Event Planner

Here we thought we would try & answer some of the questions you might have...

GENERAL
How long does it take to setup?
It depends on the type of show really. Access to the venue also can make a difference. If you allow an hour but we will give you a better indication when we speak to you.

Do you take credit cards?
Yes we do - all apart from Amex.

When is the balance due?
When you book, a deposit is paid & the balance is payable 6 weeks before the event
What makes Lolli better than the rest?
Lolli is a sister company to Ultimate Parties, a major player in the Event Management business. We have had more than 25 years experience in providing Discos and entertainment to a huge range of people throughout the UK and Europe. Our DJs are all full-time professionals (most of the ones you will come across are amateurs working as a part time hobby from home - just check their address in their advert!!) and all DJs have at least 10 years experience. We use professional grade equipment, carry standby equipment, drive new & reliable vehicles and comply with ALL legalities relating to working as a DJ.

What legalities does a DJ need then?
To operate as a DJ in either a full or part time capacity, a DJ must:

...be insured and protected by a public liability insurance policy. The lowest acceptable level is ?2m and the highest is ?10m. Lolli have a ?10m policy. A public liability policy protects you, your guests and the venue for damage, injury or death caused by the DJ or their equipment.
...have all their equipment PAT tested. PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) is an electrical safety test. This needs to be verified by the venue fore admission can be granted. (If a DJ does not have PAT certification, their insurance is invalid.)
...be registered! The DJ industry is still rife with 'wannabe amateurs'. You can check if a company is actually a company at companies house. Lolli Parties Limited is a UK registered 'limited' company #06575673
...have valid vehicle insurance. The vast majority of DJs do not have this. All Lolli vehicles or those used by us are fully insured
...be CRB cleared. CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) issue clearance certificates to declare that they are safe to work with children. CRB clearance is required by all DJs although very few have it. One reason is that they are operating illegally & not declaring income etc, the other reason could be the one you dread...
...be Health & Safety trained. This includes vital information about safe practices & even includes the latest (April 08) legislation on sound levels.
All Lolli equipment is fitted with sound limiters and professional level monitors.

Needless to say, if you feel the need to shop around and find a DJ has not got ALL of the above, they are operating illegally. Venues are legally bound to refuse to permit them to perform and are not liable for any loss incurred by you for booking someone without all the required accreditation. For the sake of a few pounds, is it worth compromising with a much lesser alternative than Lolli???

We don't want it too loud, do I need a more powerful sound system?

Don't worry - most systems will play as loud as you want them too, the difference is what they sound like when they do! Imagine a Mini and a Jaguar... each will do 90mph, but whilst the Mini will be straining and noisy, the Jaguar will handle the power with ease and be well within it's capabilities. The upshot of it is that a more powerful system will have far better sound quality, even at lower levels.

My mum has said that she wants to be able to talk to her friends without shouting but doesn't want to spoil everyone else's fun - is this a problem?

Of course not, no. We are able to position the speakers so there is loads of atmosphere on the dancefloor without the levels being intrusive to those sitting elsewhere in the venue.

What happens if something breaks down?

We carry backup equipment to cover almost every eventuality and because we use professional grade equipment, failure is exceptionally rare.

What happens if the DJ breaks down?

None of our DJs are that emotionally unsound...!!! No seriously, all DJs have full roadside assistance and we also have a standby DJ for extreme circumstances. We are delighted to say that we have never needed to call upon these services.

I have noticed that with some of the bigger shows, you offer an 'award-winning DJ'. What awards have been won?
Our DJ Phil Simmons is the only DJ to hold the accolade of winning 'DJ of the Year' 4 times. There have also been quite a few 'non-industry' ones along the way too!

What is the benefit of a digital playout system?
A digital playout system is a computerised one which offers the benefits of instant location of music, digital volume level control and far better sound quality - in some cases we are able to play out in 5.1 Dolby sound! The systems we use are rarely seen due to their specialist nature however as a professional organisation we would not settle for less on our Medium shows or better.

What is a starcloth?
A starcloth is a black woollen 'curtain' with LED lighting sewn into it to give a very effective twinkling effect. We have three of these... one that fits round our superior level DJ rigs, one that is 3m x 3m that hangs behind the DJ from the lighting rig and another that is 6m long for using as a major backdrop feature.

Can you also supply other entertainment?
As a sister company to the mighty Ultimate Parties, we have instant access to just about any and every kind of entertainment you could imagine!

Do you charge travel costs?
Usually no, however with the sharp increase in fuel costs, it is regrettably necessary to charge a proportionate fee depending on your distance from central London. We will of course advise you of this prior to you placing your booking.

Do you provide me with a contract?
Of course. As a registered company, you have peace of mind and the legally binding contract details everything regarding the booking.

What if I need to alter the information for my event?
That's no problem, we can issue an addendum to the contract!

How many people attend?
It really depends on the type of show, however most are designed to be single person operations as this helps us keep the prices down for you. In the event of an event being upstairs, you are required to let us know and there is a surcharge for this as additional crew members are required.

How can I pay?
you can pay by cheque, bank transfer or credit/debit card. There is a standard 2% charge for card payments.

If you have another question, please feel free to contact us and we will come back to you with the answer!