Here I go again... I just finished reading a thread on a wedding web site, where the bride is perplexed as to which DJ to choose. One is charging $600, and the other is charging $1080. Her reaction is to go with the cheaper one, but here are a lot of things to consider, before picking your DJ based solely on price. You need to compare apples to apples to make sure you have the correct budget for your DJ.
Skill & knowledge
Most DJs will tout their services, by saying they are the best you can buy. If you've ever taken a basic marketing 101 class, you'll discover this as a "comparison" strategy. Watch any ad on TV, and you'll discover that most of them use this marketing technique. This car gets 35 miles per gallon and the other guy only gets 18 MPG. How many fall into that trap?
Since there is no DJ college or reference organization to tell you if your candidate has the skill, you have to do your homework and check out each business. A lot of DJs get started by printing business cards, and putting an ad in the local newspaper. Sure, there are organizations that many DJs join, but it's as easy as paying your $100 to join, and they recommend you... bahhh. Too many fledgling and unskilled DJs pony up the cash to get the endorsement. Too bad, the world works this way. I've heard brides say, after the fact: "if only I'd have known".
You've heard the horror stories. "The DJ screwed everything up". "He was hitting on the bridesmaids all night". "He didn't play the songs I asked him to play". "He got the introductions wrong... or didn't do the introduction". "We couldn't hear the music". The list goes on and on... but that's what happens sometimes when you hire the cheapest bid. Since your wedding is considered one of the most important days of your life together, you need to consider how you're going to feel about it once it's over and a memory. Was it the "fairy tale" dream you had envisioned since you were a little girl, or the lowest bid disaster that all of your guests will talk about for years?
Lets begin the journey of selecting the best DJ for you (based on my 26 years in the industry). There is a list of things to consider, before turning the success of your special day over to a novice. Here are some of them (and, I'll address the issues one by one after the list, so you can avoid some of the pitfalls):
How long has this DJ been in business?
Does this DJ have insurance?
Does he/she have back up gear?
Is his/her music library legal?
Does this DJ have a web site?
Are there any venues that will recommend this DJ?
Does this DJ have pictures or videos from past engagements?
Has this DJ taken any training, or a member of an organization of peers?
Does her/she keep up with current trends?
Does this DJ have a legal contract?
Lets' start with your budget. Far too many brides don't designate the proper amount of their budget, in order to hire the right service (on any vendor... not just DJs). I hear brides all the time ask if they can have a wedding on a $5000 budget. Sure, but don't expect to get the same services that a bride who pays the National average gets at her wedding. About $35,000 is the average amount spent on weddings nationally. Anything less, and you'll have to make serious cuts somewhere. I'd love to drive a Porche, but can I get a new one for $5000? Of course not! You'll have to lower your expectations, and be realistic!
There was a national survey done by a notable wedding magazine, asking brides about their entertainment. Over 80% said they would have spent more on their entertainment, had they known the outcome, after the fact. Too late now!
So, let's address the above considerations
1) How long has your DJ been doing this? Anything less than two years, you're dealing with a beginner. Beginners make mistakes; forget things; or do it wrong. While that isn't necessarily bad, be prepared for it. New vendors just haven't run into every situation yet, and things always go wrong at a wedding. They need to learn to adapt.
2) Insurance is a must when performing with high tech and heavy equipment. What happens if someone trips over a speaker of stumbles into the controls? Without insurance, the bride pays for the damages. Liability insurance costs a lot of money. Amateurs don't care to spend the extra money. Are you feeling lucky?
3) Without back up gear, your DJ is out of luck if something fails to operate properly. A skilled , seasoned DJ, can always get the performance going again. Craigslist DJs... not so much.
4) Any DJ who steals music, is a thief. Do you want a thief working for you at your wedding? If you hire this DJ, you are also a thief. Amateurs don't care to spend the extra money. Are you feeling lucky? Enough said!
5) While a professional web site, doesn't guarantee a quality performance, it does show that this DJ is committed to the profession. A professional web site, shows the public that this DJ is striving for quality and commitment to the customer. Amateurs don't care to spend the extra money. Are you feeling lucky?
6-7) Find out if your venue can recommend this DJ. Every venue on the planet wats you to talk about the amazing night you had (it's good for business). Hire a poor quality DJ, and that concept goes out the window. Check references, Google, or Yahoo and YouTube for past videos, and look at pictures of his/her work.
8) Find out if your DJ is a member of any fraternal organizations. Ask about training and attendance at professional seminars. Amateurs don't care to spend the extra money. Are you feeling lucky?
9) DJs who are committed, find out about current trends in the industry. Did you know that mp3 music is just as good or better than CDs? Organized play lists on a professional computer can arrange music in seconds, and doesn't have pauses between songs. Does your DJ know about "room enhancement" lighting. It's all the rage right now. It colors your room in a wash of lights that can be choreographed to the music. It's expensive! Amateurs don't care to spend the extra money. Are you feeling lucky?
10) If your DJ doesn't have a legal and binding contract, you're dealing with an amateur. A legal contract, that is easy to read and understand, protects everyone involved.
As I said above... if you don't do your homework, you're going to make a big mistake. Be sure to type your DJs's name and business into search engines to read all about their service. Check: YouTube, Twitter; Facebook; Google; Yahoo and every other means at your disposal. If you're looking for the cheapest bid... well, good luck!
