Interviewing DJ's - what to ask?

Besides cost, hours of coverage and if they do lighting or giveaways, what are the important questions to ask DJ's???

I'm leaving in a few and just realized I'm not sure what's important to make sure I ask. Thanks!

just C&P'd this from BHB--another bride asked this question today:


1) Who specifically will be my dj and assistants - if this is important have them write the names of everyone in there

2) how many will there be

3) are you licensed/insured

4) HOW do you replace my dj or musician if they are sick or there is an emergency which makes it impossible for them to be there

5) What time they will arrive to set up

6) How long will they play

7) Will there be breaks? How long? It is horrible to go to a wedding where the entertainment takes long breaks -

8) what equiptment will they bring with them - sound system, lights, or whatever it is

9) Overtime - get it in writing how much and IF you have an option to goovertime - sometimes people are having so much fun and weddings go into overtime - you want to know what it will run you IF you chose to do this - get the optional price in your contract

10) what they will wear

11) who will be the MC or if you will have one

12) if they say that you or your hall does not need to provide them with anything (extra electrical cords etc) put that in - make sure you ask if there
is anything that they need that might or might not be at the hall that they will
need

13) cocktail music? Will they provide it - what will they provide - for how long will they provide it

14) Is gratuity included if it is put that in there (most do not but some do)

AHHHHHH on ANY contract you guys sign - BIGGIE - many places offer NO refund if
you have to cancel or change the date for any reason - get it in the contract -what you get back if you cancel, or reschedule

15) what form do they accept payments in - make sure you have in there if they accept credit cards if you plan to pay that way - when each payment is due etc -

another one i thought of:

have you played at my hall before? are you familiar with the room and how to set up there?

how long have you been in business?

what percentage of your business is dedicated to weddings?

do you have a sampler cd that i can review?

will your DJs/MC's engage in alcohol consumption during the reception? (sadly you should ask , and make sure it's put in the contract that they can't drink---was at an anniversary party and the DJ was wasted)

i think you are hispanic---if i remember correctly, so i would ask: can you provide for a bi-lingual MC for announcements and such?

psst MJ: I'm checking out elegancia tonight too :)

ETA: just saw the bottom of your post... yep, hispanic here and we FM'd about elegancia. They're squeezing us in tonight so they'll be our first visit. Thanks for all the q's... will add to my list.