Patrick Durham “The Wedding DJ”

Tips

An Important Perspective
You should consider your DJ service an insurance policy that ensures that all of the other money you spend for your wedding day will not result in bad memories or a less than enjoyable occasion.

Since the entertainment you choose will have a profound and direct effect on the successful outcome of your wedding day celebration, it would be in your best interest to dig much deeper into the quality of service you receive, opposed to simply deciding based on price alone.

There are no “do overs” on your wedding day. Don’t trust a lifetime of memories to “just any DJ.” For your own peace of mind, please hire an experienced, full-time wedding reception, professional DJ.

Look for a professional full-time disc jockey.
A part-time DJ works a regular job thru the week, then finds time to do the most important day of your life when, in their spare time? Find out how much experience the actual disc jockey performing at your special event will have. Look for someone that has wedding reception experience for years, not months. An experienced disc jockey will have performed at hundreds of events and is a master at crowd interaction and music selection. You will pay more for an experienced, full-time, professional disc jockey, but it’s a good investment if you want a successful wedding reception.

Look for a disc jockey that will match their interactivity level to your event.
You want to find a disc jockey that will match their interactivity level and stage personality to your event. At an event like a company picnic or bar/bat mitzvah, you would probably look for an outgoing disc jockey that is highly interactive. For an event like a wedding reception you will likely want a disc jockey that is a skilled master of ceremonies and takes a more formal approach. The disc jockey should take the time to find out exactly what type of interaction level and disc jockey personality you are looking for and match their performance to your preferences.

Check their references.
Get several references from previous clients of the disc jockey company. Make sure the references are from recent events, preferably from events held within the last year. You also want to make sure the references are for the exact disc jockey that will perform at your event. References for a disc jockey that won’t personally be at your event mean absolutely nothing. The quality of the show depends entirely on the specific disc jockey at your event. Trust the comments of previous customers much more than a slick marketing brochure. Don’t ask if you can come to an event to “hear the dj”. Disc jockeys are employees at private events and do not have the right to invite guests. Instead ask to meet with the disc jockey over coffee, lunch, etc. or thoroughly check their references.

Make sure they are using professional equipment.
There is a tremendous difference in quality and reliability between home stereo equipment and professional duty sound equipment. With professional equipment you will be reasonably assured of quality sound and reliable operation. If you like, ask the disc jockey company the make of their equipment. If you recognize the names, and they are available at consumer electronics stores like Best Buy etc., they are using equipment designed for home use and not professional use. Also, make sure the disc jockey has some sort of equipment backup system in place.

Find out what the disc jockey will wear to your event.
The disc jockey should be dressed appropriately for your special event. You will need to ask the disc jockey exactly what they will wear to your event. If the answer is not “a tuxedo” say thank you and look elsewhere.

Find out if the disc jockey will play a wide variety of music.
Your disc jockey should be able to entertain everyone at your event by gearing music to you and your guests. Their music library should contain everything from big band, oldies and disco to the latest dance, country and rock, and they should play a variety of music styles. The disc jockey company should be able to provide a list of the music that they will bring to your event.

Check availability early.
Top disc jockeys are typical booked a year or more in advance. Start your search for a quality disc jockey as early as possible to ensure that you find quality entertainment. Do not wait to select a disc jockey, as your choices will be severely limited if you wait until only a few months before your event. You will almost always have to pay a non-refundable booking fee to the disc jockey company to reserve them for your event.

Get it in writing.
Protect yourself and get it in writing. Make sure that you have a signed contract with the disc jockey company that spells out the date and time of your event, name of event location, hours of performance, fee schedule, deposit required, who your disc jockey will be, cancellation requirements, and when the final payment is due.

Find a disc jockey that you feel comfortable with.
Above all else, find a disc jockey that you feel comfortable working with. The disc jockey that takes the time to get to know you and your entertainment needs and expectations are is the one that you want to hire. They will work with you to make sure that your event is a success and that all of your guests have a great time.