Top Wedding DJs: What To Look For When Hiring A DJ Audionetworks

The job of a Wedding DJ is to provide a steady flow of good music played through a suitable sound system and to make some relevant announcements.

What makes a good Wedding DJ?

It's that simple, no point in making it more complicated than it actually is. The music choice can be mostly worked out in advance so what exactly is a "Top Wedding DJ" (or, better said, a top-quality Wedding DJ)? Are Wedding DJs mostly the same, they just show up with their sound equipment and lights?

The answer is no, there is a massive difference between them. I don't think you will be requiring the services of that Drum and Bass specialist or that Techno master just back from Berlin.

A Wedding DJ has a strange blend of confidence and a complete lack of ego as they play almost everything you like from the Macarena mixed into OH what a night! Almost every song they play is fairly un cool to be honest as they work the floor and try to get everybody involved, they play popular and well-known music only, music that people will recognise and love.

They can not please everyone though, even with a packed dance floor you will still get people approaching the Wedding DJ and in an angry fashion demanding that they "play something decent!" The Top Wedding DJs will say at this point:

"Certainly, what would you like to hear?"

There will always be a few complainers no matter what you play but it boils down to how you handle them on the night.

A good wedding DJ knows what music to play

When it comes to playlists it's important not to bombard the DJ with a massive selection of your music, remember that they only play about 20 songs per hour so time can run out quickly.

A DJ at a recent wedding was surprised that the groom was not joking when he said he wanted the soundtrack from "The Mission" just put on loop for a few hours. He had arranged for an early setup and wanted the DJ onsite to provide backing music for his guests as they were arriving. After 2 hours of this amazing backing track, the guests were tempted to strangle the DJ but he did what he was told until the groom said we better mix it up a bit. Be careful with your playlist, yes it's your special day and you can have what ever you want played but keep in mind that a wide and general party mix is the best option to keep the energy up.

A Wedding DJ lives and dies by their sound equipment

Top Wedding DJ's have better quality sound equipment and lighting effects with them, this does not mean that the volume can go so loud that you go deaf. It is the complete opposite of that as the sound is clearer it does not need to be turned up so loud.

Small bass bins have the effect of making the sound "fuller" and are needed in most function rooms, It does not make the sound louder, just better. Moving lights that change colour are called "Twisters" and a DJ should have a minimum of two of these devices set up.

These days they have LED bulbs and do not heat up or use too much electricity so they are powerful and look stunning. The loud speakers need to be on tripods and up off the floor so the sound can reach the back of the room and not blast the first row of dancers with excessive volume.