Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Much Do You Charge?

Please complete a Booking Enquiry Form with a list of your requirements and we will be happy to quote you a personalised price. Rates are dependent on many factors including location, distance to travel, event duration, amount of time needed to setup and break down, parking fees, petrol, pre event preparation time, equipment required, additional extras etc.

How Do We Book / How Do We Pay?

Please first complete the online Booking Enquiry Form before calling. By submitting the Booking form to us means that we have all your details ahead of you calling us. We will then either call or email initially to discuss your event and confirm availability (and for a wedding, arrange a time and place to meet you in person). We usually like to meet all bride and grooms in person before accepting bookings for weddings to ensure we can deliver all of your requirements. Wedding generally have a lot more details to capture so meeting in person helps ensure no important details are overlooked or misinterpreted. Once your details have been captured on our booking form, we will then request that you pay a non-refundable admin booking fee (usually £150) using our dedicated client portal page. Additionally we will ask you to e-sign your online contract. If any details change over time you may update these using our client portal. The remaining balance must be paid 2 weeks prior to the event, again using the dedicated client portal. We find this works well as it's one less thing to think about on the day of your event.

How Can We Communicate With You?

Everyone communicates differently, so if email is your preferred option, we can use email. If you like to speak over the phone, then please call us.

How Much Control Can We Have Over The Music?

This varies from event to event. We generally ask for a list of 20/30 "Must Have" songs and make the music selection dynamic on the day/night, however we have also accepted full playlists for various types of events. Receiving a full playlist requires a fair amount of pre event preparation, so an additional fee may be required for this option. Please feel free to discuss this with us if this is something of interest to you.

Are You Insured?

Yes, we have £5,000,000 of Public Liability Insurance and a copy of our certificate is available on request.

What Is Your Mixing Style Like?

When possible I like to layer 2 or more songs at the right points in each song to create tension and highten interest. 

How Would You Describe Your Entertainment Style?

I am more the technical style DJ using music to entertain more than the command of my voice. That being said, I will use the microphone when needed and appropriate to do so. Just don't expect me to be talking over the top of the music, singing songs and telling jokes. Think sophisticated / stylish DJ more than a cheesy DJ who likes hearing the sound of his own voice.

Do You Take Requests?

Yes, definitely and we are keen for you, the organiser(s) to provided us with your favourite tracks (must haves) and or dislikes (absolute no-nos), but also happy to play requests by your guests on the day/night of your event. A full play list can be supplied to us, however we retain the right to play them in the order that is most appropriate for your party/event.

Can You Cater For All Ages?

Yes, we have a vast collection of music spanning from the 50s up to current Top 40. There will be something for everyone - children, grandparents, teenagers etc.

Can We Split The Evening And Have A Band As Well?

Yes, it's your party/event, by all means. just let us know who you are booking and provide their contact details before your event.

How Late Can You Play?

DJing is mostly a night time job, so there are usually no limits to this from our end. Finish times are usually controlled by the venue however our package 'starting from' prices are based on a 3-5 hour disco, plus an additional hour either side for setup and teardown and of course travel to and from the venue which might be another hour or more.

What Styles Of Music Do You Specialise In?

I started out back in the 90s as a House/Garage and Trance DJ and DJ'd in a range of Bars and Clubs in Northern Ireland. Then later when I moved to Phoenix in America after Uni, I also started playing Hip Hop music as this was really big in the early 2000s. Since then I have DJ'd a wide range of genres spanning the decades taking on 70s / 80s / 90s themed parties, Throwback nights and more. I enjoy mixing all genres and decades of music equally.

How Far Do You Travel / What Areas Do You Cover?

We are based in Bournemouth / Poole and are happy to travel to any location within 30 miles of our home town (further on request).

How Long Do You Take To Setup?

This also dependent on requirements, however as a rule of thumb a basic party takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Some venues are more accessible than others. Some are difficult to access regarding parking and transporting gear to the function room(s) upstairs / downstairs, so for these a little more time may be needed.

What Will You Wear On The Day/Evening Of Our Event?

For weddings we will be dressed in similar outfits to the guests usually tuxedo / 3 piece suite to match your chosen attire.

For birthday parties / anniversary parties etc we will usually wear smart casual clothing depending on the theme/formality of the evening.

For other events we will wear appropriate attire to match the theme/formality of the event.

We will always wear name badges containing the Ricky Gold branding so you can't miss us if we are mingling with your guests during the event.

What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?

My background is in IT. I follow the principles of redundancy - "No Single Point of Failure". I carry extra everything so that in the worst case something fails, I can swap out whatever has broken/failed and carry on. This includes extra cabling, power cables/adapters, extra media players (phones, tablets, laptops, mixers), tools, fuses etc. I do the worrying so you don't have to! Additionally, I am also covered fully by the AA so that if my car breaks down I can hopefully get it repaired roadside or towed to the venue. I service both my car and DJ gear regularly. I leave nothing to chance.

What Additional Services Can You Provide?

At current we provide standard Sound & Lighting equipment required for most parties / events. If there is anything in particular you would like in addition to this, please let us know. We have big plans to expand our service offering if demand permits - likely to include wireless battery powered uplighting / wireless battery powered speakers for background music in the garden during the afternoon and more... 

What Made You Want To Be A DJ?

I hated the gaps in between loading old vinyl records and CDs. I quickly became fascinated in ways to layer music and soon started joining old hi-fis and tape decks together to mix songs. I soon blew up both my hi-fi and my sister's, as little did I know back then that you need a mixer in between them to control the direction of the sound from input to output device.

Why Book Us - What Sets You Apart From Other DJs?

I have a high attention to detail, I am highly creative, a good problem solver, have a can do attitude, customer focused and will do whatever is in my power to ensure your event is a success.

Any Other Questions Not Covered Above?

Please contact us at any time and we will be happy to answer any question that you might have.