One of the most challenging aspects of planning a wedding is choosing the right songs to play during the ceremony and reception. It's not just about picking songs that everyone will love but also finding a DJ who will seamlessly blend in the music with your theme and wedding style.

Fortunately, with a little research and a few pointers, you can find a wedding DJ who will help your guests have the dance floor filled all night long. Here's everything you need to know before hiring a wedding DJ.

 Define Your Expectations

Before you start your search for a wedding DJ, it's important to define the type of music you want to hear. It's impossible to know what your guests will like if you don't know where they are coming from. The best way to do that is by asking yourself some questions:

What kind of music do I like?

Do I want a wide range or a specific type of music?

How much time am I looking for?

What is my budget?

And most importantly, how does the music at my event fit in with the vision and theme of my wedding?

Once you have an idea about these questions, it will be easier for you to narrow down your search for a wedding DJ. You can also ask other family members or friends who might know what tunes their guests would love.

 Ask for References

One of the most important things you can do before hiring a DJ is to ask for references. Ask your friends and family members who they used for their wedding or event and why they picked that person. It's also good to ask your venue if they have any recommendations. You don't want to end up with a DJ who performs well at first but then does poorly when it comes time to make the playlist because the songs aren't appropriate for your wedding.

In addition to asking for references, make sure you take note of what other DJs that are performing at your venue specialize in. For example, if you want a more upbeat dance song during the reception, some DJs will be on hand and can play that song.

 Don't Limit Your Search to Online Profiles

Before you start your search, don't limit it to online profiles. If you want the best option for your wedding, you'll need to meet and interview DJs in person. This will allow you to get a sense of their personality and knowledge about weddings. It will also give you a chance to understand what sort of music they know and enjoy playing. Additionally, you can ask for recommendations from vendors or friends who have hired them in the past. Meeting with one or more DJs is important because this is where you'll find out who is most comfortable with your wedding style and what other services they offer.

Hiring a DJ Isn't Just About Music

First and foremost, the most important thing you need to do before hiring a wedding DJ is ensure that they are experienced. It's unfair to hire someone who doesn't know how to perform or know what they are doing. Hiring a DJ without experience could lead to lower quality music or, even worse, a poorly planned night.

Secondly, it's important to understand your wedding style and theme and any specific songs you want to be played during the reception. Choosing a DJ who plays the right songs at the right time will help create an amazing atmosphere.

Lastly, consider meeting your DJ in person before booking them for the event. This will help ensure that you get the best experience and that your expectations are met on the night of your wedding.

The Challenges of Wedding DJing

For starters, wedding DJs are incredibly busy. The average wedding DJ performs between 100-200 weddings a year, and there's a lot of demand for their services.

Another challenge is that hiring a wedding DJ requires time and money. As with most things in life, the more you play, the better quality you receive. The average cost in the UK is £200 –£600 to hire a professional DJ, but some vendors charge as much as £1000 or more. If you can't afford to hire an expensive DJ or don't think it's worth it for your budget, consider using an app like Spotify to play songs instead of hiring one.

What to Look for in a Wedding DJ?

The main function of a wedding DJ is to play music for the guests. So, it's important to find out what type of music you want to hear before hiring a DJ. There are many different types of DJs:

- Classical musicians

- Hip-hop DJs

- Dance DJs

Whether you want a classical musician or a hip-hop/dance DJ, it's up to you. It's also important to decide where the live music will be played.

 Bottom line

Be creative

First, keep in mind that there isn't one kind of DJ for all weddings. The DJ you choose should be a good fit for the music style and theme. For example, if your wedding is a very formal affair with many guests in tuxedos, a traditional DJ would be perfect. If your wedding is more casual and outdoorsy, a fun-loving and upbeat DJ like Steve Aoki may better suit your event.

Second, make sure to do some research to know what kind of music each DJ plays. Ideally, they will have their own website where they can share samples of their work and show photos from past events. You can also read reviews on websites like Yelp or even ask other friends who had hired DJs before which DJs they liked best. Before meeting with prospective DJs, research what type of services they provide so you'll be able to compare apples to apples during the interview process.

Third, ask them about their experience and how long they have been doing this work. What are their rates? What are their hours? What kind of equipment do they use?

Fourthly, ask them about the size and layout of the dance floor at your event to decide if a large group or an open space will work best for you. When choosing your venue for the reception (or deciding how many days to book), consider factors like room size, number of guests coming per hour, and the capacity of each venue. The more you plan ahead (knowing your headcount), the easier it will be to find an appropriate location for your event. If you know that there are going to be a lot of guests who like dancing at their weddings, then hosting it in an arena or stadium is always a good idea as they have much longer dance floors than standard venues might offer.

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