4 Must Know Facts When Selecting The Perfect Wedding DJ

Selecting a DJ for your wedding can be a challenge, but it’s an important decision that can make your party truly awesome. 70% of couples who hated their wedding say it wasn’t the cake or the flowers that ruined it, it was the DJ.

We’ve had some potential clients in the past want to ‘see us’ in person DJing, which can be tough to do for many reasons.

1. It’s awkward for us to invite you to someone else’s wedding. Imagine having strangers at your wedding because they are ‘scoping’ the DJ out!
2. Some of our DJ’s might have a performance in town, but often that isn’t the same playlist or style of music that would be played at your wedding.

But don’t fret- there are great ways you can look for a DJ, and they’ll help you decide if the one you’re speaking with is right for you!  So here are some things to look for:

1. Check Their Reviews – Client testimonials are crucial to knowing if a DJ’s track record shows a history of them doing well.  The more 5-star testimonials you see, with authentic reviews, typically the better.  When it comes to reviews, also see if some of them are planners, photographers, or other vendors as well.  This helps you know how well a DJ or company is connected to the industry and others.  If you come across a DJ with 3 or less reviews, no website presence, or it looks shoddy, those are red flags.  You don’t want to gamble on a sketchy backyard Craigslist DJ, or just simply go with the cheapest option.  It’s worth it to spend an additional $100-$200 to get quality, rather than take a chance on someone who might not be qualified.
2. Experience and Background – You can ask important questions to gauge this, such as:
   • How long have they DJ’d?
   • How many weddings have they done?
   • What kind of equipment do they use?
   • Do they hop from job to job, or do they have a good track record of sticking through commitments or education?  If every 6 months they leave a job, then who’s to say how serious they’re going to take your wedding?
   • What certifications and affiliations do they have?
   • Are they connected with wedding planning associations where they have to be vouched for, and do they provide event services for some of the biggest organizations in town? Some of these event planning associations require that 3 planners write a letter of recommendation vouching for them, and some even require they pass an interview process.
3. Multi DJ company or a solo business – If it’s just a one man show, they may not have your event date available, but their quality will be consistent if properly vouched for by a planner at a wedding venue.  With multiple DJ companies, some of them have up to 20 DJ’s loosely working for them which can be scary as well.  They are the Walmart of wedding DJ companies, and it can be a challenge to know what training happens and how each DJ was vetted.  However, sometimes there is a perfect medium: mid sized DJ companies of 5-10 where the quality is consistent and they have a better chance of being available.
4. Style of Music – Not every DJ is well versed in Reggaeton, Cumbia, Persian, Country, or Caribbean Soca music.  So if you have a very specific style you’re looking for, it’s important that you pick a DJ who has a decent amount of knowledge about it.

You should always schedule multiple interviews to ensure you’re getting the right DJ. If you’re planning a wedding in Austin, we’d love to discuss your plans and talk about music, so feel free to reach out!