Tailored Wedding Dresses Blog

Many brides struggle with trying to find the perfect entertainment for their big day. This is a very important decision, because the entertainment can make or break the entire evening.

So how do you hire a wedding DJ?

I have laid out 7 helpful tips below that will help you select the right company for your special day.

1.) Friends don’t let friends DJ their wedding

Before we get into pricing, I just wanted to let everybody know that friends do not let their friends DJ their wedding.

Instead, you should have your friend attend the wedding as a guest or even in the bridal party. Just because they are your friend does not mean that you have to let them DJ your wedding. They may give you a killer deal on the DJ package, but are they really professional DJ material? I am sure there are many people who know pro wedding DJs out there that would be the perfect match for your wedding. However, I have heard the stories many times where brides wished they would have spent $300.00 more instead of having their cousins friend ruin the reception with blowup guitars, rap, and cheesy announcements.

A professional wedding DJ company will go over all the details with you ahead of time, so that there are no surprises.

2.) See Your DJ in Action

Honestly, most wedding DJ companies that you might consider hiring will not allow you to attend a private function such as a wedding reception. When you really think about it, would like to have some guest come uninvited to your wedding just to get free drinks and eat your appetizers?

A reputable company will focus all their attention on the client for that day instead of the next one being booked. To fix this problem online video demos come in handy. You can see event highlights of your DJ in action, and get a feel for how they will coordinate your wedding day while working with your vendors.

3.) Type of DJ/Personality

This will make or break the DJ company that you hire for your wedding. No two DJs are the same and with that said not every DJ is created equally. Some DJs will do any and every type of event, while others specialize in weddings.

When you first talk to the DJ over the phone, get a feel for how they present themselves during the conversation. Are they energetic? Are they passionate? This is what you can expect from them on your wedding day. Some DJs spend 30 seconds on the phone while others take the time to understand what you are looking for so they meet your expectations.

When you hire a wedding DJ you are also hiring the master of ceremonies. They will be your spokesperson for the evening representing both of your families. It is a wise idea to go with a company that has good chemistry with you and your fiancé.

4.) What Does Price Really Mean

Every couple wants their wedding day to be perfect, and they also want to save as much money as possible. So what does price really mean when hiring a wedding DJ? I am sure you have heard the old saying you get what you pay for, but quality entertainment does not cost it pays.

If you skimp a couple of hundred dollars on the entertainment your guests might not stay long enough to get your moneys worth from the hall, your photographer might not take above average photos, and that late night snack tray might go to waste as well.

When guests look back on your wedding day 10, 15, even 20 years from now, do you know what they will remember… if they had fun or not! So we know that going with the cheapest might cost you the most stress, but the most expensive does not mean the best either. Sometimes you are charged for setup and teardown, online planning, travel, and the list goes on. It is best to work with a company that can compromise with your budget.

A company that does not have any hidden costs and gives you the most bang for your buck.  This typical price range will usually fall between $795-$1295. Sometimes pricing can go over this range if you factor in custom options including Wall Accent Lighting, custom name monogram, and remote sound.

5.) References References References!

By far one of the most important areas to spend your time when figuring out how to hire a wedding DJ is feedback and testimonials. References should be recent, from within the past 6-12 months, and you should be given an adequate amount of them for the type of event you are considering (EX. you should not be given a list of corporate referrals for a wedding reception they are completely different).

If you are given a list of over 15 satisfaction surveys, contact 3 or 4 random brides and really listen to what they say. Ask them why they hired the DJ company, how the wedding DJ did at their wedding, and their overall impression. Any wedding DJ that is serious about your business will have nothing to hide and will provide references upon request.

6.) Talk with Several Companies So you talked with one wedding DJ company now guess what? Talk with another and another. The best piece of advice is to consult with several wedding DJs before making a decision on which one to hire. This will also give you a better understand of what you are looking for immediately! You will be surprised at the way some entertainers carry themselves. Just imagine how they will handle your ONE wedding!

Keep notes of all conversations and prices quoted for your wedding. Narrow your selection down to 2 or 3 ideal companies and make your decision from there.

7.) What about the contract and payments

Finally after you have your sights on a particular wedding DJ, enforce what you want with a contract. All the stipulations should be discussed before hand and all the important details should be included (location, date, time, # of guests, names, and phone number).

When going over the contract, also talk about how are payments made. Most wedding DJ companies accept a 50% retainer at the time the contract is signed to reserve your date. Usually the outstanding balance is due the night off. Majority of the time, payments can be made in advance if you are more comfortable with that. Will your DJ accept a personal check, if so who is it made out to? Small things like this will tell you how flexible a wedding DJ is, (this is a biggie when it comes to weddings). At most weddings the timeline will jump around plus or minus 10-15 minutes. Your wedding DJ will have to adjust to these changes without hesitation.

How Do You Hire the Right Wedding DJ?

This all depends on how you take the advice from this article. Every bride and groom is different and this means that they are looking for different qualities in a wedding DJ. The best approach to take when interviewing wedding DJs is to get a vibe of how they view you as a person and a client. Wedding receptions should not be done in a cookie cutter fashion. When weddings are personalized to what the bride and groom want, then this means that they hired the best wedding DJ available.

Robert Reno works for Encore Entertainment. His team provides DJs and lighting for Michigan wedding receptions. Visit the following links for more info about how to hire a wedding DJ or the Michigan DJ.