That is a sign of a good…. No…. great DJ.  So when it comes time to hire someone for your wedding, you definitely want the second scenario, correct?  You’ve planned this important day all the way from dresses, to flowers; to the type of wine you’ll be drinking with your rack of lamb.  Making sure you have a DJ who is going to entertain your guests for the evening is just as important.

So what makes a good DJ?  What things should you take into consideration when you start on your search for hiring one for your reception?  And what are the costs involved?  Does an expensive DJ mean he’s going to be a great DJ?

After talking to Brent Faddies, otherwise known as DJ Bfad, I think I got a pretty good grasp on what makes a successful DJ.  His one major piece of advice?  “Make sure your DJ has the ability to read a crowd.”

Let me explain…

It is so important that your DJ gets to know you as a couple as well as whom your guests are going to be.  “Being able to read a crowd is a huge benefactor in the ability to select and choose music that your guests are going to enjoy and want to dance to.”  Just because your DJ loves house music,(or even you and your partner for that matter) doesn’t mean Granny’s gonna get down to it.  So when you interview your DJ, you should feel comfortable enough to tell him stuff.  Stuff like what’s on your iPod, what you like, what you don’t like.  Most importantly, make sure the person you are getting to know is actually going to be THE DJ the night of your event.  Be aware that some large companies will send out your DJ on the day of, and although I’m sure that these companies have a huge music library, if you haven’t met your DJ, he’s not going to have a clue as to who you are and what you like.

My husband and I hired a DJ on the recommendation of our friends.  We attended their wedding and had a great time.  The music selection was awesome, the two DJ’s themselves, were very entertaining, and at one point had almost every guest off their seats and on the dance floor.  So when we decided to get married, we hired them. (One less vendor to research right?)  And they were good, don’t get me wrong, but we realized that we should have done a little more research ourselves.  Our friends who used them were younger and had a younger crowd.  Now I’m not saying we’re old, but our guests at our wedding were in fact an older crowd.  Our music selection combined with our DJ’s music selection was a hit with our younger friends, but as the night went on the floor became empty.  We ended up paying a fine penny for flashy lights and an empty dance floor.

Which leads me to the next topic….how much should you pay for a DJ?  That’s a very good question, and to be honest, I don’t have the answer. (DJ’s can range from $600 – $1500 and higher)  However, what’s more important is the value you get out of your DJ.  If at the end of the night, the dance floor was packed, people were up dancing, and your guests went home happy, then I would say whatever the amount, was money well spent.  Be wary though.  Do your research.  Just because a DJ is expensive, doesn’t mean that they are suited for you, and visa versa.  If they are cheaper than most out there, find out why?  Ask questions; get recommendations from friends who have had successful events.  Check out their websites, READ THEIR TESTIMONIALS.

Here are a couple other points Brent mentioned; make sure your DJ takes requests.  I know, I thought this was a given, but apparently it’s not!  This again ties back into making sure you meet your DJ to see if you are a good fit.  Your DJ should also be approachable and personable.  This doesn’t mean they have to be the entertainers, (unless that’s what you want…there are some out there) but you should be able to feel comfortable approaching your DJ to request a song.

And lastly, a DJ with years of experience will have had opportunities at working at many venues.  This is a good thing.  This means they’ll know the venue management, the set up, and will be comfortable in their surroundings.  They’ll also know when to drop the lights, or turn them up, music volume, etc.

Like I said, food and entertainment in my opinion are two big aspects when it comes to your wedding.  If your guests are well fed, and having fun, then you’ve got it made.

Thanks, Brent!