Searching for the perfect DJ for your wedding can be a daunting process. For most brides and grooms, this is their first time hiring a DJ and there are so many factors to consider. Here’s our list of common mistakes made by brides & grooms when selecting a wedding dj:
1. Thinking that a DJ is someone that just plays music
So many people realize after their wedding just how much a DJ does behind the scenes… even with a wedding coordinator, the DJ is the Ringmaster for the entire event and is always prepared. For example, there’s nothing worse than having a photographer changing batteries right when the toasts are announced. A professional wedding DJ brings the organizational skills and the experience of knowing how to bring a cohesiveness and a smooth flow to your Big Day so you don’t’ have to think about anything but enjoying yourself.
2. Hiring an Amateur or Part Time DJ
Don’t put the most important day of your life in the hands of an amateur offering “amazing deals”, or worse, your “friend that has been DJing as a hobby for 10 years”. Don’t have your reception ruined by someone that is not qualified or equipped to entertain your guests or provide a variety of great music. Leave this to a reputable professional that can back up their work with solid recommendations.
3. Hiring the DJ at the last minute
One of the biggest if not the biggest mistake couple make is to lag behind when planning the wedding. They decide very late to find the vendors that will work for the success of the wedding and also put the entertainment part at the very last position.
Most of the best DJs with good reputation are already booked well in advance, and most couples choose Saturdays in the summer to celebrate their wedding with the family. Your choices are limited and when the best DJs are already taken, you might end up with the amateurs. Finding the DJ you want is not as easy as you think, don’t believe they’re all the same.
4. Not Seeking To Identify the DJ’s Personal and Professional Skills
Once you took the first step searching for your DJ don’t think that’s enough to have a great reception. If you enjoyed the DJ’s mix, this does not mean that it will be the perfect DJ for your wedding. The next steps would be to learn to know the professional skills of your DJ. It could be either on the telephone or through e-mail.
The first interaction with your DJ should give you an idea on his personality. How the DJ talks on the phone, how and when he replies or send you e-mails and when you meet. To ensure how he come across punctuality appropriate manner and if he carries themselves professionally during your consultation.
The music preference could also play a major role in the choice of your DJ. He may be perfect for the club, and not good enough for a wedding.
5. Skimping on entertainment budget just to save money
A wedding cake lasts about ten minutes once it’s cut… the food lasts maybe half an hour at best…the champagne is gone in seconds… and yet, many brides spend more money on each of these than they do on the entertainment that lasts all evening and is the one thing that people remember longer than any other part of your wedding reception. You really do get what you pay for… you will quickly forget the pleasure of low cost while enduring the pain of poor quality entertainment! A good rule of thumb is about 1-3% (no kidding!) of your total wedding budget on a professional DJ, or 8-15% on a live band.
6. Not Guaranteeing Who Your Actual DJ Will Be
Ensure the DJ you want to work with and are meeting is the actual one that shows up to do your wedding. Some companies book your business then send a “fill in” DJ to perform at your wedding that may or may not be qualified to do so.
7. Forgetting to ask if the DJ has liability insurance
The last thing you want to do is spend your Honeymoon budget on Attorney’s fees, just because a friend tripped and fell on the dance floor… a professional DJ service will have liability insurance to cover the event, and it’s ALWAYS OK to ask for a printed copy of their coverage.
8. Not Having a Plan B with Your DJ
As we already seen at your Wedding Day, incidents which you nor the DJ has control over could happen! To be on the best side it’s better to prevent than to repair. You don’t need to have a clue about DJ’s equipment to make sure the music will play all night. But don’t forget to ask for a back-up equipment that’s it! An Equipment’s failure could be the end of your great party.
There are some mistakes which people often make while hiring dj for first time as they hire amateur or I say unprofessional man which spoils their party or they hire a man which have less experience which can also prove as disgusting result for their party.
Very useful tips. Hiring an amateur DJ/ Cheap dj is a really bad idea. The Professional DJs and companies have a solid reputation, for a reason. They invest money in their business to come with all sorts of utilities, best artists, training and best equipment. They have been in the business for long time and really know their stuff and how to bring those guests on the dance floor. But, you are falling for a cheap DJ, you will end in in dissatisfaction and can’t avoid risks, last minute hassles. So, I would recommend only hire a professional DJ service, unless you want to finance some amateur’s hobby.. Here’s a directory to find the dj services in every location near you, https://www.djs.com
You must check out the Forbes list of Highest Paid DJs. There has been a lot of shuffling and everyone’s favourite Calvin Harris has been de-throned.
Fantastic! I hope she finds this information as helpful as you do :) Keep us in mind if you need any of our services, We travel anywhere!
I hope our tips help you. Keep us in mind if we can be of service to you. We travel anywhere :)
As there are lots of mistakes that people makes while choosing the dj man in their party as they think that dj man is only which plays recorded music and another big mistake is by choosing amateur dj man in their event. Therefore, I would like to recommend best party DJ for hire in Sydney.
It’s good to know that the DJ doesn’t just play music, but is the ringmaster for the whole event. My daughter is turning 16 soon, and she wants a DJ for her party. I’ll be sure to pass this information along to her so that she knows that DJs do more than just play music.
I like how you stated that you should identify the DJ’s personal and professional skills before hiring them. My wedding is in a few months, and I need to find a DJ. I will definitely keep all of your great tips and information in mind when looking for the perfect DJ for my wedding.
You would be giving them great advise :)
My cousin is still looking for a wedding DJ for this winter. I like your point about trusting their personal and professional skills. I’ll tell him to find someone who is punctual and professional.
Thanks Ridley! Great to hear the post was helpful for you.
You’ve got some great advice for hiring the right DJ for our wedding. It’ll take some research and work, but we’ll find the best one for our party! Like you said, I don’t want someone who isn’t qualified or equipped to do everything we expect. It’ll be good to take time and find a professional.