How To Hire A Disc Jockey For Your Wedding
By Matt Campbell
Hiring music entertainment can arguably be the most important booking made for your wedding. Guests remember whether or not they had fun at your wedding. What you pay for is what you get is a good rule of thumb.
However, I would like to go a little further in educating the consumers, future brides and grooms, about how to hire a DJ and what things specifically to consider. The following are 9 important factors to consider when hiring a disc jockey before you sign the contract.
1. Who would be the DJ for your occasion? Many DJ companies are a multi-system operation. Be sure to have in writing of who your DJ will be at your event. I would recommend meeting your DJ before hiring the company at a neutral place, like a restaurant.
2. How many years experience does your DJ have with your type of function? Anyone can pretend to be a DJ. If you are having a formal event, does your DJ know how to organize a wedding reception or a grand entrance? The DJ should perform the type of show that you want!
3. Does the DJ get everyone involved dancing or do they just play music? You have to ask yourself if you want a DJ that will get everyone dancing? For example, will the DJ involve guests by playing and conducting motivational dances like the Chicken Dance, Hokey Pokey, Cha Cha Slide or just play music?
4. Will the DJ be dressed appropriately? Formal means tuxedo or dress. Semi-formal means dress pants, shirt & tie or slacks and blouse. Casual means polo shirt or company shirt. Be sure the DJ is dressed appropriately during set-up and takedown of equipment. Some guests do arrive early and stay late.
5. What is the DJ's fee? How much is overtime? Is a tip included in the fee? Will there be an extra charge for lighting-what does the lighting include? How much is travel to your location? Are you ONLY paying for the time the DJ performs?
6. Does the DJ include a contract? Be sure to have all details of your function in writing. The DJ must know the date, place, and time! You must know each other's names and phone numbers including the DAY of the occasion.
7. Is the DJ company professional? This may sound silly, but does the DJ have insurance? Accidents do happen. It's better to be prepared. Also, is the DJ a member of a national DJ association like ADJA or NAME? If they are, then they care about what they do and are a better chance of being professional.
8. What kind of equipment does the DJ use? Typically, if a DJ is using a brand of equipment you can buy at your local retail store, then that's what you will get. Excellent brand names include: JBL, Community, Denon, Gemini, QSC, Crown, etc. Always, and I mean always, ask if the DJ has back-up equipment WITH them for your function. Also, be sure the DJ brings the right amount of sound for the number of guests expected.
9. What music do you play? How many music selections will the DJ have WITH them? Be sure your DJ takes requests before and during your function. Also, give them a guideline of what you want played. However, this is what the DJ is paid to do. Don't limit the DJ by saying you want all of one kind of music or a list of 100 songs they must play. The best scenario is to play any type of music that gets people dancing and having fun. By the way, it should be understood the DJ does not play any offensive music.
I hope this helps!
About The Author
Matt Campbell owned and operated DJ Express in Montana and now is
the owner of WeddingMuseum.com. WeddingMuseum.com helps future brides
and grooms plan, book and rate their wedding day. Come see us at
http://www.weddingmuseum.com.
March 5th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Important information about Disc Jockeys.
As you may have noticed while searching for the perfect entertainment for your Wedding Reception, DJ’s will charge anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars.
You may be asking yourself why there is such a big difference in the prices of Disc Jockeys, “Don’t they just play music?”
The answer is a simple NO.
All DJs ARE NOT ALIKE! Each DJ is unique and offer different skills, talents, experience and professionalism levels.
The DJ industry has made some great strides and improvements since 1999 in the quality and service that is expected from a Disc Jockey.
Associations, Magazines, DJ Newspapers, Seminars & Conventions have formed to better educate The DJ of the importance of what they do and how to elevate their quality, service, performance and professionalism.
The Average wedding in Minnesota (2008) will cost when all is said and done will be between $20,000 and $30,000 and that is for the Average wedding.
Here is a quick breakdown of how a Professional Disc Jockey Entertainer will/should base their rates at which they charge to operate a successful business. (In no particular order)
1) Talent.
2) Experience.
3) Quality of service provided to clients.
4) DJ Training and continuing education.
5) Emcee ability.
6) Professionalism.
7) Coordinating & planning time and ability.
8) Music Knowledge & ability to mix music.
9) Equipment used and upkeep (Lights & sound)
10) Daily Business operating expenses.
11) Salary for self and any employees.
12) Advertising Budget.
13) Insurance Costs.
14) The purchasing and upkeep of a LEGAL Music library.
15) Business vehicles maintenance & fuel.
16) State and Federal income taxes.
17) Rent or Mortgage for business.
18) Web site expenditures.
19) Phone, Heating & Utilities of office.
20) Health care.
As you can see there is a great deal of logistics involved in operating a successful Disc Jockey Business.
In Minnesota and the majority of the United States it is the law to operate a business that the business is registered with the Secretary of State in the state it is operating.
Is your DJ Registered with the Secretary of State as a legal business?
www.sos.state.mn.us
It is illegal for anyone including Disc Jockeys to illegally download, share music or make copies of music (CDs).
All music and copies must be paid for and purchased from a reputable music store (Wal-Mart, Best Buy etc) pay per song internet site (iTunes) or other way in which the producers, singers, writers and musicians receive compensation for their work. (Prime Cuts - TM Century)
At this very moment over 20,000 people are being sued by the R.I.A.A. for music infringement laws. Recently a woman (non DJ) from MN lost her fight against them and was fined heavily. What do you think would happen to a DJ whose musical library was illegally downloaded, shared music or bootleg copies?
Where does the music library of your DJ come from?
There are three basic types of Disc Jockeys.
1) Amateur: A person who does this for fun a few times a year. No real training, experience or quality.
2) Hobbyist: A person who does this as a part time job working for themselves or for a DJ service business.
3) Full Time Professional: A person who works 40 or more hours a week as a DJ and it is their major source of income.
Now you must decide, what is important to you for your once in a lifetime day and what is not.
The saying “You Get What You Pay For” can unfortunately be very true in the DJ industry.
Congratulations and Good Luck!