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How do I find a good wedding DJ?

One strategy to guarantee that your wedding guests have a good time is to play upbeat music throughout the event. It's a great opportunity to put your own stamp on the celebration. After all, you are having a celebration for your wedding! You want to throw a party that everyone who attends will remember fondly. Hiring a DJ for a wedding reception is a fantastic idea whether you want to encourage dancing or simply provide enjoyable background music.

As your wedding day draws near, the realisation sets in that everything must run flawlessly. Zero tolerance for compromise. After making sure that the location, attire, and floral arrangements are all taken care of, the final step is to turn up the volume on the music. A wedding with music is one of the many subtle threads that come together to form the perfect day. A guest may forget that dessert never made them to their table, but they won't forget how the music made them feel. The music and entertainment provided at an event greatly affect the impressions that people take away from it. The vows exchanged by the happy couple are the most significant element of the wedding day, but the music plays a close second. Seventy-two percent of brides say they wish they had spent more time picking the right band or DJ for their big day. Sixty-five percent of newlyweds who hired a band for their reception said they would have hired a DJ instead if they could do it all over again.

It's interesting to observe the mental gymnastics that go on when a couple is trying to decide whether to hire a band or a DJ for their wedding. When executed properly, both have considerable value. The wedding entertainment, however, is not something you can afford to gamble on. It's a sad truth, but awful music can't be hidden, therefore it's important to do it properly the first time. A sizable percentage of the DJ community is made up of people who just do it on the side. Get an expert witness to stand if you desire happy endings. But how can you ensure that you tick every single box?

Once you've settled on having a DJ handle the tunes during your reception, the next step is to hire one. Knowing that the DJ you choose will have a major impact on the vibe of your reception might make choosing one seem like a daunting undertaking. If you hire a fantastic DJ, it will be nearly impossible for your party to be anything but a smashing success. If you choose a mediocre DJ, even if you spend a lot of money on the menu and the location, your reception will likely be unremarkable at best. However, you may feel overwhelmed by the abundance of DJ options.

A DJ can crossfade between songs, eliminating the awkward pauses that occur when a live band takes a break. The music you want and the enthusiasm of your visitors should guide your search for a DJ. Plenty of disc jockeys are available to provide the music for your next dancing event. As an added bonus, there are DJs available who will make a mix specifically for you based on your preferences. The following are some things to consider while choosing a DJ for your wedding.

Knowing Where to Look and What to Look For

A DJ whose main line of work is weddings is usually the best choice. These disc jockeys have experience with wedding receptions, and some of them are also skilled at hosting the event and making announcements. You can locate one of them by standard vendor research methods such as scouring the web and requesting personal recommendations.

Booking a DJ with experience in the local club scene is a good idea if you want to have a good time at the dance floor. Despite potentially lower prices, many DJs may lack wedding-specific experience. Start by inquiring at nearby establishments like bars and restaurants.

If you want to go all out with the music, you may hire a club DJ with extensive wedding expertise or a wedding DJ known for their excellent song selection. These may seem like perfect choices, but there is a chance that they will cost you. A skilled wedding DJ will likely have a solid reputation in your community. Try asking shopkeepers.

Find Out if the Wedding DJ Can Provide You With Some Examples of Their Previous Work

Once you've located a couple of potential DJs, it's time to view their portfolios. A live performance video, a mixtape, or even just some sample playlists would all fit this bill. The more you care about the sound quality, the more research you should do before making a commitment.

Present the DJ With Your Prefered Songs and a List of Songs to Be Avoided

Talk to the DJs about your planned playlist and make sure they are willing to play it. Avoid any unwelcome surprises by compiling and disseminating a "do not play" list.

Investigate Their Crowd-Rousing Techniques

It's important to enquire about the DJ's crowd-pleasing techniques if you want them to actively participate in making your reception enjoyable. Here are some vital inquiries to make:

  • What does the DJ do if nobody seems interested in dancing?
  • Whether or not they will accommodate visitor demands.
  • Will the DJ also serve as the event's emcee, making any necessary announcements?

How Do You Go About Locating a Competent DJ for Your Big Day?

Hire an Official DJ

Get a contract, like you would with any other provider. If they can't supply one, you shouldn't cooperate with them. For more information on how to identify, evaluate, and analyse wedding vendor contracts, please refer to our hiring vendors guide.

Investigate

Spend as much time as necessary looking for them. See some shows and talk to the DJs whose sets you enjoyed to find out how to get in touch with them. Get some recommendations from people you know and trust, and then make a list. You should do some investigating about the people on your list. What kind of tools do they have at their disposal? How do they carry themselves while on the clock? Check out their feedback before committing to them.

Do Not Back Down

If a DJ is part of your plans, you should be sure to give them clear instructions on what they should do. You shouldn't give in to the DJs who want to get in your way and distract you. force him to hear you out and your requests. If he's having trouble doing that, then it's time to find a new DJ.

Be thorough

You may put your music plans on hold without looking like a "bridezilla." To ensure that the music at your event flows well, it's important to hire a DJ who is familiar with your prefered song choices for each event segment. The playlists he makes for each section should be entertaining and impressive. Professional DJs seem to appreciate it when their clients make their musical preferences known. The father-daughter dance, the bride and her parents' entrance, the parents' entrance, the couples' dance, and more, all with corresponding playlists that serve as a musical road map. It's okay to take your time and do things right.

mercury dj wedding

Prepare Your Music Selection in Advance

It might sound like a minor step, but it's actually quite important. A wedding DJ will benefit from having access to your desired music selections at least two weeks prior to the big day. In all seriousness, whoever DJ makes such a request is very well versed in his or her field. Continue working with him. Show him the list of forbidden tunes. Tell him you can't stand profanity in music. Also, don't be afraid to tell an artist he's not your cup of tea if you're in the opposite camp. Nonetheless, rise and shine; he has his job cut out for him.

Friendly DJ

It's worth your time to get to know your Dj, and I know a lot of brides have too much on their plates already. Get familiar with his workplace, do some research on him or her, look for frequently asked questions (FAQs) online, or arrange a meeting so you can look them in the eye and understand what your instincts are telling you.

Find a DJ Who Can Do More Than Just Provide Tunes for the Celebration

You not only have a playlist, but also a list of songs you should never listen to. Someone who is skilled at mixing music is hired by you. How difficult could it possibly be? In reality, it's not. The greatest wedding DJs should have no trouble handling the music. To ensure that your wedding has plenty of opportunities for dancing, you'll need a professional DJ, but that's not the only key ingredient.

Talk About Timelines

The duties of the wedding DJ typically include both music and announcements. However, a DJ who goes above and above is what you really need to find. The top wedding DJs will work with the couple to develop and execute an exciting and seamless timetable for the big day. The greatest wedding DJs know how to take care of the little things, including making sure the bride and groom are happy, keeping the photographers busy, and communicating directly with the banquet manager. As a perfectionist, you'll want a DJ that lets you kick back and enjoy the party without having to worry about everything.

Recruit a DJ Duo for the Big Day

The best wedding DJs work as a duo with an emcee. It's highly unlikely that a single person can handle both the music and the logistics of your wedding celebration. The wedding's formalities can be announced by the DJ from behind the decks, but if you've engaged a single DJ for the reception, they may feel pressured by the extra responsibilities (as opposed to a nightlife event). The emcee will be able to check in where necessary, formalities will go more smoothly with two people, and much more. The setup time for your vendors may also be limited in venues that hold numerous weddings on the same day. In this instance, it is recommended to hire a two-person crew to guarantee that everything is set up on time. You need a stellar emcee to keep the party running smoothly and a stellar DJ to keep the dance floor packed.

Worry About the All-In-One

Companies that offer a wide variety of services in a single package are usually subpar overall or excel in in one area, such as photography, videography, entertainment, or decoration. You want a DJ that can handle not only the music for your ceremony and cocktail hour, but also the ambience of your reception with proper lighting and audio. However, you won't be able to find the best of everything from a single seller.

Learn to Wait for What’s Worth It and How Long to Wait for What’s Not

The price of uplighting decreases every year. Each month brings a new crop of photo booths in a variety of designs. No one will be out of things like candles or wedding photo favours on your big day. However, tremendous demand means that the best wedding DJs are booked months in advance. The average DJ only has 52 weekends available out of the 52 in a year, so if you want the best, you should not wait too long to book them.

It's vital to prioritise quality over quantity when hiring a DJ, as a great one can make or break an event. It's important to keep in mind that a terrible DJ may completely spoil an otherwise perfect wedding, even if you're working within a strict budget.

What Qualities Should a Wedding DJ Have?

DJing involves much more than just pressing the "play" button on an iPad. The following are the characteristics that set a great wedding DJ apart from the rest of the pack.

Personality

This is the one piece of advice we could provide you! The mood of the night will be decided by your DJ. Having a dull DJ will lead to a dull reception.

The most telling indicator is the DJ's character. Get together with your DJ in person to discuss the ambience, needs, and prefered music for your event rather than relying on emails and SMS. This will give you a good idea of whether or not they can give your party the vibe you want.

Communication

Premarital classes have likely stressed the significance of open lines of communication between partners. The job of a DJ is, in many ways, similar.

Not all of a DJ's duties involve simply playing music. One half of the pair is currently engaged in conversation. The DJ at a wedding needs to communicate well with the other guests for a variety of reasons, including coordinating the "do not play" list and ensuring that the cake cutting is captured by the photographer. This is why you need to make sure you pick a DJ that can also act as the master of ceremonies at your wedding. Your DJ will be the only person at your wedding who can keep the party going well except the planner.

Flexibility

Any DJ worth their salt knows they'll be working a lot of weddings, so it's important for them to be on top of their game in terms of organisation. However, they also need to be adaptable in the face of unforeseen challenges.

A well-prepared DJ will have a written outline of the evening's schedule. It is expected that the bride and groom will be on time for the wedding, but if they are running late, they will be able to adjust on the fly so that the rest of the evening goes smoothly for everyone.

A List of Questions to Ask Your Disc Jockey

It can be difficult to narrow down your options when meeting with numerous potential wedding DJs. Here are some things to consider while interviewing potential DJs.

Is Djing Your Full-Time Occupation?

It's not always clear from a DJ's online profile if weddings are a part-time or full-time job. If you could choose anyone to make your special day perfect, who would it be?

How About Your Insurance?

It might not seem like being a DJ is a particularly dangerous profession, but unfortunately, mishaps can occur in any industry. It's important that the DJ you hire for your wedding is properly credentialed and insured.

We Were Wondering How Many Djs You Had on Staff.

Learn who will be spinning the tunes at your wedding if the DJ service you're considering employs a team of DJs. You don't want to spend a tonne of time in meetings with the company's owner just to discover that the person at your wedding isn't someone you get along with.

Do You Provide Any Other Kinds of Assistance?

Uplighting, photo booths, and other reception enhancements are just some of the extras that many DJ services now provide. Many establishments even provide deals that make these add-ons more reasonably priced.

Do You Focus on Weddings Exclusively?

Although DJs are ubiquitous at corporate gatherings, nightclubs, and weddings, the experiences at each type of event are vastly different. Find a DJ who specialises in weddings, not just one who is open to the idea.

Which Style Do You Prefer?

Choose a wedding DJ whose musical tastes align with your own as closely as possible. You can't expect him to recommend good tunes to you if he's into Garth Brooks and you're more into hip hop.

Can You Describe the Clothes You Normally Wear?

Although it's not typically on the minds of engaged couples, a wedding DJ who shows up dressed inappropriately can ruin the festivities for everyone. No one should wear a tuxedo to your laid-back beach wedding. You could also wear jeans and a t-shirt to a formal ball.

What Methodology Will You Use to Construct Our Playlist?

Inquire with your wedding DJ about the process they use to get to know your tastes and create a custom playlist just for you. Are we looking at a single gathering? Will they email you a playlist for review? Do they have a central suggestion box that you may access online?

If You Want a Filled Dance Floor, How Do You Do It?

A smart wedding DJ will know how to answer the question of how they keep guests on the dance floor without giving away any of their trade secrets. They should be able to "read" a room and know which songs are going over well and which ones aren't.

How Do You Manage Requests for Certain Songs?

Find out from the DJ how they handle requests if you want your guests to be able to do so. You shouldn't hire their DJ service if they insist on never taking requests.

Is There a DJ or Backup Equipment Just in Case?

We must assume the worse. Even with a paid disc jockey, yes! We've all been to weddings where the power went out and impromptu plans had to be made. DJs can fall ill, gear can malfunction, the venue's sound system could not be compatible with the audio setup, and so on.

However, a competent DJ for a wedding will always have a backup plan.

Have You Been to the Location Where We Will Be Meeting Before?

It's preferable if your wedding DJ has experience playing at the location you've picked. It may take some time to become acquainted to the layout and individual details of your chosen wedding venue. That anxiety can be alleviated, though, if your DJ has worked with the venue before and is familiar with the staff.

Do You Have Any Examples of Your Work I Can Watch?

Do you recall how we discussed how important it was for DJs to have strong communication skills? You need to locate one who is more than just good at talking the talk. Inquire about sample videos from other weddings they've done so you can see how they perform "live."

The Decision

Choosing to have a DJ play at your wedding is a major decision that will have far-reaching effects. Having the right environment for your wedding is crucial for both the ceremony and the reception. If the DJ makes a few poor choices in music or says or does the wrong thing, the atmosphere quickly goes south.

If you try to save money by hiring a cheap DJ for your wedding, you will be quite disappointed. Every couple only gets married once. Ensure that you maintain a vertical position throughout.

Conclusion

Whether you want to get people up and dancing or you just want some great tunes playing in the background, hiring a DJ for the wedding reception is a fantastic idea. It's been found that 72 percent of brides regret not devoting more time to finding the perfect wedding band or DJ. A survey found that 65% of newlyweds who used a band wished they had gone with a DJ instead. If you go with an average DJ, your party will be forgettable at best. We recommend hiring a DJ who specialises in weddings.

If you really want to go for it with the music, hire a club DJ or a wedding DJ who is well-known for their extensive song library. Give the DJ a list of songs you want played and a list of songs you want skipped. You can avoid any unpleasant surprises by making and sharing a "do not play" list. If a DJ is part of your plans, stick to them and be sure to tell them exactly what to do. Hiring a DJ who is already familiar with your prefered song selections will greatly improve the flow of the music at your event.

The professional DJs I've spoken to seem to appreciate it when their clients express their preferences for specific songs. Surely you can find a person who is skilled at mixing music and hire them, right? The most successful wedding DJs pair up with a master of ceremonies. A great DJ will not only take care of the tunes during the ceremony and cocktail hour, but will also set the mood for the reception. No single person is likely to be capable of planning the music and logistics for your wedding.

Top DJs for weddings typically have lengthy waiting lists. The typical DJ can only play gigs on 52 weekends per year. Never put off booking a great DJ, as they can make or break an event. A great wedding DJ will have the personality and communication skills that set their service apart from the rest. The DJ who has put in the time and effort to prepare will be extremely organised.

They need flexibility to deal with the unexpected. Your wedding's DJ should have all the necessary licencing and insurance before you hire them. Here are some questions to ask prospective DJs during the interview process. Make sure you ask your wedding DJ how they make personalised playlists. They must have the ability to "read" the crowd and adjust their set list accordingly.

Talk to the DJ and find out how they handle requests. Making the right choice when it comes to the DJ for your wedding is crucial. One who is more than just fluent in words should be sought. See how they perform "live" by requesting sample videos from previous weddings they've done.

Content Summary

  • One strategy to guarantee that your wedding guests have a good time is to play upbeat music throughout the event.
  • Hiring a DJ for a wedding reception is a fantastic idea whether you want to encourage dancing or simply provide enjoyable background music.
  • Seventy-two percent of brides say they wish they had spent more time picking the right band or DJ for their big day.
  • The music you want and the enthusiasm of your visitors should guide your search for a DJ.
  • The following are some things to consider while choosing a DJ for your wedding.
  • Booking a DJ with experience in the local club scene is a good idea if you want to have a good time at the dance floor.
  • It's important to enquire about the DJ's crowd-pleasing techniques if you want them to actively participate in making your reception enjoyable.
  • To ensure that the music at your event flows well, it's important to hire a DJ who is familiar with your prefered song choices for each event segment.
  • The best wedding DJs work as a duo with an emcee.
  • You need a stellar emcee to keep the party running smoothly and a stellar DJ to keep the dance floor packed.
  • You want a DJ that can handle not only the music for your ceremony and cocktail hour, but also the ambience of your reception with proper lighting and audio.
  • It's vital to prioritise quality over quantity when hiring a DJ, as a great one can make or break an event.
  • The following are the characteristics that set a great wedding DJ apart from the rest of the pack.
  • This is why you need to make sure you pick a DJ that can also act as the master of ceremonies at your wedding.
  • Find a DJ who specialises in weddings, not just one who is open to the idea.
  • Inquire with your wedding DJ about the process they use to get to know your tastes and create a custom playlist just for you.
  • Will they email you a playlist for review?
  • Find out from the DJ how they handle requests if you want your guests to be able to do so.
  • However, a competent DJ for a wedding will always have a backup plan.
  • That anxiety can be alleviated, though, if your DJ has worked with the venue before and is familiar with the staff.
  • Having the right environment for your wedding is crucial for both the ceremony and the reception.

FAQs About Wedding DJs

Your wedding DJ should be able to read the crowd and play appropriate music at appropriate times to create the atmosphere you want for your reception. They will know just what to play to get everyone up and dancing at your celebration.

Couples today are more likely than ever to hire a disc jockey to provide music and merriment during their wedding reception. The thrill of a live performance can't be beat, but a DJ has other advantages, like superior volume control, a wider variety of songs, and often cheaper rates.

Hiring a skilled DJ can keep the dance floor packed the whole night long at your wedding. However, hiring one may cost you A$1,600 or more. Doing the DJing yourself at a wedding can save you a tonne of money without sacrificing the fun factor. All that is required is a set list, a nice sound equipment, and some preparation.

This is a matter of taste, just like so many other aspects of a wedding. A live band is a great choice for wedding reception entertainment if you have specific musical tastes and want a high-energy performance. You should hire a DJ if you want to hear songs from different musical eras and styles.

You'll need a DJ that can work the audience with that packed of a schedule. In addition to providing the musical entertainment, a wedding DJ also plays a vital role in preparing the guests for the bride and groom's entrance.

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