Planning a wedding is uncharted territory for most couples and booking the right vendors is easily the most stressful part. Our number one tip when looking for any vendor is to find someone you resonate with, especially when it comes to those that play a huge role such as your DJ or Photographer. We understand the anxiety that comes with choosing the right team to make your wedding memorable, so we’ve put together a list of what to look for in a Wedding DJ to give you more confidence as you’re interviewing them.
Look for a Wedding DJ that plays great music all ages will enjoy
The weddings we remember most, are those we had the most fun. There are a lot of DJs that are great within their preferred genre, but not a lot that are great across several genres. Weddings bring together friends and family of all ages and musical tastes, so it’s important to find someone who entices your guests to the dance floor. Someone who understands and loves music across multiple genres and decades.
At your initial meet and greet you’ll want to ask your prospective wedding DJ what type of music they typically play. Look for answers that exhibit the ability to accommodate all your guests’ tastes. It’s also great to ask what they like about specific genres of music that you enjoy. When asking this, the key is to determine how passionate they are when speaking about the music. Do they seem excited, or do they seem flat when describing what they like?
Look for a Wedding DJ that has great communication skills
Playing great music is important, but there’s so much more required of a wedding DJ. Throughout the reception, it is your DJs responsibility to lead your friends and family throughout the night. While there are many masters on the decks, there are fewer masters of ceremonies, or MCs. The right DJ will seamlessly host your friends and family without awkward moments.
When interviewing your DJ, look for someone who is outgoing and has no problem keeping you engaged. A true master will feel out your crowd’s energy, match it, then take it to the next level. Someone who has too much, or too little energy might lose the attention of your guests. A bonus is someone who isn’t afraid to mingle amongst your friends and family. We find that getting to know your guests proves valuable in getting them to follow our lead later in the night….an
Exclusive Events DJ music organization and mobile planning app.
Look for a Wedding DJ that Is organized and pays attention to detail
We estimate playing great music and interacting with guests is only 25 percent of a DJs job. The other 75 percent is preparing for and managing your wedding day. While there are those that can DJ and MC, there are very few that are organized enough to pull off a flawless wedding. Your wedding DJ will need to keep track of all your special songs and moments, while managing numerous tasks behind the scenes. An unorganized DJ will lead to a clunky reception with awkward instances and missed special moments.
When interviewing your DJ, pay attention to the flow and organization of the conversation. Do they seem to be all over the place, or do they seem to be moving in a consistent direction? Most professional DJs have organized presentations that show who they are, what to expect, and what tools they use to help you plan your wedding. They should be able to answer questions you have, as well as those you didn’t know to ask. If the prospective DJ seems scrambled and disorganized when talking to you, that may be a sign of what to expect on your wedding day. Click here to see how we go above and beyond on your wedding day!
Bonus Tip!
As a bonus, checking out the tools and equipment your DJ uses can give you insight into how long they’ve been in the business, and how passionate they are about their business. Passionate DJs are always looking for new ways to lead their industry by giving their clients a better experience.
As far as equipment goes, your standard DJ will have a basic setup consisting of 2 speakers on stands, sound-active lighting, and a mixer in a road case. Instead, look for aesthetically pleasing setups including custom built DJ booths, upgraded speaker systems that include subwoofers, and programmed lighting. You spend too much time making your wedding venue look beautiful to have a gaudy DJ setup with cables sticking out everywhere.
On the planning end, DJs have countless resources that allow them to stay organized while helping you plan the details of your wedding. Are they requesting you to fill out paper forms, or do they utilize an online or mobile planner? Experienced DJs know the value of using technology to ensure stress-free planning.