In this article, I provide tips on booking your professional wedding DJ for 2020, 2021 & 2022.
With the benefit of over 30 years of experience as a professional Wedding DJ (DJ Mark Platinum standard), this article will guide many couples on what to consider when booking a DJ for their special day. Equally this article applies to all parties and events.
When to book your Wedding Disco
My advice is to book as soon as you are able to.
Each year, approx 70% of my wedding enquiries take place during January & February. The most popular dates particularly May to September tend to be in high demand. To ensure that you have a professional and experienced disco, I would recommend booking sooner rather than later.
Experience
My biggest tip to any prospective couple is that a Wedding DJ should be highly experienced, and recommended. It takes many years (probably at least 10 years) and hundreds of weddings to reach a competent standard. Why is this important? A wedding DJ carries the ultimate responsibility for your evening reception. If he/she is not up to the job, your reception and day could be ruined. It’s a risk that you must fully understand. For example, will the DJ play your requests? Can the DJ ‘Read’ the audience. This means does he know from experience what to play next (this takes time & experience)? Is your DJ able to make announcements at the right time and communicate with the photographer? Do they carry back up equipment? Are they insured? Will they turn up suitably dressed or arrive in trainers and a t shirt?
Don’t necessarily be taken in by a flash website. My advice is to look beyond this and speak to the DJ to see if they are what you are looking for.
If you intend to book a DJ through an agency or hotel, I would strongly advise that you know who it is that will be your DJ.
The list is endless. To address these areas, I recommend a pre-wedding meeting with your DJ.
Consultation Meeting
This informal consultation meeting gives couples an opportunity to meet their prospective DJ. I offer these free of charge either at the wedding venue or at their home. It give the couple an opportunity to discuss their big day and plans, and how the DJ can make the reception extra special. For example, I recently met John & Claire at a wedding venue. They wanted a particular type of music played when their guests arrived, and also wanted confetti cannons during their ‘First Dance’. They were delighted that I offered them ‘Mood Lighting’ to match their colour scheme , giving them the ‘wow’ factor. Early set up was also discussed.
The meeting also allows the DJ to consider access to the venue, parking, power supply and possibly whether an early set up could be desirable.
Contract
Another essential tip is that your wedding reception disco should be formalised with a booking contract. I always issue a contract as standard.
A contract gives you the client and the DJ peace of mind and secures the date, and also gives a summary of the what you have paid for. A deposit of £50-100 would be payable at this time.
Unfortunately I hear stories of many couples who were let down by their DJ close to their big day. The common factor in all of these cases is that there was no contract, and a very low fee.
How Much Should I Pay?
It all depends on the services that you require and duration of the disco. For example, a 4 hour disco in a village hall for 50 guests will cost less than a 6 hour reception with mood lighting for 250 people.
I always offer exceptional value for money.
My wedding packages start from just £299.
My advice to clients is that a very cheap DJ will often spell trouble and put your reception and special day at risk. Ask yourself why are they cheap? It’s likely they will have old, unreliable and poor quality equipment or possibly be inexperienced.
Special Offers
For all Wedding DJ 2020 & 2021 bookings made by 31 August 2020, I will charge clients my standard 2019 prices.
Finally, I’d de delighted to talk to you and to be part of your special day. Please call me on 07790 236647 or info@eastangliandiscos.co.uk
