Things to consider and look out for when choosing your Dj

• Irregular Pricing comes in several different forms; When Dj groups quote according to how busy they are, quiet times can result in a “exclusive deal” however this is unjust to couples booking over “high season” and are not even worth doing business with due to the fact that the Dj or company are charging you the earth for your special day just because they believe its a busy period. An established group will generally have a set fee and structure all year round so the customer always knows what to expect regardless of the month it is in.
  
  
• Legit factors to consider into costing are Distance the Dj has to travel, number of guests that will be at your wedding, size of the venue, requiring music in multiple rooms and the duration of the event. These are legitimate requests to make when offering a varying price range due to the additional gear that could be required and or labour requirements.
  
  
• However occasionally some Dj groups use unnecessary factors to “decide” what they are going to charge you. E.g. The venue you have picked (2 stars VS 5 stars) or the car you drive, or even the size of your wedding (I.e. 50 pax VS 200 pax). Unfortunately appearing to have a big wedding could sometimes be detrimental to you as some companies may take this as you being to afford a higher rate.
  
  
• Hidden Charges are another point to look out for. When certain Dj groups give you a very basic quote which looks really reasonable initially & then add on extra charges at a later stage for things that you will essentially need in order to make your wedding a success can result in a much higher final quote than what you were originally prepared for. Examples of these are; charging for an extra sound system for the ceremony or extra hours for set up (this should be included in the initial quote). Alternatively vital gear is charged for at later stage which is needed to make the job a success and you feel obliged to agree as you want everything to be perfect for your special day however you should have the option to decline the quote & Dj groups that do this should be steered clear of! Another factor to consider is the rate the Dj or group charges after the initial contract hours run out (it is a known fact that many groups make most of their money from the excess hours they receive after the fact).
  
  
• Delayed assigning of a Dj is also another issue to look out for as any reputable Dj group should have more than one Dj available at anytime & should not accept your enquiry without ensuring they have someone secured to perform on your special day.
  
  
• Having to pay a special rate to secure a specific Dj is done by some based on his or hers experience, however if it is not within your budget or you cannot afford to pay this booking fee, check with the company what other options are available to you and the Dj’s background and experience so as to avoid getting a sub standard Dj and leaving you in a predicament.
  
  
• No Obligation means No Security! Remember if a Dj group does not insist that you sign some form of contract or pay a standard deposit (usually 50%) they are not only avoiding commitment to you they are also not performing to industry standards with regards to procedure and the new consumer act. Therefore you can also not guarantee that your booking date or Dj is secure without a deposit or contract. Also without terms in place how will you know what questions to ask or know what their expectations of you & your venue are.
  
  
• Besides meeting your Dj in person, having a contract is the second most important factor when booking your entertainment as this gives you peace of mind should anything go wrong. If you have not paid a deposit or do not have a contract the group can legally back out of your wedding at the last minute or give another couple your requested date.
  
  
• Terms & Policies should be given to you right in the beginning of your communication with the Dj group so that you are aware of the Dj’s details, rate quoted as well as any extra time charges there might be, deposit requirements, cancellation policy and requests of you as the bride & groom with regards to venue, equipment (E.g. shelter/power/table), accommodation & meals. (This is discussed in more detail later on – Contracts and Deposits).
  
  
• Having the above information well in advance ensures that there is no possibility of miscommunication or unexpected surprises, the terms should be stated in an easy to understand format having the company/Dj name clearly printed as well as all your personal & correct event details before you commit to moving forward with your booking
  

• Awards & Accolades Are a clear indication that a group has made the right impression on their clients & have therefore been given praise through receiving recognition via “grading” E.g. SABIA© which is an accreditation body that uses ratings from brides in the Brides Choice Awards© to determine membership for wedding suppliers. It says a lot about a company’s reputation and standing in the entertainment and Dj community.
  
  
• Online Reviews Are another source of reference when researching your prospective Dj, although often subjective (have the group paid for the “Ad or refferal”? or has it been placed independently for your information as a Bride & Groom) E.g. www.celebration.co.za or www.theweddingdirectory.co.za. Groups who take themselves seriously want other companies to rate & advertise them (even though some of these are paid for you can still get a good idea of how earnest they are about their work).
  
  
• First Impressions and appearance should never be underrated and looking at several factors like our website www.durbandjs.co.za, quality of the group’s initial communication and the effort they put in with a “personal touch” to meet all your needs all influence how you view them as a whole. However don’t take any self proclaimed labels such as “best” “top rated” “critically acclaimed” at face value!
  
  
• Communication and Transparency have  your questions been answered promptly? How informative and helpful were they when you made your initial enquiry & follow up? Did they have a professional and polished approach while still being personal & attentive. Dj groups should be transparent in their ethics, rates, availability and policies etc.
  

• Appearance If your Dj is well dressed, confident and likeable this is the first step to being more secure in your Dj’s ability. He will be visible to all your guests & should therefore look the part.
• Performing technique Does your Dj’s approach match your requirements, is he flexible & suitable to your entertainment needs? Ensure that he is willing to perform according to your wishes so that the right balance is met for your special day.
• Experience A Dj’s work history should be available to you at any time so you can gauge his level of expertise. It is vital that he is aware of the general procedures that are required during a wedding to perform & maintain composure throughout your wedding.
  
  
• Rapport with Dj group How long has your chosen Dj been working for or with the Dj group that you have selected? Does he do this on a regular basis or every now & then, ensure a contract is in place that obligates him to perform or to retain a replacement should anything happen whereby he cannot perform himself.
  
  
• Having your thoughts & ideas honoured How much does your Dj remember about your first meeting? This will show you how attentive he is to your needs and is he accommodating your requests and individuality. Some performers are very set in their ways and may be cynical to your ideas so anything less than complete enthusiasm means they are not qualified to perform at your wedding.