When you are looking at your wedding planning essentials and realize that it's time to start picking the music, you might be wondering where to start. How do you find a good DJ? Do you just pick him out of the Yellow Pages?
Choosing the wedding music provider can be a very fun thing to do. You’ll get to listen to lots of great songs and visit a few weddings in progress. It used to be that you had to go in person to hear a DJ live, but now with the Internet, many DJs have a video posted that shows you how they look and sound. But going to a live event is still a good idea if you can.
But where do you even find a DJ to go and check out? Start with references. See if anyone at work, in your family, or at church has used a DJ that they have been pleased with. Also ask the reception hall as they will have seen their fair share of DJs come and go. If they recommend someone, he is probably very good. Yes, you can look in the phone book or online. And you will find many listings. But narrow it down to just a few you want to hear live.
Leave yourself enough time so that you can really get a sense of each DJ you are interviewing. Having the wrong DJ can really detract from the wedding you had hoped for. You don’t want someone obnoxious, too loud, or unfriendly. You want someone who is going to listen to Uncle Phil when he asks to have the music turned down and Aunt Rose when she requests the song Danny Boy. Be sure that the DJ has a nice voice (most do) and that he will wear appropriate attire to the wedding. The last thing you want is a DJ showing up at your formal wedding in jeans and an AC/DC t-shirt. Ask him in advance what he will be wearing. A tuxedo is standard dress for DJs and a good DJ will know that.
Ask what sort of songs the DJ has on his playlist. Can he get you a hard to find song? Is he flexible if you want to have some ethnic tunes from your heritage? Will he work with you in your unique requests? If you get a vibe when you are interviewing him that he’s not going to go with the flow, don’t hire him.
Ask the DJ how many weddings he has performed. Does he have video clips or can you come see him live at a real wedding? If he says no, move on. A good DJ will want you to see him in action and he will have materials to give you that show how good he is. He will invite you to a live wedding (where you’ll stand in the back for no more than 10 minutes or so inconspicuously) so you can see him perform.
You want a DJ who is also a master of wedding ceremonies. He will need to lead the order of events. He’ll need to know that there’s more than just bringing music. He will be announcing you and your bridal party and other parts of the reception as well.
Looking for more help? Check out this article on The Essential Wedding Playlist.
