Choosing the Right DJ for Your Wedding

The wedding reception is the one time where guests can relax and enjoy a good time. Though they came for the wedding, the guests still expect a good dinner, great dessert, good company, and even better music. The perfect disc jockey will take over a wedding, getting everyone involved, and steer the direction of the reception by playing a variety of good music. Hiring the right DJ is critical to ensuring the flow of your reception will go by smoothly. Music can definitely make or break your wedding, and here are a few tips for choosing the right DJ:

Shopping for a DJ
It’s best to start the shopping process by asking around. It’s impossible to know whether a DJ is good unless you have a friend or family member that’s had a pleasant experience with a particular disc jockey. Otherwise, you’re left to watching hours of videotapes the DJ has supplied you from past weddings. Find a few friends that got married in your area and try to come up with a general consensus.

Price isn’t everything.
Remember that you get what you pay for. Though it’s a cliché, it’s certainly true when it comes to selecting a DJ. Didn’t you learn in business school that quality is always better than quantity? Don’t look at hiring a DJ as if you’re purchasing some tangible item. There are good disc jockeys and there are bad ones. Pay the extra money to get the quality entertainment. Also, if you’re thinking about hiring a DJ that a friend recommended then don’t hesitate to ask for a discount. Most DJs are negotiable with their pricing, especially if he is referred by someone.

Disc jockeys should be hired as a package. Keep in mind when you’re discussing hourly rates that you’re not only paying for the entertainment, but also the labor costs, operating costs, and stress of transporting and unloading the heavy equipment to and from your reception. Also, while we’re on price keep in mind that a DJ that charges you less may use cheaper equipment and their selection of music may be much smaller.