What Every Bride Should Know About Her DJ
By: Jason Yoshino, Energy Productions
When dreaming of the perfect wedding day, most soon-to-be brides leave no detail unconsidered, “no stone (ahem…diamond) unturned”; from the dress to the cake to the photographer to the right DJ for the reception. Where all the parts creating the whole of your wedding day may be important to you, the reality is that some details are more critical than others. Whether the jade napkins on the dinner tables are three inches from the edge of the table or four, for example, is simply not going to have the impact on you or your guests that the right DJ will!
Most top of the line DJ services are booked 9-18 months in advance, so when thinking about the appropriate time to call, well…let’s just say, “The early bride gets the worm”! That being said, however, you ought to not worry too much about rushing into getting that DJ signed on, “before it’s too late” or you might find yourself garter-deep in disappointment in what may just be the most important night of your life! There are a lot of tell-tale signs and indicators you can spot right on the surface, and more you can uncover with the proper questioning, sure to bring to light whether a potential DJ company is the high-class, quality. Ultimately, it will be up to you to do the research, and to be savvy enough to demand answers when DJ-shopping. Below are some questions you should ask them and/or yourself, when the time comes to contract with your DJ.
Are they acceptably contactable? When you call, do they answer the phone, or do you get a message? If you leave a message, you should hear back within minutes or the same day. If you aren’t even given the basic, fundamental respect of a call back it speaks volumes to the lack of professionalism you can expect from the same DJ service regarding other aspects of their duties to you. If you have shown the interest to call or email and you don’t hear back promptly, that should be a bright red flag screaming to you it’s time to check with the next company on your list.
Do they have a binding contract? A contract legally binds a DJ company to what they offer you and your wedding date.
Do they have a professional website? If not, “Buyer Beware”! The absence of a professional website available for your viewing should set off alarms! A website should tell you everything about the company.
Can you hear from references? References are a must! An elite company will have references available.
What quality can you expect to find in the equipment? Professional equipment quality is very important. Do they have duplicate equipment backed up in the event that something should go wrong?
Do they have the music you want? Does their music library cover the right eras and genres? Don’t let the luster of “more songs” fool you, the average number of songs played at a wedding reception is 60-70. The DJ should be willing to take requests.
Do they provide liability insurance? They should! Should something unfortunate happen, you will want to know you and your guests are protected, make sure your DJ provides liability insurance.
Do they set up with comparable aesthetics? You took the time to make yourself, and the venue, look good, don’t you think the DJ should? Why should you have to endure a DJ booth that doesn’t apply attractive, professional skirting to their stands and tables? If they gripe or finagle, send them packing, there are DJ services out there who know exactly what it takes to look professional.
What will the DJ wear? You should be sure to ask what the DJ will wear, or even request that he or she wear something similar to the theme of your reception.
Will you be able to meet with the DJ Company prior to the engagement? Absolutely, meeting should take place roughly two weeks prior to the reception or whenever the bride has any questions.
Will there be any down time or breaks? No; music and/or the various entertaining should remain constant from the onset of dinner music to the last song.
A wedding entertainer will do just that, entertain! Some love to dance; super! Play great dance music! Does the wedding entertainer play games with the crowd? Does he or she showcase the bride and groom in said games (and that only if you want him or her to) and will props be used or made available for the guests to enjoy? Leis, blow up guitars, party poppers, fog machines, whatever…ask what they have, and request what you would like and work something out with your DJ provider. They should never tell you that you are being unreasonable but rather should work with you to make sure everything you want at your reception finds its way there.
But more than simply entertaining and playing the right music, your DJ should be like a Wedding Professional. He or she should apply years of experience toward ensuring that the course and the flow of the evening maintains proper pace, and that the objectives of the dance are met with smooth timeliness and effective competency. After all, depending on what features you request, there is much for your DJ to navigate through and much to get done: toasts, cake-cutting, first dances, the garter auction, bride/groom/guest games, the dollar dance and the bouquet toss.
Finally, when budgeting for your wedding entertainer, you might have heard you want to plan around 5%, and that’s fine, but keep close to your purse the fortune cookie adage, “You get what you pay for” and consider the articles inundating bridal magazines and the internet wherein a “burnt bride” laments that, were she able to do it all over again, she would have figured in 10-15 percent or even more, up front, for entertainment expenses. The savage truth is, the guy who hands you a business card with crayon lettering promising to “Do you right” at your wedding reception for thirteen dollars and a foot rub is just not going to bring the kind of service, reliability, sound, music selection, lighting, professionalism, or entertainment you can expect to appreciate, and truly experience, from a company who remains comparable, or even slightly higher, in price to the standard set by the most reputable Wedding Entertainment companies of their given state, so remember this: “common sense” lies in recognizing “common cents” when it comes to budgeting for your DJ services! And while we’re on the subject of pricing, be sure their prices are clearly posted on their pamphlets, brochures, and/or on their website. If a company is hiding their costs, or asks you to tell them what you are “looking to spend,” you would be wise to look elsewhere for your DJ.
Keeping these questions in mind and checking references, when meeting with your DJ will go a long way to ensure your wedding evening is as unforgettable as the wedding day. Find a DJ company whose entertainers understand that you want your love ones to experience a reception that begins with, “Once upon a time,” and ends with, “Happily Ever After.”
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