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Choosing The Right DJ For Your
Wedding Reception: Step By Step
 The most important day of
your life is rapidly approaching. You have the best hall
reserved, the perfect photographer, and a wonderful
wedding dress and sharp looking tuxedos picked out. What
are you forgetting? Oh that’s
right, you need ENTERTAINMENT for the reception!
With all the planning that
goes into a wedding, it seems almost certain to overlook
certain things, but GREAT entertainment should be one of
the first things to secure when planning a reception. But
how do you find outstanding entertainment for your special
day? What should you ask? How much should you expect to
spend?
If you ask these questions, and follow these recommendations, you should have no problem finding a
great DJ for your event. The best way to have a
HORRIBLE reception is to call every DJ in the phone book,
ask just their price, and hire the DJ with the lowest
price. This
happens more then it should, and a newlyweds special day
is ruined because they spent more on their cake or chair
covers then their DJ!
There are a number of ways to find quality
entertainment.
The first, and probably the
best way, is to hire someone you have seen at another
reception you were a guest at. If the DJ did a great job,
ask for their business card and hire them.
The second is
to ask friends or family members that have had great
entertainment for their event.
The third way is to call
various DJ’s, and find out which will do the best job for
YOU!
Remember, there is a reason why QUALITY DJ’s charge
more then AMATEUR DJ’s. Again, with these questions to
ask, you should have no problems finding the best DJ for
your reception.
1. Are you available?
This seems like such an
obvious question, however, some brides only know one
question to ask: “How much?” Find out if the DJ even has
your date available. If they are already booked, a “true
professional” will help you find another DJ service.
2. What
type of events do you specialize in?
Find out if wedding
receptions are the focus of that company. If a DJ works
mainly in a club or bar, then they may not be the best
choice for you.
3. How will you coordinate my event, and how will you make it
FUN?
The better DJ companies
coordinate your reception from beginning to end, instead
of “just playing music”. They will give you suggestions on
how your reception can be perfect and unique, as well as
incorporate your ideas. Some DJ’s can even take the place
of a wedding coordinator, since they are experienced in
planning receptions as an ENTERTAINMENT function.
4. Will
you meet with us to plan our reception?
ALWAYS
meet with your prospective DJ before signing any
agreement! This is VERY IMPORTANT! If you choose a company
that has multiple DJ’s, meet with the EXACT DJ that will
be at your event. Not all DJ’s are the same, so you should
find a DJ that you trust, and one that fits what you are
looking for. Also, make sure they guarantee that the
person you hire will perform at your event. Have them put
that guarantee in writing in the agreement.
5. What
do you wear during my reception?
A professional DJ will
dress appropriately for your reception, and that means
wearing a TUXEDO or COMPLETE SUIT. Remember, the DJ is
representing YOU at the reception!
6. Can I call any
references?
A professional DJ will
supply you with recent references to contact. This will
usually be the best way of giving you the confidence that
this DJ will do an outstanding job. Also, if a venue or
other wedding professional recommends a specific DJ, find
out what they did that made them stand apart.
7.
Finally,
how much do you charge for my event?
Some DJ’s have a flat
rate for their service, while others have packages with
lighting and other extras. The most important item a DJ
will offer is SERVICE. A full light show and 18” bass
speakers are great, however, they WON’T make your party a
success by themselves! You need a GREAT DJ behind the
equipment to make your party a success!
To
have an OUTSTANDING reception, plan on budgeting AT LEAST
$1,000 for a PROFESSIONAL DJ.
A DJ with a low
price probably has a low price because they do not provide
as much SERVICE as one with a higher price.
More
Tips on finding a Quality DJ:
 Do not ask a DJ to “see
them at another reception”. Wedding receptions are private
events, not public events. Would you like someone you
don’t know coming to your reception?
A FULL TIME DJ will
provide you with better service and quality then a “hobby”
DJ. This isn’t to say that a part time DJ won’t do a good
job for you. However, a FULL TIME DJ has to do a great job
for you, because it is their “profession”, hence the term
“PROFESSIONAL DJ”.
A professional DJ will
use LEGAL music. Downloading music from a FREE online service is ILLEGAL, and DJ’s
have been sued by record companies in the past for doing
this! Ask your prospective DJ where they get their music
from.
A professional DJ will
carry equipment and liability insurance, and should be
willing to show you proof of this. Many reception halls
WILL NOT allow DJ’s into their venues unless
they show proof of liability insurance! True professional
DJ services will carry insurance, to protect themselves as
well as to protect you and your guests.
A
professional DJ will not “bad mouth” another DJ service by
specific name. Doing so shows that they lack integrity and
professionalism. Speaking “down” about a specific company
also shows the DJ service lacks character and class, and
you may want to consider using another service. |
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