Here is a list of suggested questions to ask your wedding DJ.
When you’re hiring a DJ for your wedding, you need to know what to ask them to make sure you get the service you need. You must be confident in your choice of entertainment. This will allow you to have one less thing to worry about. The music and DJ can really make the difference between a successful event and a flop.
Do you provide a contract?
Every professional wedding DJ should offer a contract to protect both themselves and their customers. It should state its terms and conditions (read these carefully!) and also have an address for its business. Many businesses no longer give out landline numbers as using these online results in hundreds of cold calls. However, after initial contact, they should be able to provide this.
Will you be my actual DJ?
Lots of agencies and DJ companies have many different DJs of varying experience and skills. Make sure you ask these questions of the person who will actually be at your party! One thing you may not know is that EVERY weekend there are DJs asking people they have never even met to provide cover for weddings on Social Media.
How many weddings have you DJ’d?
Your event is the most important occasion and you want it to go off without a hitch, so finding out how long your DJ has been in the business is a good question to ask. You want to pick someone with experience of weddings. A good club DJ does not necessarily make a good wedding DJ and your special day is not the time nor the place for an amateur!
How do you motivate people to dance?
It’s not enough to have someone who can play great music – if no one’s dancing, the party just ain’t hopping. Find out what they can do to encourage people to get on the dance floor. Some use the mic, others have different techniques! Make sure you like what they suggest! Club DJs and pub DJs vary here as a club DJ may never use a mic and a pub DJ may use it all night long. I tend to do most of my talking during the day and in the evening keep the mic use for announcements and special, meaningful requests.
What if there is a problem?
Emergencies can and do arise so make sure your DJ has a backup plan in place in case there are problems. A professional will have backups of every piece of kit in case of any problem and should have a strong network of other DJs who can stand in and provide a similar level of service. I use my brother-in-law who is an experience Milton Keynes wedding DJ and lives just 3 streets away.
Can you provide testimonials or references?
Most DJs will have testimonials and references – if it’s on social media try and message them and ask them directly how their party was. Would they book the same person again? Remember that an agency will have a lot more references than a solo operator. This does not mean they are much better! Read reviews for things that are crucial to you. Like the level of service, exceeding expectations, personal touch, relaxed, informal etc rather than just having people dancing all night.
Have you got the right paperwork for our venue?
Most venues need PLI and PAT certificates – without them, they won’t allow your DJ to enter!
What will you wear?
Your DJ should fit in with your overall look. You don’t want someone in a shell suit and a beanie hat! (And YES I have seen it!). I always check so I’m not a total match and get mistaken for a member of the wedding party. I want to be in formal dress if that’s what you’re guests are wearing or in something that fits your vibe.
