What to look out for in a wedding DJ?

Question

What to look out for in a wedding DJ?

Answer 1

be sure to ask for references and talk to them,,,,my DJ was horrible.  HE wanted to run the show and had a timeline he was going to use.  it was completely out of the "norm" and my mother told him,,"i sign the check,,i make the timeline"  he still tried to fight her on it and in the end MY MOM won.  unfortunatly i ended up in an emergency and was rushed to the ER at my reception and HE decided to pack up and leave while there were STILL GUESTS.  needless to say he didnt get paid the last installment.

the best advice,,check the credentials and ask for references and check them out.  ask if he follows his own timeline or if you can work one out together.  ask what music selection he has or if he has any restrictions ....

Answer 2

Ask how long they have been in business and if you are able to contribute to the playlist. What do they do if they don't have a song you want?

How many times have they played at the venue you are having your wedding. This is particularly important because of acoustics and space. I went to a wedding last summer where the DJ brought his whole set up and he ended up taking a third of the dance floor with all of it.

Also, is his pricing low? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You do get what you pay for in the wedding business. Look for someone right on par with everyone else.

How long will he be there? Some DJ's do 4 hours, some 5 hours. I prefer at least 5 hours because most weddings are a 4 hour event, you want someone who will be there a half hour earlier to play light music for early arrivals.

One last thing to check is to make sure their employees have also been DJing for a while, I had a friend who was a mechanic and would sub for his DJ friend occassionally, NOT OK! Make sure you are able to meet with the employee who will be working your wedding.

Answer 3

make sure they have a suitable back up. i went to a wedding where the DJ couldnt make it becuase he had to go for emergency surgery. we knew him for years so we know he wasnt lying. the replacement he sent was AWFUL! he only played hip-hop, was singing along to all the songs, and even though he was using the other guys song list, tried to tell us that he didnt have songs that we knew he did! the bride was furious! luckily, the original DJ ended up giving her some money back cuz he felt so bad

Answer 4

watch out for the guys who tell you to pick all the songs you want them to play.  that's what you're paying them for...to figure out what the crowd likes.  you can give some suggestions (and you certainly should), but if he wants you to pick every song, you're doing his job for him.  and please, don't let the dj sing...if you want karaoke, get karaoke...but the dj should not sing during the music!

Answer 5

Check his references. Make sure that he has a good reputation. Make sure that he understands and can be accomodating when it comes to the songs you would like for him to play your wedding. Do some research so you know that he's not overcharging you by comparing the prices of other DJs in your area who will offer the same services.

Answer 6

How long have they been in business, what is their reputation.

Face it any fool with an ipod can play songs at your wedding, but you don't want to skimp on money and have the guy running to the car to get more music.  (I've seen it done)

Ask for references and call them.  A good dj will let you preview their work by going to an event they are doing or they will have a video of the work they do and how their booth looks set up.

Answer 7

How long they've been in business and sign a contract for sure.

Answer 8

http://www.pashweddings.com/wedding-plan...

This has a list of great questions for every vendor you use

Answer 9

The first step is to check your local Yellow Pages for available disc jockeys and make a list. You might also want to cross check on the Internet because many of today's DJs do have websites where you can learn more about the services they offer.

It is important to choose a DJ who specializes in the type of music you want for your wedding. Most DJs will tell you they can do any kind of music which is usually true unless you have an obscure request. Some disc jockeys do specialize in certain music genres like pop, R&B or country just to name a few. Others offer a wide range of choices in all music genres. When searching for the right DJ you may even want to talk to other couples who have used DJ services.

By this point you should be able to narrow down your list to a select group you are considering. From here you can call each one and schedule a consultation. Meeting your potential DJ in person is important because you want someone whose personality and appearance is appropriate for your wedding.

Another factor is of course the price. Some disc jockeys charge more than others depending on the demand for their services and what they have to offer.

The last step in choosing a DJ for a wedding is to sign a contract.