Everyone is constantly looking for the best deal, hoping to save cost on everything. That's because 99% of the couples who are planning their own wedding are driven by cost. So how do you know if your getting a talented up and comer who is building their business, looking to build their client base and help couple's save a bit of money?
There are a few signs to look for that may make you feel this is not a wedding level Dj rather a whatever gets me paid Dj.
1. They don't take requests or only take requests
This is one of the clearest signs that someone is playing the role of wedding Dj without actually having the knowledge to make a wedding work. Their are hundreds of bedroom Dj's who have worked hundreds of hours making perfectly executed 3 hour house mixes using beatports top 100 tracks of the month, and who's sole mission is to use your wedding as an audience and they will outright tell you "I don't do request"! On the flip side is the all requester, who banks on your guests to deliver musical direction, this is ok if the people requesting music know what will fill the dance floor. If that's the case you should have them plan your music and save you the $500 bucks.
2. They market to everyone, everywhere and offer everything, no niche market
Expansion has been the norm in every industry, being worldwide like pitbull is a popular phrase and Dj's want to be big. A wedding Dj should know and focus on a key demographic. Many offer photo-booths, videographer and bartending to name a few. So how do you know the Dj your hiring is just a qualified salesman or a dedicated wedding Dj. Raise your eyebrow if the vendor you contact is based out of a city far from your own, chances are they will contract out your wedding.
3. They don't MC
This is a dead giveaway your Dj is not wedding qualified. Everyone working in the wedding industry should be prepared to actively engage with your guests and family, especially the wedding Dj. One of the biggest assumptions is that a Dj just needs to sit in the corner and play music. This couldn't be further from the truth, proper announcement of key events and guest direction should be high on a Dj's priority list. They also help to energize a crowd by engaging and meeting your guests. If a Dj say's I'm not comfortable on the microphone its a clear signal you are dealing with an amateur.
Felix