The Absolute Basic Questions To Start With (Before Signing Contract)
We will begin with the most basic Questions & Answers you should expect to Ask while searching for a quality Wedding DJ.
1. Is my wedding date available?
I know it seems like a given, but you would be surprised how many requests I receive about my services without knowing If I can actually help the couple out. It is always best to lead into your inquiry by letting the DJ/MC know your wedding date to see if they are available before inquiring about other questions.
2. Do you perform more than one event per day?
There are DJs who will book multiple events in the same day, others do no more than one gig a week. I would recommend picking someone that is only worried about your big day so all the attention can be focused on your wedding.
3. Are you a “single-op” or a “multi-op”?
Time for some industry jargon. Some businesses have decided on the strategy of having multiple DJs in their business operations to be able to accommodate large influxes of bookings served on the same day, hence (multi-op). There are some business owners that go on their own and run the event themselves (single-op).
In some cases with a multi-op you may talk to someone about your booking, then someone different for your planning, and then have a separate DJ turn up on the day. In other cases you get one person from beginning to end. That second thing is the one that matters, and it is worth asking about directly: not how many DJs a company has, but whether the person you plan with is the person who plays.
(Written in 2021, when I worked as a single-op. Midas Entertainment is four people now: my brother Dan works every event I play, Coty Tate is my second DJ, and Willie Robb runs audio when there is a band. The answer to the question above has not changed, because whichever of us plays your wedding, I am the one who plans it with you and the contract names the DJ before you sign it.)
4. How long have you been a wedding DJ?
It is good to know if someone is new in the business or has been around for a while. Someone new may still be a great wedding DJ, but it would be wise to vet their capabilities a bit more to see if they’re up to the task. Naturally, those with deep experience will likely give you the best results, so be mindful of your choices.
5. What happens if you become unavailable?
This is one of those critical questions to ask a wedding DJ, and they really should have a solid answer to this. If they become unavailable (sick, injured, etc.), how are you going to cover my event? I have a lot of quality DJs I have great relationships within the area and I happen to take meticulous notes. So if the need ever arises the bases are covered. K nock on wood, I have never missed an event. As for a multi-op, they tend to have enough DJs available to be able to cover an event in case their assigned DJ becomes unavailable.
6. Have you performed at my venue?
It’s nice to have a DJ that has experience with members of that venue and knows the lay of the land. That being said, a quality DJ will perform some kind of reconnaissance with the venue prior to your wedding . So don’t automatically discredit a DJ that has not been there before, just ensure they know what they are doing. Personally, a good 30-40% of my events per year are at venues I have not performed for in the past.
7. What are your personal musical tastes?
First, be sure to do write down or recollect some of the artists, genres, and periods of music that you like. There are times I have couples that want great music, but can’t remember any of the specific music they like. And While quality DJs will cover all the major genres, it’s still nice to know if that DJ has the same affinity for the music you personally like. You can always see what music largely influenced my formidable years .
8. What is your personality?
Now we are getting into some questions to ask a wedding DJ that people never think about. Some people want a hype DJ to get everyone going, some want games, some want lots of interactive elements. some a laid-back style . Be sure to pick one that matches what you are looking for. Also, take into account that a true professional should be able to provide a handful of different styles for your celebration. Just be sure to let them know what style you prefer and if they can provide it. Be sure to check my article on this.
9. Do I get a contract?
If you don’t, RUN, but all kidding aside, look elsewhere. Seriously. This is the most important day of your life. Don’t chance it.
10. What services do you provide other than music?
Music is obviously the most important skill set a DJ possesses. However, some DJs also include excellent value-added services that pair very well with large-scale celebrations, like uplighting, dance-floor and bistro lighting services, interactive photo booths, and many others. So make sure to check with your DJ to see if they can bundle these extra services into a package and save you money and time. It’s always easier to deal with 1 vendor who can provide multiple quality options.
11. Do you offer Ceremony Services?
Ah, one of those questions to ask a wedding DJ that people forget until they start to think more about their day. If you are having a ceremony for really more than say 75 people, or even more so if you are outdoors, it’s the best bet to have at least the officiant mic’d up and amplified. Remember the wedding DJ is more than just playing music! If you have a videographer you need to ensure that both the DJ and the videographer are in sync to capture your special moment. Ceremonies can get quite complicated and it’s best to have someone with the proper experience managing it all.
12. Are You Insured?
Most venues make it a requirement for their vendors to have insurance. Ensure that your DJ is insured.