Alan Ball

Tips When Interviewing Prospective Wedding DJs

Your best source for finding wedding DJ’s is from friends, coworkers, venues and sometimes the internet.
Talk to friends and co-workers or even recent newlyweds, you’ll be surprised at how many people attend weddings every year and the one thing they always remember is how good the DJ was.  A venue is another great source and will never recommend somebody who will let you down. It’s their reputation on the line as well. The internet can not only help you find DJ’s using Google and Wedding planning sites like Celebration and Plan My Day, but also help find reviews and feedback be it positive or negative for prospective DJ’s.  Even Facebook has this feature available, see my reviews here.  Advertising on the net and creating a website does cost alot of money and this is another way you can narrow down your list of potential DJ’s.

Always interview 3-5 Wedding DJ’s before you make your final choice. As a DJ I find face to face interviews the best time to get a feeling of what the client wants.
Don’t rush to pick your wedding DJ, we all have different personalities and different backgrounds. Choose someone who has grown up listening to similar music to yourself and your guests. Remember that using computer software, a DJ can edit their best material to make themselves look much better than they are. But at least you can see them in action. Again give more weight to personal recommendations. If you have special song requests, ask the DJ if they have it or if they can get it. Ask if they know the venue well and have worked there before. If not, and you do hire them make sure they scope it out well before your big day. I would also recommend the DJ meet the venue manager too because synergy between DJ and manager is what keeps your function running smoothly. A DJ’s talent should reach far beyond just motivating the crowd or making the announcements at the right time. They must have their finger on the pulse of your wedding and know everything that is going on. The only way this can happen is when they have a good working relationship with the venue staff.

Questions To Ask Your Prospective Wedding DJ
Is the DJ familiar with your wedding venue?

As mentioned above

Who will be your actual DJ at your wedding?

This one is important. Many DJ companies comprise of multiple DJ’s who work for an owner who normally DJ’s too. Make sure you’re meeting the guy who is actually playing at your wedding. You don’t need some stranger there on the day.

What about wedding DJ overtime, and other unexpected or hidden fees?

Know your venue times when you meet with your DJ, most venues have a certain time they require the music to be switched off. Ask if they charge more for any extra equipment needed i.e. extra lighting or speakers. Make sure there is a contract which should be clear about any extra costs. I like to keep my pricing very simple and don’t charge extra for overtime or extra equipment, it’s one flat rate. EASY

What attire will your wedding DJ wear at your wedding?

Sounds like a no brainer, but you should find out what their uniform is. If you are not happy with that then please specify if you would like them to wear something specific.

How many years experience does this wedding DJ have?

10 years + is what you should be looking for.

Will they play CD’s you provide?

In my books all DJ’s should do this.

Do they take requests?

I also believe that your guests should have the freedom to request songs.

Where will your wedding DJ setup? Is there a dance floor?

Be clear where the dance floor is located. Be aware that the DJ will need to run leads to speakers and lighting, so don’t try put them in a corner away from the dance floor. Keep the DJ close to the action on the dance floor so he can engage with your guests.

Will your wedding DJ need to be fed at your wedding?

Be sure to feed your DJ. Make sure the cater knows and looks after your DJ for food and drink. I prefer to eat at my DJ table. Never seat the DJ and Photographer with your guests. It makes them feel bad because they are sitting with the “help” as such. If you do want a table for the DJ, Photographer, Videographer and other staff stick it out the way and off to the side. Make sure the DJ eats earlier if possible. I find it always a rush to eat as we normally get served toward the end which means while the DJ is eating your first tables have finished and started waiting for the dancing to start.

What problems has the DJ encountered at weddings and how did they solve them?

You want a wedding DJ who is resilient, able to respond quickly to unforeseen mishaps that can ruin your wedding. You can bet that many weddings look smooth, but had issues that were quickly seamlessly patched behind the scenes by DJs, caterers, and other suppliers.

Finally ask for a list of wedding requests and suggestions in all genres. Some wedding DJ’s have a request form for you to fill out, so they can have everything ready for the wedding. Some obscure songs can take a while for them to get, so make sure you give them enough time to do so.

Good luck and I hope this helps you find the right DJ for the job. Email me if you need any more information and I’ll be happy to help.