A COMPLETE GUIDE TO BOOKING A WEDDING DJ
Unless you don’t like fun and / or have never been to a nightclub / wedding / festival in your whole life (in which case, we need to run some tests) you will surely have seen a DJ in action at least once in your life.
There are however, many different types of DJ: A club DJ is very different to a wedding DJ for example. So if you find yourself planning your wedding, and are unsure of the ins and outs of the ones and twos, you might need some guidance finding the right DJ to play at your wedding.
What to Expect from a Wedding DJ
A wedding DJ plays music and acts as the master of ceremonies at a wedding reception. They are responsible for creating and maintaining a fun and lively atmosphere, as well as curating background music during the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.
If you and your partner are really passionate about music and have strong preferences on the type of music you’d like the DJ to play on your special day, then you should really make sure that the DJ you end up choosing has some kind of experience, background or knowledge on that specific music genre.
On the other hand, many wedding clients prefer to leave the music choice to the expert hands of the DJ, who should be able to read the room and go with the flow.
Whether you are a music geek or a newbie, it makes no difference at all! The role of the DJ will always be that of ensuring that everyone has a great time and a night to remember, and in this guide the Euphonica team explains how to make sure to book the perfect DJ for your wedding.
Setting Your Budget
The first question most wedding clients ask is: how much does it cost to hire a wedding DJ?
This is a very important although not so easy question to answer. The truth is that DJ fees can vary greatly depending on plenty of different factors, and you might be able to secure your wedding DJ for anything between £600 to £3k for a standard 4 hours DJ set. The first step to take in your research should then be to determine your budget, and consider the options available to you.
Some of the factors that are very likely to alter the DJ fees are:
– The DJ kit and all relevant equipment: is it going to be provided on site or will the DJ need to bring his/her own?
– Transport / accommodation: Is your venue located outside the main area of operation of the DJ? If yes, you might be asked to provide accommodation or cover the travel costs or parking for the DJ
– Timings: many DJs charge extra for any performance ending after midnight
– Length of the set: most DJs will perform for a standard duration of 4 hours. If you need your DJ to perform for longer than that, there might be a cost implication
– Outmess: clients should always provide food for the DJ
That said, here are a couple of tips that might help you make the most out of your budget:
– Look for a DJ based close to the venue you have chosen. This way you might not need to pay any travel or accommodation
– When choosing a venue for your wedding, it might be worth thinking about venues that already have a DJ kit on site – this will lower the DJ fee considerably!
– Length of the set: unless you are really keen on hiring a DJ for the whole duration of your wedding, you might want to consider playing a playlist for the first part of the night (which the DJ can create for you at no extra charge) and have the DJ come in just later on to get the party started
Researching and Finding a DJ
The next question that might come to your mind is: how do I find the perfect DJ?
If you have decided to source a DJ through a music agency like us, then the best way to go is surely to speak with someone on the team. Music agencies know their roster incredibly well and they have experience in working at all kinds of events and for all types of clients, so all you have to do is just provide as much information as you can about your wedding and they will surely be able to give you the best possible recommendations!
If, on the other hand, you have decided to look for a DJ on your own, then there are a couple of different ways to proceed:
– Recommendations: you might be able to find a DJ with an impressive CV who has played all over the world for the most amazing venues and people, but you will never know how reliable he/she is as a person. Getting recommendations from friends that work in the industry, or maybe someone who was really satisfied with a DJ they booked for their own wedding, birthday party or any other kind of event, is always the best way to go. This way, you will have at least some kind of guarantee that the person you will be working with will not only be a great DJ, but also a nice person to be in touch with throughout the whole process
– Social Media: you can find some pretty talented DJs on social media, and their profiles can also give you a very good idea of their music style. DJs will usually post on social media not only the music they play, but also venues they perform at or clients they have worked with. Getting a better idea of a DJ’s experience can be very helpful to understand if he/she will be the right person to perform at your wedding.
Once you have found a DJ that seems to be the perfect fit for you and your partner’s music tastes, there are a couple of things that you could ask to make sure you are making the right choice. For example, you could ask them to send you a sample wedding mix, to understand what kind of music they play at events like yours. Other than that, it might be a good idea to get a couple of references or testimonials to get an opinion from someone that has worked with them in the past.
Making Contact and Finalising the Booking
If you have decided to source your wedding DJ independently, then you will probably agree on fees and payment terms verbally and you will just have to let him/her know the time and location of the event and hope they will show up…! (kidding, we’re sure they will).
If you are dealing with an agency, then you’ll probably be asked to sign a contract to secure the DJ’s availability and settle the fees and payment terms. Every agency operates in a different way: at Euphonica, we ask clients to pay 50% deposit of the total fee within five working days from when the contract is signed, and to clear the balance within 2 weeks from the date of the event. The DJ will also receive a contract once the client has signed theirs, so from that moment on, the agency will be in charge of making sure that the DJ is fully briefed and knows his/her way into the venue, the music brief, timings, type of kit they will be using and all the other boring stuff…
Preparing for the Big Day
Once the DJ has been decided and officially booked in, there are two ways to proceed: you can either give the DJ general guidelines of the music you’d like to hear at your wedding and let them create a set based on this, or provide a playlist with your must-be-played songs that will also help the DJ get a better idea of your music taste and the type of songs that could work on your big day.
Especially when it comes to wedding, DJs will always be willing to take requests. If the DJ is performing with a laptop and has a wifi connection available, he/she will most likely be able to take any possible requests. On the other hand, if the DJ is only performing only with their USB, they might not be able to accommodate last-minute requests. To avoid any disappointment, it is always best to let the DJ know about any requests in advance, so they can make sure to have that specific song ready on their playlist.
Other things that need to be considered when booking a DJ independently are:
– Make sure that the DJ knows the kind of kit he will be using on the day: we know that to most people DJ decks only look like a bunch of buttons and pretty lights, but they can actually be pretty different! So it is always important to make sure that the DJ knows the type of kit he will be using on the day.
– We already talked about requesting specific songs to your DJ, but let’s not forget about songs that you absolutely DO NOT want to hear at your wedding! Be specific to avoid awkward moments (like songs that remind you of your ex!)
Summary
We could say that choosing the right wedding DJ is like choosing your life partner: you want someone who shares your interests, makes you laugh, and can keep the party going all night long. So, don’t just settle for any DJ – make sure they’re the right fit for your big day!
To sum up, the key tips for choosing the right wedding DJ are:
– Make sure the DJ knows your music preferences and wedding style, so they can create the perfect playlist.
– Don’t be afraid to communicate clearly about your song choices and timing – you don’t want the first dance to be to “Baby Got Back” (unless that’s what you’re into).
– Lastly, choose a DJ who is professional, experienced, and reliable – you don’t want them showing up in a clown suit or playing air guitar all night long.
In conclusion, booking the right wedding DJ is crucial to ensuring a party that’s unforgettable (in a good way). So, do your research, read reviews, and schedule consultations to find the perfect match. With the right DJ, your reception can be transformed into a fun, energetic, and unforgettable night that’ll leave your guests talking for years to come. Just remember, if all else fails, you can always bust out your own dance moves and become the star of the show!