what should i expect from a wedding dj

What Should I Expect From A Wedding Dj?

More items

Full Answer

What do you need to know about DJing a wedding?

You'll absolutely want to fill your DJ in on what songs you've picked for the major moments (think wedding party introduction, first dance, father/daughter and mother/son dance, cake cutting, bouquet and garter toss, and the last song), says event planner and designer Stacy Wichelhaus of They So Loved Events.

How much does it cost to hire a wedding DJ?

If you’re considering hiring a DJ to play music at your wedding, keep in mind that the average wedding DJ cost in the U.S. is around $1,000 with most couples spending between $780 to $1,495.

What do you need to know before hiring a DJ?

For starters, you'll absolutely want to fill your DJ in on what songs you've picked for the major moments (think wedding party introduction, first dance, father/daughter and mother/son dance, cake cutting, bouquet and garter toss if you're doing them and the last song), says event planner and designer Stacy Wichelhaus of They So Loved Events.

How far in advance should you hire a wedding DJ?

We recommend hiring your music pro at least eight months before your wedding day. You will likely meet with your wedding DJ at least once before your wedding date, probably two to six weeks beforehand, to discuss your playlist, your timeline, and any other important details. Do wedding DJs also provide lighting?

How early can a DJ get to a venue?

How long does it take for a DJ to set up?

What questions will a wedding DJ ask?

10 Questions Your Wedding DJ Should Be Asking YouHow did you meet? ... What kind of music do you like? ... What kind of music do you not like? ... What is the tone of your event? ... What is your event venue? ... What are the names of your family and bridal party? ... What style of dinner service will you be having?More items...

What are some good questions to ask a DJ?

Top Questions To Ask Your DJIs being a DJ your main business or do you have another profession/career? ... How do you tailor the music to be compatible with us and our guests? ... How do you get the crowd engaged, energized, and in the party spirit? ... Do you take song requests? ... Have you played at the selected event venue before?More items...

Do wedding DJs play your songs?

Wedding Ceremony DJ A DJ can make sure to play the exact songs you want for each moment, and provide the necessary equipment to amplify the officiant and your vows so everyone can hear.

Do not play songs at weddings?

See more cliche songs below.Chicken Dance.Hokey Pokey.DJ Casper – Cha-Cha Slide.Los Del Rio – Macarena.ABBA – Dancing Queen.Sister Sledge – We Are Family.Psy – Gangnam Style.Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby.More items...•

How do I choose a DJ?

10 Tips To Finding The Right Wedding DJDon't automatically go with someone you know. ... Ask your venue for a recommendation. ... Have you recently attended a really fun wedding? ... Search WeddingWire and The Knot for entertainment options in your area. ... Make a shortlist of DJs and interview them.More items...

Do you tip a DJ at your wedding?

Tips are optional for ceremony or cocktail hour musicians, as well as bands and DJs, but they are suggested, says Norwood. "Anywhere from 15% to 20% on the final contract is a good amount for a single DJ," she says.

Do you feed the DJ at a wedding?

You will definitely need to feed your wedding planner, photographer, videographer and band or DJ/emcee, plus their assistants. (On the other hand, you won't need to feed your baker, your florist or anyone working only at the ceremony).

How long does a DJ play at a wedding?

Obviously the amount of time for the DJing will be dependent on how coverage you've paid for. The normal, optimal length for a wedding reception is 4 hours (this includes the dinner portion). When you add in cocktail hour and the ceremony, there would be another 2 hours of music.

How should I prepare for a DJ interview?

Interview Questions for Disc Jockeys:Why did you want to work as a DJ? ... What skills do you think DJs need to be successful? ... How do you stay up to date with the latest music trends? ... What techniques do you use to engage listeners? ... What would you say is the most rewarding part of being a DJ?

What should I ask my wedding DJ Reddit?

Backup plan - what if he gets sick?Ceremony to reception transition - do they have a 2nd system in place? ... How much input do they want/require/allow from you in terms of music? ( ... Do they take requests? ... Do they play original music or personal covers of copyrighted songs? ( ... Do they provide MC services? (More items...•

What is the difference between a DJ and an MC?

The DJ is in charge of the music, while the MC is in charge of announcements and communication with the audience.

What do you email a wedding DJ?

IE: Send all these questions in your first email/message to the DJ.1 | Are you available on my wedding date?2 | What are your starting rates?3 | And what does that include?4 | What *doesn't* that include?5 | Who will be our DJ? ... 6 | Tell me about your equipment and contingencies.More items...•

How early can a DJ get to a venue?

Will the DJ get to the venue early? It is very important that your DJ arrives at a minimum of at least 2 hours prior to the start of the program. This will give the DJ enough of time to figure out how much of time is needed to unload all their equipment. Remember that depending on the location vendors might be lined up trying to access the loading dock. So it is key that you make sure that the DJ is there ahead of time.

How long does it take for a DJ to set up?

A basic system can take as low as 30 minutes whilst a large complicated set up can take several hours. Make sure they have enough time to complete the set up according to the provided floor plan and all equipment is tested and sound checked before the first set of guests arrive. Doing sound checks and moving equipment is unprofessional when your guests have already arrived at the space.

Be on time!

There is no excuse to be late. People have booked you to perform on one of the most important days in their life. Being late is not an option.

Have a Signed Contract and be clear about Prices

You are running a business: A Wedding DJ business. This means you need to address it like that. You need to send offers, negotiate with customers, have meetings with them, pay taxes, and of course, have a signed contract.

You are there to work, not to party

Someone hired you to deliver service at their wedding party. And they are paying you well for your service. You’ll have to deliver and make sure the dance floor is full. This means it’s hard work.

Forget your own Taste of Music

A famous DJ, traveling the world and playing on big music festivals, can play whatever he wants (well… sort of), you are a wedding DJ, so you need to play the type of music the guests want to hear.

Learn to mix

You are a DJ, so you need to mix. Are you hearing this? A DJ that can’t mix is like a baker that can’t bake bread. It’s absurd. Invest a few months and learn to mix, no excuses.

Have your gear in good shape

The gear should be clean. I can’t tell you how many Saturday mornings I spend cleaning all the gear and the cables. They lay on the floor, people spill drinks on them and walk over them. Yik!

Have backup gear available

Always have a backup plan. Always have enough backup gear to prevent the party from going to a grinding halt.

What Else Should I Expect From My Wedding DJ?

But, let’s be serious – if you took the same DJ gear (good or bad quality) and had three different wedding DJs play music at the same wedding venue to the same wedding guests, you will get drastically different results. Not every wedding DJ is the same (nor do they deserve the same compensation or rate).

What to do with a DJ for a wedding?

Some couples are content to have a single song for the entire wedding party. Others choose a separate song for the newlyweds. Still, others ask that each couple be introduced to its song. A professional DJ can help choreograph a great introduction while ensuring that everyone’s name is pronounced correctly.

Who does a DJ provide a microphone for?

Your DJ will provide a wireless microphone for the Best Man, Maid of Honor, Father of the Bride, minister, or anyone else who plans special remarks. He’ll also introduce each person’s speech.

What does music do at a wedding reception?

From your first dance to the final steps, music sets the tone for the reception and has a heavy hand in determining your guests' experience. If you and your fiancé opt for a DJ instead of or in addition to a band, you’re putting the responsibility in their hands to ensure your wedding reception hits the right notes—literally!

What does Siegel suggest to a DJ?

Siegel suggests having a conversation with the DJ to learn more about their business and if they’ll be able to offer services that meet your specific needs (e.g. you’re a country crowd, but this company excels at hip-hop and R&B). “There are many guys who are like car salesman and they’re very forceful,” he warns. “They have these pre-programmed parties. They go in there, they’re not going to take requests, they’re not going to abide by the bride and groom’s wishes because they [think they] know better.”

Do couples have to tip at the end of the night?

Don’t feel obligated to tip. At the end of the night, though, couples shouldn’t feel pressured to provide an additional tip. But they should check if their contract signed requires one. “It’s at the sole discretion of the client,” Groh says.

How to Pronounce Names

First things first: Decide who is going to introduce the newlyweds and the entire wedding party for the grand entrance. If you decide to go with the DJ, definitely give your DJ a phonetic spelling of the names of the entire wedding party, especially if there any unusual names (first and/or last) in the mix.

To MC or to Not MC

Aside from introductions, let your DJ know if you're down with a lot of emceeing, advises Sandy Malone, author of How to Plan Your Own Destination Wedding. She warns, "Some of them just naturally do this if you don't ask them not to." Should you decide to let your DJ emcee, share your preferences.

When to Play What and for How Long

Now that you've covered the talking points, it's time to pick your playlist.

The Context for Song Requests

As opposed to just a general list of songs you'd like to hear, Erica Taylor, co-founding partner of Tinsel Experiential Design, encourages her clients to provide some context.

Your "Do Not Play" List

Oftentimes, a list of off-limit songs is even more important than your playlist, notes Malone, especially if the DJ is open to taking requests from guests—something you and your DJ have to discuss. "Try to leave room for the DJ to take requests, but don't hesitate to list anything you hate (e.g., no line dances) as off the table.

What does a DJ do at a wedding?

A wedding DJ plays recorded music throughout your wedding reception (and perhaps your ceremony if you aren’t hiring live ceremony musicians ), and may also serve as the emcee for the event. This mean that he or she will make announcements at appropriate times, introduce those who are giving toasts, and basically “run the show.” A great DJ not only has an outgoing and energetic personality, but also can “read a crowd” and play the appropriate music to ensure your dance floor is packed all night long. DJs usually provide their own audio/visual equipment and some DJ companies also provide services such as lighting, photo booths, video screens, and more.

How much does a DJ cost for a wedding?

If you’re considering hiring a DJ to play music at your wedding, keep in mind that the average wedding DJ cost in the U.S. is around $1,000 with most couples spending between $780 to $1,495. Couples are spending more on their wedding DJ nowadays than in past years as they are devoting more of their wedding budget to their guests’ experience, ...

How much does a wedding DJ cost?

If you’re considering hiring a DJ to play music at your wedding, keep in mind that the average wedding DJ cost in the U.S. is around $1,000 with most couples spending between $780 to $1,495. Couples are spending more on their wedding DJ nowadays than in past years as they are devoting more of their wedding budget to their guests’ experience, focusing more on music, food and more.

What equipment do wedding DJs provide?

A typical sound system for a wedding DJ includes a DJ deck or controller, speakers, microphones, and headphones. As mentioned, some DJs can provide lighting as well as video screen and projection equipment in case you want to show a video during your reception (hello baby photo montage!). There are also some fun extras your DJ may offer including photo booths and karaoke machines.

How can you save money on wedding music?

If you’re on a tight budget, you’re probably looking for some ways to save money on your wedding music. Here are a few budget tips:

What questions should I ask a wedding DJ before hiring?

A big part of finding the right DJ for your wedding is personality—you want to find a professional who you actually like and trust (and of course, is available on your wedding date and within budget). However, there are several important questions you’ll need to ask a wedding DJ before booking, including:

When do DJs offer discounts?

Pick the right date: Some DJs offer discounts for weddings that take place during the off-season (November through February in most parts of the country) or on a day that isn’t Saturday. Shop around: There are different wedding DJs that will work with different wedding budgets.

How early can a DJ get to a venue?

Will the DJ get to the venue early? It is very important that your DJ arrives at a minimum of at least 2 hours prior to the start of the program. This will give the DJ enough of time to figure out how much of time is needed to unload all their equipment. Remember that depending on the location vendors might be lined up trying to access the loading dock. So it is key that you make sure that the DJ is there ahead of time.

How long does it take for a DJ to set up?

A basic system can take as low as 30 minutes whilst a large complicated set up can take several hours. Make sure they have enough time to complete the set up according to the provided floor plan and all equipment is tested and sound checked before the first set of guests arrive. Doing sound checks and moving equipment is unprofessional when your guests have already arrived at the space.