A Checklist for Your DJ

Before your wedding, you should:

• Pick songs you want and don’t want played
• Finalize your day of information
• Review everything 1 week before your big day with the team working your event

Prior to your arrival:

• Cover and tape wires in trip hazard zones
• Perform microphone and battery check
• Check lights to ensure they are not in your guests eyes
• Prepare name monogram, uplights and photo booth where you want it to be

Before your family shows up:

• Categorize music sets and work in your requests and important songs
• Go through your timeline with banquet hall manager
• Check with staff to identify where the venue dimmer switch is located
• Determine bridal party’s seating and learn the pronunciation of their names
• Ensure that all your songs are working and have backups on standby

During the Cocktail Hour:

• DJ should introduce him/herself to your guests while checking sound volume
• Ensure person who will be conducting the prayer has the microphone and knows how to use it
• Ensure champagne is poured before the toast
• If there are props for your photo booth, wear some and take song requests

During the Grand Entrance and Toasting:

• Gather the bridal party and inform them of the entrance procedure and where they should go
• Introduce those giving toasts and make sure they all know where the microphone is and how to use it
• Direct the bridal party to remain standing until the couple has taken a seat
• Coordinate with the photo/video vendors to be sure toasts are caught on film
• Encourage guests to participate and applaud the couple

Before, during and after the meal:

• Coordinate with the photo/video vendors so that they know what is happening and when
• Prepare guests for your dinner is ready and how it will be served
• Begin dinner set list while working in your low tempo dance style music
• Follow-up with couple to see if they want anything else specific done
• Dim the house lighting to enhance your mood
• When dinner is finishing, slowly bring music volume up
• Remind all your VIPs involved with the formalities that they are starting soon
• Ensure the serving knife is at your cake table and announce to guests

During the formal and open dance period:

• Coordinate with the photo/video vendors so that they know what is happening and when
• Announce the couple’s first dance
• Announce other song dedications or the importance of the song chosen
• If others are requested to join, invite them onto your dance floor
• Announce the open dance floor and invite the guests to join in
• Play music based on couple’s preferences, take requests from the guests
• Interact with guests over the microphone with tasteful announcements

During the Bouquet Toss:

• Coordinate with the photo/video vendors for location and direction of the toss. Be sure to avoid obstacles
• Gather the single girls on the dance floor for the toss (do you want an age limit?)
• Encourage participation from the crowd
• Repeat with all the single guys in the room for the garter toss
• Determine the names of the catchers and give them a hand

Your Grand Finale:

• Coordinate with the photo/video vendors for location and direction of the toss. Be sure to avoid obstacles
• Determine if the couple wants the entertainment to extend into overtime before the end of the scheduled time
• Ask the guests to form a circle around you for an encore and farewell
• Finish off your evening with a warm hearted goodbye announcement