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You Get What You Pay For!
How do you choose the DJ that’s right for you?
By: Phil Joeckel – Pizzazz Entertainment, Inc.
www.pizzazzentertainment.com

Do not find out the hard way. This is one wedding vendor you do not want to cut costs on. Entertainment is one of the most important services you can book for your wedding. It is an important key to the success of your wedding. Having great entertainment is absolutely priceless. You can spend a fortune on your wedding but still have it feel mundane and drawn out. If your guests were asked the question of how the wedding was they will remember whether or not they enjoyed themselves. Entertainment can be viewed as a type of wedding insurance. It ensures that no matter what happens on the day of the wedding you and your guests are going to have a great time. Most brides and grooms will have different views on which vendors are the most important. Some will say that their photographer is most important, others will say the videographer is and still others will say it is the reception site. Not everyone will have the same priorities. The fact of the matter is that the DJ creates the special moments that the photographer and videographer are going to want to capture. Without a great DJ, they are limiting the amount of pictures and video footage taken. Instead of fun and exciting memories they may end up with more traditional candid pictures and an atmosphere of nothing more than an afternoon brunch.

A great way to interview wedding vendors is through a referral process. If you mention a vendor that you have already met with to a vendor that you are currently meeting with you may be able to get more insight on their credibility. Interviewing this way can prevent you from possibly wasting your time. Here are some important questions you may want to ask when interviewing entertainment companies to help ensure that you choose the DJ that is right for you and your guests.

1. Who would be the DJ if you choose to use an entertainment company?
Plan on meeting meet with the DJ prior to the day of the wedding. You need to make sure that you are comfortable with them and that you will get along with each other. Experience is very important but personality is even more so.

2. How much experience does the DJ have in the wedding Industry?
Find out how many weddings per year the DJ does. You need to know that they have enough experience to make the event run smoothly and will be able to adapt to any type of situation that may arise.

3. Will the DJ be able to speak clearly, intelligently and know how to be careful with their words? All professional wedding DJ's should be a Master of Ceremonies. You do not want to hire someone that is offensive, arrogant and/or rude. A wedding DJ is different from other types of DJ's. A wedding is a more formal setting as opposed to a club or corporate atmosphere.

4. Will they help you during the planning process?
Make sure that the DJ you choose is willing to work with you and be accommodating to your needs. You want to have a DJ who will offer suggestions based off of their experience and will provide you with different options that may be available to you.

5. Will they meet with you prior to your wedding to go over the details?
It is a good idea to set an appointment or a phone conference the week of your wedding to make sure that you and your DJ know what is expected of each other the day of your wedding. This will help the event go by smoothly.

6. Does the DJ have references and/or testimonials?
Any professional should have no problem supplying you with references. Try to contact a couple of them if you really want to be sure.

7. What is the DJ's style?
You do not want to be surprised by your DJ's style. Are they conservative, outgoing or somewhere in between. Find out if they get involved and interact with the guests or do they remain behind their equipment. You need to know if they will show line dances and get the party motivated if need be. Make sure they are aware of what you expect of them.

8. What does your package include and what are the differences between packages?
Be sure to know all that your package consists of. You want to know if they charge by the hour or if lights included. You need to know if there are hidden costs in the packages or if taxes are included. Find out if they charge for breakdown or setup.

9. Does the DJ use good quality professional equipment?
You need to know if the sound quality is clear. Bad equipment could be worse than no music at all. See what their set up looks like. Make sure that it is self contained, neat and professional. Find out if they have hand held wireless microphones for toasts and such.

10. What happens if the equipment breaks down?
You need to know if the DJ has back up equipment available at the event. If equipment breaks down during your event with no back up, it could spell disaster!

11. How does the DJ dress for the wedding?
You need to know if they dress in formalwear, a suit or (hopefully not) if they dress in jeans or shorts. Make sure they know what you expect them to wear the day of the event.

12. Does the DJ and/or entertainment company carry insurance?
Many Reception sites require vendors to have Liability Insurance these days. Nothing could be worse then if you found out last minute that your DJ can not work the event due to the lack of insurance. Know this before you book their services.

No matter what company you decide to book for your special day, make sure you feel comfortable and confident in their abilities. Booking a vendor that you don't feel 100% about is just going to add unnecessary stress during the planning process and on the day of. DJ companies will easily book out a year in advance. Don't get stuck settling for anyone that's available because you waited last minute.

Congratulations on your engagement and enjoy your planning!