The Truth About Wedding DJs



Posted: Tuesday, November 11, 2008

by Dj Craig
Los Angeles DJ

The poor, maligned Wedding DJ. He gets made fun of for being clownish, hackneyed, cliched and amateurish. Often he is thought of as a frustrated stage performer/lounge lizard who engages in over the top, schmaltzy antics, plays lame games, has dated music and suffers from terminal "AM DJ" voice syndrome.While this may actually be the exception to the rule, the a bad memory of a horrible Wedding DJ has become a pervasive image against which all DJs are judged.

This reputation is partly because DJs are like politicians. They bow to the will of the people and sometimes ruffle the feathers of the minority in order to please the majority. Sure, YOU may not need to hear "Love Shack" by the B-52s ever again and the DJ may not really want to play it either. But when repeated requests from partygoers show a demand for it, NOT playing it becomes difficult. And when a song like "Love Shack" packs the dance floor (as it often does), it's best just to enjoy it in all it's cheesy glory if you can. Hang in there, a new song is just around the corner.

My immediate reaction to having to play songs like this is to grimace through it and make sure, if at all possible, the next song is more cutting edge and fresh. If the Wedding DJ falls prey to playing too many tired, middle of the road, unchallenging songs in a row, he may quickly relegate himself to "DJ From Hell" status. Being able to mix old and new, play unexpected songs and change musical contrast helps keep things exciting.

Another thing DJs and political hacks have in common is that there is no license required for either. In the same way that you could announce tomorrow that you're running for Mayor, anybody can buy some speakers and proclaim they are now a DJ. There are no official requirements or certifications needed. While it's in the DJs best interest to get some good training and experience before jumping headfirst into the world of handling the often delicate details of a formal event, that doesn't always happen.So you end up with a guy on the learning curve at an event that has been otherwise painstakingly planned over the course of months or even years. That's a recipe for disappointment.

Part of the blame for the propagation of bad DJs is that people keep hiring them. This is sometimes due to the often strangely illogical priorities and constraints under which people plan their weddings. Some think nothing of spending exorbitant amounts of money on flowers and other receptionaccouterments, then find that there is little left in the budget for the entertainment.They are then resigned to hiring who they can afford, which may be the guy with the Radio Shack speakers, the sparkling gold lame' suit and matching top hat or a spaghetti of tangled wires pouring out from his poorly maintained system. This is not the place to cut costs and try to get what seems like a great "deal"!

Some people actually like a cheesy, conga-line-leading DJ. I think these may be the same people that consider "The Chicken Dance" the epitome of great party music. It turns out that there are lots of these people around and underestimating the taste of the general public is surprisingly hard to do. When a disc jockey plays a lame song it's often because somebody wanted it. Reminds me of the bad politician that nobody wants to admit they voted for but he got elected somehow. Please, for the sake of your guests, "Just Say No" to bad music.

A good Wedding DJ isnot a frustrated comedian turned "entertainer". He is prompt, courteous, professional, well trained and experienced. He understands the "less is more" principal when it comes to talking on the mic and making announcements. And he can mix music to satisfy the masses but also maintain an "edge". Generally, a pro DJ who works full time will have more experience and skill than a part time "hobbyist" and will charge accordingly. Since the success of your party largely depends on the DJ, get a good one!

Wedding DJ

Wedding DJ Craig has performed at hundreds of weddings and events over the past 15 years in the southern California area.
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