Looking to hire a DJ for your Wedding, Party of Event? This complete guide to booking a DJ covers absolutely everything you need to know, from the different types of DJs for hire, what events they cater for and average set lengths, to how much it costs to hire a DJ, equipment, insurance and cancellation and music licences.
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HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DJ FOR YOUR EVENT
This all depends what type of event you’re planning, how many people will be attending, the age range and musical tastes of your guests, as well as what kind of atmosphere you’re hoping to create.
While the DJ’s main job is to get people dancing, it’s important to consider what type of act will best suit your event.
If you’re having a party, you might want a Party DJ who is talented at interacting with the audience and even hosting the odd party game. Party DJs are also perfect for corporate events, store openings or trade shows, where you want a fun and upbeat atmosphere.
If your event is geared towards people in their twenties who just want to dance, a Nightclub DJ might be better as they will focus solely on playing great dance tunes. If club-style lighting effects such as spotlights, beams, lasers and strobes aren’t provided by your venue, this type of DJ will also be able to bring along their own kit.
For something a bit different, some DJs even have a saxophonist or violinist playing along with their tracks, but whether you want straight-up classic party hits or modern club anthems, a good, professional DJ will be skilled at reading the audience and keeping the dance floor full, whatever the occasion.
A great way to make sure you’re hiring the right DJ for your event is to read the reviews on their Entertainers Worldwide profile. You can also use the Contact Me form to let them know what kind of event you’re organising, what style of music you want and to ask questions such as, have they worked at similar events before? You can also request a quote, all with no-obligation to book.
A DJ will be a focal point of your event and will be talking to your guests, so you want to make sure you’re going to be happy with your choice.
TYPES OF DJS AVAILABLE TO HIRE FOR DIFFERENT EVENTS
PARTY DJ
We’ve all been at a party when the DJ puts on that track we used to love as a teenager. Suddenly, we lose all inhibitions and really let our hair down, dancing, singing and laughing with our friends. A skilled Party DJ knows just how to spark those memories and emotions. So get that glitter ball rolling and lose yourself in music and lights. Let’s make this a night to remember!
Party DJs are super adaptable. They can play music from any genre to suit your occasion, and far from just spinning tunes, a professional DJ is well-rehearsed in making announcements and interacting with the audience.
NIGHT CLUB DJ
There are many DJs available to hire that specialise in nightclub entertainment. Nightclub DJs are highly professional and experienced at setting the perfect tone for a party atmosphere. Your event doesn’t have to be in an actual nightclub, as this type of DJ will perform at all kinds of venues, where their fast-paced entertainment is ideal for upbeat corporate parties or birthdays for younger adults.
If your event is in a nightclub, you may find that a DJ plus lighting is already included in the price – so it’s worth checking this when you book the venue.
KARAOKE DJ
Karaoke is something you either love or hate, but even if you don’t fancy yourself on the mic, it’s always entertaining to watch others stand up and sing to the crowd! Karaoke DJs are trained to get guests involved, singing and up on the dance floor, and will provide all the necessary equipment to display lyrics on screen. They are extremely versatile and can be hugely entertaining at any event, even your evening wedding reception!
BOOKING A DJ FOR YOUR WEDDING
A Wedding DJ is a fantastic option for your evening reception. More affordable than hiring a live band, it’s a great way of ensuring that all your guests are kept happy and entertained. From announcing your first dance, to enticing those first first few guests onto the dancefloor, you can rely on a professional DJ to keep the right mix of music flowing all evening, creating that perfect party atmosphere.
With digital playlists and streaming services like Spotify at your fingertips, you might be tempted to handle the music for your reception yourself. Many have learnt that this isn’t always such a good idea!
There is a lot more to DJing than plugging in an iPhone and pressing shuffle. High quality equipment is essential to create a decent sound that’s loud enough without being muffled. You also need someone with a large and varied library of music and the professional know-how to read and interact with the audience, get people on the dance floor, and keep them there.
Don’t forget, your guests will be different ages and have varied musical tastes, and you want to cater for all of them. By all means, give your chosen DJ a list of 20 or so favourite tracks but leave the rest up to them. He or she will be an experienced entertainer, so you can relax knowing that you’re in safe hands.
While you don’t necessarily want too much chatting on the mic, a Wedding Reception DJ will be comfortable introducing the newlyweds and making any other announcements as required throughout the evening.
Most wedding DJs can theme their sets and performance style to whatever era or style of music you want for your wedding. Whether your wedding party is Swinging Sixties themed, 70s disco vibe, 80s electro, House music, Northern Soul, Motown or contemporary chart, most DJs can create a great show with lighting to match.
As well as customising the music, experienced wedding DJs can also work with you to customise the look of their equipment and light show to match your colour scheme. Although this is likely to be an additional cost option, it’s possible to hire colour coordinated PA speakers and DJ decks, as well as themed lighting gobos, backdrops, projectors, video screens and more.
Importantly, DJs for Weddings can supply professional lighting to suit your event, from warm and stylish mood lighting for your drinks reception, to a gentle spotlight on the first dance, to full-on disco lights, laser beams and a smoke machine for the evening party.
You can even opt for customised lighting to match your wedding theme, whether it’s vintage or modern. Special backdrops, projectors or video screens can also be included, to really bring your theme to life. Whatever you’re imagining, talk it over with your chosen DJ when you book so he can make it happen!
Find and book a local wedding DJ for your big day – find the best wedding DJs near you for your reception – just search above or fill in our request form and we’ll send you quotes so you can hire a wedding DJ with no booking fees.
And if you need more inspiration for your wedding take a look at our Home of Wedding Entertainment, where you’ll find plenty of advice and ideas, as well as everything from Wedding Inspiration Videos and Wedding Checklists to Wedding Ceremony and First Dance Playlists.
HOW MUCH DOES A DJ COST TO HIRE?
Hiring a DJ is a great option if you have a limited budget, as it’s generally much cheaper than booking a live band. That said, the price will vary depending on their level of experience, how far they have to travel to your event, the type and size of the event, the quality of their equipment and the size of their music collection.
You can pay anything between £300 ($300 in the U.S. and 400€ in Europe) for a local party DJ to £1000+ for a high profile DJ with the best equipment and lighting. Typically, a good, professional DJ will cost between £400 and £600 ($600 in the U.S. and 700€ in Europe).
If your chosen DJ has musicians or singers included in their act, or you’re booking at high-demand times such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve, you can expect to pay more.
As with booking any act, it’s worth paying for a reputable DJ who can be relied upon to deliver great entertainment as the focal point of your event. See our Essential Tips below for information on booking terms and conditions.
DJs are constantly researching and developing their music libraries and honing their craft. They have learned the art of reading a crowd and keeping the energy flowing with the right mix of music. Outgoings include music, equipment, clothes, travel and marketing, and they need to factor these things in when setting their fees.
When it comes to finding just the right one, we’re here to help. Our easy-to-use entertainment directory allows you to search for the best DJs in your area and you can then use the Contact form to message them directly and ask for a no-obligation quote. You will find that some acts also add a rough price guide to their profile, which you can confirm when booking.
HOW LONG WILL THEY PLAY FOR?
This can range from a 10-minute segment to a 10-hour marathon. Party DJs will keep the tunes coming for the duration of your event, typically for 3 or 4 hours, with a break in between, during which time he will leave some background music playing.
A Wedding DJ booked for the evening reception will usually start at around 8pm and go on until midnight, with a short interval half way through. Always agree timings with your chosen act when you book.
Nightclub DJ sets may be shorter, especially if multiple acts are performing on the same night. It really depends on the booker’s requirements. DJs will generally play for as long as needed.
If your event is due to last all day, you can speak to your chosen DJ and agree on a schedule together. Extra or longer performances will cost more so keep an eye on your budget.
SUITABLE VENUES FOR DJS
When choosing your venue, it’s a good idea to consider the type of event you’re planning and what space and set up facilities you’ll need.
VENUE SIZE
How much room will be needed for the DJ’s table and equipment, including PA system and lighting? Is your DJ including musicians in their set or do they have an assistant? Will you need room for a separate host? Is the room big enough for all of your guests? Is there parking and easy access, allowing your DJ to set up easily and quickly?
Stage Size
Even though your DJ will mainly be in one spot, they will need a certain amount of space in order to be comfortable and put on the best possible show. Your chosen venue may have a DJ booth or stage area. If not, we recommend a minimum area of 8ft x 5ft (2.5m x 1.5m) for a DJ + turntables, mixing desk, vinyl or laptop, monitors and lighting stands. If in doubt, check with your DJ.
EQUIPMENT & SET UP REQUIREMENTS
Event DJs, also known as mobile discos, come fully equipped with all their own equipment, including decks, PA system, microphones and lighting, and can play from almost anywhere!
Whatever the venue, large or small, indoors or outdoors, your DJ will need the basics of a dry/covered area to set up, a safe supply of electricity and at least four power point sockets near the stage area.
It usually takes an hour or two for a DJ to unload their equipment, set up and sound check. It will take longer if there are extra features such as complex lighting or video screens to install.
If you’re organising a corporate event, or family fun day, with speeches and presentations, and you’re hoping to use the DJ’s microphone, it’s best to check with them first. Most DJs nowadays use wireless microphones and some prefer other people not to use their equipment, in case it gets damaged. However, your DJ may be able to provide an extra hand-held mic, so don’t forget to request this if necessary.
Backstage Area
Most DJs will not be expecting a fully-fitted dressing room, they will need somewhere away from the guests to get changed, warm up and relax in between sets, ideally with a mirror. A small room or back office is often sufficient.
MUSIC LICENSES
In the UK, venues with a capacity of 500+ people are required to have a special license, permitting them to host live performance or digital reproduction of copyrighted music. This includes nightclubs and live music venues. For more information, you can visit the UK government’s guide to Entertainment Licensing.
For guidance on music licenses for bars, restaurants and music venues in the U.S. you can go to the ASCAP website and for European venues, information on The Music License is available from the PPL PRS.
ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR BOOKING A DJ
How far in advance should I book?
Popular DJs get booked up months, or even years, in advance. Friday and Saturday nights are often busy times and Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve get booked up well in advance. So, for the best chance of getting your first choice of DJ on the date you need them, consider booking as much as a year in advance.
We have plenty more information about the practicalities of booking entertainment on our FAQs page, where you can find everything you need to know about Deposits & Travel expenses | Cancellations | DBS Checks | Performer Insurance & Risk Assessments .
HOW TO BOOK DJ
Booking a DJ couldn’t be easier with EntertainersWorldwide.com. Simply search through our DJ listings to view profiles, read reviews and check out video samples of our entertainers in action.
Once you’ve decided who you would like to contact, simply click on the Contact Me button on their profile page and send them a message or request a no-obligation quote.
We pride ourselves on being one of the only entertainment directories that doesn’t act as an agent between acts and customers, so you deal direct with your chosen act and there are no added booking fees to pay!
How can I find and book a band or live music for an event near me?
Using Entertainers Worldwide, you can search and browse hundreds of DJs and much more! Search now to find a DJ for your event, or Request Multiple Quotes from a selection of live bands – complete this form – this is a free service.