You’ve decided you’d prefer a DJ over a band at your wedding or wedding after-party, and now you need to hire one.
This will be one of the more important decisions you’ll make while planning your wedding. A DJ is much more than an affordable alternative to a live band.
A good DJ can really help set the tone of your wedding reception and impact your guests’ experience. They likely will be your master of ceremonies, too, keeping your wedding flowing and making key announcements.
So, how do you find the right person?
Here are 12 suggestions to consider.
1. Seek recommendations. Ask friends, colleagues, and family who’ve hired DJs if they were happy with their choice and why. Your wedding venue, planner, and other vendors may be able to make suggestions, too. If you’re based in Houston or the surrounding area, from The Woodlands to Katy, specify that you’re looking for someone who can help with a Houston-area wedding.
2. Consider agencies. You have the option of working with wedding entertainment agencies that, in addition to connecting clients with DJs, also help customers find bands, magicians, and other entertainers. One of the plusses of an agency is they can help you zoom in on the type of DJ you have in mind. That said, just like screening potential DJs to ensure professionalism, make sure you’re working with a reputable agency with good customer reviews.
3. Speaking of reviews…take the time to read DJ reviews and testimonials in more than one spot. Look for social media reviews — and comments on DJs’ business posts — and check sites like Yelp and the Better Business Bureau.
4. Consider personality. Do you want someone who weaves humor into their routine and has a knack for getting people out on the dance floor? Or, would you prefer someone who is known for being polite and polished? Look for someone who will complement the atmosphere you’re trying to create.
5. Select an experienced professional. Your cousin may take occasional DJ jobs, but that doesn’t necessarily make them a good fit. Look for a full-time professional with experience and references. You want someone who will be professional and contribute to a successful event, someone who will keep your guests happy and work cooperatively with the other vendors.
6. Make sure they have liability insurance. A professional DJ will invest in liability insurance, which means they won’t be held legally responsible if they accidentally damage property or cause an injury—and neither will you. Ask them to show a certificate of coverage.
More on Insurance
While you’re researching DJs, you also can look into the possibility of hiring someone with hourly DJ insurance. While most professional DJs have general liability insurance, they may also opt to have DJ insurance. This could provide an extra layer of protection for them and for you.
DJ insurance refers to policies that protect professional DJs against business losses related to claims. DJs can work with an insurance company to get coverage by the month, and some companies offer daily and even hourly DJ liability insurance.
A number of DJs opt to get DJ insurance to make sure the expensive equipment they use is protected. They might combine that with professional liability insurance and even workers’ compensation insurance.
7. Consider their ability to play an eclectic mix. Ask prospective DJs what kind of music they play. For a wedding, ideally, they should be willing to satisfy a wide variety of tastes.
8. Watch them in action. See if candidates can provide videos of their work.
9. Have a conversation. Ask candidates about some of their favorite experiences as a DJ and what made them memorable. Ask about awkward moments, too: What went wrong and how did they handle it? As we mentioned, your DJ likely will be your reception’s master of ceremonies. You should know how they handle the unexpected.
10. Additional questions include:
How long have you been a DJ?
How often do you work at weddings?
Tell us about your style.
Have you worked with our venue?
What will you wear?
Are you prepared to be our master of ceremonies?
How do you get people out on the dance floor?
Tell us about your rates. Do you offer packages? Is there an overtime fee?
11. Generally, the average cost to hire a DJ for a Houston wedding is $800 to $1,000, but don’t make getting a bargain your top priority. We understand the importance of staying within budget, but when you focus on low prices for a wedding DJ—or any other vendor—you could be setting yourself up for headaches. Not only does your risk increase for a meh or less-than-satisfactory performance, a bargain DJ might be using how-quality equipment, increasing the risk for poor sound and malfunctions. A cheap DJ also is less likely to be reliable, and there’s even a chance they won’t be in business when it’s time for your wedding.
12. Talk about your tastes. If you want to hear a lot of Country Western music—or you want music that will complement your event’s theme, be sure to hire a DJ who can help you. Along the same lines, if you want modern music, make sure your DJ stays on top with top hits.
Contact us to learn more about the Bell Tower on 34th, one of the most sought-after modern wedding venues in Houston.