Choosing a DJ company for your wedding

When it comes to choosing the entertainment for the evening reception things can often get quite tricky. Luckily, James Fisher of Disco Services UK is on hand with his top tips for the perfect party.

Gone are the days of booking a DJ over the phone and then keeping your fingers crossed! Insist on meeting the company at their showroom and have a consultation with them.

Make sure you get to meet the actual DJ who will hosting your evening reception. Get to know them a little. This really does help on the day of your wedding; after all you don’t want a stranger at your party.

Discuss their experience and ask for their references. As with all other suppliers, hearing the same name recommended to you several times is a good start. The company’s website will also tell you a lot about them, look to see what venues recommend them.

Using a preferred suppliers list from your venue really helps you judge the quality, although try to avoid companies that solely work in one venue as the resident DJ can become stale very quickly. You need someone who is moving around to different types of events and venues all the time to keep them fresh.

Be clear in your own mind what you are looking for – remember one person’s cheesy party hell could be another person’s dancefloor heaven. Thinking about good events you have recently been to can help here.

The DJ should definitely be looking for you to provide a playlist. Remember though, just because it sounds great in the car, doesn’t mean it will rock the house. The ‘don’t playlist’ is vital too.

A great wedding DJ should be familiar with all styles of music and shouldn’t have to play ‘Cmon Eileen’ to get the dance floor going! Find someone who can cater for the more modern tastes if that’s what you want. Remember there is room for all styles of music at your party.

At your consultation, build up a show that suits your taste, budget and venue. The DJ should help you design the show that fits with your vision. This means simple décor lighting for some couples and lasers, strobes, bubbles and dry ice for others! Consider the set up time when choosing. Anything over an hour is too long. After all, who wants to wait to party!

Always check with your venue about the types of equipment the DJ can bring. Most venues don’t allow smoke machines anymore and confetti is becoming less popular with some. But there is still plenty of options left to build the perfect evening bash.

Many venues are now starting to install sound limiters (very tough on live bands).  A DJ should have experience of working with these and it shouldn’t dampen the party mood as long as everyone is sensible. Remember it’s a wedding reception not a night club, the music needs to be at a level such that people nearer the back of the room can chat without shouting. If you want to dance, come closer.

Choose a DJ that suits your style. If you don’t want him or her to chat on the mic, then say so. Often less is more -  some of your guests might not appreciate being dragged up to dance to the Macarena in front of their relatives. A god DJ will let the music do the talking.

Once you have everything in place then you can just relax and enjoy it!

Before agreeing to use a DJ, make sure they have the following:

• PAT tested equipment
• £10 Million public liability insurance
• Carry spare equipment in case of break down
• A reserve DJ on stand by
• A contract in place to protect you