Inquiring minds want to know: what exactly does a “wedding DJ” do? A wedding DJ’s job may appear simple at first glance, but when you consider all the moving parts that must work together to provide a smooth celebration, you’ll quickly realize that it’s no simple feat.
The duty of the DJ at a wedding is far more than merely keeping guests on the dance floor. In reality, a skilled wedding DJ does a wide variety of tasks, some of which are more obvious than others. This is why it is so important to employ a reputable professional during the wedding planning process.
Here are some of the skills a rockstar wedding DJ possesses (besides rocking out on the turntables).
1. Facilitates Day-of Scheduling
Your wedding coordinator, venue, and caterer will probably take the lead in developing your wedding day timeline. Still, a professional DJ will be able to provide valuable insight into how long various reception activities will take. Your wedding DJ is also in charge of enforcing the schedule during the reception by making announcements to keep things moving along smoothly and keeping everyone updated if there are any delays.
2. In Charge Of Audio
Your DJ has spent hours before your guests’ arrival lugging heavy equipment into the venue, setting it up, and making sure it all works so that the reception sounds fantastic.
3. Can Play Music During the Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour
A wedding DJ can perform recorded music during the ceremony and cocktail hour, which is convenient if you don’t have the budget or time to hire live musicians. The appropriate music (and the perfect wedding DJ!) can set the tone for your whole ceremony, from the wedding party’s entrance to the time you exchange vows. Additionally, your DJ may provide pleasant, cheerful music for cocktail hour that won’t detract from the mingling, eating, and drinking that is going on.
4. Announcements
A DJ’s job at a wedding involves much more than just playing music. The MC’s duties are also theirs.
Knowing the appropriate moment to speak into the microphone and deliver those crucial announcements is an integral part of maintaining that schedule (like introducing you as a married couple).
Not every DJ can also act as the master of ceremonies at a wedding. Think about the DJ’s character in addition to their track record before making your decision. They will be the mood setter for the entire evening as your master of ceremonies.
5. Provide Lighting
Many wedding DJs now include decorative lighting as a component of their services, though we still advise hiring a lighting specialist for substantial demands. You can emphasize your tables and dance floor with uplighting by using smaller LED lighting that can be set on the ground and directed higher. Find out from your wedding DJ if lighting services are included in your bundle, or if you need to engage a separate firm.
6. Mixmaster
The best wedding DJs are also experts at blending the songs you’ve chosen into one another, creating a smooth set that keeps the party going without “dead air” or unpleasant song introductions. It takes years of effort and dedication to become a competent mix master.
7. Creates An Atmosphere
A wedding DJ does more than just “play the music,” although that would be a simplification. But there’s more to it than just picking tunes to play. A wedding DJ can make or break an event by choosing the appropriate songs, timing them perfectly, and gauging the crowd’s reaction. They are well-versed in the best songs to play during a party to get everyone up and moving.
If you’d rather have a more traditional, nostalgic atmosphere at your reception, your DJ will be able to accommodate your wishes. And if your guests start to feel too cozy in their seats, a professional wedding DJ will know just what to play to get them back on the dance floor.
8. Assists With The Selection Of Unique Tunes
If you’re having trouble deciding on music for any of your wedding’s special dances, your DJ can be a terrific resource. Professional DJ knows what songs will get people dancing and what won’t, and they also know what’s new in the music world. This is why it’s crucial to sit down with your wedding DJ a few weeks before the big day to create your wedding playlist (and do-not-play list). Your DJ will likely have access to a wide variety of songs that you (or your attendees!) can ask, but he or she will need to know whether or not to play each song and at what point in the event.
9. To Mask Any Flaws
A smart wedding DJ knows how to get back on course if something goes awry on the big day. The supper might be running a little late, let’s say. The visitors won’t notice that the meal isn’t ready because the DJ will keep them too busy dancing. Maybe your dad forgot to provide the toast because he had to go to the bathroom. Your DJ can fill in for him until he arrives. If you hire a professional wedding DJ (and a skilled event coordinator! ), your guests won’t even notice if anything goes wrong.
10. Additional Services
Video projection is a service that some DJs may offer where they can project images, videos or slideshows on a large screen or wall during the reception. This can be used to display a slideshow of the couple’s engagement or childhood photos or to show a video of the couple’s love story.
A photo booth is another service that some DJs may offer, which allows guests to take fun and candid photos together using a variety of props and backgrounds. These photos are often printed on the spot and given to the guests as a souvenir of the event. Some DJs may also provide an online gallery or a digital copy of all the photos taken for the couple to keep.
Both of these services can add an extra layer of fun and entertainment to the wedding reception and provide guests with unique and memorable keepsakes of the special day.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a DJ plays a crucial role at a wedding by providing music and acting as the master of ceremonies, coordinating with other vendors, creating a timeline of events, and helping to create a fun and festive atmosphere for the event. In addition to these responsibilities, some DJs may also offer additional services such as video projection and photo booths which are both great to add an extra layer of fun and entertainment to the wedding reception and provide guests with unique and memorable keepsakes of the special day.
Overall, a DJ is a key component of any successful wedding reception, helping to create lasting memories for the couple and their guests.
A wedding DJ is more than just someone sitting there pressing play, though. You are entrusting them with the execution of one of the most significant days of your lives and they are a vital cog in the fulfilment of your wedding reception.
For more information on where to look for the best wedding DJ, hop on to the wedding website.