WEDDING MUSIC 101:

FIND THE PERFECT WEDDING TUNES

A wedding DJ/MC does a lot more than just play music at your reception. They are in charge of a number of crucial components of your ceremony and reception. They'll play your ceremony music, announce your grand entrance (woohoo! ), keep track of your timetable, and offer sound for your ceremony and rehearsal. All of this is before the dancing begins! This insider's guide to wedding entertainment will show you how to determine your wedding entertainment needs, select a band or DJ, and, most importantly, pick the greatest DJ/entertainer for your event!

7 CRITICAL QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR WEDDING DJ

We're sure you recall such events or parties where the DJ played whatever you wanted to hear and everyone danced till they couldn't any longer! You, too, can have a night like this with the appropriate wedding band or DJ. So, when you ask about their announcing style, check for key characteristics like smiling and being happy, being energetic, being open to your type of music, and having an overall positive demeanor.

1. Will You Be The DJ At Our Wedding? — You need to know if the person you’re communicating with is going to be the one entertaining your guests, or if they're just the coordinator.
2. How Do You Define Your ‘Style’ When Making Announcements? — The best announcements are correct and entertaining yet smooth and seamless. Remember, this is about you, so you can choose someone that reflects your style. Want an MC that's full of humor? Go for it! Someone more polished and classic? Awesome.
3. Do You Include Visual Effects? — Some bands or DJs bring equipment to help create a party atmosphere like disco balls, strobe lights, etc. This is an important question to ask if you’re looking to create a more personalized set or additional upgrade to your wedding décor.
4. Are You Familiar with the Reception Space And Its Acoustics, Power & Amplification Requirements? If Not, Will You Check It Out Beforehand? — If you’re not working with a Wedgewood Weddings preferred vendor for your venue, it’s vital that your DJ or band checks out the acoustics of your reception area, so the sound is crystal clear for every guest!
5. What Do You Typically Wear? — Most DJ professionals go for clean attire, proper shoes, a collared shirt, and dress pants. All-black shirts and dress pants are standard. A string quartet usually dresses more formally, while a rock band might have a totally different style. There's no right or wrong here, but feel free to take charge and tell your musical vendors what type of attire you'd prefer.
6. Are You Open to Playing Songs That Are Special To Us? For example, Traditional Religious Music, Explicit Lyrics, or Music That Isn’t Mainstream? — This is one of those things you can’t assume. Confirm they have everything you want to hear. Create a list of all the songs you MUST hear so they can prepare. Then, after you book, you can determine when you’d like these specific songs played, and how the wedding DJ or band can accommodate.
7. Is There A Standard Set Duration? — Find out how many hours your band or DJ plans to perform during their services, that way everyone is on the same page. This will help you plan your timeline as well. Ask if they can extend their set, if they’ll require breaks, and if they can guarantee to stop before a noise ordinance kicks in. They’ll want to know your event schedule and confirm your music needs for the reception and ceremony. Later, once the time of service is confirmed, you’ll know how long you can boogie with Aunt Jane and Uncle Joe!