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How much time does a DJ need to setup?

This ultimately depends on how much equipment the DJ is bringing. The more equipment you need the DJ to provide (ie: separate sound system, video projector, lighting effects, etc) the more time you should allow. On average it takes about 30 minutes for simple sound system setups or an average of about one hour for the average sound and lighting setup.

If you are not having the event at a private residence a very important item to look over is the contract with your venue. Some people will book a hall, hotel or other similar location for 5 hours thinking they also have time before and after those 5 hours to setup and teardown. That is not always the case; some venues will charge extra for that time. Make sure that you schedule enough time for the DJ to properly setup and teardown. If the DJ has to rush to setup his or her equipment there is an increased likelihood that he or she will make a mistake during setup. That could require troubleshooting a problem or problems during your event as opposed to working out all the bugs during setup.

If you were told by another DJ that he or she can setup in 5 or 10 minutes you have to ask yourself, what in the world are they using? A boom box? One of the longest processes of setting up is the wiring off all the different audio and lighting components. In addition to the wiring a professional DJ will also take extra time to neatly tuck away cords from the view of guests. It may look simple enough at a glance but there is a lot more work into setting up and tearing down than the average person realizes.

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How important is beat matching?

Beat matching is an art where DJ’s seamlessly blend two songs together by starting a new song before the old one finishes. For example you will be dancing to one song and without knowing it you are dancing to a new song in the same tempo as if the song never changed. This is a nice skill for DJs to have but ultimately is not crucial as it all boils down to the song selections. As long as people are enjoying the music played and that there is no “dead space” in between songs then seamlessly beat-matching from one song to the next is not a deal-breaker.

Another common song transition is called a segue. A segue is similar to what radio stations do. As one song is about to end they start another so there is no “dead space” in-between the music. These songs do not necessarily have the same tempo and most of the time is easily identifiable when a new song starts. As long as the music is good then the listener will stay tuned in. This is the same concept for mobile DJ’s, as long as the music relates well to guests they will stay on the floor.

All in all beat matching is a nice skill but should not be a prerequisite when choosing a DJ. Look at the DJs past references and talk to their past clients. If they were happy with that DJs service then they enjoyed the music. In fact most of the time they wouldn’t even know if the DJ beat-matched or just transitioned with traditional segue’s or did a combination of both at their event. Ultimately they just remember if they had a good time and if they enjoyed the music.

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How many hours do I need for my wedding DJ?

We get this question a lot. Ultimately it depends on if you need the DJ for just your reception or for both your ceremony and reception. Typically for a reception it’s about 5 hours but some will only do 4 hours to shave costs. If adding a ceremony then an average amount of time is 6 hours for both your ceremony and reception however we also have seen 5 hours for both to help shave costs.

For a typical reception the DJ provides the following services…
1. Background music during cocktail hours
2. Introductions
3. Background music the greeting line (if any)
4. Provides microphone for blessing (if any)
5. Excuses guests to buffet or asks them to take their seats if a plated meal
6. Background music for dinner
7. Slide show (if you have one)
8. Toasts
9. Cake Cutting
10. Bride/Groom first dance
11. Father/Daughter Dance
12. Mother/Son dance
13. Wedding party dance (if any)
14. Open dancing for all guests for about 30 minutes
15. Money Dance (if needed)
16. Anniversary dance (if wanted)
17. Bouquet/Garter Toss
18. Reverse Garter (if requested)
19. More dancing for everyone
20. Last dance
21. Send-Off (if you have one)

If you include the ceremony then this is what’s typical of the DJ:
1. Prelude music 30 minutes to start of ceremony as guests are arriving and being seated waiting for the ceremony to start.
2. Processional song for the wedding party
3. Processional song for the bride
4. Possible music in middle of ceremony for unity sand or other similar event
5. Recessional music for bride, groom and wedding party after being introduced as husband and wife.

As you can see there are a lot of different things to consider. Wedding ceremonies usually only need one hour for everything from the prelude music all the way to the recessional song at the end. Receptions typically require 2 hours of background music for cocktails and dinner and then 3 hours of dancing and everything in between.

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Why pay big money for a small event?

Most DJs charge a grip of money and do not offer discounts for smaller events. They have a good reason to. Most people need a DJ on Saturday, sometimes on Friday and Sunday but rarely any other day of the week. Since the options of when a DJ may be hired are limited to a small number of days a DJ will have a set price regardless of how small your event is. This will most likely not be the best option for you if you’re on a budget. Instead look for a part-time or hobbyist DJ that does not heavily relay on the money he or she makes from DJ’ing. Part-time or hobbyist DJs will be your best bet as they mostly DJ for the pure enjoyment of it. Since they have a primary source of income, anything they make on the side as a DJ is pure gravy.

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How to save money on a DJ

  • Look for part-time or hobbyist DJs. These DJs tend to cost less because they have other sources of income and do not have such a large overhead.
  • Reduce the size of your guest list. The fewer guests you invite the smaller the sound system will be needed.
  • Keep everything in one room/area. Keep things simple when holding your event. If the DJ only needs to set up once and only needs one sound system then costs will drop. The more places you need sound the more your costs will increase. More equipment = more money.
  • Pass on extras such as lighting effects, fog machines, etc. Music is what makes or breaks a party and that is what your guests will remember.
  • Have a friend or family member be your Emcee. The less services a DJ has to offer the more money you can typically save.
  • Pass on the dance-floor. This is such a waste of money and can cost more than the DJ! Just designate an area for dancing and call it good. People can dance on carpet and any hard surface.
  • Look for a DJ company that does a high volume business. These companies book a lot of DJs thus offer volume discount pricing in most cases.
  • Don’t have your event on Saturday. The busiest day of the week for a DJ is Saturday as this is when most everyone’s schedules line up to hold an event. Saturday pricing will always be your most expensive. Friday and Sunday pricing can sometimes be less but they also can be popular days. The most money can be saved Monday –Thursday.
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Fresno Company Holiday Party DJ Feedback

Event Date: Saturday, December 18, 2010
Event Location: Piccadilly Airport
Event Type: Holiday Party
Event Staff: Please Make Selection

Quality of Customer Service via Telephone: Excellent
Quality of Customer Service via Internet: Excellent
Quality of Customer Service at Event: Excellent
Friendliness of your Entertainer: Excellent
Promptness of your Entertainer: Excellent
Professionalism of your Entertainer: Excellent
Entertainer’s Performance: Excellent
Entertainer’s Appearance: Excellent
System Appearance: Excellent
Sound Quality: Excellent
Overall Volume Levels: Excellent
Music Selection: Excellent
Incorporation of Your Requests: Excellent
Lighting Effects: Excellent
Equipment Appearance: Excellent
Overall Customer Service: Excellent
Planning Assistance: Excellent
Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Excellent
Overall Performance Rating: Excellent

Is there anything specific we can improve on?

Additional comments or suggestions?

Would you recommend our service to others? Yes
May we share your comments with others? Yes
May we add you to our list of references? Yes

Name: Victory Engineers

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Denver Birthday Party DJ Feedback

Loved Loved Loved our party! Dia was amazing and the kids had so much fun! We are hoping to have another party in May and will absolutely use Dia again. One of the best parties I have ever had or been to!
– Amy Wrzesinski, 12/18/10 Birthday Party in Denver