becoming a wedding dj
hey guys been thinking about starting a wedding and party DJ business. Not got a clue where to start or what i need any help would be much appreciated
U kno how to mix and are good ? Then next u build ur fan base (Facebook soundcloud) and a website. And wait
Download iTunes
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No clue, goodluck though.
Mouth to mouth advertising.
I get offered gigs like crazy because I handed out a few cards at my Church once… If you are religious at all that is…
+1 Didn’t even think of this
Go to www.djtutor.com look for the brian s redd and a1 party dj video’s. Loads of good information for wedding dj’s
you know whats funny is that TODAY…a good friend of mine asks me to recommend her a good Wedding DJ because all the quotes she got were too high. So I give her my boys number she just sent me an email and it said
“is this guy any good. He’s only charging 500 bucks and the other quotes I got were for 1100 and 1400 but those guys had uplighting”
1400 for a wedding gig. Holy Shit. I’ve always thought those gigs were kinda korny but that’s some good bread. Obviously the investment in equipment is more and so is set up time…but that some good money considering a large portion of the night is background music.
It’s good money for a good reason. It’s a HUGE responsibility. I’ve been considering it, but I feel I would need to tag along with a veteran for a few first. You really NEED to know your stuff MC wise. Playing the music is only half of it, while being the master of ceremonies is the other. You have to keep in mind that you can make or ruin someones day that is supposed to be a once in a lifetime event. Chicks plan that shit their whole life. Oh… and you can get sued for ruining someones day.
The bride is the reason i avoid these, they send you a list of songs, romantic slow songs,
you meet them several times before the big day, discuss every minute detail, everything is planned.
you show up, the speeches are over running, you cant set up till their done, the band
shows up and takes up the entire stage, you play first, do the first dance, invite everyone to join them everything is good. the band come on, do some rock n roll etc finish late cause everything is late, from here on its damage control, people will want party music vs the brides list, you set a price fro x hours of music versus hotel manager tapping his watch, and watch that the band dont unplug you as they’re taking their rig apart.
These gigs are far harder than playing a nite club, you’ve got an age span of 80yrs to keep happy, with multiple genres and family favourites to squeeze in. There will be a sulky 15 yr old boy asking for metal, a 17yr old girl demanding Gaga again. and a drunk 32yr old always the brides maid never the bride demanding something good, with out specify’ing (Hence never the bride).
I’ve done 4 weddings in 12yrs of working and to be frank, i never want to do another, the money is better but they’re stressful, and because you’re the last guy there, you’ll get the grief if the bride didnt like her starter.
First one i did went smoothly, second the fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate, then at last song of the night they made out like i’d set off the alarm, third, the couple had a fist fight in the lobby at 2am and the bride announced their divorce on my mic
and the last one went quite well but i decided they’re just not my cup of tea.
I’ve played one funeral too, never ever ever ever again.
LOL! A DJ at a funeral?!
Word of mouth. Tell everyone you meet that you dj. I’ve seriously landed a wedding gig in line at Starbucks. Get a professional looking business card and give them to everyone! Anytime I hear anyone talking about wedding or party plans I give them a card.
If there’s a multi-op dj service around you see if you can get a job with them.
Find some local wedding/event planners and make friends with them, give your contact info to local venues.
I highly recommended signing up for a free listing on wedj.com. There’s a pretty good forum there with lots of info on mobile djing as well.
One very good way to get your name out as a mobile dj is by doing events for non-profits. There are always walk-a-thons, auctions, and various other fundraising gigs going on. These pay very poorly (if at all), but will give you a good idea if mobile work is right for you, and give you TONS of exposure. The last several weddings I’ve done I actually got because people saw me dj at a Rotary Club crab feed and asked for my card. One $200 gig landed me 3 $1000 gigs. 
I djed a memorial service once! It was weird.
^ how much equipment do you lug around.
I’ve some set ups that are just outrageous!!!
@ jakeintox, weird and slightly creepy.
also equipment wise, you’ll need a mini van, these rooms are quite big so
1500Watt PA is a minimum and 5 lights, controlled, plus decks mixer, mics, radio mic is good for speeches just remember to change the batteries before you hand it out to the best man. Get cloth sheets to hide you cables and gaffer tape every lead that anyone might ever put a foot near. Bring enough leads to traverse the golden gate bridge, carry fuses and a small tool kit with a soldering iron and plenty of spare bulbs if your lights aren’t LED based.
Make sure you have 2 copies of the first dance song and that its the version they meant, have one on the laptop, one on a cd player ready to go.
I want there to be a DJ at my funeral playing nothing but bangers!!!
@ photo, my number is 555 7171 5
Damn, Quiggs, beat me to it!
+1
.. sorry ot, but quiggers your soundcloud link links to soundclound … fyi
