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Selecting the perfect DJ for a wedding reception can be difficult. Everyone wants their guests to have a great time and leave their reception happy. The key to a great party atmosphere at a reception often is the responsibility of the DJ. Alex Nepa, Manager & Head DJ of Local Motion Entertainment in State College, offers brides and grooms some advice, suggestions, and tips when hiring a reception DJ.

Selecting A Wedding Reception Disc Jockey

Mr. Nepa’s number one suggestion when searching for a wedding DJ service is to not select a DJ service based on price alone. There are several reasons why some individual disc jockeys and DJ services are priced lower than their competitors. Oftentimes, DJs with little or no reception experience will charge less in order to start booking receptions. Lower priced DJ companies may not use professional equipment or carry back-up equipment. Check and see if a lower priced DJ has a light set-up that he/she can bring to the reception and also verify if he/she carries liability insurance. Many reception venues now require DJ companies to carry their own liability insurance.

When meeting with a potential wedding reception DJ for the first time, he/she should look and act like a professional wedding vendor and be attentive to the bride and groom. A professional DJ will listen to a couple’s likes and dislikes from receptions they have attended and will make suggestions on how to coordinate events at their reception.

An experienced wedding DJ is a great asset to have at a reception. At most receptions, the DJ is responsible for the flow of events and is responsible for entertaining guests with his/her music selections. A professional DJ will be able to read any couple’s crowd and make good song choices. Just because a DJ carries thousands of songs does not mean that he/she knows how to utilize them properly. Make sure a DJ has an extensive knowledge of all types of music. An experienced wedding DJ will know which songs work well at receptions.

Anyone who has attended a reception where the DJ was sub-par knows how that can affect the overall atmosphere of the reception. Couples must remember that everyone at the reception will see and hear their DJ.

Questions To Ask A Wedding Reception Disc Jockey

Not sure what questions to ask a potential reception DJ? The following is a list of questions put together by Mr. Nepa:

1. How much experience do you have as a DJ at wedding receptions?
2. Do you carry back-up equipment?
3. What is your DJ style? Do you talk on the microphone a lot or are you more low-key?
4. How do you handle song requests?
5. Do you adhere to playlists and do-not-playlists?
6. Do you carry liability insurance?
7. Will you help coordinate events and work alongside the caterer, photographer, videographer, etc.?
8. Will you meet with us before the reception to discuss songs, events, and introductions?

What To Expect From A Disc Jockey At A Wedding Reception

At a reception, a professional DJ will arrive early to set-up and sound check equipment before guests arrive. The DJ’s work area should look professional and clean. Any extra equipment and cases should be stored out of view of reception guests.

Once guests and the wedding party begin to arrive, a professional DJ will begin to control the flow of the reception discussed earlier at the pre-reception consultation. A professional DJ should follow the order of events discussed at the pre-reception consultation but also be willing and able to make changes to the order of events should something change at the last minute.

During the cocktail hour and dinner, a professional DJ should be willing to keep the music at a level so guests can have a conversation without needing to shout over the music. As the evening progresses, a professional DJ will know when to increase the volume of the music. More importantly, an experienced wedding DJ will not keep the volume at a high level the entire evening to mask the quality of the sound.

At the reception, a DJ should always work alongside other vendors such as caterers, photographers, and videographers. An experienced DJ will not announce an event until the photographer/videographer are both ready to capture the event.

An experienced wedding DJ is important for any bride and groom to have at their reception. While many DJ’s may have experience working in bars, nightclubs, and other venues, couples looking for an elegant, classy reception should refrain from hiring a DJ that has little or no wedding experience. Per Mr. Nepa, "Having a DJ with experience and knowledge of your taste can command the crowd’s attention without taking the attention away from the bride and groom."

Reception Packages

Today, many DJ’s and DJ companies offer two reception packages. For couples on a budget, ask a potential DJ if they have a budget friendly package that includes an experienced wedding DJ. A less expensive package may not include extra hours, lights, and use of a wireless microphone but it lets couples on a budget book with a reputable a DJ service.

Since DJ services offer different reception packages, it is not uncommon for different companies to offer different styles of DJ’s. According to Mr. Nepa, Local Motion Entertainment offers low-key DJ’s and more up tempo party DJ’s depending on a couple’s taste.

Couples with more questions about hiring a DJ for their upcoming reception can call Alex Nepa at 814-238-1804.