Finding a DJ - and the benefit of DJ booking management software

Today we're going to talk a little about music at your wedding.

One of the things that an engaged couple usually has in common is the kind of music they listen to. Music is the one thing that can bond people together, that can get people to move, that can set a mood or change the vibe of an event. It is truly transformative, which is what makes it such a critical component of your wedding.

Lots has been said about taking the iPod route for your wedding and just creating lots of playlists, plugging your iPod into a venue's sound system and playing your favorite tunes all night. But for this to work flawlessly, you need to know your crowd, have an impeccable sense of timing, have decent taste in music, have enough mixes for if the mood changes (or if you want it to change), have reliable staff who knows how to run the sound system and fix it if it goes down, and so on.

So if there's any doubt about any of these, you might just be better off hiring a professional DJ who has the expertise, experience and equipment to ensure your music will be a highlight of the evening. Plus, with most DJs, you get a built-in emcee who can take care of all the introductions and such.

When hiring a DJ, there are a few things to look for. First on that list is experience DJing weddings. Next is a presence as an emcee (great voice and a graceful demeanor go a long ways here), followed by a wide selection of music that you and your guests will enjoy, equipment that meets your needs, flexibility to work with your venue and other vendors and reliability/dependability. To check up on that last detail, you should also ask them for the names and contact information of references so you can check up on other weddings where they have DJed.

Finally, your DJ should run a well-organized business, so you can ask them if they use DJ booking management software that gives them tools to stay better organized. DJ booking software affords them resources so they can stay on schedule, keep their client details and song lists in good order and track all their estimates, invoices and payments. Such DJ booking management software might even provide them with tools to better coordinate with you online like shared calendars, song lists, and the like.

Enjoy your wedding planning, and happy weekend.