Finding the Right DJ or Disc Jockey For Your Wedding

You can search on the Web for phrases like "DJ", "Disc Jockey" and "emcee" and come up with several names. You can also look in the phone book and find pages of entertainment companies offering Disc Jockey services. There is no shortage of DJs ready to perform at your wedding, but how do you find the one that's right for you and your guests? Here is a checklist to finding your best wedding DJ.

Compile a list of candidates

Have you been at an event within the past year or two, not necessarily a wedding, where the entertainment seemed to keep the crowd going? Ask friends and family who have recently been married or who may have recently attended a wedding with a great Disc Jockey or band for suggestions. The contact person at your wedding reception venue may have worked with someone in the past they trust. If you're working with a wedding coordinator, he/she will have several vendors that they work with on a regular basis, including wedding DJs. He/she may even have favorites that he/she prefers to work with. Ask him/her for recommendations.
 
Set up a time to meet in person

Ask for references, prices, a copy of the contract, and what the wedding DJ services include. Ask them how many wedding receptions the DJ has worked. Take note of their attitude and how your personalities mesh. The DJ may be able to provide a video of their work as well. Although you shouldn't expect a wedding DJ to allow you into a private party to watch them work, there may be a public event their working that you could attend. Establish early on that the DJ is available on your event date.

Get bids from your top three picks

A wedding Disc Jockey should be able to provide you with a written estimate of the services they will offer and the price. Be sure you understand what you'll be getting for the money, and compare apples to apples.

Crunch the numbers

If one wedding DJ's services costs more than another, there may be a difference in the service they are providing.  Have the DJs taken the day of the week and the hour of the day of your reception into consideration? Does one bid include lights or other special effects? While one Disc Jockey may be offering a complete package, another one may be offering things like special effects and emcee services separately. Cost will vary depending on your city, the day and season of the event, and the time of the event. Plan on providing at least 8 percent of your wedding budget for entertainment.

Initiate the contract

Most wedding DJs have a contract that they provide. While this contract will protect them, be sure that it protects you and spells everything out very clearly. It should have the time of set-up and tear-down, number of hours worked, breaks, contingency plans, equipment used, and services provided.

You are planning for the biggest day of your life. Your wedding DJ should appreciate this and be cooperative and enthusiastic about providing her services at your event.