10 Questions with ALEXANDER PISANI

Wedding Diaries interviewed one of the most experienced and a highly sought-after wedding dj from New South Wales, ALEXANDER PISANI of Unity Entertainment. Sydney based ALEXANDER is the founder and owner of Unity Entertainment.

Wedding DJs - ALEXANDER PISANI

Business: Unity Entertainment
Location: Sydney, NSW
Experience: 7 Years
Profile: Unity Entertainment
Website: unityentertainment.com.au

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Hi I'm Alex Pisani, founder and DJ at Unity Entertainment. My Passion for the wedding industry started in 2015 where I was asked to DJ a friend's wedding. It was an amazing feeling to play a part in the happiest day of people's lives, and from there I wanted to help as many people I could to achieve the result they had envisaged of an unforgettable wedding for both themselves and their guests.

I first started out as a club and bar DJ, playing kings cross and Sydney CDB venues. As I approached the end of my twenties, the 4am finishes were taking a toll on me physically, so I pivoted to private events and weddings. After doing my work friend's wedding, I was hooked! I still play bar gigs to keep myself sharp and up to date with music. That's my testing ground for seeing how well known and well received some newer songs are, and if they have an appeal and staying power I add them to the wedding music rotation.

2. What's your experience as a wedding DJ? How many weddings have you done?

I really should keep a proper record of this, but based on my invoice numbers it's easily over 300. I've been doing weddings full time since 2018, and on average will play 1 per week. A lot more during the peak season!

3. How far in advance do couples need to book your services?

It depends. If it's a Friday or Saturday in September through November, I'm generally booked out about 9 months in advance. outside of the silly season, or for a Sunday or mid-week wedding you might get lucky a little closer to the date.

4. What's your rate? What does that include?

My rate varies as each package is bespoke, and depends on what services are needed, and how far the travel is.

Some couples may need DJ services for the reception only, whereas some need a full day of music for ceremony, canapes and reception as well as MC services.

As a guide, in the Sydney metro area, couples can expect to pay from 897+GST for MC only services for 5 hours in the Sydney metro area, 1297+GST for DJ services, and 1597+GST for DJ and MC.

Every package includes a minimum of 5 hour services, with all the necessary equipment - DJ controller, speakers, dancefloor lighting and wireless microphone. I have the option of extra speakers and/or lighting to cater to the specifics of the space and the couple's vision.

5. Are you available to travel if needed?

Absolutely - anywhere I can drive to, I can perform. I've done weddings as far west as Wagga wagga, and traveled to the Mid-North coast for a wedding also.

If it involves flying, this is where it might get difficult as the freight for all my equipment might get prohibitively expensive for most.

6. How would you describe your style?

My style is that I am 100% couple centric. I don't make the night about me, the couple are the stars of the show. - you will see that in all visual elements I incorporate. I don't wear any mirror-bedazzled suits, My DJ booth has a custom facade designed to accompany the couple's decor, and all the lighting is pointing outward to the dancefloor, not on me.

The same can be said for my MC style - I speak clearly and politely, but only when needed. I'm very up front with all couples that I am no comedian, and won't be throwing a joke routine in between every speech or announcement.

Musically I like to play a big mix of genres and eras, with a big focus on reading hte crowd and going with what's working best on the night.

7. What's your backup plan if there's an equipment malfunction? Do you bring backup equipment?

I'm a backup nerd, it's one of the pillars I built my business on. I bring a backup of every piece of kit in my van to every wedding. Spare speakers, spare DJ controller, spare laptop, spare lights. If my laptop crashes I have the ipad ready to go while it reboots. If that fails I have an ipad mini! Put simply, there is no single point failure - the show will go on!

8. What's your sick day policy?

I understand that the show must go on, so if its a mild illness I will do my best to suck it up and power through. I have a network of DJs and MCs I can rely on to cover for me in the event that I am too ill to perform.

9. How do you motivate a shy crowd to dance? What do you do to motivate the crowd if nobody is dancing?

I won't lie - recovering from an empty dancefloor is no easy feat. That's why it's much easier to try and avoid it in the first place!

To me, there is more work done in the weeks leading up to the wedding to ensure that this doesn't happen to begin with.

It's about understanding a couple and their guests to remove the guesswork on the night.

It's about planning and scheduling the timings of the evening so that when it comes time to dance, everyone is primed and ready to party!

It's about empowering aa bride and groom to take control of the night themselves and ensure the guests feel involved and included so that they will want to dance all night.
Prevention is better than a cure, as they say!

10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?

I allow full refunds up to 30 days out if a reasonable agreement cannot be reached to rebook a new date. All info is available in my contract that I send to couples.