Awesome! Instead of hiring a DJ, pay them, like, $100, some free food, and beer. You’ll save hundreds of dollars! The songs are exactly the same, whether some so-called “professional DJ” plays them, or some guy with an iPod, right?
Heck, in January 1998, I DJ’d the wedding for Steven, my best friend. In October, Steven DJ’d my wedding. It worked out fine.
Of course, Steven and I were both DJ’s, had professional equipment, and by that time, had performed at dozens of weddings over the previous five years. So, yeah… we had that going for us.
Yes, it is more expensive to hire a professional wedding DJ. Here are a few reasons I humbly believe it is worth the expense, in no particular order.
1 – Public Speaking – Though the number one fear of most adults, public speaking is required for a wedding. From introducing the wedding party, to releasing tables, to assembling the single ladies for the bouquet toss, your wedding reception needs a Master of Ceremonies. A skilled wedding MC will make announcements smoothly, appropriately, and on time.
2 – Music Selection – There is such a thing as playing the right song, at the wrong time. A professional wedding DJ will use your favorite songs as the foundation for your unique playlist. They will play “fun oldies”, classic tunes, and current hits, so guests of all ages will hear music they love.
3 – Proper Tools – Speakers, wireless mics, computers, mixers, and cables; the right gear is important. A professional will also have backup equipment, so a minor glitch does not become a major problem. A home stereo sounds great at home, but is highly unlikely to handle your wedding day entertainment.
4 – To Play or Not To Play – What’s on your “Do Not Play” list? If the theme song from your prior relationship is a popular, floor-filling dance song, will your “DJ” resist guest requests to play it? What if “Crazy Uncle Joe” offers $20 to play “Your Cheatin’ Heart”… “cuz he likes to karaoke”? Trust me, it happens! An experienced wedding DJ will know how to handle inappropriate requests.
5 – Working Guest, or Guest Worker? – A wedding DJ doesn’t have much time to socialize with family, catch up with friends, or have fun on the dance floor. Beginning weeks before the wedding, your wedding DJ is preparing for your big day… purchasing songs important to you, setting up equipment before the reception, keeping everyone organized and on time, lining up the wedding party for intros, cueing up your “must plays”, and so much more.
This is no “walk in the park”. This is especially true if “wedding DJ” is not what they “do” as a profession. If DJ-ing a wedding is a “one-off” event for your friend, they will have to focus even more to get it right. If your friend is a guest, they will not have time to truly celebrate with you and your other guests. They will be working while all your other guests are partying, if they do it right.
Your wedding day has no “do-overs”, no test runs, and no second chances. Don’t let an inexperienced friend, no matter how good their intentions are, goof your wedding day entertainment. Surveys consistently show six months after a wedding, your reception entertainment is the NUMBER ONE thing your guests will remember about your wedding. Will they remember an incoherent train-wreck, or will they remember a great time, a non-stop party, and music that moved them?
Give us a call today, and let’s talk about how to make your Atlanta wedding day entertainment something your guests will remember fondly.
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Andrew Thomas
Sirius Diversions – Funny Name, Serious Entertainment