Your Guide to Smart DJ Shoppingby Bob MoffettAs both technician and host, the challenge facing your wedding disc-jockey is to recognize the different moods and special moments during your reception and enhance those moments with his timing and selection of music. Your wedding reception is an event charged with emotion, and your DJ must be responsible enough to help you make it entertaining and memorable.The DJ actually serves as a catalyst to help your guests entertain themselves. To connect with your guests the DJ must watch for details both on and off the dance floor, plan effectively and personally with you, the bride and groom, and most of all listen to your ideas, preferences, questions, and concerns.Begin by trying to determine exactly what it is you want the DJ to accomplish for you at each stage of the event. DJs vary in their style. Some are focused solely on the music and others are flamboyant entertainers - in between is an extended range of possibilities. Once you've set your goals, expectations, or constraints, you can match the right person to the job.Choosing Your Disc JockeyThe best way you can choose a disc-jockey is through a referral from a person you trust. If the same name is mentioned by more than one source, so much the better. I would also ask for a list of references from each prospective DJ. This will give you an opportunity to talk to other couples who hired the same DJ. Ask if the DJ lived up to their expectations and any promises made during the sales and planning process. Finally, ask what if anything they would have done differently. This last question will help you build on other people’s previous experience with DJs and garner other wedding tips too.Remember that you are looking for a wedding DJ - but, someone who can also draw from a wide palette of other successful event experience. A young DJ might lack the maturity to deal with wedding formalities, while a self proclaimed "wedding specialist"might turn out too be stuck in the same tired routine. Always look past the labels to find out exactly what kind of DJ a given performer really is, and what age ranges they are most prepared to cater too. Your DJ needs both a wide range of music and the knowledge to use it correctly. Match your DJ to what you know about the people on your guest list for best results. When you call, ask if the date of your event is available, get a general idea of the cost involved. Promptly make an appointment to meet the disc-jockey. Your first impression is important. You should feel comfortable that this person can accommodate your personal style and taste. Use this interview to evaluate the DJ. Are they approachable, knowledgeable, and experienced with wedding events? What level of commitment do they have to the job? Is there a replacement should they be unable to perform?Gauging ExperienceA professional disc-jockey must be a director, psychologist, motivator, host, and entertainer all at the same time. It is important to select a DJ who is mature, articulate, accommodating, and well educated in reception protocol. Check that the years of experience are consistent with the DJ's age. More importantly, you should know how many wedding receptions the DJ has performed at to be sure that their experience is relevant.Look for that other diverse experience they can bring to your event as well. You want to avoid a DJ who's flexability is limited by a single repetitive style or practice. When interviewing the DJ pay attention to their ability to pick up on your ideas and offer interesting and insightful approaches to your concerns.Reviewing the MusicWhen the DJ refers to his music collection be sure you understand what selections will actually be on hand at your reception, rather than simply everything the DJ owns. The library should cover a wide range of styles and years with thousands of titles to choose from. Check to see that requests will be honored, and that the pledge is sincere.Compact discs or digital music files are the current professional standards and offer the greatest sound quality with the lowest risk of technical failure. One consequence of the computer revolution is the need to go that extra step in screening for a true professional DJ as opposed to the computer music/enthusiast exercising a hobby. A fail safe backup system and plan is essential to this work and questions for your DJ about this plan are a good screening tool. Recordable mediums can be handy but avoid DJs who rely entirely on duplicated materials. Music is a significant tool of the trade and a true professional would not have difficulty obtaining legitimate originals or waste countless hours recording and copying tracks. DJs should be able to demonstrate both knowledge and compliance with US Copyright Law . Planning is the keyYour DJ should be well aware of the decisions and planning ahead of you. He or she should supply you with an appropriate formon which to note your preferences with regard to introductions, formal dances, and other aspects of your reception. Before the event, hold a planning session with your DJ to discuss all of these arrangements in detail. Be certain that you plan directly with the DJ who will be responsible for your event. Check that there will be an alternate should this person for any reason be unable to perform. Your entertainment choice should be sealed with an appropriate business contract. Review it carefully and ask for help if you do not fully understand what responsibilities are yours, and what will be provided by the DJ.The Sound SystemBrand names and specific hardwares may vary in features or quality but, all have one thing in common - they can unexpectedly. The presence of readily available spare equipment on site should be a non-negotiable. Guarantees and refunds will be little consolation should an equipment failure bring your reception to a sudden silent stop. Even the highest quality components are not fault proof, so true professionals will be adequately prepared with some form of redundancy. Be sure that your DJ is carrying spare equipment to your event for all major parts of his system. Amplifiers and speakers are the most critical component of all systems, so a spare amp and protected speakers are a must have.In addition, your DJ needs to have an acceptable backup plan for him/herself too! Determine what procedure is in place to insure that you have suitable entertainment for your event should the selected DJ be unable to perform. Discuss when and how you would be notified of a problem, and who will have final approval over any substitutions made.The Right PriceServices are available in a wide range of prices. Pricing is also highly subjective and often ill-representative of the DJs ability. It can not be emphasized enough that you must look beyond the sales pitch and the price. You can find excellent choices at nearly every price level, and can be equally disappointed. I can not stress enough the need to do your homework. Avoid being scared into paying more than you have too, but don't pay less than you yourself feel would be appropriate to get the job done right. Saving money is no reward if the DJ is too inexperienced and ill equipped to handle your event. Likewise, spending an unnecessary premium for your DJ is not a magic bullet for party success.Consider the price quoted in light of the information provided, as well as your own personal sense of the DJs ability to meet your expectations. References should be plentiful; specific to the type of event you are planning; and recent. Remember - you are dealing with relatively small companies and individuals providing personal services. Hire the DJ you trust to look after your best interest and deliver the result you want.Proformance Media Topsfield, MA 01983 Tel: 1-800-439-3277 Office (978) 887-6008The Definitive Criteria for Booking a Great Wedding Disc Jockey.Bob Moffett is a professional DJ with 27 years of event experience in both private and corporate special occassions, night cluibs, and audio-visual presentation services in greater Boston, MA.About the Author:Copyright 1990 Proformance Revised 2009 All rights reservedPrint friendly versionTel: (978) 561-9450
Your Guide to Smart DJ Shopping
by Bob Moffett
As both technician and host, the challenge facing your wedding disc-jockey is to recognize the different moods
and special moments during your reception and enhance those moments with his timing and selection of music.
Your wedding reception is an event charged with emotion, and your DJ must be responsible enough to help you
make it entertaining and memorable.
The DJ actually serves as a catalyst to help your guests entertain themselves. To connect with your guests the DJ must
watch for details both on and off the dance floor, plan effectively and personally with you, the bride and groom, and most of all
listen to your ideas, preferences, questions, and concerns.
Begin by trying to determine exactly what it is you want the DJ to accomplish for you at each stage of the event. DJs vary in
their style. Some are focused solely on the music and others are flamboyant entertainers - in between is an extended range of
possibilities. Once you've set your goals, expectations, or constraints, you can match the right person to the job.
Choosing Your Disc Jockey
The best way you can choose a disc-jockey is through a referral from a person you trust. If the same name is mentioned by
more than one source, so much the better. I would also ask for a list of references from each prospective DJ. This will give you
an opportunity to talk to other couples who hired the same DJ. Ask if the DJ lived up to their expectations and any promises
made during the sales and planning process. Finally, ask what if anything they would have done differently. This last question
will help you build on other people’s previous experience with DJs and garner other wedding tips too.
Remember that you are looking for a wedding DJ - but, someone who can also draw from a wide palette of other successful event
experience. A young DJ might lack the maturity to deal with wedding formalities, while a self proclaimed "wedding specialist"
might turn out too be stuck in the same tired routine. Always look past the labels to find out exactly what kind of DJ a given
performer really is, and what age ranges they are most prepared to cater too. Your DJ needs both a wide range of music and the
knowledge to use it correctly. Match your DJ to what you know about the people on your guest list for best results.
When you call, ask if the date of your event is available, get a general idea of the cost involved. Promptly make an appointment
to meet the disc-jockey. Your first impression is important. You should feel comfortable that this person can accommodate your
personal style and taste. Use this interview to evaluate the DJ. Are they approachable, knowledgeable, and experienced with
wedding events? What level of commitment do they have to the job? Is there a replacement should they be unable to perform?
Gauging Experience
A professional disc-jockey must be a director, psychologist, motivator, host, and entertainer all at the same time. It is important
to select a DJ who is mature, articulate, accommodating, and well educated in reception protocol. Check that the years of
experience are consistent with the DJ's age. More importantly, you should know how many wedding receptions the DJ has
performed at to be sure that their experience is relevant.
Look for that other diverse experience they can bring to your event as well. You want to avoid a DJ who's flexability is limited by
a single repetitive style or practice. When interviewing the DJ pay attention to their ability to pick up on your ideas and offer
interesting and insightful approaches to your concerns.
Reviewing the Music
When the DJ refers to his music collection be sure you understand what selections will actually be on hand at your reception,
rather than simply everything the DJ owns. The library should cover a wide range of styles and years with thousands of titles to
choose from. Check to see that requests will be honored, and that the pledge is sincere.
Compact discs or digital music files are the current professional standards and offer the greatest sound quality with the lowest
risk of technical failure. One consequence of the computer revolution is the need to go that extra step in screening for a true
professional DJ as opposed to the computer music/enthusiast exercising a hobby. A fail safe backup system and plan is essential
to this work and questions for your DJ about this plan are a good screening tool.
Recordable mediums can be handy but avoid DJs who rely entirely on duplicated materials. Music is a significant tool of the
trade and a true professional would not have difficulty obtaining legitimate originals or waste countless hours recording and
copying tracks. DJs should be able to demonstrate both knowledge and compliance with US Copyright Law .
Planning is the key
Your DJ should be well aware of the decisions and planning ahead of you. He or she should supply you with an appropriate form
on which to note your preferences with regard to introductions, formal dances, and other aspects of your reception. Before the
event, hold a planning session with your DJ to discuss all of these arrangements in detail. Be certain that you plan directly with
the DJ who will be responsible for your event. Check that there will be an alternate should this person for any reason be unable
to perform. Your entertainment choice should be sealed with an appropriate business contract. Review it carefully and ask for
help if you do not fully understand what responsibilities are yours, and what will be provided by the DJ.
The Sound System
Brand names and specific hardwares may vary in features or quality but, all have one thing in common - they can unexpectedly.
The presence of readily available spare equipment on site should be a non-negotiable. Guarantees and refunds will be little
consolation should an equipment failure bring your reception to a sudden silent stop. Even the highest quality components are
not fault proof, so true professionals will be adequately prepared with some form of redundancy. Be sure that your DJ is carrying
spare equipment to your event for all major parts of his system. Amplifiers and speakers are the most critical component of all
systems, so a spare amp and protected speakers are a must have.
In addition, your DJ needs to have an acceptable backup plan for him/herself too! Determine what procedure is in place to
insure that you have suitable entertainment for your event should the selected DJ be unable to perform. Discuss when and how
you would be notified of a problem, and who will have final approval over any substitutions made.
The Right Price
Services are available in a wide range of prices. Pricing is also highly subjective and often ill-representative of the DJs ability. It
can not be emphasized enough that you must look beyond the sales pitch and the price. You can find excellent choices at nearly
every price level, and can be equally disappointed. I can not stress enough the need to do your homework. Avoid being scared
into paying more than you have too, but don't pay less than you yourself feel would be appropriate to get the job done right.
Saving money is no reward if the DJ is too inexperienced and ill equipped to handle your event. Likewise, spending an
unnecessary premium for your DJ is not a magic bullet for party success.
Consider the price quoted in light of the information provided, as well as your own personal sense of the DJs ability to meet your
expectations. References should be plentiful; specific to the type of event you are planning; and recent. Remember - you are
dealing with relatively small companies and individuals providing personal services. Hire the DJ you trust to look after your best
interest and deliver the result you want.
Proformance Media Topsfield, MA 01983 Tel: 1-800-439-3277 Office (978) 887-6008
The Definitive Criteria for Booking a Great Wedding Disc Jockey.
Bob Moffett is a professional DJ with 27 years of event experience in both private and corporate
special occassions, night cluibs, and audio-visual presentation services in greater Boston, MA.
About the Author:
Copyright 1990 Proformance Revised 2009 All rights reserved
Print friendly version
Tel: (978) 561-9450
