One of the biggest to-do’s in your wedding planning is finding the right kind of wedding entertainment. Whether you should hire live musicians or a DJ is another discussion however, if you have decided on the latter, this quick guide is for you.
You must be thinking “How difficult could it be for someone to play recorded music at my wedding?” After all, it seems like a rather simple task. However, you’d be surprised at how many couples have horror stories about hiring the wrong DJ for their wedding.
To ensure that your wedding reception entertainment with a DJ go smoothly as possible, here are some tips for finding the best person for the job.
Find someone with experience
Not every professional DJ will be a good fit for a wedding. When choosing a DJ for your big day, pick one that has a specific experience with weddings. They should know how to handle various aspects of the wedding, such as timing the music perfectly with the flow of events, making announcements, and coordinating with the wedding organizer.
Consider their personality
One of the reasons why it matters to meet your DJ in person is to see if you are comfortable with their personality. The DJ will be an important part of your big day and will be interacting with you and your guests all night long. You would want someone who is friendly, professional, and easy to work with.
Look at their music selection
Most DJs have a set list that they use for weddings on top of the specific songs you want for key moments like the wedding party entrance, first dance, father-daughter dance, etc. Ask if you could see their music collection or playlist, or if they could talk you through their process of choosing songs for an event. This is also a good time to ask if they could take in song requests. Make sure your chosen DJ has a wide variety of music that meets your taste and the taste of your wedding guests.
Ask about their equipment
A pro DJ should have professional-grade equipment, including high-quality speakers and lighting. Make sure to ask about their setup and if they have backup equipment in case of any technical issues.
Ask to see references and reviews
If you are hiring someone who has experience with weddings, then they should be able to share with you the feedback of previous couples they have worked with. Ask for references and read reviews from past clients to get an idea of their performance and reliability. A good wedding DJ should be able to do more than play songs — they should also be able to arrive at the venue on time, play the correct version of important songs,
Confirm their price and availability
Make sure you understand the DJ’s pricing and availability before making a final decision. Better yet, have all the details on paper before signing the contract. Your contract with the DJ should clearly state the date of the event, the time you expect them to be there, how long they are expected to render service, their compensation, break times, and also their cancellation policy.
Make sure they are excellent communicators
Even though the DJ is responsible only for the music and entertainment, they are still part of a bigger team. Good communication and coordination with other wedding vendors, or at the very least, with the wedding planner is key to ensuring a seamless wedding. Make sure the DJ is easy to communicate with and willing to work with others to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Other important tips
- On the day of the wedding itself, you or your wedding coordinator should check in with the DJ if they have the specific versions of the important songs of the day. Mistakes happen and it’s very possible that your DJ has a different version of the songs you want. In case there’s been a miscommunication, finding out early on can will give them time to find the right songs.
- Let your DJ know if you expect them to do the introductions or also perform as the Master of Ceremonies. If they agree that this is something they can do, have it written down in the contract. Also, make sure that you provide them with clear instructions (like who should be introduced first during the wedding reception entrance).
- Consider pairing your DJ with a live musician. This will make the night’s entertainment more dynamic! In fact, this is our secret sauce to making people come to the dance floor. You can see what that kind of entertainment looks like here. Some of the options for hiring a DJ and live music combo include a percussionist and DJ, a sax player, drummer, and DJ, or our Hybrid Band.
We know that planning a wedding can be a daunting task. Finding the right kind of entertainers for your big night, more so. But if you follow our tips for choosing the right DJ for your wedding, you can make an informed decision that you are least likely to regret. Remember that you want to find someone who is not only talented and professional but also easy to work with and willing to go the extra mile to ensure your wedding is everything you dreamed it would be.