What should you tell your Wedding DJ

1. How to Pronounce the Names

When it comes to the grand entrance, one of the most important things is how to properly pronounce the couple's first and last names. Sometimes this can be challenging, which is why you should give your DJ the spelling of your name phonetically well before the wedding day. Do not forget to communicate exactly how and when you want the grand entrance to unfold. This will be the first time the new couple is introduced together, and getting the names right is not something you want to overlook. It will also be a key moment for photos and video. Browse our photo gallery to see examples of how we have handled grand entrances at past events.

2. Style of the MC

It is really important to communicate with your DJ how you want them to handle announcements. Do you want someone who is funny and telling jokes, or do you want someone who is more of a fly on the wall and just there to make sure everything runs smoothly? As the master of ceremony, it is the DJ's job to communicate information between the day-of coordinator and your guests. In Portland, most of our couples prefer a DJ with a strong MC presence who interjects as needed but never tries to be the star of the show. We like all guests to be informed of what is happening before it actually happens. A confident MC is one of the most underrated parts of a successful wedding.

As the master of ceremony, it is the DJ’s job to communicate information between the day-of coordinator and planner to the rest of your guests. Here in Portland I find most of our couples would like a person who has a strong MC style and interjects as needed, but not an entertainer who is trying to be the star of the show.

We like all the guests to be informed of everything that is happening so they can be ready for upcoming events and they know when things are about to happen before they actually happen. I feel having a confident MC is a lot more important to the flow of the wedding than actually playing the music. I think this is one part of our job that is overlooked but is very important to a successful event.

3. Style of Music and Mixing

Some DJs are nightclub-style radio mix DJs who blend songs back to back very quickly. This does not always work at weddings, where guests typically want to hear complete songs. Communicate this with your DJ beforehand. Also, guests at weddings typically want to hear original versions of classic songs they recognize, not remixed or mashup versions. Make sure you communicate what genres and styles you want played and what you want your DJ to stay away from. Our music planning resources can help you think through your preferences before your consultation.

Another thing to look out for is DJ mix songs. Typically, at a wedding or similar event, guests want to hear the original versions of classic songs they are familiar with, not some new version of the song.

Also, most DJs will have a play if possible, an I must play, and a do not play list. Make sure you communicate what type of music you would like your DJ to play and what type of music you would like him to stay away from. When it comes to different genres and styles of music the more communication that you have with your DJ the better off your overall experience will be.

You probably do not want to pick out every single song the DJ is going to play. Give them some flexibility. They are the professionals after all. But provide enough direction so they know what kind of atmosphere you want during different parts of the evening. Trust your DJ to fill in the gaps and take requests from guests to make sure your event is a success.

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4. Length of Special Dances

When it comes to the processional, father-daughter dance, mother-son dance, and first dance, these are all songs that can be started and cut off at a specific point. Often, couples pick out a song that is 5 to 6 minutes long for a special dance. If that is too long, your DJ can cut it down at whatever moment you choose. It is important to communicate exactly where you would like songs to end so you are not standing in the middle of the dance floor waiting. A typical slow dance at a wedding should run between 1 and 3 minutes. For ideas on how special dances fit into your overall reception flow, see our wedding timeline planning guide.

It’s important to communicate which songs you want cut down and where you would like them to cut down so that you guys are on the same page on the wedding day and you’re not standing in the middle of the dance floor waiting for the song to end. A typical slow dance at a wedding should be anywhere between 1 to 3 minutes long so don’t let the length of a song determine which one you choose for the special dances.

Use the DJ’s expertise and he’ll be able to smoothly transition out of the songs at whatever length you feel is appropriate.

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5. Ask For Reviews and Testimonials

It is always good to do your research before hiring a DJ. You get one shot at your big day, so doing a little homework can go a long way. Your venue may have a preferred or recommended vendor list, which is a great place to start. Platforms like The Knot and WeddingWire are also excellent resources for finding vetted vendors. Once you have narrowed your search down to a few companies, set up a consultation meeting to get a feel for their personality. Read their past reviews and ask for testimonials from past weddings. You can also check our about page and photo gallery to get a clear picture of who we are and how we work.

One of the best places to find DJs is through your venue. Your venue should have a preferred or recommended list that they like to use. Other places to find good DJs are through The Knot and Wedding Wire. These are great resources for finding vetted vendors who are known to be reliable.

Once you’ve narrowed your DJ search down to a couple of companies, it is then time to set up a consultation meeting to get a feel for their personality. Before making that first phone call you will want to go online and read some of their past reviews so you can get a better idea of the company that you’re about to hire. You can also ask for testimonials from past weddings so you can get a good idea of their reputation in the wedding industry.

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6. Does your DJ Need Wifi?

Ask your DJ if they need access to the internet to play music. This is a strong indicator that the DJ is inexperienced, because Wi-Fi is not reliable at events. YouTube, Spotify, and other streaming services may have made it easy for anyone to act like a DJ, but they are not something you should trust for an event that is supposed to be once in a lifetime. Imagine the bride and groom getting ready for their first dance when a commercial plays or the stream cuts out. As a professional company, DJ Cutt Entertainment never relies on internet or Wi-Fi when playing music at someone's event. All of our music is downloaded and edited in advance.

For me this is a big red flag and a sign of somebody that has not been in the industry for very long. As a professional company, I would never rely on internet or Wi-Fi when playing music at someone’s event. Imagine a scenario where the bride and groom are getting ready to do their first dance and right in the middle a commercial comes on or the song cuts because the wife goes down.

As a professional that is not something that I want to rely on when it comes to offering a professional service. As a customer I’d be very disappointed and embarrassed. Streaming services may make it easy for anyone to act like a DJ, but it’s not something you should trust for an event that is supposed to be once in a lifetime.

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7. What is the DJ’s Communication Style

Find out the preferred form of communication so that everything can be relayed clearly. Sometimes that is phone calls, emails, in-person meetings, or video chats. Communication is key for a successful event. You want to have some input on the playlist, but make sure you do not over-schedule every track. Give the DJ the freedom to play music that they know really works. You are hiring a DJ because you do not want to be doing all the music planning yourself. Your time is better spent focusing on the other things that will have a bigger impact on your overall day.

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8. Drinking and Eating Policy

When it comes to eating and drinking, at DJ Cutt Entertainment we don’t require that a meal is served to us but it is a very nice of a gesture. We also don’t drink on the job so that is not an issue that you have to worry about with us. You can rest assured that while your event is going on, our DJs will all be on their best behavior and will act in a professional manner at all times.

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9. Guest Requests and Do Not Play List

When filling out your forms for the dance party, we provide a play-if-possible list where you can enter up to 25 songs. You can also link a Spotify playlist that we will use to download your requests. We fill in any missing gaps with high-energy sing-along songs. During the wedding, your guests are welcome to come up to the DJ booth and make requests. If we feel the request is appropriate and fits the room, we will go ahead and play it. Our policy is that all songs need to be clean edits and appropriate for everyone in attendance. Browse our music planning page to get started on your lists.

10. What are the Steps for Booking your Services

When it comes to the total price of your package, there are many different factors. Before finalizing any agreement, make sure you have a clear breakdown in the contract of what everything costs and what will cost extra. Once we have had our first phone call, we will create a proposal with a contract and a retainer amount. Once the signed contract and retainer are received, your event date is locked in. Many things can change leading up to your wedding and you are always welcome to add additional services or time as needed.

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Communication Is the Foundation of a Great DJ Experience

The more you communicate with your DJ before the wedding, the better your wedding will be. From name pronunciations and MC style to music preferences and vendor coordination, every conversation you have in advance removes a potential stress point on the day itself. If you are ready to start that conversation, we would love to hear from you. DJ Cutt Entertainment serves Portland, Salem, Hood River, the Oregon Coast, Vancouver, Washington, and beyond.

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Book DJ Cutt Entertainment for Your Wedding

Whether you need a DJ, MC, event lighting, a photo booth, or a complete wedding entertainment package, DJ Cutt Entertainment is ready to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and get started.

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