Top 20 Questions to ask when hiring a DJ

Top 20 Questions to ask when Hiring a DJ for your Wedding or Event!

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1. How long have you been in business?
This is great to know because for the most important day of your life you may not want to choose a company that has been in business for 2 months or less.
 
2. How many years of experience do you have as a DJ?
When you are hiring a DJ for your wedding they should at-least have 25 or more weddings under their belt or be able to tell you when they started out and how many years they have been a DJ which gives you a good idea of the skill set. Some DJ's are skilled with Mixing while others may be an amazing MC. Usually a DJ with years of experience will be skilled at both.
 
3. Do you take requests?
Most DJ's should be able to accommodate requests and be very flexible but you also want a DJ that knows what song will kill the dancing. Also you want a DJ that follows your instruction of playing the songs you requested.
 
4. Do you have a Must Play and a Do not Play List?
Your DJ company should have both of these a Must play for the songs you definitely want to hear and a Do not play for songs you don't.
 
5. Are you licensed and Insured?
This is very important as DJ's go. If your DJ is not insured that you hired and a major calamity occurs you may be on the hook for the DJ's damages. I can not stress how important this is.
 
6. Will you MC as well DJ my event?
Some DJ's only play music while others may only MC. You definitely want to find a well rounded DJ that is skilled at public speaking and is able to make important announcements, keep your wedding on track and get your party moving.
 
7. Are you more of a wedding DJ or a club DJ?
This is also very important as some DJ's are specifically trained in the clubs and may have no etiquette on how a wedding flows. Some club DJ's will also have unedited music which is not the best scenario if you have kids at your wedding. A wedding DJ will know songs to play for all generations as well as keep your event on schedule and is experienced in being the MC your event.
 
 
8. Do you have reviews and references?
It's always important to check out your DJ companies reviews and references as this will help determine the quality that you will receive.
 
9. Can I see you in action or do you have video's of yourself in action?
Most DJ's won't be able to invite you to someone else's wedding to hear them play but they may have online videos of themselves in action or have pics of them of the different events they have done.
 
10. Do you or your DJ's consume Alcohol at events?
This is also something that is sometimes overlooked and you don't want a DJ that is intoxicated at your event as mistakes can be made or  may ruin your event. Make sure your DJ company has a no drinking policy.
 
11. How does the DJ Dress?
Your DJ should always dress for the event. Vest, Tie, Dress shoes and Pants or if it's not a wedding a collared shirt with Dress pants.
 
12. What type of Equipment do you use?
Most DJ's should have professional brands, such as JBL, Yamaha, Crown, EV, Mackie, and Bose just to name a few. Just make sure they are not using a home stereo system for your event.
 
13. Do you have Backup DJ's in the event you get sick or something happens to the DJ?
Most professional DJ's will have back-up staff in case of an emergency that will be able to fill in for them in the event a DJ gets sick or something happens.
 
14. Do you have back up equipment on site?
This is super important. The DJ should always have back-up equipment on site as malfunctions do happen from time to time. It could be something as simple as a Laptop freezing up or dead battery that will bring a party to an end without back up equipment.
 
15. Is there any additional fees, taxes or setup charges?
Some DJ's have hidden fees and will add these to the total.
Always ask if there are any surprise or unexpected fees.
 
16. Do you require a Meal?
If your DJ is going to be there for most of the evening they will more than likely get hungry and require a meal, but it's good to know if your DJ requires you to provide them with a meal or if they plan on bringing their own.
 
17. How early do you Setup?
Most professional DJ Companies should arrive to setup at least 2 hours prior to your event to give themselves enough time to setup and make sure everything is ready to go prior to their start time.
 
18. Who will be the DJ for my event?
Sometimes you think your getting one DJ and you are getting someone different. This happens sometimes and it is an excellent question to ask if a company has multiple DJ's. Some companies may have one experienced DJ and others may be in training. You don't want the DJ's first wedding to be yours. Definitely find out who your DJ will be for your big day!.
 
19. Do you have a Vendor list of people you work closely with?
Some DJ's work great with certain vendors and if you really like the DJ your about to hire odds are the vendors they associate themselves with may be great as well!
 
20. Are you an interactive DJ and are you able to mix music?
This is always a good question as it gives you some insight as to whether the DJ is entertaining to your guests by getting out on the dance floor with them or putting fun activities together to keep the party going. Also it may be the opposite as you may want not want an interactive DJ. Also your DJ should not have Dead air between songs, there should always be a constant flow of music and should flow evenly into each song.​