How to DJ a Wedding Reception

So you are wondering how to DJ a wedding reception!  The first thing you have to do is know what kind of wedding you are Djing and what nationality the two families are.  You have to do some research of their tradition and culture before hand.  Some nationalities are old fashioned and very simple and some are open minded to new ideas.

First of all, it is always about the money.  So get the business side of the deal done first.  Write out a contract with the appropriate amount of payment for your DJ services. You should be compensated on the number of hours you will be there and amount of equipment you will have to bring.  Include any additional expenses for travel.  Be sure to sign an agreement as far in advance as possible that explains all of these fees, and get a deposit.  The deposit is only returned if they cancel the event 60 days in advance.  If I charge $1000 for the event, I want at least $200 deposit or 20%.  I charge a lot more for weddings because of the planning aspect of it.  The planning aspect can take over a month to prepare.

The first step is to meet with the bride and groom before their wedding as far in advance as possible.   I like to ask for a special music request sheet of their favorite artists and songs.  I tell them to list as much songs as possible so I can try to get them if I don’t already have them.  This gives me a good idea of the type of music they like and the type of artists they enjoy.  This is their special day, so you have to accommodate them with their favorite hits.  It is a good idea to prepare a CD with some slow and upbeat songs you regularly would play at a wedding.  Include familiar songs that they know to give them some ideas of what you are working with.

Now that you know what songs they like, it is time to start planning the event.  You have to have the necessary equipment and wear the appropriate attire for the event.  Every wedding reception will consist of different equipment, but let’s just say they only want a DJ and a host.  I always want to make sure I have the entire night planned out as far as time wise.  For example, if the event is four hours the schedule of everything should be time allocated.  When I usually DJ a wedding reception, I use the first half an hour for introducing the best man, bridesmaid, bride’s parents, groom’s parents and bride and groom.  My technique is playing a crowd motivating song for each introduction that fits the individuals appropriately.  I always ask for their special request song for this part of the event before hand.  It is great to entertain the crowd with an exciting and formal introduction with music.  Planning is the key and writing it out will make things run smooth.  So the first half an hour is for the introduction, the next half an hour to 45 minutes is for each group to have their song to dance to.  I will announce for the best man or men and bridesmaids to share a dance.  Just one song is enough for each.  The parents of both the bride and groom will then be asked to share a dance.  After this, I will ask the bride to share a dance with groom’s father and the groom to share a dance with the bride’s mother.  After one song, they switch to their own parents.  The final part will be the bride and groom having their special dance.  This should take a half an hour but it usually runs for more than 45 minutes.  I usually cut the cake first and have the family photos taken first so that it is not overlooked with distractions during the other activities.  Planning is the key, and preparation makes it work.

After the introduction, the guests will relax and the food will be served.  I will try to arrange a variety of games for the bride and groom to participate in.  Play smooth love songs and instrumental jazz music while the food is being served.  The eating portion of the event should take up an hour or more.  After an appropriate amount of time, I would ask the father of the bride and the father of the groom to make a special toast.  Another fifteen minute down the drain, and more money for doing very little.  I love weddings because it can be easy as a piece of cake.

Give them their airtime, and then I usually request for only the married couples first to share a dance.  You have to very persuasive in motivating them to get up and dance.  Learning how to MC and host an event is another part for another day.  Let the married couples have their moments and then ask the single people to share a dance.  One or two songs for each are enough.

I get into the fun and games after this part of the event.  Of course you have the tossing of the bouquet and corset by both the bride and groom.  Whoever catches the corset, will have to get on his knees and try to place the corset on the lady’s leg that caught the bouquet.  The many other activities that I’ve used before is asking the attendees to write one advice on an index card and a few of them will be read aloud.  I also came up with a blindfold game where the groom is blindfolded and he has to figure out what fruit the bride is serving him.  The object of this game is to embarrass the groom by getting the best man to feed him a banana in an inappropriate way so that the attendees will laugh out in a riot.  This is abuse!  It never gets old!  There is a lot of fun and games so you will have to do some research and find some on your own.

After all of these activities, you should have about 45 minutes to just jam and play music to dance to.  Like I said, it’s like taking candy from a baby.  Easy Money!  This portion of the night is very important in attaining your next gig.  Play the most popular crowd pleasing songs back to back.  Mix up the genres of music but just make sure you play number one hits.  Use their special request and play other songs that fit the songs they requested.  Host and say a couple of quotes to hype up the crowd in between transition of genres.

If you follow some of my tips, you should be rewarded with a nice tip and some referrals for your next gig.  Good luck on your journey to becoming the next great wedding DJ.

21 comments on “How to DJ a Wedding Reception”

  1. phen375 does it work Reply

    I think youve made some actually interesting points. Not as well many people would really think about this the way you just did. Im definitely impressed that theres so very much about this topic thats been uncovered and you did it so well, with so very much class. Great 1 you, man! Really good stuff here.

    • Amber Reply

      The last wedding I went to, about a month ago, was in a gadern and the usherettes walked about handing out the bubbles before the ceremony. We watched the wedding then as the bride and groom walked back down the aisle in between the people, we blew bubbles.Another wedding I went to a couple of years ago, in a church, again the bubbles were handed out as we walked into the church, along with the program.That is just my experiences.

  2. Phen375 official Reply

    Just right points?I would be aware that as anyone who in reality doesnt write on blogs a lot (in fact, this can be my first submit), I dont assume the time period lurker is very turning into to a non-posting reader. Its no longer your fault in the least , however possibly the blogosphere may come up with a better, non-creepy title for the 90% folks that experience studying the content material .

    • Siva Reply

      I think it matters on the regoin you are having the wedding and how your wedding is planned. I am planning a wedding in Iowa and I am from Michigan. There are many different items that you eat at a wedding and how to have a wedding than in Michigan.I am saying this regoin idea because some do bubbles or whatever when you leave to your reception and some do not. Traditionally, if you are leaving to your honeymoon and ending the reception early than the bubbles would be appropriate then. Most bride and groom are at the reception until midnight and many of the guests are gone.It sounds like you have it planned at the church. Have them receive it after the ceremony. Appoint attendants to pass out whatever is to be thrown. This also helps to get those relatives you don’t know what to do with involved. You will have so many pictures after the ceremony, not only the receiving line. There will be more time at the end and less of kids blowing bubbles during the ceremony.

  3. discount for hostgator Reply

    Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea|

    • Melissa Reply

      After the ceremony we had a reiciveng line outside the sanctuary ( actually outdoors since the church we were married in was a small civil war church) my ushers handed my guests directions to the reception printed on a index card and a small container of wedding bubbles. Then when the last guest left they used the bubbles as we walked from the church they also were several baskets of them on the tables at the reception, for the use as we left the reception for our honeymoonThis is how we did it.. hope it helps

  4. North Face Womens Gore Tex Reply

    Hiya! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa? My website discusses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you’re interested feel free to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Fantastic blog by the way!

  5. phen375 does it work Reply

    This is just wonderful , i appreciate your blog site and bookmarked it . I concur with a lot of the things you said and im waiting for the new posts . Youre 1 of the very best write-up writers that ive observed recently . I also like the way your blog site seems , are you currently making use of wordpress?

  6. Manisha Reply

    we did ours at the actual riptceeon cuz we did the bubbles when we left there. I actually had a bubble boy (little bro of one of my Jr bridesmiads who was very disapointed he wasnt the ring bearer, but hes a little hellion and I didn’t trust him on stage .so i gave him that job!) We let everyone get their food and then I got him to walk around with a bucket full and pass them out .he felt all important! If you are doing it as you leave the ceremony I would give them out with your programs so they have them more together so you can make a quicker exit.

  7. Lace Wigs Reply

    Hiya. Very nice web site!! Man .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally…I am happy to find numerous helpful info here in the article. Thank you for sharing

  8. Milan Toniatti Reply

    I simply want to tell you that I am new to blogging and absolutely savored your web blog. Probably I’m planning to bookmark your blog . You certainly have amazing writings. Many thanks for revealing your website page.

  9. Krishna Hancey Reply

    Fairly area of written content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession money to assert that I acquire truly enjoyed accounts your webpage posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing on your feeds and also I achievement you obtain consistently quick.

  10. Shayne Renova Reply

    I simply want to mention I’m new to blogging and site-building and truly liked your web-site. Likely I’m want to bookmark your blog . You certainly have great articles and reviews. Appreciate it for sharing with us your webpage.

  11. Saporito@rock.com Reply

    Happiness is a moment-to-moment choice, one that many have a hard time making. Other people will notice if you make that choice. And you will motivate them to do the same. As the research above indicates, this motivation has a substantial impact on their health and future happiness.

  12. Lelia Hatchett Reply

    There are some helpful time limits on this write-up but I don’t know if I see all of them middle to center. There can be some validity nonetheless I’ll bring maintain opinion right up until I glimpse into it further. Beneficial article , thanks and we want additional! Extra to FeedBurner as appropriately

  13. Tyra Diez Reply

    I blog often and I really appreciate your content. This great article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new information about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.

  14. Pingback: Mary Tridle

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.