In planning your wedding, you will meet many different CT wedding vendors offering a variety of services.  Take time to locate CT wedding vendors that you are comfortable working with and who will consider your CT wedding as important as you do. A DJ is no exception.

When shopping for a DJ, remember that you are inviting him to become a part of your wedding and your wedding memories, make sure that the individual you hire is someone with whom you can work and who will listen to your ideas.

A professional DJ verbally and musically guides your CT wedding reception through each important event of the evening. 

There are many important questions to ask, most of the basic questions will be answered during the initial telephone conversation or at the beginning of the first consultation. 

The following questions are designed to provide a solid foundation in determining which DJ to hire for your CT wedding:

How many CT wedding receptions do you schedule each day?

Ideally your DJ has only one event scheduled, allowing at least three hours for set-up and preparation on the day of your CT wedding, time for equipment inspection and replacement if necessary, sound checks and time to be properly attired in a suit or tuxedo.  Ask if his fee covers the whole day or a specific number of hours, this answer will alert you to possible hidden fees.

How is your DJ service unique from the other companies that are available?

Your goal with this question is to understand how the DJ perceives his own professional performance.  Allow him time to explain his areas of expertise and what he believes is ideal at a wedding reception.   This conversation will provide details as to what you can expect to happen at your own CT wedding.

Do you see your responsibilities as a “reception coordinator”?

This is a fundamental question that will provide more insight into the attitude of the DJ than any other question.  A DJ’s role in a wedding is to be a “reception coordinator”, using music to create the emotional responses for each wedding segment, musically enhancing each special CT wedding memory.

How many meetings do you generally have with your bride and groom?

Never let anyone involved in your wedding have only one meeting with you.  It is imperative that each vendor has a clear image of your dream wedding.  Leaving anything to chance will just open the situation up for error. 

Do you have a professional code of ethics or a professional membership that governs your performance?

There are many different professional groups such as The American Disc Jockey Association or the National Association of Mobile Entertainers that establish a code of ethics.  A DJ that has a professional association or seal of approval generally performs by the adopted professional standards.

Is it possible to view a video or DVD of one of your previous CT wedding receptions?

Some DJs suggest that you visit a wedding to observe their performance.  This is not a very professional way to do business.   Imagine if total strangers suddenly arrived at your wedding to observe the DJ at work?  This is a complete and total intrusion on your wedding and simply should not be done.  A professional should provide you a recorded copy of his work to view at your leisure. 

Do you have a back up in case of an emergency?  Have you ever needed to use them? 

Everyone has emergencies; the important thing is how many times this has happened.  The best answer is obviously “never”. 

Please explain your favorite music mix for a CT wedding reception…one that gets people out on the dance floor. 

The average wedding reception lasts 4 hours or more requiring 50-60 songs. 

A quality DJ will create a music play list for your CT wedding reception that combines your personal taste in music and popular dance mixes designed to keep people on the dance floor.

Please describe a standard CT wedding event that you have coordinated.  Ask for a fully detailed verbal description.

This will provide valuable insight into the DJ’s personality.  He may describe something that he finds extremely funny and you will not be amused. The answers to this question will provide a clear image of his professionalism, performance and expectations at a wedding.

What is the worst thing that has ever happened at a CT wedding you were coordinating and how did you handle it?

This question will allow you to evaluate how the DJ will respond in the event of an emergency, and how he brings the wedding reception back to a success. 

Do you take requests at the CT wedding reception? 

This question is not as easy to answer as it might appear.  While many different guests will make music requests at a CT wedding reception, these songs are not always popular dance tunes. Ask the DJ how he handles requests.

The DJ is a professional that understands which type of music keeps people on the dance floor.  Trust your CT wedding DJ to have the professional judgment on which music to play to keep the dance floor full.