"look a duck can even look at a cloud and can tell its going to rain" -epic

OK so first thing, check the weather (Weather App, Um hell my watch shows the weather) and prepare ahead of time! 2nd put in your contract the you have the right to suspend or cancel due to weather. It is understood that if this is a "Rain or Shine" event, the DJ’s compensation is in no way affected by inclement weather. For outdoor performances, Client shall provide overhead shelter for setup area. The DJ reserves the right, in good faith, to stop, suspend or cancel the performance should the weather(or any other circumstances) pose a potential danger to him, the equipment, or audience. Every effort will be made to continue the performance. However, safety is paramount in all decisions. The DJ's compensation will not be affected by such cancellation or suspension.

You don’t have big plastic trash bags on hand to throw over your equipment just in case? Do it. Here in Florida where it can DOWNPOUR for 10 minutes on a literal dime having trash bags to throw over equipment in case of emergencies are life savers.

The DJ gods were angry that you weren’t allowed to move the ceremony inside….so they pissed on everyone! 🌧☔️

Great story telling Nick. So funny when you lose your shit and tell us why! For everything that goes wrong at a wedding, I note it down, and put in place a strategy for avoiding it happening again. In your case, I would carry a large sheet of plastic to cover all my equipment, folded neatly in my bag. It's a simple approach but I realise, there is very little love for DJ's from venue staff. Three weeks ago I had a wedding in central London. The room was on the first floor and the elevator was out of order. I was on my own and there were 58 steps to climb to get to the room. It was the hardest load-in ever. Took me over an hour to get everything in the room before I could set up! Next time, I will ask the question before I arrive "Whats the situation with the elevator"?

I find most venues are VERY controlling when it comes to any events including weddings. You try and make suggestions to make the customer experience better for the client and they look at you as if to say "who are you to tell us how to run or do anything? You're just a lowly vendor." They are only worried about getting another booking for themselves. That's it.

Hey Nick great video. I have some verbiage in my contract that empowers me to make an executive decision if I deem it unsafe to perform due to inclement weather. There is also another clause that holds the client liable if there is damage to the gear caused by guests, employees of the venue, or any other attendees. I make sure they understand those terms and the why behind it and that the client initials beside those clauses. I know it’s a little harsh, but it’s also not fair for us as DJs to be out thousands for loss of equipment. To this day, I haven’t had any push back about the terms. I’d be happy to share it with you privately 👍

I will definitely make sure I have oversized umbrellas when I do an outside ceremony. Thanks Nick.

NAILED IT........ we hide the drama!!!!! 100% agree!!!! We perform every time! We hide it all. We perform......it's there BIG DAY....PERIOD.

Always protect your interest.

Teach them a lesson. Take them to small claims court. Unacceptable and totally the venues fault. That comment "I've been to thousands of weddings, I know what dj speakers look like, you could of moved it". I would of lost it 🤬

I love it! "GOD BLESS THE PRIEST!"

Sorry to hear this Nick the couple should sue. "A 30 minute window" is not anywhere near enough of a margin of error window for rain at a ceremony and since when did wedding venue employees become meteorologists 😂 great insight 👍🏻

Nick, you are a NATIONAL TREASURE. I feel like I am having a post gig convo with a buddy anytime I watch your videos!

The fact that they started over and redid the entire ceremony says a lot for your case IMO.

greatest wedding DJ video EVER!!!!!

The Banquet Manager or the venue doesn't owe you anything. Eat it up.... it's happened to all of us. If anything the Bride and Groom owe you an extra hour, if they want to go the extra overtime. You have a contract with the Bride and Groom to play from 8pm to 12pm. You're ready to start at 8PM all set up. It rains thing get pushed back and contract ends at 12 midnight. Now if the venue wants to give an extra hour to the bride and groom then it's the bride and grooms responsibility to compensate you for an extra hour not the venue.

I've done a few wedding DJ gigs for friends and just booked my first one where the couple is truly a customer, no pre-existing relationship. All of your vids have been extra helpful for me in the planning process, thanks for sharing all of your insight!

Awesome Show! Thanks for being real about this. You’re not alone on this issue. At the end of the day… You Came, You Saw and You Conquered!! That my friend is a Professional Dj. I’m honored to know you! 🤜🤛

You are awesome and my favorite DJ. I love your stories and all the advice. Thanks a million

Awesome story, Had a September outdoor wedding, under the tent reception. 300 people with singers, keyboard, guitar, multiple mics all running though my mixer / outdoor system. Forecast was rain but they wanted to wait as long as possible to move under the tent. Sure enough, it started raining and I'm running equipment under the tent. A couple of very cool groomsmen helped me out. I always tell clients for outdoor events that if there is ANY water, I shut down and save my equipment. They get it.

The few times I've been in a similar situation, I just say that ''If you want me to risk my $12 000 setup, if it goes wrong, that's now yours, and I need the money in the bank today. If I need to rent stuff until you've paid me and I've my own gear again, you pay for that too. I hope your stacked, because I'm not joking''. Once people realize how much our gear really cost, and that it's not compatible with liquids of any sort, they usually listen, and follow my recommendation. Usually if it's a outdoor wedding or whatever event, this is something I bring to the table in the prep phase to not ever be in your situation at all. It's been a couple of close calls, but fortunately never like what happened to you.

Same fucking shit happened to me this weekend in Jersey as well. The venue's event coordinator with whom I've never worked (she did the thing where they start barking orders at you without introducing themselves) decided to push the ceremony through. Given all the forecasts for the day and despite it being sunny 3 hours before ceremony, I told her we need to call this 20 minutes before because I need to prepare to move my outdoor ceremony equipment and be ready to go for our stand-by covered ceremony / rain plan. They expected rain. Know why? The venue was handing out umbrellas to all the guests in a fucking field near a tree that's already been struck by lightning. Within moments of processional, of course the storm rolls through and my shit gets DRENCHED. FFS, I was using a Denon Go Prime for it's first time out of the box. The clencher is that the venue owner Mario stood by within feet of me and watched me schlep my gear under the covered space without even offering to help, saying some dumb shit like, "wow, it's really coming down out there." No shit, fuckhead. The venue coordinator avoided me the rest of the night. The officiant ran for the hills and left my mic just sitting in field and acted confused when I asked if she'd grabbed it. I was visibly pissed off, but luckily the couple's planner was super sweet and supportive through the whole process. The couple were extremely grateful as well - we got through it and had a kick ass party. But yeah, fuck that venue and the people that run it.

This hit too close to home. Agree with everything you said 100%!!!

Love your videos thank you 🎶👍

LMFAO - Comment of the video - "A DUCK CAN SEE THAT IT'S GOING TO RAIN" Ilove your comentary Brother.

You are a great storyteller!!

"It's like rayyyeeeaaayynnne on your wedding day"

After many years I've found this will happen either from the bride or the venue, as you noted. My best one was like a movie: "We are gathered here today" -- cut -- BOOM immediate DOWNPOUR! But any sign of rain and I will set up my black eurmax canopy. Secured or staked for wind. Then I chill with everything under it so the venue or bride can do whatever the HECK they want!! Important to note that in your situation they could have simply WAITED 20 min for storm to pass! Always an option to consider vs inside ceremony! Ahhhhh.

Oh boy. Got one coming up at this venue in a couple of weeks. If I meet Sarah, I’m gonna make a comment 🤣

Your such a professional with insane amounts of experience. I’m doing my first two weddings this summer as a favor. I’m not a DJ I’m a pretty successful sound guy but your videos have opened my eyes to how much work I have ahead of me especially with dealing with the venues

Love your stories Nick!

Man this story was great. You should keep telling these types of stories. 👍

You are hilarious 😂 and definitely inspiring man, appreciate your video’s. A duck can tell it’s going to rain 😂

You sir, are a gentleman and wise beyond your years, every story you tell is full of both drama and humor, and you always come out ahead because you keep your dignity and you honor your profession. If the speaker is not 100%, remember that in New Jersey, the maximum amount that can be sued for in small claims court is $3,000. That easily coves a new speaker and an extra hour of performance. You don't need a lawyer and its unlikely the venue will hire one either - or even show up since they seem incompetent. Bless you.

damn im glad i found your channel, you are a champion, thank you

I've been in this same exact situation before. My inclination is to always approach the parents of the bride and/or groom (or best man/maid of honor) and give them my assessment of any impending bad weather. I'll usually pull out my phone and show them a weather radar and ask if they want to delay things for a little bit. That way they can deal with the venue directly without involving the bride and groom.

This is absolutely hilarious 😂

This is one of your best videos. I could feel your stress level! 😅🤣

I don’t think I have ever heard the words “beautiful & New Jersey “ in the same sentence lol

i would leave a review on their venue and on all social media platforms

20$ tarp,… always a must have for any outdoor setup,… A MUST!

I have in my contract any outdoor events the client or venue has to provide a strong tent or awning or it ain't happening. I also have a tarp if for the ceremony speaker and table in case it rains sideways. LOL! Learned our lesson a few years ago.

Maybe I’m just out of my mind, but if I was booked for a outdoor wedding, I would make sure there’s a shed or shelter for my workstation, just in case there would be any sort of drizzling what so ever. Just that the ceremony could go on without interruption.

Nick you are a excellent storyteller

I had a bride who, even though there was a heavy mist outdoors, was adamant about having an outdoor wedding. She made the florist build the ceremony outside. I told her, there’s no way I will setup my gear outside without any protection because she wants an outdoor ceremony. She yelled back, “but I’m the bride!?” I told her, you’re todays bride, I want my equipment to be there for other brides. Ten minutes later, the florist was rushing to bring in her whole setup and then thanked me for standing up to her.

Dude you are hilarious 😆 I so see myself under the umbrella agonizing looking at my equipment getting soaked😡

BRO IM DYING LMAOOOO

Send the venue a bill for everything. when the refuse to pay, tell them if they don't pay it will affect their credit. a business doesn't want to hear that.

Comedy is when shit happens to someone ELSE! I enjoyed this story very much! I bring a case with a couple of essentials . . . A foldable waterproof cloth that can quickly cover and protect my mixer table and . . . black plastic garbage bags to cover my JBLs which protect those speakers with minimum loss of audio quality. A waterproof pop up tent in my vehicle which provides shade and shelter from severe heat or rain. I work now in the NW in Oregon and Southern Washington state but as the saying goes: "The SHOW must Go ON!" Sincerely Portland DJ Dan

Nick...I had the same thing happen to me this past Friday. I was to have a sound system set up for the ceremony outside. It was raining of and on the whole day. Like we all do, we have a separate system for the reception. We should always have a great rapport with our clients. You should of to her that that rain is coming and I can't have my equipment outside if that's the case. The maitre d' shouldn't be the call on you going ahead on having your equipment out in the open. It's your equipment and you have the resources to see if rain it coming. I can tell you're a follower and not a leader. Because I would've told my Bride this is what could happen during your ceremony and my equipment can't have water on it. Once again I'm sorry your equipment got damaged. But you should've been upfront about your concerns from the beginning to your client and the the maitre d.

I did a wedding where rain was forcasted and there was a debate between bride and her father. Father was right, it rained. Bride had challenged him and made me and guests get wet. Father ditched the wedding after that. Cancel FOB speech, cancel daddy/daughter dance. He left.

U reminded me why I don’t do weddings! Thank you!!

Did the couple not have a wedding planner? If so, how did he or she NOT get involved in the decision to keep having the ceremony outside despite the oncoming rain?

I was deejaying a wedding in August that got rained out. Well the dinner/dance. They had the tent at the bottom of a parking lot of the golf course. And I was checking the weather app calling for thunderstorms to roll thru. So I just asking the head guy should we move everything inside? It’s suppose to storm, and we are at the bottom of a parking lot next to a lake.. never got moved in until after it broke out into a severe thunderstorm, and a river of rain came rushing down the pavement into the tent creating a literal pool in the tent. Of course the guest were opening up parts of the tent to watch the lighting, which of course let the rain come in sideways… Yeah. It was a shit storm

This almost happened to me. I found the bride and told her what was about to happen. and She made the executive decision to move inside. I hate onsite wedding coordinators .

Hahaha great story. I'm picturing the guests scrambling for cover just like in the end of the Guns N Roses November Rain music video lol +1 on the advice to not involve the bride and groom in the drama. I was a wedding DJ for nearly 20 years and this was the number one rule!

Yup! We have a digital sticky note on our office computer screen: Venues to Avoid! Luckily, the list is short, but we have learned our lessons with some venue coordinators. Never again!

Waoooo just earn my Respect.

WOW BRO! I feel ya man. Way to keep it together through all that. I appreciate your videos and you awesome tips. Stay humble fam! Crazy story. Some Venues I tell you. Yeah , they totally needed to pay you for over time and also extra for the damaged speaker. I hope it never happens again to ya bud. God Bless and stay golden Nick ~ DJ Nelly FRE$H- Orlando, FL

I was dj’ing a wedding last Saturday at a 146 year old hotel in California. The reception was inside the ballroom and during the middle of the toasts this strange noise was emitting through the room. We thought it was microphone feedback but we powered down the equipment. The noise was still there for good 8 minutes. It was coming from the ceiling but it was super weird and annoying. I can’t believe this happened

Love the story. You had me balling... I would change the title of your KZfaq video and add the name of the Venue.IMHO

I bought a white canopy from Walmart last summer due to 110 degree f heat and full sun. It saved me twice this year in light rain.

You have never been to Cameron Estates Inn CEI Mount Joy Pa. You can’t bring your speakers or subs into the Venue, they have their own sound system. Max Volume is 80db. I had my Controller maxed out and mixer maxed out, here they had their own mixer in their sound room.

I have a rain clause, would have just brought my stuff inside and said NOPE, read my contract

We had a pop up storm over a lake about 3 years ago (the angle of the hill we were at the bottom of made us unable to see the horizon). Me, the photographer, and the videographer were set up. Ended up tearing down in a storm, in a suit. At that point I was using a fender passport and somehow it survived after me pouring the water out of the speakers.

Hey there. As A completely blind dj, I truly appreciate that you described what the clouds visually looked like. thank you very much. I'm sorry this happened to you.

Ahah excellent story 👍😂🍾 sorry for the évent but you are a master in telling it ! Cheers from Belgium.

Sorry to hear what happen to Nick. I feel your pain.

Absolutely no frickin way. No sound at the ceremony if I see a storm cloud approaching.

I feel you Nick, been there done that in B-More at the inner harbor for a pool party

I played this back at 1.5X speed and it is hilarious

I feel for you Nick but at the end of the day, it was your call to decide to still do the ceremony with the weather pending. I've been in the predicament myself and did not do the ceremony after explaining the situation to the B&G.

Fduck!! This is crazy I was so mad as I was listening to your story. Sorry man hope your gear survive witch I though since is rain water. Good luck and thank you for the updates. I’m Texas but have dj friends in Jersey. God bless brother.

You should prepare your own rider (check list) what organizer need to prepare for you. Normally I will discuss speaker location, wiring plan, activity area, mixer / booth location, etc. However if you provide all in service I believe you should recce the location to estimate what is the plan and requirement including wiring, etc.

Suggestion... Bring TARPs 5x6 or whatever like as many as you need to throw over any setup

Undercover NYC makes weather-resistant and water-repellant speaker covers. Their FS/W series has worked really well for all my ceremony cabinets.

OMG Adventures in DJing. You are the man

Jeez I feel you, I got so mad by just watching this, I couldn't imagine being there

Nick , you should have said I am going in with my expensive equipment, I will you you there soon!

So funny! It happened to me TODAY. Wedding. Put black garbage bags as cover the i got from the hotel reception. No damage though. But it was chaotic. I was so stressed!

If you were that positive that rain was coming, shut it down and move the equipment - period!

I have one thing Ill agree on, and one I disagree on... The agree: dont tell the couple shit. As you said, its their big day. Do your part to make it amazing. The disagree: I never let a venue dictate what happens to my gear. Every place and event is different, but im not putting my gear in harms way like that. If its not safe to leave it out there, im telling the venue that, and what they do after is on them.

Disaters happen man ...thing is you work on the most important days of peoples lives so its bound to happen sometime - but i totally agree with you ...dont tell the couple if you can help it - some venue managers actually treat and sometimes speak to outside contract workers like crap ...they dont care as you are not their concern and they will blame you for anything if they can and you just have to blank these people dont let them spoil your mood - but you do well to out them. Its like to a paying guest they put on this mask of niceness but then it slips when they talk to the outside contractor. Maybe they are jealous you are getting more in one evening than they earn all week who knows? Its sad but understand they are hired staff who dont care that you just entertained hundreds of people all night and went to all that effort entertaining hundreds who went to the bar and drank it dry making their venue thousands of profit - they have the attitude its not their business and so they dont care -they get paid regardless of what you do and you are an inconvienience to them - they would rather no people/hassle and still get paid. They just want you in and out quick n go home...Some hotel managers are different though any some offer free drinks/ food service check you are ok need help in and out etc etc - personally I think venues should offer a dj/entertainer any spare room free for the evening with breakfast - pack in morning would be so much more relaxing and chilled that way for everyone. That would be good management/hospitality. Some venues just have terrible management / poilicy. There are nice ones too though. Luck of the draw I guess. But you do well too out them on social media -too many get away with bad behaviour - djs should out them on social media or its just going to be bad for the next guy who works there.

Thank you for speaking on this. The venue should see this video and help them improve the way they handle their guest services. Completely negligence on the venue. No human spirit behind it.

I don't do weddings.....but...all my events the past few years have been outdoors...and I make it well known that in rain or high winds...I am not setting up..period...I will not charge them but I will not risk my equipment or safety....I had my entire rig get blown over in a wind gust...luckily only an external HD took a hit....but that is OK. My laptop and mixer made it through it... (Mackie ProFX mixer is a tank).

Overtime it’s in your contract, that’s why I have a act of god in my contract

Thank you for this video. I have a tent I use. I risked it a couple times this year and it sprinkled. After hearing this I will never do that again.

Another thing this tells me is that I have to shrink my ceremony setup And or bring a tarp Just in case. I still use a 12 or 15" monitor and laptop and a small mixer. Thinking about grabbing that JBL PRX One. I thought about the RCF and I'm sure it's great, but I've been using JBL since day 1 and just like staying uniform. Great vid man. I hope that speaker is all good and shoutout to Shure Wireless for holding up in the rain. Bigger shoutout to you Nick for staying composed and professional in front of the couple. That venue sounds like a bunch of clowns are running and you spoke to the ring master on the phone.

This might not sound right to most people but if I book clients and they tell me that the ceremony is outside I don’t book them unless I have some type of shelter… PERIOD! no exceptions

Great video - is it possible to share what to do from a contract perspective and actual day what to do when it starts raining? I want to start clearing my equipment before the rain starts but then since its BEFORE the rain starts, I am thinking people will think that it's bad of me to do that (party pooper) and also the amount and if it will rain is unpredictable (it could just do the slightest drizzle).

Nick, if you click on the hashtag you’re one of the top videos for the resort!!

My question is this… you made it clear at the end of the video to not be the bearer of bad news to the couple on their big wedding day IE talking to them directly about the rain protocol. Considering everyone else has no skin in the game other than getting a little wet, why is it anyone else’s concern to ensure your equipments safety and not yours? FYI I ask that as a long time fan currently dealing with the same weather related issues and trying to lock down S.O.P.

I have the worst luck when it comes to outdoor ceremonies and events because this same type of shit Nick was talking about happens to me 90% of the time. You want to make it rain in the Saraha desert? No problem, just book me for an event there and I guarantee it will rain lol.

I always keep a 10x10 canopy tent in my truck

Always have waterproof stuff to cover speakers how is that down to the venue, that is your responsibility.

Damn! I'm getting HEATED just listening to this story Nick 👿

I thought this only happens to me🤣

I agree with alot if what you are saying here Nick however, I would like to propose something to you and all the other DJs here. Don't use expensive speakers and laptops to do outdoor ceremonies. I use a Tonshia laptop to run virtual DJ, a Bose S1 speaker, a wireless lapel mic and a foldable 4 ft table with a drop skirt I made. That's it. If the couple needs an extra mic then I bring that with a stand. If it starts to rain, I can be down in 30 seconds. Also remember, you don't need that much power to run a Ceremony. And if you are blowing out the crowd at a Ceremony, then you are not a good wedding DJ. I never use expensive equipment for ceremonies for this very reason.

I would have made a command decision & appealed to the Best Man Maid of honor and moved it b4 the rain but you did the best you could