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When planning a wedding, few couples truly understand the enormous impact that choosing a DJ will have on their wedding night. Underestimating the significance of the DJ at your wedding reception is like underestimating the importance of the pilot on a trip across the Atlantic. The DJ you choose for your wedding reception will, absolutely, make or break your wedding night. The problem, though, is that most couples have no experience whatsoever in hiring a professional DJ. They don't have the experience to know what questions to ask or even what responsibilities a professional DJ should have. Without this knowledge, it's hard to know what the differences are between a good wedding DJ and a bad one. This report is designed to help educate you on the particulars of hiring the right DJ for your wedding reception. You will learn what questions to ask, what to look for and what to avoid when searching for a wedding DJ.

True Stories from Real-life Brides & Grooms

First off, let's hear from a few couples who picked their DJs without having the knowledge contained in this report. These are true DJ horror stories from Detroit-area newlyweds.

• Jennifer, a newlywed from Sterling Heights tells her story. "The first thing my DJ said to me when I walked into Barrister Gardens was ‘Congratulations Julie!'. That was just the beginning. He referred to me as Julie twice more, including in our introductions! I was so embarrassed, and so were my guests."
• Rachel and Matt had their wedding reception at Laurel Manor in Livonia last May. They thought they hired a DJ that would follow their directions. What they got was disappointment. "We specifically told our DJ not to play the Hokey Pokey and the Chicken Dance. Fifteen minutes after dancing began he played both, back to back!
• Danielle and Mike recall a similar experience at their wedding reception at St. Johns in Plymouth, "We gave our DJ a list of our favorite songs that we wanted played during our party and he didn't play one. We asked him repeatedly to play them and he refused until my bride was practically in tears."
• At least Danielle and Mike had a DJ with sound equipment that worked. Dave and Jill weren't so lucky during their reception at Mac n Ray's in Harrison Township. "We were dancing like maniacs, when all of sudden, silence. Our DJ lost power to his speakers for some reason and our party was pretty much over. It ruined our entire night."

The stories continue:

• "We gave our DJ a $250.00 deposit over a year before our wedding," says Robin who after a long engagement to Dan had their wedding reception at the Pine Knob Mansion. "About a month before our wedding we called the number on the contract and it was disconnected! It was so stressful trying to find a DJ a month before our wedding. We still don't know what happened to him, or our deposit."
• Sherri and Jim had a DJ that showed up to their wedding reception at Vladimir's in Farmington Hills, in jeans! "I couldn't believe this guy thought that black jeans and tie were appropriate," exclaimed Sherri's mother. "We paid him almost a thousand dollars and he shows up like that? Unbelievable!"
• Amy and Andrew's DJ was dressed appropriately for their reception at the Holiday Inn Southgate Heritage Center. However, they had a different problem. Andrew tells it best, "Our DJ was late. He was carrying his speakers and lights and stuff right past our receiving line! He looked completely disorganized and flustered. We didn't even have any music until just before dinner"
• Denise and Randy also had a disorganized DJ at their reception at Baker's of Milford. "Our DJ was a nice guy, but I don't think he had any idea what he was doing," explains Denise. "He didn't introduce our bridal party correctly, he forgot to announce the cake being cut, and it took us forever to start dancing after dinner. When we finally did our bridal dance, the DJ did it so abruptly that our photographer was still in the lobby taking pictures of our parents. Not only did the photographer miss the dance, so did our parents! It was a total disaster."

Unfortunately, there are as many DJ horror stories as there are DJs to choose from, a couple more:

• Kathleen and Brian tried to save money by hiring a less-expensive DJ. They got what they paid for during their reception at Sycamore Hills in Macomb. Kathleen remembers, "Our DJ didn't even come prepared with any of the songs we discussed, not even the song Brian and I were going to dance to for our bridal dance! We ended up dancing to some song we never even heard of."
• Recently, at a reception at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, a similar thing happened during Jackie and Don's wedding. "Our DJ played rap all night, which we can't stand. I looked through his CDs to try to find something else and all he had was rap. Most of my guests left before 10pm."

This is the most amazing story of all. Remember, these are all true stories!

• "I think our DJ started to drink during dinner," recall Martin and Holly, who had their reception at Penna's by Lakeside Mall. "By the time he was supposed to introduce the bridal dances he was slurring his words. Around 10:30pm he began to get belligerent with some of the guests. Then, near the end of the night, he passed out in the bathroom after peeing in his pants! It was a total nightmare."

Your wedding doesn't have to be a disaster. You CAN find quality entertainment and have the night of your dreams...IF you know what to look for.

The Many Responsibilities of a Professional DJ

Music

It is important to first understand what responsibilities a professional DJ should have on your wedding day. The foremost responsibility, as you might imagine, is to play music at your reception that will keep the party going. However, there is more to this than you might expect. In fact, the most common mistake couples make when choosing a DJ is to overestimate the ease of playing music that keeps a crowd on the dance floor. For this reason, many couples will opt to have a friend or coworker DJ their wedding reception rather than hire a professional. In reality though, nowhere is the difference between a professional DJ and an amateur more apparent than on the dance floor. As we will see, just because someone has DJ equipment does not mean that they know what they are doing.

Many amateur DJs will tout at least some experience playing music in clubs or at house parties. However, playing music at a club is absolutely nothing like playing music at a wedding reception. At a club, most people are around the same age and have similar tastes in music. That's why they're there! This leads the inexperienced DJ to assume that everyone likes the same kind of music as they do. At a wedding, however, there may be people from ages 8 to 80 on the dance floor at any one time and the differences in their musical tastes will be vast.

Only experience will teach a wedding DJ the need for variety. Their job is to appeal to the masses by playing all styles of familiar party music. An experienced wedding DJ will understand that everyone is passionate about ‘"their style" of music and know how to tap into that passion and present it in a manner that everyone on the dance floor can get excited about together. They will know how to correctly weave in and out of many different styles of music and, ultimately, keep the party going all night long.

DJs with little or no wedding experience, on the other hand, may not even consider the diversity on the dance floor. When people don't respond to their music selections they may get frustrated and simply blame the "lame crowd" rather than digging in and working the music to find something that works for everyone. Remember, a professional has a sense of pride to keep people on the dance floor, whereas amateurs believe people should be on the dance floor out of an obligation to them! This is why the experience of your DJ is paramount to the success of your wedding night.

It is also important to make sure that your DJ has a large selection of song titles, 12,000 is usually a good place to start. Without an adequate selection of music, it is difficult to satisfy a large variety of age groups and musical interests. In addition to just owning the music, a DJ should have extensive knowledge of the music as well; this includes everything from popular fox trots and waltzes to the latest club hits. Furthermore, be sure that your DJ will play the songs you want hear, not just the songs they want to hear. Many frustrated newlyweds have spent their wedding night listening to their DJs favorite tunes! And lastly, be wary of the DJ whose presentation is obnoxious or cheesy. You don't want a DJ who thinks that he or she is the star of the show.

Coordinating the Event

While playing music is the most obvious responsibility of a wedding DJ, it is certainly not the only one. Many couples don't realize that one of the biggest responsibilities of the wedding DJ is to coordinate the evening's events. This is the job that will make the single biggest difference between your guests remembering a wedding that was smooth and effortless or one that was awkward and clumsy.

As couples soon discover as they plan their wedding, there are many different people who must contribute to the success of their wedding day. These include the bridesmaids, the groomsmen, the hall manager, the videographer, the photographer, the church personnel and more! In addition to the people, there are also events that need be coordinated, such as the cake cutting ceremony, toasts, grace, introductions, bouquet toss, the bridal dance and more. A professional DJ will be able to walk the bride and groom through the evening's events with ease and grace by working with all the parties involved to ensure things run smooth and as planned. Be wary of amateurs without experience! You will put a lot of work into planning your wedding. A DJ without experience can easily become overwhelmed at this enormous responsibility and may forget important events, causing stress, chaos, confusion and disappointment.

In short, a DJ needs to be organized, perceptive and efficient to properly orchestrate the evening's events. Some things your DJ should be watching for to ensure the night runs smoothly include: Checking with the hall to make sure that dinner is actually ready to be served before asking people to sit down; letting the photographer know what's coming up next so they aren't outside smoking a cigarette or in the restroom while the cake is being cut or the bridal dance starts; making sure that the champagne is served before handing the microphone to best man for his toast; or checking for utensils on the cake table so when you go to cut the cake, you have something to cut it with! A good wedding DJ is detailed oriented and will keep an eye out for things that are missing or out of place. These little things certainly won't ruin your wedding night, but added up; they will surely cause anxiety for you, as well as your guests.

An organized wedding reception starts with a DJ who cares, and who takes pride in being prepared. A good DJ should begin preparation for your wedding reception many days in advance. It is extremely important for a bride and groom to be given the chance to convey to the DJ what they want their wedding reception to be like. Couples will hear many different opinions about what their reception should be like, and a good wedding DJ will go over every aspect of the wedding reception with the bride and groom to fully understand what they expect.

Watch out for unscrupulous DJ companies who will send out DJs who have never even talked to the bride and groom. And be equally cautious of amateurs who will only do things their way - the only way they know how. In addition, be sure your DJ will arrive at the wedding hall at least an hour and a half before the wedding. A good DJ will have everything set up - music playing, tuxedo on, excess gear put away, cords neatly taped down, etc. - before guests begin arriving. You don't want your DJ setting up gear while your guests are arriving for cocktails.

Master of Ceremonies

You don't need an overbearing DJ...you may be getting overbearing in-laws soon enough!

Finally, a professional wedding DJ should be a well-trained Master of Ceremonies. This means being confident on the microphone and able to make important announcements and introductions in a classy, charismatic manner. Professionals will spend time preparing their announcements and have pride in their ability to pronounce everyone's name correctly. Nowhere will lack of experience be more obvious than in a Master of Ceremonies. Unprofessional announcements, mispronounced names and titles, and inappropriate remarks are just a few of the ways an MC might show their inexperience. Nothing makes a crowd more uncomfortable than to sit in front of someone who is nervous and stuttering on the microphone. Often times, a DJ may try to hide this nervousness by turning into a cheesy "party motivator", annoying guests and embarrassing the bride and groom. A professional clearly understands their boundaries and will never try to upstage the bride and groom by putting undue attention on themselves.

The Differences between Professionals and Amateurs

Equipment

Even if you are able to find a DJ who is competent enough to handle the primary responsibilities - keeping the dance floor filled, effectively coordinating events, and being a well-trained Master of Ceremonies - there are still several other factors to consider before knowing whether or not they are right for the job. For instance, be sure your DJ invests in professional sound equipment. Professional equipment provides superb-quality sound resulting in crystal-clear announcements that everyone can understand, as well as allowing comfortable music volumes and displaying a classy appearance. DJs that use old and ragged gear may instead use novelty items, such as bubbles and smoke, in order to hide the fact that their gear is inappropriate for the occasion. Also beware of DJ's that offer to bring an entire production to your wedding reception. Too many lights, lasers and other toys are simply a distraction and often "dress down" an otherwise beautifully decorated room. It is also critical that your DJ brings backup equipment to your reception in the event of a malfunction. Nothing stops a party faster than a burned out amplifier or blown speakers!

The Right Attitude

You should make it a point to look for a DJ that is willing to partner with you in the success of your wedding. It is very important that your DJ's motto be "the customer is always right" and that they stand by this motto. A good DJ will always have your best interests in mind and not make decisions based on what is easiest or most convenient for them. They should understand that they are working for you, and follow your directions to the tee. Many amateurs consider themselves to be "self-employed" and, therefore, don't like to be told what to do.

Your wedding will be one of the most spectacular days of your life. Your DJ should feel honored to be a part of such a special event and not see it as "just another gig". They should feel a deep sense of responsibility toward you and respect the importance of the occasion. Likewise, they should take as much pride in their appearance as anyone in the wedding party - by wearing a nice tuxedo, with a freshly pressed shirt and shined shoes. It is not uncommon for newlyweds to walk into their wedding reception and find their DJ wearing a really bad suit or, even worse, jeans.

The Right Personality

It is extremely important to find a DJ that fits the style of your wedding. You don't want a DJ that is too overbearing and obnoxious, and believes that that your wedding reception is his "show". Consequently, you don't want a DJ who looks bored or disinterested, either. Beware of company's that ask you to choose the "energy level" of your DJ. Most couples don't want a high energy DJ as much as they want a high energy feeling in the room. A great DJ will know how to create this feeling without coming on too strong or by acting cheesy or unprofessional. A pro will be charismatic when making important announcements and introductions and will be able to properly gauge when and when not to talk on the mic.

The Right Company

It is also important to find a DJ company that has a full-time staff available so you can talk to someone when you need to. It's a bad sign when a DJ company doesn't answer the phone or, worse, doesn't call you back right away. Imagine what they'll be like after they get your deposit! In addition, when hiring a DJ from a professional DJ company, be sure that you will be getting the DJ you are promised and that you know how much experience they have. Your wedding night should not be on-the-job training for beginners. As a rule of thumb, look for a DJ with a minimum of 3-5 years experience or 100 weddings under their belt.

Friends Do NOT Hire Friends to DJ their Wedding!!

Some of the worst wedding disasters are because of bride's who hire "a friend" to DJ their wedding. Just because a friend might have some equipment and a great CD collection doesn't mean he can successfully DJ a wedding. That is the equivalent to thinking that just because a friend has a nice camera they can be a wedding photographer, or because they are a great cook they can bake the wedding cake. Unless the "friend" is a professional wedding DJ with years of specialized training, an emergency back up plan and at least 100 references, invite them TO the wedding, NOT to DJ the wedding!

Back Up Plans

Lastly, and most importantly, be certain that your DJ has a back-up plan, including equipment and contingencies for an emergency in case the DJ can't be there. They should have back-up sound gear
on-site in the event of an equipment malfunction, as well as having a DJ on-call in case of emergencies or unforeseen events. A DJ may not be able to make it to your wedding through no fault of their own, such as an accident or medical emergency. Hobbyists or inexperienced DJs will have no back-up plan, feeling confident that they can "wing-it" in case of an emergency. Don't accept the idea that a DJ has some "friends" he can call in a pinch. A professional company will have a well thought out emergency plan and have paid DJ's on-call and ready to go. Remember, the worst possible thing that can happen is for your DJ not to show up or have their equipment fail during your reception. DO NOT EVEN CONSIDER A DJ THAT DOESN'T HAVE AN ABSOLUTE FOOL PROOF BACK-UP PLAN.

How much should you pay for a Great DJ?

How much should you spend on a professional wedding DJ? Well, let's put it this way....the bad ones are a dime a dozen!

It couldn't be more true that, "you get what you pay for" when it comes to hiring a professional DJ. In reality, the difference in actual price between a bargain DJ and a professional DJ is relatively small compared to the overall cost of planning a wedding. Couples will think nothing of spending $40 to $70 per person for food and drinks, and then turn around and bargain-hunt for the cheapest entertainment that they can find, often spending less than 5% of the total cost of the wedding on entertainment. Your guests are likely to remember only one thing about your wedding when they leave: Did they have a good time?

Investing 8-10% of your wedding budget on your DJ is actually a great value, considering that he accounts for 80% of the responsibility of a successful wedding reception. Bear in mind that the average cost of a vegetable tray for appetizers is $700-$800! Ask any bride and groom and they will tell you that the entertainment value of your wedding reception is worth far more than a vegetable tray. When deciding how much you can afford for entertainment, first think about how much you can afford to lose if your entertainment is poor or mediocre. Look for professionals and expect to pay them what they're worth. A great DJ that is able to handle all the responsibilities discussed in this report will undoubtedly cost more than one who cannot live up to these strenuous expectations.

The Pricing "Game"

Pricing professional DJs can be a tricky thing. A lot of DJs will take advantage of the fact that couples have little or no experience in shopping for a professional DJ. Therefore, they will create a number of confusing packages for you to choose from, knowing full-well that you will have a difficult time distinguishing between them. They do this by charging extra for the tools that should be basic for a successful evening, things like proper equipment, lights, travel expenses, etc. A reputable DJ company will understand and sympathize with your lack of experience in hiring their services. A good DJ company will make it easy for you to understand exactly what you are going to get, for how much, and for how long.
The ideal company will offer one, all inclusive package!

It is also important to understand how professional DJs set their rates. DJs work on supply and demand, much like a vacation spot or travel activity. They set their prices based on availability. Expect to pay the most during the busy wedding season of May through October, as well as for Saturdays, the busiest wedding day of the week. In contrast, the period of November through April is a slower time of year for weddings and Fridays and Sundays are the slowest days of the week. Having a wedding during the slow months or on the less-used days of the week can save you money in almost every area of your wedding, not just on the entertainment.

So, how much?

If your DJ costs less than your vegetable tray, then you've got a problem!

In the Metro Detroit area, expect to pay anywhere from $900 to $1700 for a professional DJ who you can have confidence in to make your wedding a complete success. The price may be less during the "off" season. The actual price will depend on several factors, including day and date of the wedding, duration of event, equipment needs, etc. Again, it is best to find a company that offers one, all-inclusive package.

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!

Is it worth it?

Consider how much it would cost you to:

• Rent $10,000 of sound & lighting gear? ($500)
• Hire someone to deliver it, set it up, and then tear it down at the end of the evening? ($250)
• Download and / or buy just the bare minimum of the music you would need including cocktail, dinner & dance music ($200)
• Hire a professional Master of Ceremonies? (Professional speaking is one of the highest paid professions in the world...a minimum of $400)
• Hire a professional disc jockey to just play & mix the music? ($200)
• Hire a wedding consultant to coordinate the evening's events? ($350)
• Hire "on-call" backup services in case of emergencies? ($200)

That totals over $2100.00!

How much is your wedding reception worth to you? The difference between a "bargain DJ" and a professional wedding DJ that stands by his word is relatively small. Too many newlyweds wished they had spent a few extra dollars on their DJ when at 10:00pm on their wedding night two-thirds of their guests have already left.

Promises, Promises, Promises!

The last thing you need to know about hiring a professional DJ is how to make sure they are who they say they are and can deliver what they say they can. A money-back guarantee is the best sign that the company you've hired will be able to deliver what they say they can. No one wants to work for free, no matter how much they enjoy their work.

The second-best way to determine the reputability of your DJ is to call references. Some DJs will have a list of references that they will gladly give you to call. However, these will either be hand-picked couples or, worse, people who've never actually hired the DJ. A professional DJ is booked almost every weekend during the busy season, so ask the DJ for the phone number of a couple from a random date to call for a reference. Any company that balks at this is most likely hiding something. A good DJ will feel confident that every wedding they've done was of the highest quality.

Stay away from DJs who will allow you to check up on them at someone else's wedding. First off, it is VERY unprofessional to invite strangers to a private reception. Secondly, if a DJ is willing to be distracted at someone else's wedding to talk to you; he will also indulge in this unprofessional manner at your wedding reception. Plus, you will never get a complete picture of the DJ's abilities by spending a few minutes standing in the corner at a stranger's wedding. It is what you DON'T see that will hurt you, such as, if was he on time, if he was prepared and organized, if he pronounced everyone's name correctly, etc. More than one of the brides from the stories above watched their DJ at a stranger's wedding and later regretted it by saying, "I went and saw him and he looked like he was doing fine." This type of "preview" can only give a false sense of security about your DJ's abilities.

Getting What You Want

To help you in finding the right DJ for your wedding, here is a list of questions you should ask to ensure you are dealing with a professional who can get the job done right.

Questions to Ask when interviewing a DJ (and the right answers!)

• How long have you been in business? ( At LEAST 7 years! )
• How many DJs do you employ? ( Make sure there is enough to guarantee a DJ is on-call.)
• How many weddings has my DJ performed at? ( Minimum of 100. )
  
• Will the DJ also be my Master of Ceremonies? ( Yes. )
• Does the DJ work with the photographers and hall managers? ( Yes. )
• Are we allowed to submit our own music list and will you play it? ( Yes, Yes, Yes.)
• What attire will you wear to the wedding? ( A tuxedo. )
• How big is your music collection? (At least 20,000 songs. )
• What type of sound system do you use? How old is it? (Newer, professional-grade gear. )
• Is there someone to replace the DJ in case of emergency? ( Yes. He will be prepared and standing by. )
• Will you bring back-up gear to the reception hall? ( Absolutely. )
• How long in advance does the DJ arrive to the reception hall? ( a minimum of 1 ½ hours. )
• Are you insured? (Do not hire a company that doesn't have at least $1,000,000 of coverage.)
• Will we receive a personal consultation with our DJ prior to the wedding date ? ( Yes. )
• Can I have the number for the wedding you did on xx/xx/xxxx date? I'd like to call them for a reference. ( No problem. )
• Do you require a security deposit? How much? ( Usually about one third of the contracted price.)
• Do you accept major credit cards? ( Yes. This signals a professional & reputable company. )
• How much do you cost? ( Stay away from "bargain" DJ's!)
  • How many hours does that include? (As many as you need.)
  • How much for each additional hour?
  • Does that include all the gear, such as lights and equipment? (Everything is included.)
• Will the DJ require a meal? ( It's usually standard to feed the DJ and photographers.)

Do you offer a 100% money-back guarantee? (Do NOT hire a DJ without one!)

With the exception of WHO you marry, there are very few decisions that you will make while planning your wedding that can influence the success of your day more than your entertainment decision. Choose carefully and choose a company that you can trust.

A DJ company you can trust and get excited about

Mike Staff Productions is a different kind of DJ Company. Founded in 1986 by popular 101 WRIF air personality Mike Staff, this company is built on a foundation of quality, experience and unsurpassed client satisfaction.

Mike Staff Productions is Michigan's most respected DJ service and is referred by dozens of banquet facilities, wedding professionals and most of all, thousands of past clients. Mike Staff's "Money Back Guarantee" is unprecedented in the industry, proving that there is no substitute for quality and integrity. "I refuse to accept payment from a client who doesn't feel as if we exceeded their expectations", says Mike. "First and foremost, we take care of the client. Everything else will fall into place naturally".

Mike Staff personally handpicks every one of his DJ's. Experience is the first criteria in which DJ's are selected. No beginners here! Mike looks for a minimum of 3-5 years of experience, with a strong emphasis on wedding receptions. "The experience that is needed to successfully execute a wedding reception is much different from the experience one might get in a nightclub or even on the radio", says Mike. "I only want DJ's that can gracefully and professionally coordinate the evening's events, so the bride and groom can relax and have a great time".

Experience is also paramount to keeping a party going. It takes time to learn how to correctly read a dance floor and play just the right song at just the right time. Their DJ's are well versed and extremely knowledgeable in all styles of music, from the classic crooners to the latest pop stars, and everything in between.

The next thing Mike looks for in a DJ is the right attitude and demeanor. Their DJ's clearly understand who the boss is...YOU! Everything needs to be done to your specifications. Their DJ's are professional and pride themselves in presenting a classy, fun night to your guests.

Mike Staff Productions takes the responsibility of earning your trust seriously. That is why they have taken extreme measures to shelter you against unforeseen events that could jeopardize your important day. Their DJ's always carry a full back up system in case of equipment malfunctions. Additionally, every weekend they pay DJ's to be "on-call" in the event of an emergency that would prevent your DJ from being to your party on time. Thankfully, in over 20 years of business they have never called on their back-up DJ, however, Mike believes it's in your best interest to have a back up plan in place before it's needed! No other DJ company has taken these steps to insulate you from worry. You can trust Mike Staff Productions.

There are many other things that distinguish Mike Staff Productions from other DJ's. Such as reasonable all-inclusive pricing, full time wedding consultants available to help you plan your night, a huge music library with over 78,000 songs, a beautiful light show and more.