How to Choose a Wedding DJ
Tips, Tricks & Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Wedding Disk Jockey
Sep 29, 2009
Choosing the right – or the wrong – wedding DJ can make a big difference at any reception. The wedding disc jockey sets the tone of the event, from the choice of music for the bride and groom's first married dance to keeping spirits high and guests entertained. So it's worth taking the time to thoroughly research possible wedding DJs before choosing one to play at the reception.
Finding a Great Wedding Reception DJ
The best way to find a professional wedding DJ for the reception is to get recommendations from relatives, recently married friends, and other wedding pros. Ask the caterer, the venue, even the florist. But don't rely on referrals alone – it's important to ask questions and ensure that the disc jockey is the best fit in terms of personality, style and experience.
Questions to Ask the Wedding Disc Jockey
The following are a few of the most important things to ask about before hiring a wedding DJ:
- Music: What style of music does the DJ play? How much input will she or he accept from the bride and groom or guest requests? Are there certain "standards" that are played at every wedding? What tracks are popular and get people dancing at modern weddings? Make sure that these questions and more are answered to the bride and groom's comfort.
- Experience: How much experience does this wedding DJ have at similar receptions? This will affect the music selection and how well the disc jockey is able to read the crowd. Keep in mind that wedding DJs who also handle corporate events may be more professional and tend to have better equipment.
- Price: Ensure that all the pricing details are agreed upon in advance, including additional charges for equipment, overtime, and any other eventualities, and that these agreements are written up in the contract.
- Contract: A written contract that covers everything is absolutely necessary. Don't be taken in by a wedding DJ who claims that a contract isn't important – it is, and every detail of pricing, additional or "hidden" fees, set up, and more should be in it to avoid disappointment or problems later.
- Portfolio: A "portfolio" isn't something most people are comfortable requesting from a wedding DJ, but maybe they should be. The best way to get a sense of a disc jockey's scope of experience is to watch them in action. Some profesional wedding DJs will provide videos of past engagements, while others will invite you to drop by other weddings where they will be playing in the time leading up to your event, which can either be reassuring or an eye-opener.
- The Wedding DJ: Who will be spinning the discs? Some larger DJ services will substitute an employee at certain functions instead of the owner or the DJ who interviewed with the client. Make sure the contract specifies which DJ and that he or she is the one who answers these questions in advance.
For more information on choosing the best wedding DJ, see How to Find a Professional Wedding DJ.
 |
