DJs are human and they make mistakes like everybody else. However, the ten biggest wedding DJ mistakes that I am going to list below should never be allowed to happen.
Biggest Wedding DJ Mistakes
No Back-Up Computer
It goes without saying that a DJ should have a backup for every piece of equipment.
On that note, there are certain pieces of equipment that offer more flexibility than others if they malfunction.
For example, if a DJ has a subwoofer that stops working, he or she may have enough bass from the main speakers to still produce a great performance.
However, if a DJs computer malfunctions, and they don’t have a backup computer, the show is over. There is no way around it.
Doesn’t Read The Crowd
One of the keys to getting people on the dance floor and keeping them on the floor is to read the crowd.
Have you ever been at a wedding where the dance floor is PACKED, everyone is super pumped up and the DJ kills the fun by playing a slow song at the wrong time?
You may have also seen the opposite situation where nobody is dancing and the DJ continues to play the same genre of music that is not inspiring people to dance.
DJs that do this are not reading the crowd.
I tell the DJs that I train, “If something is working, build on it.” If something is not working, switch things up until you aline yourself with the vibe that your crowd is looking for.”
Unnecessary Upcharges
I have no problem charging for my time, use of equipment and talent.
I simply set an upfront price to cover all of the services needed for a successful DJ performance.
However, when I hear stories about DJs advertising at a super low price and then charge extra for set up time and equipment they need anyway, I think it’s pretty darn shady.
Why charge extra for set up time? They have to set up.
Some charge extra for a wireless microphone when they have to have one.
Some DJs will also increase their price just to provide some basic dance floor lighting when every DJ should have it and use it at every wedding anyway.
In addition, I have had many clients tell me that they passed on hiring a particular DJ because of silly upcharges like this.
They simply didn’t feel comfortable with this approach to DJ pricing.
Not Taking Song Requests
“Are you serious? “Some DJs don’t take song requests?”
Absolutely and there are many that don’t. This is a HUGE wedding DJ mistake that happens too often.
What better way to know what songs the people want to dance to, than to have them come up and flat out tell you?
When someone at a wedding asks to make a song request, I love it and I welcome it every opportunity.
MUSIC IS TOO LOUD!!
Playing the music too loud is one of the most common wedding DJ mistakes out there.
Especially in the beginning of a wedding when the guests are trying to have a conversation during dinner.
There is a time to push the volume and there is a time to ease up.
Some DJs actually think that by playing the music louder, it will encourage more people to dance. Just the opposite is true.
The people that need a little extra time to warm up to dance will simply leave if the music is too loud.
Damaged or Malfunctioning Equipment
I understand that every DJ has a different amount of resources to purchase equipment.
However, if they are going to be charging a client, they owe it to them to use equipment that is reliable and in good working condition.
Furthermore, if there is one piece of equipment that you want to ask about, it’s the wireless microphone.
Make sure the DJ agrees to use a professional quality mic that won’t malfunction during your toasts and speeches.
A poor quality wireless microphones can cause a huge mess if it cuts in and out with unpleasant sounds of distortion and interference.
Not Visiting The Wedding Venue In Advance
I have to say I’m at the point where I’ve DJ’d at almost every wedding venue in Southeastern Michigan.
I’m more than happy to meet the couple getting married at the venue in advance to take a look at the floor plan.
Many times when the couple knows that I’m very familiar with the venue, they prefer to have our DJ consultation over the phone to save time.
However, I never advise a DJ to show up on the day of the wedding without being familiar with the venue’s layout and floor plan.
Making a venue visit in advance will save them time on the wedding day searching for the right venue staff to ask questions like: “Where should I load in? Where do I park? Which ballroom are we in? Where should I set up my DJ equipment? Where is the ceremony space?
When setting up for a wedding, every minute counts and a wedding DJ should never assume everything will go as planned during the setup time.
Furthermore, the DJ will start to make “set up errors” that will compound if the DJ doesn’t know where they are or where they are going.
Makes Jokes On The Microphone
I love talking to my clients about why a DJ should never make jokes during a wedding.
I can honestly say, a lot of people like my sense of humor.
However, a wedding is not a place to make jokes on the microphone……ever!
The DJ does not know everyone in the crowd personally and the chances of them possibly offending someone with their jokes is very likely.
(one person offended is too many).
For example, I was at a wedding once as a guest where the DJ made a joke and it caused a huge moment of awkwardness. Everything got quiet and all the guests started looking at each other in disbelief as if to say “I can’t believe the DJ just said that.”
I always say, if a DJ wants to crack jokes to the public, then they should be a stand-up comedian and leave the wedding stage immediately.
Does Not Interact With The Crowd
Wedding DJs are paid pretty darn well in my opinion. With that said, why should someone pay a DJ to just stand there and play music?
Someone can easily hook up a computer to a speaker and set a playlist to play automatically if they just wanted to listen to their favorite tunes.
In addition to being hired to play great music for dancing, the DJ must orchestrate all of the wedding events on the wedding timeline in an organized fashion. The client is also paying the DJ to provide their services as an emcee and professional entertainer.
On the opposite note, I have seen DJs go too far the other way by overdoing it on the microphone as well.
A great DJ will interact with the crowd in a way that is fun and engaging while not being overbearing.
Doesn’t Keep Playlists Up To Date
I love a good classic dance tune. Almost everybody does!
However, there will many moments during a wedding where you and your guests may want to hear the “latest and greatest” hip hop or pop jam.
The DJ has gotta have these songs ready to go in advance!
A DJ should update their playlists at least once a month with the newest popular dance hits because people WILL be asking to hear them.
Thank you for reading
“Wedding DJ Mistakes“
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Click the video icon below for more
Hello! My name is Tony Coppola and I’d like to take this time to tell you a little bit about myself and CC King Entertainment.
I began my musical journey when I was 12 years old as a singer and drummer.
Ten years ago, I built a home recording studio and named it CC King Studio. Shortly after, I DJ’d my first wedding and CC King Entertainment was born!
After DJing hundreds of weddings, my business allowed me to leave my 16 year career as an occupational therapist.
I ALWAYS go the extra mile to personalize my wedding services and have the honor to work with an amazing team of wedding DJs.
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How To Pick The Perfect Wedding Music
Over the years I have DJ’d hundreds of weddings and each one has been unique and special in its own way. From decorations, food, banquet halls, vendors, traditions and of course the music. On that note, I am often asked for advice and guidance in picking the perfect wedding music for the couple’s big day.
On that note, I thought it would be helpful to share some tips that will help you select the perfect wedding music. In addition, your DJ should always be willing to make song suggestions as well.
I’ve also included some VERY helpful playlist planning tools that will simplify the process of selecting the perfect wedding music for your big day. So let’s begin!!
Listed below are all of the different wedding events and dances that will need music to be selected prior to your wedding day. I have included tips and my personal experiences to assist you in picking the perfect songs for these most special moments. I have also included samples of music to help you get a feel for the wedding event in which it will accompany.
The Ceremony
When picking the perfect wedding music, remember that your wedding ceremony music should express your personal tastes in music. It also sets the tone for the entire day for you and your guests.
The music playing when your guests arrive should also reflect your personal tastes and preferences. Is this a traditional wedding? Artistic? Throw the traditions out the window wedding? This is all communicated by your pre-wedding ceremony music.
During your ceremony, there is the bridal party processional song, bridal march song, a special ceremony song and a recessional song. Traditional wedding ceremony songs include compositions like: “The Bridal Chorus”, “Cannon in D” and “Mendelssohn’s Wedding March.”
These are beautiful and popular ceremony songs, however as far as “rules” for picking out this music, I say there are no rules for the wedding ceremony music. I do recommend however to always keep it clean.
Cocktail Hour and Dinner
It’s always fun to personalize the cocktail and dinner music as well. I’ve played everything from movie soundtracks, parodies, and even music written by musicians who are guests at the wedding.
I typically suggest standard jazz or classics by Sinatra and the “Rat Pack.” I also suggest that couples do not assume that the music for cocktail hour and dinner should be slow. Uptempo music works great and warms up your guests for the dancing segment of the evening.
Regardless of the cocktail music you choose, your DJ must play it at a low volume level. Your songs should be loud enough to simply fill in the quiet space and not interfere with your guest’s conversations.
The Grand Entrance
Now it’s time to TURN IT UP!! When selecting the perfect wedding music for the Bridal Party ‘s Grand Entrance, it is important to pick music that is fun and upbeat.
One thing I like to do is dedicate a song for each person announced in the bridal party. It is also fun to pick music that the members of your bridal party identify with and to keep it a secret. They will absolutely love that you took the time to do this and the guests who know them will love it too.
You will also want to discuss with your DJ where you want each song to start playing (ex. bridge, chorus and so on). When picking the Newly Married Couple’s Grand Entrance song, I always suggest something that’s high energy and emotionally charged. This is your big moment to shine and we love seeing HAPPY tears of joy in the crowd during your Grand Entrance!!
The Couple’s First Dance
When planning your First Dance song, start early. Days early? Weeks early? Months? If possible, start years early if you have that time available.
Be sure to write these songs down if you hear them on the radio. I always recommend waiting till about 30 days prior to your wedding to submit your music. The reason for this is because song selections often change before then.
Now here is my most important tip for this entire blog. This is YOUR song. It’s nobody’s song but YOURS.
We all know that family and friends can often influence many of the events that take place during the wedding, but not this one. This is the most magical dance for the entire reception and it’s all about YOU and your husband or wife.
Dedication and Ceremonial Songs
Dedication and ceremonial songs include the music for the couple’s cake cutting, dances with the parents, bridal party dance, bouquet toss, garter toss and the last song of the evening. The first thing I recommend is that the couple visits my song suggestion list to get some ideas.
To get creative, couples have also arranged fun choreographed dances with their parents. They may also invite both parents and families on the dance floor for this dance. Furthermore, if you pick songs for the parents dance, I always recommend something they will love and cherish forever.
As for choosing the perfect wedding music for the other dedication and ceremonial songs, I suggest picking songs that are light and fun for the cake cutting. Furthermore, consider casual and cheerful for the bridal party dance.
Entertaining and playful music for the bouquet toss and humerus songs for the garter toss. Finally, it always works well to play fun and sentimental music for the last dance of the evening.
Open Dance Floor
It is now time for me to reveal some of my DJ secrets for picking the perfect wedding music to keep that dance floor PACKED!! Keeping the dance floor rolling is actually a team effort.
It all starts with the DJ and the couple getting married. Prior to the wedding, it is so important that the couple complete the Master of Ceremonies form.
I always suggest the couple picks music that they identify with. It is also very important that the music has a good dance beat. Finally, I always recommend that the couple allow the DJ to play what we call our “go-to” songs that have proven to keep that dance floor packed night after night!
Click the video icon below for more
Hello! My name is Tony Coppola and I’d like to take this time to tell you a little bit about myself and CC King Entertainment.
I began my musical journey when I was 12 years old as a singer and drummer. Ten years ago, I built a home recording studio and named it CC King Studio. Shortly after, I DJ’d my first wedding and CC King Entertainment was born!
After DJing hundreds of weddings, my business allowed me to leave my 16 year career as an occupational therapist. I ALWAYS go the extra mile to personalize my wedding services and I have the distinct honor to work with an amazing team of Michigan wedding DJs.
Contact Us