11 Signs of a Reputable DJ

You wouldn’t hire just anyone to cater your party or photograph your wedding. At best, you want to be personally familiar with their work or know another who is. At a minimum, you would ask for customer references.

Knowing that your entertainment choice will impact your entire wedding reception, it’s even more important to hire a company with a proven track record. Since your DJ is responsible for providing the fun, you need to hire a company you can trust.

As you begin your search for a reputable and experienced wedding DJ, use the following 11-point checklist to help you make your decision:

1. Hire a DJ from a full-time company with a full-time staff. Professional companies will answer the phone when you call and will be there to guide you through the planning process.
2. Office Location. Hire a company that has a physical office location. There are a lot of "basement DJs" that are "here today and gone tomorrow" (often with your deposit in hand!). The Better Business Bureau suggests that you should only hire companies with a physical office presence. That's good advice.
3. Hundreds of brides recommend the company’s services. Can the company show you written evidence of happy clients? Has the company won any awards? Ask to speak with past clients and then actually call them!
4. Wedding industry professionals refer the company. Wedding professionals regularly see DJs in action and they know who the best company's are. Ask them who they would endorse.
5. Hire an established company with a successful track record. Find out how long the company has been in business. Most new companies fold in the first two years. A DJ should have a minimum of three to five years of wedding experience. Check to see if his company has a professional website with meaningful content that is intended to educate visitors about their services. Also, make sure the company hold any necessary business licenses, is fully insured and offers a written contract.
6. They aren't desperate for business. Signs of desperation include using high- pressure sales tactics, “trash talking” other DJ companies or dropping prices on a whim. Great DJs are overbooked and prefer to work with clients who want to work with them. They will answer all of your questions, trust you to make up your own mind and respect your decision.
7. They talk about their talent, not their gear. If a DJ is showering you with information about his exceptional sound system and fabulous lighting, he’s missing the point. A DJ’s job is to service his client. He’s has experience reading the crowd and spinning songs that make guests dance, and is skilled at coordinating the night's events. He has a caring attitude -- evidenced by the amount of time he spends asking you questions, not talking about his high-tech gadgetry.
8. Back-up DJs and equipment. A conscientious DJ service is prepared for life’s curveballs. People fall ill and equipment breaks down. The savvy company will provide a plan for such contingencies in its contract with you. Stand-by equipment will be tested and ready to go at the site, not packed in the van; and on-call DJs will be ready to go in a flash.
9. You get what you pay for. The cheapest DJ will almost ALWAYS be the worst, but the most expensive isn't always the best. Price is important, but you should be more concerned with getting a lot for your money, rather than getting the cheapest you can find. Many couples spend thousands of dollars on hall rental, décor and meals and fail to budget properly for the most important element…FUN! (or how their guests will be entertained). Hiring a DJ with budget leftovers will usually result in a crummy DJ, a boring party and a premature ending -- because people will leave. Prioritize your wedding entertainment….because your guests will!
10. They accept major credit cards. A professional DJ service will offer the convenience of a variety of payment methods, including the ability to accept major credit cards. Doing so shows the company is serious about its business and is willing to accept some recovery risk.
11. They offer a money back guarantee. Most importantly, only consider a company that will stand behind its promises by offering a money-back guarantee. DJs can talk a great game - that's what they do - a professional that you can trust will be able to back up his word and shouldn't feel apprehensive about doing so. Do not hire a DJ company that does not offer a money back guarantee!