what to ask dj?

sammy_wheeler

i have been recommended a dj from our venue- he will do 7 hours for £210- seems really good to me
anything i need to ask him before i book?

ellay864

Don't want to sound too negative but 2 friends of mine both used DJs recommended by their venues and both hated them!! I would try to speak to people (ie bride/groom and/or guests) who've been to weddings where that dj has worked to see what they thought.
You need to make sure he will play the songs you want, avoid ones you don't like and be open to requests. If you have particular songs you like ask if he will play a CD that you provide. Remember you're paying him to entertain you with stuff you like, not to inflict his choice on you if your tastes differ. It sounds really obvious but not all DJs do that....some will assume you will like their music whatever they play! Some Djs talk a lot , some are just too cheesy if they do (think Phoenix Nights...Shabba!!!), others will just put the music on. There's a fine line between encouraging people to dance and getting it lively, and turning it into a one-man show.
If he plays at other public places eg local pubs/clubs, see if you can see him in action beforehand
Price sounds pretty good for that length of time

csh_2

sammy_wheeler wrote: »

i have been recommended a dj from our venue- he will do 7 hours for £210- seems really good to me
anything i need to ask him before i book?

We have booked the venues recommended guy too but he has a very good reputation locally so I'm sure he'll be great!

He asks for a list of 10 songs that reflect our musical taste and builds around that. He also reads the crowd on the evening and adjusts to suit.

I would just make sure he doesn't have a one set list suits all approch and is actually interested in what type of music you want him to play.

Lexxi

I'd suggest hearing him elsewhere too if you can, can you google him and see if there are any reviews? We used the one recommended by the venue for our engagement and the dj was actually busy so sent his son but didn't even bother telling us! he was terrible, he spent more time at the bar/buffet/smoking than he did on stage and just wasn't interested at all. We are hoping to go with a either the guy that did my grandparents party a few years back or a dj we heard recently and both liked, we'll be putting a lot of work his way so hoping for a discount but he's only £100 if not

Lexxi

Sorry, questions would be, do you encourage people to get up, do you take requests, what music do you play, what music have you got, do you play any games, do you go off what people are dancing to/age group. Will he introduce the first dance, will he ask peoples attention for any speeches or dances? Is he felxible, if he always does it a certain way will he be happy and accomadating to go with what you want. I'd imagine if he is experienced then he shold be able to explain what he does and how he does it, maybe meet with them first to see how you feel about them

kitschkitty

Our venue has it's own DJs and it's costing us £300 but we heard them at my cousins wedding, and they were very good, it was one of the reasons we decided to go with our venue (along with the cost and location).