How To Ensure You Get The Experienced Wedding DJ

Recently, a bride in a wedding group posted about receiving numerous DJ quotes with a wide range of prices, and she really couldn’t differentiate between them. She’s right; on paper, when looking at descriptions of a DJ service, there’s generally not much that separates them on the surface. Quotes only vaguely address the most critical element: the qualifications of the DJ being hired for the wedding. The DJ is itemized like everything else on the quote: a professional DJ, speaker, mic, lighting. However, the DJ's qualifications make a huge difference. Knowing what you're getting without knowing who you're getting is no different than opting to go to a barber rather than a hairdresser. Objectively, both do hair, but everyone understands that the experience, qualifications, training, and even the equipment used are not exactly the same. Regardless of the wedding service, the combination of qualifications, experience, training, and equipment will often deliver very different results.

 Last year, I was contacted by a bride armed with a lot of detailed questions because she had experienced a wedding that went sideways. Her best friend had booked a well-known DJ company but didn’t know she was going to be assigned a relatively inexperienced DJ. She had been told all the DJs were experienced and trained professionals, but based on the number of incidents that occurred, that was unlikely. From system failures to an extremely limited selection of music, including zero music at the ceremony, and no backups on-site, things went from bad to worse. Needless to say, this bride was determined to make sure this wasn’t going to happen on her wedding day.

We talked quite extensively about her expectations and the mechanical aspects of her wedding. My years of experience with weddings and background in electronics engineering made it easy to address the technical aspects. I was able to alleviate the majority of her concerns with one simple explanation: I told her I’m going to be there and I’m going to be your DJ. I don’t believe in subcontracting weddings because who the DJ is, and their skill level, impacts the wedding more than any other aspect. Both of us knew exactly how much the actual person DJing affects the tone and outcome of the wedding, even though this aspect is commonly overlooked. If you want your wedding day personalized and you want a good DJ, you need to know who’s going to be there. 

At the reception, the mother of the bride came over to chat with me and commented on just how different it was compared to her daughter’s best friend's wedding. She went on to say that it was so different that her daughter’s best friend told her in tears that she wished she had us at her wedding because this is what she wanted on her wedding day. She ended the conversation by telling us to stop being so good, then added that she was kidding because everyone was having a great time. As a DJ, this is what we strive for: a personal experience that couples can enjoy with friends and family. This is why making that extra effort to understand the unique aspects of the couple is so important.

If you want a good DJ, it’s not enough to just research a DJ company and book them. The majority of DJ companies subcontract work to independent DJs. This can mean that the DJ you weren’t considering, or the DJ with limited experience, is now your wedding DJ. Some companies are open and transparent about this process, while others will bury a clause in the contract indicating that a professional DJ will be assigned to your wedding or event. As a bride, you should specifically ask about the DJ and read third-party reviews online. If you don’t, you’re generally assigned a DJ based on who’s available and what their cost is to the DJ company. Skill, talent, and experience are lesser considerations because they come with a higher price tag. The more experienced and skilled DJs are typically better known, so logically, they get booked first by well-informed couples. These couples read reviews and request their DJ by name to ensure they get the best available DJ for their wedding day.