Meeting with the DJ today

Hi Ladies,

So, I am meeting with the DJ today. We are going over the play list and do not play list as well as the times for each section of the event.

He is also a client/friend of mine so this is his gift to us.

Do you have any suggestions before I meet with him?

How much should I give him as a thank you gift?

Or what do you think I should buy him as a thank you gift?

I have 3000+ songs of my own that Mark and I are going to go through and create as a play list on CD during Dinner that way he can sit and eat with us.

I have the same issue! My Dj was a "gift" And i dont know what to gift him or how much! I literally did all this stuff yesterday! I gave him a timeline with the specific songs i want to be played for the entrance, bouquet toss ect. I let him respectfully know not to over talk or play very vulgure music but to keep the engery level up and enjoy! Im very blunt ha! 

Yeah, I have no worries about the "Vulgar" issue. He is a around 60+ years and conservative. Which is one of the reasons I took him as a client. I knew my kids could listen to his links without worry about what they would hear and I could program with them around me without worrying what would be on my screens. He is definitely not Howie Stern, Oppie and Anthony or any of the other Shock Talk DJ's.

Yeah, I only have 3 required songs for a specific time.

The first dance

Cakecutting song

Happy Unbirthday for the kids

Usually if you are paying the DJ then a gratuity isn’t required but it’s a nice gesture in general to give 15-20% of the overall fee if he went above and beyond and did a good job. Maybe if you want to give $ then a percentage of what he “Usually” charges.  A gift would be nice as well. If you know him really well then something specific to what he likes or even a nice bottle of wine would probably be appreciated.

As far as what to ask him goes…if he is also your MC you might what to go over the time lien with him i.e. specific songs and times for dances, cake cutting, garter toss (if you are doing that) etc….

Also if you have games or guest interaction activities planned what his part is in them or if he has suggestions on things he has done at wedding s in the past.

Also any big NO NO songs or types of music you don’t really want played (like rap, country etc)

Thanks Ladies,

I told him absolutely no country, but he could play Sweet Home Alabama because I love the Movie with Reese Witherspoon.

Time line is set. He will be there by 12:30 and that is more than enough time for setup before the guests get there.

I do not know what he normally charges because he is now only doing friends and family events.

I asked him if he needed/wanted any equipment and he said no.

So, I think a very nice gift cert for dinner will have to do. I do not know him well enough to buy him anything else and I know money would be turned down.

He is such a sweet guy!