Wedding Times

Photo by .Bala

Music can make or break your wedding reception. If you have chosen to go with a DJ, it’s an excellent choice. A good DJ can play a variety of different kinds of music and they are often quite cheaper than hiring a live band. A bad DJ can be a fiasco. Find the right DJ for you in a few simple steps.

Think about weddings you have been to where the DJ did a really great job. Ask the person whose wedding it was what DJ they chose and make sure they are the first person you call. Nothing can speak more to the quality of service the DJ will provide than seeing it yourself. If you don’t know the person that got married, or can’t think of any receptions that stand out, ask around to family and friends if they have used DJs before and compile a list of names.

Once you have called around different DJs and narrowed your list down to a few, determine how much experience each DJ has. Technology has advanced so much its easy for anyone to call themselves a DJ. Downloading music online and having some speakers does not mean you’re a DJ. Good DJs will have experience in getting a crowd to its feet, will know when it is a good time for requests, and settle the crowd down when it’s time for toasts. Ask your DJ what big events they have worked at, specifically how many weddings. A wedding is a totally different breed of event than others and you want to make sure that they will be familiar with the surroundings. When you are talking to them about their experience, ask if you can speak to past clients. They should be able to find a way for you to get in touch with them. It will give you a chance to hear first-hand what other people thought of their service.

The type of equipment a DJ uses will speak volumes about their experience so make sure you ask what they will be using. Also ask what they are prepared for in case a piece of their equipment, such as a speaker, breaks during the reception. A DJ worth his or her salt will have backup gear ready just in case.

A good DJ will also be able to read a crowd and know what they want. To do this, they must be familiar with every genre of music. Because a lot of wedding crowds are mixed, with some guests wanting to spend the night really enjoying the music and some preferring to sit at the table and listen to some of their favorite songs, a DJ should be able to blend all of this together nicely.

When speaking to the DJ about music they’ll play, include some songs that you would like to hear. The first dance song is going to be a must as will the father daughter and mother son dance tunes. Don’t give them a list of every single song that you want to hear. The DJ is the expert on this one and the party will flow more smoothly if you give them some control and allow them to work their magic. However, do give them a list of songs that you absolutely don’t want to hear. Make sure that your DJ will play the censored versions of any and all songs. Although you might be okay with expletives, some guests may not be and your goal is definitely not to offend.

Choose a DJ based on their style and how interactive you want them to be with you and your guests. Although you want someone that can be heard over a crowd when it comes time to gather the guests together, you don’t want someone super cheesy. This is entirely a matter of personal preference and you will have to ask the DJ specifically how they handle the crowd. Remember, not too much, not too little. Make sure that you like them and enjoy dealing with them. Are they easy to talk to and get along with? If they make you feel comfortable then chances are good that they will put your guests at ease as well.

Once you have chosen a DJ and you are sure they are the right person for the job, make sure that you get a contract signed by both parties. Include in the contract the date and time of the event, the name of the DJ that will be working your reception and how much many they are going to be paid, including all costs. The total on the contract should be the total that you end up paying. Most DJs will ask for a twenty-five to fifty percent down payment, payable two weeks in advance, which is standard in the industry.