10/09/2015
WHAT TO ASK WHEN HIRING A WEDDING DJ ....
Breaking it down on the dance floor is one of the highlights of the wedding reception, so you want to make sure you’re hiring someone who fits your needs and your overall vision. Considering the wide range of styles and skill sets when it comes to DJs, a thorough assessment is pretty important. Here are a few good questions to ask your wedding DJ before signing on.
1. How would you describe your style? Is he the type who likes to talk and engage the crowd a lot? Is he very formal, more laid back, or super energetic? It’s important to get a sense of whether his tone is going to match the vibe you’re going for.
2. How do you work with couples to determine a playlist? Find out whether he has some basic strategies for feeling out his clients’ specific styles and preferences and how he helps customize their experiences.
3. What are your favorite first dance songs? This will give you a good sense of his style and taste and help you determine whether you might mesh well together. If his are all top 10 hits and you’re thinking classics and oldies, for example, it may not be the best fit.
4. Have you ever played at my reception venue before? If your DJ has experience with your venue, that’s a plus. If not, it’s not a deal breaker, but it is important that you set up an appointment to walk through the space together. You want to make sure your DJ knows the layout, is familiar with the acoustics of the space, and is acquainted with a staff member or coordinator, if possible.
5. How extensive is your music library? This one speaks for itself. You want a wide selection!
6. What type of equipment do you use? This will not only give you further insight to his level of experience and skill, but is important to know from an aesthetic and logistical standpoint. What does it look like and how much space does it take up? Does it require special electrical outlets?
7. What does setup and breakdown entail? It’s important to have a basic understanding of this to properly plan in terms of timing and communicating any specific needs or concerns to your venue.
8. Do you have a demo or a recording of a wedding you’ve done in the past that I can see? Watching your DJ in his element will really give you the best sense of his interaction with the crowd, his energy, pacing, personality, style and level of professionalism.
9. Do you work with an assistant or second DJ? Depending on the size of your wedding, having an extra set of hands can be well worth it. This will help everything from setup to song requests run a lot more smoothly.
10. Do you offer any other services? Some DJs offer packages with additional services like video screens and lighting. Depending on the experience you’re going for, having these options available from a single source could be beneficial.
