Part Two of my “Never Settle for Good” series dives into one of the most overlooked decisions couples face when hiring a DJ: choosing between a large multi-DJ company and a dedicated, single-DJ professional. I break down how personality matching, consistency, adaptability, technical skill, and genuine passion play a crucial role in the experience you’ll actually get on your wedding day—and why the right DJ should feel like the right person, not a random assignment.
January 25, 2025
From a personal perspective, the biggest difference is this:
I am ONE person, and I can only be in ONE place at a time.
ONE Wedding DJ for ONE day: YOUR Day.
Think for a moment. How does a prospective bride know what type of DJ she is getting when she hires a company with multiple DJs? This is a question that should give you pause. This is NOT a stab at companies who operate like that. For ten years I worked for one of these companies, and I have nothing but the highest regard for the owner. He is a very good friend of mine. But he is often spread too thin.
I have no desire to have a huge company with lots of DJs who possess many different personalities because these larger companies do not match DJs to couples by personality. The larger companies match one of their DJs to each wedding reception based only on the DJ's availability. But when couples approach me, they see me for who I am. They know what they are getting, and if our personalities "click"—and they almost always do—it helps to put their minds at ease. They know I am the right choice for their weddings because they know exactly what I am going to offer them. It usually takes just one brief conversation. Then, they breathe a sigh of relief. When a couple is in the thick of planning a wedding, they are usually very overwhelmed. And when a couple knows their DJ is assigned by lottery, it does not lessen their stress. For many couples, this increases their worry and stress.
What's interesting is that the large companies started out just like me. But in just a short time, their websites began to feature other DJs. When you begin to feature other wedding DJs, you are putting your reputation that you have worked so hard to build on the line. I've invested a lot of time and money into building my brand and image, and I am just not interested in putting all of that hard work into the hands of others. Doing my best to give every couple the wedding of their dreams—that is the secret to my success. I never have to worry about a wedding DJ who has a bad night and ruins a couples' wedding reception and my reputation at the same time. I will never put my reputation in the hands of someone else. As a result, I'll always do a limited number of weddings per season. I'm not trying to be greedy. My goal has always been to be the most professional wedding DJ in my market with the most affordable pricing. I DJ because I love to do it. The money is wonderful, but the human connection makes me far richer.
Another big difference between the big companies and the individual DJ is this: wedding DJs on payroll under an umbrella company tend to use the same songs at every wedding. While this may work for some couples, it’s not the best idea if you want a more customizable playlist. Settling for less might not give you the memorable celebration you want.
But, most individual DJs that I know are like me in that they think outside the box. As self-employed DJs, most of us genuinely love music, and we know how to plan an unforgettable event. Excellent DJs are skilled entertainers who can curate a playlist for all sorts of events, not just weddings. We bring our own unique touch, and we can adapt to any crowd. Thanks to our versatility, we can match our clients' musical tastes and make their events feel special. By working with excellent DJs with their own unique styles, you are far more likely to have a celebration that feels personalized, fresh, and exciting.
An excellent DJ exudes positive energy through his or her passion for what he or she does and is proficient in the basics: he or she can mix tracks smoothly, understand beatmatching and cueing, and read the crowd to play appropriate tracks. However, an excellent DJ takes these skills to the next level. He or she masters seamless transitions with creative flair, uses advanced techniques like harmonic mixing, and anticipates crowd energy to adjust his or her sets dynamically. This mastery creates a cohesive and engaging musical journey.
The best DJs build up their sets and drop them at the right moment. This talent ensures the crowd isn’t overwhelmed with a constant barrage of fast dance tracks or slow songs that lull them to sleep. The best way to know if a DJ has this skill is to read his or her reviews. High star ratings and positive feedback almost always guarantees a DJ puts together a perfect performance.
A successful DJ is prepared but also knows how to be spontaneous. When choosing the right DJ, you don’t want someone who doesn’t take your event seriously. A DJ who takes your event too lightly is just as bad as a DJ who takes themselves too seriously.
An excellent DJ is prepared for the event in advance but also knows what the crowd enjoys and how to improvise. Often, an audience doesn’t feel the vibe. An inexperienced DJ might stay the course to get through the event. But an excellent DJ will adjust to the crowd’s needs. An excellent DJ may have to throw away his or her entire set on the spot and start fresh to keep the audience dancing.
This adaptability is what often includes them among the very best DJs in their area.
The ability to read the crowd is essential to an excellent DJ’s performance. When a DJ can’t read the crowd (many can’t), he or she ruins the mood of the entire event. A DJ who studies the audience will ensure a good experience.
Hire a DJ who pays attention to what makes a crowd dance and what songs make them head to their seats and sit down. Preparation is more than just having a library of songs ready. It includes changing those songs whenever necessary to keep things running smoothly.
Special events like weddings, New Year’s Eve parties, corporate events, and private functions have a wide variety of attendees. An excellent DJ looks at his or her audience and knows what they will like. Knowing what will get the crowd dancing ensures an excellent DJ will have a successful event.
Timing and feeling the crowd are crucial. An experienced DJ knows when to play that classic track that everybody loves. He or she is also familiar with what new songs have fun and catchy beats.
As explained earlier, reading the room separates the very best DJs from the less-than-desirable ones. But reading the room is not enough. It is imperative that your DJ is always approachable and welcoming, too. Those who aren't will miss the opportunity for a wonderful event.
More about this in my next (and final) entry on the topic of Excellent DJs.
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