Charging stations

Tried to post awhile ago but had problems posting from my phone, so I'm on a computer now.

Just wanted to throw in my $0.02 towards the experiences where guests, in fact, do ask vendors for places to charge their phones. Thankfully I've never had anyone so bold as to unplug my equipment or leave their phone in a place where it caused interference, but yes, I've had many people ask me if they can plug-in their stuff.

Unfortunately, as a DJ, I always have to decline for a number of reasons. First, I can't be responsible if there's a power surge and the guest's phone gets zapped. Second, look at it the opposite way: many DJ insurance policies become null and void if the DJ has allowed anyone else to connect their equipment to the DJ's equipment. That's why many will not allow guests to plug-in their phones for a charge, even "just a quick one." (That's also why many DJs will not allow videographers to "patch in" to their sound board.) This may sound like a petty argument, and some may say, "oh, come on... what's the real harm?" Well, if a guest's cell phone battery overheats and explodes, creating a surge that kills the DJ equipment just 45 minutes into a 5-hour reception, would you want that to happen at YOUR wedding? The DJ who spent thousands of dollars on that equipment, and would then not only have to replace it all, but also refund the newlyweds, would not want it happening at ANY wedding. So hopefully you can understand why a DJ would not want to take any chances.

On a side note, it's up to the couple whether or not they want to encourage cell phone use. Personally, I'm more of a fan of "unplugged" weddings because most weddings already have a professional photographer who is being paid handsomely to capture all the key moments and plenty of candid moments throughout the wedding day. Many of these shots are sullied when all you see are dozens of guests holding their phones up in the air, trying to shoot the same thing. It's a wedding, not a press conference. Encourage your guests to sit back, relax, and enjoy the moment with you... go "unplugged" at least for the ceremony, if not the entire day.

Whenever I look back at my wedding, I'd prefer to see the professionally framed/lit/exposed shots our pro photographer took with her $3000 camera and $1000 lighting kit, rather than the dim, blurry, off-balance, over-compressed shots our guests took on their cell phones.