Don’t Book Your DJ Until You Ask These Questions
Hiring a wedding DJ is much more than just entertainment. These pros will dictate the flow of your reception and read the room throughout the entire night. Their personality, contracted services, vibes and performance style are all important factors in making sure they’re the right fit for you and your wedding. Here are some questions you can ask to help make sure you find the right DJ service for you!
Experience
How many weddings do you DJ each year?
How long have you been DJing?
Do you have references or reviews we can read?
Have you DJ’d at this venue before?
If they are a DJ service/business (not an individual):
How will you assign a DJ to my wedding?
How can I learn about their qualifications?
Services & Contracts
How much time do you need to get ready?
How many hours of service will you provide?
How large is your music library? Do we get access to it?
What is your equipment setup?
What happens if you are sick and cannot be there?
Do you bring an assistant?
Do you carry liability insurance?
How much time do you need to prepare your equipment?
Do you provide lighting, microphones or ceremony audio?
What is the deposit schedule?
Photo via Maggie Newton
Style
How would you describe your DJ style? Some may say club-style, traditional, low-key.
What types of weddings do you specialize in? It could range from formal to high-energy, multicultural to dance party, or a mixture of any.
Can you share a sample mix or video from a recent real wedding?
Adaptability
How do you read the crowd and adjust music throughout the night?
How do you handle guest song requests?
How do you handle unwanted requests from guests to make a speech or sing a song?
Event Flow
Will you provide transitions and announcements?
How do you handle the reception timeline?
How do you work with the planner, coordinator, venue and photographer during the day?
How much microphone time do you need?
Photo via Maggie Newton
Special Considerations For The Elliot:
Would you be able to move during the room flip, if applicable, based on your floor plan?
Can you provide A/V for the ceremony (mic, speakers, music)?
Red Flags That This DJ May Not Be A Good Fit For You:
Out of budget
Way under budget (compared to other local professionals)
Does not have backup equipment or sick plan
Doesn’t listen to your questions or turns down all of your requests
Doesn’t match your expectations (you want low-key and they are a club-mixer)
Taking the time to ask thoughtful questions before booking can help ensure your DJ is experienced, professional, and the right fit for your style and expectations. When you feel confident in your DJ’s communication, approach, and personality, you can relax and enjoy your celebration!