Thanks to the availability of easy-to-use devices and apps for building playlists and mixing songs, nearly anyone can call themselves a DJ. But do you really want just anyone at your event? If you’ve been wondering if you should hire a wedding DJ or just use Spotify, think twice before you make your move.

Do I need a DJ? Here’s 7 arguments for hiring a pro.

A backyard BBQ with a small number of friends may not warrant hiring an experienced DJ and a ton of sound equipment. But for larger gatherings where you want to create a memorable experience, a professional DJ can make a world of difference.

1. A great DJ will also emcee, keeping the party flowing

An experienced DJ also acts as emcee—which is a huge help when you’re having a big event. They’ll make announcements, get people on the dance floor at the right time, keep tabs on your crowd, and make sure everyone is having a good time. Any lulls will be addressed quickly, and your DJ will keep the party smooth and flowing for the duration.

2. They have an arsenal of great tunes perfect for your crowd

Keeping a large group of people with diverse tastes happy and on the dance floor is a challenge—and it’s one professional DJs are experienced in meeting. They’ll read your crowd and adjust as needed to make sure everyone is having a great time. Don’t risk getting stuck listening to an amateur’s personal music favorites or a lackluster lineup.

3. DJs come with solid, working equipment that will sound great

When you book a great DJ, he or she will have a professional sound system with backup equipment to ensure your event goes off without a hitch. With an amateur, you may end up with terrible sound quality or not have sound at all, thanks to cheap, dysfunctional equipment.

4. Hiring a DJ has a comparatively low cost but makes a big impact

Hiring a DJ often amounts to only a small percent of what you’ll be spending on your wedding, but the impact is huge, so be sure to make room for this in your wedding budget. The truth is that most guests will never know or care exactly how much you spent on your dress or flowers, but they will definitely remember a great party.

5. They maintain a professional image

It’s your DJ’s job to professionally represent themselves and the company they work for. You can be assured they’ll be dressed appropriately and interact with you and your guests in a kind, professional manner. On the other hand, a Craigslist DJ is likely to be full of surprises—such as totally inappropriate attire, weird tunes, or drinking on the job.

6. They’ll set up and break down

You don’t want to have to worry about clearing a space for your DJ. Before your event, they will set up all of their equipment in the designated space and make sure all is working. When things wind down, they’ll clean up and leave no trace behind.

7. They’re dependable and know how to communicate

An amateur may say yes, only to be out of business by the time your event rolls around. A professional DJ has a reputation to uphold and, barring a catastrophic emergency, won’t let you down when the big day comes around (and even then, they’d probably find a great colleague to cover your event). A professional DJ will also respond promptly to your emails and calls, working with you before, during, and after the event to ensure your needs are met.

Two instances when hiring a pro might not make sense

1. You’re having a very small wedding

If your wedding invite list is 30 people or less, having a DJ on hand might change the intimate vibe. If you’d still like a pro to figure out the tunes, make sure your DJ has done smaller events and is sensitive enough to not take over the room.

2. Your budget simply just doesn’t allow for it

Hiring a DJ is one of the least expensive, most impactful parts of a great wedding—but sometimes just covering wedding basics is hard enough on your budget. If that’s the case, you’d still be wise to work out a music plan with a music-loving friend—or someone looking to get some experience DJing—in advance. If going this route, be sure to have your amateur DJ give you the playlist ahead of time so you can give feedback. They’ll also need to test the sound equipment setup at the event location (or in an acoustically similar space) well ahead of the big day. If you’ll need to rent sound equipment for your amateur, be sure to compare that cost with having a pro DJ come with their own setup.

Our final word? Don’t risk your event—bring in the experts

Are you ready to hire a St Louis event DJ instead of your best friend’s Uncle Ned who promises he knows what all the kids are listening to these days? We trust you’ll make the right choice when the time comes to hire a professional DJ—and we’ll be here when you’re ready to book!