As the old saying goes the two most important things that make or break the success of the event is the Disc Jockey and the Dinner! Keep in mind ....you get what you pay for. Most D.J.'s work part-time, meaning they don't DJ Monday through Friday every week in the year.
Some DJ's are fly by night, make a quick buck and they're out of there. Then there's the Professional DJ. The one who takes pride in every event that they do, receive a majority of repeat and referral business. Their heart is in the moment with the crowd and the music they are playing. That's the kind of DJ you want at your event to make it memorable.
If you shop for price that's fine.... but you should beware if you're shopping for the lowest price you get what you pay for. If your event is 4 hours and the D.J.'s rate is between $150 and $275 that's in a very low range. This DJ may be after a volume sale and does not have the confidence to be charging you more. For a four-hour event (in town) you should be paying between $500 and $$1000 for basic services which might include a light or two.
Some Tips When Selecting a Disc Jockey:
Make sure the Disc Jockey has reference letters of past events. (It means they take pride in their work)
*Set up a meeting with the Disc Jockey to see their music selection. Meet the DJ to get a feel for his/her personality.
*The DJ should subscribe to a licensed music service that has all the major well-known songs from all categories throughout all the eras of music including up-to-date music you hear on the radio.
You can visit these links to find out if your Disc Jockey fits the criteria of a professional organization:
Canadian Disc Jockey Association: CDJA
Canadian Association of Mobile Entertainers and Operators
Here are a few questions to ask when choosing a D.J.
Do you bring back-up equipment or have it readily available?
What if the Disc Jockey gets sick, do you have a back-up DJ readily available?
What type of music do you play? (This is a ridiculously open-ended question, however the answer could immediately end the conversation) If a DJ answers, "I/we play to the crowd making sure that there is a good balance of music being played to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves throughout the evening." That's a good answer. If the DJ indicates they play a certain genre of music....beware, unless you're hiring for a themed party i.e. Disco, 80's, House, Alternative or 50's and 60's Dance then you'll want a DJ that specializes.
With some individuals getting married, there is a tendency to try and please your own musical tastes. That's fine on your special day. However, it is most important to ensure the musical tastes of your guests, family and friends are also satisfied. You invited them to enjoy themselves by taking part in your celebration. Right? A professional DJ will understand this. He will incorporate your special songs throughout the evening while at the same time cater to appropriate requests from your guests.
If there are certain songs that you definitely don't want to hear that night you must apprise the DJ of this. If there is a certain list of songs that are a "must" to be played at your event then make sure the DJ has this list well in advance of the event. Not every DJ has every song possibly known to man or woman in their music library so if they are unable to track down a specific song they should let you know about this well in advance of your event.
A professional DJ with experience will know how to play music in appropriate sets, naturally mix different genres of music, beats or tempos into a blend of great music that will in most cases be very familiar and enjoyable to a majority of your guests.
Music is very personal. To one person the YMCA is a fun dance song, to someone else it's a song they could live without hearing. A good DJ can identify with the demographics of the crowd and determine what the norm will enjoy.
Once you are confident that you have selected a good DJ, sit back relax and let the professional do his/her work...with the help of your requests of course!
