Wedding DJs
Besides the couple, the wedding dj is probably the next most recognized “celebrity” at a wedding. As with any vendor picking the right one will take careful researching. You do not want someone who does not have extensive experience in hosting a wedding. Besides the wedding ceremony, he is the master of ceremonies for your guests and will really carry the “show” on after the ceremony. In short he needs to be good.
There are several things which need to be checked out before you engage a DJ. Make sure they have the proper equipment to properly host a gathering. You need to ask about backup equipment as anything electronic can fail at any time. You don’t want to have your reception in silence because your DJ did not have an adequate backup plan. That is why you want a professional DJ and not someone who volunteers to do it for you. The fact that your friends like to play “pretend” DJ does not mean they can pull off the entertainment at your wedding. You need a paid performer. Someone who is the business of entertaining.
Prior to the ceremony make sure you sit down and go over the type of music you want played. You know your guests and their age range and will come closer to knowing their tastes than the DJ. However a good DJ will have numerous playlists for various groups of guests and so you and he should be able to find a mix of music that will be suitable for your reception.
Ask him what he does for certain special events like the cake cutting, the bouquet and garter toss. What sort of speaking voice does he have? Find out what he wears to weddings. A good DJ has a professional voice and a professional wardrobe. Don’t be surprised on your wedding day to find he wears some outlandish outfit at your reception. Know all the details beforehand and tell him what your expectations are prior to the wedding. Most professional DJs are very versatile and will know what sort of presence they need to make at your reception.
Ask if you can see him perform prior to his hosting your reception. Go see him at another like reception and watch how he performs. A good DJ will allow you to do this as most performers love the attention. He also will know how seriously you take his performance.
Call his references, check with the Better Business Bureau. Remember besides your ceremony your guests will also remember if they had a good time at your wedding. Besides you and your spouse, the next most memorable person will likely be your DJ.
