What's up, DJs?
Welcome back to the blog.
Thanks for joining us today. We’re excited to share seven crucial tips that every wedding DJ should know. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been rocking weddings for years, these tips will help you avoid common pitfalls and elevate your performance. We’ve been in the wedding DJ business for years, and along the way, we’ve learned a lot. Some lessons came from making mistakes, others from fine-tuning our approach to save headaches down the road. So, let’s dive in!
1. Always meet the couple before Their big day
First off, meet with your couple at least once before their wedding. It doesn’t matter if it’s face-to-face, over the phone, Zoom, FaceTime—whatever works, just make it happen. We get it, some of you might work for companies where you don’t get to meet the couple beforehand. If that’s the case, try to ask your boss if you can at least have a quick chat with them.
Why? Because no matter how fancy your planning tools are, nothing beats a real conversation. Every wedding is different, and getting to know the couple’s style, their music taste, and what they envision for their big day will make you a way better DJ. Trust us, your couples will love that you took the time to really understand what they want.
2. Bring an extra copy of Your schedule for the venue
Weddings are full of moving parts, and chances are, you’ll be working with a venue manager, wedding planner, or the head of the waitstaff to keep things on track. Here’s a pro tip: always print an extra copy of your schedule and hand it over to whoever’s running the show at the venue. Seriously, this little move will make you look like a total pro. Not only does it show you’re on top of things, but it also makes sure everyone’s on the same page. When they have your schedule, it makes coordinating stuff like introductions and cake cutting a breeze. Plus, they’ll probably think you’re a genius for being so prepared.
3. Leave crazy early
Okay, this might seem obvious, but it’s worth repeating: leave ridiculously early for every wedding. The absolute worst thing you could do is show up late. The wedding’s gonna happen whether you’re there or not, so don’t be that DJ who strolls in late and ruins everything.
Here’s how we roll: when we meet with the couple, we always ask, “When are your guests arriving?” Not when the ceremony starts, but when the guests are actually expected to be there. Sometimes couples put an earlier time on the invitation to make sure everyone shows up on time. We plan to be there at least two hours before that time. That way, we’ve got plenty of time to set up, chill out, and handle any last-minute stuff without breaking a sweat.
4. Use the couple’s names – a lot
On the wedding day, say the couple’s names out loud multiple times. Trust us, this helps you remember them when it counts—like when you’re on the mic in front of all their friends and family.
A little trick we use is to keep saying the couple’s names throughout the day. On the way to the venue, we’ll be like, “Can’t wait for Ben and Sarah’s wedding,” or “It’s gonna be awesome playing Ben and Sarah’s big day.” By the time we’re there, their names are locked in our heads.
Using their names during announcements instead of just saying “the bride and groom” makes it way more personal. And believe us, the crowd will love it.
5. Set reminders for key moments
Weddings have a million moving parts, and you might get specific times from the venue staff for things like cake cutting or announcing dessert. It’s easy to get lost in the music and miss these key moments.
Here’s what we do: we use our phone’s voice assistant to set reminders for these important times. Just say something like, “Hey Siri, remind me to cut the cake at 9:10,” and boom, you’re covered. It’s a simple hack, but it works every time.
6. Start and end the reception with Their full names
Here’s a little something we do at every wedding: we start and end the reception by announcing the couple’s full, formal names—the new Mr. and Mrs. Ben and Sarah Smith. We usually drop this right after their first dance and then again at the end of the night. Hearing the bride’s new name is a big deal, especially for her and all the guests. It’s like the cherry on top of the whole day, and it makes the moment feel even more special.
7. Have a backup for everything
Last but definitely not least, have a backup for everything. And we mean everything. Your computer, hard drives, cables, microphones—anything that could possibly fail, because if it can, it will. Every wedding is like the couple’s Super Bowl. There are no do-overs, so everything has to be perfect. Having backups for every piece of gear ensures that no matter what happens, the show goes on without a hitch.
And there you have it—seven tips to help you crush every wedding you DJ. If you’ve got your own tips or questions, hit us up in the comments below. Let’s keep the conversation going and help each other out. Until next time, keep those weddings lit and make every moment count. Peace out!