| Hiring music entertainment can arguably be | | | | lighting-what does the lighting include? How |
| the most important booking made for your | | | | much is travel to your location? Are you ONLY |
| wedding. Guests remember whether or not they | | | | paying for the time the DJ performs?6. Does |
| had fun at your wedding. What you pay for is | | | | the DJ include a contract? Be sure to have |
| what you get is a good rule of thumb. | | | | all details of your function in writing. The |
| However, I would like to educate the | | | | DJ must know the date, place, and time! You |
| consumer, future brides and grooms, of how to | | | | must know each other's names and phone |
| hire a DJ and things to consider. The | | | | numbers including the DAY of the occasion.7. |
| following are 9 important factors to consider | | | | Is the DJ company professional? This may |
| when hiring a disc jockey BEFORE you sign the | | | | sound silly, but does the DJ have insurance? |
| contract.1. Who would be the DJ for your | | | | Accidents do happen. It's better to be |
| occasion? Many DJ companies are a | | | | prepared. Also, is the DJ a member of a |
| multi-system operation. Be sure to have in | | | | national DJ association like ADJA or NAME? If |
| writing of who your DJ will be at your event. | | | | they are, then they care about what they do |
| I would recommend meeting your DJ before | | | | and are a better chance of being |
| hiring the company at a neutral place, like a | | | | professional.8. What kind of equipment does |
| restaurant.2. How many years experience does | | | | the DJ use? Typically, if a DJ is using a |
| your DJ have with your type of function? | | | | brand of equipment you can buy at your local |
| Anyone can pretend to be a DJ. If you are | | | | retail store, then that's what you will get. |
| having a formal event, does your DJ know how | | | | Excellent brand names include: JBL, |
| to organize a wedding reception or a grand | | | | Community, Denon, Gemini, QSC, Crown, etc. |
| entrance? The DJ should perform the type of | | | | Always, and I mean always, ask if the DJ has |
| show that you want!3. Does the DJ get | | | | back-up equipment WITH them for your |
| everyone involved dancing or do they just | | | | function. Also, be sure the DJ brings the |
| play music? You have to ask yourself if you | | | | right amount of sound for the number of |
| want a DJ that will get everyone dancing? For | | | | guests expected.9. What music do you play? |
| example, will the DJ involve guests by | | | | How many music selections will the DJ have |
| playing and conducting motivational dances | | | | WITH them? Be sure your DJ takes requests |
| like the Chicken Dance, Hokey Pokey, Cha Cha | | | | before and during your function. Also, give |
| Slide or just play music?4. Will the DJ be | | | | them a guideline of what you want played. |
| dressed appropriately? Formal means tuxedo or | | | | However, this is what the DJ is paid to do. |
| dress. Semi-formal means dress pants, shirt & | | | | Don't limit the DJ by saying you want all of |
| tie or slacks and blouse. Casual means polo | | | | one kind of music or a list of 100 songs they |
| shirt or company shirt. Be sure the DJ is | | | | must play. The best scenario is to play any |
| dressed appropriately during set-up and | | | | type of music that gets people dancing and |
| takedown of equipment. Some guests do arrive | | | | having fun. By the way, it should be |
| early and stay late.5. What is the DJ's fee? | | | | understood the DJ does not play any offensive |
| How much is overtime? Is a tip included in | | | | music.I hope this helps! |
| the fee? Will there be an extra charge for | | | | |