How do you pick your DJ?

[Tacori E-ring]

I found three companies who are available for my wedding (yah! what a relief!) besides price, what sets DJs apart? All were suggested from my local knot board (hey, I was desperate!) They all have websites. What should I look for?

 

[Tacori E-ring]

anyone?

 

[TBeck2000]

We're going to pick our DJ based upon other people's positive experiences as well. The one we are looking at was just used at a coworker's wedding and he apparently did a great job of managing the reception (making it flow smoothly and keeping the volume low enough to allow for people to visit). We aren't going to waste our time auditioning different DJs when we are already comfortable this one. He may be a little more expensive than some of the other DJ services, but he isn't that much more (maybe $50).

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 4/20/2006 8:38:01 AM
Author: TBeck2000
We''re going to pick our DJ based upon other people''s positive experiences as well. The one we are looking at was just used at a coworker''s wedding and he apparently did a great job of managing the reception (making it flow smoothly and keeping the volume low enough to allow for people to visit). We aren''t going to waste our time auditioning different DJs when we are already comfortable this one. He may be a little more expensive than some of the other DJ services, but he isn''t that much more (maybe $50).

AHHH! Thank you TBeck for your reply. I was starting to wonder why no one had any insight. We are down to two companies and I think we are going to go with a more established one. My mom and I thought it was both wierd that when they e-mailed us (the co. we probably aren''t going with) forwarded a reply off an e-mail too each other.

Kind of unprofessional to see them talking about if they needed another job or not.

 

[teebee]

Well, our choices were kinda limited for our location and the guy I went with is fairly expensive - but I just really clicked with him. He ONLY does weddings, he''s really enthusiastic about it without being too over the top or cheezy. He''s been doing this like 15 years I think, but he''s not an old radio geezer type. He''s not a "personality" - he seems to recognize that he is there to provide the appropriate music at the appropriate times (like jazz & standards during cocktails, fun and danceable music later on, etc.) and to manage the timing and organizational flow of the reception and he is not there to personally entertain our guests with stupid jokes and banter. What else... Not that it really matters, but he has a degree in communications... Also, I thought it was funny that he seemed relieved that I don''t want to do a bouquet toss - he said he always feels bad calling all the single girls out...

I loved that he will not play: the chicken dance, the electric slide, the hokey pokey, or any other cheezy wedding reception songs unless the bride specifically requests it. And overall, he''s just a cool guy - the kind of person I could actually enjoy hanging out with or being friends with.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Is around $1,000 reasonable for a DJ?

 

[TBeck2000]

Date: 4/20/2006 12:34:48 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
Is around $1,000 reasonable for a DJ?

We''ve budgeted $500, but hope to be able to get our DJ for closer to $400. This is about what my coworker paid. The cheapest I have seen in the Pittsburgh area is $350-$375.

 

[bopitaddict]

sorry to reply late, i''ve been off of pricescope for a while now...

i''m also in the process of booking a dj...

from talking with friends, we''ve heard ranges from $400 - over $1000... with about $800 being the average. things to look for are probably music selection, whether they MC and talk to liven up the party as well, whether they just put CDs in or whether they actually transition the music / mix...

i hope that helps... and of course i''m sure pricing depends on location...

 

[teebee]

Date: 4/20/2006 12:34:48 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
Is around $1,000 reasonable for a DJ?

Depending on where you live, that''s probably reasonable. Ours is far outside the average for this area of the country at $1200.

The other 2 guys I talked to were cheaper... and total losers it seemed to me - like they''d do better at high school proms - and seemed to have very little awareness of the fact that many brides want to have a classy reception and to do so, they should not be the center of attention. Greg, they guy we went with, is just so low key and very cognizant of what a wedding reception should be.

 

[selflove]

Tacori--

Out of all our vendors I think I''m most excited about our DJ. I was slowly wandering through a bridal expo in DT LA and my goal was to find a DJ but they all seemed so cheesy and showy and really fake. This cute blond guy came up to me and said in a cute british accent "Excuse me but have picked a DJ yet?" Uh, no...(how did he know that''s the only vendor I''m looking for here?!?)

So we chatted for a minute or two and he was funny and down to earth and of course, that accent doesn''t hurt. So we met for coffee the following week, sat and chatted for 2 1/2 hours about nothing related to his DJ services, and then finally got down to business. I just needed to hear some references so I called a couple that he gave me and asked very specific questions, like "What is your family like and how did he get them all up dancing?" I liked everything they said about him, sometimes even before I asked the question they gave the answer I wanted.

But the true test will be in 2 weeks and 1 day....

 

[laurel_aurelia]

i used to work in radio down in Richmond, and one of the DJs i worked with (his name is jason paige) started a company called Celebrity Radio DJs. He''s not a "personality" -- not fakey or car salesman ish at all. he''s just funa nd down to earth and pretty young. plus, i know him really well.

So, i can''t give much advice.. but go with someone you or someone you know already has experience with!