Interviewing a potential DJ for your wedding
After countless social media recommendations, website searches, talking to your wedding planner, etc., You have found the DJ you think might be a perfect fit for your wedding. You have reached out to them, and they have availability on your date and fit your budget. Now the fun part comes – actually “interviewing” them to see if they are YOUR perfect wedding DJ.
I say this is an “interview” because that’s how to approach the first meeting, whether via a phone conversation, a zoom conference, or an in-person meeting. You will obviously have specific questions and/or concerns about your wedding. Still, you should make some general observations before you determine if the DJ is actually the DJ for your wedding and sign on the dotted line.
Prompt return of your phone calls or Emails.
First and foremost, is the DJ you are thinking about contacting easy to get in touch with? When you contact them, 1. do they even respond, and 2. respond promptly? While everyone has a busy schedule (DJs included), your time is important and should be treated as such. If they don’t answer immediately, don’t write them off, but you should EXPECT to get a callback or an email response within 24 hours. The one exception to this may be on weekends when most DJs are performing, but overall YOUR DJ should WANT your business.
Willingness to meet with you and present their service.
Will the DJ try to meet with you or at least schedule a video conference? Do they try to charge you for a conference call? Does the DJ come prepared for the meeting? If a DJ is unwilling to (at minimum) schedule a time that is good for both you and them for an initial consultation, you should take it as a HUGE red flag. Are they hiding behind a flashy website or fake reviews? If the DJ tries to charge you for an initial meeting, don’t walk; RUN! Your DJ should want your business and make time to accommodate any potential client.
Do you LIKE the person that shows up?
This should be obvious, but it deserves stating: If you do not like your DJ’s personality, it will make for a less-than-stellar experience. Your perfect wedding DJ *should* be someone you can go to for everything from song to coordination advice throughout the entire planning process, and there is NOTHING worse than having to do business with someone you do not like. Choosing the person who feels right is the most essential factor in picking the right entertainer for your party or reception.
Will the person that you interview be the person that will perform at your event?
This is THE most common complaint about the DJ industry today – The person you meet is NOT the person that actually does your event. There are a lot of “multi-op” DJ businesses out there where the company’s owner handles the client booking and then passes the actual event off to another DJ. Sometimes, It’s a DJ that works for the company; sometimes, they sub-contract out to another DJ all-together. Unfortunately (more often than not), you are not made aware of this. Ask the DJ you interview if they will be the actual person performing or if someone else will DJ the event. You need to know this UP FRONT before you sign a contract. If you speak to a multi-op DJ company, you should talk to the ACTUAL DJ before signing the dotted line.
Does the DJ have a music list or online system that shows you what types of music they have available?
Or does the DJ offer a sample of what style of music they play, either on their website or through direct messaging/download? It would be best if you were assured that the DJ you hire has a sizable music collection and a wide variety of music, especially for wedding receptions, where many different styles of music and guests will be in the same room together.
Does the DJ use professional-grade equipment?
The DJ should be able to tell you what they use and characterize the equipment as professional grade. Ask them questions, and get brands. The equipment doesn’t make the DJ; however, BAD equipment can ruin an event in many ways. Just like everything in life, you 100% get what you pay for when it comes to equipment, especially things like microphones, speakers, etc. There should be concerns if the DJ does not use professional-grade equipment.
Will the DJ offer to meet with you AFTER signing the contract to plan your event?
After the contract is signed, things might change regarding your music requests, timeline, etc., and the changes might affect how the DJ performs his job to ensure your wedding is a success. Ask any potential DJ BEFORE signing a contract if they will speak to you leading up to your event. A professional DJ is ALWAYS willing to discuss your event at any time before the event starts and should display the flexibility to accommodate changes and help you solve problems.
If you are having your wedding in the gulf coast region (AL, MS, FL), look no further for your DJ – DJ Lynch Events has you covered. DJ Lynch has over 20 years of experience in the nightlife industry, private events, and weddings. I listen to my clients about what they are looking for and can guide them if they need help in the music arena. Interested in booking or have questions? Feel free to email us at djlynchlivewire@gmail.com or fill out our contact form to get a quote.