Category Archives: choosing a wedding dj

25 Questions You Should Ask Your Wedding DJ

guests dancing to wedding djAs with every part of wedding planning, it pays to be thorough when hiring your wedding DJ.  After all, your wedding DJ can make or break your wedding reception so it’s important to hire an experienced, professional DJ (learn how to tell if your DJ fit that bill)—and one that you can afford.  To find out if your DJ fits all those criteria, we’ve compiled a list of questions to ask your wedding DJ so you can ensure that you’re hiring the best that fits your budget.

Introduction

  • “Is my wedding date available?”
  • “How long have you been in business?”
  • “Do you have any references?”
  • “Do you offer any other services (lighting, photo booth, etc.)?”
  • “Can you do….” (Ask this question if you have a really special request)

Cost

  • “What is your final total cost?”
  • “How much of a deposit is required and when will the balance be due?”
  • “Do you charge overtime fees?”
  • “Do you charge a travel fee?”
  • “What is your cancellation policy?”

Logistical Concerns

  • “Do you carry Insurance and can you provide proof of Insurance?”
  • “When do we meet with you to discuss details of the wedding?”
  • “Do you have back up DJs and equipment available?”
  • “What time do you arrive?”
  • “What kind of electrical needs does your equipment require?” (for an outdoor wedding)

Services

  • “What do you offer as part of your wedding package?”
  • “Is dinner music included in our package?”
  • “What songs are included in your wedding DJ playlist?”
  • “When do you need information from me?”
  • “Do you have a wedding DJ checklist that I can write my favorite songs and songs I do not want played at my reception?”

Questions about the Wedding DJ (who will actually be at your wedding)

  • “Will the DJ be in formal attire?”
  • “Will the DJ act as Master of Ceremonies (MC)?”
  • “How many years wedding experience does my DJ have?”
  • “How do we contact you?”

If you have a busy schedule, add another question to your wedding DJ checklist for your initial meeting with your wedding DJ: “can we meet via the internet or over the phone instead of in person?”

In addition to a list of questions, do your research about your prospective wedding DJ.  Check their social media sites for reviews, and contact any references they give you.  Make sure you have a DJ with a back-up plan for emergencies, and experience that can make your wedding reception the memorable night you’ve always dreamed of.

5 Signs of a BAD Wedding DJ

disco balls from a wedding receptionLet’s just say it: your DJ can make or break your wedding reception.  That’s why it’s SO important to take steps to carefully choose your wedding DJ long before your big night.  Start by contacting potential wedding DJs with a list of questions, and don’t just hire a DJ based on price.  This is one of the most special days of your life, and you don’t want a reception gone sour because of a cheap DJ.

To start “weeding out” bad wedding DJs , narrow your pool of prospects by requesting a meeting.  Eliminate the DJs from your list that don’t have a set business address (they probably don’t have back up equipment or DJs just in case of emergency either—just one sign of an amateur DJ).  Once you’ve set up a meeting with your potential DJs, look for “red flags”—signs of a BAD wedding DJ—when you meet:

  • No customized play list. Everyone’s version of “good” songs is different, but it’s up to the DJ to ask about the songs you want—and don’t want—at your wedding reception (more information on how to craft your wedding playlist here). Avoid DJs who don’t ask about your preferences.  There’s a good chance they use the same play list for every wedding (definitely a sign of a bad DJ!).
  • No “extras.” What separates a good wedding reception from a great wedding reception is the atmosphere. Select a DJ that can set the atmosphere with stellar equipment (and back up equipment) and extras that send your night over the top, such as lighting, sound, and fun entertainment options (like a photo booth).
  • No questions. The right DJ for your wedding reception asks questions and plans accordingly, such as questions that can help coordinate with other vendors and influence your reception schedule. If your prospective DJ is not asking questions, that DJ is not the right wedding DJ for your special day.
  • No reviews or references. Don’t hire a wedding DJ that doesn’t have experience, or has a bad history at wedding receptions.  If your wedding DJ can’t provide references from couples happy with their services, or their online reviews don’t wow you, cross their name off the list.  You don’t want to experiment with a rookie, mediocre DJ on your big night.
  • No dancing. If the DJ can’t get the guests dancing at another wedding, what makes you think your reception is going to be different? Ask friends and family for recommendations for a DJ that did an excellent job of entertaining and keeping the guests dancing. Ask them about what they’ve witnessed at weddings where the DJ was at. Then, book early. Don’t wait to get on the calendar of a good, experienced DJ. The best DJ’s calendars fill up quickly, and you don’t want to be stuck with a DJ that shows all the signs of a bad wedding DJ.

11 Tips To Avoid the “Choosing the Wrong Wedding DJ” Regret

guest, bride and groom dancing at wedding reception to dj musicEvery couple has their wedding day regret: they wish they would’ve hired a videographer, spent less time worrying…the list could go on and on. One of the most common wedding day “we wish we would have…” we hear is about the DJ. A lot of couples we talk with wish they would have spent more on wedding entertainment—and good wedding entertainment. It’s easy to understand why; years later, most of your wedding guests remember the fun they had at the reception. So how can you and your fiancé avoid this common after-wedding regret?

Don’t hire a ‘friend of a friend’ DJ

As tempting as it might be to hire a friend or a friend of a friend who’s “really awesome,” resist the urge. If your friend is an amateur or hobbyist, chances are they don’t have back up equipment or another DJ to fill in if they have an emergency. Most hobbyist DJ’s don’t have modern equipment or the experience to coordinate with your venue and other vendors (like when you want that perfect shot during your first dance).

Don’t underestimate the importance of backups.

We know of one couple whose photographer passed away days before their wedding. Other couples can tell similar stories of emergencies that arose on their big day. While some of those last-minutes problems can interrupt your wedding day despite your best efforts, you can avoid the hassle of having to find another DJ last minute if your first choice can’t come. Hire a company that schedules a backup experienced DJ for every event—and back up equipment. You won’t regret making the decision; it’ll give you one less worry on your wedding day.

Don’t use price as the only factor.

guests at wedding reception dancing to djYour wedding budget may be one of the most important factors in every wedding planning decision, but try to remember that you get what you pay for. Keep your wedding budget in perspective; though a hundred or few hundred dollars seems monumental, if that amount can get you a quality DJ for a small percentage of your overall wedding budget, consider the impact of your dollar. You and your guests are going to have a lot more fun, have less worries with a back up DJ and equipment, and talk about your memorable night for years to come.

Don’t forget to consider experience when making your choice.

Don’t gamble on your wedding reception entertainment. A rookie DJ isn’t going to have the experience to coordinate your special moments with your other vendors. We were recently talking to a couple who had this exact concern. It stemmed from an experience at a friend’s wedding. The DJ at the wedding cued the first dance for their friend without consulting the wedding photographer who was away from the reception. As a result, their friend did not have one picture of their very special first dance.

We’ve given you a million ‘don’ts’ of choosing a wedding DJ. Here are a few of the ‘do’s’ of finding the right DJ for your wedding day:

  • Do research testimonials and online reviews to determine what other couples thought of the wedding DJ (if they’ve won awards, consider that a bonus!). Look at the amount of testimonials and what other couples had to say about the potential DJ.
  • Do ask how many years of experience with weddings they’ve had.
  • If you want “one stop” shopping, do consider a wedding DJ that offers extras (i.e. photo booth, lighting, etc.) so you can get all the wedding entertainment you need at one place.
  • Do be wary of DJ’s who want to meet you at a restaurant because they don’t have a location where you can see their equipment (this is a sign of an amateur DJ).
  • Do hurry up and contact potential DJ’s because the best DJ calendars fill up quickly.
  • Do ask questions. Call your DJ, email them or ask your DJ questions on social media. If you want to see what they can do in person, set up a meeting with them.
  • Do enjoy the fruit of your efforts: an awesome, memorable, fun wedding reception!