How to Pick a Wedding DJ

May 22

Choosing the right DJ (or band) is essential for every wedding. Choosing the best DJ isn't always easy. It's not too often that you hire a DJ for a party or wedding, so many people don't know where to start. Luckily, we're here to tell you exactly what you'll need to do!

We sat down and chatted with Jason Alexander, from Austin's Best DJs & Photo Booths. They are one of the top DJ companies in Texas. Jason gave us some great advice about picking a wedding DJ. Oh, and no, he wasn't trying to simply sell his services. haha He didn't even mention his business once! :)

The Importance of Hiring the Right DJ

The wedding DJ is one of the most overlooked wedding vendors because people are so focused on other aspects of their wedding. When looking for the best wedding DJ, you want to make sure that you are getting a DJ that specializes in weddings and is experienced in wedding etiquette.

You also want to make sure that they won't distract from the ceremony and that they are able to work with you on the music. The best wedding DJ will know what songs to play while staying calm and ensuring communication with you and your spouse. Professional wedding DJ experience is a must!

Types of Wedding DJs

First, you must know that there are two types of wedding DJs: regular wedding DJs, who use only pre-recorded music, and a pre-determined playlist, usually created by the client. These DJs will certainly get the job done, but they will essentially be no different than creating your own Spotify playlist and playing it yourself.

The other type of DJ is a professional wedding DJ. Professional DJs can mix music (matching beats/tempos) and can create mashups, live. These DJs also use both pre-recorded music and personal requests from the guests. They will add more creativity and be able to better engage your guests. They can read the room and know when to change the music, tempo, genre, etc. All of this comes with experience.

The following items are usually considered the most important by clients. We'll discuss each of these in detail.

Price

The sky is the limit when it comes to the cost of a DJ, and you can find DJs for any budget. The key is to find the perfect balance of price and quality. You want a DJ that is reasonably priced, but not so cheap that you’re sacrificing quality. Price is typically determined by the DJ's experience, the number of people they can service, the equipment they use, and their reputation.

The average price for a wedding DJ in the US is around $1500 for 4/5 hours of services. Again, this is the average. There are plenty of DJ companies who will charge more, and plenty who will charge less.

If you want to save money, you can save by planning the wedding on a specific day of the week, other than Saturday (the most popular wedding day). You can get some great deals when you plan your wedding during the week, or on a Friday or Sunday, usually.

Party/wedding planners note that Thursdays are the best day to schedule your wedding, since so many DJs are trying to line up gigs for the weekend, and so they're willing to give discounts to get business!

The items, below, will help you pick the right DJ for your wedding and budget.

Popularity

A DJs popularity can also influence their prices. Why? Well, the supply and demand rule, of course! There are only 52 weekends in the year, which means only 52 couples will be able to book that particular DJ on any given day of the week.

The demand is almost always high for popular, great wedding DJs, so the price will reflect that. There is an off-season, such as winter and summer (in southern states), where demand isn't as high. You may be able to get better rates during these times.

If it's a popular DJ company, then you'll have a better chance of getting a great DJ for your wedding. DJ companies usually hire experienced, professional DJs who will continue to help their company do well.

Experience

Experience is just as important as price. You want to be sure to hire an experienced pro. You don't want new DJs learning on the job, possibly making mistakes at your wedding! Be careful, though. There are many DJ companies who hire new DJs in order to pay them low pay and profit more. They will do a great job at hiding this from you, so be sure to ask to meet with your DJ, look at the company reviews, etc.

Sound & Lighting Equipment

Sound and lighting equipment is also very important. You want your wedding day to look and sound amazing. Professional DJs can truly transform your wedding venue with great lighting for your wedding. The sound should be just as great, too!

Professional wedding DJs often have numerous optional upgrades, like photo booths, uplighting, neon signs, marquee letters, cold spark machine rentals, etc.

Hiring cheaper DJs usually means you'll have to sacrifice sound and lighting quality, too. If it's a smaller wedding at a small venue, then this may not be as big of an issue.

Overall, these are the things to keep in mind when hiring a Wedding DJ. We hope this has been helpful. Feel free to comment with any info, tips, or suggestions!