Wedding Music Planning Tips: Eight Factors To Consider When Hiring A DJ for Your Wedding

You tried on 50 wedding dresses before you found a perfect fit, so how about considering wedding music questions as to how to select the best DJ for your wedding dance? Here are eight things to consider when looking for a DJ, courtesy of Aaron Mauldin of Aaron's DJ Services in Kern County, CA: rnExperiencernThis one thing is true for DJs and for all music professionals - sound equipment and music selection can only take you so far. In fact, what are more important are the ability, talent, and professionalism. When choosing DJs, make sure that you are dealing with a real professional who does not only know how to fix equipment issues but how to entertain the crowd as well. Musical KnowledgernMusical knowledge is not only about how large your library is but how eloquent you are with the various musical genres. To confirm, ask wedding music planning questions to the DJ about the extent of their musical knowledge. Among the questions to ask are: types of music they carry and their knowledge of it. Asking their specialty is another good question. What's the use if they're having 200,000 songs in their library when they aren't personally familiar with your favorite kinds of music; surely, they'll fail to entertain you and the crowd during the event. ReferencesrnAsk for them -- and actually call them! With today's technology, anyone can just put an ad in the yellow pages directory, host a Web site, and talk about themselves. But that doesn't guarantee that you're getting a good DJ. When you are considering hiring someone, ask them for no fewer than three references from former clients. Contact them and ask about the DJs experience. Were they happy with their choice, and would they recommend them? Professional references are also handy. Ask if they belong to any DJ or bridal associations, and check to be sure that they are a member in good standing. You can learn from these types of groups the complaints or positive remarks made for these DJs. Written ContractrnWhen you hire a mobile entertainer, they are pledging to provide specific services for a specific dollar amount. It is crucial that this agreement be written and signed to protect the rights of both parties. Failing to do so may put you in a disadvantaged position should they don't live up to their end of the bargain. If there are certain guarantees, make sure these are listed in writing, as well. Guaranteed ServicernMake sure that your DJ will be able to provide a contingency plan. In your agreement, it should state what will happen if they fail to appear, encounter equipment failure, or other unprecedented problems regarding the event. A lot of professional DJ companies provide a performance guarantee and will include the said contingency plan. If they can't or won't be able to provide one, then you have to think twice about it. ChemistryrnPreference is still the best factor when choosing a DJ. Is he easy to get along with? Do you like his personality as a DJ? Finding them to be difficult, touchy, rude or simply unprofessional in manner may tell you to consider someone else. Keep an open mind and don't feel pressured to go with a particular company. Personal AttentionrnMany DJ companies have a varied staff who they assign for events. Make sure you get to meet the individual who will be there at your event, and that they will take the time to give you and your event as much personal attention as you deserve. Ask about how they handle planning, for example. Do they meet with you to discuss music? Do they personalize the event based on your feedback? PricernIt goes without saying that: you get what you pay for. A recent home improvement show depicted a young man who was inexperienced in construction and hiring contractors. He opened the phone book and called around for bids on a new roof, and hired the one he thought was the most reasonable. The contractor did a terrible job, and the next week he had had to pay a qualified contractor twice as much to undo all of the bad work the first contractor had done -- and then complete the new roof properly. Your wedding is not the time to learn this lesson. Devote a proper amount in your budget for good entertainment, and don’t hire a DJ based on price alone.