$400 DJ DISCOUNT TILL 4/15/20

Wedding DJs bring life to your wedding day. After all, they’re not there just to play music. A wedding DJ helps ensure the events of your big day flow smoothly, introduces the couple and the wedding party, interacts with your guests, and observes what’s happening to make sure your event doesn’t lose momentum. You may love the DJ at that nightclub but that doesn’t mean they can work a wedding like a professional wedding DJ can. So what do you need to know before hiring one?
Book a Professional
“Do you want to hire someone who does music on the side? Or do you want to hire someone who makes it their specialty?” says Doug Stempfley of Upbeats DJ's Cincinnati Ohio. Hiring an experienced DJ over someone who does it as a hobby is key if you want a memorable event. That’s not to say a person who does it on the side can’t do a decent job, but professional DJ companies have the experience, equipment, insurance and organization that DJs that make it more of a hobby may not. Plus, you don’t have to stress about any unexpected surprises. “We’ve had a lot of people book us three weeks, a month, two months out because they’ve had their DJ cancel on them. You shouldn’t be stressing about that,” Doug notes.
Don’t Choose on Price Alone
"Most couples search for and hire wedding DJs on price alone," says Doug. "I recommend not cutting corners when it comes to booking a wedding DJ." If you’re on a budget, there are some things you can do to save a little while getting a high-quality DJ:
  • Wedding Date: "Getting married on a Friday or Sunday? Ask your DJ company whether they can give you a discount. These are typically less busy days so there is a little wiggle room. The Wedding Show takes $300 off for Friday and Sunday weddings. If your wedding is in the off-peak season, you can also ask about discounts," Doug said.
  • Payment: Doug also notes that some companies will also offer discounts to people who pay by check instead of credit card, or who pay 100% of the cost up front. You won’t know unless you ask, but many couples don’t think of asking.
  • Bundle: Many DJ companies offer other services, such as video, photography, or photo booth rental. By hiring the same company for various services, you can also save a little money.
Ask the Right Questions
There are many questions to ask the DJs you’re considering, but make sure you don’t miss some important ones. Doug suggests asking about “what if” scenarios to determine if they’re a professional company that’s going to be equipped to handle your event. What if the DJ gets sick? What is the DJ's experience with weddings? You’ll want to know how the company will handle your event and certain situations that may arise. "Also ask about equipment," says Doug. "What types of microphones do they use? Do they have backup equipment in case something fails? If they’re doing your ceremony and reception, do they have separate sets of equipment for each?" Your day will go smoother if your DJ doesn’t have to take the equipment from the ceremony to the reception. One other major question is, is the DJ you're considering fully insured and can they show you proof of insurance? It's better to double check any questions you may have as soon as possible.
Give Them the Info They Need
A professional company will ask for what they need or have some type of form that you can fill out to give them this information. Your DJ will usually need your wedding timeline and a playlist that will allow them to get to know your likes and dislikes to build the entire wedding playlist. "If a DJ doesn’t offer you any sort of planning guidance," says Doug, "make sure to be as detailed as possible when giving them your song choices and other information."
Like that MC
"Your DJ typically is the MC for your wedding, so you may want to find out about their personality," says Doug. "How are they going to interact with the crowd? Can they carry a conversation? Ask to meet with the DJ to make sure they are the right fit for your event."
Book Early
After you have the venue and the photographer, book your DJ. Many companies are booked every Saturday of the year so do it as early as possible. Whether you know it or not, the DJ can really make or break you celebration.

With this being said, we at Upbeats DJs like to offer you a $100 discount on any and all of our packages. We hope this article aids you in making the decision on a wedding DJ and the planning of your event!