10 Questions with Ryan Crotty

Schiller Chicago DJs

DJs - Ryan Crotty

10 Questions with Ryan Crotty

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Hello! I'm Ryan with Schiller Chicago DJs. I have been in the DJing scene for about 17 years. Starting back in 2004 in high school and now expanding to my full time career for many years now. I enjoy bringing people together through music and productions and helping make my clients visions a reality. I have a true passion for the wedding industry and love helping couples plan and execute amazing weddings that are talked about for decades!

2. What's your experience as a wedding DJ? How many weddings have you done?

I have around 17 years total experience as a DJ. 12 of those years I have been DJing weddings. I have helped plan and execute around 700+ weddings in my life.

3. How far in advance do couples need to book your services?

Couples have booked me five years in advance. Couples have called me to save their wedding in one week. No matter how far in advance a couple needs to book me, I am ready to help take on their needs! I make sure they have a professional DJ there for them every step of the way. If possible I ask for couples to try to book me 3-12 months in advance to secure their date & plan properly.

4. What's your rate? What does that include?

We offer four weddings packages that vary in price from $899 to $1799. We have four levels of wedding packages to choose from with upfront prices and what is included in each one! Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Ultimate packages are available for the client to choose from that fit their dancefloor and venues needs! We also have add on services like up lighting and extras you can add on to your DJ package as well. Our most popular wedding package is our $1050 ALL Inclusive Platinum Wedding DJ package that includes a ceremony setup, reception setup, & 15 up lights of your color choice for your venue in one inclusive price!

5. Are you available to travel if needed?

We currently have Chicago, Wisconsin, and Arizona branches. We are a national company that services all 48 states. We do require a small travel fee to areas outside of our branches areas to accommodate driving and lodging. We also will service any North America destination weddings! (Alaska, Canada, & Mexico)

6. How would you describe your style?

Many have described me as upbeat, fun, energetic, high energy DJ that knows how to get the dancefloor going and keep it going. I like to throw all the best music in front of your crowd! I like to constantly be changing up the dancefloor with all different styles of music to create one big set that has everyone dancing non stop! I love throwing in good requests at the right time from guests and watching them work flawlessly! I am a open format DJ with two live computers able to download any song on the fly in about 45 seconds and have it playing through the system!

7. What's your backup plan if there's an equipment malfunction? Do you bring backup equipment?

We bring plenty of backup equipment in case there is ever any equipment malfunctions. We only use the best, highest end DJ equipment on the market and always keep our DJ packages maintained and running correctly. Good working equipment is most important to our company and we have routine checks and cleaning on all of our CDJs, mixers, speakers, lighting, and microphones!

8. What's your sick day policy?

I have never once in 17 years of DJing for other people missed a gig or took a sick day off from this business. I'm always there 3 hours early ready to go setting up your equipment and getting ready to start up your event. We have many backup DJs and other DJ companies in place ready at all times if something was to ever happen.

9. How do you motivate a shy crowd to dance? What do you do to motivate the crowd if nobody is dancing?

I have many techniques I use to bring out shy dancers! Mcing is a main skill that will easily relax a crowd into feeling comfortable with the DJ in front of them to then start dancing. I have many songs in a folder I call dance weapons! They are songs that when played at the correct times will refill dancefloors and reenergize entire rooms! I also have the best slows dances ready to go to change the entire energy of the room and refill dancefloors with new movement. Empty dancefloor rarely ever happen at my events!

10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?

Any change in the event date, time or location, including any cancellation of this Agreement, must be agreed to in writing, and signed by the Parties hereto, no less than 90 days prior to the originally scheduled event date.

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Awards

WeddingRule Editor’s Choice 2020