There’s no denying the importance of wedding music at your reception; the music that’s played can have a huge impact on how much your guests dance and enjoy your reception as a whole.
If you’re thinking about hiring a DJ, then, there are some important questions you’ll want to ask to ensure you end up with the right professional for the job.
How Much Experience Do You Have?
Always start by finding out how much experience a DJ has.
Specifically, you’ll want to find out how many weddings he’s done in the past and how long he’s been doing weddings for.
Because your DJ will be responsible for keeping your guests on the dance floor and making important announcements throughout the night, it’s important to find somebody with proven experience in this area.
How Do You Charge for Your Services?
Most DJs will charge a set dollar amount per hour for their services, but you’ll want to check with your DJ to be sure before signing any contracts.
Specifically, find out when your billed time begins.
For example, does it include when your DJ shows up to begin setting up?
Or does it begin when your event starts?
Most DJs won’t charge you for set-up and tear-down time, but this can vary.
When you obtain a quote for your DJ’s services, be sure to get a detailed breakdown so you can see what’s included versus what you may be charged extra for down the road.
Will You Accept Requests?
There’s a good chance that your guests will want to request some songs at your wedding, so you’ll want to make sure that the DJ you’re thinking about working with will accept song requests.
You might be surprised to find just how many DJs these days don’t take requests.
If you’re worried about your guests requesting a song you don’t like, you can always give your DJ a “do-not-play” list before the event to avoid these kinds of situations.
Can I Provide a List of “Must-Play” Songs?
Of course there are some songs that you’ll want to hear on your big day.
So in addition to your DJ taking a list of songs you want played at important parts of your big day (your processional music, your first dance, etc.), you may also want to see if he or she will accept a list of “must-play” songs that can be incorporated into the playlist throughout the night.
Most DJs are willing to do this, but many will ask that you provide no more than 10 or so must-play songs.
This way, your DJ still has some creative freedom, which is a big part of the job.
Is Any Uplighting Included?
A lot of DJs these days will include uplighting as part of their package deals, so if you want to add a little ambiance to your wedding reception, you’ll want to ask about this.
Uplighting can be a great way to draw people to the dance floor and add a more elegant look to your entire venue. If you decide to go with an uplighting package, be sure to find out what colors and lighting options are available so you can choose one that will suit your wedding’s color scheme and decor (if that’s important to you).
As you can see, there’s a lot to keep in mind as you shop around for a wedding DJ.
By taking the time to ask these questions, however, you can get a much better idea of which DJ is right for you.
From there, you can make a well informed and confident decision for your big day.