Some of the questions we are asked on a regular basis
Just click on a question to reveal the answer!
 How do I go ahead and make a booking?
Bookings can be made by telephone and post, or completely online - whichever you prefer!
Telephone/Postal Booking
Call us on 0800 224 8098 or see our other Contact Options to discuss your requirements and get a
quote. If you wish to proceed, we will send you a booking form and contract in the post for you to sign and return with your booking fee.
This form will set out everything you need to provide us with and will detail all of the optional extras applicable to the package you chose.
Once we receive the form we will send you a confirmation letter and invoice.
Online Booking
1. Check our Diary for availability;
2. Get an online Quote by choosing a suitable package and giving us some basic information;
3. At the bottom of the quote form, fill in your contact details and the date of the function and we will confirm everything with you by email. Alternatively, use our
Enquiry Form and we'll send you a quote by email;
4. Email us to confirm you wish to proceed;
5. We will email you our booking form and contract. You can fill these in online and send them back to us, or print & post them;
6. Go to our online Payments area and pay your booking fee by credit/debit card to secure the date.
Hide
Some of our popular dates can be booked some time in advance (eg Summer Saturdays & Christmas), however short-notice bookings are often possible.
Our online diary is updated in real-time for your convenience so you can see straightaway if we have
availability on your date. For bookings less than 14 days away we insist on full payment in advance, via our online facility or in cash. Please call to discuss.
Hide
If you cancel or postpone more than 30 days from the booked date, we will retain your booking fee. However if you rebook within 12 months we
will carry your deposit over against the new date.
If you cancel within 30 days, the full amount MINUS £20 (to account for un-needed travel costs) will become payable UNLESS we manage to re-book the date at an equal or
higher return. If we re-book at a lower return, we will invoice you for the difference, minus £20.
If you carry insurance for your event this will most likely be covered under the policy terms.
Hide
It is your prerogative to choose your service provider. But remember that your choice of entertainment will make a dramatic difference to the success of your
event. All we can do is remind you of the many reasons why booking VectisVibe will give you the confidence to
relax and enjoy your party without worrying about the entertainment.
Over 20 years in the business. Great customer service. In-house project management for larger events. Impressive modern equipment. Fantastic choice of music.
Video playout system. Video recording. Pre-event requests. Face-to-face meetings. ... ...
Hide
Most customers have some idea of the musical styles they DO and DON'T want at their event and we will always honour those
requests. We include a preferences form with your booking pack, and if we have a planning meeting with you we'll discuss your likes and
dislikes in much more detail.
Within your guidelines, we will play whatever is most appropriate to keep your crowd entertained! We carry a VERY wide selection of music
from the 1930's through to this week's Top 40 and we play some very diverse events!
If you'd like your guests to be able to make requests & dedications in advance via our website, we can provide you with quality printed cards which you can
distribute. Or just put the link on your Facebook/MySpace/BeBo page!
We also have cards that can be left on tables at the event to encourage guests to
make their favourites known to us if you'd like us to use them.
All this helps the guests feel involved in the party and makes sure we play the right mix of music for the audience.
For kids parties (typically under 14 years of age) we operate a strict 'Radio Edit Only' policy in respect of songs with bad language or
sexual/racial undertones. If an explicit song is requested and we don't have a cleaned-up 'Radio' version, we won't play it without the
organiser's permission. The majority of songs that enter the charts are available with radio edits (over 90%) so this isn't usually a
problem. This policy is automatically extended to other functions (eg Weddings) where a large number of children are present unless you
tell us otherwise.
Hide
Yes... in fact we have a special sound and lighting setup just for those very occasions, to turn any
venue into a kid-friendly nightclub! We also work regularly with island party venues such as JR's Plaice in Newport to provide disco entertainment
for kids aged 6-16 so we are well practiced! We don't feel that our particular style suits children younger than 6 years... whilst we're happy
to include a couple of 'runaround' type games set to music, this age group really needs other diversions to keep them entertained.
Full details are available HERE
Hide
All of our wedding couples and VectisVibe Platinum customers will receive a face-to-face consultation ahead of their event.
(Full details on our weddings page). At the consultation we'll happily share feedback from previous events
and we have a comprehensive questionnaire to run through with you to make sure we capture all the unique aspects of your party.
As most of our work consists of private parties, it may not be possible for you to 'come and watch' however on occasion
we do have public engagements where this may be possible, albeit possibly in a different context (eg. a kids' party or a charity event).
Remember, our gallery and customer
testimonials sections are provided to help alleviate any worries
you may have!
Hide
Absolutely! Be it a 60's/70's/80's night, linedancing, ballroom or whatever - we have a huge music catalogue and can cope with pretty much any event!
We also have a wide range of Visuals suitable for Casino, Spy,
Hollywood, Halloween, Valentines, 70's, Salsa, St Patrick's Day, New Year and of course Christmas themed events!
Hide
Yes of course - we're well known on the island as 'The disco that plays requests'!
Thanks to our vast music database, we are bound to find something for everyone!
If you have any special requests, please make these known to us in advance and we guarantee to play them on the night!
Your guests can use our special Requests Page to pick songs to play on the night or to make dedications!
We can give you a batch of cards to hand out to your guests
that explains how to access the web request system, or alternatively, we have cards that can be left on tables at the event to encourage guests to
make their favourites known to us.
Hide
We always agree a "cheesiness factor" with our clients - this determines the lowest level of cheesy music which is acceptable for the party and it
also defines the amount of microphone usage wanted. Most clients like some chatter - necessary announcements plus a few words when changing genre, for example.
We absolutely refuse to behave like your worst nightmare pub DJ...
Hide
Computer technology has advanced considerably in recent years, to the point where given a list of music the
machine can almost DJ all by itself! In the major chain bars & clubs these systems are now commonplace and in that kind of soul-less
environment this is acceptable. However, we still firmly believe in the personal touch, and the majority of our cueing and mixing is
done by hand, as is music selection. We observe your guests' reactions to the music we're playing, judge their ages and alcohol consumption
and any manner of other 'signals' to determine the perfect mix to give everyone a great night out!
Hide
Yes. Ideally this will be in high-quality MP3 or WAV format on a memory stick, however we can play the occasional track direct from CD too. We have no
playback facility for vinyl, cassette, MiniDisc or DAT unless you provide them to us at least 7 days in advance of the event to enable us to convert them.
Please don't ask us to play material that is obviously counterfeit or copied. We don't have facilities for playing DRM-protected files, such as AAC or WMA formats.
Hide
This is outside the scope of our public liability insurance, so unfortunately the answer must be "no". However, you could hire our DIY package
and your cousin could play from his own laptop/iPod? He/She would have to play the whole set though.
Hide
Party games are out of fashion these days, but we do have a selection suitable for children or adults which we will happily include in the act if you wish.
We can also deliver a quiz or a round of bingo at no extra charge.... all we ask is that you provide the prizes!
If there is a cake-cutting to be done or a speech to be given, we will happily MC around these events for you.
Through our other island contacts we can recommend mobile casinos, magicians, clowns, caricaturists, bouncy castle providers and a whole host of other
entertainers.
Hide
No, we don't provide Karaoke. This is a specialist activity so if Karaoke is a priority please let us know - we can recommend other local providers.
Hide
Of course. You choose the genre - classical, big band, modern pop, whatever - and we'll play it! If this results in us being onsite longer than
originally agreed this will be charged at an hourly rate as detailed in your booking pack.
If your meal is in a different location to the disco (for example a marquee) we have a small PA system for hire which includes a radio
microphone and a CD player.
If you'd like us to arrange a string quartet, harpist or a vocalist to perform during your meal, there are several local providers we
can liaise with on your behalf.
Hide
We cover all areas of the Isle of Wight. We are willing to travel to the mainland but the additional costs incurred can be excessive compared to the
value of the services rendered.
Hide
Set-up time depends on the type of show and access to the venue. VectisVibe Junior can often be up and running
in around 45 minutes. VectisVibe Platinum, especially if additional options are chosen, can take up to 2 hours.
As a general rule allow one hour before the event and 45 minutes afterwards.
Customers booking VectisVibe Platinum can take advantage of an "early setup" - we will arrive and set up equipment in the morning or afternoon
subject to a few conditions including access and security. Then, when you're ready to party, we can be up and running in a few minutes rather
than have you all vacate the room for an hour or so.
Irrespective of the show type, we can usually have background music running within 30 minutes of arrival.
Hide
We carry spares of the most important things with us at all times. We also have access to our pool of equipment within a short amount of time should something
catastrophic occur such as failure more than one loudspeaker. Thankfully, the worst that's happened in over 20 years on the road has been a failed amplifier - swapped for
our spare in a matter of a few minutes.
The only thing we can't overcome easily is a complete power cut! But in that case you'll have bigger problems!
Hide
No. Obviously we use flashing and moving light effects which rarely prove troublesome to photo- or flicker-sensitive epileptics.
None of our moving/flashing effects are programmed to blink at more than 5 flashes per second, in accordance with HSE
recommendations - This Document ought
to ease any worries.
We have worked in the past with charity groups where many attendees have varying types and severity of epilepsy
without any problems.
Hide
Bubbles are optional with all our packages. We use a high-powered unit capable of blowing out over 4000 bubbles per
minute high above the crowd - this is a great touch for childrens' parties or during wedding dances in venues where haze or dry ice are
not permitted.
Foam and snow can be arranged at additional cost (see our Online Quotes section for
costs and a full range of options), however we would require a disclaimer to be signed as our public liability insurance would not
normally cover claims as a result of injury caused by these effects. The venue manager would also need to sanction such a request.
Hide
Anything from a house party to a large sports hall using our own equipment. We also cater for outdoor events -
if necessary, we can arrange to hire in additional audio equipment to suit the event.
Hide
We do like to use a little light haze to dramatise the lighting effects and overall ambience,
but this will only be done with the permission of the host and the venue management. Haze is water-based and scent-free and appears as a fine mist, unlike smoke.
For a more pronounced effect (ideal for childrens' parties) we can provide a smoke machine instead.
We have a special "low fog" machine which creates the classic 'dry ice' effect using standard smoke fluid for an unbeatable ambience for
first dances.
Fireworks can be provided by special request only made at least 28 days in advance of the night (to enable licences to be obtained)
and are charged at cost. We use the Le Maitre range
of stage effects.
Hide
We carry £2m worth of Public Liability Insurance and all of our equipment has valid PAT certificates
in compliance with the Health & Safety At Work Act and subsequent amendments.
Neither PLI nor PAT is a legal requirement; we provide these for your safety. Increasingly, venues
(particularly hotels and council-owned property) are insisting on PLI/PAT certification otherwise they will refuse a DJ access.
Many DJ's don't purchase PLI/PAT which could leave you with a big problem on the night...
We have a Health & Safety Risk Management Method Statement (copy on request) and we undertake a full risk assessment at each venue
prior to starting work there. This means that potential safety risks are fully mitigated (or identified and accepted) before your guests arrive.
Hide
VectisVibe has one of the most impressive ranges of lighting equipment available on the Isle of Wight today and we
are renowned locally for being able to provide everything from a very minimalist subtle show to a full club-like atmosphere (or even
both on the same night)!
We have detailed examples of our sound and lighting kit right here on the website -
click HERE for sound, HERE for lighting.
All of our equipment is provided by top-quality manufacturers and is regularly updated to ensure you get the very best
possible mobile sound & light show (within reason!) We are gradually moving over to LED lighting as the technology matures to reduce our environmental impact.
Hide
Our booking fee can be paid online or by cheque via the post to secure the booking date.
The balance is payable on the day of the event in cash, 14 days in advance by cheque or online. The booking fee is £50 for events costing
£200 or less; £100 for events costing over £200. For events booked less than 14 days in advance we will require full payment in cash or
online in advance before we will confirm the booking.
A receipt or invoice will be issued on request or automatically for corporate customers.
Different terms apply to corporate or 'block' bookings and full details will be provided on request.
Hide
When we supply your contract, we will detail the cost of any "extras" which you may wish to consider, such as overtime.
Typically this is charged on an half-hourly basis and payment in advance is required especially if the extension is requested on the night.
Afternoon bookings have a cut-off time of 17:00hrs which we may not be able to extend on demand if we have an evening event to attend afterwards.
Hide
Unless it is not appropriate for the event, for Childrens' parties we dress in a polo shirt and dark trousers;
for VectisVibe Junior or Premier functions a shirt and trousers (smart-casual) and for VectisVibe Platinum, black tie if required.
We will happily consider requests to wear alternative or fancy dress if this is what you would prefer.
There will normally be two people on-site during the performance. We operate a strict no-alcohol/no-smoking policy whilst on-site for all employees.
Hide
Of course. We have a long list of venues which we have reviewed HERE.
We maintain a detailed list of all the island's premises licenced to conduct wedding ceremonies HERE.
Then we have our comprehensive Party Services Directory, featuring mostly island-based businesses, HERE.
Enjoy browsing!
Hide
We don't accept bookings for 16th/18th/21st birthday parties unless the guests are of mixed ages (ie a family party).
We don't do Beatmatching. Although our mixing skills are generally pretty good, we leave this to the likes of Judge Jules and Pete Tong.
We don't allow MC'ing. Please don't ask us to let you/your guests use our PA for MC'ing as our equipment is not designed for vocal use.
We don't do Karaoke. We can recommend other local providers if you wish.
That's about it!
Hide
|
