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How did you pick a DJ?

noodle_oonoodle_oo member
1000 Comments
in Massachusetts-Boston
With the holiday craziness, we are a bit behind in booking major vendors and I'm starting to freak out!  (deep breath)  We need a DJ and I have no idea how to book one.  Did you guys choose based on online reviews or did you meet with the DJs to figure out their style?  Did you see a sample of their work (like a wedding video?)?  I think the DJ is really important to set the tone for the whole evening, so I'm nervous about how to find a good one.  I've also heard horror stories of them screwing up the order of events and butchering people's names, so how do you select a good one?

If you know a good one, I appreciate any recommendations as well!  Wedding in Cambridge, Ma.
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Re: How did you pick a DJ?

  • vtbmvtbm
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We found ours by word of mouth. Seemed like everyone we knew used Nuimage. I've also heard good things about Greg Capozzi from CZone. Sometimes your venue can suggest someone as well.
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  • Shazzie116Shazzie116 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our venue provided a list of preferred vendors. We inquired with a couple, ended up really clicking with one over the phone so we met with him at his home office and it was clear within 2 minutes that he was the guy for the job. He knows the ins and outs of keeping the evening flowing based on your timeline. He's also very diligient with checking name pronunciation before he does the announcements. 

    Another huge tell was how quickly we received responses once we inquired. Some guys took a month. Forget it. 

    I'll have a vendor review after this weekend, but I have full confidence that our dj's gonna do a rockin' job. :)
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  • EKobrenskiEKobrenski
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ours dj's at a club and we went to see him (Ari Rosenfeld at Beat Train Productions).  I also went by reviews on wedding wire and yelp.  Also, as Shazzie says, he responded really quickly and was just a nice guy (not pompous at all) and meshed well with our personalities.  We both absolutely loved him.    Besides Ari, I also looks at NuImage (a bit more expensive but they are worth it from what I hear) and Jeff Mader (DJ Shyne) and was really impressed by them!  Good luck, you'll be fine :)
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  • Future Mrs. PaseFuture Mrs. Pase
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We received recommendations by word of mouth.  We ended up meeting with our top two choices.  I would recommend meeting with you potential DJ if you can - I got such a great feel for the two we met with and it was so nice to sit and talk about likes/dislikes, etc.  We ended up with DJ Mark McGillicuddy and I am so excited!  Also like Ekobs said - he DJs at a few places so we went to see him - just remember that if you see someone at a bar/club they are obviously going to have a different demeanor/song set than at your wedding (unless thats the feel you want :)  )  Good Luck!
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  • LoveAdoptedLoveAdopted
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We have our DJ because my sister told me she wanted to pay for the DJ. I said great! Then she told me that she had a friend who is a DJ, so that's who was booked...

    I would go by reviews online. Also listen especially to friends/family/coworkers who have been to weddings with great DJs, especially someone who might have the same taste as you and your FI. I would also go by the feeling and information you get after meeting with your top choices.
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  • bharnettbharnett
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We met our DJ at a Starbucks.  He drove all the way down from NH to Somerville to meet with us.  We knew right off the bat that he was the one!

    DJ Erik Buford  of Event-Experience is the best....hands down!  He also did our friend's wedding this past Oct.  He's so awesome that he'll also be spinning music for our wedding photographer! :)
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  • kmt_caskmt_cas
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In addition to everything everyone has already mentioned, we went to wedding expo's that had DJs working them so we got to see what they sounded like and what they did.  We ended up choosing Jeff Mader (DJ Shyne).  You can also see videos of him on youtube if you search for djshyneonline.  But what really sold us was meeting with him in person.  We just jelled.  Plus his reviews on here and weddingwire have been nothing but stellar.  But the best way I've been able to judge anyone was one-on-one interaction.
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  • jwatts23jwatts23
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree with you Noodle, that the DJ can really set the tone for the wedding.  I thought it was important to meet the DJs face to face.  I asked for reqs from this board, from my wedding coordinator and went off of wedding wire feeback.

    I was really happy I did meet with my top favorite DJs face to face because I could tell instantly who I clicked with and who I didn't. 

    We went with Peter Diozzi from Groove Entertainment.  He was amazing :)
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  • jholt1287jholt1287
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We also went through word of mouth and are going through Murray Hill Talent.  I would  ask your married friends and then talk to the DJ and make sure you feel comforable.
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  • mlhershmlhersh member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Hi there,
    I saw your post when I was looking for reviews for DJ Mark Mcgillicuddy.  Did you end up having him at your wedding? If so, how was he? Professional, on time, kept people dancing? Any input is appreciated! Thanks!

    Michelle
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