How to DJ a Wedding Reception
Taking on the task of wedding DJ can be a daunting one. It is not the same as DJing at a club or house party, as the guests at a wedding reception are as varied as the music choices. The key to success is going over the theme and ideas with the couple prior to the reception.
- Stay true to the craft. Many people think that being a DJ makes one versatile. This is not always the case. Some DJs prefer to stick to one particular circuit of DJing. If asked to do a wedding, and the idea does not seem appealing, then do not be afraid to turn it down. The lack of knowledge and experience will show and will not be good for the wedding couple or for your DJ business.
- Have a consultation with the wedding couple. Find out the couple's taste in music as well as the tastes of the family and friends who will be in attendance. This will allow you to begin to compile a list of potential songs that will be played at the reception.
- Know the audience. Get a feel for the crowd at the reception. This is done by identifying distinct groups within the crowd. For example, most wedding receptions will consist of a young, middle-age and older groups of individuals. The music played needs to appeal to all three groups.
- Group the songs for the reception. Speak to the couple or wedding planner in order to gain an understanding about the reception proceedings. Ask about the different stages of the reception and what mood is desired for each stage.
- Be prepared to take requests. Make sure to have the latest, most popular songs on hand in case people make requests. Nothing is more embarrassing for a DJ than informing someone that they don't have a particular song.
- Have back up equipment. It is not a good idea to rely on one piece of equipment such as a laptop to play for the whole reception. Technical issues may arise that may prevent a DJ from using the designated music source, so it is a good idea to preload music onto another source just in case. Also make sure to have several microphones on hand.