Music to your ears
How to find the perfect DJ for your wedding
By Jeff McRae
If you want your wedding reception to end on a memorable note with everyone dancing until the wee hours, laughing hysterically and singing along to the music, then you want a professional DJ. I have heard of a few ceremonies where the groom plugged his iPod into speakers and expected that to carry the party but I ask you: can an iPod compliment the mother-of-the-groom and get jiggy with Aunt Ethel? Can it don different coloured wigs and swap ski stories with cousins? In short, can an iPod entertain?
A great DJ is a great entertainer – someone who involves guests in the entire musical show and ensures the party will be remembered for years to come. What follows are some things to think about when choosing your wedding DJ.
First of all, you should know what you want in a DJ. Make sure you talk to different ones about their styles and see if they match what you’re looking for. Just like the meal and decorations, you can customize the music you’d like to play at the ceremony and you want a DJ who will accommodate your tastes.
Obviously the best way to know a DJ’s style is to have witnessed him or her performing at another wedding or function. Keep in mind, though, that they could have been asked to play certain music or entertain in a particular way in accordance with the newlywed’s wishes. Therefore you want to ask them a lot of questions about what type of music they like to play and how they entertain the crowd. Ask if you can see a sample playlist and look for proof that the DJ owns a wide variety of music. A large library does not necessarily mean that he or she will be able to cover more styles and requests. (Nothing would be worse than hiring a DJ who has a library of 100,000 songs – and they’re all death metal.)
You’ll also want to ask for their references and then check with them to ensure they were personable and played to everyone in the crowd. Again, ask if the DJ was a good entertainer. You want to find someone who will talk to the guests, get people involved and laughing. Find out what sets him or her apart from other DJs.
When it comes time to discuss prices, ask about what is included. For example, what type of sound and lighting equipment do they have? What time are they prepared to start and what time will they leave? Will they supply a microphone or will you need one earlier for the speeches? Overall, prices will vary by region and by quality. Typically the higher priced DJs are more experienced, but again, references go a long way.
If you have chosen a popular weekend to get married, such as any of the long weekends in the summer, you will need to talk to the DJs you’ve singled out as soon as you can because some of the more popular ones will be booked for these weekends up to two years in advance.
In summary, to find the perfect DJ you’ll have to do a bit of homework. Know what you are looking for, find value for your dollar, explain what you want and then seal the deal. By following all these steps you’ll ensure you, your partner and even Aunt Ethel are dancing and laughing along with a great entertainer.
Jeff McRae, has been an entertainer for the past 20 years. He has toured professionally as a musician and has integrated his experiences from the road into a successful DJ business. He is the owner of Aries Entertainment and the Fernie Shirt company in Fernie.
