5 Things To Look For When Choosing A Wedding DJ
The moment you say “Yes! I will marry you!” the planning begins. Planning a wedding has been proven to be one of the most stressful events to plan. Trying on wedding dresses and tuxedos, finding the perfect venue, selecting an excellent caterer, and choosing the best wedding DJ. These are just a few of the many tasks of planning a wedding. Ultimately, you are doing all of this to celebrate your special day, and entertain your friends and family. That’s why we decided to compile a short list of what to look for when choosing your wedding DJ.
1. Is he/she within my budget?
Of course, we all want the gold silverware and the crystal glasses, but we definitely do not want to start our marriage in debt! At this point, you likely already have a budget in place for your special day. Keeping to that budget will continue to prove challenging, but certainly possible. In terms of entertainment, your wedding DJ will presumably play the biggest role in this category.
Wedding focused business are not afraid of the “what’s your budget?” question. We don’t ask you this to come back at you with the closest to your budget as possible. We ask this so we don’t waste your time. Every business has its own cost structure. If you tell me your budget is $200, and I know the minimum I charge is $500, then we may not be the best fit for each other.
Keep in mind, your entertainment budget is not solely a wedding DJ. Do you intend on having any games, prizes, a magician? The possibilities are endless. The main source of entertainment, likely your DJ, should be about 75% of your entertainment budget.
We work with varying budgets, be sure to click here to contact us and discuss your budget and needs!
2. Is their equipment going to fit my needs?
I personally am not a name-brand shopper, however, when it comes to audio equipment I tend to be pretty selective. Our setup consists of 2 JBL Eon 12’s, which are powered speakers. They pack a pretty good punch! They are perfect for your small and medium-sized venues or an outdoor venue. I carry a Pioneer controller and various lighting equipment.
Discussing equipment is often something that is not brought up when clients are inquiring. Most people don’t know the technical lingo, so avoid asking the ever so crucial questions about equipment. While you can certainly trust us as professionals, you wouldn’t buy a car without doing your research first, right?
The power of Google can shed plenty of light on the equipment your entertainer is using!
3. What is their reputation?
In the wedding industry, reviews are like gold. I always say quality over quantity. Joe Schmoe might have 5,600 reviews, but how many stars does he have? What are the contents of the reviews?
Word-of-mouth is one of the most important forms of marketing for the wedding industry. When your best friend says “Hey, I know a good DJ” who gets that first inquiry? I am willing to bet it will be your friend’s recommendation.
Long story short, don’t put your money on the number of reviews, put it on the content and quality.
4. Does he/she have the music I am looking for?
This one goes without saying. It’s your special day, surrounded by friends and family who all want to celebrate and have a great time. If your DJ offers only a specific genre of music, it’s like they aren’t the fit for you. In today’s world of technology, it’s pretty irresponsible of a DJ to not carry nearly anything you want to hear, however, there is more to it than just a playlist. Sure uncle Joe can bring his sweet iPod, but can he maintain a crowd? A successful DJ truly feeds off the dance floor. He or she typically has a good variety of music that your great grandmother will enjoy, your seven-year-old niece will bounce to, and of course the first dance.
When booking a wedding DJ always be sure to meet with your entertainer to discuss your music selections, favorite genres, etc… In a future blog, we will post a guide that we use, feel free to print it out and bring it with you to your consultation. Couples often struggle to decide on their favorites, my go-to website to get those ideas flowing is Billboard’s Top 100.
5. Will their personality be a good fit for my guests?
Number 5, in my professional opinion, the most important- personality. You may find a DJ with raving reviews and incredible videos, but when you meet them you just don’t vibe well. You know your friends and family, we dont. If your family is reserved and quiet, a loud and full of energy DJ might not be a good fit.
Take the time to get to know your wedding DJ. Ask lots of questions. Ask about prior events. This person is going to be your primary source of entertainment for the biggest day of your life. Don’t wait till the last minute to book, take your time, make the right choice for you and your special day!
We hope you have enjoyed this article, and wish you well in your search for the best entertainment for your special day. If you are a seasoned planner, please share your tips in the comments below!