Should DJ have a signed agreement?

Yeah this is bad news! He's fishy just asking for cash... Upfront... With no contract. I would bank on him not showing up or being terrible.

If there's no contract, there's no exchange for money. If we was a friend or related to a friend or family, these kinds of deals often turn sour.

What's his experience and what kind of equipment is he using? Your wedding is your very special day. Be careful where you're saving money Adele.

No no no no no!

Dear heavens. Even if the DJ is your best friend, you still need a contract. The contract spells out exactly what you both expect of each other. Do you get to meet with him to talk details? Does he HAVE to play your requests?

Please, please, please, go read this: http://rnbweddings.com/how-to-hire-a-DJ.html and figure out what you really want for yourself before you book this guy. And a huge discount for paying cash upfront is just so.... suspicious sounding. At worst he plans to cut and run. At best he's so desperate for money right now he'll do anything. Or maybe he's just not that good.

Adele, I am working from a similar situation - our DJ is an amateur but he does very good work - we hired him for my sister's party too because he is a friend of hers. I just asked him for the email so I have something in writing laying out what he will do. He will be getting a check, though, not cash. You might want to rethink that part. I think some others on here are over-reacting a little - if you need to cut corners a little hire someone who isn't a pro, it happens. Just make sure you have control of the situation by using a check and a contract.

Short answer YES!!! Always get everything in writing and specific. Even if it is a friend, family, stranger. If you are paying the person make sure you dot all your i's and cross all your t's.

I want to just add a thought here; a good dj is not going to do a job on a prime weekend at a bargain. I would be wondering why he's available. Not to put fear in your heart, but it would weird me out, especially in concert with the other concerns.

Can you have the venue/coordinator add his services to your contract there, and then they can contract him out?