A common question I get is “how many songs should we have on our request list?” Well, the answer to this question is going to be different for everyone, but a couple general principles provide an answer. The most important thing about your dance is that YOU have fun. Second most important thing is that your guests have fun. When picking songs to put on your play and do not play list, it is important to think about what you want to hear and dance to, but also what the majority of your guests enjoy. If you pick music that your guests won’t enjoy, it will be unlikely that many people dance. At the same time, you definitely don’t want songs played that you hate (i.e. Chicken dance).

We always tell clients they can have basically as many songs as they want on the playlist. However, I like to remind them that each of our DJs has done nearly 100 weddings, so we generally have a good idea what guests enjoy. The more songs you put on the request list, the less we can use our skills of reading a crowd. With that being said, we do appreciate songs on the play list because it gives us a great idea of what you want to hear…and our ultimate goal is to make the night all about you!

This is a recent article Jesse Veenstra wrote for the Hy-Vee Bridal Show book they distribute to thousands of brides.

What do brides, grooms and guests remember most about a wedding? The entertainment! Studies show 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment and 78% of brides say within week after their reception they wish they would have made the entertainment the highest priority. (St. Louis Bride & Groom Magazine, 2003.) So, choosing the right DJ can truly make or break your reception!

Finding the perfect DJ comes down to determining what is most important to you. Do you want a modern, edgy DJ that mixes classics with today’s hits, or would you prefer a more traditional wedding DJ that focuses on interaction (YMCA, Chicken Dance, etc)? Do you want a DJ to lead the entertainment with jokes and games, or someone more laid back willing to let the music lead? Do you want a DJ that is professional or someone who doesn’t take the job serious? The level of interaction and style you want in a DJ should be the first question to ask prospective companies.

Many DJs have “seen it all” at weddings, performing at countless of shows at many locations, and have the experience necessary to make your reception a hit. You should ask the DJ company how long they have been around and gauge their experience. Find out how willing the DJ is to help with planning? Do they offer online planning tools allowing you to tailor the event specifically to you? Do they offer free consultations? Can you request songs to be played or NOT to be played before hand? It can be very beneficial to utilize your DJ’s vast experience of weddings to help plan your own!

Grooms often will care more about the DJ equipment uses than anything else, and the equipment quality does carry significance. However, often times the “eye test” will tell you all you need to know about the company. Take a look at the equipment or a picture of the setup and ask yourself if it looks professional or if it seems cheap—does it pass the eye test? Do you really need to know that the sound system is 40,000 watts?

Finally, check out the price. Every DJ company offers different packages and pricing, making comparison shopping difficult. Take a look at the amount of time, the lighting, and the audio offered with the package and see how it compares to the other companies that fit your style. Also, consider any additional features like uplighting and slideshows that may interest you.

Finding a DJ can be difficult, but if you focus on finding a DJ that matches your style and then worry about the other aspects, stress will be taken off your shoulders. Each DJ company is different, so find one that matches you best!