5 Things You Should Really Consider Before Hiring a Wedding DJ
- By offthechartentertainemnt
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- 21 Aug, 2017
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When the time comes to hiring a DJ for your wedding, it’s important not to hire the first one you meet. While that individual or company might be a great fit for what you’re looking for, they also might not be. Keep your options open, ask for recommendations from your friends, and, most importantly, meet several in person so you can determine which one is going to be the one you should hire.
There are several considerations that you should keep in mind. I think they are best illustrated by relaying the experience of someone who hired a New Jersey DJ who was not quite what they expected.
Don't Fall for Gimmicks
It all started when the bride- and groom-to-be met the larger-than life DJ. He was quite boisterous, very outgoing, and a bit arrogant. The bride and groom thought that this meant he was more “artistic” than other wedding DJs in the area.
A confident and fun personality is awesome: No one wants to hire a DJ who is about as much fun as a dead fish, after all! However, if the DJ you have in mind seems really over-the-top in terms of promoting him- or herself, giving that company the gig could be a conflict of interest. After all, how can the DJ help you shine on your special day if he or she wants to be the one in the spotlight?
Find Out How the DJ Will Dress
The bridal couple were a bit shocked when the DJ and his crew showed up in tuxedos and bowties... and Converse sneakers. While this look might have been appropriate for certain theme weddings, it most definitely was not for their formal affair. Suddenly, the bride began to regret basing her hiring decisions on the wedding DJ’s prices.
Ask your DJ what they plan to wear. Even if you don’t ask, they should plan to wear suits or tuxedos, but if you want them to wear something different, make sure you make that clear. (It is worth noting that no matter how much your DJ charges, he or she should act like a professional... but it’s equally important not to make such an important decision based only on price!)
Find out Where the DJ Will Be Located
At the reception, the wedding DJs were walking all around the venue, even cutting in front of the family during the cocktail hour. At one point, the maître d’ actually stopped the crew and asked them to go back in the ballroom! The bride was so embarrassed.
Obviously, this is unacceptable. Find out where the DJs plan to be during the wedding. While it’s not unheard of for them to be served a meal (and this is something that you should discuss with them in advance), under no circumstance should they be mingling with the family during the cocktail hour.
Talk to the DJ About the Style of the Wedding
After the wedding, the bride was looking forward to showing her friends some of the photographs of the event that had been posted on Facebook, but most of them were of the entertainment company staff in all kinds of crazy, inappropriate positions. The bride would never share these with her social media contacts, particularly not her parents, grandparents and coworkers!
Woah! We can’t even think of a wedding style where this would be appropriate, and no professional company would act this way. Regardless, be sure to let your wedding DJs know how formal your wedding is so they can act and prepare accordingly.
Consider How They Make You Feel
Basically, the bride felt that the whole day was about the entertainment company and not about her. It was obvious that the DJ was more interested in showing off a boisterous, arrogant personality than on focusing on how important the wedding day was to the bride and groom.
That, right there, is the key. Think about how the wedding DJ service you’re considering makes you feel. Do you feel like they’re simply endorsing themselves during your meeting, or are they actually listening to what you want on your special day? If you feel as though your needs and desires are being put aside so the entertainment staff can flex their egos or tell you how popular they are, it’s best to look elsewhere.
Conclusion
Once you find a DJ that makes you feel confident, the time will come to talk about what type of music should be played, which songs to avoid, what types of extra enhancements you would like, and so on. Arrive with a list of questions to ask your wedding DJ so you don’t forget anything in your understandable excitement. Communicating expectations is vital to making sure that your special day goes off as planned; you want your wedding DJ to be a help, and not a hindrance, to make everyone feel comfortable and help people have a great time!
When you trust Off the Chart Entertainment, you can rest assured that we dress and act appropriately for the special occasion that your wedding is! You will not find us in sneakers or polka-dot ties. We aren’t going to act in an arrogant, boisterous or showy manner: Your day is all about you, not us! In summation, we’re modest, dignified professionals who treat your special day with the class and respect it deserves. If you are looking for a NJ wedding DJ, please give us a call to schedule a consultation.
