Questions to Ask Your Wedding DJ

A great DJ keeps the dance floor packed from the first dance to the last song. A bad one clears the room by 10pm. The difference is not about equipment or music library — it’s about reading a crowd, managing the energy, and knowing when to switch styles.

These 20 questions will help you find a DJ who fits your wedding, your venue, and your taste.

The basics

1. Are you available on our date, and what’s the total price? Get a clear, all-inclusive price. Ask whether it covers setup, breakdown, travel, and any overtime charges if the night runs long.

2. What hours does your package cover? Standard evening packages run from 7pm to midnight (5 hours). Some DJs offer ceremony and daytime packages too. Check whether extra hours are available and what they cost.

3. Will you be the DJ at our wedding, or will you send someone else? Some DJ companies operate with multiple DJs. If you’ve been speaking to one person, confirm they’re the one who’ll turn up on the day.

4. Can we meet in person or on a video call before booking? Personality matters. You need a DJ who understands your style, responds well to your music taste, and won’t try to dominate the reception with their own preferences.

Music and playlists

5. Can we provide a playlist or request list? Most DJs welcome requests. Ask whether they’ll prioritise your list or treat it as suggestions. The best approach is usually giving 20-30 “must play” tracks and letting the DJ fill the rest based on the crowd.

6. Can we provide a do-not-play list? This is just as important as the request list. If you never want to hear the Macarena, Mr Brightside, or Sweet Caroline, say so in advance.

7. What genres do you specialise in? A DJ who normally plays club nights may struggle with a crowd that wants Motown and 80s pop. Check their experience matches your taste — or that they’re genuinely versatile.

8. How do you read the room and manage energy throughout the night? A skilled DJ starts slower, builds energy, reads the floor, and adapts. Ask them to explain their approach. If they can’t articulate it, they’re probably a playlist-and-press-play operator.

9. Can you play music during the ceremony and drinks reception? Background music during the ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner creates atmosphere. Some DJs include this in their package, others charge extra.

Equipment and venue

10. What sound system and lighting do you bring? The equipment should suit your venue’s size. A system designed for a small pub won’t fill a barn. Ask about speakers, subwoofers, DJ booth, and lighting.

11. Does your equipment include dance floor lighting and uplighting? Mood lighting transforms a venue. LED uplighters, moving heads, and a mirror ball are common options. Check what’s included and what costs extra.

12. Have you worked at our venue before? A DJ who knows the venue knows the power supply, the acoustics, where to position speakers, and the venue’s noise policies. Ask for photos from previous events at the same location.

13. What power supply do you need? Standard DJ equipment needs 2-3 dedicated 13-amp sockets. Check whether your venue can provide this — marquees and barns may need a generator.

14. What’s your setup and breakdown time? DJs typically need 60-90 minutes for setup and 30-60 minutes for breakdown. Coordinate with your venue access times and other suppliers.

MC and coordination

15. Will you MC the evening — announcements, speeches, first dance, cake cutting? Many DJs double as master of ceremonies for the evening reception. This saves hiring a separate toastmaster. Check whether they’re comfortable with this role and whether it’s included in the price.

16. Will you coordinate the first dance, bouquet toss, and any other events? Your DJ controls the flow of the evening. They should know the running order, when to pause for speeches, and how to transition from formalities into the party.

Backup and contracts

17. What’s your backup plan if your equipment fails? A professional DJ carries backup equipment — a spare laptop, spare cables, a backup speaker. Ask what happens if something breaks mid-set.

18. What happens if you’re ill on the day? Like photographers, DJs should have a network of trusted replacements. Ask who would step in and whether you’d get to approve the substitute.

19. Do you have public liability insurance? Most venues require suppliers to have public liability insurance. A professional DJ should carry at least £1 million of cover and provide a certificate on request.

20. What are your cancellation and postponement terms? Check the deposit amount (typically £100-250), what happens if you cancel at various stages, and whether you can transfer the booking to a new date.

DJ comparison table

Question	DJ 1	DJ 2	DJ 3
Total price
Hours covered
MC duties included?
Equipment (PA + lighting)
Worked at our venue?
Backup plan
Deposit
Cancellation terms

How to choose

Watch videos of your shortlisted DJs in action. A showreel of an empty dance floor with fancy lighting tells you nothing. Look for footage of packed floors, natural crowd interaction, and smooth transitions between songs.

Book a video call with your top 2-3 choices. Share your playlist, describe your venue, and see how they respond. The right DJ will get excited about your music taste and have ideas for your specific event — not just recite a sales pitch.