Choosing a Wedding DJ & Entertainment
Entertainment for your wedding is such a vital part of keeping the guests engaged and entertained. There are a large variety of DJs in the wedding industry that offer great services. When hiring your DJ, you must have a good vibe and communications.
Generally, most vendors, except for your coordinator/planner will not communicate much until you are closer to your date. Your DJ is most likely the last of the vendors that will schedule a call to review your song selections. They should already have the wedding day timeline from your coordinator/planner and as they follow those events, they will ask for the music that you would like.
Independent DJ’s that are single owned and will more likely be open to communications to answer any questions that arise as you are planning. Companies that have multiple DJ’s may or may not give you the option to choose the DJ within their company that will be a part of your big day. Some DJ companies don’t assign you a DJ until you are 30 days or less out from your wedding day.
It’s my opinion that you know who your DJ will be ahead of time. You want to have rapport with them and make sure you like their vibe and personality. A DJ is such a huge part of your reception and to make sure they know you two as a couple, that to me takes more Tim than just one meeting to do that.
Most DJ’s have a system for you to choose songs for all the big moments and then a Do Not Play List. It’s super important that you communicate with your DJ how you want your reception to be. Do you have a huge dancing crowd? Do you have a much younger crowd or are most of your guests older? Do you love dancing to country music? Which line dances, if any, would you want or not want played? Al these questions should be asked and taken into consideration.
DJ’s will give you ideas of song choices if you can’t think of specific songs you want. Some DJ’s will mix the dance songs right then and there as they read your group of guests. Some will just play the songs you requested. Some are very interactive, while some announce the main parts but stay behind their table for the most part. It’s your decision on which route you want to take and I can help give you several companies I’ve worked with and love.
Another note, some DJ’s have their own set up and bring everything, while others require you to provide a table and possibly a table cloth. Don’t forget to ask these questions prior to hiring them. You want the reception you’ve been dreaming of and a good DJ is a major part in that. Make sure you hire one you love so your rejection is just the way you’ve imagined it to be.
As with all vendors, you should feel comfortable before hiring them. After all, they are a part of your Best Day Ever!