Is It Okay for Wedding DJs to Drink at Weddings?
by Chris Brower
Last Updated: February 12, 2020
Cheers! . . . or no?
Alcohol plays an interesting part in weddings.
While, yeah, people may drink a lot at bars or house parties, people often drink way more at weddings, thanks to the (usually) free open bar and just the general celebratory mood.
If you want to see a room of people dash to get in line, announce “The bar is now open” or “Last call…”
Throughout the night, the couple, their families, and guests will often get increasingly intoxicated, sometimes to an alarming level.
What About the DJ? Can You Drink at Weddings?
Maybe…
Unfortunately there’s no once-size-fits-all answer.
Of course, not drinking is perhaps always the best choice. No risk of alcohol-induced slurring on the microphone. Less risk of general sloppiness or mistakes. Less risk of someone accusing you of being drunk on the job (I say less risk, because someone could still falsely claim you’re drunk if they find something wrong with your behavior or for whatever reason, even if you haven’t touched a drop of alcohol).
Unfortunately, some people, if they see an alcoholic drink on your DJ table or you sipping from one, may jump to the conclusion that you are just absolutely plowed and are acting unprofessional, even if you aren’t.
But others – maybe most people – won’t care at all. In fact, many people, including guests, family members, and the clients themselves, may offer you a drink or two. At a wedding I did recently the groom invited me to join he and the groomsmen for a shot before the wedding, and then during the reception he personally brought over a glass of whiskey from an expensive bottle he wanted me to try.
Certainly you can say no (and don’t feel peer-pressured if you don’t want to), but in these cases, as long as you know your limits and don’t even come close to approaching them, then it’s probably okay. And if the couple (aka your clients) is offering you drinks, they certainly don’t have a problem with it.
Ready for the complete guide to becoming a wedding DJ? Here you go.
When Is It Never Okay?
Every now and then you might be asked to DJ a dry wedding – a wedding where no alcohol is served. Some guests will still sneak in their own, but you certainly shouldn’t.
In fact, even at a wedding where alcohol is served, don’t bring your own. It looks weird (why are you doing that??). Certainly don’t be sneaking sips from a flask.
Similarly, don’t drink at times when no one else is, such as during the ceremony. People are usually more formal during this time (it’s not yet “party time”), so if they see the DJ standing off to the side nursing a beer, they might be shocked.
This isn’t a wedding, but if you’re DJing an event mainly for children, such as a school dance, bar or bat mitzvah, or graduation party, definitely do not drink! That would look highly suspect and inappropriate.
When It May Be Okay
Certainly if the couple hands you a drink, then they’ve given their permission.
Still, be very careful. Don’t drink more than, say, one or two drinks max. You don’t want to risk any sloppiness on your part. Plus, you most likely have to drive home.
You can always ask the couple if it’s okay. I include a question on my reception planner document asking if it’s okay if I partake in food at weddings (aka “will you feed me dinner?”). You could add a question about alcohol, such as, “Is it okay if I have at most one alcoholic drink at the wedding?” It’s still a potentially awkward ask, because it almost sounds like you need alcohol, and they might take it the wrong way. I don’t include the question on mine. But you could.
You can also just get a sense of the couple and their families before deciding to get a drink or not. Are they drinking and seem like they might not mind? If so, it might be okay. (Pay less attention to the guests, because some guests might act in a manner the couple and their families don’t like.)
And what about the other vendors? Is the photographer having a drink? That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s okay for you to have one too, but maybe it’s just fine.
Certainly don’t spend a long time in line at the bar. You’re supposed to be at the DJ table! So wait for a moment where there’s no line.
While you don’t need to broadcast that you’re having a drink, don’t go to great lengths to try to hide it. If people notice you’re crouching behind the DJ table and sucking back on a cold one they might think that’s extra suspicious. Don’t act like you’re doing anything wrong.
Conclusion
Look, it's just better to not drink at weddings. You'll be sharper, and you reduce the risk of offending anyone who would find a DJ drinking to be inappropriate. But also, sometimes having a drink or two (maximum) can be okay, and some clients might even encourage it! Just remember that your main focus is on doing an amazing job. You're not there to party; you're there to work. You can always meet up with your friends at a bar after the wedding when you're "off the clock."