Booking a wedding DJ is no joke. It’s an important decision that will have a direct impact on the mood and tone of your wedding day. Do you want someone who just blends into the background and plays low-key music, or do you want a DJ, who will get everyone on the dance floor and keep the party going all night long?
No matter what kind of wedding you’re planning, there’s a DJ who can make your vision a reality. But before you book someone, there are some important questions you should ask first.
18 Questions to ask about a wedding DJ:
- How long have you been a DJ?
- Do you have experience performing at weddings?
- What’s your music style?
- What kind of genres do you specialize in?
- What kind of equipment do you use?
- How did you get into performing at weddings?
- How do you dress for weddings?
- Do you have any references we can contact?
- Can we please see a performance schedule from one of your previous weddings?
- Can we see footage from one of your previous performances?
- Can we hear a demo of your work?
- What are your most popular songs?
- What is your policy on breaks?
- What sets you apart from other DJs?
- How do you handle music transitions between songs?
- Are you a member of any professional organizations?
- What precautions do you take to avoid virus transmission during the pandemic?
- What other safety measures do you take when working at weddings?
43 Questions you should ask a wedding DJ about his/her service:
- What is your policy on song requests from guests?
- Will you be the only person working at our wedding or will there be another staff present?
- Do you have insurance?
- What’s your fee and what does it include?
- Are there any additional costs we should be aware of?
- What are your cancelation policies?
- When will you arrive at our wedding and when will you leave?
- How long will it take you to set up and break down your equipment?
- How do you coordinate with our other vendors (e.g. photographer, videographer, caterer)?
- Do you have a contingency plan in case of equipment failure?
- What kind of sound system do you use?
- Will you provide a microphone for speeches?
- Do you have any lighting options?
- Can we see your music roster ahead of time?
- How do you handle song requests on the day of the event?
- What happens if one of your DJs gets sick?
- Do you take breaks throughout the night?
- Do you feel comfortable making announcements through the PA system?
- What’s the latest time you will stay?
- Have you worked at our venue before?
- Do you have any restrictions on the type of music we’re allowed to play (e.g. explicit lyrics)?
- Do you take payments in installments or all at once?
- When is the final payment due?
- Do you have spare equipment in case of technical difficulties?
- Do we need to provide anything for you on the day of the event (e.g. tables, chairs, etc.)?
- How much say do we have in choosing the music for our wedding day?
- Do we need to sign a contract?
- Can we see a copy of your standard contract before we sign anything?
- How will you set up your equipment at our reception?
- Are any parts of your performance copyrighted (e.g. certain songs, dances, etc.)?
- If so, do we have to pay royalties to use those parts at our wedding?
- How do you handle special songs (e.g. first dance, father-daughter dance, etc.)?
- What kind of music do you NOT play?
- Do you have any special packages or deals?
- Do you require a deposit? If so, how much is it and when is it due?
- How far in advance do I need to book your services?
- Will you play music during the breaks?
- When will you set up for the reception?
- When will you tear it down after the reception?
- Will you be the one DJing our event or will someone else be doing it?
- If someone else will be DJing our event, can we meet them beforehand?
- When do we have to give you a final song list?
- Can we also submit a “don’t play” list?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a DJ and an MC?
A DJ is responsible for selecting and playing music for a live audience. They use turntables and mixers to create unique sounds.
An MC is responsible for hosting an event or party. They introduce the other performers and make sure the show runs smoothly.
The main difference between a DJ and an MC is that a DJ focuses on the music, while an MC focuses on the overall experience of the event.
How do you interview a wedding DJ?
When you interview a DJ, you must ask them questions about their experience and the type of music they play. You should make sure that DJ has experience with weddings and has a wide variety of music available. Inquire about their equipment and how they handle emergencies. Also, get an idea of their personality and find out if they’d be a good fit for your wedding.
Is it worth it to hire a DJ for a wedding?
A DJ can be a great addition to a wedding but isn’t always necessary. If you have a friend or family member who’s good at spinning records or mixing music, it may be worth asking them to DJ your wedding.
However, if you don’t know anyone skilled in this area, it may be a good decision to hire a professional DJ. DJs can add a lot of excitement and fun to your wedding and make sure the music is always playing perfectly.
What are some challenges of DJing?
There are many challenges to being a successful DJ. One of the most important is reading the audience and figuring out what songs to play to get them dancing.
A good DJ also needs to be able to mix songs seamlessly and have a large enough music library to accommodate any request. There’s also a lot of technical equipment that needs to be mastered to create the perfect sound for any venue. And finally, a DJ must be able to stay up late and party hard!
Conclusion
Hiring a DJ is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make when planning your wedding day entertainment. Since so much depends on their performance, you must take the time to ask lots of questions and get to know them as best as possible before booking someone.
The questions listed above are a good starting point – but if you can think of anything else that’s specific to your wedding or reception, don’t hesitate to ask that too! With a little due diligence, you’re sure to find the perfect DJ for your big day!
