Community› Wedding Discussion Boards› Chit Chat
Chit Chat
New Discussion

Should I meet with DJ when I go home?

Mapper71Mapper71
10 Comments
in Chit Chat
I am flying back home next month for a week to visit my Mom. My wedding will be out there next July 31. So I've been looking for DJs and my friend suggested one she had at her wedding 12 years ago and he was the cheapest one we could find so we are pretty much going to go with him. My fiance and I basically see a DJ as a DJ, no big differences. Well my fiance won't be coming out with me next month, plus I plan on flying back alone again next April to finish up any other plans I need to out there. I am debating whether or not to meet with the DJ or just email/call him and say "we'd like to hire you" and then meet with him when I go back in April. What would we really discuss anyways? We don't even have our bridal party picked out yet or anything so there's not much I can say to him about the wedding other than where the reception is being held. He has this big form to fill out about the Grand March and everyone's names and what kind of traditions we want but we haven't even thought about those yet.
Report Reply to Post

Re: Should I meet with DJ when I go home?

  • ZoolooZooloo member
    100 Comments
    The DJ is one vendor I would definitely want to meet before booking. You're not going to really experience his personality over email the way you are in person. And you want to make sure your personalities meld. Remember that he's the person who makes the whole party happen. If he's all night club, for example, and you're not, you won't be happy and your guests will leave early. When we met with our DJ, we were there for quite some time. You may want to ask about what selection of music he has, special dances, does he require the reception venue to have any special hookups, what equipment does he use, who will fill in for him if he gets sick on your wedding day, etc. This type of conversation is always easier in person because there are a lot of details to go over.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Our Planning Bio - A Total Work in Progress...
    Report Reply
  • Mapper71Mapper71
    10 Comments
    Well the person we would be meeting with is the head of the company, not necessarily the DJ we'll be getting. There are about 10 DJs on staff and we can pick one to suit our taste, but I'm sure I wouldn't meet one if I'm just going to see the head guy. The brochure we got from them shows what kind of music they have and how dances are handled and what parts we can choose to have or not have. I don't think I'd really have anything I'd need to get from him in person that I can't do over the phone. Do you think asking for a web conference would be too much so that both my fiance and I can talk with him? We could Skype.
    Report Reply
  • goheels05goheels05
    2500 Comments
    A couple thoughts.If you are of the mindset that a DJ is just there to hit play and that it is pretty inconsequential to the outcome of your reception, then you probably don't need to meet with him/her at all, you can just correspond through email.Personally, I think a DJ can make or break a party, so we spent a lot of time talking in person or over the phone to various DJs.  Also, I noticed that those companies that employ multiple DJs that they book are much more expensive than DJs who work for themselves (which makes sense--you're not just paying for the DJ, you're paying for that guy who runs the place and talks to you about your "needs" or whatever).  By much more expensive, I mean $700 for the one we had, vs. $1500-$3000 for a DJ booked through one of those services.  And also, like you said, there isn't much to discuss right now.  They'll probably give you a form to fill out that has songs that you really want, songs you really don't want, the bridal party members' names, announcements, etc, but that doesn't need to be completed until 2 months from your wedding date.  Maybe you could use your trip back home to crack open the phone book and see if you can find someone cheaper? 
    Report Reply
  • Mapper71Mapper71
    10 Comments
    Actually this DJ company is VERY cheap. $595 for the night, which includes 4 hours of music and 2 hours of dinner music.
    Report Reply
  • goheels05goheels05
    2500 Comments
    That's a steal.Yeah, I'd say a meeting isn't necessary, unless you really want to.  You can do everything via email.
    Report Reply
  • CarterAThomasCarterAThomas member
    10 Comments
    I think that whenever possible you should meet in person with your potential vendors like this one.  It will be the best way for you to get a feel for them to make sure it is going to be a good fit for your wedding.  You also want them to have an idea of your personality types and in this case, send you a DJ that will compliment that the best.  If the face to face meeting isn't possible, I think skype would be a great idea!  Good luck! 
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards