Once you have decided that you want a DJ to provide the music for your wedding reception, you have to pick the DJ. Picking the right DJ for your wedding can seem like a daunting task, because you know that the DJ sets the tone for the reception. Pick a great DJ, and it is going to be hard for your reception to be anything less than spectacular. Pick a so-so DJ, and even with the best food and venue, you are still probably only going to have a so-so reception. However, there are so many choices in DJs that you may be overwhelmed. Even if Perfect Cadence Events is not your choice, we want you to be confident and knowledgeable when selecting your DJ, so here are our top 10 tips for picking your wedding DJ:

1. Don't Automatically Go With Someone You Know

You may have a cousin, friend, or acquaintance who is a DJ, so you feel like you should choose them for your wedding. Maybe you should and maybe you should not; let their qualifications, not your relationship, be the determining factor. If you do choose to go with someone you know, don't keep things casual — make sure that you are in a contract that specifically spells out your obligations and theirs!

2. Check on Experience

DJs can have all the talent in the world but if they haven't been working long they may not handle crises well and you only have one chance to make your day perfect. (Backups, Backups, Backups of Everything!)

3. Ask for Referrals

That friend whose reception was awesome? Ask for their DJ's name. Personal recommendations from people you trust are one of the best ways to find a great wedding DJ.

4. Look at Wedding Forums for Your Area

Who do people recommend? Dig deeper than the star rating and actually read reviews to find out why people recommend a particular DJ. Reviews are the most honest form of advertising.

5. Make a Short-List and Interview Them

If a DJ won't make time for an interview, how likely is he or she to make time for you during the wedding planning process? The interview is your chance to assess their personality, communication style, and professionalism.

6. Check Out Their Equipment

Ask questions — is it new and state-of-the-art? How does it help your day run smoothly? Reliable, high-quality equipment is essential to a seamless reception.

7. Ask About Their Music Library

Do they have or can they get all the songs you wish to have at your reception? If you'd like guests to make song requests, ask the DJ what their method is. (And if they say they never take requests, RUN!)

8. Discuss the Dress Code

It's not something most couples think of, but having a wedding DJ in the wrong attire can make for an awkward event. You wouldn't want someone to show up at your casual beach wedding in a full tux, or show up at a ballroom wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

9. Ask About Add-On Options

Do they let you know about other options, like uplighting, without making you feel like you are being pushed towards these options? A good DJ will inform you of enhancements without applying pressure.

10. Trust Your Gut

You are going to be spending a lot of time with your wedding vendors and a DJ is going to be a major part of your reception. If you do not feel immediately comfortable with a DJ, then you should probably keep looking!

 

Playing music is only part of what a DJ does. The other half is talking. From making sure you're on the same page regarding the 'do not play' list to making sure the photographer captures the cake cutting, wedding DJs need to communicate and they need to do it well. This is why it's so crucial to hire a wedding DJ that can also MC. Other than your wedding planner, your DJ is the one person keeping everything together!