3 Steps To Hiring An Excellent DJ

1)  Do your homework.

Check out their website first, it will fill in the blanks on who and what you are cosniderig for your wedding or event DJ. Do they feel like someone you would invite as a guest? Will they make your guests feel welcomed by their requests and suggestions?

Read their reviews on their site and reviews left on other sites like Yelp, Wedding Wire and Thumbtack, etc. Do they sound genuine or written by friends and family of the DJ? Do the speak to your concerns and wishes for your wedding or event?

Ask for former client references and actually take the time to call or write them and ask the questions that matter to you most about your professional DJ.  Did they listen and honor your needs and requests? Did they make your guests feel welcome to request songs and offer suggestions?  Was the music sensational? Was the professional DJ fun and interactive with your guests?

2) Get to know your Professional DJ before signing a contract.

Are they someone you will enjoy working with?  Are they personable but not over-the-top?  Are they interested in your input and concerns? Will you have fun creating a playlist with them or will you feel left out of planning your own wedding or event? Will your guests enjoy their presence at your wedding or event?  Are they taking the time to listen and not just talk and sell themselves? Are you confident in their experience, professionalism and skills to make an outstanding wedding or event? Are they another cookie-cutter DJ service or will they individualize what they do for you? Can you feel that they actually care about you and your wedding or event? Will they be fun?

3) Trust your instincts!  You know what you want. You know how you want to make it happen.  You know who can do it with you and make you feel respected and appreciated. Listen to yourself and do not let a salesperson convince you otherwise. Trust yourself and your ‘gut’ feeling.  Make sure that everything you want is covered till you feel comfortable with the plan before you sign the contract. And maybe most important, be comfortable with the contract and the professional DJ’s back-up plan if there is an unexpected  situation. Are they mature and experienced enough to change gears on-the-fly if needed? Do you trust them to honor what you have agreed to in the contract?

Do they have a guarantee?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

On Saturday night I was an actual guest at a wedding. One of my cousin’s got married to his high school sweetheart and it was a great time to see family that I do not typically get to spend time with. They are a good couple and glad they are finally getting married.

It was also an opportunity to listen to how my family members would respond to the professional DJ without asking questions, a data collection mission of sorts. The comments were somewhat surprising but more importantly, they mirrored what I was experiencing as well unfortunately. I am not one of those people that likes to criticize my peers. Here are a list of lessons I learned, again, about the honor of being a professional DJ and MC at a wedding:

1) Never let your microhone be louder than the typical volume of the music. It jars guests and is hard to hear what is being said.

2) Pay attention to the crowd. They will ‘tell’ you what to play and what not to play.

3) Don’t force the issue. If you want to move towards a genre or era of music, let it happen naturally and don’t make the guests switch gears without a proper segue.

4) Remember all the guests! As a Wedding DJ it is easy to fall in love with what is working and forget the rest of the room. Diversity is the key.

5) Keep your eyes on the people not dancing as well as those on the dance floor. Often the secret to an excellent event can be seen in the eyes, expressions and energy of those that are not participating. If they look bored or disinterested it is revealing of something. If they are having fun and full of energy and excitement, the fact that they are not dancing does not mean that you are not being successful.

6) Cheesy DJ/MCs are rarely appreciated.

7) Invite guests to make requests and honor them. The may think think you do not accept them if there is no offer.

8) Enjoy yourself! Who wants a Wedding DJ that looks miserable?

The reinforcement of the basic challenge of a professional Wedding DJ was clear to me in the reality of trying to meet the needs of The Bride and Groom and their guests. It only takes a bit of communication for this to be resolved and a great wedding is the result.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Preparing earlier today for tomorrow’s wedding on Long Beach Island, NJ, I noticed that each component of the wedding has its own genre. This was the playlist created together with The Bride, like all good Wedding DJs do. She wanted ‘chill music’ for the Cocktail Hour with Bob Marley, Jack Johnson, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison and Norah Jones, amongst others; all great stuff.  The dinner music for the Reception includes artists like Josh Kelley, The Cure, Jason Mraz, Del Amitri and Red Hot Chili Peppers with other sprinkled in.  Then party time with Taio Cruz, Pitbull, Rihanna, David Guetta and some older favorites like Bel Biv Devoe and Montell Jordan.

I continue to be impressed with the diversity of music that Brides and Grooms are requesting for their weddings lately. It is not like it used to be with folks only wanting one genre and nothing else.  Should be a great wedding with fun people. The Bride was very careful in planning every detail to her liking along the way including the music. As a professional Wedding DJ, I appreciate knowing what The Bride and Groom want to hear. It is even better when we have had enough communication to know what directions we can take it to meet the needs of her friends and family.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ