Questions for a Dj?

Question

What are the questions that you ask a dj? When you are picking one for a wedding?

Answer 1

Ask about the DJ’s presentation

Ask what he or she will be wearing

Ask if the DJ will need to be provided a meal during the reception

Ask how many breaks the DJ will take during the reception and will there be music played during these breaks

Ask about the DJ’s start and end times

Ask about song selections. Can you choose from a song list. Can you choose a "no play" song list.

Ask how many CD’s the DJ will bring to the event

Make sure you ask who will be performing at your wedding

Ask about equipment

Ask if they need a tablecloth or linens for their table(s)

Price per hour, is there a set up take down fee, lights, deposit

Answer 2

IMPORTANT- Make sure that is the actual dj coming. Court cases all the time about a couple who thinks they signed a contract with a dj when instead they signed a dj with a company and last minute they get a different guy than they had been talking to and planning with.

Also inform your dj of if guests are allowed to request. Be aware that most people requesting will be younger and you may end up with a lot of Hilary Duff, Cheetah Girls, or boybands being played. Have a list of songs that are must play and a list of songs that are MUST NOT play. Songs you hate, "your song" with your ex. Thats just as important.

One thing I hate is a dj who turns it into his own private show. Ask this dj what his style is if you haven't heard him. Some djs stop the music a lot to talk. Get advice for the bride and groom and do "games" like who has been married the longest, who does the best macarena, who can limbo the lowest. Personally I hate that and wanted to make sure the dj knew I expected him to play music so people could DANCE not spend 30 minutes talking. He was merely to announce the events--bouquet toss, garter, cake cutting.

How do you want the people announced? I had my parents, then his parents but I announced my "bridesmaids" as a group and the "groomsmen" as a group, instead of each one as they enter "Ms Susan Jacobs, escorted by Mr John Smith"--since 2 of my bridesmaids were engaged. I wasn't sure if I wanted them to walk in with their date or the assigned groomsmen they walked down the aisle with--so I decided it was easier to spare them the embarrassment and have them walk in as a group.

What is the additional fee if you decide to have him stay? Usually a contract is for 4 hours--but if the contract is in full swing--and he stays an extra hour, how much will that add?
How much does he require you pay him upfront? Make sure you aren't paying most of it upfront b/c if there is a problem you have no negotiation.

Go through his cds. If you really like R&B, and he has a good selection of that--what is his alternative if the guests respond better to more oldies and swing music? Do you want him to vary the music based on popular response or play only what you want to hear?

Something you rarely thing of...how much equipment does he have/are you required to supply anything? My dj did not have a subwoofer and we had to rent it before the wedding. That was an additional item I had to send a groomsmen for, since it had to be rented and picked up at 100 the day of my wedding.

The dj is the last thing I picked. We booked him about 2 months before the wedding. I had been planning on using an automatic system and playing MP3s.

Here Comes The Guide usually has a list of questions in the back for each vendor. I got some of these from that and usually they are in every couple of issues.

Hope these help and Good Luck!

Answer 3

I booked all of my vendors as soon as I started planning. It's best to book them all up front so you at least know the date you have your heart set on is booked for you. I didn't really have to ask our DJ anything, honestly. I basically gave him a list of the songs we wanted played for the special dances (mother/son, father/daughter, our first dance, anniversary dance, etc.). We went over the "rules" such as a "do not play list". We had a lot of people in our wedding party with last names that were pretty hard to pronounce so our DJ took the time to write all of their names out in a way where he would remember how to say them. Make sure you have a DJ who's there for you and not for themselves.

Answer 4

ask if you have to provide a dinner for them (ask all your vendors if they should be included in your headcount.. most will).

ask if they take a break at all or if they plan on providing continuous music throughout the reception. (and discuss about slowing down the music while food is being served)

ask how many people you are paying for (just somone to hit a play button, or also someone to get the crowd into it)

if you want extras ask if they provide or if you must ie - sunglasses, inflatables instruments, leis, lighting

Answer 5

DEFIENTLY ask him if he will stick to songs you give him or if they will throw in their own stuff.....unfortunately, I didn't confim this and assumed he would play my songs at our wedding, instead ours skipped practically everything I gave him instead opting to play "p*ssy control" about halfway through the night. THIS he decided was more important than the 20 other songs I gave him that actually had meaning to me and my husband!

Answer 6

-Number of hours and services included in the fee
-Time and place for set-up
-If your date is available for you
-How many people will accompany him (if any)
- What would be his/her attire

-Special songs you want played
-No play list
- Meal arrangements for him/her and attendant