You’re sitting across from a potential wedding DJ — their portfolio looks impressive, and their pricing seems reasonable. But the difference between a DJ who saves your reception and one who ruins it often comes down to knowing the right questions to ask wedding DJ before signing anything.
After 35 years in Australia’s wedding entertainment industry, I’ve identified the 12 critical questions that separate exceptional DJs from mediocre ones. More importantly, I’ll tell you what good answers sound like.
Questions to ask wedding DJs
1. “What equipment do you bring, and do you have backup systems?”
Good answer: “I bring a professional PA system rated for [your guest count], two laptops with identical music libraries, backup mixer, spare cables, and redundant power supplies. I’ve never had a technical failure, but I’m prepared if it happens.”
2. “Where do you source your music, and how extensive is your library?”
Good answer: “I subscribe to professional DJ pools and maintain a library of 50,000+ tracks across all genres and decades. I can play virtually any request and have clean versions of all explicit songs.”
3. “At what time will you need access to the venue for setup?”
Good answer: “I typically need 60-90 minutes before guests arrive. For your 6pm start, I’d arrive at 4:30pm for setup and sound check.”
4. “How many weddings have you DJed, and how do you read the room?”
Good answer: “I’ve performed at 200+ weddings. I watch the dance floor constantly—if a song clears the floor, I pivot immediately. I balance requests with proven crowd-pleasers and adjust energy throughout the night.”
5. “What MC duties do you handle, and how much do you announce?”
Good answer: “I handle all major announcements—your entrance, first dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss. I coordinate timing with your photographer and keep things moving without being intrusive. My style is [warm/energetic/minimal]—what’s your preference?”
6. “How do you handle diverse age groups and musical tastes?”
Good answer: “I create a flow that honors different generations—classics during dinner, building to contemporary hits during peak dancing, then mixing eras to keep everyone engaged. I read who’s on the floor and adjust accordingly.”
7. “How many hours will you cover, and do you take breaks?”
Good answer: “My standard package is 5 continuous hours—no breaks needed. I can extend for $150/hour if your reception runs longer.”
8. “How many people are on your team, and will you need vendor meals?”
Good answer: “Just me and occasionally a lighting technician if you book premium lighting. Yes, we appreciate vendor meals—please let your caterer know.”
9. “How much is the deposit, and when is the final payment due?”
Good answer: “Deposit is 30-50% due at booking to hold your date. Final payment is due 7-14 days before your wedding via bank transfer.”
10. “How much liberty do we have selecting specific music?”
Good answer: “Completely open! Provide a must-play list, do-not-play list, and preferred genres. I’ll weave your selections into a flow that builds energy naturally. I also need some flexibility to read the room.”
11. “What special effects do you offer, and would you discount add-ons if we book closer to the date?”
Good answer: “I offer uplighting ($400), monogram projection ($300), and dance floor effects ($200). If you add them within two weeks of your wedding, I can offer 10-15% off since I’m already committed to your date.”
12. “Do you have liability insurance and can you provide references?”
Good answer: “Yes, I carry $20 million public liability insurance—I’ll email you the certificate. Here are three recent couples you can contact, plus links to my Google reviews.”
Trust your instincts. If something feels off—they’re pushy, dismissive of questions, or overpromise—those red flags intensify on your wedding day.
For complete insider guidance on booking entertainment that transforms your celebration, grab “Secrets to Booking the Best Wedding Entertainment.”
