How To Choose Your Wedding DJ

You’re scrolling through the online YellowPages and scouring the local wedding sites, trying to decide on the music for your reception. There are pages among pages of local DJs, all of whom you know nothing about.

Does it even matter that much which one you choose? The answer is yes.

Photo by Ben Godkin.

The music can make or break your reception, so you need to find the DJ that’s going to rock your special day. Luckily, BridalTips.com shares a few tips on how to find the perfect DJ.

1. Get Wedding DJ References From Friends, Coworkers, Wedding Reception Halls

Chances are, at least one of your friends, or family, members or co-workers has used a DJ before. They’ll be able to recommend someone great that they’ve used in the past, or tell you horror stories so you know whom to avoid. Also talk to your venue or caterer. They’ve been at many weddings and know who the real rockstars are.

2. Interview 3-5 Disc Jockeys

Don’t just choose the first DJ you talk to. Interview a few so that you can see their different personalities and styles of music. This will give you more options, so that you know what’s out there. Many DJs have videos of previous weddings they’ve worked, so make sure you ask to see these. It will give you a better idea how they perform at an event.

3. Ask the DJ if They’re Familiar With Your Wedding Venue

It helps that they know the wedding venue, how to get there, and they have a familiarity with the staff. Your wedding disc jockey may also be better prepared to deal with known issues or caveats with the wedding reception hall.

4. Make Sure You Know Who Will Be Spinning Discs at Your Event

This one is important. You would hate to spend an hour interviewing your wedding DJ and like their personality, only to be blindsided at your wedding by having another DJ show up, when you expected the DJ that you interviewed. Make absolutely certain your contract spells out exactly who will be your DJ.

5. Ask About Hidden Fees and Overtime

Your contract should clearly specify all costs including any assistant disc jockeys they will have with them, as well as special equipment lighting packages, or other fees that they pass on to you the client. Be wary of vendors who give you low ball quotes, but only give you 3 hours of time. If your reception runs longer, you find out “it’s another $200 per hour or we walk out right now”. You must also plan for overtime in case the reception runs longer than the contract specifies. The contract should clearly spell out how much extra it will cost you to have your wedding DJ for an extra hour or two.

6. Ask About Request Forms

Ask for a list of wedding requests and suggestions in all categories. Some wedding DJs have a request form for you to fill out, so they can have everything ready for the wedding. Some obscure songs can take a while for them to obtain. Also, make sure you fill out a list of DO NOT play songs.

Hope these tips help you find a great DJ for your wedding day. Check out our Weddings Unveiled events for a chance to chat with some of Austin’s best wedding disc jockeys.