Hiring Process

How do we reserve ALTA? To reserve ALTA we request a deposit and a signed contract. The contract can be scanned and emailed or sent in the mail. The deposit may be paid by check or credit card over the phone or online.

When do we send in our profile and other requested information? All requested information should be ready for submission at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

Do you accept credit cards? We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover over the phone, or you may make a payment through our website (via redirection to our secure Paypal account) with any form of payment that Paypal accepts.

When is the balance due? The balance is requested 2 weeks prior to the wedding date. However, if you're not comfortable paying prior to the event, we will accept payment on the night of the event prior to the dance beginning.

How do I pay my deposit online through your website? Once you've requested a quote through our website, you will be granted access to your own Event Planner Account. To make a deposit payment online, first log in to your account at www.altaeventplanner.com or through the Even Planner page on this website. You should have received your unique login name and password via email shortly after requesting a quote.

Once logged in, you should click on the link for "Payments". Here you will see your quoted package price (Total Fee) and the required deposit amount. Enter the deposit amount into the "Select A Payment Amount" box and then click on the "Pay Now" button to be redirected to our secure Paypal account for credit/check card processing.

Please keep in mind that a deposit alone will only hold your date for 2 weeks. We will need to receive a signed contract (snail mail or scanned and emailed) from you before your date can be officially reserved.

How do I make a balance payment online through your website? To make a balance payment online, first log in to your account at www.altaeventplanner.com or through the Even Planner page on this website. You should have received your unique login name and password via email shortly after requesting a quote.

Once logged in, you should click on the link for "Payments". Here you will see your Total Fee, Payments Made, and your Balance Due. Enter the amount you'd like to pay into the "Select A Payment Amount" box and then click on the "Pay Now" button to be redirected to our secure Paypal account for credit/check card processing.

Please keep in mind that we do require full payment at least 2 weeks prior to the event. Also, if you would like to take care of a gratuity for the DJ with your balance payment, you may include the tip with when you make this payment. If you do this, please make a note that the balance payment includes the DJ gratuity when you submit the payment through our Paypal account.

Music

What if we want a song that is not on your list? Because we are constantly updating our music library, some music in our library may not be on the list you've been provided. If you don't see a song you would like, you may ask us if we have it, or you may provide it. In most cases, if neither you or ALTA have the song, we can probably get our hands on it.

Can we bring our own music? Yes! You may bring any music you'd like to help put your personal touch on the evening. We request that you provide the music in standard CD format.

When should we give the music to the DJ if we are providing it? You should plan on giving your music to the DJ on the night of your event. Providing some sort of music list or labeling the CDs is recommended.

How much music can we play in an evening? You will probably hear approximately 15 songs per hour. In most cases with wedding reception dances, you can expect to hear between 50 to 70 songs.

Do you take requests? We leave this up to the bride and groom. However, we do encourage that all of our clients allow for some requests. It is helpful for the DJ and usually has a positive impact on the dancefloor. All of our DJs are sensetive to your guests and will use great discretion in deciding which requests are appropriate or not. You will always have ultimate VETO power.

May we attend wedding where your DJs are performing? Because of our commitment to excellent service for all of our clients, ALTA has a strict privacy policy. In the best interest of our clients, we do not allow strangers to attend your event and potentially cause any sort of distraction for the DJ, the event site staff, the clients or the guests. We will not use your event as a way to promote our service to prospective new clients.

Will you provide ceremony music? Yes, ceremony music can be provided. In some cases this may be for an additional charge. You can receive a specific quote by contacting the office.

How do I submit my music selections and other information? Once you've requested a quote from ALTA, you've also been assigned a planning account. You should have received (or will receive) your unique login name and password via email shortly after requesting a quote. Once logged in to your planning account, you'll find access to the questionnaires we'll need you to fill out and the song list to search through and select your music. You may work through this at any time, but we do request that you've got everything finalized at least 2 weeks prior to your event (don't worry, we'll send reminders!).

Equipment

What if a piece of equipment breaks at my wedding? We have back up equipment available and a technical support manager available whenever we have an event scheduled. Problems rarely occur, however when they do it is typically encountered during setup, in which case the DJ will work with short term solutions, and allow plenty of time for the technician to resolve the issue before your dance begins.

I'm concerned about the larger size of my event site, can you accommodate this? ALTA only uses the very best in professional sound and light equipment. Our DJ systems are "right sized" allowing us to service venues both large and small. Whether you've chosen a large venue such as Nicollet Island Pavillion or a smaller venue such as the St. Paul College Club, our top professional grade speakers will provide the sound you need without taking up an abundance of space.

Can we plug into your system? Yes. We are happy to work with you or live musicians to plug into our system for any audio assistance we can provide.

Do I or my event site need to provide a table? Yes. Most event sites are very willing to accommodate upon your request for a skirted table for the DJ.

Disc Jockey

How experienced are your DJs? Our DJs have varying levels of experience, however having a lot of experience does not necessarily directly equate to being a good DJ. We seek individuals who have fundamental skills and characteristics that we have found to be necessary for success as a DJ. Our team members are perceptive, resourceful, reliable, diligent, and excellent communicators. By nature they are focused on providing great service and giving 110% to everything they do. The skills and mechanics of being a DJ can be taught, but those qualities a person needs to be a great DJ are inherent.

How old are your DJs typically? ALTA DJs are primarily in their mid 20s. We've found that it's not the age of an individual, but their maturity and ability to communicate with a variety of people that make a DJ successful. Our DJs have experienced success in multiple areas of life, work and education. Their dedication to excellence is evidenced in many areas, which provides a foundation for their success as DJs. We have assembled a team consisting of some of the top talent in the industry.

How do you determine who will be my DJ? The DJ is determined based on availability, your specific requests, and the event questionnaire and song list you submit.

When will I speak to my DJ? Once we've received your event questionnaire, song list, and final details information, it will all be reviewed during the DJ selection process. Once the DJ is selected all the info will be sent to them for review, and they will contact you on Monday or Tuesday the week of the wedding to discuss the details of your event and answer any questions you may have.

After speaking with our DJ, what if we don't feel that we "click" with him/her? This hardly ever happens, but we understand the potential is there. We will first seek to understand why you don't feel comfortable, and then we will be able to reschedule a DJ who will be a better fit.

What happens if my DJ is sick or gets into an accident? In the event that the scheduled DJ is unable to perform the event, the on-call back-up DJ will be ready.

Do we have any input regarding the DJ's level of interaction? Yes. This will be covered in the profile we request from you. It's also something that you will discuss with your DJ during the final consultation prior to the event.

Are we required to provide a meal for the DJ? No. We do not require that a meal is provided for a DJ. However, it's definitely a nice gesture and very appreciated when you do. Remember that a full DJ is a happy DJ.

How much do we tip the DJ? As with any service industry, gratuity accounts for a significant portion of the DJs' income. The amount to tip is entirely at your discretion, however the industry standard is approximately 15 - 20% of the total price.

When do we tip the DJ? It is entirely up to you when you want to tip the DJ. Some clients prefer to pay the tip in advance with the balance, while others will pay it directly to the DJ on the night of the event.