Questions to ask a wedding DJ or band
What to ask about music, the microphone, equipment, breaks and overtime, how to brief them with a do-not-play list, and how to choose between a DJ and a band.
The short version
- Ask to see them working a real wedding (video or in person), not just a promo reel.
- Agree who acts as master of ceremonies, and send them the names they will need to pronounce.
- Check sound limits, power and space at the venue before signing, and ask about breaks and overtime.
- Give them a short must-play list, a do-not-play list, and the exact recordings for the key moments.
Ask a wedding DJ or band how they read a room, who will hold the microphone, what they need from the venue, and what happens in the breaks and after the contracted hours. Music is the one vendor that shapes the mood of the whole evening, and most problems come from things nobody asked about: the venue's sound limit, a band's forty-five-minute set, or a DJ who announces the wrong names.
Questions about how they play
- Can we see video of you at a real wedding, not just a promotional clip?
- How do you decide what to play next, and how much do you follow our list?
- Do you take requests from guests, and can we turn that off?
- What do you play during dinner, and how loud?
Questions about the microphone
Many DJs and bandleaders also act as master of ceremonies: they announce your entrance, call people to dinner and introduce the speeches. Ask whether that is included, and listen to how they speak. Then send them a list of names with how to pronounce them, the order of the evening, and anything they should never say.
Questions about the venue and equipment
- Have you played at our venue, and do you know its sound limit?
- How much space and power do you need, and how early do you set up?
- Do you bring microphones for the ceremony and the speeches?
- Do you have backup equipment if something fails?
- Do you carry liability insurance? (Venues often require it.)
Questions about time and money
- How many hours are included, and how are breaks handled? (Bands usually play in sets.)
- What plays during the breaks?
- What does overtime cost per hour, and can we agree it in advance?
- Do you need a meal and somewhere to change?
- What is the deposit, payment schedule and cancellation policy?
DJ or band: how do you choose?
A band brings energy you can see and a sense of occasion, and costs more, needs more space and plays a narrower repertoire. A DJ plays the exact recordings people know, adapts instantly and costs less. Many couples split it: a solo musician or trio for the ceremony and dinner, a DJ for dancing. Choose by what your guests will dance to, not by what impresses on a website.
How to brief them well
- A must-play list of ten to fifteen songs, not a hundred
- A do-not-play list, which is often more useful
- The exact recordings for the entrance, the first dance and the last song
- The timeline of the evening with names and pronunciations
- Your guests' song requests, if you collected them with the RSVP
A short do-not-play list protects the evening better than a long must-play list.
Common questions
What should you ask a wedding DJ?
Ask to see video of them at a real wedding, how they choose what to play, whether they act as master of ceremonies, whether they know the venue's sound limits, what equipment and backups they bring, how many hours are included and what overtime costs.
Should we have a DJ or a band at our wedding?
A band brings atmosphere and a sense of occasion but costs more and needs space; a DJ plays the exact recordings guests know and adapts quickly. Many couples use live music for the ceremony and dinner and a DJ for dancing.
What should you give your wedding DJ?
A short must-play list, a do-not-play list, the exact recordings for key moments, the timeline of the evening, and a list of names with pronunciations for announcements.
Plan it all in one place
A seating chart, a budget and a checklist that follow your guests' replies, alongside your invitation.
Start planning free →
