Wedding Reception DJ Tips
A wedding reception is unlike any other social event, so it takes a DJ with special talent and equipment to provide the perfect music for the occasion. According to the Wedoholic website, for many couples "less time is spent on choosing the DJ than any other aspect of the reception - this can be a costly and disappointing mistake." The phrase "know your audience" is applicable for all DJs, but this is never more true than when you're spinning the tunes at a wedding reception.
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Go Professional
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Check your prospective DJ's credentials. Ask to see his proof of membership to the American Disc Jockey Association (ADJA). Most professional DJs will have joined the ADJA and agreed to abide by their code of conduct. Ask for references from recent wedding clients (within the last six months) and call the references. Be sure that the DJ has liability insurance that will protect you (and him) in the event that something or someone is damaged by the equipment. He should have a contract for you to sign that spells out costs including the retainer, if any.
Meet Personally
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Have at least one face-to-face meeting to see for yourself whether the DJ is a good fit for you. Ask any questions you have, such as whether the DJ has the proper music for your party style and whether he is set up to take requests during the reception. This is also the time to let the DJ know whether you want him to be the Master of Ceremonies for the whole event and introduce speakers and special events like the cake cutting or the father/daughter dance.
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Be Straightforward
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No two wedding receptions are the same, so don't expect your DJ to know what you want without being told. Make a list of what type of music you want, and what type of music you don't want. Be clear if you will need ethnic or folk music for special dances. Be clear about when the DJ can get into the building beforehand to set up and how you expect him to dress. Listen to his suggestions; a good wedding DJ will have a lot of experience and may have ideas you haven't considered.
Backup Plan
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DJs usually supply their own equipment, so find out if yours has a backup plan in the event of mechanical failure. He should at least have copies of his music on a laptop computer, CDs or an MP3 player. If you are expecting a particular entertainer to be the DJ at your wedding he should be specifically named in your contract; however, your DJ should also have a list of replacements who can fill in for him in case an emergency prevents him from performing.
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References
- Photo Credit dj wave 169 image by Nathalie P from Fotolia.com
