Well it’s 2024!
The big day is approaching, and you’ve locked down the venue, the caterer, and even the florist. But when it comes to the wedding DJ, you want someone who’ll guarantee a night to remember. Don’t sweat it; I’m here to make sure you find the perfect music maestro to keep the dance floor alive and the party going all night. Here’s your go-to guide on hiring the best wedding DJ for your big day!
What makes us an expert?
Hey Mister DJ has been providing the best DJs in Los Angeles for weddings & corporate events since 2008. We have been voted #1 DJ in Los Angeles by California Wedding Day and Biz Bash. We are also featured as the Top Wedding DJ for many of the best venues in Los Angeles and Southern California.
The Owner wrote a guide book called “How to Hire a Killer Wedding DJ which can be found on AMAZON.
Book as early as possible:
Wedding DJs that are in demand often book up to at least one year in advance. Wedding vendors that have 5-star reviews and award winners as top or best DJ in their field will book pretty quickly. If you are particular about a specific style or presentation in your DJ, you’ll want to start your search as early as possible. 2024 dates usually start booking the previous year or in January/February (booking season), but we see clients already inquiring about 2025 dates. Because Southern California has trendy wedding venues, couples will try to book everything as early as possible. Remember, to secure your DJ or other wedding vendors a year in advance, you will pay a premium rate, but worth the investment to ensure your guests say “that was the best wedding I ever attended” the next day!
Haven’t found your venue yet?
Need help?
See our article “how to find your ideal wedding venue” by clicking HERE!
The Research Phase:
To ensure you find the right DJ for your wedding day, first think about what kind of style or “vibe” you want to have at your wedding. Then, start by asking friends and family (especially those who recently tied the knot) for recommendations. Ask your venue if they have a preferred vendor list. This list will be full of DJs that are trusted by the venue and familiar with the logistics of the space. Hopefully you’ve hired a wedding planner and they can also give you top recommendations of DJs they have worked with in the past. You can also search Google for “Best Wedding DJ” or “Top Wedding DJ” in your city, visit local wedding forums, or attend wedding expos to find potential candidates.
Making the Cut: Top Qualities to Look For
Once you have shortlisted potential wedding DJs down to your top 5 selections, go a step further by checking out their social media pages, websites, and reviews. See if they have any DJ mixes or videos you can listen to online as well. Here are some top qualities to look for:
- Experience: An experienced DJ can engage the crowd and create a memorable party.
Look for someone with a history of performing at weddings specifically for at least 5 years and understands how to cater to diverse audiences. Room awareness and crowd reading ability is critical. - Professionalism: This means punctuality, responsiveness to your queries, and attention to detail. You want a DJ who does this full-time and is committed to making your big day a success.
Having a business license and DJ insurance is required by most wedding venues, so should be a no-brainer for a full time DJ. - Flexible and Adaptable: A great wedding DJ should be able to adapt the music to the vibe of the party and tailor the playlist to your taste. They should also be able to offer options in term of sound & lighting packages that fit your vision and event design.
- Style & Personality: A good wedding DJ is a chameleon and can adapt to any situation. Still, if you are passionate about music and design, you’ll want to find a DJ whose appearance, style, and presentation are a good reflection of your own. Doing a Zoom or face-to-face meeting for your interview is helpful, but also look them up on social media and see what kind of posts they have and if any resonate with you.
The Audition Process:
Once you’ve shortlisted 3 potential DJs, contact them for a conversation. This is crucial because it’ll help you understand their personality and if it aligns with what you want for your wedding day. This way, you can get a feel for their style and see if they vibe with your vision. Invest the time to schedule a Zoom or in person meeting as opposed to a phone chat.
Essential questions to ask:
- How do they handle song requests?
- What is their client onboarding process lie?
- Can they provide examples of their work? (Links to videos or DJ Mixes online)
- How do they handle equipment setup and breakdowns?
- Have they ever played at your wedding venue?
You can see our entire guide for interviewing your potential DJ by clicking below:
The Contract: Seal the Deal
As soon as you feel you’ve found the perfect DJ for your wedding, sign a detailed contract outlining crucial specifics such as the date, timings, agreed-upon fees, equipment, setup and breakdown details, and any special requests. Again, DJs that are in high demand can book up to 14 months in advance, so move quickly once you know you have the right fit.
Lastly, enjoy the planning process, and remember: “Music is a piece of art that goes in the ears and straight to the heart.” With the perfect wedding DJ on board, you and your guests will have a night to remember!
BONUS:
Here are some tips from our helpful wedding article: “Los Angeles Wedding Tips for Engaged Couples”