13 QUESTIONS TO ASK A WEDDING DJ BEFORE YOU BOOK
You may think finding a wedding DJ will be one of the easier tasks on your do list or that all DJs do is play music. But you're wrong and here's why.
DJs do so much more than just play music. They make announcements, they keep the timeline moving along, they provide endless entertainment options from photo booths to glow sticks to lighting and props. There are so many layers and things they do for your wedding to keep everyone happy and entertained.
Think of the wedding DJ as the drummer in a band. They are the backbone of the wedding day. A good wedding DJ is an essential component to a successful wedding. Finding the one that is right for you can take some time and research.
Once you narrow down your options and find a few DJs that are available on your date, you should schedule a consultation to discuss your wedding details. Prior to your call or meeting it's a good idea to have some questions prepared.
Here are a few questions to ask during your consultation or meeting that will get you closer to finding the right DJ for your wedding day.
1. Do you have a written contract? Always get contracts in writing from all your wedding vendors. A professional wedding DJ will have a written agreement either on paper or in a digital form that should list their fees and everything that is included so there are no misunderstandings. At a minimum the agreement should show the wedding date, location, timeframe for their services and what they are agreeing to provide from a performance standpoint and any additional services such as extra lighting, photo booth or multiple sound systems.
2. How long have you been a DJ? Alternatively you could ask "how many weddings have you do/ do you do per year?" These types of questions are a good way to learn more about their experience working as a wedding DJ and how long they have been in business. Obviously the longer they have been a DJ the more experience they can can bring to the table.
3. Will you make announcements? Most weddingn DJs are also Emcees and will make necessary announcements during the wedding to keep people informed and let them know what to do such as when to sit for dinner, announcing the toasts and speeches or first dance. These are all things you and your DJ will discuss prior the wedding day to make sure they understand your expectations.
4. Have you worked at our wedding venue before? It isn't a deal breaker question but knowing your DJ has worked at the venue where your wedding is taking place can give you some peace of mind. They will already know the venue layout, rules and restrictions to abide by, and also loading or unloading instructions.
5. What will you wear to our wedding? If you are having a formal wedding you will want to make sure your DJ blends in with their attire and wears the appropriate tux or suit. Even if you are not having a formal wedding it's nice to know that your DJ won't be showing up in shorts or a tshirt. They should have proper hygeine, be well dressed and always conduct themselves in a professional manner.
6. What happens if you can't make the wedding due to injury or illness? All wedding vendors including your DJ should have a backup plan in case they cannot perform on the wedding day due to any kind of unforseen circumstances. Most of the time they will have it written into their contract. If they do not, be sure to ask what their policy is and get it in writing.
7. Can we see you perform somewhere? Sometimes DJs will perform at a public event where you can see them in action. If not, ask if they have any videos you can watch. Most DJs now will have videos of themselves on social media or on their websites so you can get an idea of their style and how they will perform at your wedding.
9. What do you do if guests aren't dancing? This is a good question to ask mainly to hear what their response is and how they typically handle this situation. There are times when guests are not packed on the dance floor so if this happens you will want your DJ to have some tricks up his or her sleeve to get people moving again.
10. Do you provide any other services? As mentioned above a lot of DJs will provide additional services such as lighting or photo booths. They may offer you a discount if you book multiple services. If this isn't mentioned you can always ask!
11. What do you charge for overtime? All DJs will charge overtime rates if they go over the contracted amount of hours on the wedding day. It should be written into the contract so it's clear and there are no misunderstandings. If you don't see this in writing ask them to include it on the contract before you sign.
12. Do you have a business license and insurance? Most venues will require your vendors to be licensed and carry a form of liability insurance. Ask your DJ if they can provide you or your venue with copies to show that they are a legitimate business with the appropriate documents. In general it's always better to work with vendors who are licensed and insured.
13. Will you take requests? This can be tricky because your DJ will give you a "play" and a "do not play" questionairre to fill out so they know what your song preferences are. If a guest asks for a song during the wedding that is on the "do not play" list, they will not play it becuase you asked him or her not to. DJs typically have experience with this and know how to handle these situations in a professional manner. Their main goal is making you (the couple) happy.
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