What questions should we ask when choosing a wedding band or DJ?

Wedding DJ Hire – The Questions YOU Should Be Asking …

1. Do you do other functions, or just weddings?

Why is this important?  Because you want to ensure you are dealing with true professionals in the industry.  Don’t get us wrong, we know many companies that do all sorts of functions and are still doing weddings just fine.  However, we also know of many companies that unfortunately spread themselves way too thin by trying to be everything to everyone.  Worse still is the companies that treat a wedding just like any other function.  A wedding is a very special day and requires attention to detail.  Sure people want a good DJ at any event, but to us it seems that a quality DJ is much more important at an event as meaningful and special as a wedding than at at a 21st birthday party.  

2. Do you have any venues that I could speak to about your work?

If the wedding DJ hire company is a regular at a venue, this can be a good sign.  This of course depends on the quality of the venue too!  But if they are the preferred suppliers to an established and well regarded wedding venue it might be a strong sign they are doing something right.  If the venue is a frequent award winning venue for their wedding services, they are going to drop very quickly any of their suppliers that might not be up to a high standard.  Even though you might not be having your event at this particular venue, it’s worth while speaking to them about their DJ and if they recommend them to verify the DJ’s statement.

3. Do you have any testimonials from previous couples?

This is important.  It’s good to see positive feedback from other couples.  Better still, ask them if they would know of a couple that wouldn’t mind chatting to you about how the DJ was for their special day.

4. Are you a member of any professional DJ association or wedding association?

If a DJ is serious about their craft, they should be a member of a professional association.  Here in Australia, the highest regarded wedding industry association is the Australian Bridal Industry Academy (ABIA). Membership to this academy is open to everyone but just by being a member it shows that the DJ is at least serious about their chosen craft.  Of course, you can go onto the ABIA website and check their membership and also their most recent rating out of 100%.

Wedding DJ Hire – The Questions You SHOULDN’T Ask …

1. Where can I see you work?

If the DJ is a professional wedding DJ and this is all they do, it follows that it would be very unprofessional of them to invite you to come and see him/her work at someone else’s wedding!  Put the shoe on the other foot, if you hired a DJ and they invited people to come and inspect his/her work at YOUR wedding how would you feel?  

2. Do you have a demo?

In fact, if the DJ DOES have a demo, I would say this is NOT a good DJ for your wedding.  Why? Because you are hiring a wedding DJ, not a nightclub DJ. Demo mixes are the realm of nightclub DJs trying to demonstrate their skills of beat-matching and beat-mixing.  Whilst many wedding DJs can do this (and we do here at NikNat Entertainment), it is not something that is done all night.  What exactly are you hoping to hear on a demo CD from a wedding DJ?  A wedding DJ’s magic is in reading the crowd and playing the right song at the right time to suit the mood for you and your guests and not on showing off mixing skills.  In fact, when a nightclub DJ who might be absolutely brilliant in a nightclub is put into a wedding setting, they are lost and the guests are very disappointed he/she won’t play standard songs without mixing them to a point of being far too different than the expected song.

The music should reflect you and your guests. Not only in terms of a wide range of genres of music for the different moments of the day (acoustic style to dance, jazz to pop to soul etc) but in terms of languages. For example if you have family from Italy and your partner has Chinese heritage, your musicians and DJ should be able to incorporate a few requests that speak to those links. Ask all the questions you neee to find the right music to reflect you

- what are your set lengths

- can you incorporate x songs/genres

- whats the best way to share special requests links/files

- what equipment do you bring and can you supply x if we need it

- what do you need from us to ensure everything runs smoothly

- what do you do if you are sick on the day etc

- what's your fee is we wish to extend on the night

How much experience do you have in Weddings?

What sort of equipment and lighting do you use?

1) HOW DID YOU MEET?

Your DJ should be asking to meet both of you, ask questions about you, and get to know you before you even begin to discuss your reception requirements. In return, getting to know, and actually liking, your DJ will make your event go a lot smoother, so make sure you’re comfortable with them.

2) WHAT ARE THE NAMES OF THE FAMILY BRIDAL PARTIES?

Equally as important as knowing you, is knowing the names and pronunciations of the bridal party and key family members. Your DJ should confidently be called on to prepare your guests if they’re making a toast or being announced during the event. A personable DJ can build a rapport that makes all the difference.

3) WHERE IS YOUR CHOSEN VENUE?

Your DJ may not be familiar with your reception venue and if it’s a bit further afield, then travel costs or even overnight accommodation might need to be added to your quote. However, a seasoned pro DJ might have worked in your venue before at similar events, so they’ll already have contacts and a lot of background info to help your event go smoothly.

4) WOULD YOU LIKE US TO VISIT THE VENUE BEFOREHAND?

It’s always worth your DJ making a visit to the venue, even if they have worked there on previous events. Having them contact the venue directly to meet the venue team means they can familiarise themselves with the layout and facilities. They may even have technical questions they need answering themselves.

5) WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR EVENT?

While you might have a definite plan of how you want your event to go, your DJ might have other ideas. By asking this, your DJ or their company can make sure your DJ is perfectly suited to deliver exactly what you want on the night.

6) WHO ARE YOUR GUESTS?

Your DJ won’t need a list of guests names of course. But giving them general information on how many people will be in attendance, whether they’re family, friends or a mix of both, and their age range will help your DJ adapt your event music and entertainment accordingly.

7) WHAT ENTERTAINMENT WILL YOUR GUESTS LIKE?

Your guests might like an evening of loud, banging tunes with lavish lighting and visual effects if they’re a younger age group. However, older guests might not appreciate that, preferring less intense and more standard entertainment. Getting it right means everyone leaves happy.

8) WOULD YOU LIKE ADDITIONAL ENTERTAINMENT?

Some DJs may offer additional entertainment beyond standard lights and sounds. This could range from visual effects, LED letters, photo booths, uplighting or even wedding dance floor hire to suit your individual reception. It might be an additional cost, but it could make a spectacular difference!

9) HOW MUCH INVOLVEMENT WOULD YOU LIKE FROM YOUR DJ?

No one wants a mute DJ on the night, but you do need one who will suit your own event. Whether you want a low-key, respectful emcee-style, or an over the top superstar DJ, your DJ company should be able to adapt their style to you or provide a DJ with relevant experience.

10) WHAT ABOUT YOUR MUSICAL TASTES?

If your DJ doesn’t ask about this, you could end up with an evening of music that no one likes or dances to – and no one wants that! If you have a definite playlist or even a partial one, make sure you give it to them. That way, the majority of the music on the night will be of your own choosing. But always be open to any suggestions from the pro.

11) WHAT IF NO ONE’S DANCING?

Though you might love the music you’ve chosen, your tastes might not suit everyone else’s. Let your DJ know that if the dance floor’s empty, they can change the music to get your guests up and dancing. While a DJ should never ignore your playlist, give them the permission to mix it up if they need to.

12) IS THERE ANYTHING WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF?

This question could encompass any kind of situation. There could be the possibility of drunk guests trying to grab the microphone, or queues of people constantly asking for requests that are not on your playlist. Don’t be offended if your DJ asks you this, and let them know their responsibilities and what’s acceptable.

13) IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ASK THAT WE HAVEN’T ALREADY COVERED?

Though it’s good that you’re answering lots of questions a DJ should ask the bride and groom, it shouldn’t be treated like a one-sided checklist they’re going through. It’s equally as important that you’re given the opportunity to ask them anything else that might not already have been covered – especially about them and their background.

14) HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT US?

Any DJ and their business should always want to know how you found out about them. Whether it was a referral, a google search, social media or an advert, your answer can tell them that a particular marketing campaign is working.

15) HOW DID YOU RATE OUR WEBSITE?

If your DJ has a website – and the chances are they have and you’ve checked it out – then they’ll want to know what made you decide to contact them. Was it a particular service or review that persuaded you? Or did their Website give you the confidence you needed? Feedback is crucial to give a better service.

As you can see, there are plenty of questions a DJ should ask the bride and groom before the big event. And though this list isn’t exhaustive, if your chosen DJ asks even half of these questions, then it should be one less thing to worry about, making your event go all the more smoothly.

I hope these help.

Warm Regards,

John @ Pro DJs Australia

Are the people I see at your showcase the actual people who perform at my wedding OR is your business a booking agency?

If you have a range of artists to choose from the best question to ask is, what music do you like playing most at weddings?

If that alligns with the music you want for the big day then you have a winner,

DJs/Acoustic Artists who are playing the style that they like ti play will always do a better job and create a better atmosphere,

Once that's out of the way, the usual questions should follow:

Fee, packages, timings etc.

Hi,

I'm in the 3rd category, being a solo guitarist/vocalist and DJ. So probably the first thing i would ask is ,

-what sort of music do i require at all the different points in my wedding, live, recorded etc

-what is my budget

-what do i get for my money

-is my DJ/ musician experienced and competent

Good luck with your wedding plans,

Cheers

Bill. 

First and very important is to actually speak to the DJ rather than just looking at a website. It will give you a good feel for them as a person.

Ask about their experience and years in the indistry.

Their music knowledge? Do they take requests?

Check their Reviews and even speak to venues where they appear to be regularly booked.

Look for pictures of their shows online. You want someone who uses good quality equipment and keeps everything neat and professional looking. 

How responsive are they to your emails or calls? Reliability is very important.

Plan ahead. Book a good vendor as far ahead as possible and lock them in once you are comfortable with your choice.

Don't go cheap!!! In this industry you really do tend to get what you pay for. A DJ or Band can make or break a night. Especially if they are also the MC. 

Good luck :)

Ask:

What is included?

What is extra?

Will they play the guests song requests?

How much music do they know or have?

How often will they take breaks?

Make sure you look at their reputation and reliability. The wedding industry has a high turnover of vendors. Trust the ones who have a solid performance history. You don't need extra stress from an unreliable vendor.

Organise asap so you can relax and enjoy later.

Cheers

DJ Vee