Questions to Ask Your Wedding DJ

As the premier Colorado disc jockeys, we know that it's a wedding DJ's job to keep the party moving. That means so much more than lining up a list of tunes and letting the records play. We keep the party going, make sure people are out on the dance floor, and help set the mood. Consequently, when it comes time to choose your wedding DJ, you should be pretty careful!

Here are eleven questions you should ask your wedding DJ before signing a contract:

1. Can I choose my own music? If you love a song, ask for it. If you hate a song, let your DJ know ahead of time so he doesn't play it. Your disc jockey should work with you on a set of reception guidelines, and a professional will abide by those guidelines.

2. Can you suggest songs? You'll probably have some favorite songs you'll want played at your reception, which your wedding DJ should be eager to play. The DJ should also be able to make suggestions for music you're not sure about. If you need help choosing music, just ask!

3. What is the cost of your services, and what do they include? Are there any hidden fees or taxes not included in the base price? Make sure you're getting what you want. Create a list of DJ duties ahead of time so your disc jockey knows what you hope to receive in return for your money.

4. What contingencies do you have if a piece of equipment fails? Good wedding DJs bring backup equipment and may even bring an assistant to help deal with any problems that may arise.

5. What happens when you're on break? How many breaks will the DJ take? Make sure that it states in your contract that the DJ will leave music playing during bathroom breaks.

6. What will you wear? If your wedding is a black tie event, you might not want the wedding DJ showing up in cargo shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. Clarify the dress code in advance.

7. When do you arrive to set up? This will be based on when the venue is available, but the DJ should be there between one and two hours beforehand. There should be time for the DJ to become familiar with the venue, set-up, perform a sound check, and to work out any last minute kinks.

8. Do you provide a contract? Never hire a wedding disc jockey without getting everything in writing!

9. Do you provide references? You should be able to speak with someone who has used the wedding DJ in the past, and if possible see his work on a wedding video.

10. Are you insured? All wedding DJs should have business liability insurance. In fact, your venue may require it. It protects you if your DJ should damage property or if one of your guests is injured due to contact with the DJ or his equipment.

11. What happens if you are unable to perform DJ duties on the day of my event? Your wedding DJ should have a replacement on call if an emergency prohibits him from working your event.

If the wedding DJ you're talking to doesn't answer any of these questions, RUN. Only work with wedding vendors who act like professionals.


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

Hiring a Wedding DJ Pt. II

(Looking for part one?)

In our post written roughly a week ago, we talked about how to hire a wedding DJ. Today, we're going to build on that post by talking a little bit about what to look for in your wedding disc jockey. You can't be too careful, after all, when you're hiring the guy (or gal) who will set the tone for your reception!

Experience counts
When you decide to hire a wedding DJ, you're going to have some questions. First and foremost on your mind should be how much experience the DJs you like have. You should look for a DJ who has experience working weddings. As much as you like the dance club DJ who was spinning at the party you attended last weekend, that disc jockey won't necessarily have what it takes to do weddings.

Ask yourself: Is the DJ familiar with wedding protocols and conventions, and does he (or she) understand the sanctity and sentimentality of the event? This is especially important if you expect the DJ to take on the role of MC!

Try to meet any prospective disk jockeys in person so you can lay out your requirements for the wedding reception. Watch videos of their performances if they have any. Most experienced and professional DJs will have some available, either on a DVD or on YouTube. This is a very useful way of pre-screening a prospective DJ. Then check his CD collection and see if it suits your taste. A large, diverse collection is best, but most disc jockeys will be able to find the music you'd most like to hear played.

Passion Is Key
Your wedding DJ should love what he or she does for a living! Most disc jockeys are music afficiandos and enjoy a good party. If you're hiring from a company, it will usually have a number of DJs on the payroll and those disc jockeys may not be as motivated as solo DJs. No matter who you ultimately hire, always get a written contract that details the DJ's responsibilities and your rights. It's there to protect both of you! Finally, it may be useful to choose a wedding disc jockey who is a member of a national DJ association like the ADJA or NAME. The DJs who take the time to join these organizations will usually be responsible professionals.

Ask yourself: Does the prospective DJ simply churn out music dispassionately or does he (or she) actively motivate the guests to dance and have fun? Or, if you prefer a more serene party atmosphere, does the disc jockey play the appropriate tunes? Make sure the DJ is open to requests and does not impose his own tastes on the event. Does your disc jockey include a package of other goodies such as backup equipment and lighting? Does the hiring cost include all the equipment? Is the equipment of good quality and suitable for the venue and occasion?

Time to Negotiate
Definitely try to negotiate the fees for a win-win deal. Never assume that the price listed is set in stone -- the worst a DJ can say is no! Keep in mind that well-known wedding disc jockeys will cost more than newbies, but that isn't necessarily an indicator of quality. Let your gut be your guide, and never choose a wedding DJ who rubs you the wrong way. Some DJs charge more to work on holidays and during the popular wedding months, i.e., June, July, and August. Lastly, make sure the price you are quoted includes everything -- hidden charges are bad news.

And remember, wedding DJs, like almost all wedding vendors, tend to get booked up well in advance, so start looking for yours as early as you can!


A Music Plus
Denver's Wedding Entertainment Specialists
Disc Jockeys, Live Wedding Bands, Event Entertainment Specialists
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Hiring a Wedding DJ Pt. I

So your wedding is just around the corner. Maybe you've sorted out most of the details, like your budget, ceremony venue, invitation list, wedding stationery, and vows. As the day approaches amidst chaotic delight, your thoughts and energy will naturally be directed towards the planning of your wedding reception. Of all the things that can enhance or detract from a wedding reception, the entertainment should be first and foremost in your mind.

The music
As we've mentioned in the past, your wedding reception music helps ensure that your guests are having a great time. Live band music is a cool option for a very entertaining wedding reception. Live bands do, however, come with their inherent parcel of issues, like the hassle of all the equipment, instruments, their set up and break down times, and the space they require. Live bands also invariably turn out to be rather loud. If you have no problems with these issues and you can afford the price tag, then a live band it is.

On the other hand, a wedding disc jockey can keep the party going without all the fuss...and for a lot less money. If your decision is to enjoy your reception the wedding DJ way, you'll need to secure the services of a professional disc jockey. If your cousin's best friend is an experienced wedding DJ, fantastic! If not, you're going to have to start looking for and interviewing DJs.

Hiring a wedding disc jockey
To start, you need to decide how the DJ fits into your reception plans. What role the DJ will fill? Will your wedding DJ just be spinning music or are you expecting him to be the Master of Ceremonies (i.e., the MC)? What kind of music you would prefer to hear during your wedding reception -- will the DJs you like be able to accommodate your tastes? Your choice of guests may also play a role in the kind of music you choose. Grandma may not want to hear gangsta rap even if it's your absolute favorite!

First, look at Yellow Pages listings if no one you know can recommend someone they've worked with in the past. Check with local dance clubs and radio stations -- they can often provide good leads. Bridal magazines and wedding web sites like Smart Wedding Planning usually have local listings for vendors. Checking with lots of sources will give you a broad picture of the prices wedding DJs charge and will also help you narrow down a list of wedding DJs that fit your budget. Remember that the most expensive wedding disc jockey may not be the right one for your wedding.


A Music Plus
Denver's Wedding Entertainment Specialists
Disc Jockeys, Live Wedding Bands, Event Entertainment Specialists
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Wedding DJs Keep It Moving

Your wedding DJ will do more than just spin tunes as your wedding guests dance the night away. He or she will set the tone for the entire event, because it's the wedding DJ who orchestrates the shifts in mood and tone using music. Whether you like swing, funk, or contemporary pop, the order of your wedding music can make or break your reception. The wedding DJ chooses songs that compliment the events taking place at the wedding and help keep the party flowing.

Here are some suggestions we think make a wedding reception perfect based on our years of experience.

For the Grand Entrance
The guests are assembled at the wedding reception venue and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newly married couple. When the wedding DJ announces the arrival of the bride and groom at the wedding reception, there's electricity in the air. Your wedding disc jockey can help you choose a song that's dramatic or fun, like:

Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve
Celebration, Kool and the Gang
Let's Get it Started, the Black Eyes Peas

For Cutting the Cake
When the wedding disc jockey announces the cake cutting, he can play a traditional song or something more tongue-in-cheek. Some fun choices include:

How Sweet it Is, James Taylor
Pour Some Sugar on Me, Def Leppard
The Sweetest Thing, U2

For Throwing the Bouquet
When the single ladies gather to catch the bouquet, it's all about having fun. Not all couples opt for the bouquet throwing (or the garter toss, for that matter), but for those that do, the following songs fit nicely:

It's Raining Men, Weather Girls
Girls, Girls, Girls, Motley Crue
Hey Ladies, Beastie Boys

Tossing the Garter
Not all brides wear a garter and some find this ritual a tad offensive, but some brides take part in this ritual just so the groom can remove it and toss it to the single male guests. If you choose to have a garter toss during your wedding reception, some fun songs to play include:

You Can Leave Your Hat On, Joe Cocker
The Stripper, David Rose Orchestra
She's Got Legs, ZZ Top

For the Last Dance and Your Exit
All good things must come to an end, including your reception. You can let the wedding DJ wind down with a slow song or end on an energetic note. Popular last dance songs include:

Last Dance, Donna Summer
We are Family, Sister Sledge
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), Green Day

You may or may not take part in all of these events depending on the tone of your wedding reception, but you'll be able to relax and enjoy yourself knowing that your wedding DJ is keeping the party moving and playing the right soundtrack to your important day. Isn't it worth it knowing you have one less thing to worry about?


A Music Plus
Denver's Wedding Entertainment Specialists
Disc Jockeys, Live Wedding Bands, Event Entertainment Specialists
http://www.amusicplus.com/