10 Tips to Help You Choose the Right Wedding DJ

Hiring a wedding DJ can be very stressful. The DJ's experience, performance and professionalism will have a large impact on your reception, through the music played, events announced and just his or her personality. Fortunately there are many different ways to help you narrow your search and hopefully find the DJ who will be perfect for your event. I have narrowed it down to 10 tips- some may be more or less important or applicable to your situation, but when all is said and done see #10.

Before you make that initial contact, use the following five tips to get a short list of potential DJs together so you can compare and contrast styles, prices, and professionalism.

1) Friends and family

Find out who have used DJ services in the past few years and what they thought of the experience. If it was negative, stay away from that company! Even so-so recommendations should be thought of negatively. The DJ's #1 job was to please the client, and while an average job is better than a poor one, there are plenty of DJ's who will do their utmost to exceed their client's expectations.

2) Check their website 

A good DJ's website will answer a lot of your questions before you even think of them. There may be links to videos or picture galleries or testimonials which can give you a feel for the company when in action. On the other hand, no website, or a poorly constructed one might be a red flag. Many DJ's do weddings as a side business, and their professionalism and organization may not be up to par with an experienced professional. If they just have an email or phone number chances are it is their second job, and when it comes to your wedding you don't want to be second.

3) Look at their reviews

In this information-filled world we live in you should be able to find reviews of the DJ or company you are considering on the web, whether on Yelp, Wedding Wire, Facebook or Google+. These can be very helpful giving you a window into someone else's event and their impressions of the DJ. Use your common sense and read between the lines. Some DJ's will have friends review them to bolster their rating or just to pad their numbers. These are usually easy to detect as the real reviewers are very passionate and bring up unique details. 
Just as important as those reviews is a lack of them. This is probably due to one of three factors: 
   a)  It could be an inexperienced DJ, just starting their business.
   b)  Some older DJs may have technology issues.
   c)  or worst case they may be trying to stay under the radar because of potential bad reviews. 
There really isn't any reason an experienced DJ or company wouldn't have reviews if they have been active in the last few years unless it is one of the reasons above.

4) Ask your other wedding professionals

Have a photographer that you love? Venue coordinator who is very helpful? A super-nice baker who you just hired for your strawberry-champagne cupcakes? Many times they are a great resource for DJ recommendations. They are putting their own reputation on the line as well when they give out a name, so they most likely have your best interests at heart when they do.

5) Check their blog, social media, and memberships to professional organizations

A blog can be a very effective window into a DJ's mindset, experience at a certain venue, and may give information on whom they have worked with. Maybe you like the DJ's enthusiasm, or how he/she set up at a certain venue, or even find that your caterer has worked with them in the past. Good stuff to know, even if it is coming from that DJ's keyboard. Same goes for social media. 
Being active in local or national wedding organizations shows a level of commitment to their craft and a desire to be continue to learn and to be connected with other professionals in their area that only magnifies how seriously they take their job.

Now that you've done your due diligence and have a short list of potential DJ's, you've come to the most important part of the search- contacting and interviewing them.

6) How responsive are they?

Customer service is critical in a once-in-lifetime event like your wedding. The way a DJ communicates with you could be a good indicator of how they will be before and on your day.
Do they answer their phone, texts, or emails promptly? You should not have to wait more than 24 hours after your initial attempt to contact them for a response. Ideally it should be instantaneous or within an hour or so, but especially on weekends and evenings their time may be occupied by an event, so a little leeway at those times should be expected. Being a great DJ is not just about the wedding day- it is helping the couple through decisions, giving advice, and just staying in touch.

7) Meet with them!

When you initially contact a DJ you can get a good feel for him/her through your conversation, but even if you have a good experience over the phone or email, the true litmus test is when you meet with him/her (if you live in a different area try Skype or FaceTime).
By taking 30 minutes to get to know the DJ you & your fiancé can really make a better determination about whether he/she is right for your wedding. Do you feel comfortable with him/her? Does the DJ understand your tastes in music? Does he/she bring excitement to the meeting, a passion for what he/she does? Will they help you plan the events and music and then take over on the day of, letting you enjoy what you have worked so hard towards? Seems simple, right? But chemistry and understanding between the DJ & the client are critical and could be what turns an average reception into one that people will be talking about for years to come.

8) Cross your "T"s and dot your "i"s

Make sure you get a contract. Read it and know what it entails. Remember it is an agreement to uphold as much for the DJ as it is for you. If something is not to your liking, discuss it with your DJ. They can make an addendum or an adjustment for your particular situation.
Make sure your DJ is legitimate. Do they have a business license? Liability insurance? Good standing with the BBB?
Make sure the DJ you pick is the one who will show up that day. Some companies have multiple employees and you may not get who you thought was going to do your wedding. Get it in writing. Bait & switch is rampant in this industry.
Do they have a backup plan? What if your DJ gets sick? Do they bring extra equipment with them so if a speaker blows or a laptop quits they can continue without any interruptions?
Will they be ready on time, preferably early, and will they be appropriately dressed?
Insist that all charges are delineated before the event begins. Make sure that the DJ will be available if you choose to go into overtime.

9) Book as early as possible!

One you have found that perfect DJ, don't wait to book him/her. By contracting with them, you reserve that date, and that is one less thing to worry about. I recommend at least 6 months in advance, a year for the busier summer Saturdays. Remember, the same things that attracted you to the DJ's website, Yelp account, or won you over when you met are will attract other potential clients. Great wedding DJs are a finite commodity- don't settle for an average one!

10) Go with your gut!

Sometimes the choice isn't completely black and white. One DJ might seem more fun while another more attentive or organized. Sometimes money separates your choices. Sometimes the choice, on paper, is almost identical.
When it comes right down to it, the best pick is that DJ you feel most comfortable with.  Remember that while equipment and price are important factors, you are really choosing personality and experience. Anyone can buy the best equipment and then charge you a great rate, but will they do a great job? 
Hire that DJ who puts your desires at the forefront, who gets your vision and who will make it happen. Above all, hire that DJ who loves his/her job and who is excited to have the honor and privilege to be a part of your day. Don't settle for less! There are lots of great DJs out there, you just have to find them. 

I hope these tips have helped- good luck and congratulations!