Most Important Questions to Help You Decide Which Band or DJ to Hire.
At any party, the music is a make-or-break, and your Wedding Reception is no exception. And with everybody and their brother claiming to be a DJ nowadays, there’s some questions you pretty have to ask to weed out the amateurs and find yourself a professional.
We’ve compiled this list of the Top 30 Questions to Ask your Wedding Band or DJ.
Entertainment Details
Let’s first make sure you’re book the right talent! The last thing you want to do is spend all your time asking the wrong questions first, only to find out the DJ isn’t even a good fit for what you’re trying to do. These are the top Entertainment Questions to ask:
1. How would you describe your musical style / genre?
You’ll need to have a feel for the style of the DJ or band, so that it matches the vibe you’re going for! If you’re going for an upscale cocktail party, a DJ playing hip-hop bangers at club-level volumes is going to be plain awkward.
And if you’re having trouble deciding what kind of band or DJ you want, feel free to reach out with one of our experts here at Limitless Lights and Sound – we can help you find entertainment that is a perfect fit.
2. Can we come listen to a wedding you’re performing at?
Seeing a DJ or Band perform live is the best way to understand what your wedding entertainment will feel and sound like. And although most musicians and couples agree in advance that the wedding is closed to prospective clients, sometimes Bands and DJ’s host showcases for the public to see whether they’re a good fit or not.
3. Can you play the songs that matter to us (such as a traditional cultural track or favorite dance tunes)?
The Band or DJ should be able to learn, play, or download any song you like. If the band says they’re able to, but the need to learn or arrange the song, you’ll want to know if there’s an extra fee for that.
4. Do you have any live recordings, outside of the studio?
Nowadays, anybody can sound like Beyonce with enough auto-tune. If a band has sent you a studio recording, chances are they’re going to sound a lot different in a live environment since there’s so much editing that happens to recordings nowadays. Ask for live, untouched edits so you can get a better feel for their sound.
5. How many weddings do you typically work in a year?
The goal here is to understand how experienced they are—not only how long they’ve been doing weddings, but also how often they’re hired. They’re both important to understand if they’re ready to rock your dance floor.
Ask to speak to some previous couples / clients. Online reviews can tell you a little, but being able to talk directly with couples who used this DJ or Band can give you a better picture of what they’re like to work with.
6. How do you manage song requests?
There has to be a protocol for making sure your guests hear their favorite tunes—if you want this as an option. Most pro’s prefer to get requests in a certain way (and chances are, they don’t want it hollered at them while they’re trying to mix). Some DJ’s even have an app for requests!
7. How many musicians are in the band, and are available? How many singers? Are there different options as far as how many musicians/instrumentalists we can hire?
If you’re checking out a DJ – you’ll want to know if they work with anybody else to make the production happen. And if it’s a band – you’ll need to know exactly who’s going to be there on the day of. Also, remember you can usually hire a smaller portion of an amazing band to save a some coin – so be sure to ask about this if you’re on a tight budget.
8. How many hours are included in the package?
Most bands and DJs will have a minimum amount of time they’re going play for. But on top of that, you’ll also need to know how many breaks they’ll need (and how long they’ll be), and the plan for those breaks such as approved filler music. Tip: Build in these breaks and offer food to your musicians—you don’t want their energy to drag before the last dance.
9. Will we need to rent any instruments (a drum kit, for example) or equipment (extra speakers / lighting / or a stage)?
Find out exactly what Sound, Lighting, and Instruments are included in your package, and what else you would need to rent or advance from the venue. You’ll also need to find out if you need to conceal equipment if it’s hard on the eyes (behind elegant draping or backstage, for example.) We want your wedding to shine and look clean and seamless, not look like an electronics expo.
Which leads us into our next section..
Sound, Lighting, and Tech
The last thing you probably know about is the technical details of having an entire DJ setup or Band at your wedding. These are the Top Tech questions to ask your Wedding DJ or Band:
10. Do you know our reception space and its acoustical, tech, and power requirements? If not, will you verify these details?
There are a lot of factors that can come into play when it comes to integrating Sound and Lighting systems with venues – and any professional entertainment should be on the ball about this. If they’re not interested in checking on these details with your reception space, then cross them off your list – the last thing you need is a tech nightmare on the day of your event.
11. Do you plan to bring any lighting or any other visual effects?
The best in the industry usually offer lighting and special effects, such as a fog machine or confetti cannon. You’ll want to check into this and see what they plan on including in their package – or if there are more options to go big. Ideally they should have these things itemized so you can plan your budget accordingly – even simple uplighting can go a long way!
12. How do you ensure a comfortable sound level for all the guests?
Let’s be real: What your 18-year-old nephew thinks is the perfect volume is way different from what your 80-year-old grandpa can handle.
If you have a dance-off happening, you’re not going want those who aren’t participating to have to shout like they’re at a nightclub. You want to have a plan for dealing with volume control and sound-sensitive guests.
The real solution for this is having a sound expert to consult with (which is exactly what we do here at Limitless Lights and Sound). There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to sound systems, yet tons of DJ’s use the same system for every venue.
Silent Disco is also a cool option for this! It’s where everybody uses wireless headphones (we provide this service as well.)
13. Who will be doing the sound and lighting setup?
On the day of the wedding, somebody will need to come set up sound and lights – you’re going to need to have a method of contact for this person & make sure the venue is prepared for their load in.
14. How long will your setup take?
You’ll need to be sure to make reservations with the venue in time for the band to set up all of their equipment. If you’re doing a massive production – this can some take hours to set up. If it’s a humble wedding with a DJ, it could be a quick and easy load in.
15. What’s your backup plan if there’s an equipment malfunction / sound issues?
Any professional DJ or bands will be prepared for an unexpected event—for instance, an speaker that blows out. Either way, you should know what the backup plan is. If the backup equipment isn’t in the band’s van or DJ’s car, or their warehouse isn’t nearby with an available driver to make a delivery, you’ll have have some awkward silence at your wedding.
16. Can we see photos of your previous setups?
Just because a DJ has been in the business for a long time, doesn’t mean their setup is clean. The last thing you want at an upscale wedding is for a DJ to show up with beaten and battered gear – it will hurt the ambiance. Make sure what they plan to bring is clean and fresh – and make sure in those photos that their wiring is tidy.
Logistical Questions
By now, you should have a good idea of whether they are a good fit or not for your wedding, as well as their level of professionalism. These final details are for once you’ve already decided to move forward with a DJ or Wedding band, and need to lock things in. And if they couldn’t answer your questions, chances are you need to keep searching.
17. What’s your typical dress attire?
Bands & DJ’s should have professional attire – no doubt. The best of the best may even give you different attire options to choose from, but at bare minimum outfits should be coordinated and discussed!
18. Can you act as the Master of Ceremonies / MC?
It’s not always that the Singer or DJ will be the one introduce the speech givers, announce the dances, or tell people when the meal is served! It can sometimes be the best man, the maid of honor, or even a dedicated MC. Be sure to talk about this!
19. Do you have another gig before or after our wedding?
If they have another wedding before, find out what will happen if the other event runs overtime. And if they don’t have anything after, ask what the overtime fees are if the party is still poppin’ past the end of the time on your contract!
20. Do you have a reliable replacement?
If a key member of your entertainment team comes down gets sick on the morning of your wedding, they should have a reliable replacement you can count on.
21. Are you covered with liability insurance?
You need to be sure that you, your guests and venue are covered in case of an accident. A Pro will offer to show you their certificate & always be covered.
22. What’s your cancellation / rescheduling policy? What if we need to cut budget?
If you need change your date or change your mind on your entertainment (it happens), what are the repercussions? Is your deposit refundable? Are we able to make budget cuts?
23. Do you (and each band member, if you’re booking a band) require a meal?
Find out if you need to cater to your band or DJ! They need to eat, especially if they’re playing extended sets. Also check on any Dietary restrictions and take care of them accordingly.
24. What kind of space or stage do you require for the DJ or band? If my venue doesn’t provide what you need, will you make arrangements for the stage or am I responsible for renting it?
The last thing you want to do is stick a 15 piece band on a 10×10 stage. That’s less than one square foot per person! Keep in mind all of their instruments as well – and maybe even advance a stage plot to the venue manager to see if things are going to run smoothly.
25. How far in advance do I need to book you for my wedding?
LOCK THOSE SERVICES IN!!! Don’t spend all your time finding the perfect act only to have them booked out from under you. Wedding Entertainment services are in high demand.
Optional Questions
These are some more detail oriented questions you can ask if you’re really trying to get down to the nitty gritty of it.
26. How do you motivate a bunch of wallflowers to dance?
Some DJ’s are hot on the Mic, and will verbally encourage guests to jump on the dance floor – while others will just choose the best hits to get people out of their seats. Find somebody that will do what you like. If you’re looking for a more passive DJ, the last thing you want is somebody extremely verbal.
27. What is your policy on alcohol or smoking during the wedding?
If one of my employees smelled like cigarettes badly, or if they’re caught drinking on the job I’d fire them on the spot! But not everybody is the same as we are – in fact a lot of DJ’s like to loosen up with a couple drinks on the night of the Wedding. It’s up to you what you’re comfortable with – but be sure to clarify!
28. What sets you apart from your competition?
This is a great way to gauge their confidence and get a great feel for who they are!
29. Do you set up a sign or banner with your equipment?
Yeah… That’s a tacky thing for a DJ to do in my opinion. It might be good to check. If you want a minimal and elegant look – the last thing you’re going to want is an advertisement in your attendees face.
30. Does the DJ network with other vendors? (photographers, musicians, officiates, etc).
This one can definitely come in clutch. Here are Limitless we have extensive resources for anything you can need when it comes to other Vendors, all the way to custom design. Be sure to ask about all the options!
Limitless Lights and Sound is a full scale production company specializing in DJ Services, Wedding Bands, Concert Lighting, Event Lighting, Professional Audio, and more. If you’re interested in booking our services click below for more information.
