Wedding Hire

Welcome to our Wedding Hire and information page.

We have arranged this page in the order that we have received most of our questions. We understand that initially you are looking at how much it will cost?

Our prices are listed on the website, nothing hidden, however we suggest when you are looking at the quotes provided you follow up with the next question.

What is provided in the hire?  For example a $1500 quote may include everything down to a Video Camera, strobe light and smoke machine, this sounds great right?

Now the facts, the video camera is left sitting unattended on the table and simply records the event, legally speaking any music recorded may require licencing!

A strobe light/smoke machine may cause issues with older guests hence these items are generally not recommended wedding options (we can provide them if you want them); so why are you paying for it? We suggest a different approach and start with a basic hire and tailor it to your exact requirements and budget.

By asking questions about what is provided in the hire you can compare what the real price differences are; you will be very surprised by the answers as every business is quoting against different levels of service and equipment.

Reputable business will also be seeking a up front payment, why? These businesses are going to make a commitment to you and turn up on the day. Generally if there is no deposit then there is nothing binding the business to turn up. Many, times we have had to step in when our competitors have pulled out at the last moment.

Down To Business

Interesting Wedding Facts and more reasons to get it right.
We realise that you want your special day to run like clock work, no mistakes right down to the catering and the entertainment.

With Raven, you can depend on us:

• We will be there at the prearranged time and ready, we don’t take bookings we cannot cover!
• There will be no mistakes, and
• We will be available to answer all your questions right up until the day before your Wedding to ensure everything is organised exactly how you want it to be.

We have been a part of many Brides & Grooms on their special day. In fact a lot of our wedding business is from referrals obtained from previous wedding functions.

Here is a list of our frequently asked questions;

• • How much will it cost?
    click on booking costs for a full description and run down of the costs and any optional extras you may require. There are free guides available on the internet which will give you good information.  For example try searching for the following;
  • Wedding Budget Planner
  • What do I need to know?

This will also assist you in making arrangements for your reception.

• Why do you need a timing of events sheet?
  We need this in order the coordinate the right music to the next event for example the bridal waltz, throwing of the bouquet/garter etc. While we don’t expect the run sheet to be listed to the second we like to be prepared.
• Can I choose the Music?
  Yes you can, however weddings are very hard to get the right mix of music, we suggest you choose only the minimum songs you would like to hear outside of the formal music i.e. 6 to 12 tracks and let the DJ do their job of mixing the right songs for you, you can also request songs on the night as well.
• What happens if during the booking the music style or type being played by the DJ is not what I want? What do I do?
  If this occurs you must immediately speak to the DJ. The DJ is only to happy to change the music type to suit your needs. They are after all there to work for you, remember, it will be to late after the event to do anything. We will however seek written instructions from you prior to the wedding day specifically to cover off your requests on style and type of music. This is to ensure we avoid any possibility of any misunderstandings occurring.
• I want to play my own music/CDs can I do so?
  Sure thing the best option is to place your music files in MP3 format on a USB Stick, we only have limited capacity to play music CDs, the DJ will return your USB stick/CD’s at the end of the night or before you depart.
• The DJ doesn’t have my song!
  What can I do? Ok this is not uncommon obviously we don’t have on hand every song ever recorded! We will however try to source the track for you. We have access to music data bases covering off millions of tracks, trust us if we cannot locate the song it’s no longer commercially available. In this instance, if you already have the track we will ask you to provide it. We will also confirm with you we have located the right track as some songs have multiple versions of the same track!
• My Reception doesn’t start until 5pm, however I want the DJ set at by 2pm, is there any additional charges? Yes, there a set up fee of $50.00, this covers the cost of someone going to the venue setting up, leaving and returning.
• How and when should the bridal song be played?
  Generally after all the speeches have been made. Then we would play the bridal waltz, this would then be followed by a dance with the bride and her father. Of course this is all a personal choice and we are happy to comply with your format.
• Will the DJ do voice work?
  Yes, we will provide very minimal voice work at no charge, however, we don’t do full MCing, anything above minimal extra voice work is a $50.00 extra charge.
• How many guests will your standard hire cater for?
  Up to 600 guests at a reasonable volume! (600 watts RMS at 8ohms). However if your event is going to have over 300 guests we would highly recommend additional speakers for extra punch.
• How does it compare to say a Juke Box?
  There is no comparison Jukeboxes have their place but that’s NOT at your wedding.
• What will the DJ wear?
  Generally black pants and a Raven Entertainment Black Collared Shirt or Polo Shirt or Tee Shirt (we there to work and be heard not seen). You can request a tie if required.
• How old will the DJ be?
  You get DJ Raven!!!
• Will DJ Raven meet us in person to discuss our requirements?
  Yes, if prearranged he will meet with you, he generally arranges a central location to both you and him, sorry he no longer does house calls. If a face to face meeting is what you want then DJ Raven will meet you in Coffs Harbour after 6.30pm Mondays to Wednesdays only or by agreed appointment.

Is a deposit required?

• No, as from 9 January 2013, full payment is required in advance although you still have to option of paying the function off over several weeks. Full payment must be received at least 6 weeks before the wedding day. Our refund policy is listed below. We will then turn away all other bookings to honour our commitment to you.
• Is a hire contract required? Yes it must be signed and returned to us to confirm your booking. It’s at the link below.
  

  Raven Entertainment hire contract Sept 2017

Cancellation/Refund

• If you cancel your booking after we have confirmed dates and received payment for any reason then you will be subject to our cancellation and refund terms set out below.
• While we do understand that individual circumstances can and do change, this does not change the fact that a booking is being cancelled nor alter our refund policy below;
  • 4 weeks or greater to the booking date refund of payment less 25% of the hire fee;
  • 3 weeks prior the booking date refund of payment less 50% of the hire fee;
  • 2 weeks prior the booking date refund of payment less 75% of the hire fee;
  • 1 week (7 days) prior to the booking date 100% loss of the hire fee.
• The policy takes into account the likelihood of re-booking a date and ensures Raven Entertainment does not suffer financial loss due to a late cancellation.

Changing Wedding Dates

• With sufficient notice we may be able to transfer your booking date without you incurring any cancellation fee, however, late date changes will be subject to the cancellation/refund policy.

Up-sizing the hire

• Can I up-size from the standard hire?
  Yes you can, our packages start from $650.00 and can be up-sized to over $1000.00, basic extras start from $5.00.

Price Matching

• Will you price match?
  Yes we will, BUT only on equivalent hire.
• We won’t price match against a $50.00 per hour hire, why?
• Quite simply they are not in the same league as us, if our equipment was placed next to theirs, you would not realise theirs was turned on and going flat out! That’s how good our equipment is. We are already VERY competitively priced that’s why our prices are listed for you to see. Remember you generally get what you pay for! Look under our page for more information.
• You may notice not too many competitors even bother to list their prices, why do you think that is? You shouldn’t have to ring someone after you have viewed their webpage.
• Why are you guys so cheap? What am I missing out on?
  NOTHING, we believe you shouldn’t have to pay extra just because your getting married. You get charged for the hire you choose no more, no less, it is after all a Disco or Karaoke booking, however, our competitors disagree with us and want to start charging extra because its a Wedding!
• Will you play outside of the Coffs Harbour Area?
  Yes we will, there is an additional charge after 1 hours travel – Look under bookings costs for a full description

Travel

• I’m from Sydney will you travel to do my wedding?
  Maybe, we generally avoid long distance or overnight travel.

Where have you played before?

Just to name a few places we have been to before;

• The Avillion Hotel, World Square 389 Pitt Street, City of Sydney
• Rydges at Eagle Hawk Resort, Canberra Lakeside & Parramatta, NSW
• The Carlton Hotel, Parramatta, NSW
• Old Parliament House
• The Chiefly Hotel, Canberra
• The Brassey Hotel, Canberra
• Yass, NSW
• Bungendore, NSW
• Batemans Bay, NSW
• Queanbeyan, NSW
• The Woolshed! Canberra
• Park Beach Surf Club Coffs Harbour
• Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour

What We Require.

• power outlets near where you want us set up, although we do carry up to 100 meters of cable it’s best not to have cable laid everywhere, hence our preference is to be near a power outlet.
• a table 2 meters x 1 meter wide and a stool/chair,
• a meal (if the booking is over a meal period) and soft drinks and water throughout the night,
• We also require that you read and the conditions of hire listed on the bookings cost page and return a signed hire contract to confirm a booking.

Package Hire

• The initial package starts from $650.00. This will easily cater for (up to) 200 guests and include 2 lights.

Note: All prices are quotes against a standard 5 hour wedding booking.
Full payment is required in advance at least 4 weeks before the hire to secure a booking.

Credit Card Payments

Yes you can pay by Credit Card via Pay Pal, however our preference is for EFT payment.  Simply press the links below to use this option. If you want to option up a basic package please go to either Booking Costs or What We Provide for a full run down on what’s available. Each item will be added to your account as you select it, a final price will be shown to you for your consideration before you pay.

NOTE: Paying by Credit Card incurs an additional fee of 2.9% to process the payment.

You must call to confirm your booking date prior to making any payment.

Last update 21 Oct 2023