Weddings involve two key activities. First, you tie the knot. Second, you celebrate! For a stellar reception, you just need a few basics - delicious food, friends and family, and great music. Many argue that music is the most important reception ingredient. There's nothing better than seeing the dance floor packed with your family and friends having the time of their lives. To make sure they get out there and shake it like a Polaroid picture, you should hire a fantastic DJ. A wedding reception DJ is a professional entertainer who creates your wedding soundtrack and serves as your master of ceremonies, guiding the festivities from your grand entrance to the cake cutting to your last dance.
A Wedding Reception DJ to Suit Every Style
There are thousands of wedding reception DJs. The best way to find the right one is to ask around for personal recommendations. Talk to friends, family, and coworkers. Also, your reception venue should share a list of preferred vendors who have earned respect and know the venue. And if you attended a wedding that had a great DJ, ask the bride to send you the contact details. Last but not least, your other vendors certainly have opinions of DJs they've worked with and may be able to offer advice.
Selecting the Right Wedding Reception DJ
Wedding experts suggest you interview three to five reception DJs. Here are some questions to get the discussion going. Remember to also note your personal impression of the wedding reception DJ, including whether you feel a connection.
Will you be the DJ who performs at my wedding? You don't want to interview a wedding reception DJ only to learn that he's just one of many DJs dispatched by an agency. When you find someone you like, make sure it's in your contract that he'll show up on your wedding day.
Can you work with my budget? Tell the DJ about the duration of your wedding, the location, and your budget to see what she can offer. Wedding reception DJ fees vary greatly depending on skill, experience, equipment quality, and location, but the average range is $1200 to $4500 per wedding. Exceptional entertainment can make your wedding legendary, so don't go with the cheapest option assuming that "anyone can announce us and play music." A high price doesn't guarantee quality, so do your homework regardless of the fee. Ensure that the contract outlines all costs (including any fees for assistants, equipment, or preparatory work). If your venue allows you to extend your reception, ask the DJ the cost to stay an extra hour at the last minute.
Are you familiar with my reception venue? It's helpful if the wedding reception DJ knows the basics of your location - how to get there, the layout, and the manager/coordinator. Plus, she may already know about potential hurdles and solutions, such as a funky floor plan or a faraway power outlet. It's certainly not a deal breaker if the DJ doesn't know your reception site, but it's worth a few points if she does.
How will we work together? Some DJs may have face-to-face meetings with you, while others will work with you by phone and email. Find someone whose approach makes you comfortable.
How long have you been a wedding reception DJ, and what technology do you use to play music? You want a seasoned professional who is nonetheless up on today's trends, music, and technology. You'll have guests of every age at your wedding, and a true professional will know how to engage them all. Many DJs today work from their laptops hooked up to state-of-the-art speakers and microphones, so they'll have every song at their fingertips. (Ask about potential costs for any spur-of-the-moment song downloads.) A DJ should be able to tell you about the quality of his sound equipment, including assuring you that he knows how to set it up to avoid speaker feedback and mic failures, which are common mood killers at wedding receptions.
How much input can I provide for songs? If you want to have a heavy hand in the music, find a DJ who is open to your input. Aside from providing short "must play" and "don't play" lists, most brides leave the music to the pro. I can tell you from experience that the DJ knows best. We made a list of songs for our wedding reception DJ, but the songs she chose were the ones that got the crowd most excited!
Do you have a standard pre-wedding form for couples to fill out ? Most wedding reception DJs have you complete a form with the names of special guests to be announced (including pronunciation help!) and key songs (first dance, cake cutting, etc.).
What will you wear at my wedding reception? Most couples want their wedding reception DJ to wear a tuxedo. Female DJs often wear a black dress and dark jacket. It's important that your DJ look like a professional master of ceremonies.
Did you ever encounter an unexpected problem at a wedding? How did you handle it? You want a wedding reception DJ with fast reflexes who can respond rapidly to any snafus that could tarnish your wedding.
Do you have a contingency plan? Things happen, so make sure the DJ has a plan B for any failed equipment or personal emergencies.
Are you insured? Do you belong to the American Disc Jockey Association? Insurance and the backing of a professional organization can give you peace of mind that your DJ is reliable. It pays to work with ethical vendors who protect their business and their customers.
Do you have any questions for me? See if the DJ takes an interest in your ideas. You should also expect him to ask questions about the logistical details of your wedding, such as location, timing, and number of guests.
Hiring Your Wedding Reception DJ
Always ask the DJ if you can see a live performance or video. And it goes without saying that you should ask for and call several references. Select your wedding reception DJ based on experience, quality of references, and compatibility. Make sure to clearly convey your expectations to the DJ and be open to their valuable ideas and suggestions. After all, you're paying them for their wedding reception expertise!
