Sweating the Small Stuff

When planning for your wedding reception, there are many things to consider. One of them is your DJ. The DJ can make or break your whole day.

When shopping for a good disc jockey, price should not be your top consideration. Consider whether the DJ has enough experience and care to sweat the small stuff. At an event, there are many little things a good DJ does that you may not even know about, and it all starts before you sign a contract.

Before you book your DJ

Ask yourself these questions as you compare DJs:

• Does the DJ have a good website that is organized and easy to use?
• Are there past customers you can call to ask how the DJ was?
• Do they have an event calendar, or do they want you to call for availability? An event calendar can show how many events they have and whether they are a hobby DJ or whether this is a true job for them.
• Do they take pictures at their events? A good DJ will send pictures they have taken at your event, so you have something to look at before you receive the photographer's pictures.
• Do they have video on their site so you can hear how they sound on the microphone?
• Does the DJ rate places where they have performed? Food, service, and past experiences are all things you might want to know about a banquet center or reception hall. The big fancy places are not always the best.
• Are there pictures of the DJ on their site so you can see how they look and dress?
• Do they have a song list that shows the type and style of music they play?
• Are they willing to meet with you before you sign their contract?

The first meeting matters

You should meet with a DJ before you sign a contract. Look for the following:

• Are they prompt and on time to the meeting?
• Do they joke around with you too much? This may lead you to believe they will do the same on the microphone.
• Are they professional?
• Did they dress appropriately? Do they look professional?
• Were they able to answer all your questions?
• Did they make you feel comfortable letting them host the most important night of your life?

Planning after you sign

After signing, are they willing to meet with you before the event? A good DJ will schedule a meeting with you about a month ahead of your event to go over the following:

• The events of the reception. A detailed reception planner or itinerary should be filled out by the DJ.
• The names of people they will be announcing, written down phonetically so they are not mispronounced later.
• Advice for different events to help them run more smoothly.
• Different events you may not be aware of, such as an anniversary dance, honeymoon dance, or dedications to parents.
• A song list with yes and no songs so there are no surprises.
• What time they will arrive to set up at the hall.
• The layout of the room and what they will require, including power outlets, tables, and chairs.
• Directions to the hall.

What a DJ should handle on your wedding day

A good DJ should prepare for the event before the day of the event and arrive at the reception hall at least two hours before your guests arrive. They should be set up and dressed before the first guest arrives.

They should coordinate with the people involved in different parts of your reception: the caterer, photographer, videographer, hall manager, father of the bride, the person giving the blessing before dinner, and others. They should look at the seating chart or table numbering to know where people involved in events are sitting.

Details matter. The DJ should make sure there is a plate on the cake table for your cake cutting. You would be amazed at how many large halls forget this. They should know where the cider or champagne is for the toast if the hall is not pouring it, know where the toss and anniversary-dance bouquets are, and talk to bartenders about shots for a dollar or honeymoon dance if they are being given.

A good DJ should have a redundant supply of your special music for the night. I make a playlist on the computer as well as a CD with all special-event songs, from the grand entrance music to the last dance. When the night is over, I give this disc to the bride and groom as a gift.

Once your guests arrive, your DJ should be standing in front of the equipment—not behind it—to meet guests and direct them to their table, the gift table, or other areas they need to know. They should line you and your bridal party up for the grand entrance, go over names to make sure they are announced correctly, and review the events of the night so no one is caught by surprise. The best man and maid or matron of honor should also know about any events they will be involved in.

The big picture

There are many other little things a good DJ will do, but these are some of the most important. Anybody can play music, but keeping the reception flowing well, reading the crowd, and keeping guests entertained and dancing all night takes years of practice.

A good DJ not only entertains your guests, but is also your event coordinator and host. Thank you for reading, and have fun planning.

Scott Simmons