How to find a DJ for your wedding

Introduction

Planning a wedding comes with a flurry of choices—but few things will impact the mood of your wedding like hiring a DJ. When you welcome wedding guests for the first time to share your first dance and when you play your last song, there is a potential for unlimited fun. The right DJ will help you maximize all of those moments. That’s why it’s important to find a DJ that knows, fits, and understands your style and vibe. And that DJ needs to be a consummate professional that shows energy, finesse, and flawless execution.

Read on to check out the way too simple steps to take to ensure that you’ll find a DJ without the stress. We want your wedding music to be one to brag about.

When to Hire a Wedding DJ: Timing Is Everything

When you’re planning a wedding, it’s easy to obsess about dresses, décor, and dinner menus—but don’t overlook one of the biggest mood-setters of your day: the music! Knowing when to look for a wedding DJ can be the difference between a last-minute frenzied rush for a DJ, and a smooth celebration filled with celebration, groove, and lasting memories. Below are five key moments when it’s the right time to find a DJ for your wedding:

After Setting Your Wedding Date

As soon as your wedding date is set, you should start to find a DJ for your wedding. Professional DJs often book months (sometimes even a year!) in advance, especially during busy wedding months. If you’re seeking a great wedding reception DJ or a great Marry Me DJ, now is the time to look. Waiting too long may mean that you have to settle for someone who doesn’t align with your vision or values.

For Ceremony & Reception Coverage

Many couples think a DJ is just a party DJ, but a good wedding DJ can provide seamless sound for your ceremony and reception. Especially when it comes to walking down the aisle with your ideal DJ songs or entering your reception with a fun, well-timed anthem, having one DJ throughout the day can keep everything coordinated. Plus, a DJ knows how to bring the correct DJ audio equipment for every part of your day.

To Create a Fun Vibe

You don’t want your guests staring at their phones during your reception. The right DJ music will get everyone pumped up and encourage your guests to dance so you can keep the party going. When you hire a wedding DJ early in your planning process, your DJ can help you plan your music experience to match the vibe you want to create – ranging from classy cocktail hour tunes, to epic dance floor conga lines. So, go find a DJ so you can create unforgettable memories!

For Custom Music Planning

A professional DJ doesn’t just hit play—they create an experience designed for you. It could be the first dance at wedding DJ, the parent dances, or the grand exit, but you want to have the time to work with your DJ to craft the ultimate DJ playlist. Once you find a DJ and book them early, it allows you time to collaborate on how to insert the must play songs not he play list and craft a wedding DJ checklist to tell your unique story.

To Avoid Tech Stress

Sound systems, microphones, and lighting—there’s more technology to a wedding than you can imagine. An experienced DJ provides everything, including back up DJ equipment, high-end speakers, and professional grade wireless microphones. You want to find a DJ in advance so you’re not scrambling to find the most qualified DJ service provider or overpaying for last-minute rentals. Leave the audio gear to a professional DJ, so they can transport and set everything up to make your memorable moments happen.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Wedding DJ?

When you start to find a DJ for your wedding, understanding the cost associated with hiring a great DJ is a key component to ensure you make the best decision. From my experience as a wedding dj in Portland, on average, wedding dj costs start at about $1,500 USD, with the total average cost of wedding DJ dependent on what level of service you want and what type of DJ technology you are paying for, as well as how many hours needed and if your DJ will add things like lighting or ceremony coverage.

Finding a DJ service for your wedding will depend on whether you are booking a reception DJ, a full-day DJ service, or a DJ package with custom DJ music and MC hosting service. As you add features to your package the cost will go up, so don’t go into sticker shock. Another way to think of it is, once you find a DJ you are paying for smooth transitions, guest energy, and no tech issues – all things that only a professional DJ that has years of experience can ensure will happen.

Typical DJ Package Breakdown:

• Basic DJ Service – Starting Around $1,500 (ceremony or reception only, using basic or limited equipment, not customizable, no lighting)
• Standard Package – $2,000 to $2,500 (ceremony + reception, some lighting, basic reception MC duties)
• Premium Wedding Experience – $3,000 to $10,000+ (custom playlists, highly knowledgeable MC – encourages and involves guests, DJ equipment plenty for even the largest reception, uplighting for ceremony & reception, custom effects, available for hire different add-on services as required)

How to find a DJ for your wedding

Once you finalize a venue and vibe, it is time to dive into the details of how to find a DJ for your wedding. This is a critical step as the DJ will set the tone for your evening. Let’s dig into what to consider to keep your dance floor full well into the evening.

Social Media Proof / Do your Research

To find a DJ who truly gets your wedding vibe, research their reviews, social channels, and reference letters. A professional DJ with great reviews is likely going to offer a seamless DJ service that includes quality DJ music and professional DJ music equipment. Regardless if you’re looking for a high-energy wedding reception DJ, or a romantic Marry Me DJ moment, nobody can give you a better reflection of your DJ options than research. A little research can really give you an understanding of their style, punctuality, and value. So be sure to invest in the time to find a DJ that checks all the boxes.

Value over Just Price

When trying to find a DJ, don’t only look at price. Some DJ’s may offer cheap pricing but may be missing critical elements such as reliable DJ equipment, seamless transitions, or personalized DJ songs. A more expensive professional DJ generally provides an entire DJ service from consultation to full reception. Think further down the road, as all your guests and the quality of your party is based on your chosen DJ’s ability to read the surroundings and create a vibe.

Samples Speak Louder Than Words

Before you find a DJ for your wedding, always request to listen to their work. An audio sample, a video from a previous wedding, or even a live presentation, can tell you a lot about their DJ music ability. You want to be certain that they understand pacing, energy and emotional connection. Whether it be a perfect entrance for your ceremony, or your anthem on the dance-floor – just listening to them first will ensure the DJ songs match your perfect day.

Match Your Needs First

To find a DJ, you want to have an idea of what your wedding will look like. Do you need coverage of the ceremony, a full reception DJ or both? Do you want interactive MC services or just an elegant background? By knowing what you are looking for, you can find a wedding DJ who has the right DJ equipment, music catalogue and experience. A checklist takes the stress, time and surprises of your wedding!

How to Coordinate With Your DJ after Booking

Now that you have find a DJ to bring your vision together – the next step is collaboration. From timelines to playlists, good communication is essential. So here is how to make sure your DJ is on the same page as the rest of your big day.

Booked Your DJ? Here’s What to Do Next

After you find a DJ, who you feel is the right fit for your celebration, it is important that you communicate with your Reception DJ with as much detail as possible. While discussing the event outline, you should outline the where, when, and ultimately what is happening. Your Reception DJ will create a seamless celebratory flow when they have the most context to work with. A professional DJ will tailor their set, equipment, and energy for your event based on the timeline you’ve provided. Your DJ service, from set up of DJ equipment to the perfect cue for DJ songs for you and your wedding party entrances and exits, will shine best when they have the full picture. It’s always good to start with who, what, where narrative.

Plan the DJ Music That Matches Your Vibe

Don’t just find a DJ; find a music partner. Once you’ve booked your DJ service, begin the music conversation. The best DJ service will take down your requests and offer their own recommendations that match the intended vibe. Do you want the DJ to create a mashup? A throwback set? Maybe something entirely different? Awesome. Tell them what you want and allow the professional DJ to bring in their own flair in terms of transitions and timing. A DJ’s music catalogue is large; however, timing is everything! The DJ songs you will want or choose will set the tone for the night. Whether it’s how the ceremony sounds, or if you want the energy level of the reception to be similar to a club, the constant back and forth will ensure the sound is what you envisioned.

Ensure DJ Syncs with Venue and Vendors

After you find a DJ that ticks all of your boxes, elevate performance by looping them in as part of your vendor team. Amazing weddings take place when the DJ, planner, and photographer are unified as one piece. When your DJ knows what the caterer is doing or when the first toast is scheduled to take place, the DJ can adjust their DJ music and even lighting to align to that moment in the wedding. When they sync early, the timing of the wedding dictates everything that happens afterward with less surprises and more impact. From the initial DJ audio equipment setup, to the live MCing, a DJ can rest assured their job is made 10x easier when they have the support of the other vendors. Communication = Celebration.

Conclusion

There is still one last vendor to consider, after finding the right DJ for your wedding that will elevate your celebration into moments of memories delivering a soundtrack for your perfect celebration. A great DJ knows how read the room, connect with your guests and keep your energy flowing from the ceremony, to the second last dance.

Apogee will make it easy to find a DJ for your wedding that is talented, but also aligned with your vision, Here at Apogee, we ensure our planning is expert, audio equipment is exceptional, and experience is positive, We work to create celebrations and experiences that you feel are unforgettable from the very first beat.

FAQ

1. How early should I book a wedding DJ?

Generally, the best timeframe to hire a wedding DJ is between 9–12 months before your wedding, especially if it’s going to be during a peak season. Wedding DJs are often booked quite early, so it’s a good thing working to secure your date allows more options with DJ services.

2. What should I look for in a wedding DJ?

When trying to find a DJ for your wedding, look for someone who has great reviews, flexible options of DJ music choices for your wedding, professional DJ equipment, diary management to adhere to your wedding timeline, good communication, rapport and ultimately price.

3. How much does a wedding DJ cost?

The average starting rate for a DJ price is $1,500 USD. Rates can increase in price depending on the package offered, hours provided, lighting or specific ceremony coverage so always ensure to ask for a quote based on your wedding needs and compare DJ costs.

4. Do DJs bring their own equipment for weddings?

Most DJs will bring their own DJ’s equipment (audio equipment, speakers, microphones, dj mixer, etc.) along with backup equipment. But always confirm with your DJ what is included with your costs, so you can avoid any additional rentals and the smooth performances on your wedding day.

5. Can my wedding DJ also be the MC?
   

   Absolutely! Lots of couples hire a wedding DJ who is also an MC. This creates excitement, keeps everything with a flow, and ensures important moments such as announcements and toasts have the timing of their correct DJ songs.