WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU HAVE/PLAY?

Any professional DJ should have all the best hits from every genre of music. Unless you are looking for one specific genre only, steer clear of any DJ that doesn’t. Like most DJs, I buy music from a DJ supply company that specializes in putting together multiple hits CDs.

There are three major suppliers in Canada and I have used all three; Prime Cuts, Promo Only, and ERG are the big names in music distribution for professionals. They are subscriber-based and pay all the licensing and royalty fees on behalf of the DJ or radio station. These companies also make sure that the music is edited professionally to meet CRTC radio standards for profanity.

I am a firm believer that at any event where there is going to be all ages, edited music is a must. Just because you and your friends like to sing along with the cursing doesn’t mean that your new husband’s grandmother will appreciate it. And don’t forget about your 6-year-old niece that you hoped would be in bed by 9:00pm but is still in attendance.

Client’s Point of View: I hope this guy has more than just rap music. That DJ at Sue and Jeff’s wedding played nothing but rap. My parents were not happy; they really love their country music.

DJ’s Point of View: I hope they don’t pigeon hole me. Nothing I hate worse than getting trapped in one genre of music.

In my experience, it is very rare to have any kind of event where only one genre of music is played. Even elementary school students are requesting more classic rock tunes at their dances.

Try to find out if the DJ is using a licensed library. If they are not, there is a chance that your wedding could be unceremoniously shut down. The police have more power than ever to prosecute illegal music. That being said, I think you would be hard pressed to find a cop that would shut down a party over this. I would like to think that most police officers would let the party play out and make the bust at the end of the night. Never underestimate an angry cop having a bad day though.

Do you play requests?

Of course I play requests, if they are reasonable. I know that the new Lil’ Wayne track is your current favourite but that doesn’t mean that it is wedding appropriate. Yes, I will play Shout and Old Time Rock and Roll and YMCA and the Chicken Dance, give me time. Please don’t ask if your song will be next. As a DJ we try to play songs that flow and keep the dance floor going strong. That is our job. If your song doesn’t fit into what we’re doing at the moment or where we’re headed with the music, that doesn’t mean we’re not going to play it. It just means that you have to exercise some patience.

All requests from the bride and groom will get preferential treatment. After all, they are the reason everyone is there.

Note: If you must have your song played immediately, write it down on a paper bill – the higher the denomination, the higher your chances of being next in line.

Another Note: For the ladies: now, I’m not sure what other service provider you find it appropriate to use the “boob rub” tactic on but it is only effective on desperate DJs. If I tried to go up to a female DJ and rub my genitals on her to get my song played, I would up on charges and probably in jail.

I always recommend that the bride and groom submit a list of 5-10 “must play” songs, 5-10 “play if you can songs”, and 5-10 “do not play” songs. This gives the DJ a starting point for the evening. Any good DJ will be able to read the crowd and adjust accordingly thereafter.

Please, since you are hiring a DJ, don’t turn them into a human juke box. I had one client give me a list of songs in the order that they wanted them to be played. They also gave strict orders for any requests to be cleared by the bride or groom. After about twenty minutes and twenty request approvals, they gave in and told me to play what I found acceptable. Suddenly the dance floor was hopping again.

DJ’s Point of View: Why hire me when you can just drop quarters in a juke box all night? What you are doing essentially is renting equipment at an inflated price.

Trust in the professional you are hiring. You wouldn’t hire a plumber just to get some pipes; you wouldn’t hire a carpenter just to use his hammer, so why would you hire a DJ just to push play?

I have also been given some very obscure requests like Do they know it’s Christmas by Band-Aid that had the crowd in a hysterical state of bliss while singing along. There will be songs like this and there will be times when you really know your crowd. I can appreciate that. All I ask is for a little freedom to do what you pay me to do.

Can I meet the DJ before the event?

The easy answer to this question should always be yes. I recommend that you meet with more than one DJ before you make the decision. You want to make sure that your DJ of choice matches the personality that you are looking for. Another key point is to make sure your potential DJ does more listening than talking. You want to be heard and you want your ideas to matter. Please keep in mind that while it is your event, chances are, your DJ has a lot of experience and his advice should be heeded. Experience is a great teacher.

Your first meeting should be a get-to-know-you process to see if you are a good fit for each other. Yes, I have turned down events because they were not right for me. The DJ is getting to know you as well. The conversation should be about give and take; both parties should offer ideas and suggestions and both parties should listen accordingly. If you get any bad vibes about your potential hire, leave. There is no reason to waste any more of your time. It is much like finding the right dentist or surgeon, you want to make sure things will go well and be painless.

One of the biggest complaints I hear is that other DJs didn’t listen and therefore, the event didn’t go as planned. This is exactly why the getting to know you process is so important.

Note: DJs try their best to be interested in all of your questions, and understands that this is your first time planning a wedding. If we look even the slightest disinterested, it’s probably because we’ve done this a hundred times or more and the same questions get old.

I’m trying to explain this to you in the most honest way possible. Think about those one or two questions that someone asks you at work every day that you now assume are just a given – that’s how we feel about some of the questions we hear.

Does your price include consultations?

The answer should be yes. I advise and include two consultations: one 3-4 months prior to the event and another 3-4 weeks prior. Anything after that and there is a small fee. E-mail correspondence is an excellent way to exchange information without the need to schedule meetings. That being said, please don’t assume that just because you sent an e-mail or left a voice mail that we got it. Please make sure we respond before going ahead with any changes that would alter our agreement.

Note: Some DJs use web-based software tools to help with scheduling. DJ Intelligence and DJ Event Planner are two great examples of these. I love these tools and they are definitely a great resource. They can help you plan your event when it is convenient for you and they have timelines and tips built in. If your DJ offers you these secure tools, use them. It is easiest for both parties. Trust me.

Will you be dressed accordingly?

Yes is the only answer here again. Although some DJs will wear a tuxedo to a wedding, I am comfortable with a nicely pressed shirt and tie. I never want to try and upstage the wedding party, but never want to look out of place either.

I always ask about the colour scheme or theme of the event. The last thing I want is to match the groomsman or bridesmaids. I don`t mind being confused with the kitchen help, serving staff, parking attendant, and any other service, but never the wedding party.

I used to wear a suit or a vest for every upscale event I worked. After being asked (about fifty times) if there were seconds or if there was any coffee, I scaled down. I will, however, wear a suit or tuxedo if asked to.

DJ`s Point of View: Yes, I will dress nicely and be sure to shave that day too. My business relies on word of mouth and referrals, so of course I’m going to look good.

Will you take care of MC duties?

I always end up the MC whether I have been contracted or not. It would seem that most MCs end up with a case of stage fright, the inability to be there when needed, or drunk. In almost every case, I have been there to carry on. I make sure I am prepared because experience tells me it will happen.

Make sure that you can understand the DJ and they speak clearly during the consultation. I mean, if you can’t understand them in the office, a microphone and volume is not going to help that.

What is your style?

I get asked this all the time and I never really have understood the question. My style is whatever you need it to be for your event. I am not going to go into your wedding ready to drop four hours of techno or drum and bass music. And, I also wouldn`t go into a club and play my wedding set.

While some DJs are specialists and stick to one genre, most are pretty diverse. I would recommend hiring a DJ that specializes in weddings for your wedding and one that specializes in club music for your club – DJs that are event-specific.

Weddings are so different from any other kind of event a DJ will work. You only get one chance to make it right at a wedding. If you screw up, it’s a big deal. You are messing with the biggest day in some people’s lives. Your DJ should act accordingly.

Can I see you in action before I book you?

There is no simple answer here. How would you feel if I invited a few couples to your wedding to see me in action? That seems rather inappropriate to me. If you come and see me at the club, that’s not exactly what you’ll be getting at your wedding – that would be like watching a finish carpenter do framing work. Sure it’s wood working, but not quite the same. For the ladies, it would be like watching one of the best fashion designers in the world design clothes for cats. Not the same thing as designing for runway models.

This is where modern technology can be a godsend. You may not be able to see me in action personally but if you check out my YouTube videos, that should give you an idea of how I operate. Many DJs have a promotional video that they hand out at bridal and wedding shows. This is an excellent idea.

Note: Keep in mind that all of these videos will be edited to show only the best content. Any and all gaffes will be left on the cutting room floor.

Do you have references?

Yes, yes, and yes. I always solicit references and testimonials. I would be very appreciative for a glowing testimonial after the completion of your event too. Many DJs have a testimonials page on their website. Google is another great source of references. You should always “google” your DJ before you meet them.

Sites like www.theknot.com and GOOGLE are also great sites for reviews.

Note: Keep in mind that, like videos, bad testimonials are cast aside and only glowing testimonials are kept.

If you thought that your DJ did a good job and you enjoyed their services, please pass on a testimonial and a little thank you note. Remember that testimonials helped sway you to become a client. Also, the best way to tell your DJ that they were appreciated is to refer them to someone else. A strong testimonial from a trusted friend is one of the greatest trust builders in business.

Do you have professional equipment?

Yes. There is no other answer. Unless you are having a huge event and I need to rent some extra gear to cover it, I have all the gear I need. I have seen DJs try to do weddings with their home stereo and it never turns out well. That 15 gazillion watt amp and speakers that you bought from Radio Shack are not going to cut it, sorry.

Professionals use professional grade equipment, period. If I showed up to build your house with a bucket of sand toys, you would probably send me packing. The same goes for a DJ.

Note: Always ask if they carry back up gear with them. My set-up is laptop-based, but I always carry a spare computer, iPod, and Blackberry loaded with enough songs to get me through the event should anything happen. I also carry a back-up powered speaker and spare mixer in the van. Should anything happen, and I need to swap out a piece of gear, it should take less than 10 minutes.

I worked one wedding where the town had scheduled a transformer to be shut down right in the middle of the event. The hall manager rented a generator so we could continue the evening. I planned that a half an hour before the power was set to go out, I would shut down my system, unplug, switch over to generator power, and be back up and running in three minutes. It was a very ambitious timeline and we were back up and running in two minutes. Most of the guests had no idea that anything out of the ordinary had even happened.

Although it’s not the DJs responsibility, we tend to make it our mission to prevent, cover up, or hide any mishaps. We are well schooled in how to make things look like they are running smooth even when they aren’t. That is what experience brings: the ability to foresee problems and prevent them before they even become a problem.

And here comes the $64 million-dollar question…

The $64 Million-Dollar Question: How much do you cost?

Every event is different and no two can be priced the same. I start out with a minimum package price of $450. This price depends on where you live and is very location-specific. In New York and LA, some DJs will set you back $3,000. In Delaware, the same package is $400. My price of $450 is average for a starting package in my area of Canada.

That $450 gets your first four hours, usually 9pm-1am. The charge is $35/hour thereafter. Most wedding timelines in my area are as follows:

Ceremony

3:00pm

Cocktails

4:00pm

Dinner

6:30pm

Speeches

8:00pm

Open dancing

9:00pm-1:00am

That is a general charge of $660 for 10 hours of service. The response I tend to get is “Wow, that’s a lot of money.”

My thought is that everyone always balks at how much a DJ charges but don’t bat an eyelash while they drop $1,200 for a dress, $2,000 for hair and make-up, $200 on shoes, $15,000 on catering, $1,000 on hall decorating, or $1,500 for the hall rental.

Yet, they all want to “cheap out” when it comes to the DJ.

I would like to now break down the DJ cost for you. My annual expenses are as follows:

$650 ………………………….. Van insurance

$250 ………………………….. Business insurance

$500 ………………………….. Music Upgrades

$1,000 ………………………….. Fuel and transportation

$500 ………………………….. Advertising and Web Hosting

$1,000 ………………………….. Equipment Upgrades and Repair

$200 ………………………….. General Office Supplies

$1,200 ………………………….. Phone, Internet, Hydro, Heat.

That’s $5,300 in rough annual expenses.

Now let’s calculate how many hours are actually involved in a wedding.

½ hour …………………………… Initial Phone Call

1 hour …………………………… First consultation

1 hour …………………………… Second Consultation

2 hours ………………………….. Various e-mail exchanges

3 hours ………………………….. Music and Playlist Organization

That is a total of 7 ½ hours before the event.

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The day of the event:

½ Hour ………………………….. Equipment load into van

½ Hour …………………………. Drive to venue

1 Hour …………………………… Load in and set up

½ Hour ………………………….. Set-up ceremony system

10 Hours ……………………….. Event

1 Hour …………………………… Load out

½ Hour ………………………….. Drive home

½ Hour ………………………….. Unload Gear to Storage

14 ½ Hours

+ 7 ½ Hours

——————–

22 Hours Total

If you break down that $660 by 22 hours, I am now making $30/hour. Not a bad wage. Oops, we forgot to factor in the cost of doing business. There are only 52 weeks in a year, so I can only work a maximum of 52 weddings. Some venues do Friday and Sunday weddings, those are not common in my location. So, we’ll use 50 weeks.

The actual average number of weddings per year I would do is 28. We’ll factor in 50 just for fun. If you break down the business expenses, it works out to be $106 per event.

$660

-106

——————–

$554

I am now making $554 per week or $28808 per year as a DJ. Keep in mind that those numbers are calculated based upon 50 weddings per year and my average is only 28. That’s not a whole lot of money.

Look at the Big Picture

In the grand scheme of things, the cost of a DJ is miniscule compared to what you get in return. In a 2005 study conducted by Modern Bride Magazine, 6% of respondents said they would have spent more on their dress, 9% said they would have spent more on the food, 22% said they would have spent more on the venue and a whopping 78% said they would have spent more on their entertainment.

The article went on to say just how crucial the DJ is to the success of a wedding.

People will remember the dress, for a week. People will remember the food, if it was phenomenal, people will remember the ceremony, through pictures. What people will remember is if they had fun.

Since the reception takes up the vast majority of your wedding day festivities, hire the best DJ you can. Try not to shop based on price, try to find a DJ you know, like, and trust. Don’t be afraid to interview several DJs until you find the one that fits your needs and don’t be afraid to hold out for that perfect one. It’s the biggest day of your life, treat it that way.

Sure, you could save a few dollars hiring a friend or relative to DJ your wedding. You could also save money buying your dress at WalMart, or have your wedding catered by McDonalds, but that would compromise the quality of your wedding. Not spending money on your DJ will have the same effect.

I don’t discount the value of any vendor and perhaps I’m a little biased (no, not a little), but I do believe that the right DJ with the right customer is a magical thing.

Now get out there and start looking.