Important Things to Know Before Hiring a Wedding DJ
Wedding Date and Venue
It’s important to know the exact date and venue of your wedding before hiring a wedding DJ for your wedding entertainment, especially if your wedding is during peak season. Great DJs book up fast, so make sure you have all the necessary information beforehand to ensure your desired DJ is available for your wedding. Fridays or Sundays are typically less busy, while Saturdays are the busiest day for weddings.
In-House vs. Hired DJs
Many banquet halls and clubs have their own in-house DJs; however, you are not obligated to use them for your event. One advantage of working with the in-house DJ is that he or she will likely have knowledge about the in-house sound and lighting systems and can use that to enhance your guests’ overall experience. As well, always make sure you choose a set up that you feel comfortable with and that fits with your vision for your big day.
Your Budget
If you are on a budget, make sure you avoid paying a lower cost in exchange for a DJ who is chosen only a few weeks before your wedding. Depending on the company you work with, you may be settling for a lower-quality DJ, which can sour your wedding. The DJ has control over the success or failure of your event, which means this decision is one of the most important ones. If the DJ you’re considering does not measure up, it won’t matter that you met your budget restrictions. Be sure to shop around for the right DJ company before signing the contract.
Music and Song Requests
Does your prospective DJ take song requests? Depending on your style of wedding, you may want your guests to request songs or artists they like best as they dance the night away. DJs can also use their discretion by choosing similar songs with better messages if faced with a request that is against the atmosphere you want for your event.
When looking for wedding entertainment, there are numerous DJ services in Toronto from which to choose. However, with many candidates purporting to be Toronto's top wedding DJ, it can be hard to tell what’s quality and what's just marketing. Fortunately, there are some simple questions you can ask to help assess the kind of quality and experience you can expect to see when the big day comes. Here are some questions to ask in order to ensure that you’re getting one of the top wedding DJs in Toronto for your wedding.
Top Questions to Ask a Potential Wedding DJ
“Are Weddings Your Main Focus?”
There is nothing wrong with using a DJ whose focus is primarily on weddings—that's what you want them for, after all. However, a better-rounded entertainer with experience at clubs, lounges, or corporate events as well as weddings offers a larger breadth of versatility that you might find useful. Every audience is different, and the more types a DJ has encountered, the better they will be able to read the room and respond accordingly.
“How Do You Develop a Song List?”
"One size fits all" is as alien a concept to wedding music as it is to wedding dresses. Every couple has its own style, taste, vision, and theme that will need to be incorporated into the evening. Ideally, your wedding DJ will work with you to devise a playlist and honour the "must play" or "do not play" list you give. Flexibility is the name of the game here, and the best DJs are willing to listen and put their knowledge at your disposal.
“How Do You Get People Excited?”
Every wedding DJ has their own preferred method for pumping up a crowd and getting bodies moving. They might use verbal encouragement, throwback songs, let the beats take care of things, or employ other strategies. In addition to asking the DJ themselves, you can also look at music demos to see examples of how the DJ interacts with guests and whether they can read a crowd's energy, build momentum, and keep people dancing.
“Can We Hear Mixing and Blending Examples?”
When done correctly, mixing tracks lets the DJ flow seamlessly between songs on the playlist without interruptions by moments of silence. Being able to get a listen to how they pull this off can give you an idea of the type of skill you can expect at your wedding. This is especially important if your preferred playlist contains songs of a variety of genres or other differences that can make mixing trickier than normal.
“What Kind of Equipment Do You Use?”
The audio system and turntable your DJ uses affects how clear the sound can be, how well the flow of music can be manipulated, and the level of volume you can expect. You should also enquire how well the DJ is able to connect the equipment and of any certifications that may be involved. Definitely be sure to ask if they have backups and how long it will take them to set up after arriving at a venue.
"How Familiar Are You With Our Wedding Venue?"
Every room has its own acoustics and this will affect how audio systems are set up and managed. If the DJ has experience performing at your chosen venue, that's great. If they don't, then they should be able to pay the site a visit ahead of time to get a feel for the space's sound qualities and properties.
“What Happens in Case of Emergency?”
It never hurts to have contingency plans. Your DJ should be able to explain what will end up happening if the unexpected happens, from how fast backup equipment can get set up to even bringing in a replacement DJ if necessary.
“Do You Provide Other Services?”
Some DJs are able to provide lighting and video services, such as screens. These can be valuable additions to a wedding and are commonly requested for purposes like showing slideshows of the couple's relationship, offering background images, and otherwise letting the memories roll by through the evening. Lighting can also play a role in accenting the mood and cultivating the atmosphere of the night.
Have Questions to Ask a Potential Wedding DJ? Let bb Blanc Answer Them for You
When looking for wedding entertainment, choosing the right DJ can make your event a magical experience for you, the love of your life, and your family and friends. There are many important questions to ask before choosing the right DJ, and due to the many options out there, it can be challenging to find the right company.
At bb Blanc, this is our mission. We strive to “Create Event Magic” through the use of our services, which include talented and experienced DJs. Our technicians and DJs can work with you to craft the perfect playlist for the best day of your life. To learn more about our team and the unique additions we can bring to your wedding or special event:
