The responsibilities and job description of a wedding ceremony and/or reception disc jockey have changed quite a bit over the years. Not so very long ago DJ’s were simply asked to play music that provided energy and, hopefully, some dancing. Today, the professional disc jockey is called upon to make all the formal introductions, handle the logistics of the toasts, cake cutting, the first dance and other traditional dances. Also, the pre-planning and entertainment coordination with the bride and groom, determining the overall musical wishes of the guests and so much more, make the selection of a qualified disc jockey – now commonly referred to as a wedding entertainment director – that much more important. In addition the DJ is expected to do all this with elegance, articulation, enthusiasm, and flawless presentation.

Anyone who’s ever been to a wedding reception where the disc jockey was obnoxious, overbearing, risqué and embarrassing knows that getting the right guy (or gal) to entertain your guests can make all the difference between a nightmare and a precious memory.

Certainly good DJ’s do exist. Perhaps you’ve been to a reception where the disc jockey was smooth, likeable and very attentive to the guests needs. Bingo! There’s a winner!
But where do you start looking? How do you start looking? What do you look for? Relax. Middle Georgia has over 20,000 brides every year who go through the same search, and there are tips and tricks to finding the right entertainer for you.

Here are few tips to get you started before the search begins:

• Start NOW, Don’t wait until 3 weeks before the event.
• Realize the success of your reception is largely in the hands of the dj you choose.
• Like any professional service, look for quality, not just availability.
• Meet several dj’s before signing anything
• Make a few key decisions before you begin shopping like event date and music necessities

#1. “DJ’s just play music”

As was pointed out earlier, the job responsibilities of todays disc jockey reach far beyond that of just playing music. That’s why the term “disc jockey” really doesn’t describe the profession anymore. It’s too small in scope. The dj’s who have grown in the industry often refer to their occupation as a wedding entertainment director, not to be confused with a wedding consultant, or an event consultant, neither of which have the same level of control during the actual event itself.

#2. “A DJ is an entry level job, how hard can it really be?”

Pressing play on a cd player or clicking start on the laptop is just the beginning. Using the microphone to motivate the crowd, presiding over the bouquet and garter tradition, handling the organization of the toasts and the cake cutting, all the way to the last dance, takes finesse and, yes, expert skill to accomplish effectively. These skills for the most part are not taught so much as they’re learned thru doing and having a trainer or mentor to provide
constructive criticism along the way.

#3. “A DJ’s job is fun. If it’s fun they shouldn’t get paid for it”

Sure it’s fun. Thank goodness it’s fun, but it’s also a lot of work. As a soon-to-be-bride you are already getting an idea of the work and attention to detail that is necessary to make your wedding day a success. A professional disc jockey will spend approximately 6 – 8 hours on your reception BEFORE they even start the
music! That does not even take into consideration the hours on advertising, maintenance, follow-ups, continued education, research and all the myriad of details a business owner deals with daily to provide quality customer service for their clients.

#4. “DJ’s shouldn’t cost more than $400”

I’m sure you can find someone who’ll be more than happy to take $400 (even $200!) and try to do their best, that is if they even show up! An Ipod in the hands of a teenager will get you music but not much else.

Let’s keep two very important details in mind. First, on average the ceremony and reception will cost $20,000 and second, the entertainment you choose will be responsible for 80% of the success of your day.

This is documented by hundreds of brides who have been asked AFTER their wedding and have stated that without a doubt the DJ, more than the photographer, the cake, the flowers, even the food, contributed more to the success of their reception than all the others.

It makes sense. The DJ is in charge of the music, the mood and the energy. They have the microphone to direct your guests in the toasts, the cake cutting, the bouquet and garter, etc. Even the legendary Martha Stewart agrees.

In Martha Stewart Living Magazine she states "Your reception entertainment is ultimately responsible for the event’s success so don’t look for the cheapest, look for the best."

Read that again, it’s important.
If you decide to budget only 2% for someone who doesn’t have the experience or knowledge to keep your guests past dinner, then you’ve literally wasted thousands of dollars on the remainder of the reception that no one will enjoy. Now, don’t jump ahead and think that a professional disc jockey should charge 80% or $16,000, but the average rate for a true professional, someone who is mature, experienced in music, reception protocol, detail oriented and a long list of other qualities is closer to 5% or $1,000. This is for a 4 hour wedding reception. Any extras like lights, video presentation, etc., will sometimes cost a little more.


#5 “DJ’s only work on weekends”

Hopefully by now you know this isn’t true. Without question, lots and lots of hard work go into not only the business of being a wedding entertainment director but also making sure that their clients receive excellent customer service. A weekend warrior just doesn’t have enough “left over” time to give you the attention you must have in order for your reception to run smoothly. Doctors, lawyers, teachers and any good service professional spend hundreds of hours in practice and in study making sure that the time they spend with their clients exceeds every expectation the client might have.


Finally.....

#6 “It Doesn’t matter where the DJ sets up”

I’ll be brief here because of space. The DJ needs to be as close to the dance floor area as possible. It’s more difficult to try to operate sound equipment when it’s tucked away in some remote corner of the room. Also, the further away the setup, the higher the volume, so the music can reach the dance floor.