5 Things Wedding DJs Should Stop Doing NOW

by Chris Brower
Last Updated: November 22, 2021

Unfortunately, a lot of people cringe at the thought of wedding DJs.

They picture corny dudes in tuxedos, hamming it up, playing “YMCA” on repeat, and just being really, really annoying or hard to work with.

There are many things you as a wedding DJ can do to not be this.

If you’re guilty of any of the following (and we probably all are from time to time), your business will be greatly improved if you stop right now.

1. Focusing Too Much Attention on Yourself

Many people consider weddings to be “all about the bride.” While the bride is often the biggest focus, really it’s all about the couple. And to expand it even further, it’s also about the couple’s family and their guests.

Who a wedding is not about is the wedding DJ. Not at all.

Sadly, many DJs still haven’t gotten this memo.

Naturally, some attention will be on the DJ. After all, you’re making announcements, and you’re running the party. It’s not a bad thing if people occasionally watch you or take an interest in what you’re doing.

But the DJ’s job is to make any necessary announcements and play amazing music, not to do an amateur stand-up show and song-and-dance routine and frequently call attention to themselves.

DJs go wrong when they start telling too many jokes (or talking too much in general), sharing their own thoughts on love over the microphone, interrupting first dances with commentary (“Whoa! Now that’s a good-looking couple!”), pointing DJ lighting at themselves rather than the dance floor, putting large banners on their equipment with their company name, or anything else that calls attention to the DJ rather than the couple and their guests.

Of course a DJ can be funny. Of course a DJ can make a joke when appropriate. Of course a DJ can put out business cards or have some information about themselves, if someone should approach the table. But the DJ should not be commanding the majority of the attention.

The guests are there to celebrate the couple, not you.

Ready for the complete guide to becoming a wedding DJ? Here you go.

2. Cutting Off Songs Too Quickly

We’ve all been at weddings or other events, where the DJ starts playing a song you love. You get excited and hurry out to the dance floor. …Then the DJ very quickly mixes into a different song, perhaps 30 seconds after starting the previous one, and you’re left feeling like, “Wait, what!? Noooo!“

These days, DJs can make all kinds of amazing mash-ups and remixes. That is a real skill. Still, these are probably better suited for clubs/concerts (where people have a different expectation and are often more interested in DJ skill/originality) than weddings and the other events (company parties, school dances, etc.) that you’re likely to DJ. In general, people at weddings want to hear the song as they know it, at least close to it.

That’s not to say you have to play the entire song as it is. Or that you can’t start the song, say, 40 seconds into it and end it after the second chorus or another spot. Of course you can do those things. But make sure to not play too short of a song, or else people might get frustrated.

What if a song is bombing?

Give it a bit.

It’s easy to start a song that clears the dance floor and then panic and think you immediately need to change it to something else. But give it a little time before fading into a new song. Sometimes a group of people leave the dance floor, but then another group comes on. Sometimes people just need a second before they get dancing going.

But sure, if the dance floor clears, and a minute or so goes by, then yeah, it’s probably time to change it to something else.

3. Not Having Backups of Equipment

Sadly, equipment will malfunction sometimes. Certain cords won’t work or the batteries on your wireless microphone will die. That’s why it’s important to always have backups of as many things as possible. Yes, even a backup laptop and speakers if you can afford it. It really has saved me sometimes.

So once you get every piece of wedding DJ equipment you need, get backups and have them with you and ready just in case something should malfunction. It’ll happen more than you think.

The last thing you want is for equipment malfunctions to hinder how the night goes, or worse, make it impossible for you to DJ.

Of course, if your equipment is repeatedly malfunctioning or not working as you’d like, then it’s time to replace it. That’s what I learned when my DJ speakers were becoming unreliable. Thankfully, I upgraded and found a much better solution.

4. Having Confusing/Misleading Fees

DJs should make things as easy as possible for their clients.

Same goes for pricing.

Sadly, many DJs come up with super complicated fee structures, or price everything à la carte and make it much more confusing for their clients (“Do we need one dance floor light or two? …How would we know?”).

That’s why I charge a flat rate for receptions, no matter how long they are, and clients get basically everything for that one price. The price is adjusted up front if the wedding distance is farther away, and I charge separately for ceremonies and uplighting*. But it’s still very easy.

Other DJs charge by packages (example: Basic, Complete, Premium), where clients get some things but not others, except for the top, most expensive package, which essentially gives everything the DJ can offer. This can work too.

But whatever you do, keep prices clear and easy. Don’t add on sales tax. Don’t nickle and dime over timing and every little thing. What you quote them needs to be the final price (unless they later add additional services). Don’t surprise them with any “consultation fee” or other bogus thing.

Keep it easy, and it’ll make your wedding DJ sales pitch better (and your life too!). And your clients will like you more.

5. Not Using a Lavalier (Lapel) Mic for the Ceremony

Officiants for wedding ceremonies often need both hands free to hold the rings, a Bible, notes, or other things. That's why a lavalier (lapel) microphone is the best option.

It clips right on their shirt/jacket/dress and leaves their hands free.

Asking the officiant to hold a wireless microphone is not a good idea. It becomes a juggling act, as they try to hold onto the microphone and the other objects at the same time.

You could put a wireless microphone on a microphone stand, which would then leave their hands free. But then there's a large object in the middle of photos. And it just looks bad.

Stick with a lavalier mic.

That said, a wireless, handheld microphone can work for someone doing a short reading or other quick moment during the ceremony. These are brief, and they likely have less stuff they need to hold onto at the same time. There's no need to wire up every person with a lavalier microphone. But the officiant, yes.

Conclusion

Your goal as a DJ should be to make things as easy (and awesome) as possible for your clients. Be prepared in case equipment should malfunction, and keep the focus on the couple and their guests. Just be awesome, okay?

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