Wedding DJ Basics

As wedding DJs ourselves, we feel we are uniquely qualified to help brides and grooms choose the best wedding reception entertainment possible. Hiring wedding vendors is usually a new experience for couples, and wedding disc jockeys are some of the most influential wedding vendors out there. After all, they are the ones who set the tone for your entire reception!

If you've decided to hire a disc jockey instead of a live band, you will need to find a real pro. To start with, you need to decide on where the DJ fits in your reception plans. What is the role of the DJ? Will the DJ just be spinning music or are you expecting him to also be the Master of Ceremony? What is the kind of music you would prefer-- will the DJ be able to accommodate that? And finally, how much are you looking to spend on your wedding reception entertainment?

Look at Yellow Pages and online listings of wedding DJs, known names you get from loved ones, references, and recommendations. Check with local dance clubs and radio stations -- they can often provide good leads. Magazines and newspapers may sport advertisements of companies that provide wedding DJ services.

Look everywhere! This will give you a broad picture of the prices involved and will also help narrow down the list to fit your budget. Don't assume that the most expensive DJ will be the best DJ -- sometimes wedding disc jockeys are quite reasonable even though they have the skills to pay the bills!

A Music Plus
Denver Disc Jockeys
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Choosing Wedding Music

For those looking for wedding DJs in Denver Colorado and beyond, we want to offer you a few pointers that will help you when it comes time to make your wedding reception playlist. Choosing music isn't always easy, and there's plenty to think about. You have multiple options when you come to this stage of wedding planning, and we've outlined them below.

1) Do nothing, allowing your wedding DJ to choose all the music.This is fine if you have seen us before and know you will like our selections, or if you do not have the time to choose music. The DJs at A Music Plus are at events every week and can quickly determine the kind of music that you and your guests will enjoy. Additionally, our DJs bring a wide variety of all styles of popular music so that they can adjust to your preferences and those of your guests accordingly.

2) Choose a few songs and/or artists you most enjoy. This is what most clients choose to do. This gives your wedding DJ a clear indication of some of the music that is important to you, while allowing them to take guest requests and play songs that they know from experience will please your guests.

3) Choose several songs and artists and identify a list of "Do Not Play" songs and/or artists, as well as possibly forbidding the playing of guest requests. If you have the time and inclination, this option gives you more control of the music played at your event. While more time consuming on your end, it can help you feel that you have more say in what is or is not played.

4) Provide a list of music choices for your wedding DJ, requiring that only songs on that list be played unless you specify otherwise at the event. This option ensures that you will not hear a song at your event that you have not approved, but is somewhat restrictive and eliminates guest choices as an option for the DJ.

5) Create the list of music you want played, in order, and require that your wedding disc jockey stick to it. While we will happily do this for you, it is not recommended. Making such a list requires a great deal of time and effort on your part. Additionally, it cannot account for or allow flexibility for what may be happening at your event at any given time.

Good luck, and have a great reception!

A Music Plus
Denver Disc Jockeys
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Wedding DJs Pt. II

Of all the Denver disc jockeys out there, we obviously think we're the best. But when it comes to choosing entertainment for your reception, it's up to you to decide which dj will make your wedding fun. To help you make this very important decision, here are four questions you should ask yourself when choosing your wedding dj.

How important is it to you that your guests dance?
This is a huge issue at wedding receptions. We sometimes get clients whose primary concern in selecting music is to demonstrate to their friends and families how eclectic or eccentric their music tastes have become. While we will certainly help them accomplish that goal, we try to warn them not to be shocked if most of their guests don't recognize the music and, therefore, choose not to dance. Again, we make no judgment here as to this being right or wrong, it is just how it is. Most people tend to dance when they feel comfortable, and that usually requires recognizing the music.

What if the DJ is off track with music selection at our event?
We at A Music Plus think of performing at an event much like waiting tables in a fine restaurant. A great DJ will do their best to provide exactly what you want, but they cannot know you want something different unless you say so. If your soup is cold, the finest waiter will not know unless you tell him. If you want the music selection at any particular time tweaked, tell the DJ so they can adjust.

Do we have to hear the same old songs that we hear at most weddings?
Of course not. This is your day and you should have total control of the music played. On the other hand, songs that fall under the category of “popular music” are called "popular" for a reason. Popular songs like YMCA, Loveshack, the Electric Slide, for instance...these are songs that make some people cringe, while others flock to the dance floor. You need to decide what matters most. If hearing a particular song or artist will irk you at your event, you should tell us in advance. If you'll be too busy visiting with guests to notice or care, and the song has your guests dancing end enjoying themselves, then you might be best served to not worry about it.

Should we allow the DJ to take guests requests?
This is up to you. We cannot possibly know you and your guests as well as you do. Sometimes guests come up with some good and fun ideas for music selections. The DJ will always use discretion, anyway, so you shouldn't worry about your wedding DJ playing inappropriate songs. Unless you are concerned about the music your guests might request, or you want the DJ to play from your list only, it is generally okay to let guests make requests.


A Music Plus
Colorado Disc Jockeys
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Wedding DJs Pt. I

Music preferences are so personal that we make no attempt at A Music Plus to determine what is "good" music or "bad" music. The kind of music you like is up to you...not up to your wedding disc jockey. I think that's what sets us apart from other wedding djs in Denver Colorado!

Unlike the other djs you may have met, we do not try to educate our clients about music. We only play the music that our clients ask to hear. With their permission and only with their express permission, we will supplement their choices with selections we feel will appropriately compliment their event.

Live bands are generally limited to the songs they carry in their repertoire. With djs, the choices are much more varied. That doesn't necessarily make it any easier on you -- what if your musical tastes are limited? Don't worry about it. Many clients aren't sure what should be played at their event.

First, ask yourself what do you want the music at your event to do? Is the purpose of the music to provide a format for dancing, to provide ambience, to set a mood or enhance the moment? Determining what you want the music to do will help you decide what should be played.

Then, ask yourself how much control you want over your wedding reception playlist. Again, this is up to you, but here's an analogy. You've asked the chef to prepare a wonderful meal for everyone. You've told him/her what you like. Now, do you stand over his/her shoulder and direct the preparation of the food? What spices to use, what temperature to cook the food at, which pots and pans to use, what order to prepare the food in, etc.?

Providing music for dancing is similar. Your wedding dj should know what you like and dislike and try to play music accordingly. But micro-managing the disc jockey at your event tends to take away much of your enjoyment of the party and makes a long night for everybody.

Balance is best -- tell your disc jockey what you absolutely do want to hear and what you absolutely do not want to hear, and let him or her fill in the rest. We can't vouch for the other Colorado disc jockeys out there, but we here at A Music Plus will always abide by your wishes!

A Music Plus

Denver Wedding Disc Jockeys

http://www.amusicplus.com/