I think you’ll agree with me when I say:
Choosing a wedding DJ in Montreal is hard!
It doesn’t need to be! Continue reading for a list of twenty questions you can ask a potential wedding DJ to help you make the right decision.
Are you available for my wedding date?
This is the most obvious question to ask first! Sometimes people get so excited to be talking about their wedding, that they forget to mention when it is!
How long have you been in business?
It is important to know the experience level of the wedding DJ you will be hiring. How many weddings do they perform at a year? How many years have they been a DJ?
Do you specialize in weddings?
Many DJ companies will say they specialize in weddings and sweet 16’s and bar mitzvahs and corporate events and club events. Sometimes the list goes on and on. No one can specialize in all things. Ask this question to gauge whether weddings really are their specialty or something they do from time to time? Weddings are a completely different setting than any other event and having experience with them is important.
Are MC duties included in your service?
Some DJ’s in Montreal will also act as your Master of Ceremonies (MC). Make sure to ask this because it might not always be the case. They may offer it as an extra expense, or not at all.
What sets you apart from your competition?
Listen closely to their answer, if they are bad mouthing other DJ’s you might not want to work with this vendor. They should be explaining what makes them different. What are some things that they do that no one else in Montreal does?
Have you performed at any weddings at our venue?
It always helps to know that a DJ has performed at the venue you’ve chosen in the past. This is definitely not a make or break type of question, but you will hopefully get some tips on the layout of the room at the same time!
How many hours do you provide music for?
Some DJ’s will have packages for weddings that go by number of hours. Some might charge overtime as well. Does their service include music for the ceremony? Music for cocktails? It is important to understand how they charge for the night and what is included. Keep in mind, especially in Montreal, most weddings will be 8 to 10 hours long!
Do you take requests?
Some DJ’s, surprisingly enough, do not take requests! Make sure to ask this question and watch how they react! You will be able to tell if they are really open to requests or not right away!
Are you bilingual? Do you speak French?
Having a wedding in Montreal typically means several languages will be spoken at the wedding reception. Having a DJ who speaks French may be important to you.
Do you have references?
Always ask for references! The wedding DJ’s you are meeting with should be able to either show you a list of referrals, video testimonials from past clients, or have Facebook, Google or Wedding Wire reviews for you to read! The more the better here!
How far in advance should we book you?
After meeting with a DJ, make sure you know when is the best time to book them. Some DJ’s in Montreal will book their weddings 8 to 12 months in advance, sometimes more! The last thing you want is to miss your chance to book your first choice for a Montreal wedding DJ because you waited to long to book them.
We’re from out-of-town but getting married in Montreal, how can we meet you?
How do they handle working with out-of-town clients? Are they flexible to have phone conversations, FaceTime or Skype meetings? Email communication is key nowadays too, do they answer emails quickly?
Will you be the DJ at our event?
This is a big one! There are DJ companies that offer several DJ’s, usually called a multi-op, and then there are single-op companies where there is only one DJ. A company with several DJ’s will typically be performing at several weddings in one day at the same time. A single-op company can only handle one wedding on any given day.
Many multi-operators will not let you meet with your DJ and/or MC before your wedding day, as they might not know who it will be. This may or may not be a factor for you. Keep in mind meeting your DJ and/or MC before booking with them is the only way to know if you will like their style and their personality.
When working with a single operator wedding DJ, you typically are meeting the person who will be performing at your wedding. They will get to know you, be able to connect with you and personalize your event better.
Can we come see you in action at a wedding?
This is a good question to ask to determine the level of commitment a DJ will have to their clients. Opinions on this answer will vary widely in the industry and you can make your own decision based on what you think is right.
Some DJ’s will allow you to come see them in action at someone else’s wedding and some will not. Those who do not allow potential clients to see them in action usually do this because their focus must remain on their client for that night, and not trying to impress a walk in client.
This is where videos from previous weddings are essential. If a DJ does not let you come see them in person at a wedding, they should have a lot of video footage that you could watch to get a good feeling of what they do. This is also why testimonials are so important.
What do you wear at a wedding?
This one might seem a little silly to ask but it is very important! Will you be ok with your Master of Ceremonies and DJ not wearing a suit at your wedding? Be sure to know what to expect from them and that you are comfortable with their style.
What is your MC style?
Some DJ’s and MC’s are very loud and in your face. Some are very calm and not very engaging. There are so many styles that an MC can be! This is why is so important to meet personally with the person who will be DJing or MCing your wedding! Maybe their style is too much for you and your family? Or maybe you need someone who is really energetic and motivates the crowd.
What is your cancellation policy?
No one wants to think about cancelling their wedding! Sometimes things come up in life and the wedding needs to be delayed. Sometimes it will be called off completely. It’s good to know your obligations going into any contract.
Do you have insurance?
No one looking for a wedding DJ ever seems to ask this question! Many people don’t know it is something a wedding DJ should have.
They should!
Liability insurance is slowly becoming a requirement in some venues around Montreal. Your DJ having liability insurance provides you with extra piece of mind and also shows the level of professionalism they operate at.
Do you have backup equipment?
Ask if they have backup equipment on site, or if they have a plan to have backup gear available quickly if something should go wrong at your wedding.
Will we meet again before our wedding?
You have booked your wedding DJ in Montreal! Yay! What are the next steps to be taken with them? There will need to be some planning of the reception, how will they plan to make your wedding unique and represent you? You’ll need to talk about music and your preferences. Typically one or two planning meetings with your DJ leading up to your wedding day will be required to make sure everything is just perfect.
I hope these questions will help make your journey to deciding on a wedding DJ in Montreal a little easier!
Are there other questions you think you should ask a Montreal wedding DJ before booking with them? Let me know in the comments below!
Stefan Jez is a Wedding DJ and MC specialist with over 20 years’ experience, operating in and around the Montreal area. Stefan is a member of the CDJA and certified Marbecca Silver Master of Ceremonies. Contact Stefan to find out how he can create unique entertainment experiences for your wedding!
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