WHAT SHOULD COUPLES LOOK FOR WHILE RESEARCHING A GREAT DJ?
First, it’s reasonable to identify the following truths about hiring a wedding DJ:
– Since this is a wedding and not a random Friday night party, hire a professional wedding DJ. There are many, many reasons for this covered in numerous blogs, but we can summarize by saying that just as you wouldn’t go to a “hobbyist” to perform LASIK on your eyes, there are simply too many negatives for hiring a hobbyist to DJ your wedding. If you wouldn’t trust your eyesight to a hobbyist LASIK operator, you shouldn’t trust the success of your wedding to a hobbyist DJ.
– You can immediately tell which are the professional DJ companies by looking at their websites and checking Yelp reviews. It’s obvious if you are dealing with “one person” with some DJ equipment, versus a company that has the resources to handle unexpected circumstances that might occur on your wedding day. In short, make certain that the success of your entire wedding reception isn’t in the hands of “one person” who could be sick or injured on the day of your wedding. If they hem and haw about “knowing a friend” who could back them up on your wedding day, move on. It simply isn’t worth the lower price.
– Speaking of price, even when comparing professional DJs, keep in mind that numerous surveys have discovered that after the fact, a majority of couples who hired their DJ on the basis of “best price” ended up recognizing that the surprisingly important role of DJ as the quarterback of the wedding reception (in his or her role as MC) meant that comparing prices was the very worst way to hire a DJ.Instead, set a price range that you can afford and once all of your options fall anywhere within that range, learn to ignore the prices and focus on everything else about those DJ companies. Choose based on who makes you most enthusiastic. As long as they fall within your acceptable range, you’ve met your budget requirement.
– Once you’ve narrowed your search to professional wedding DJ companies, you can ignore most “list of DJ interview questions” that you find on the web. Why? Because it turns out that they are not the right questions, as they don’t help you differentiate between professional DJ companies. ALL professional DJ companies are insured, have backup equipment, have large and diverse music collections, will happily obey your do-not-play and must-play-lists, will assist you with choices for your Father/Daughter dance (and the other formal events that need a specific song), and will dress professionally. So these are empty questions and frankly a waste of your time.
– Similarly, recognize that any professional DJ company has probably already played at your venue, so you need only to name the venue and which spaces/areas you’re using. You really don’t need to ask about how much time the DJ will need to set up or teardown. Why? Because professional DJ companies don’t charge for set up or teardown; you’re billed starting when the guests arrive and ending when the event (dancing) ends. Asking those types of questions is like asking a photographer what lenses he or she will use, or the caterer how they pack their supplies into their truck.
– And although it’s relevant to ask how many weddings they DJ per year as a company, it’s not useful for you to ask for any more detail (such as how many weddings they DJ per weekend in June vs October), as suggested at certain wedding websites. What would you do with that information anyway? Your primary concern is that they DJ a lot and thus have solid experience.
So then what ARE the things couples should look for when researching a DJ?
– Get an accurate price quote by giving accurate and complete information:
DON’T SAY: “I need a DJ next September.”
DO SAY: “I need a DJ on Saturday, September 2, 2017.”
DON’T SAY: “I need a DJ for about 5 hours.”
DO SAY: “I need a DJ to begin playing guest arrival music starting at 4:30 pm followed by music and microphones for the 5:00 pm ceremony, then cocktails, dinner, and dancing, which will end at 10:30 pm.”
DON’T SAY: “The event will be at Hotel ABC in Millbrae.”
DO SAY: “The event will be at Hotel ABC in Millbrae, with the ceremony outside on the lawn, followed by cocktails in the courtyard, then dinner and dancing in the XYZ Ballroom.”
– It’s very simple and quick to define the times and the rooms/spaces. And by providing informative sentences in your first email, you’ll get an accurate price with little delay and no surprises later.
– Ask to see photos and video clips. But know that it’s not cool to ask to attend an upcoming wedding because that’s super awkward. If you wouldn’t like some random people coming to your wedding, then it’s likely that other couples don’t want you to attend theirs. It’s fascinating that wedding websites suggest asking this since it’s so tacky!

– Read Yelp reviews. If a DJ company has many fails, it will come through clearly in Yelp reviews.
– Ask them what sets them apart from other DJ companies. That’s a fair question, and their answer may or may not be important to you. Thus, if their answer includes a differentiator that does matter to you, that DJ company might be the right one for you. In essence, you’re getting them to help you with the deciding factor.
– Your gut feel is key. If you get a great feeling about a DJ company, and you’ve checked out their Yelp reviews, their photo and video clips, and the communication with them has been quick, responsive, intelligent, and friendly, AND the price is within your acceptable range, don’t hesitate. Book them. Because the best companies book up all available spots quickly. Remember, if you’re getting married in September, ALL of the other couples getting married in September are likely hiring their wedding pros now, just like you are. Don’t procrastinate. Get the DJ company you want, not the only one left.