The DJ at your wedding may either make or break the party. Music plays a key role in any wedding ceremony. It's crucial that you know what to anticipate from the DJ service you engage for your wedding reception. You should give serious thought to all the points raised in this blog and be absolutely certain that the DJ can achieve what is expected.
Can you explain the role of the wedding DJ and MC? Will there be more to the event than just music and announcements? Is it only a playlist on iTunes, or do they also use a free music service like YouTube or Spotify? Where does one find the DJ booth, turntables, and other necessary equipment? Looking for a wedding DJ may be really overwhelming.
How does one go about securing engagements as a wedding DJ? When deciding who to hire for their wedding, what factors are most important to brides? How can you ensure that you perform a fantastic job and create an impression on any future brides who might be in the audience? For more engagements, hone these skills as a DJ.
Table of Contents
Cocktail hour
Your guests can mingle and enjoy beverages and canapés while you and the bridal party take shots of the entire wedding party. Cocktail music can be anything you and your DJ want it to be, from classical to background piano to light jazz to Rat Pack singing to something completely original. You and your partner can put your own stamp on the evening's entertainment by requesting non-club-friendly songs from the DJ that have special meaning for you.
Wedding party introduction
For your big entrance, the DJ will play a song or more than one. This is a joyous occasion, so keep the music upbeat and lively. For their wedding, some couples are content with just one song played for everyone in attendance. For the newlyweds, some people pick out a special tune. However, there are many who prefer to have their song played for each new pair. If you hire a professional DJ, they can help you choreograph a memorable introduction and make sure that everyone's name is pronounced correctly.
A few songs will be played by your DJ during cocktail hour once they arrive at your wedding reception. They will then play a song or two to introduce the wedding party. The music is often upbeat, but you can request a specific song in advance if you prefer.
Some couples choose to have all of the wedding party members enter to the same song, while others opt for multiple songs. When hiring a DJ, make sure they can help you with introductions and make sure their names are pronounced correctly. You don't want them to feel awkward in front of their friends and family if the DJ messes up their names.
Toasts and speeches
A wireless microphone will be provided by your DJ for use by the Best Man, Maid of Honor, Father of the Bride, preacher, or whoever else will be making speeches. Moreover, he will present the speakers one by one.
The DJ will provide wireless microphones for the best man, father of the bride, maid of honour, and anyone else who want to make a toast. The deejay will likely introduce all of the speakers.
It's likely that there won't be any music playing at this time, and the toasts and remarks will be enhanced in some way. Nonetheless, discuss this with the DJ in advance of the big day if this is something they intend to do or if you want some humour injected into the toasting portion.
Cake cutting
After the salad course or right before dessert, your DJ will announce the cake cutting so that guests may get their pictures taken.
Dinner hour
The DJ will provide pleasant, low-volume background music that won't drown out your visitors' talks. No blaring guitar solos or horns are allowed. Smooth jazz, piano, classical, or easy listening are all excellent choices during dinner time.
The DJ will play some light music as you and your guests dine, but they won't blast it because they know you'll want to be able to hear each other. People wouldn't be able to communicate if the music was blasting. The music will likely be instrumental, such as piano pieces, jazz standards, or classical pieces.
Special dances
Your DJ will play the music you select for your First Dance, wedding party dance, bride's father's dance, and groom's mother's dance. Fourth Estate Audio is one of the businesses that prefers to open the dance floor to visitors after the First Dance and wedding party dances but before the bride-father and groom-mother dances. People who have just finished a hearty dinner won't have time to feel sleepy and contemplate departing before it's time.
One of the most anticipated parts of a wedding reception for the happy couple is their first dance as husband and wife. At this point, the DJ will play the song you requested and introduce you and your husband.
Other guests who participate in dances—the bride and groom, the bride's parents, the groom's parents—will be introduced as well. You can ask your DJ how long each dance will be, or if they don't inform you when you hire them, you can always enquire.
Dancing
You'll provide your DJ a playlist of your favourite dance tunes, and he'll mix them in a way that's fun for everyone. The older crowd, including the parents and grandparents, often requests the classics first. When the younger crowd on the floor, the music becomes more energetic and contemporary. When making your requests, please think about including all of your visitors. You're not just making a playlist for a small group of close pals. If you want your party to go well, make sure that everyone there feels included and at home.
The DJ will eventually let people onto the dance floor, at which point they will continue to play music for the duration of the event. If you provide the DJ a playlist of songs you want to hear, he or she will play them, but they will likely be mixed up. However, you shouldn't worry because a pro will make sure that nothing goes wrong and that the music sounds great throughout.
Most experienced wedding DJs will survey the crowd and select tunes accordingly. If there are children in the crowd, for instance, they will play music appropriate for them, whereas an audience primarily comprised of seniors might hear songs popular during their era. Think about the guests at your wedding and choose your song selections or let the DJ know accordingly.
Bouquet/Garter
The DJ will be in charge of the bouquet and garter tosses, which will be performed to the tunes of your choosing. Again, the music should be energetic since, by that time, everyone will have had a few drinks and you want songs that will add to the excitement of the occasion.
Final Song
The closing song of the night is often predetermined by the bride and groom, and the DJ will make sure it plays during the appropriate moment. A common practise for wedding DJs is to play a special song for the couple as they leave the reception. The DJ can play a song selected by the couple or chose one at random. The DJ will say his goodbyes after saying thanks to everyone for having him.
That's the standard fare for wedding DJ services. Keep in mind that not all DJs are the same. Because you want the best for your party, hiring a DJ is a process that should be taken seriously. Hiring a skilled DJ is crucial for a successful wedding reception.
DJ's Responsibilities
Do you feel that your money was well spent? With the aforementioned in place, you can rest easy and take pleasure in one of the most momentous days of your life. Let's check out the additional features of a professional Wedding DJ Service.
Attire
Disco DJs may wear a uniform to events for some services. Dress shirts or logoed Polos, black slacks, and polished shoes are the standard uniform. Many other types of services will dress formally as well. A wedding DJ can perform in any of these ensembles. It is unacceptable for a professional DJ to show up in jeans, street clothes, shorts, t-shirts, and gym shoes. Spell out your prefered mode of dress.
Check out our exclusive list of Wedding DJ’s to help you celebrate your special night.
Back-Up Gear
It is said that "if anything can go wrong, it will." This is known as Murphy's Law. A professional DJ service will know how to handle any situation that may arise. Although it may be impractical to have a spare of every piece of equipment, DJs should always have a backup of essential pieces. It is imperative that you have a spare microphone, laptop, speaker, and cords. Verify that your DJ has a spare set of equipment and a backup plan.
Professionalism
The DJ you hire is not a visitor, but rather an employee. When deciding on a DJ service, be sure you specify this. They are not there to get drunk, hit on anyone, take long pauses throughout meals, perform a song and dance for guests, or act in any other way unbecoming of a vendor. Unprofessionalism abounds in the form of huge billboards advertising their services or TV screens bearing their logo. After the wedding, guests who were interested in hiring them might either ask for their contact information or ask for a business card. They are not allowed to use your wedding as a marketing platform in any way, shape, or form.
Music
Check with your DJ to ensure that the music you want played for special dances, introductions, processionals, recessions, etc. are either already in his collection or easily accessible. There are often many different artists covering the same song these days, and each version often sounds different. To avoid being disappointed or embarrassed, be sure to specify which version you want to the DJ.
Communication
If you hired a DJ, did they vanish after they were paid? As the wedding day approaches, be sure to keep in touch with the DJ. If you have any questions or concerns, the Wedding DJ Service should be prompt in responding to you. Never assume that your DJ will show up and perform as promised simply because you have a contract with them to do so. Many small-time DJ services won't still be operating by the time your wedding rolls around. When the DJ service failed to appear, my company, Dream House Productions, came in to save the day far too often.
Contract
Make sure the DJ service you hire follows through on the inclusions listed in the package you selected. On the day of the event, some businesses will charge you for extras but fail to deliver the promised services. Even if you're too busy enjoying the party to stop and double-check, do so for a second. If you've invested in, say, ten uplights or two wireless mics, it's a good idea to see if you're getting your money's worth. In the event that you do not receive what was promised in your contract, you have the right to request a replacement or a refund.
What Else Should I Expect From My Wedding DJ?
Experience
Look for a DJ with experience and professional DJ equipment. But, seriously - if you took the same DJ equipment (high or low quality) and had three separate wedding DJs play music at the same wedding venue to the same attendees, the outcomes would be wildly different. Different weddings call for different styles of music and DJs (nor do they deserve the same compensation or rate).
When was the last time you attended a wedding? You may have attended several weddings in the preceding 12 months. So, recall the DJs who performed at your weddings. Could there have been a lame wedding? The DJ probably failed to get people up and moving, and if they did, they broke up the fun by playing a tune that made everyone leave the dance floor.
And then there was that other wedding you went to. Perhaps there were three line dances played in a sequence. Or perhaps they were overheard saying something unsuitable while holding a microphone. Perhaps there were awkward pauses in between songs or something equally baffling occurred and nobody understood what to make of it. Because you didn't hear an announcement, did you miss the cake cutting or the father-daughter dance?
Close your eyes and imagine the ideal DJ for your wedding. There was a natural progression to events. There was no idle chatter on the dance floor between songs because announcements were only made when absolutely required. Perhaps there was even dancing before or after the meal. In contrast to other weddings you may have attended, this one was truly a celebration of life. This is exactly what you can expect from a skilled professional wedding DJ. To be a good DJ, you don't need the most expensive equipment or the most years of experience. To this day, I am aware of DJs who have stuck to the same, cringe-inducing DJ stick despite its obvious ineffectiveness. This is what separates a mediocre DJ from a true expert.
Check out our post on Do you need a DJ at a wedding?
Master of Ceremony – Wedding MC
An experienced professional wedding entertainment will strike the right chord between being a fun and engaging host and playing music that the happy couple will enjoy. A good MC will help you organise the event with the caterer, photographer, and even your own parents. These traits are essential for any wedding DJ, but they're just the beginning if you want to establish yourself as a serious contender for bookings. Let's pretend you're truly considering this.
In a nutshell, keep in mind that you're doing a job for the couple getting married; as such, the bride and groom are your employers for the evening, and you should treat them as such by carefully listening to what they want and need from you, and then going above and beyond to provide it.
The discussion ends here. A professional DJ will provide an online planning worksheet where you can specify the types of music you want to play during cocktail hour, dinner, and other important moments, as well as provide you with full, interactive access to his song library so you may pick your prefered dance tunes. You can expect the entertainment portion of your big party to cause you the least amount of stress if you hire a real DJ pro.
FAQs About Wedding DJ
It's usual for Wedding DJs to provide music for around 4-5 hours. Just bear in mind that even the most professional DJ needs a break now and then, and your guests would probably welcome a breather from dancing every 90 minutes or so too!
One to two hours in advance is the most common time frame a DJ would arrive before the first guests arrive. That way there is plenty of time to set up, change into professional attire, and review all of our notes one last time before the celebration kicks off!
Most DJs will provide a high-quality sound system along with a DJ booth and a small lighting rig. As a guide, we advise allowing approximately 2 x 2 meters of space for the DJ to set up in.
A mixer can be called many different names — audio or mixing console, DJ controller, sound mixer, soundboard, but most often you'll hear it referred to simply as a DJ board or mixer. No matter what you want to call it, they all are designed to allow the DJ to mix and manipulate audio.
A DJ booth is a small area in a club or other event space that is separated from a larger public area and usually plays host to the disc jockey. The booth is the control center of the sound system. It typically holds equipment such as a turntable, microphones, and computer.
Conclusion
Incorporating music into your ceremony is important, so knowing what to expect from your DJ is essential. In addition to making sure everyone's name is pronounced correctly, a professional DJ can help you choreograph an unforgettable introduction. Perfecting these techniques as a DJ could lead to more bookings. Do not hire a DJ unless they can act as an emcee and help you introduce people. Everyone who wants to make a toast, including the best man, father of the bride, maid of honour, and anyone else, will have access to wireless microphones provided by the DJ.
While eating, no one should be subjected to deafening horns or guitar solos. Your DJ will play the songs you request during the First Dance, wedding party dance, father of the bride/groom dance, and mother of the bride/groom dance. Once the first dance is over, but before the father-daughter and mother-son dances begin, the dance floor is typically opened up to guests by Fourth Estate Audio. The bouquet and garter tosses, which will take place to the music of your choice, will be handled by the DJ. Either the couple can request a song or the DJ can play a song at random.
When hiring a professional DJ service, you can rest assured that they will be prepared for anything. The DJ you hire is an employee, not a guest. In no way should they utilise your wedding as a promotional opportunity. Never trust that a contracted DJ will actually show up and play your event. Look for a DJ with experience and professional DJ equipment. Weddings have varying musical needs and therefore DJs should be compensated accordingly.
Only necessary announcements were made, so there was no unnecessary chitchat on the dance floor in between songs. A professional wedding entertainer will be able to strike just the right balance between hosting the event with wit and charm and playing music that the newlyweds will love. Hiring a professional DJ means having access to an online planning worksheet where you can outline the musical themes for cocktail hour, dinner, and other key events.
Content Summary
- The DJ at your wedding may either make or break the party.
- It's crucial that you know what to anticipate from the DJ service you engage for your wedding reception.
- Can you explain the role of the wedding DJ and MC?
- Looking for a wedding DJ may be really overwhelming.
- How does one go about securing engagements as a wedding DJ?
- For your big entrance, the DJ will play a song or more than one.
- If you hire a professional DJ, they can help you choreograph a memorable introduction and make sure that everyone's name is pronounced correctly.
- A few songs will be played by your DJ during cocktail hour once they arrive at your wedding reception.
- They will then play a song or two to introduce the wedding party.
- The DJ will provide wireless microphones for the best man, father of the bride, maid of honour, and anyone else who want to make a toast.
- The deejay will likely introduce all of the speakers.
- It's likely that there won't be any music playing at this time, and the toasts and remarks will be enhanced in some way.
- Smooth jazz, piano, classical, or easy listening are all excellent choices during dinner time.
- Special dances
- Your DJ will play the music you select for your First Dance, wedding party dance, bride's father's dance, and groom's mother's dance.
- Fourth Estate Audio is one of the businesses that prefers to open the dance floor to visitors after the First Dance and wedding party dances but before the bride-father and groom-mother dances.
- You'll provide your DJ a playlist of your favourite dance tunes, and he'll mix them in a way that's fun for everyone.
- When making your requests, please think about including all of your visitors.
- If you provide the DJ a playlist of songs you want to hear, he or she will play them, but they will likely be mixed up.
- The closing song of the night is often predetermined by the bride and groom, and the DJ will make sure it plays during the appropriate moment.
- A common practice for wedding DJs is to play a special song for the couple as they leave the reception.
- Because you want the best for your party, hiring a DJ is a process that should be taken seriously.
- Hiring a skilled DJ is crucial for a successful wedding reception.
- Let's check out the additional features of a professional Wedding DJ Service.
- Spell out your preferred mode of dress.
- The DJ you hire is not a visitor, but rather an employee.
- When deciding on a DJ service, be sure you specify this.
- They are not allowed to use your wedding as a marketing platform in any way, shape, or form.
- Check with your DJ to ensure that the music you want played for special dances, introductions, processions, recessions, etc.
- As the wedding day approaches, be sure to keep in touch with the DJ.
- If you have any questions or concerns, the Wedding DJ Service should be prompt in responding to you.
- Never assume that your DJ will show up and perform as promised simply because you have a contract with them to do so.
- Make sure the DJ service you hire follows through on the inclusions listed in the package you selected.
- Look for a DJ with experience and professional DJ equipment.
- But, seriously - if you took the same DJ equipment (high or low quality) and had three separate wedding DJs play music at the same wedding venue to the same attendees, the outcomes would be wildly different.
- Different weddings call for different styles of music and DJs (nor do they deserve the same compensation or rate).When was the last time you attended a wedding?
- So, recall the DJs who performed at your weddings.
- Could there have been a lame wedding?
- And then there was that other wedding you went to.
- In contrast to other weddings you may have attended, this one was truly a celebration of life.
- This is exactly what you can expect from a skilled professional wedding DJ.
- To be a good DJ, you don't need the most expensive equipment or the most years of experience.
- This is what separates a mediocre DJ from a true expert.
- An experienced professional wedding entertainment will strike the right chord between being a fun and engaging host and playing music that the happy couple will enjoy.
- A good MC will help you organise the event with the caterer, photographer, and even your own parents.
- You can expect the entertainment portion of your big party to cause you the least amount of stress if you hire a real DJ pro.
