Ask and pay close attention…
The Most Important Questions You Need To Ask Your Entertainment
Most married couples will give this advice: “Your DJ will ‘make or break’ your reception, so choose wisely!”
I’ve found that most couples searching for wedding entertainment are doing so for the first time…They aren’t sure what to expect from their DJ. Please be sure to ask your 3 or so potential entertainment companies the following questions.
But before we get to the 5 most important questions to ask your potential DJ, the very first question you should ask is this:
**DO YOU HAVE RECENT VIDEO OF YOUR CLIENTS SHOWING THEY WERE HAPPY WITH YOUR SERVICES?**
Any DJ can “fake” letters and positive reviews, but actual footage of actual clients actually praising them? Undeniable proof they are a top quality service provider! Their videos should look something like this:
Now, on to the rest of the questions. Listen to their answers & their attitude. Take notes. Choose wisely. And good luck!
1. Will you offer a 100% refund if (dj’s name) does not personally perform at my entire event?
It’s called the “bait and switch.” You think you’ve hired a great DJ only to find out your “great DJ” sold your wedding to another DJ for half of what you originally paid! So, if you booked a DJ at $2000, he then pays another DJ $1000 (or less) to handle your wedding. The worst part? You typically learn about this on your wedding day!
Make sure you get the actual DJ you’ve hired or you get your money back.
2. Is this your full time career or do you have another source of income?
If you are working 40 hours per week, and then you have to work on your day off, how will your performance be? No where near as good as someone who has spent the week preparing for your wedding. You might have to pay a little more for a full time wedding professional, but that cost will be negligible, compared to saving a few hundred bucks on a part time DJ who ends up ruining your wedding.
3. Will you get my guests involved in the reception? If so, tell me three of your ideas.
DJ’s will say they have “great ideas” and “fun ideas” but unless they tell you specifically what they are going to do, the Chicken Dance might be just around the corner. Ask your potential DJ to share some of his or her fun ideas that get your guests involved in the celebration.
4. Do you personalize my reception? If so, tell me how.
Many DJ’s do the same thing at every single wedding, regardless of the crowd. Are you into country line dances? Will your DJ alter the music to suit your needs? Also, besides a unique music playlist, how will the DJ help to make your reception uniquely you?
5. Do you bring a backup of all of my wedding music?
There would be nothing worse than to be in the middle of your first dance and the DJ’s computer goes into hibernation mode! Make sure your DJ is willing to have a back up plan in case something happens while your songs are playing! I actually have a three-redundancy system, just in case.
And finally, is your DJ focusing on “extras” like disco lights, projectors, up-lighting & equipment? If so, they may be trying to use these items to make up for their lack of ability. In other words, they somehow personalize your reception & get your guests involved using…lights.
This is it…your one & only wedding day…use these questions. You’ll be happy you did!