Pablo & Samantha Photography
Do I need to provide my DJ with all of the music for my wedding?
The short answer is, “No”
It’s story time.
About 7 years ago at a country club wedding in Simsbury, I had a couple that was very difficult to work with. As was the mother of the bride.
The bride had expressed that she wanted ALL gangster rap and twerk music for her wedding. We’re not talking about the benign “Hypnotize” by Biggie. We’re talking about strip club music in the depths of the streets you’d never drive down during the daylight in Waterbury. We opened the floor with her requests and she and 1 bridesmaid hit the floor and were grinding and putting on a show.
The rest of the guests sat and didn’t move a muscle. After 10 minutes of dancing with her BFF, it was time to cool off and they both walked outside. I quickly got the floor full with some favorites and the guests were smiling and really enjoying the reception. But then… just as I was getting things warmed up, the bride and BFF came back and scolded me for veering off of her playlist. So, of course, seeing how it’s out job to make sure our clients are satisfied, I obliged her requests. The guests walked off the floor and quite a few grabbed their coats and purses and headed for the door. It stayed that way the rest of the night.
What was I supposed to do? Make a choice between my client or the guests. That’s not an easy position to be in.
So that begs the question, Do I need to provide my DJ with all of the music for my wedding?
On average, I have the privilege of working with between 40-60 couples per year. And of those couples, about 80% can tell me about a wedding experience that they did not like and do not want to repeat for their wedding day.
The number one objection would have to be that the DJ could not get people to dance or that the wedding they attended was boring. And because of that, they really feel that the music played by the DJ was to blame. Now, if I wasn’t a DJ, I might agree with them. However, as a DJ, lots of couples that hand in a complete 7 hour playlist and only want their music played don’t fully understand the concept of a DJ. Our job is to cater to the entire audience. Weddings are like a family reunion of sorts. You’ve got grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, co workers, college friends, and your best friend Becky and her 6th grader that absolutely loves the cotton eyed joe. By taking control of the entire day’s worth of music, you assume FULL responsibility for how the day turns out. If you’re a huge folk music fan, chances are you’re not gonna see a lot of movement on the dance floor. Especially from the people that don’t enjoy that style of music. You and your wedding party might be a huge fan of trap music. And though your parents will undoubtedly smile that their son or daughter just got married, they may be a little hesitant to get out on the floor to Lil Uzi Vert for 3 hours.
Historically, the weddings where the couple puts in some input and trusts their wedding DJ are the weddings that are the most enjoyable to everyone in attendance.
As a rule of thumb, I encourage my couples to send me a list of 10-20 MUST HAVES that they absolutely need to hear on their wedding day so I can understand what their preferences are, and then fill in the gaps with whatever is going to have the best end result for a dance floor full of happy, smiling, and dancing guests.
Why should I hire a DJ for my wedding?
It’s 2024. Traditions are running their course, and couples are giving weddings a fresh start with new trends! Today’s couples are very thrifty and trendy. They make their own style with what they have. And that is just fantastic. But even with new trends being curated daily, one thing remains. Whether or not to book a DJ for your wedding.
Here are the top 10 reasons why you should hire a DJ for your wedding.
1. Let’s talk music.
Whether you’re looking for throwbacks or the latest trending hit on TikTok, DJs have a keen ability to almost always find EXACTLY what you’re looking for. And when it comes to the general public, most people want to hear the original song or at the very least original artist for their music selections. Hiring a DJ for your wedding has its perks. Generally, most DJs carry between 20,000-500,000 song titles with them at all times. They’re literally prepared 90% of the time for whatever the party calls for. Ensuring the music you need for your wedding is as easy and sending over a playlist or a Spotify link to a wedding playlist you’ve created. It’s literally that easy. In addition to expansive music libraries and keeping up to date with wedding trends, you can rely on your DJ to also double as your master of ceremonies.
2. The difference between your Friday night bar DJ and a professional wedding DJ.
While the club/bar DJ typically makes between 200-300 per night, a wedding DJ will generally charge much more. Reason being, in the club setting, there is a low margin for error. But with weddings, we only have one opportunity to get it right. It’s that important. So be sure to invest in the perfect celebration with a wedding DJ that is as reliable as they are talented.
3. Experience counts.
Experienced wedding DJs have seen it all. We could literally write books about the celebrations and situations that we’ve come across with every wedding we host. That’s where experience really comes into play. Have you ever wondered why it might take a little longer for your meal to arrive, but you ended up doing a 15-minute impromptu dance set before dinner? It’s more than likely because the kitchen needed just a few more moments to ensure that your meal comes out perfect. So, as a distraction and to keep your guests in a celebratory mood, we get them out there until it’s time for your meal. That’s just one example of what an experienced wedding DJ can do for your celebration. We are the keeper of the keys when it comes to your timeline. We are your peace of mind.
4 Reliability
Reliability comes in many forms when it comes to hiring a DJ for your wedding. Backup equipment, backup DJs, and the ability to seamlessly adapt to a broad variety of guests music preferences are just a few of the hallmarks that make up a reliable wedding DJ. As for references from your other vendors about the DJ you’re hiring. They know first-hand who’s reliable and who isn’t because they work with a variety of DJs every single weekend.
5. Equipment Quality
Lots of DJs have adopted the line of thinking that clients and couples don’t care about what you use when it comes to gear. But as an experienced wedding DJ, I can tell you that couldn’t be the furthest thing from the truth. It ABSOLUTELY matters. Safety is a HUGE priority. Having equipment that has been rigorously tested, built to withstand the rigors of the road, and working flawlessly weekend after weekend are pertinent to the success of your wedding celebration. You should hire a DJ for your wedding that invests in quality.
6. Emcee Skills
An experienced master of ceremonies or MC or EMCEE will be able to command an audience appropriately for the event they are hosting, they will clearly communicate with class to your friends and family the happenings of your wedding celebration and work with the rest of your creative team to make sure the day goes smoothly.
7. Flexibility and Customization
The best wedding DJs are highly adaptable to change and have a flow to them that will roll with the ever-changing requirements for each and every wedding they are a part of. In terms of customization, the best wedding DJs will be able to help you achieve your goals and have resources at their disposal to help make that happen.
8. Reviews & References
Be sure to look for reviews on google and other sites from real clients that have used the DJ you are considering for your wedding. The reviews you are looking for should be consistent with the type of service that you can expect after booking them.
9. Cost
There is a DJ for every budget. But remember, the bitterness of poor quality will overshadow the sweetness of savings. Think about the investment that you’ve already made with your venue, photographer, dress, and many other details. Your DJ can and will make or break your celebration. This is a fact. Every year, we get at least one phone call from a couple or co-vendor scrambling to find a DJ to save the day because the low budget option either did not show up, showed up un-prepared, or intoxicated. Make sure you sign a contract with the DJ that you’re booking. It protects you and them. Most professional wedding DJs in CT will run between $1500-3000 respectively. Anything below that, you’re probably working with a beginner that does not have the appropriate experience to host your wedding.
10. Personality
Finding a DJ for your wedding is like finding a marriage partner. Once you commit, you have to be confident in your decision. Above all else, be honest with yourself and make sure that the DJ you’re considering is a good personality match for you and your fiancé.
Envato ELementsDid you settle on your wedding dj?
Sharon writes:
” So at this point I’ve looked at dozens of DJs on google, received quotes from about 3, and have visited a handful. I have a really specific feel I’m going for that is proving hard to find in Connecticut.
Traditional weddings are not my style. I understand that my parents are hoping that I will have every single tradition from a cheesy money dance to the garter grab but, I’m just not comfortable. Every DJ I talk to tries to turn my wedding into a techno festival.
I’m really at my wits end and honestly I want to give up completely. I have a couple of djs that I’m considering but honestly I just feel like I would be settling and I can’t fathom spending so much money on a dj that I’m feel like I’m just settling for… “
Wow Sharon! That’s quite an experience. And as I might add, probably the experience for many brides just like you. Worry not, you are not alone. We are at a crossroads right now in the wedding industry. Our baby boomer parents and grandparents want to stick to what was hip back in 1979 when they got married and you just want to push the envelope and do your own thing. It’s no secret, people and change are a difficult thing. There are plenty of trend setting people out there that would love to help your ideas come to life.
You ABSOLUTELY should not settle on your wedding dj. With so many choices out there for wedding entertainment, it’s understandable that making the choice could be overwhelming. But choosing a DJ is more than just price shopping and music. It’s feeling a good connection with the person who is going to be handling your entertainment and master of ceremonies duties from start to finish. Certain things can put you off. For instance, do they have a good voice for announcements? Do you feel at ease talking to them? Do you feel that they are a good listener? These are just a few examples of things that you might be thinking when you are speaking face to face with your wedding DJ.
And because there is such a diverse selection of wedding djs in ct, you have your pick of the litter on who would be the best option. Hang in there Sharon, we’re here to help you. Be sure to tell your dj on your next interview your experience with shopping for DJs. Explain to them your concerns. And if they are a good listener, they will be able to point you in the right direction. Best of luck to you and congratulations!!!
Inappropriate Wedding Music
Is there such a thing?
Wedding music. We’ve all heard the term. But what is wedding music? Is it the YMCA? The Chicken Dance? Maybe the Cha Cha Slide? Is it inappropriate wedding music?
NOPE!
Those are all organized group dances. They can be played just about anywhere to get people moving. But when it comes to wedding reception music, there’s a lot more than you think. Sure there’s the top 200 wedding list that can be found on just about every other wedding website. But what if you’re looking for something other than the same music you’ve heard year after year. And wedding after wedding?
First, let me just tell you, there is a reason why there are as many repeats as there are. Most guests will attend 2 maybe 3 weddings in their lifetime. And many guests, especially our more senior guests, probably don’t get out to the club that often. While your parents, aunts and uncles want you to have the time of your life, they also want to hear Don’t stop Believin and Brick House. It’s what they’re accustom to. It’s what they like. And let’s not forget about the rat pack. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. Grandma loves her Sinatra.
But, when it comes time for you and your clique to get out there on the floor, what do you like? And what’s appropriate? We’ll get to that.
It’s 2018. Social media is buzzing with angst about a classic christmas song, “Baby It’s Cold Outside“. Apparently, it was mis-interpreted as a song that encourages date rape. On the flipside, we also have Cardi B on the airwaves inviting listeners to engage in extreme sexual acrobatics. But either way, whether you’re a fan or not, it’s where we are in music today.
Innuendos in songs are a favorite in music since the dawn of popular music. The difference between your grandma’s Elvis record and cardi b is that Elvis simply “hinted” at the topic of sex with witty one liners. Today, it’s all out in the open and there’s no hiding from it.
So how should we handle this? The same way we’ve been handling music for years. With discretion. Thankfully, professional wedding DJs subscribe to music services like Promo Only, Primecuts, XMIX, and DMS. All very reputable resources for getting the latest and greatest music that everyone wants to hear. They also do a fine job of ensuring radio friendly music is readily available to wedding djs.
Because of that peace of mind, we can play just about any song because they are radio friendly songs. And if the beat’s alright, your guests will dance all night. There’s no such thing as a bad song. It’s all in where you put it. Actually I stand corrected. A bad song clears your dance floor. A good song keeps it packed all night long.
So how do you prevent the DJ from playing inappropriate wedding music? Be up front with your music expectations. Tell them what you like and what you don’t. Share with them experiences you may have had at weddings you have attended. And last but not least, trust your DJ. Music is their life.