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6 Things to Look For When Hiring a Professional DJ for Your Wedding

A hand on a dj board

Congratulations! You've committed to tie the knot.

Before you and your spouse-to-be ride off into the sunset together, you'll need to coordinate your wedding. With 2.5 million couples taking the plunge each year, you're hardly alone when it comes to the stress of trying to plan a bash to remember within your budget.

One of the key components to a great wedding is hiring an awesome professional DJ that will keep your guests dancing well into the evening.

In this blog post, we'll talk about some tips for finding the perfect DJ for your wedding. Remember, what works for someone else may not work for you, so keep that in mind as you find the perfect entertainment.

Read on for some of our top tips on finding the best DJ for you.

1. Determine Your Budget and Ask for a Quote

Before you get down to the details to find the perfect wedding DJ, set a realistic budget. You may wish to get some quotes from wedding DJs around the area or from friends who have recently gotten married in or around your wedding location. This way, you have an idea of what you'll realistically be paying for a DJ and know what you can afford.

When you start to look for DJs you're interested in, immediately ask for a price. This way, you won't waste each other's time as you get into the follow-up questions. Don't try and talk a DJ down, as for many of them; this is their full-time job. Respect the quote they give you, and decide if that's appropriate for your budget.

2. Ask If They Have Samples of Their Work

Any professional artist has a portfolio, and a DJ is no different. Ask your prospective DJ if they have samples of their work at other weddings or venues. Or, if you're seriously interested in them and they're DJing a public event, attend and see if their style matches what you're looking for.

A reel or demo of their work will also help you determine how well they can get a crowd moving and how receptive guests are to their music.

3. Figure Out What Kind of Music You Want at Your Wedding

This is a key component to figuring out if a DJ is for you. Do you want a night full of top 40 hits for your friends to dance to? Do you want oldies for your parents and grandparents to jam with? Or, are you interested in something a bit more niche or classical? Is there music that you want off-limits during your reception?

You and the DJ need to jive with one another, so you must have this discussion with them beforehand and see what they specialize in.

You may also wish to have a list of songs you want the DJ to play and a list of songs you absolutely want off-limits. You may not want to surprise your grandmother with WAP by Cardi B, for example. Then again, perhaps that's your jam, and you want to rock out to it with your friends. Having these lists can eliminate disappointment and avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Additionally, you may have cultural requests like playing the Hava Nagila so that you can dance the hora at a Jewish wedding. Ensure your DJ is prepared to do so.

4. Do You Have a Plan B?

A great DJ will have a plan B, and even sometimes more than that, should there be an issue with the sound, compatibility of their equipment, or anything else that could go wrong. A professional DJ is prepared for all types of scenarios and is ready to keep the party going without the guests (or the bride and groom!) knowing something went wrong.

5. Are You Licensed and Insured?

You'll want your DJ to have a plan B because things can, and often do, go wrong on the day of a big event. Your DJ should be licensed and insured if an accident happens, and this should be at least a minimum requirement. Although accidents don't often happen with a DJ, they can, so you must be prepared for the risks.

6. Do You Have a Method For Keeping the Atmosphere Lively?

A good DJ doesn't have to be a mind reader, but they should be able to see when things aren't going so hot on the dance floor, or a song is a dud. They should also be able to see when a song or a string of songs are a hit and be familiar with the ebbs and flows of dancing at a reception.

However, you don't want a DJ who is playing song after song that isn't getting a great reception. It may not always be the DJ's fault if people aren't in the mood to dance, but they should have at least some tried and true method to getting people amped up and ready to party.

Finding the Best Professional DJ for Your Wedding

Finding the best professional DJ for your wedding isn't rocket science, but it does take a bit of looking to find the right fit. Once you do, you'll be able to tick one more thing off your list for the big day and look forward to dancing the night away with your nearest and dearest.

If you're in the Atlanta area, click here for a list of our amazing DJs, one of whom could be the one you say, "I do!" to.