When hiring a DJ for your wedding there are many points to consider. In my 12 years of experience, I have come across a whole range of questions from prospective clients. Below are some points/suggestions, in no particular order that couples should consider when booking a DJ.

• Reputation is everything. If you have attended a wedding where the party was rocking, heard good things about a particular DJ or he has been recommended by more than one person, then chances are that DJ has a great reputation and should be the 1st DJ you call.

• Prices for DJ's, as with anything else, can vary greatly. It all depends on experience, talent, how in demand the DJ is, and the general reliability and professionalism of the DJ. There is no one standard price or going rate. It also depends on the size of the wedding and what special affects you order. Just remember, as with anything in life - you get what you pay for.

• Ever been to a wedding where the DJ plays every song from beginning to end, or fades one song down then waits to start the other one, or worse still just overlaps the 2 without any concept of beat mixing. There is a skill involved in DJ-ing, that's why in this day and age of downloading and Mp3 players - DJ's are still around. Mixing one song to the other in a seamless fashion, or being able to read a crowd if something isn’t working or is working really well, is an art.

• When you hire a DJ for your reception, you have hired him from approx. 4pm-1am. If you have an afternoon ceremony, most DJ’s will charge extra.. The cost is generally a fraction of what it would be for the evening- just to cover the DJ's time/labor.

• Consult with your DJ when making your itinerary for the evening. Chances are he will have many suggestions for you as to how to make your event run smoother. Most DJ’s should work with your MC throughout the evening. Optics are everything, and if a DJ can help your event look like it was really planned out perfectly- all the better!

• Ask the company how many weddings they DJ in one night. If they are doing more than 4-5, is it just for volume? Can you really have a professional DJ, with 4 other events vying for the best dj’s from that company? If it’s just one DJ running the company, where is the backup? Do they use original music? Always confirm the type of equipment your particular DJ will have. Remember, it’s all about reading the crowd!

• Aside from the food- Music is probably what people will remember from your special day. Take time and choose the right DJ for your event- don't get lured into having a DJ "thrown into a package". You may think you are getting a deal- but again, think about it logically- if the vendor actually thought the service he was throwing in had value, why would he just "throw it in"? Nobody ever gives away anything unless it isn't worth much to him or her. Ultimately it's your choice.