Reception: The role of the DJ
Jim Nelson Photography
Wedding music can set the pace and mood for a wedding reception.
Knowing the role a DJ can play in the reception may make the music decision easier.
“A DJ’s talent should reach far beyond just motivating the crowd or making the announcements at the right time,” said Tom Pluister of Pluister Entertainment, based in Charlevoix.
The DJ should be involved in making the itinerary and know everything that is going on. The only way this can happen is when they have a good working relationship with the venue staff.
The first step in establishing the role of a DJ in a wedding is to choose the right one for you. The best resource in finding the perfect wedding DJ is word of mouth.
“Some people moonlight as wedding disc jockeys and are good at it,” Pluister noted. “We devote our full-time work to providing professional service for weddings, which makes a difference.”
Talk to recent newlyweds, or ask your wedding reception hotel or resort as they may have a list of preferred vendors for you to call who are DJs they trust. They also see the horror stories and know who to avoid.
“Don’t rush to pick your wedding DJ; they all have different personalities,” Pluister noted.
Ask to see videos from previous weddings so you can view a few minutes of their work. Pluister recommended meeting with the proposed DJ to view their work and spending the time to get to know them.
If you have the opportunity to do so, when attending other weddings, pay attention to the things the DJ is in charge of.
“If you see things being done that you like or dislike, make a note of that and keep a list of requests for your event,” Pluister said.
If your reception is complex, and in a big well-known resort or hotel, you want a professional who works in the big places.
“The DJ should be in charge of arranging things like lighting, stage needs and other needs beforehand,” Pluister noted.
Ask your DJ if he/she has done weddings at your reception site before. It helps if they know the wedding venue, how to get there and have a familiarity with the staff. Your DJ may also then be better prepared to deal with issues with the venue or staff.
Paul Retherford Wedding Photography
It’s also important to know who will be the actual DJ of the wedding when interviewing candidates. If there is a preference for who you want to be there, be sure it’s in the contract.
Some DJs will have a list of songs they typically play and except for the bride and groom’s first dance, do not give you much choice.
“It is the role of the DJ to establish a playlist, but it should be primarily approved by the bride and groom,” Pluister noted.
Couples will commonly allow the DJ to choose at least 50 percent of the music.
“A good disc jockey reads the crowd and knows what to play at what times,” Pluister said.
Ask if they will accept requests from wedding guests. Your wedding disc jockey should be flexible with a wide selection, so requests from your wedding guests can be fulfilled.
You want a wedding DJ who can adapt to any crowd. “For much of the reception the DJ should perform as emcee for the event, directing the action and encouraging people to participate,” Pluister said.
A DJ with a wireless headset is a plus. With the headset mic, the DJ can easily roam around hands free, or even blend in with the crowd during group effort dances.
“With the right DJ, they’ll become a part of the reception and everything should run smoothly and on time,” Pluister noted.
Regardless of what the music is, it’s apparent that spending the time to choose a DJ that matches your vision for the event can be the key to a day to remember.
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