When planning your wedding, there is a lot to think about! You want your ceremony to be beautiful and your guests to have fun at the after-party. If you opt for wedding reception music, the wedding DJ you choose can make or break the tempo of your reception. Here are 11 questions to ask a wedding DJ before hiring.
This article is by Phil Tucker and is an updated republish of an existing post.
Average Wedding Reception DJ Cost
Chances are, you have never hired a disc jockey service. Many people are tempted to ask about the average wedding DJ cost as their first question when interviewing a prospective disc jockey service. However, this is not the best way to start. Price is important, but should not be “the” determining factor.
When interviewing a potential wedding DJ, you need information. But you probably also want the most for your money. One potential DJ may charge less because the company is less experienced or less well-equipped to handle your function. Additionally, some DJ services charge more because they have an excellent reputation, stay busy, and deliver exceptional sound and lighting, with many years of experience.
Remember the law of supply and demand.
You should, by all means, shop around and find the best overall wedding reception package for you. Make sure you know what you are getting when you book your wedding music. We have put together this list of questions to help you interview prospective DJ services. We hope you find the professional that is right for you as you ponder your wedding DJ cost, experience, and offerings.
Now, on to our 11 important questions to ask your wedding DJ.
11 Questions to Ask Your Potential Wedding DJ
1. Do you use professional gear?
If the DJ tells you about name brands you can buy at the local electronics store (Best Buy, etc.), chances are they are not using pro audio gear. Home hi-fi gear is not designed to withstand the demands of repeated professional use.
2. Do you have backup gear in an emergency?
Chances are, nothing will happen at your event. But if it does, is your DJ prepared to troubleshoot the problem? Do they have backup equipment on location to get the party back on track? (They should have extra cables, fuses, basic tools, a CD player, an amplifier, a mixer, etc.)
3. Is your wedding DJ hire service insured?
If the DJ hire service is professional and reputable, they will be insured. Most disc jockey services have at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance. Some also insure their equipment.
4. Are we guaranteed the DJ of our choice?
Some DJ companies have more than one disc jockey working for them. While the company may have been in business for years, your DJ may have been hired last week, so be sure who you are getting. Most companies have references for the specific DJ assigned to your wedding reception.
5. How many years of experience do you have?
This is a commonly asked question. The question should be, “How many events have you performed?” A seasoned DJ will have performed at hundreds of events.
6. May we call three of your references?
A good DJ hire service keeps current references. The list they provide for you should include at least 10 names and be no more than 6 months old. This is a good indicator of the quality you can expect.
If you are not comfortable calling strangers, ask whether they recommend any venues, photographers, or video services. Most wedding planners and other professionals work with many different DJ services every weekend.
7. How will our wedding reception DJ be dressed?
Specify the type of apparel that your disc jockey is expected to wear for your occasion. Formal attire, such as a coat & tie, is the most popular. If you are having a “themed” event, make sure to inform your entertainer.
8. How early will you be set up?
Most DJ services like to have the opportunity to do a sound and light check before any guests arrive. The last thing you want is a DJ hauling equipment through your receiving line and or guests.
9. Are you a wedding DJ who allows requests?
Consider the policy of requests. The best DJs will take audience requests and incorporate them into their routine. But don’t expect the DJ to play every request. An excellent DJ blends requests with songs that will get your guests up and moving.
10. What type of music do you have available?
Remember, it is not the number of CDs or albums they carry but the content of the media. Ask them how many hit songs they have and what type of music they have. Also, ask them how they stay up to date with the latest hits.
A good DJ service will carry a wide variety of music and have up to 2000 hits. Professional disc jockeys have professional DJ services available to them. These services provide the latest hits from radio stations and release new additions monthly.
Remember that during the dancing segment of your reception, a DJ will play an average of 15 songs per hour. So, you should hear nothing but hits all night long. This will keep your dance floor full all night, and everyone will have a great time.
11. Do you provide a written contract?
It is extremely important to have your booking confirmed in writing. Ask for a written agreement, especially if you are paying an initial retainer. The standard initial payment for entertainment services is 50%. If you are expecting a specific entertainer, make sure you get it in writing as well.
Save our questions to ask your wedding DJ before booking!
What questions do you ask a wedding DJ? Hopefully, now you’ll go into your meeting ready to go and armed with our 11 DJ wedding questions.
