Before hiring a DJ, ask to see a sample playlist and look for songs you enjoy.
Planning your wedding music and working with a DJ may seem daunting in light of all the other things on your mind when planning your wedding. Create a checklist of these essential steps and tasks to help you keep everything straight for yourself and the DJ.
Decide Whats Music You Want
If you're having a small, less formal wedding, consider providing your own music on an iPod. You still need to plan ahead, providing a variety of jazz, pop-rock and classical music for the events. You also need to make sure you test out your playlist before the big day. The upside to using an iPod instead of a DJ or band is that it's cheap, you'll only hear the songs you want and you can use the iPod as a jukebox for guests. The cons include not being able to change song transitions, and you may not want to encourage the participatory element if you have certain songs in mind. You might also want to hire a band for the rehearsal dinner, reception or after-party and to save the DJ for the dancing, or vice-versa.
Choose Your DJ
When choosing a DJ, ask for a tape of a public performance or ask to attend a dress rehearsal. If this isn't available, ask for a sample playlist and look for songs you'd enjoy. Ask for references from past weddings and celebrations or ask your friends and family if they have anyone they'd recommend. Before you agree to hiring a DJ, agree on any specifically requested songs, do-not play lists and other requests.
Create Song Lists
Whether your decide on a DJ the entire celebration or portions of your wedding, put down your song options (and narrow them down later) on paper. Organize them by ceremony, reception and dance sections. For the ceremony, include a prelude song to play while your guests enter, the processional song for the court and bride's entrances, any ceremony or religious music and a recessional. Though you may not have a DJ for the ceremony, the list is still good practice. For the reception and dance, include a playlist for a cocktail hour (if applicable), dinner, couple's first dance, bride and father dance, groom and mother dance, guests' first dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter toss and any general dance requests.
Address the Technical Issues
If your reception and dance take place in a private home or outside, find out about local statutes on noise permits. You may need to obtain one, or at least notify the neighbors, if your dance goes on after the curfew time.
Address electrical issues beforehand. Keep the caterer and DJ on different circuits. Also seat guests with hearing aids, pacemakers and other such devices away from the speakers and DJ equipment so the frequencies don't interfere with their functioning.
