Wedding DJs can be a scary task to find. Here are some pointers to help you choose.
Finding a Mobile Disco:
If you aren’t familiar with any DJ agencies, ask your friends to recommend someone. Word of mouth is the best, and most reliable marketing. Many people hire DJs that they find online or in advertisements in print media. One of South Africa’s most prominent Wedding DJ resources is DJSA.
Make sure you’re armed and ready to find someone who will work with you on special requests.
Wedding planners have all of the best contacts with local vendors. Even if you’ve decided to take matters into your own hands and plan your own wedding, you can still get some help.
Your wedding day is the single most important day of your life. Make sure you hire a DJ who will follow your style as well as your direction.
Meeting:
Usually a pre-wedding meeting is arranged with the DJ. This is when the first dance song and entrance song are chosen by the bridal couple. The DJ will, in most cases, cater for the bride and groom’s music choice but if the DJ senses that the music requested is not working, he should try to get the party started with some of his own choices. Other music requests are also discussed at this meeting and the bridal couple usually decide on a cut-off time for the event.
The Wedding DJ duties at the wedding usually include the following:
– Supply and set up of sound equipment and disco lighting prior to the arrival of any guests.
– Supply and set up sound equipment for the chapel service (if arranged prior to the event).
– Supply and set up of microphones and microphone stands for speeches.
– Playing back-ground music during dinner.
– Controlling microphone levels during speeches.
– Getting the dancing started after the formalities have ended.
– Sometimes the bride and groom will want the DJ to interact with the audience and get them to play musical games and so forth.
Pricing:
There are a number of factors to consider when attaining a quotation for Wedding DJ services.
– Location of event – How far will the mobile DJ have to travel.
– Date of event — Wedding DJs tend to charge more in peak season (Sept — Dec)
– Number of guests — the more guests, the more equipment needed.
– Duration of the wedding — how long will the DJ services be required. An overtime fee is usually charged after midnight.
– Music requirements — will the DJ have the required music or will he have to buy it.
Music:
Most Wedding DJs have a wide variety of music, although occasionally DJs specialize in a specific styles of music. This music could include rock, pop, top 40 hits, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s classics, MTV hits, R&B, hip hop, and all the other “commercial” styles of music.
If you require a specific type of music, for example, Greek, Portuguese, Afrikaans, Kwaito, or Banghra, then this should be discussed before you employ the services of the Wedding DJs. Make sure that the Wedding DJs you hire has in the past catered for your type of event with the specific music you require.
