Your wedding day is one of the most important milestones you’ll ever plan—and while flowers, food, and photographs often dominate conversations, music has the power to define how your guests remember the day. A truly great DJ doesn’t simply press “play”; they read the room, manage the timing, adapt to unexpected moments, and build an atmosphere that elevates every part of the evening.
After 10+ years performing at over 1,500 weddings across the UK and Europe, I’ve seen first‑hand how selecting the right DJ can transform a gathering into something magical—or leave much to be desired if corners are cut. The right questions asked early will help ensure you hire someone who aligns with your vision, is reliable under pressure, and has the technical and professional safeguards in place to make your day run smoothly.
With that in mind, here are essential aspects to probe when speaking to a potential wedding DJ, to help you feel confident in your choice and avoid potential pitfalls.
1. How Much Do You Cost?
OK, a fairly obvious one, but best to get this one straight first thing, before you start sounding too keen!
Too expensive? Sure, there are guys out there who would take on a job for £150.00, but you are running the risk of getting a very inexperienced DJ for that price. PA quality and quality/quantity of lighting may also fall short. Would you choose the cheapest photographer? The cheapest caterer? Why risk it with your DJ for your big day.
2. Do You Have Reviews from Previous Customers?
If your DJ has a lot of experience then he/she should have a good collection of testimonials from previous weddings. Ask to see these – if he doesn't have any to hand, ask for a few email addresses from previous clients who can provide references.
3. What Lighting Equipment Will You Bring?
When booking your DJ always make sure he/she has an adequate lighting rig for your event. The DJ should have three lights at a minimum and these would ideally be mounted on a tripod stand for optimum effect. Find out if your DJ uses haze/smoke as standard as some venues will not allow this and it could cause problems with fire alarms etc.
To get a good idea of what your DJ will be bringing on the night, always ask for a few snaps of their kit so you know what they will be arriving with. A top of the range sound system can make a big difference especially if you are using it for speeches as well as music.
4. Are You Happy to Play Requests?
Always make sure your DJ has a very good idea of how you want the evening to go musically. A good experienced wedding DJ should be able to cope with all genres and be able to blend them together seamlessly to create a great vibe on the dance-floor.
Suss the DJ out on the phone beforehand to make sure he/she is the one for you musically and to ensure they are prepared to work with your playlist.
However, be aware that a good DJ will constantly be monitoring the mood of the crowd and so may need to adapt your playlist, within reason, in order to keep the dance-floor packed.
5. Do You Have a Back-Up Plan?
Weddings are stressful enough but learning that your DJ has flu a day before your wedding could be a disaster. A good booking agent like Function Central will be able to send in a replacement DJ at a moment's notice, in case disaster strikes. Also, equipment does fail occasionally and for this reason a good DJ should have a spare mixer, amp and cables with him at all times.
6. Can You Issue a Receipt for My Deposit?
I always take a deposit for every wedding I do, this is beneficial to both parties as it gives you the assurance that you have your DJ confirmed. Once the deposit has been paid, always ask for a receipt and confirmation of the booking.
7. Will You Talk Between Songs?
All DJs have different styles and characters so it's always best to make it clear early on how you want your DJ to behave. For example, some people prefer the DJ to use the mic between songs and some hate it. Some prefer their DJ to perform in black tie, and some prefer a more casual look. Always outline your requirements before the big day.
8. First Dance & Last Dance
The bride and groom's first dance is always a very important part of the evening – use it as an opener for the evening section of the wedding and always go straight into party music afterwards as this will be your best opportunity to gather everyone around you on dance-floor.
I would recommend you don't rush into your first dance immediately after the speeches. Let you guests relax and have a drink and wait for your evening guests to arrive. The DJ can always play background music until the first dance starts.
In my opinion the final song of the evening can be as important as the first dance so its always a good idea to give your DJ a song you would really like to end the night on. You can always leave it up to them but you run the risk of them playing something you may hate, so have a chat beforehand with your DJ if you can't choose one and ask what song they would recommend.
9. What Format Will You Use?
Most wedding DJs these days use a laptop with a DJ controller – these give the DJ a potentially limitless source of music, since songs can simply be downloaded and played immediately if needed. You need never then hear the line "sorry, I haven't got that song" again!
CDs are still used and are also fine, Vinyl is rarely used now for weddings as it limits the repertoire and is very heavy and difficult to transport. Don't worry too much about what format your DJ uses, as longs as the songs are reasonably high-resolution MP3s, they will sound great!
10. Is Your Equipment Fully PAT Tested and Do They Have PLI?
A simple question like this can give you an immediate impression of the DJ you are dealing with, if they haven't got the relevant equipment testing certificates or haven't got public liability insurance then the chances are you are dealing with a cowboy – any wedding DJ worth their salt would have all the necessary certificates and insurances.
11. What's Your Cancellation or Postponement Policy?
Life happens, and wedding plans sometimes shift. It’s essential to ask your DJ what happens if either you need to postpone or cancel—or if the DJ themselves becomes unavailable. Key things to clarify: how much notice is needed; whether deposits are refundable or transferable; whether there are cancellation fees and how large these are; what happens if the DJ has an emergency and can no longer perform (do they provide a replacement or refund?). Make sure these terms are in writing, ideally in the contract, so you know exactly where you stand if something unexpected comes up.
12. How Do You Coordinate with Other Vendors
A great DJ doesn’t work in isolation. They need to sync with your photographer, caterer, venue staff, maybe your planner or MC—and possibly the ceremony musicians. Ask if the DJ can discuss plans with your wedding or party planner in advance to cover timing (e.g. speeches, first dance, cake cutting), venue requirements (power, load‑in time, sound restrictions), and contingency plans. Good communication among the suppliers team can help avoid awkward delays and ensures the flow of events matches your plan.
13. How Much Set-Up and Break-Down Time Do You Need?
Always ask your DJ how much time they’ll need to arrive, unload, rig up, test, and then how much time afterwards to dismantle and load everything away. A professional DJ will usually plan for 1–2 hours of setup (or longer if there’s lighting, staging, or multiple sound zones) so everything is ready well before your guests arrive.
Break‑down after the event tends to take less time—often 30 minutes to an hour, unless the setup is large or complex.
You’ll want to check with your venue what time they allow for pack‑down, how easy the access to load‑out is (stairs, distance to vehicle, etc.), and whether the DJ has help or assistants to speed things up.
14. What Happens During Breaks?
Many couples worry about dead air when the DJ needs a break (for food, rest, etc.). A good DJ will plan their breaks around less critical parts of the evening (e.g. dinner or a speech), so that guests are less likely to notice.
During those times, the DJ might switch to a background music playlist, at a lower volume, to maintain atmosphere—letting people talk, eat, or mingle without the stark silence.
Often, DJs don’t take formal long breaks during the dancing portion of the night—many prefer to play straight through, perhaps sitting down briefly when possible, or stepping away very momentarily, but keeping the music flowing.
