How to Choose the Right Wedding DJ
There are likely hundreds of DJ's in your area clouding the internet trying to attract your business.
Most of these DJ's have reputable backgrounds and experience that would lead you to believe they would be a great fit for your big day, but that's not necessarily the case.
I'll show you a few key items to look for that will ensure you get the perfect DJ for your needs.
The shortcomings of wedding DJ's often are just as often a result of the company they work for as they are the result of a lack-luster DJ.
So, with that in mind, let's find your wedding DJ! How do you find a great wedding DJ? Choosing a wedding DJ is an important decision.
Your DJ will set a tone for the evening, and be a major factor in whether or not your guests have a memorable time.
Without a doubt, the bride and groom are the stars of any wedding, but a strong DJ can take a good wedding and make it great.
So choosing one should not be a leap of faith.
You will need to factor in cost, reputation, style, reliability, personality and more.
It may seem like a daunting, risky decision, but there are certain things to look for that can simplify the choice, and allow the true all-stars of your local wedding vendors to shine through.
So, item by item, let's identify traits of great DJ's and the companies they work for: Cost: Look for a DJ company that puts their cost up front.
The truth is, most don't.
You shouldn't have to dig deep to figure out how much you'll have to pay in the end.
Also, be aware of small print that alludes to additional charges.
Many companies will offer a "bait-and-switch" package price, only to add in licensing fees, surcharges and the like.
It is, however, common practice for DJ companies to not show a package price with tax included.
If this is the case, don't shy away from asking the company up front what the total will be including tax.
Reputation: There are no regular or repeat customers in weddings, however, you should choose a DJ company that can produce testimonials or reviews from past clients.
Don't be shy to ask for a past client's e-mail address.
Even if you don't ever use it, at least see if your potential DJ (or the company) can produce one or more.
Companies that are new may solicit testimonials from friends and family.
To help identify this practice, look for a wide range of dates.
Testimonials will typically trickle in slowly throughout a wedding season.
Style: Admittedly, style is a tough aspect to gauge.
At any given wedding, you'll hear all genres of music, and any DJ that claims he/she is a master of all is not being truthful.
What you can look for is someone with a good knowledge of Top 40, both old and new.
Many DJ companies offer sample mixes online.
Listen to these mixes and confirm that it's the type of music you would want to hear on your big day.
Reliability: This is paramount.
Even if you booked DJ Jazzy Jeff to DJ your wedding for $1, it wouldn't mean anything if he didn't show up or didn't work with you to create the perfect evening.
It is a stigma that plagues the DJ industry, but the stronger companies take measures to eliminate any perceptions of laziness and alleviate any other concerns their potential clients may have.
Make sure that the DJ you book offers a contract, and if you are having trouble communicating with your company, address it immediately! The DJ company you choose should be very forthcoming with details, and respond to inquiries in a timely fashion.
It can be reasonably expected that a phone call is returned the same day, or an e-mail responded to within 24 hours.
Personality: Make sure that you meet with your DJ company (or preferably the DJ that will perform at your wedding) at least once before signing on.
You are paying a lot of money to the company you choose, and it's a very fair request to meet up and discuss what they can do for you.
Your DJ should be generally light-spirited, but well dressed and punctual.
Age wise, look for a DJ within 5 years of the average age of your guests.
For example, if there will be both teenagers and baby-boomers attending your wedding, look for a DJ in his or her thirties.
In conclusion, there are a lot of great DJ's in your area, not just the ones with the fancy radio spots or high Google ranking.
Take a few hours to find a DJ company that has quality DJ's and top-notch customer service.
The time you spend choosing the right DJ service will pay off 10-fold when your guests have the time of their lives at your wedding.