“My name is Lucas Henrichs. I am a 10+ year veteran of the wedding industry, specifically Wedding Entertainment! I have entertained clients with all ranges of budgets, and “visions” for their event, on both coasts, and multiple points in the middle!

My family and I reside in Central Illinois. I am a father of 5 beautiful children, ranging in ages from 11 years to 5-month-old twins. I fell in love with weddings at a very early age! I knew from that point, my life’s mission would be to create fun, memorable, stress-free weddings!

My business focuses primarily on weddings. And of those we are often times called upon to wear many different “hats!”, from coordinator, to planner, to event director. I love answering questions, and there is no absolute right, or wrong, way to do a wedding!

With that being said, let’s get into what makes an ideal choice in the hiring of your wedding entertainment, specifically your DJ, some obstacles to avoid, and hopefully save you a few dollars along the way!

First things first, congratulations! You have found your partner that you want to spend the rest of your life with! Planning your amazing event can be a daunting task! This might be, and often times is, the first time you hold the keys to a 5-figure party. I completely understand the trepidation! You don’t want to make the wrong choice! Everyone is “offering” their opinion. My personal advice, take the opinion and then follow your plan! The weddings we are doing in 2018 are not the same weddings we did in 2017! Now imagine if the advice comes from before you were born?

Some truths…

First Truth… Your DJ is part of a team! Catering, Hair & Makeup, Dress & Formal wear, Photographer, Venue, Videographer, Desserts, Planning, Coordinating, all are part of a big plan! No one person or company is more important than any other! We wouldn’t be hired if it weren’t for you! Look at it another way when hiring these vendors, you are expecting an outcome. Whether it’s a beautiful cake, delicious food, amazing photos, lots of dancing, etc. Who will be your source point for the day? Your go- to person!

Second Truth what’s your outcome? Meaning, after the party is done. You and your soul mate head back to the hotel or back home. Fall asleep, and then the next morning, you check your social media accounts…What will the pictures say about your event? Using YOUR hashtag?

Third Truth…Whomever you hire, they are representing you and your closest friends and family! You are entrusting a stranger with a live microphone. That comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility! Allocate extra money and hire a trained professional! What will your friends and family remember about your event?

Fourth Truth… Most “Professional DJ’s” have the same songs…Uptown Funk, Cha Cha Slide, Old Time Rock N Roll, Love Shack, all are true wedding “must plays.” That’s no surprise. Plus, depending on quality of equipment, they are still the same song, being played through black boxes!

Scared Yet? Don’t be!

Wanna Save some money? Uplights, Photobooths, Monograms, Cake Mapping do not make your event! I have done weddings with/without them.

Questions to pre-qualify in the hiring of your Wedding Entertainment! Of course, you can internet search for stock questions, and they are ok, but as a vendor, we hear those same questions multiple times a week.

If I was to hire an entertainer for my/my daughter’s wedding, here’s my list of top 5 questions to ask! Please feel free to use them!

Question 1…What experience do you have with the venue, and their staff?
Question 2…Are you insured to cover the cost of damage to the venue? if any should occur. May I see

your company’s insurance?

Question 3…Tell me a specific experience, both positive and negative you had, at “XYZ Venue.” And what, specifically did you/team do to overcome it?

Question 4…What training, specific to your craft, do you have? Performance? Master of Ceremonies? Lighting?

Question 5… What guarantees do you have with your service? To fit our outcome/vision? Money back? Trust your gut!!! It will tell you most everything!

We can dive deeper in future blog posts, feel free to email me or text/call me directly with any questions!

It is with love that I serve others on their most special of days! I look forward to helping you make your events truly memorable!

Creatively Yours, Lucas Henrichs

Wedding Entertainment Director Sound Express Entertainment

soundexpressdj@gmail.com

Call/Text 815-250-4524