7 Myths to Bust about Wedding DJs
Are you ready to research your wedding DJ? The 7 Myths to Bust About Wedding DJs is a tool that I have prepared for you to simplify the DJ shopping process so you can find the perfect DJ for you. I hope this helps and puts some fun into your planning process.
#7. DJs will only play the music that they want.
MYTH BUSTED
This is a common misconception and I want to explain why. Think about when and where most people encounter a DJ. DJs in the club scene and on the radio usually mix from a preplanned set list with one or two types of music and do not take requests. That experience is the main cause for the misconception that all DJs are like that. However, an experienced wedding DJ is much different. He knows that he has to take the time to pick your brain and find out what you like. Most good wedding DJs will work with a form to organize all your music choices, must plays and a do-not-play list so we can customize the program. Planning your special dance music and taking your guests' requests, such as the Chicken Dance, should be totally up to you. On the other hand, we cannot go into your wedding with one generic set-list for open dance music and expect that to work because it won't. The DJ needs to be skilled and able to live in the moment to choose just the right music on the fly while respecting your wishes. This is achieved by taking the time to learn about what you want as well as responding to the people on the dance floor. This is one reason why an iPod wedding is not for everyone (More on iPod weddings later). The best way to know the DJ's approach to music selection and mixing is to meet him in person and ask a few simple questions. Having a meeting with a wedding DJ is the best way to learn if he is flexible, what his philosophy on keeping people on the floor is and if he has your best interest in mind. You should also ask about the music library and take note that size isn't everything. Having the right music that works and playing what you want are way more important than the number of songs he has. A great DJ plays what you want.
#6. Cost is the most important factor.
MYTH BUSTED
Times are still tough and more and more people are paying for their own weddings these days. However, you shouldn't let cost drive your decision completely. DJ Prices are determined by quality of service, training, experience, area or expertise, equipment included, equipment quality, the DJ's skill level and their time. A good wedding DJ in Chicagoland will charge around $800-$1,200 for the essentials. If you receive a quote around $250-$450 from a DJ and it's not part of some amazing promotion or a deal from a friend, then you should be very careful.
If you simply do not have the budget for a DJ, consider this idea. Ask your friends and family to pool their resources together to hire a professional wedding DJ as your wedding gift. My friends did this for their wedding and no one thought it was tacky or strange to be asked to help out. In fact, their "sponsors" felt great about helping out the couple instead of getting them a toaster or blender. They also felt gratified by contributing to the greater good because everyone enjoyed their experience. Hiring a quality wedding DJ is an investment you won't regret.
#5. It's only music and I can handle it myself.
MYTH BUSTED
Are you considering an iPod wedding? You may be thinking that you can just pick the music yourself, create play lists then set-it-and-forget-it right? I'm not doubting your song selection skills or music taste but being a DJ and pulling off a wedding takes a lot of experience, thinking on your feet, organization, mixing, song selection, facilitating hundreds of people and public speaking skills just to name a few things. If this is your first time planning a wedding, then here are some reasons why you should really consider working with a pro. Guests will change the music to play what they want right in the middle of the song, they will adjust the volume too high or too low, pull your iPod out and plug theirs in without turning the volume down causing a $700 rental speaker to be blown and the party to end early. Someone has to pick up the equipment, set it up, operate it, monitor it, break it down, carry it and then return it. Oops, your teenage niece just played an inappropriate song from her iPod and it's the unedited version including the "F" word. No one is blending the music and keeping the party going. People want to dance but can't because the style of music keeps changing and that just isn't working for them so they just leave. The microphone is crackling and the equalizer isn't set right levels so the speeches are muffled. Everyone missed your cake cutting because no one was brave enough to announce it in front of 150 people. The photographer didn't shoot your first dance because there was no DJ to coordinate with him and he was in the bathroom. Instead of worrying about all these things, you are supposed to be enjoying yourself and catching up with your friends and family like your aunt who flew in from Kansas. Am I trying to scare you? Yes, because I care too much about people and weddings to allow these crimes to continue. The only exception to this would be if you are having a very small reception with 15-30 people. If you are having more than 15-30 people at your wedding, then you should definitely consider hiring a wedding DJ.
#4. The DJ is not that important. I'll save it for last.
MYTH BUSTED
A certain percentage of people shopping and researching for their big day save the DJ for last because they say it's a "small detail". This is usually due to the misconception that the DJ "just plays music" and it's just not that important. If you share this mentality then consider this. Studies show that guests rate the DJ or entertainment as one of the top three things they remember/appreciate most about the weddings they attend. The other memorable items are the food and the bar/drinks. They do not report remembering the chair ribbons, center pieces or the ice sculptures. Why is that? The entertainment is the most influential part of their experience. Guests at weddings tell me that they are so busy with life that they really don't get out much. That is why they are really looking forward to going to your wedding so they can get out of the house and let loose for a change. They want to dance and have a good time. This creates a lot of expectation and responsibility for the DJ so he better bring it. Here are some numbers that might surprise you. Most people book their DJ 8-10 months in advance and many 10-12 months in advance. Don't wait because the good DJs book up quickly and way in advance. The longer you wait, the less options you will have to choose from.
#3. All DJs can be an MC and all MCs can be a DJ.
MYTH BUSTED
A DJ is much different then an MC because they require two very different skill sets. The DJ controls the music selection, mixing, operating equipment and volume. The MC is your host who makes announcements, engages your guests and coordinates everything on the microphone as well as behind the scenes. Think Ryan Seacrest on American Idol. Make sure to ask your DJ if he will MC the event because it takes specialized training, experience and lots of wedding practice to perform both of these roles correctly. Not all DJs make announcements or even get on the mic. On a side note, some DJs have gimmicks like performing as the Blue Brothers or wearing funny wigs and using props so you might want to ask about that. Some MCs do not know how to DJ or just choose not to. Fortunately there are a lot of great wedding DJs that can make song selections as well as announcements to keep things running smoothly. Add the topics of announcements and controlling the flow to your list of questions for the DJ.
#2. All DJs are the same.
MYTH BUSTED
There are three main categories of DJs; Club DJs, Mobile DJs and Radio DJs and they are all different. Much of the success of the Club and Radio DJs depends on their popularity, celebrity status and the music played. Most Radio DJs are hired for their on-air personality rather than their music decision making skills because the stations program their own music based on the ratings. Mobile DJs or Wedding DJs are a completely different animal and require a very unique set of skills to pull off a wedding. I'm not saying they are better but I am just saying they are very different. Mobile DJs are the humble servants of the bunch and have to wear many different hats to serve you right. We must be able to change the music styles from fun dance, to classics, and then to creating a relaxing and romantic atmosphere for your dinner. We interact with your guests, coordinate all the events like the first dance and tailor the music to all ages from your 10 year nephew to your 80 year old grandmother. Our videos probably do not go viral, we don't have 10,000 Facebook friends and are we are not trying to pack a stadium with 40,000 people. Our performances are just for you. They are intimate, private and exclusively designed around exactly what you want. That's why they are so special. When it comes to one of the most important days in your life, the right wedding DJ is one who has experience, enjoys what he does and is the only type of DJ you should consider for creating lasting memories for all your friends and family to enjoy.
#1. The DJ (Entertainment) can make or break my big day.
CONFIRMED-NOT A MYTH.
Here is an experiment you can do to prove the power of music. Try watching a scary movie with no sound on. It's not nearly as suspenseful or frightening when played silently. Then try adding music on top of the movie that doesn't fit. For example, add the music from a funny cartoon and then the scary movie becomes a comedy. The point is that music connects with our emotions and our minds to create an experience even when we do not realize it. That is why there is such a huge market for original music scores for the film industry. The DJ is responsible for controlling the experience that you and your guests will have. A trustworthy wedding DJ understands and respects this power and will do their best to make sure that the program is all about your celebration and not about himself. Announcements and music are the tools we use to communicate the theme of your beautiful day and your celebration. The songs are our building blocks that we use to do this. The DJ must also carefully consider what is appropriate for your unique group, your taste and how the music will affect everyone. That means monitoring the lyrical content, timing music right as well as discovering the mood that you want create. Most people that have already tied the knot or attended a wedding agree that the DJ can make or break your wedding.
Use these tips to find the perfect DJ for you.
7 Myths to Bust About Wedding DJs
Written by DJ Mike Seaquist
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