What Wedding DJs Only Wish You Knew About Choosing One, Part 2
Choose DJs that Take Their Job Seriously
Skip the part-timers — they’re still learning the ropes, and they’ll be practicing on your wedding. Instead, look for full-timers who show their commitment to the profession by belonging to professional DJ associations such as CPDJA, ADJA, & NAME, or NADJ in the UK.
Paul adds, “Ask if they have public liability insurance (in case Grandma trips over a speaker wire) and PAT electrical test certificates (to insure their equipment is safe). This also shows they’re professionals and not cutting corners.”
Meet with them in person, and take a gander at their sound systems. You might not know your Geminis or Peaveys from your Mackies or QSCs, but even a casual glance should tell you whether the DJ or company invests in good equipment. In fact, most will be delighted to run you through their top-of-the-line systems if you give them the slightest excuse.
While you’re there, take a look at their promotional photos and videos. Are they wearing tuxes? Do they look sharp? Does their sound stage sport garish self-promoting signs, or do they keep things discreet?
Turn on Your X-Ray Vision
Everyone has what it takes to pick a great DJ. You simply have to meet with them in person, and absorb what they have to offer.
Paul says, “Talk to them — their personality should shine through.While you’re there, ask them what special qualities they can bring to their wedding. Ask how they’re prepared to work with you to make your day extraordinary.”
The DJ should be happy to meet you, seem interested in the specifics of your venue, and ask questions. “Any DJ who seems phased or reluctant by any of this — they’re not the one. If your DJ seems bored, or gives you the sense you’ll be just another date on their calendar, they’re also not the one.”
A Coda for the Couple
It’s true with the cake, it’s true with the steak tartar, and it’s true for your DJ — the final word is quality, not price. As Paul puts it, “When you look back on your wedding reception in years to come, do you want to remember what a fantastic time everyone had? Or do you want to say, ‘Well, at least we saved some money on the DJ?’”
Good DJs see themselves as part of the larger picture. They expect to work closely with your coordinator, photographer and videographer, and to custom-fit their setup to your venue. So hire a good DJ — one who can help you tailor the night’s entertainment to your individual wedding.
“And see what they can offer to make your wedding function unique,” adds Paul.
Bob is totally right, the only way is to make sure you have that meeting, preferably at the venue and ask as many questions as you can, you’ll know by the end if that dj’s the one for you!
Yes mamma! Look out for and book an NADJ association professional DJ. They guarantee to have everyone dancing all night or you will receive a refund of double their fee! Even Granny will jive and gyrate cooler than Don Ameche did in Cocoon! Pure perfection and worth every cent. Love those guys!
After entertaining at over 5,000 wedding receptions I and my DJs can tell you that the only way you can really know if your DJ is able to deliver a fun and memorable reception is to talk with happy clients.
Looking at the equipment, promo video and crashing a strangers reception will not let the couple know how good the DJ perfoms.
We know DJ’s with great equipment and promo videos and don’t get the job done.
We use to have couples visit receptions (with permission of course) and they showed up in shorts and tank tops and during dinner or cocktail hour and didn’t learn a thing about how the DJ keeps the party going. Besides even when the brides gives permission, they are only being polite. They really don’t like it…would you?
It also splits the DJs focus.
Regards,
Bob Houle
http://WWW.CaliforniaDJs.com