The Wedding DJ “Just in Case” Kit

by Chris Brower
Last Updated: December 14, 2021

The Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared,” might as well be the DJ motto too. Couples are paying you a lot of money to deliver them an amazing day, so you don’t want to let a pesky technical or solvable personal issue get in the way.

In addition to being prepared with all the necessary songs, timeline, driving directions, and general DJ equipment, make sure you have these other items just in case something goes wrong.

Backup Laptop (or other audio-playing device)

For many DJs, their laptop is the heart of the operation. If the laptop stops working, then you could be sunk. That’s why it’s essential you have a backup laptop* (equipped with the music and necessary programs and ready to go) that you bring along to jobs just in case.

The backup laptop doesn’t have to be fancy – it just has to get the job done.

If you use other devices to play music, then bring a backup for those too. At least have some way to still provide outstanding music and DJing. And something hopefully better than just plugging in your phone.

Music Backup

If all your music is on your laptop, and your laptop dies/gets stolen/etc., you’re screwed…unless you have a backup of the music.

That’s why I always back up my music before each gig to a separate external hard drive that I bring along to the gig. If my laptop hard drive for some reason gets erased or a file simply won’t work anymore, I have another copy with me.

I also back up my music to another hard drive that I keep at home. This won’t help me the night of the wedding if there’s an issue, but it provides another layer of protection for the future. It’s good having a backup separate from everything else. If my laptop bag containing my laptop and external hard drive gets stolen or the contents inside damaged, at least I have another copy of my music at home. Maybe it’s overkill, but better to be safe than sorry.

You can also back up your music to the cloud. Just make sure you can easily access it anywhere. Some venues don’t provide Wi-Fi or you’re doing a ceremony outdoors away from any Wi-Fi, so you don’t want that to get in the way of you being able to access your music.

Backup Mixer

If you can afford to buy a backup mixer, bring one along in case your regular mixer stops working. The mixer is so important, so it’d be a real challenge if that stopped working and you didn’t have another.

Additional Microphones

You should never have just one microphone anyway. During toasts, you’ll likely be standing at the DJ table to introduce someone about to give a speech at the head table some distance away. You want to have your own microphone and a separate one for them. Plus, if one of the microphones does stop working, you at least have another.

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

Additional Power Cords

Anything that needs a power cord to run, bring a backup.

Speaker cords
Laptop power cord
Mixer power cord – Don’t forget this one! In my early days, my mixer power cord stopped working at a wedding, and I didn’t have a backup cord with me. Ah!
Power strip
Extension cords – You never know when you’ll be really far from an outlet and even need to use multiple extension cords. Be ready!

Additional Cables and Adapters

Cables wear out. Adapters are small and can get lost. Or maybe you need to plug some other, unexpected audio source into your system or help out a videographer who wants to plug into your system. Be ready.

And any other cables/adapters you might need to use.

Batteries

Your wireless microphone likely needs AA batteries. Have plenty. I always set out another pair on my DJ table just in case the batteries die during toasts and I need to rush over quickly and replace them. You don’t want to hold up everything, while you root around in equipment cases for another set of batteries. Of course, do all you can to have fresh batteries or at least only gently used in your microphone.

If you leave the batteries in the microphone in the days after a wedding, even though the microphone is turned off, the batteries are likely to drain.

So take them out when the microphone is not being used and replace them regularly.

Tablecloth

Unless you have your own DJ table/console, you’ll likely be using a table provided by the venue. Often the venue also provides a tablecloth, but sometimes they don’t! That’s why you should bring a tablecloth with you just in case.

Medicine/Toiletries/Food/Etc.

Yep. You might get a pounding headache during a wedding (got asked to play “The Chicken Dance” for the fourth time in a row?? Headache!), accidentally cut yourself while setting up your equipment, or develop a stomachache from dinner. Fill a bag with a few essentials, and you’ll feel a lot more comfortable.

Tylenol
Bandages
Pepto Bismol
Kleenex
Moist Towelette – You don’t want messy fingers getting all over your DJ equipment!
Cough Drops – Throat feeling a little scratchy from all those announcements? These might help.
Gum – You don’t want bad post-dinner breath when talking with the couple and their guests.
Sunscreen – Don’t let an outdoor ceremony or reception give you an awful sunburn.
Snacks – Sometimes the dinner the venue provides isn’t enough. Bring along some snacks just in case. Some simple, cheap ones include peanut butter crackers and granola bars.
Any other prescriptions/medicine you may need

Conclusion

Don't let an easily solvable issue get in the way of you delivering a great wedding for your customers. Come prepared, and you'll be ready.

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