giant sombrero on his head.  These are just two examples of the props we have available.  You can customize any prop packages to add that extra “sizzle” you may be looking for.  We are happy to offer Party Props, to our clients, as an option to enhance our entertainment services.  Feel free to call for further details and pricing.

Is PartyTime available if we decide to extend our party? PartyTime guarantees availability for time extensions (overtime) for all affairs with a start time of 3 PM or later.  Overtime for events beginning prior to 3 PM may be available but will be subject to PartyTime’s and the event venue’s scheduling constraints.

Why are some DJs so cheap? In many industries, there are requirements or certifications that business must meet before servicing customers.  The reason for this is to protect the consumer and ensure that the business is being operated legally and in a safe manner.  Unfortunately, there are no such standards to guarantee a professional DJ.  Full-time, professional companies, like PartyTime, take steps to ensure their long-term success as well as the well being of their clients.  For example, a true professional DJ will have liability insurance and equipment insurance to safeguard against any unforeseen circumstances.  True pros will also carry backup equipment to every event in case of an equipment breakdown.  In most cases, the cheap (or bottom-feeder) DJ either doesn’t care enough about their clients or is unable to provide their clients the same assurance and protections.  In many cases, the adage “You get what you pay for” still applies.