Question: How far in advance should I reserve my date?
Answer: We generally begin booking wedding dates anywhere from eight to eighteen months in advance.  Since we can only perform at a limited amount of receptions per weekend, we strongly recommend that you contact us as soon as possible to check on the availability status of your date.  By the same token, if for some reason you find yourself in a situation where you need a DJ last-minute, please call us.  We'll make every possible effort to help you.

Question: How can I find out if my wedding date is available?
Answer: You can check our availability system to see if your date is currently open.

Question: Can you hold a date for me?
Answer: Yes.  You can hold a date by putting down a non-refundable $200 deposit.

Question: I might need a lot of guidance as I plan my wedding.  Can you help?
Answer: Yes.  If you're looking for interesting ideas to make your reception particularly distinctive, we've got plenty to suggest.

Question: Will I pay extra for meeting GLE before a wedding or an event, set-up, take-down, and/or travel?
Answer: Great Lakes Entertainment does not hassle you with extra charges.  You do not pay a penny for meeting prior to your wedding.  All set-up and take-down is included in the price as well.  Your travel is free as long as it is within 100 miles of our Marquette, Sawyer or Manistique offices.

Question: If we want special songs for our formal dances and they aren't in your collection, will you be able to locate them?
Answer: Most of the common requests will be in our collection.  We will be able to locate most of the music you're looking for.  However, if we can't find it, you will need to burn a CD before your event, especially if you want a lot of alternative or other styles of music that we normally would not play at a reception.

Question: Will you work with us so our wedding reception musical wishes are carried out?
Answer: Yes.  Couples often tell us that planning their music is the most enjoyable task they have to take care of.

Question: How much choice do I have in the music selection?
Answer: As much as you'd like.  Occasionally couples decide to hand-pick each and every song that's played at their reception, which is perfectly fine, but it's certainly not necessary.  We'll ask you to highlight as many specific songs and genres that you like to hear and ask you lots of questions about your preferences.

Question: Do you play guests' requests?
Answer: That's completely up to you.  If it's okay, we'll play whatever your guests want to hear.  However, we might point out that what people want to hear, versus what makes your wedding a success (and that keeps people dancing), are two very different things.  Our DJs know what works, as well as what doesn't.  So normally it is best to not take requests.

Question: There are songs that we definitely do not want played at our wedding.  How do we make certain that we won't hear them?
Answer: We strongly encourage you to give us a "don't play" list of music, and your DJ will absolutely abide by it.  You won't hear any unwelcome surprises at your reception.

Question: Will our DJ act as an emcee?
Answer: Your call.  Our disc jockeys are eloquent emcees and can host your entire reception, unless you request otherwise.  We'll be as involved or uninvolved as you'd like us to be.  Our staff is made up of versatile performers who have the ability to be outgoing and entertaining when it's requested, but can also be reserved and low-key if that's your preferred style.  What we'll never be is overbearing or embarrassing hams on the microphone.  The focus of attention will always remain on you and your guests.

Question: My sister has got a great voice and would like to sing at the reception.  Is that possible?
Answer: You bet.  We’ll have a microphone available for her and she can either sing a capella or we can play a song in the background while she sings over it.

Question: Will you work with the photographer and handle the announcements like cake cutting?
Answer: Yes.  GLE can emcee your entire event and coordinate with your other vendors.

Question: What will the DJ wear?
Answer: We will dress as formal as you need us to be.  Whether that is a classic black tuxedo or a casual appearance, just let us know.

Question: What kind of music does Great Lakes Entertainment have?
Answer: We carry many several types of music.  Our choices of music range from top 40, urban, big band, country and dance, to classic 60s & 70s rock, oldies 40s & 50s, and polkas.

Question: Do you use obscene/foul language or play inappropriate music with swearing, hate- or sex-filled lyrics?
Answer: No, no and no.  All our music is edited and safe.  If a song contains any hate- or sex-filled lyrics, it is not played.

Question: I've seen GLE perform in the past while they were using fog.  How safe is it?
Answer: The fog machine we use is water-based.  The vapor is not hazardous to humans.  It is usually used during the larger shows when you have the full lighting package added to your service.

Question: Do you have a light show?
Answer: Yes.  Basic lighting is provided at no extra charge.  Although usually not required at weddings, more lighting options are available for an extra charge if you have a large dancing crowd and your event takes place in a large hall.

Question: Do you have backup equipment?
Answer: All of our gear is professional and is regularly maintained, but we have backup equipment at your event just in case.

Question: When will you arrive?
Answer: We normally arrive to your event about an hour and a half before the music is scheduled to start.  If you need us to set up earlier than this, early set up fees may apply.

Question: Are we required to feed the DJ?
Answer: That’s your choice.  Customarily couples do provide a meal for their DJ.

Question: Will you stay longer than agreed upon?
Answer: Usually, yes.  However, if your event is in the early afternoon, we may have several other events scheduled that evening.  If your event starts in the evening, it is very unlikely that we would have another event after yours.  If your guests are having a good time and you'd like us to stay past the contracted time, you can pay cash for overtime at $125 per hour.

Question: We've heard other couples have tipped the DJ.  How much gratuity is appropriate?
Answer: People generally tip their disc jockey 10% to 15% of the total payment.

Question: We’re still deciding between a band or a DJ.  Any advice?
Answer: Well, we're a bit biased on this point.  However, bands can certainly be great at weddings, but they do have a lot of limitations.  Regardless of how talented a band is, it's impossible for them to sound just like the original artists.  Also, no matter how large their repertoire is, it’s still quite limited when you compare it to what we offer; we can play literally any song that you'd like to hear.  Another important difference between a band and GLE is that we don’t take breaks; the music will be continuous from beginning to end.  One more thing: we can easily control the volume from a single switch and keep it at an appropriate level at all times.  This is very difficult for a band.