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Advice Needed: DJ Situation

tamishae77tamishae77
100 Comments
in African American Weddings
A co-worker of mine recommended a dj that she used for her daughter's birthday party. Although I haven't heard him perform, he offered to give me the names of references and he has provided services for some pretty notable people here in town. Although he is very affordable and seems to be pretty professional, my concern is that he is not really a "wedding dj" and he doesn't really have a contract, just a quote, and I don't have to put down a deposit, just pay the balance when he comes. I'm wondering if I should offer to draft a contract. I'm kind of worried that he won't show up. Do you think I'm just over reacting? Do you ladies have formal contracts for all of your vendors?
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Re: Advice Needed: DJ Situation

  • Panda16Panda16 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You're not overreacting at all!IMO, I think you should have a contract for any vendor doing business for any major event you plan i.e. your wedding. It's not personal, it's just business.  You would want to outline when you want him to show up, when you want him to leave, what equipment you expect for him to bring, state any backup plans in case something happens (like bringing in another DJ if he can't make it for whatever reason). It's a piece of mind for you.
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  • Mrs.JKforeverMrs.JKforever
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My DJ was a club Dj, we didn't have a formal contract and no deposit was needed and everything turned out just fine. It will make you feel better go ahead and draft a contract up for him. In my opinion a dj is a dj and the only reason they are now using the official title of "wedding dj" is so that they can charge a hell of a lot of money because they know brides will pay for it. They still play the same music.
    Mr. and Mrs. Jones est. 10/18/2008
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  • OFFOFF
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    As for not being a wedding DJ I chose someone who's main bread and butter wasn't doing weddings. Often wedding DJ are cheesy lame and sometimes make you want to cry groan or go oh lord who hired him. So them being a wedding DJ isn't the problem but not having a contract is. I have a club DJ and we had to sign a contract and put down a deposit. In my opinion it is asking for trouble not to have a contract with any vendor. They can push aside if someone offers more money or a really prestigious client comes along. You dont want to be left scrabbling at the last moment.
    The Official Operation Five in Four Years (OFF) Planning Bio!
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  • KimRhoneKimRhone
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I don't think that you are over reacting at all. What if you decide to go with him and he doesn't show up? If you do go with him the make sure that you draft a contract because you don't want to be caught out there. Even if he is affordable and seemingly professional you need to cover your own self.  
    Lovin Kimmie
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  • mycicybridemycicybride
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    IMO....Always get it in writing.  Draft a contract to cover yourself.
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  • auntie_fissaauntie_fissa member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I don't think you're overreacting at all. Like everyone said go ahead and write the contract, include in it everything that's important :the time he needs to be there, what kind of equipment he's bringing and so forth.  I was in your shoes & didn't sign a contract because the DJ is a family friend but now I'm beating myself up over it because it's 2 weeks before the wedding and he's telling me that on top of paying him the agreed upon price(which is higher than most DJs quoted me) I also need to provide him with transportation the day of.  Had I signed a contract, I would have known exactly what I would be getting and would have better prepared.A contract is not always a guarrante that someone will show up but it is a motivation for them to show up and it gives you peace of mind.  GL
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  • tamishae77tamishae77
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks ladies. When I looked back over the quote/contract that he uses, I realized that it does have all of the necessary elements for a valid contract.  I guess I just thought it was weird that he uses his invoice as a contract.  My concern is that there is no mention of what will happen should he not show up or if he becomes ill.  So, I think I may ask him to add something to that effect in the contract.  Thanks again ladies for your advice.  I knew that I could count on my fellow AAW Knotties for advice!
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  • tamishae77tamishae77
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Oh!  And I also like the suggestions to include information about the equipment.  Also, very important.  Thanks again ladies.
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