Expense vs. Investment
The Value of Professional Entertainment

When planning their wedding, many couples put a lot of emphasis in their choice of food, flowers, photography, and videography; this is obvious by how much money they spend on these services.  But before you decide to set aside 80% of your budget for these services, here are some things to consider.

Your caterer and baker help keep your guests happy for the first hour of your reception, but are they responsible for keeping your guests entertained for the next four hours after that?

Most people spend a lot of money on their cake and caterers.  Good food is always wonderful to have at a reception, but once dinner and the cake cutting are over, will your caterer and baker be responsible for making sure your guests are entertained?  Will they be the ones who get the guests motivated to catch the bouquet, or compete for the centerpieces?  Will your caterer announce your First Dance?  If there's a delay in the program, will your baker give a cooking demonstration to stall time?

Your florist can help make your reception room beautiful, but are they responsible for keeping your guests entertained?

Your florist will help decorate your room and make the place very beautiful.  But if your guests get bored, what will the flowers do to prevent them from losing interest and going home early?  (Maybe block the door?)

Your photographer and videographer will help CAPTURE the memories--both good and bad memories.  But they can't help you CREATE the memories.

Most people spend a lot of money on their photographer and videographer, and they assume that the pictures and video will automatically come out great.  If the guests are smiling, laughing, and dancing, and if the bride is smiling throughout her reception, then naturally the pictures will be spectacular.   But what if the bride hires the wrong DJ or entertainer?  What if there's a delay in the program, and the entertainment doesn't know what to do?  If the guests begin to look bored and go home early, and the if bride looks stressed out throughout her reception, how good will the pictures and final video be then?   What kind of pictures do you want in your photo album: pictures of you and your guests smiling, or pictures of your guests looking bored and you looking stressed?   What kind of memories do you want captured for eternity?

So we come to the entertainment. 

Your choice of entertainment ultimately determines the success of your reception.  The price for an AVERAGE DJ ranges from as low as $100 for the whole party to as high as $300 per hour.  Given the choice:

• Would you entrust your reception to a "budget DJ" who does this as a hobby and sees your day as a chance to simply play music, eat at the buffet, get some "side money," and go home early if no one dances?  
• Or would you entrust your once-in-a-lifetime celebration to someone in which you invest a little more but fully understands and realizes that your wedding day is the most important day of your life? 

Remember that you get what you pay for. 

• While a cubic zirconium may look similar to a diamond--it is jewelry, has a similar cut, and it sparkles--and costs less, it is by no means a diamond.  (Guys, you're being warned now: the ladies can tell the difference!)
• Both Zippy's/Denny's and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse serve steak...Between the two, where would you go for a very special occasion, like Valentine's Day or your anniversary?
• Similarly, great entertainers may be imitated but they are not the same as the real thing. We have never met 2 DJs that are exactly alike. Yes, most DJs will play music and make the announcements, but it is not what Marino does, but rather HOW he does it that makes Ninja Entertainment Productions unique.

Entertainment is a specialized service and a talent, and functions like wedding receptions are one-chance, once-in-a-lifetime events.  For a simple backyard barbeque or get-together, a budget DJ is fine...just as a steak from Zippy's, simple jewelry, and an ordinary dress is appropriate.  But on a very special, once-in-a-lifetime day like your wedding, you're having a special menu, wearing an exquisite diamond ring, and getting married in a stunning wedding dress.  Would a budget, backyard-style DJ match the atmosphere you're creating?

Marino is not an "average DJ" that provides an "average show" for an "average price."   Nor is he the most expensive DJ in Hawaii.  But for an above-average investment (in many cases, roughly 10-20% of his clients' overall budget), he confidently provides his clients with an EXTRAORDINARY celebration.

Having the peace of mind and confidence to know that you and your guests are going to have a FUN, LOW-STRESS, & MEMORABLE TIME on the day of your wedding...is PRICELESS.

Shannon & Curt, a couple who hired Marino as the DJ & MC for their reception, perhaps sum it up best with this quote:

We encourage you to read through some of the other recent comments that we have received. You will see a common thread throughout -- that with Marino and his team's services as Disc Jockeys and Masters of Ceremonies, their events have been huge successes. Many of his clients have said that he provided them with more than they paid for.  Many have also claimed that, although he only cost them (on average) 10-20% of their overall budget, he was responsible for 80% of the success of their celebrations.

Whether you decide to hire Marino's services or not, we encourage you to make your decision for this important role based on the person:

• with whom you feel most comfortable,
• in whom you have the highest degree of confidence,
• whom you are going to be able to trust to take over the reigns of control for your reception, and
• whom you know will be able to help skillfully turn your reception into the best celebration it could possibly be, and to NOT make a decision based on price alone.

Some factors to consider about Marino's services:

• his 6+ years experience and proven ability as Disc Jockey and Master of Ceremonies;
• recommended by peers and other DJs as a top wedding disc jockey and master of ceremonies entertainer;
• extensive music library (over 5,000 music titles at every event);
• high quality professional equipment;
• high quality back-up equipment on site;
• member of the Hawaii Professional Disc Jockey Association, American Disc Jockey Association, and the National Association of Catering Executives;
• part of an emergency response network with other DJs in the area;
• constant improvement and updates to his shows, by attending national DJ conventions like the Mobile Beat DJ Conference & All-Star Show every February;
• recommended by dozens of other professionals (photographers, videographers, wedding coordinators, and function managers); and
• the confidence to KNOW that you are going to be treated to a fantastic party!

The axiom that "you get what you pay for" certainly holds true. But Marino's philosophy and approach is to give each and every client MORE than what they paid for and to EXCEED their expectations! With Marino's services you will NOT be disappointed. In fact, we are confident that you will be THRILLED!

But don't take our word for it. Click here to view other comments received from our clients.

Have you ever been to a party that you felt cost too much...because you or the guest of honor did not get to enjoy the celebration?

Not with MARINO M. REGALADO.

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