Questions to Ask Your DJ

Below is a list of questions you’ll want to run past any potential DJs before signing any contracts.

Off the top: If you’re dealing with a DJ company, first figure out who will be your actual DJ, get that in writing and then ask these questions.

1. How long have you been DJing for?
2. Roughly how many weddings have you done?
3. What events do you do beside weddings?
4. My venue is ___. Have you DJed there before?
5. What type of equipment do you use?
6. Do you have back up equipment?
7. What does your set up look like? Is there any signage? Can we cover up/remove that signage?
8. How much set up and tear down time do you need?
9. What will you wear to our wedding/We’ll need you to dress ____. Can you do that?
10. If we give you a “Do Not Play” list, will you follow it?
11. If you don’t have songs that are on our “Must Play” list, can we supply those songs to you?
12. And what’s the best way to do that?
13. How far in advance do you need our Do Not Play/Must Play lists?
14. Do you have a replacement in case you get sick?
15. What exactly does your fee cover?
16. What about overtime?
17. How does payment work? Do you require a deposit?
18. Do you require a signed contract?
19. Are you insured?
20. Do you require dinner/food?

Depending on your own preferences, you may also want to ask the DJ about emceeing your wedding and what the DJ’s emceeing style is.

Another area you may want to ask about is alcohol consumption. Generally wedding DJs don’t drink on the job but if your DJ normally plays clubs/parties/other less former events, you may want to clarify this point in advance.

Also, if you haven’t heard your DJ perform before, do ask if he/she has a mix you can listen to. Of course, wedding mixes will likely be quite personalized for each couple but any mix should give you a sense of the DJ’s mixing and song selection skills as well as whether or not the DJ is prone to yelling things out over the songs.