You’re recently engaged. You’ve found the perfect venue. Now it’s time to pick the amazing vendors who are going to help bring your wedding vision to life.
One of the most important choices you will make will be your entertainment.
Are you hoping to get a good DJ or would you prefer to hire a GREAT WEDDING DJ that you and your guests will talk about for years to come? Drew Kress, the owner of Engaged Sounds Entertainment, shares six things to consider when finding and hiring a great wedding DJ.
1. Experience
When hiring a DJ, you should learn about their level of experience at actual weddings and formal events.
Party DJs may have years of experience in mixing music, but do they have extensive experience DJing at weddings? Weddings are much more complicated—and quite a bit more expensive—than most other events that DJs normally perform.
Some mistakes that inexperienced DJs often make include: mispronouncing the newlyweds’ last name, announcing the Father/Daughter Dance before checking to make sure Dad is in the room, and playing styles of music the couple would not approve of.
It is also important to know that a wedding DJ should pay sharp attention to the small details. Some of the biggest disasters at a wedding could have been avoided by knowing what small details to look for.
A GREAT DJ has years of wedding experience and not only identifies potential problems but gets them resolved before the newlyweds or their guests ever find out. This only comes with experience.
2. Planning
You can never ask too many questions when it comes to planning your wedding day entertainment.
Your DJ will be responsible for much more than just the music. Announcing the special moments, hosting the formalities, engaging with you and your guests, and timing the night out are just a few of the details that must be planned in advance.
You should be searching for an entertainment company that will help guide you through the planning process. Remember, you are hiring the one person responsible for keeping the night going. For this, you’re going to need a wedding industry expert.
If you are looking for a truly stress-free and fun wedding experience, you don’t want your DJ tapping you on the shoulder every few minutes to find out what they should be doing next.
A good DJ will ask you what you want at your wedding, but a GREAT DJ will help you prepare a detailed timeline that is realistic and approved by you. In the absence of a professional wedding coordinator, your DJ will be the first person your other vendors will usually turn to for guidance on what is happening and when. This can’t happen without a well-thought-out, pre-approved plan.
3. Engaging Personality
The DJ should not only be open to your ideas but also have a personality that is going to fit with you and your guests.
This can be hard for some couples to determine after just one meeting, especially if you meet a potential DJ for the first time at a busy bridal show. They aren’t sure if the DJ they just met has a good personality or if they just have really good “salesman” skills.
The best way to determine if the potential DJ is a good fit for you is to avoid making your decision on the spot or at your first meeting. Avoid making an impulse decision, especially based on special deals or empty promises. You should ask your DJ for samples of their work and possibly some video of them performing at another wedding.
Remember that your DJ choice will have a dramatic impact on your wedding day, positive or negative. A DJ worthy of a second look is one that respects you and your decision-making process.
If you think that the DJ you just met may be the best for you, walk away, discuss the pros and cons with your fiancé or family, meet another DJ for comparison, and if you still have a winner, book them!
A good DJ will be pleasant to chat with and provide you with a sense of confidence. A GREAT DJ is one that will keep you smiling, laughing, and having a good time from beginning to end. If you are having a good time now, you will have a great time at the wedding.
4. Diverse Music Collection
Most couples want to select a DJ who will keep their dance floor packed throughout the wedding. But remember: the larger the guest list, the greater variety of music tastes. It’s vital that your DJ is capable of playing a wide variety of musical genres throughout your wedding reception.
Even with a preferred genre, a good DJ has to consider the appropriateness of the music. During your dinner, you probably don’t want to hear songs by Pitbull and Lil’ Wayne. You would most likely enjoy softer music that allows you and your guests to enjoy their meal and converse with each other.
A good DJ will listen to your ideas, play your requests, and get your guests dancing. A GREAT DJ will not only ask you what you want to hear at your wedding but also what you don’t want to hear at your wedding. (This avoids the awkward moment of a guest requesting a song that you hate.)
Being able to play a variety of music that you enjoy and will want to dance to is an important part of the planning process.
5. Reading the Crowd
Surprisingly, this is one of the most difficult skills for a DJ to possess. It is easy to press play on a playlist of pre-approved songs and jam away, but what if your guests (or you) aren’t really into those pre-selected songs once you’re actually at your wedding?
Great DJs are artists and have a talent that you are paying for. Take advantage of that!
Couples will often choose specific songs that they would like to dance to and tend to forget that these may not be the same songs their guests will dance to. Your DJ needs to be given the freedom to select songs based on your guests’ reactions.
Try not to restrict the DJ too much because you will find that you just hired the most expensive jukebox in the world.
A good DJ will listen to your musical likes and dislikes and help create a mood for your dance floor. A GREAT DJ will use his/her skills as a talented entertainer to blend your musical favorites with the songs that your guests are wanting to dance to, being sure to avoid any of your dislikes.
6. The DJ is Focused and Listens to You
Let’s face it, many DJs are not as focused on their clients as they should be. Some DJs play part-time and perform at events as a hobby, while others own full-time DJ businesses and are fully vested in their clients.
Your DJ should be able to accept your calls, texts, and emails without making you wait several hours (or weeks!) for a reply. When communicating with your prospective DJ, make sure that they are truly focused on you, their prospective client.
You should also make sure that your DJ is willing to listen and comprehend what you want from them. Do they understand that you don’t want a bouquet & garter celebration? Are they willing to make a schedule, based on your vision?
A good DJ will respond to your emails and phone calls within a few days and provide you with the time you need to fully explain your vision for the wedding. A GREAT DJ should be available to answer your call or email immediately and will take detailed notes.
Additionally, this DJ may also schedule consultations and appointments in person to allow you the formal face-to-face interview and planning sessions that you deserve. This attention and dedication will give you the greatest confidence that your DJ fully understands what you want for your wedding.
Engaged Sounds Entertainment is often the first choice for Orlando wedding DJ entertainment. Our talented team of DJs and live musicians are as unique and diverse as the events they perform at.
We specialize in the Central Florida wedding industry but also perform at other incredible events such as corporate, community, and private receptions. Our highly skilled entertainers have decades of combined experience that allow them to bring exciting entertainment and a professional charm that will make your event as fun and unique as you are.
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