Quick Tips On Selecting A Quality DJ
For Your Wedding

First and foremost, make sure that you feel comfortable with the company representative that you talk to during your first contact. If not, move on..... there are a lot of choices out there. Remember, the DJ company you choose will play a big part in the success or failure of your reception. You must like the people you are dealing with!

Second, don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Most people rarely hire a DJ in their lifetime, so you are not alone if you feel like you aren't sure what to ask. Any company that isn't more than happy to help you get what you want, and answer all of your questions, should send up a warning sign.

Finally, try to resist shopping price. Most wedding horror stories involving a DJ start with a couple who found a cheap company or individual. Most people budget thousands of dollars for their wedding.....ask yourself if it makes sense to save a hundred dollars on what will probably be the most important factor in determining the success of your reception. You really do get what you pay for.


Questions to ask a Disk Jockey:

Is my time and date available?
How many years have you been in business?
What percentage of your business is devoted to weddings?
How would you describe your style as a DJ?
What styles of music do you play?
Do you have a demo tape?
Do you provide references?
Do you use professional equipment?
How will you be dressed?
Will you emcee the wedding?
Do you provide continuous music?
How many breaks do you take? For how long?
Do you take requests?
Do you talk into a microphone much and how and why do you talk at all?
Are you insured?
What is your fee and exactly what does this include?
What is your payment policy? Deposit required? When and how much?
Balance due when?
Cancellation policy?
What form of payment do you accept?
Will you provide a contract detailing our agreement?

How do you handle the variety of music needed to appeal to me and my guests and how, when and why to play it?

How does the DJ handle requests at reception and still keep the variety flowing ? (and still include the wedding theme of "elegant but fun")

How much and what medium (CD,vinyl,tape) of music is brought to the reception?

How do you set up and adjust not only the volume but speaker location so as to not "blow the hair off of Grandma ?"

Items DJ and Client Should Discuss:
Location Information of Reception
Name/address of establishment
Contact Name & Phone
Primary room name/location, Floor
Should DJ provide music in other room(s) at any time (such as for cocktail hour)?
If so, what, where and when?
Directions to event
General Information Number of guests Adults Children
Is there any time during which DJ should not play? If so, when?
Contact Information For Other Party Professionals Name and Phone Number

DJ Might Want to Know the names of the following for reference at reception
Party Planner
Caterer
Photographer
Videographer
Cake maker
Decorator

Is it OK to acknowledge the above people during the event?

List of Songs & Music Types NOT to be played
List of Songs to be played ONLY IF REQUESTED BY A GUEST
Music Requests (Songs to DEFINITELY be played)
What is the age range expected?
What time are guests expected to arrive?
Any Special Announcement that DJ should make?
Should person giving the toast be introduced, or simply handed the microphone?

These are the kinds of things your DJ should ask you when planning an event. Remember that the more planning you do, the more smoothly things should go.