What else does a DJ do?

Our DJ did the MC'ing for our wedding - they set up during cocktail hour, but that was because we didn't want music during that time. The total time they play music is dependent on what you want them to do - you can request they do the ceremony, cocktail, and reception music or any portion thereof - usually booking them for a duration of time, specifying what services you want covered. And you can talk to him about what MC'ing he does - i.e. intro's of BP, announcing certain parts of reception - special dances, cake cutting, toasts, and last dance. My DJ also got the crowd involved in the more interactive dances - i.e. the Tarrantella (Italian dance), the Cha Cha Slide, the Electric Slide, etc. Whatever services you request, remember that every little bit costs money (based on the hourly rate) and to get specifics in writing in the contract before putting a down payment / deposit on services. Best Wishes!

A good DJ will MC your whole wedding/reception, work with the venue to help let your guests know what's going on (cake cutting etc).

Ditto to Mrs R some DJ's also do lighting effects such as a monogram in colored lights

This is a great question, and one of the most misunderstood and under-prioritized aspects of planning a great wedding, or any event for that matter. Think about how much time and effort you might put into finding the right venue, designing your invitations, selecting the perfect florist, etc. Typically, in a list of wedding planning priorities, the DJ or music is one of the last vendors to be booked or aspects of your event that most brides consider.

The funny thing is that one year after your wedding, none of your guests will remember details about the venue, what your invitations looked like, or what kind of flowers were used in the centerpieces.

What your guests will remember 1, 5 10 years later, is how much fun they had dancing at your wedding.

Only a great wedding DJ can ensure that happens.

You want an MC, trust me on this. I had an ipod wedding and had to turn around and yell "Time for cake" "Time for boquet toss" and just hope everyone could hear me over the music and talking. It worked, but wasn't the greatest way to go about doing things.

A great wedding should have music played throughout the event from the ceremony, through cocktails and dinner, all the way through having to drag your grandma off the dance floor because she's not done shaking her booty.

Your DJ should also be the MC to make important announcements like introducing your wedding party, announcing your entrance as husband and wife, youu first dance, and being the voice of your reception.

DJ's also can provide both dance floor and ambient lighting which can completely change the look and feel of your reception.

The right DJ is critical to ensuring everything happens on time, the way you want it, and that every guest leaves having enjoyed an unforgettable event. Nobody is more responsible for making sure your script goes off without a hitch, than your DJ.

This is a major reason why not every DJ is cut out for weddings. It takes a certain level of preparation, organization, and talent that not every DJ can offer.

What we do:

We meet with you to determine your needs

We might help you plan your entertainment

We might create a time line for your wedding activities

We coordinate with other vendors to ensure they're ready

We provide music

We make professional announcements for your wedding, not K-Mart Blue Light Specials

We set up one, two, or three sound systems, depending on your needs

We do a sound check to make sure everyone can hear, and the music is not overly loud

We interact with your guests

We take requests and blend them seamlessly throughout the evening

We play the right music, at the right time, for the right events

We clean up after the party is over

We provide wireless microphones for toasts, etc.

We might stage photos for your photographer

We might assist you/instruct you cutting your cake

We cover for other issues that arise during the evening

We let you know what's going on and what needs to happen next

Etc., Etc., Etc.

This is a fairly old thread but the question is still quite relevant. Here is an article I wrote about it which I hope gives some insight into what a wedding DJ does.

https://pariscreative.com/what-does-a-dj-actually-do-at-a-wedding/