No ceremony can ever be complete without good music and that’s where an excellent DJ comes in.
According to Wikipedia, a disc jockey, often abbreviated as DJ, is a person who plays existing recorded music for a live audience.
Hiring a good DJ is just as tricky as hiring any other vendor for your wedding. Here are essential questions you are expected to ask before engaging them according to TheSpruce.
1. Can I meet the person who will actually work at my event before we sign a contract?
If you’re working with a DJ company who employs several different DJs, you’ll definitely want to make sure you’re comfortable with the actual person who’ll be at your reception. Do they seem cool, fun, and also respectful?
Are they listening to the questions you’re asking, and giving you thoughtful responses? Do they seem like someone you could have a fun time with?
Wedding DJs love to have autonomy and play whatever they want. Since it’s your wedding, you should have input about what gets played and what doesn’t.
3. Will your equipment allow you to mix one song into another so that there are no breaks in between songs?
One of the top reasons to hire a wedding DJ rather than just using an iPod is that they should be able to provide a seamless flow of music. If they can’t, it’s time to look elsewhere.
4. Will you take breaks? If so, what happens during the breaks?
Again, unlike a band or an iPod, a DJ should be able to have a seamless flow of music with no breaks.
5. Will you take requests during the wedding?
Some wedding DJs love requests, while others don’t like having to hunt for an obscure song or interrupting their playlist.
6. How many weddings do you DJ each year? Will you have another event on the same day?
Since DJs often work corporate events, bars and birthday parties, you want to make sure he or she is comfortable with weddings and the higher level of sophistication required.
You’ll also want to make sure there aren’t any possible scheduling conflicts as a result of having multiple events booked for the same day.
7. Have you worked at our reception site before?
If he or she already knows the setup and staff there, it can make things more seamless on the day of the wedding.
It’s not necessary, but it’s nice to have that reassurance that your wedding DJ is familiar with the layout and setup.
8. What sort of equipment do you use? Do your prices include the sound system, speakers, wireless microphone for the toasts, etc?
You’ll want to make sure he or she has the necessary equipment required to fill your event space with sound.
Each of these extras can add up quickly. Your event space may already have them available, but it’s good to have backups in case of equipment failure.
9. What do you do if nobody is dancing?
If for any reason your guests aren’t feeling the musical selections, how does the DJ handle it?
10. How current is your music collection?
Does he or she have access to the newest music? Do you want the newest pop hit played at your reception or do you just want to stick to your old favorites?
11. What if we really want to hear songs that aren’t in your music collection?
If for some reason the DJ doesn’t have some music or songs that you really love, will he be able to acquire it or is that not possible?
12. Will you advertise your services to our guests? Will you be discrete?
Your wedding is a job, not a networking opportunity. You want to make sure the DJ you’re working with doesn’t seem sleazy or slimy, or like he’ll be looking for his next job while in the middle of working your wedding.
13. What do you wear as a wedding DJ?
You’ll want to ensure that your wedding DJ is dressed appropriately for the formality of your big day.
14. Can I see a video of you playing at a wedding?
Ask to see footage of your DJ working at a wedding so you can get a feel for his or her style, personality, and character.
Answers to the above questions would let you know if you are on the right path as regards hiring a suitable DJ for your wedding.
Photo Credit: TheSpruce, Naija DJ Pool
