I’ve been trading under Melbourne Mobile Music since 1989. I’ve written this to help you in choosing the right DJ for your special wedding day.

Having worked in this industry for many years, I’ve acquired a lot of knowledge and experience, which I will now pass onto you.

Throughout my 19 years in the entertainment industry I’ve had the great pleasure to meet a lot of reception centre owners, winery owners, restaurant owners and function centre managers and they all say the same thing at the end of my functions. “Great music and variety, can you please leave us some of your business cards so we can pass them onto our future clients”.

This is how I get 90% of my bookings and this is how all the stand out DJ’s get their bookings, never underestimate the value of word of mouth. So here are my tips and advice for getting the right DJ for your wedding.

PLAN AHEAD this is my most important tip. I often get booked 9 to 12 months before the big event. As soon as your reception venue is booked, that’s when you should start looking for your DJ. Remember that the DJ will be at your wedding from the start to the conclusion. If you leave it too late and then rely on a large DJ agency you will probably get an inexperienced part time DJ that has been trained by the agency themselves. If this is the case you’ve probably reduced your chance of having a fantastic and successful wedding.
So once again PLAN AHEAD.

Take my advice and ask around at some function centres. They would only keep a list of all the good DJ’s. Also ask them which DJ companies to stay away from. They are in the best position to give you an honest answer. Once you have a list of about 5 DJ’s start calling them. Organize a time to meet the DJ in person before you book. If he/she refuses to meet you it might be time to move onto the next DJ. The right DJ will take out the time to meet you, offer advice and answer all your questions. This also gives you the chance to assess his/her personality.

Make sure your DJ gives you his/her contact details. Mobile and home phone numbers and email address should be enough. It’s important you deal with your DJ directly and not thru an agency whereby the lines of communication often break down.

If your DJ doesn’t return calls or emails after 24 hours how reliable will he/she be on the night?

Check out some bridal websites. Beware of the sites with flashy websites and the ones that don’t have any photos of the actual DJ’s. These sites are often DJ agencies, which sometimes pass on their work to a third party for a commission. They rely on volume not customer satisfaction. You are better off trying to speak to the owner operators. I guarantee you they will do a better job, because it’s their business.

Why do prices vary so much? I’m sure you’ve heard the saying. “Pay somebody peanuts and you get monkeys”. Well unfortunately this applies in the DJ industry. Prices vary depending on experience, type of audio equipment used, the range of music the DJ has, some DJ’s have no public liability insurance and their equipment is not tagged and tested. The very good DJ’s will charge anywhere from $500 to $800. This would include MC work, radio microphone, professional sound system and lights. Remember the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. Go with your instincts not your wallet. They are normally right.

• Are YOU available for my date?
• Will The DJ be properly attired?
• Can the DJ MC?
• Do you provide a written confirmation?
• Does the price include a radio microphone and lights?
• Are you able to meet in person before hand?
• Will the DJ play requests?
• Are you the DJ who will be at the reception?
• Do you set up at least an hour before the function starts?
• Do you have back up equipment?
• Can you explain how you conduct the evening?
• Can we pick some of the music?
• Will the DJ be interactive?

The correct answer to all these questions is yes.

In summary if possible get to know your DJ personally before the wedding. Insist on the use of a pre-planned agenda (running sheet). Make sure your wedding DJ can co-ordinate everything at the wedding reception. Ensure that the vision you have of your wedding day becomes reality. People dancing and having fun is the way your wedding should be remembered from a DJ’s perspective.

I hope you have found all this information helpful.