What are the Wedding DJ Responsibilities? The one behind the turntable at your reception can do so much more than just play music.
OK to get married: you’ve decided on the setting for your big day, signed the contract with the photographer, and negotiated who’s where. Next comes the easy part: choose a DJ for your reception. It’s just a matter of choosing the melodies and pressing “Play”, right?
Not correct.
David Kurtz of D&M DJ Entertainment says couples should stop to think about the multitude of tasks a DJ has to perform. They go far beyond calling up the song for the father-daughter dance.
“A DJ is more than just someone who plays music,” says Kurtz. “You’re there to keep the timeline going. You are working with a photographer. You are working with a caterer. and they work with a wedding planner. ”
Do you like what you read? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.
In fact, he adds, the DJ is the person who – if not selected with due care – could potentially disrupt or even ruin an otherwise perfect affair.
“I’ve heard of the DJs who happen to say, ‘Oh, we forgot to do that one formality – it’s no big deal,” says Kurtz. “We’ve heard of DJs who just didn’t show up because they did found a better paying gig, or they’ll tell their brides [at the] Last minute: “No, I can’t do it.”
Due to the tasks that DJs are often entrusted with, Kurtz warns couples not to leave the seemingly simple job to a family friend or an inexpensive “professional”. He says there is more to consider than the bottom line.
“For example, if you’ve spent $ 5,000 on a photographer – that seems to be the most recent number – and you’re only spending $ 200 or $ 300 on your DJ, you need to be clear about your priorities,” says Kurtz. “You want to get to the heart of the one person who couldn’t let the photographer know when something was going to happen?” That’s just one of the Wedding DJ Responsibilities.
Kurtz admits that couples want value, but as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for.
Investing in the right DJ is therefore comparable to investing in overall reception. “When they meet with the bride and groom, they often help them make those decisions,” says Kurtz, pointing out that if a couple doesn’t hire a wedding planner, the DJ will inherit that role. “Sometimes the person who makes the day is the DJ.”
On the big day, couples should expect the DJ to oversee the occasion and all of its nuances during the scheduled time. The DJ’s tasks range from advising the couple about favorite songs weeks in advance to ensuring that the formalities are carried out on time for the benefit of the photographer. Being familiar with a microphone doesn’t hurt either.
“When it’s time for the big show, they have to do their best to get the pronunciations right and right [make] sure that they know when something is going to happen, ”says Kurtz. Nothing can make a newly married couple’s mood as bad as having their newly shared surname mispronounced when entering the reception. One of the biggest Wedding DJ Responsibilities.
It may also be up to the DJ to keep extended family members happy by making sure important events are properly announced from the stage.
“Our job is to let everyone know what’s going on,” says TEAM DJ Todd Jones. “If Grandma doesn’t know that the bride and groom are cutting the cake, who will Grandma be mad at? The DJ. ”
Managing music naturally remains a big part of the job description.
“[We] Make sure people dance, ”says Jones. “When a song doesn’t work, [we] Immediately turn it off – as soon as possible. ”
When choosing a wedding DJ, Kurtz recommends couples consult online reviews to ensure consistency of reviews. Choosing a DJ with the background, personality, and skills to make your day run smoothly – musically or otherwise – can result in a higher cost, but the experts say it is worth the investment.
“A skilled DJ will always be worth a lot more no matter what you pay for,” says Jones. “You really want to look for experienced DJs who have been around – the longer the better.”