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 Choosing the Right Disc Jockey for Your Reception or Special Affair.

Your wedding is a special day that you, your family and friends will cherish and remember forever. For this reason, selecting the right people for your wedding reception is extremely important. Your perfect day requires hard working, detail-oriented professionals working smoothly behind the scenes to ensure success.

Think about the last wedding reception you attended. What did you remember the most? If you’re like most people, you’ll say “I had a lot of fun dancing and listening to the music!”

So, the fact that you want to hire a talented professional disc jockey is a given. Finding one is a matter of shopping around, asking the right questions and feeling comfortable with your DJ.

In my experience interviewing with brides & grooms, there have been times that one or both of us didn’t feel that we were right for each other. Because each DJ has a unique style and personality, it’s important that the DJ and the couple be comfortable with each other. A strong professional relationship will establish a synergy that will flow right into your reception and to your guests.

So how do you find that “right” DJ at the right price? It’s very easy to spend thousands of dollars for a hall, caterer, florist, photographer and others to make your day very special. But, when considering a DJ, you need to understand that they not only play music at your event, but also perform a host of other duties.

I don’t have to tell you that weddings are expensive.  In a CNNMoney.com article, the author shares that the average cost of a wedding has risen to $36,327! Ouch!  But picking the right DJ shouldn’t be based solely on money.  So let’s get started:

Where Do I Find a DJ in the Philadelpia area?
Referrals

There are approximately 20,000 DJ’s in America, all promising to do a great job. Like most service providers, we all recognize there can be distinctly different qualities between DJ’s. The best and easiest way of finding the right DJ is to hire one you’ve already seen.

Referrals are an excellent way for DJ’s to get business. I’ve had many future couples come up to me while at a friend’s wedding and ask for a card. In fact, I played at one couples’ wedding and then played at their friends’ wedding three weeks later!

If you haven’t seen a good DJ, ask your friends. Maybe they have been to a reception that you missed and can recommend someone.

Websites - Local Search of Philadelphia Pa Area

The Internet provides a wonderful search tool to find DJ’s in your area. You can use popular search engines such as Google or Yahoo and type in “DJ Pa,  or “Philadelphia Disc Jockey or with a "five digit zip code”. You’ll find a long list of DJ’s and you can search through their website to get a feel for their styles and personalities.

The website should explain in detail what services they offer. Many have a free on-line quote system, on-line planning tools to plan your reception and a music search database to pre-select music.

Checking Out Your Disc Jockey

I have had many potential clients ask me “Can I come see you perform at a wedding reception?” Although I agree it a great way to see first hand a DJ’s talents, let me re-phrase how some clients see that question. Would you want your DJ to ask you “Can I invite complete strangers to your wedding so I can sell my business and ignore you?” Get the picture?

Selecting a DJ that you have never seen perform can be a little unnerving. But, if you are happy with the answers they provided to your questions, and they get glowing comments from their references, you can feel a little more at ease that they are the right one for you. 

What Kind of Disc Jockey Do We Want?

I strongly believe that the DJ’s personality and style should be similar to the brides or grooms and guests. If you and your guests are a little laid back, then everyone would feel very uncomfortable with a DJ that goes into the crowd, tells jokes and grabs them, pulling them up to the dance floor!

On the other hand, if you and your guests like to “party”, then you may want to choose a DJ that is a lot more interactive and alive.

Your DJ should ask what type of interaction you want:

- Low Key – little or no interaction with the guests and minimal announcements
- Moderate – Modest interaction with the guests
- High Energy – “Let’s Party!!!”

What Should We Expect to Pay?

Probably one of the worst ways to choose a Disc Jockey is by price alone. Keep in mind that the highest or lowest price does not always guarantee quality or professionalism. Prices can range from $200 to $1,500 or more for a four hour performance.
 

What Are We Paying For When We Hire a DJ?

Organizing the music may sound like a simple task and that DJ’s use the same music at each reception. Each client has specific desires as to the atmosphere of their reception and the music that establishes that mood. So, your DJ may need to reorganize his/her library, add additional songs, or even find the music that you requested. The success of your reception involves providing the right mix of music you and your guests will enjoy.

In addition, a professional DJ will show up 1 to 2 hours prior to the start of your reception. This is the time to set up and test their equipment and perform sound checks. This will ensure that all of your guests will hear the music without distortion or the overall sound levels are not too loud.

This is also the time for the DJ to setup any lights or backdrops for a professional look. And since we don’t do all this in a Tuxedo, this is the time the DJ gets properly dressed.

Your event is similar to the Oscars – YOU are the stars of the evening. Your DJ should help you plan, coordinate, organize, entertain, and select music. Remember, you only get married once - DJ’s perform at numerous wedding receptions and are experienced in how a reception should flow.
 

What Questions Should We Ask?

Before selecting a DJ, you should sit down face-to-face and interview them before you hire them. Ask them:

- Are you available for the selected date and time?
- How long have you been in business?
- Are you willing to supply references?
- Are they knowledgeable about wedding etiquette?
- Are they flexible to accommodate your special requests?
- How can they be reached for additions, changes or suggestions?
- How much insurance do they have in the event of an accident?
- Can they show you a copy of the proof of insurance?
- Will they provide you with a written contract?
- Will they provide you with a reception planner and then review it with you?
- Are they wiling to accept a list of songs that you require them to play and a list NOT to be played?
- What time will they arrive?
- What will they wear for your event?
- Will they bring back-up equipment in case of an emergency?
- Do they have a wide range of music to cover all your requests and those of your guests?

A Final Comment

Your investment in choosing the right Disc Jockey will contribute more to the overall success of your reception than you realize. A professional DJ will care about the success of your reception and will invest a great deal of time into creating the atmosphere/synergy you have imagined. While you may think that your DJ just plays music, it’s their talent and expertise that will deliver your once-in-a-lifetime event. Make your reception a fantastic success – find the “right” DJ for you!

 You will find offers all of this and more Call us at 610-772-7857 or email us at:  weare@oncuedj.com   to make an appointment to meet with us at our home office.