Why you should hire a professional wedding DJ
“Last Night A DJ Saved My Life…” Never heard those lyrics? Ahhh well, it was a one hit wonder song from 1982 by In Deep. What a great song! “And in just one breath he said: you gotta get up! You gotta get up! You gotta get down girl!” Ok, so maybe they don’t save your life, but, they could save the party at your wedding! DJ’s do not only play music at your reception. They orchestrate your reception. As a wedding photographer, I cannot tell you how important it is to hire a PROFESSIONAL wedding DJ for your wedding. They keep everything running smoothly and on time. They get and keep the party going.
As the host of your wedding this is imperative to whether your guests dance the night away or leaves right after the cake is served. I can tell you by experience that a friend who is attending your wedding cannot give the attention to your reception to create that type of atmosphere. An MP3 Player most definitely cannot do this and you should not be getting up and down to check on your play list and just playing a long list of songs does not engage your guests which is what will make them want to get up and dance.
All wedding vendors understand that engaged couples have budgets. That does not mean that you can’t hire a professional wedding DJ for your wedding reception. Many DJs offer a range of services that could work with your budget but, still offer you an experienced professional for your entertainment. Some people utilize DJs for their ceremony and reception. If cost is a factor then maybe you can have a friend sing or play guitar at your ceremony. This not only has a sentimental factor for your ceremony but, can save you some funds from your entertainment budget. Many DJs offer lots of extraordinary services like lighting, slideshows, and photo booths. These are wonderful options if you have the money in your budget for them! Please consider them as things like mood lighting make for a stunning reception. However, if you don’t have it in your budget you should still hire your DJ for your basic entertainment needs! Playing a variety of music for you and your guests and keeping all of your receptions events moving in a timely manner are completely worth the money!
What to ask a wedding DJ
So, what are some other factors you should consider when hiring a professional wedding DJ?
Are they reliable? This is a huge factor. As a wedding professional I have been at weddings with an amateur DJs or MP3 players and the equipment has malfunctioned. Then what? One wedding I worked, luckily the venue used their own sound system to provide music but, it wasn’t the bride and groom’s choices for their big day. Another “DJ” called a friend to bring a laptop with some music on it but, again, not all the songs they wanted. Professional DJ companies have back-up equipment and personnel.
Are the professional? It is unfortunate when your DJ drinks at your wedding or falls asleep at the booth. (Yes, I have seen both happen) What you want is someone who listens to your requests and dresses professionally. Make sure they arrive in plenty of time and have everyone’s names correct and adhere to your playlist.
Do they own professional equipment? I don’t pretend to know everything about professional DJ equipment however; I do know the professionals that I know compared to others have good sounding cordless microphones and speakers that don’t distort the sound when they are turned up during the party. Some DJs have had to have people move to accommodate the microphones cord and the music has sounded horrible once the sound has been turned up.
Do they have the songs you want to hear and if they don’t can they get them? There are many musical tastes out there. Although there are some typical wedding songs that people hear at weddings, some people have unique tastes and want them to be catered to. If you can’t find a DJ who can accommodate your musical tastes then interview different ones until you can. Also, ask are they willing to play your personal music. They should want to work with you to make your day special to you!
Here are some tips from our local Colorado Springs Wedding DJs:
Bobby Sorden from Sensational Sounds Professional DJ Service: “The price for a professional is worth every penny. A professional DJ will make sure your event goes smoothly so you can relax and enjoy the event.”
Randy Rodriguez from Randy Rodriguez Entertainment: “I really think that music is the last thing to consider when choosing a dj. Everyone can boast about having a vast musical library and an amazing sound system. Anyone making 200 dollars at a wedding can call themselves professional by the mere fact they’re charging a fee regardless of how minimal that fee is. The thing that most bridal couples should research is the experience of the DJ they’re considering hiring. A company with multiple DJ’s may have a talented Dj with a decade of experience handling the intricacies of managing a successful wedding. On the other hand, the bridal couple may end up with an inexperienced DJ and the reception is less than stellar for a myriad of reasons. Lack of eloquence and presence when making announcements, poor musical choices that don’t have universal appeal for the different age groups in attendance, and lastly, having not spent enough time with the bridal couple to understand what their vision is for that day and exceeding their expectations. A wedding is a show, but the bride and groom are the stars and it’s imperative that from the first consultation to the last song played at the reception, every step of this once in a lifetime event is handled by a passionate and talented MC/DJ entertainer.”
John Warren from Complete Music Colorado Springs: “A professional DJ does not just play music, we offer services such as coordination of the reception, emcee services and more. I would add a word of caution that brides should search for real professionals since in this time of technology, anyone can rent equipment, make a website and pretend to be a professional. A smart bride will do her homework and look for longevity, stability, strength and trustworthiness in their DJ company to ensure a quality service.”
Dan Osinski from Laser Sound: “This is key… just because someone says they are a professional DJ doesn’t mean that they would be the right company or person to hire. It is the dedication of the company behind the DJ. Check references. What venues or other companies in the industry are recommending them?
