When you are hiring a DJ for your wedding, you can start with these questions to ask a wedding professional. To find the best specific questions to ask a wedding DJ, I polled my DJ friend
s (and wracked my own brains, since I'm an entertainer myself.) Here is the list of the best 14 questions to ask a DJ so that you can choose the very best for your big day.
Do you have a demo I can view or references I can contact?
Many entertainers may have a video of their performance that you can watch to get an idea of their style and personality. CAUTION: they will likely give you a video that has been edited to look good, so take this with a grain of salt. An unedited video clip is actually a better indicator of their performance.
Photo by Allan Levine Photography
If the DJ does not have a demo, ask for some recent client and/or professional references. Ask them questions such as, “Did he/she deliver everything that was promised?” “How was the DJ’s communication?” “Are there any areas where you were dissatisfied?”
Who will be the DJ at our wedding?
Make sure you know exactly who will be performing at your wedding. Some DJs are agencies with multiple disc jockeys and entertainers. If it is important for you to have a particular performer, make sure their name is written on your contract.
“The words ‘surprise’ and ‘wedding’ rarely go together well,” explains DJ Bri Swatek of Spinning With Style. “You should know exactly who your wedding DJ is and you should have the opportunity to be totally comfortable with him or her well in advance.”
What happens if you get sick?
Make sure the DJ has a backup plan in case they are physically unable to perform for your wedding. This might be another DJ who works for their company, a local network of DJs or a national association they can call for a replacement. Whatever their backup plan, make sure they have one and that you are comfortable with it.
What does your equipment look like?
You spend a lot of time designing the look of your wedding. Make sure the DJ’s setup compliments the setting. If you don’t want a flashy sign announcing the company name, make sure they don’t use one.
Do you use lighting?
This is a matter of preference. Find out the different options available, what is included in the cost and what is extra.
Will you act as our master of ceremonies?
Make sure your DJ is prepared to make any announcements you want during your reception or work with the master of ceremonies you choose to coordinate events.
Do you take breaks? Is there music played during this time?
The flow of music should be uninterrupted through out the night; a DJ can take a break without stopping the music. Make sure you know how this is handled and when these breaks will occur; you don’t want your DJ leaving the room when the rest of your guests is ready to get up and boogie.
Can we give you a Must Play list and a Do Not Play list?
If you have particular songs you MUST have played, make sure you know how many “must plays” the DJ allows and if there are any limitations. Most entertainers also ask for a list of songs you do not want played. This helps them customize the entertainment to your likes and dislikes.
Will you take requests from our guests?
Generally DJs are happy to take guest requests if that is what you like. If you have concerns about what happens if someone asks for a “bad song” or a song on your Do Not Play list, ask the DJ how they handle it.
What will you wear? 
Do we provide a meal for you?
What will you do if our guests aren't dancing?
This is my favorite question! There really isn’t a right or wrong answer here. Basically, the DJ’s response gives you an idea of her preferred style, flexibility and whether they tend to low key or highly interactive.
The best answer will probably start with, “First, that depends on how you would like me to handle it…”
Why did you choose to become an entertainer?
Andrew Nikola of Enriquez Entertainment explains that the DJ’s answer should reflect that he is doing it because he loves people, NOT for the money or some other reason. You want to hire someone who is passionate about what they do.
Do you do this full time?
DJ Bri Swatek suggests that a full-time DJ will likely be the most responsive to your emails and phone calls. You can be confident that your wedding will be the most important event on their calendar that day.
“Imagine doing your own job as a part-time, weekend sideline,” he says. “Would you be able to do it effectively?”
Sue Meloun of Sue the DJ agrees. “Professional entertainment companies work 40-50 hours per wedding including the performance time…Planning meetings, conference calls, meetings, itineraries, planning forms, love story introduction scripts, MC scripts, music coordination and purchasing, equipment purchases, maintenance and storage, and much, much more.”
For some of these questions, you won’t be looking for the “right” or “wrong” answer. You want to hire a wedding DJ you feel comfortable with and asking these questions makes figuring that out much easier. David Nazario of A Perfect Blend Entertainment says their answers should demonstrate that they are flexible and able to adapt to the constant changes that happen at a wedding celebration.
