How to spot a DJ who knows their way around a wedding.
If you're struggling to find the right DJ for your wedding, you can start by asking candidates ONE question:
Do you have a comprehensive form that is used to plan the schedule, music, and critical details for our wedding?
If the answer isn't an immediate "yes," that could be a red flag. A professional wedding DJ is well-versed in the planning process and operations for any and all events. A wedding DJ should be energetic, communicative, friendly, and reliable. Without a process for laying out all the details for your wedding, a DJ's reliability may be questionable.
What to look for and how to know they'll go above and beyond:
A professional wedding DJ will have an established Wedding Planning Form that is thorough and guided. Moreover, great DJs will insist on meeting with you to fill out the form together before your big day (either virtually or in-person, ideally at your venue). DJ Matt Minnehan Entertainment's Wedding Planning Form is a perfect example of what you should expect from a professional event DJ and it is included in their wedding services. The form includes:
Basic information (event date, location, time frame, coordinator contact info, etc.)
Important details (wedding party names, announcement about shuttles, wedding colors to match uplighting, etc.)
Music selections (first dance song, requested songs, last dance song, etc.)
Sequence of events (with examples provided)
Matt's Tip #1: When filling out the names of the people in your wedding party, be sure to include the pronunciations of unique names. An excellent DJ will mention this in their form or will ask about it if you're filling it out together.
Matt's Tip #2: While you likely already have a list of songs that you definitely want played at your wedding, it is also crucial to make a list of any songs you DO NOT want played. Perhaps "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis was a special song for you and an ex of yours, or maybe the "Cha Cha Slide" is your personal cue to take a break and hit the bar. This is important for your DJ to know, and they should ask you about it in their form. Experienced wedding DJs know that planning a wedding can be overwhelming, so they'll be happy to guide and assist you with your Wedding Planning Form. Not sure when you want to have your cake-cutting ceremony during your reception? Or when the best time for toasts is? Ask your DJ what they think is best given their experience and given the details for your particular event. They should also be extremely comfortable communicating with the coordinator or venue manager to ensure timing is perfect for all aspects of your special day. You don't want to be the bride that hears it's time for the cake-cutting ceremony while you're in the restroom. An experienced wedding DJ will be aware of all the details, even ones that you may not know about. That's why filling out a Wedding Planning Form with your DJ is vital. Be sure to ask your DJ candidate if they have one - it's a must! Click here to tell DJ Matt Minnehan Entertainment about your event and get a FREE quote within 24 hours.
