Questions to Ask a DJ or Live Entertainment

Weddings are celebrated with great zeal and function, and so all the elements of entertainment, such as features, games, food, etc., are welcomed. High-energy activities and dancing are always great forms of entertainment. Someone may want a performing DJ, a jazz group, or a band that plays cover songs, all these requires choosing an appropriate entertainer. Websites like eVentGuru.com already have numerous pre-checked DJs and live performers which spare you the search. But to truly find your ideal match, it’s crucial to ask the right questions! Here's a guide with crucial inquiries when looking for a wedding entertainer concerning their style, experience, payment among others.

Question To Ask About:

Questions to Ask: Experience and Style

1. How many weddings have you done and how many do you schedule in a year?

A performer who has been in many weddings is able to handle the wedding day flow better.

2. What is your style and how do you get the audience involved?

Each entertainer has a different style so make sure theirs is appropriate whether low energy or high through the activity.

3. Are there any specific genres you prefer or do you have unique genres you focus on?

This will make it easier for you to know whether their strengths are within your needed music range.

4. Do you have any visuals or any other evidence to show work done in the past?

Hearing someone sing or using an instrument in a veiling is very important in determining if that person can fit the mood of the wedding.

5. Have you previously worked at the venue we are considering?

Knowing your venue can be a bonus as they may already visualize the setup and acoustics.

6. Are there any past clients who you can ask about their work?

Past clients’ positive reviews of such couples can make you assured of their professional services.

Related: Questions To Ask Your Wedding Venue

7. Are there any performances in the near future where we will be able to watch you perform ‘live’?

Watching someone perform ‘live’ if at all possible is the best way to gauge the extent of their interpersonal skills.

Questions to Ask: Space and arrangements.

1. Can we expect you on the event day?

First-rate performers tend to get booked well in advance leaving no chance to bargain for that date after.

2. For how long will you provide your services, and is this duration inclusive of the setting up and taking down?

Establish when there are time allotments for set up and break down and also what are the activities to do during the day.

3. Is the venue providing particular permits or clearances to you and your team?

There are those venues that place restrictions on sound and performances expected to take place, find out if sound and performance restrictions sublicense is required.

4. What if something happens to your equipment or a band member can't make it, what is the plan?

Having such a plan in place can help relieve any anxiety that may be experienced on the actual day.

5. How long do you have to prepare for the exhibition, check the equipment and the sound?

Knowing this information helps understand the importance of a certain period in a timely strategically phasing everything on the wedding day.

6. Do you need anything in particular from the hotel or location being used?

Such factors will include whether they want to have power points, special lights or simply provided with a place to use.

7. What are your parking and load requirements?

Note that some of the venues have loading sections that are very small and you may want to prepare in advance to avoid any inconveniences.

Questions to Ask: Music Selection and Customization

1. Is it possible for us to be able to share a ‘must play’ and ‘do not play’ options?

It is very important to have playlist management and assurance is given that preferences will be met.

2. What is your procedure for dealing with requests made by guests?

In case you are ready to take guest requests, please ensure that they will be self service and managed when required.

3. Would it be possible for you to assist us with choosing songs for specific occasions (first dance, entrance, etc.)?

A professional DJ or band will always offer ideas for enhancing special moments in the course of the event.

4. How easy is it to make changes to the playlist when necessary?

At times, it’s ideal if the entertainers you hire can modify themselves should there be a change in mood or timing.

5. When are breaks taken, do you play music during these breaks, and is it extra?

Remind that there should not be a background silence ‘cutting off’ the music during the breaks because it will influence the atmosphere.

6. What types of music or which artists do you play for weddings?

This is to gauge whether one of they will fit in the plan you have for the music in that evening.

7. Can we offer you some cultural or family practices, and will you be able to integrate these in the function?

This is very vital considering the fact that some cultural or family customs may be incorporated in the entertainment.

Questions to Ask: Interaction with Guests

1. How do you fit in as an emcee (MC) during the event? Do you make any more announcements?

If someone needs to be on the mic to announce special elements such as the cutting of the cake or the first dance, make sure that person clarifies he/she is okay to do it.

2. What is your approach to the crowd reading? How about crowd engagement?

Every good DJ or band understands the audience involved, whether the intense crowd is worked up with music tempo or a complete change of the genre.

3. Do you promote dancing or mingling with the guests?

When searching for fun performers, the band or DJ must not be shy to get in touch with the guests.

4. How about answering requests from guests at an event?

Ask if they mind taking requests, if yes, then how these requests fit with the prepared playlist.

5. Are you able to handle an audience of all ages?

Since weddings have a variety of age groups, entertainers must know how to cater to everyone.

6. Guests get quite loud, or what do you do in a hyper active situation?

This aspect is particularly important to appreciate, especially during the dance section of the reception, where one will wish to know whether their skills extend to crowd control.

7. Do you use the microphone with the guests and how often?

There are DJs or bands that will talk a lot to hype the crowd, while others will just let the music do all the talking, so pick what goes with your atmosphere.

Question to Ask: Cost and payment terms to Address

1. How much will it cost Want to piece everything together to figure out possibilities of costing?

To avoid or decrease unpleasant surprises including hidden costs in possibilities, which may exist, ask for a prerogative of costs.

2. Will you charge an extra fee when a wedding goes beyond normal hours?

Knowing their policy on excess time charges will help you avoid incurring expenditures on dry celebrations.

3. What is the amount of money required to book your services, when are the full payment made?

Discuss and develop clarifications payment terms and ensure these appear in the contract.

4. If your wedding takes place in a different region, do you have any travel charges?

Some performers will add a travel fee to the price, so make sure there aren’t any aggravating extras in case the location is way out of their reach.

5. Do you need any food provided or any other type of lodging?

Usually, entertainers will include a meal request in the contract for longer events so it is wise to have this prior to event preparations.

6. What is the provision for cancellation and is a refund given?

A willingness to comprehend one’s options is important when the original wedding date changes or there are last-minute issues.

7. Is there any other expense we must take note of like equipment charges and setting up fees?

A slide generally provides complex expenses, including outlays for equipment or additional setups, but do seek a comprehensive cost guide.

6. Questions to Consider: Details Related to Final Planning

1. Would you be able to organize a final discussion of the details before the wedding takes place?

Having a last meeting is a good option for many issues, such as reviewing the schedule, song lists, etc., and confirming any remaining requests.

2. Will there be a sound check before the arrival of all the guests?

Sound checks are very important, particularly in cases where a venue has its own sound characteristics or levels.

3. Who is going to be the contact person on the wedding day?

Make sure someone is put in charge of preparations because it may be hard to operate otherwise, especially for any hired person in a group.

4. What are your strategies for dealing with changes as they arise on the day of the wedding?

Weddings are sometimes fluid even in the timelines. It is, therefore, useful to know whether their adaptability cuts across all these variables.

5. Do you carry spare gear in case of breakdown or malfunction occurring?

A serious entertainer always comes equipped with spares in case of contingencies like technical hitches during a performance.

6. Do you get along with the wedding Event planners and coordinators?

Teamwork is essential especially in cases where events have to incorporate the services of many suppliers.

7. Do you have any further recommendations which we can use to make our wedding day even more special?

People who have performed many times for audiences often know how to do something unusual and why from their own performing experience.

eVentGuru.com: Finding Wedding DJs or Live Music Entertainment Easily

Selecting the right entertainer for the wedding is a challenging task, but with the help of eVentGuru.com, one can get easy access to the lists of wedding DJs and live bands. Through its clean and simple interface, one can search through various vendors’ offerings, go through their comments and reviews, and select the most befitting one for their wedding day. Ranging from the stylish jazz music groups to the vibrant DJs, eVentGuru.com offers the most valued entertainers in accordance with one’s needs and preferences.

FAQs About DJ or Live Entertainment