Tips For Hiring The Best Wedding DJ, Part 2

Pro

Can help streamline the process, and take burden off of your shoulders for the planning process. They work with your service providers to line up all of the details, so that you don't have to.

Con

You're paying for their service in some way. Whether a flat rate/time-based charge, or a mark-up on the service provider's charge.

Pro

Will almost always have availability for your wedding date, as they run multiple/many weddings each weekend. Typically will have the highest-end equipment to put on the most elaborate light shows, sound, and add-on services (photo booths, etc.)

Con

Their internal organization is crucial. As you will NOT be their only focus for weddings on that weekend, it is critical to learn how they keep details organized, and how they handle "oversights" that can easily happen when juggling 5-20 weddings at once.

Pro

With your wedding being on the higher end, you'll most certainly be the main focus of attention for a boutique DJ service. This can frequently give you more "personal attention" and care, leading to a better DJ service for your wedding. Many times, the boutique DJ service can be a "hidden gem", giving you as much/more quality service as a larger company, at a lower cost.

Con

You'll need to confirm details on their equipment, experience, and abilities to perform at your wedding. Backup plans are another vital consideration (larger DJ services likely carry backup equipment to every event. The boutique DJ service may not.)

Pro

It's tough to find one. You're risking the most memorable part of your upscale wedding, on some guy with a speaker and an iPod?

Con

Equipment failure, they show up late, they don't show up, they don't have the proper music, etc. The list goes on forever. This likely is not the option for you.

Pro

Again, can help you select service providers, and do much of the leg work so you don't have to.

Con

Financially, may not make sense for you. Again, you'll be paying for their service. Either upfront through a flat/time-based charge, or on the back-end through a mark-up on the service providers rate. In some cases, both. You'll likely get more for your money by doing the work yourself to find the best DJ for your wedding. Hidden Gem Note. Some agencies actually work the opposite way. Instead of a mark-up, it's a mark-down. The $1000 you spend on a service, actually only buys $6-700 worth of service. The other $3-400 goes to the agency. In other words, you're paying $1,000 for a $600 DJ service. This can lead to expectations on quality being unmet.

Pro

Again, they'll likely have your date available, where a smaller boutique service may not. They'll most certainly have every service available you could possibly want for your wedding. Many services may be more than you're looking for, or out of your budget.

Con

Again, learning their organizational process will be critical. If your budget is on the lower end of the multiple weddings they'll be doing that weekend... guess who's more likely to be overlooked?

Pro

Likely your best choice. They may not provide every possible bell and whistle out there, but many of these features you're likely not looking for. As they typically perform one wedding on per weekend max, you'll get the highest amount of attention and care for the money you invest.

Con

Making sure you find the right DJ for your needs is the only true con here... which applies to all DJ types. Boutique DJ services are typically the best fit for mid-range wedding budgets.

Pro

They may be "good enough" for what you need. Sometimes, you luck into a friend of a friend who will do the music for next to nothing, freeing up your budget for other needs. The con's likely still outweigh this hope, however.

Con

Again, the same concerns as an upscale wedding. Equipment failure, they show up late, they don't show up, they don't have the proper music, etc. The list goes on forever. You'll need to CAREFULLY scrutinize this DJ, and determine if the risk of poor/no quality outweighs a cheap price tag.

Pro

There can be pro's, but an agency likely is not an option (due to budget concerns).

Con

Cost likely prohibits the option of using an agency. Most wedding planners/agencies bring in $2,500 - $10,000 for their service.

Pro

Again, they likely will have your wedding date available.

Con

Cost likely prohibits the option of using a larger DJ service. It's very common to see rates of $2000 - $3000. This rate may, or may not, including lighting upgrades. When budget is a major concern for your wedding, the larger DJ services typically are not a good fit.

Pro

The best option for your wedding DJ needs, if you can allow the money for the service. They typically are what you're looking for. The quality service you're expecting to receive (which the lone ranger DJ service may not give you), without the higher pricing that a large DJ service may charge.

Con

Budget is still your main concern. The boutique DJ service may charge a rate of $500-$1,500 for their service (which is very affordable for the service you're receiving). However, this may still be out of your budget's range.

Pro

The price will likely be right. It's possible to get a lower-end DJ to perform at your wedding for a few hundred bucks. Possibly even free in exchange for the experience, or how you know them (a friend of a friend, your brother may have dreams of becoming a DJ, etc.)

Con

Keep your expectations at a bare minimum when choosing this option. Equate their service to a "jukebox that may be great or may not", and you won't be let down.