"And The Beat Goes On..."

Featuring DJ Dan Cavanaugh

How To Hire A Disc Jockey

First you need to get some referrals. Some great resources to start with are friends, family, parents, photographers, caterers and hotels. LISTEN to recommendations from your wedding planners and event consultants, they are the most familiar with the different types of vendors and work closely with them on a weekly basis at weddings and other functions.

One of the most puzzling things you will notice is the great disparity of pricing from one DJ service to the next. However, we suggest that you leave the question about price for last. First you need to find out what makes the DJ worth their fee and there are many differences in what they provide. Remember, your entertainment can make or break a reception. While it may be attractive to shop for a DJ by price, just as with every other wedding service vendor, price alone is not the definitive factor in this decision. All DJ services are not equal.

Are you available for my date?

Do you provide a written contract?

How many playing hours are included?

Is set up time and travel included?

How early do you arrive to set up?

Do you charge by the hour or do you have a package?

Is there an extra charge for additional hours?

Do you provide a wedding reception planner?

What do you wear?

Do you do the announcements? Are you the Emcee?

Are you open to requests? From us? From the guests?

How large is your music collection and is it varied?

How do we pick our music for the event?

How long have you been in business?

How many WEDDINGS have you done?

Are you the DJ who will be at the reception? If not, how do we choose our DJ, or are they assigned?

What type of equipment do you have? (Discuss with them if it's professional equipment)

Do you bring back up equipment?

How much is your deposit?

What is the total price for the package?

Are there any additional charges?

How is payment arranged?

Remember, there is a lot of prep work that should be done prior to the wedding by the DJ. He/she should be able to explain what they will do for you in advance to ensure the success of the event. Advance preparation is what a professional DJ does as part of their service. A true professional will spend a minimum of 10-20 hours preparing for your reception. This includes going over your plans (consultations), music purchasing and editing, setting up and tearing down equipment, working with other vendors, etc. In other words, what you are paying for is more than just a body playing music!

Music however, is a very important element at your wedding reception. You have thought about the music you would like and probably imagined the evening as you would like it to be. If the DJ does not have a sufficient music library, you may find your guests won't be on the dance floor as much as you would like.  A budget DJ simply has not invested the amount of money necessary to provide you with a first class selection of music. At a minimum, 5,000 songs is a necessity today for a professional, and 10,000 or more songs is a very good music library.  Therefore, it is important for you to select a DJ who has invested in an extensive music library, and there is really no excuse for DJ’s nowadays to have a full digital library of music. However, along with having the song titles, your DJ should also have a variety of music genres AND the know how to blend them into a pleasing mix. Also, find out if the DJ encourages requests from the guests or does he/she have a set music program. Decide in advance which you prefer.

Full Time, Professional DJ services usually command fees in the area of $250-$400/hr, which works out to average

$1,300-$2,000 for a wedding reception. “Weekend Warrior”-type DJ’s who don’t keep up with music libraries and industry changes, bring friends/spouses to help, eat/drink/smoke most of the time they’re working, do not have backup equipment or reliable references, do not own a tux or suit usually charge around $400-$800 for a wedding reception.

Finally, listen to the DJ as they speak. Does he/she have a pleasing voice and personality?  Remember, what you hear on the phone will be twice as good or bad when amplified on a sound system.  Make sure the person you are talking to is the one that will do the wedding reception. If they try to pawn you off on one of their employees, ask to speak to the DJ who will be doing the reception. Never, ever accept someone you have never talked to. Remember, having confidence in who you hire is just as important as the rest of it.  As with all things in life, quality and professionalism has its price.