How do you ensure your wedding reception is filled with music, laughter, and lots of dancing? The wedding DJ, of course! Having the right DJ can take the party after your wedding to a whole new level. But finding the right match takes a little research and planning. Luckily, when you put in the work ahead of time, everything runs well on the day of your wedding and you get to enjoy the party along with everyone else!
Why Choose a Professional?
Everybody has a curated playlist, and it’s easy to think that just putting some music through a speaker can make a party. But when you hire a professional DJ, you get much more than some choice music. Wedding DJs come prepared with their own equipment, and can help you get the right sound for your space. And remember, it’s not just the reception that needs a sound system. If you are planning for more than 50 people at your wedding, it’s smart to have microphones on the bridal couple and the officiant, so everyone can hear those vows you worked on so painstakingly!
Hannah Williams, CEO of Fusion Sound and Lighting, brings years of experience in weddings to understand the ins and outs of how to plan for both a ceremony and reception. She recommends going with someone who has the right equipment, so every detail of your big day can be heard and enjoyed. For example, FSL recommends a wind cover on lapel mikes for outdoor weddings. “It helps to be prepared ahead of time for any type of situation that might occur,” Williams says.
In addition to the equipment, professional DJs also help keep the reception timeline going the way you planned, all while pumping up the energy of the guests and making sure everyone has a good time. From Tiktok trends to first dances, your DJ can work with you to get what you want at your wedding.
Know What You Want from Your Wedding
Working with a wedding DJ is a two-way street. It helps for the bridal couple to be prepared and have at least somewhat of an idea of what they would like before the initial meeting with the DJ. Here’s a list of how to prepare:
Know your venue and how you will use the space. When you can let the DJ know specifically where the ceremony and reception will be, it helps them plan the equipment needed. FSL has done many weddings at Legacy Stables and Events, but even though they’re familiar with the venue, they still need to know specifically how each bride plans to use the space. “Grace Barn can be used as the entire area, or split off into smaller spaces, and then you have Salem Stallway, where the doors may be open or closed. There are just so many configurations, it helps us to sit down with the couple and plan things out ahead of time,” Williams says.
Come prepared with a timeline for the reception. Your DJ will be the emcee of your wedding, so it’s important to give them an idea of what moments you want to capture and how you want them all to flow. You don’t have to have all the specifics at the first meeting. Once you choose a DJ, you’ll have another meeting closer to the wedding date to go over all the specifics and pronunciations of names to make sure things go off without a hitch.
Have an idea of your tastes. You won’t be picking out the playlists specifically, but it’s good to give your DJ an idea of what you like and don’t like. “Each bridal couple is different, and it’s fun to see the styles of each partner,” Williams says. “We can work with anything, even people with two very opposite tastes in music.” Making the “do not play” list can be just as important as the playlist. Williams says there are a few songs that always end up being banned. “We have quite a few clients that say ‘absolutely no line dances,’ and honestly, that’s just fine with us,” Hannah says.
Questions to Ask the DJ
When planning with your wedding DJ, not only will they be asking you about your taste in music and plan for the venue, this is your opportunity to ask them how they work as well. Williams suggest these questions to get a good feel for the professionalism of your potential DJ partner:
- What is your back-up plan? In case of an emergency or sickness or something just comes up, you don’t want to be dependent on just one person for your entire wedding entertainment. Having a back-up plan in place is important. For FSL, that means sending a team of two DJs to every event.
- How do you plan to transfer from the ceremony to the reception? Will they have to take down everything and move it, or do they have the equipment to source both?
- What does your planning process look like? And how will the bridal couple submit songs or playlists? FSL has a proprietary app that allows bridal couples to upload songs and plan out the timeline of the ceremony and reception.
- What is your pricing structure?
Hiring a wedding DJ can help make your day a memorable event for everyone. To learn more about what Legacy Stables and Events can do, and how we can help you plan your perfect wedding, call today to schedule a tour.
