50 Questions to Ask Your Wedding DJ or Band

You'll want to go over these points before you sign a contract.

Wedding Band Performing on Stage Decorated with Floral Arrangements

Photo by Jainé Kershner Photography

Every wedding day has a soundtrack of its own. From the walk down the aisle to the first dance, the bouquet toss to your final farewell, music helps set the tone for the entire day—which is why your DJ or band has such an important role.

To help you better vet the candidates, we've compiled this master list of questions to ask wedding DJs and band before booking. The more knowledge you have, the better equipped you'll be to make the right decision and find the one for your wedding.

Black and White Photo of Wedding Band Performing During Reception

Photo by Kurt Boomer

The Basics

First things first: You've got to figure out the basics. Is the DJ or band even available on your desired date? How many events will they be performing at on my wedding day? The answers to the following questions will help you get a sense of how experienced the candidates are and whether or not they're the right fit for your needs.

Is my wedding date available?

It seems obvious, but the very first thing you should ask if the band or DJ is available to perform on your wedding date; if you're talking to a company that manages a number of different performers, ask for a list of everyone who is currently unbooked on your selected date. It's not worth engaging in any other conversations until you know, without question, that they're available.

How long have you been doing this professionally?

Obviously, there's a difference between volunteer gigs and legit, paid performances. Make sure your candidates are seasoned so there are no hiccups on the most important day of your life. There's no set amount of a time a band or DJ needs to be in business, but you should feel comfortable with the answer they give you.

How many weddings have you played?

A band or DJ may have a decade of paid performances under their belts, but birthdays and proms are very different than weddings. Ask specifically about the number of weddings they've played in total, and how many of those have been held in the last year.

How long have you been performing together?

This is an important one to ask if you're considering bands or DJ companies comprised of multiple performers. If you've already listened to samples of a band's past performances and fell in love with their sound, you want to be sure the people you're hiring are the actual group you're interested in.

How many weddings do you do on an average weekend?

If the band or DJ is playing 'round the clock all weekend, their performance might suffer. If they're going to be running on empty by the time they arrive at your reception, you might want to rethink booking them.

Do you perform at more than one event in a day?

It might not sound like a dealbreaker, but a band or DJ that needs to rush from one event—whether it's a wedding or something else entirely—to another can be cause for concern. What if the first event goes long or they hit traffic on the way to your venue?

Will you be the DJ/bandleader personally playing at our wedding? Which band members should we expect?

Bands usually have a roster of performers and might alternate who's playing based on their availability. The same goes for larger DJ companies. You want to be sure the person or people you've heard are the same ones you can expect when the big day arrives.

Have you done events at my wedding venue?

If the band or DJ regularly works at your wedding venue, the on-site coordinator and staff can vouch for the quality of their work and their professionalism. What's more, the musicians will already be familiar with the setup (and any associated challenges) at your venue. It's certainly not the end of the world if they haven't performed there, though, but could be a nice perk.

What sets you apart from your competition?

There are plenty of bands and DJs to choose from, so it's nice to hear what these musicians do to set themselves apart. Who knows? Their signature song might be the one you're considering for your first dance.

Can you describe your style?

Whether you're talking to a band or a DJ, it's important to understand their musical style; if they tell you they prefer to play only classic rock and you're looking for a mix of contemporary hits, that's a clear sign this is likely not the right fit.

Are there any other services that you provide?

Some bands and DJs offer packages that including additional services, such as lighting design or a photo booth. It's not a must-have by any means, but bundling any additional services you'd like under one pro can help you save some money.

Can you provide a list of a few recent couples that I can contact for references?

Online reviews are all well and good, but speaking with couples who hired these pros for their own weddings can be invaluable. If they refuse to give any contact information, it might be a sign that their past clients were unhappy with the quality of the performances.

Trumpeter Playing on Stage During Wedding Reception

Photo by Mo Davis Photography

The Music

You probably already know a little about the wedding band or DJ since you were interested enough to interview them. Learn more about them and their style so there are no surprises on the big day.

Do you have a CD of your music or a video from a prior wedding where you performed?

It's the next best thing if you can't actually hear them in person. If they don't, ask if they have clips on Youtube or their social media channels.

Can you help me choose the music for certain parts of the day?

If you're having trouble choosing music for a first dance or father-daughter dance, a DJ or wedding band tends to know a thing or two about choosing the right music. They can definitely be a helpful resource. If they're not willing to provide suggestions, it could be a sign they're difficult to work with.

How extensive is your music library or song list? What genres can you cover?

There's no wrong answer here. You just want to be able to walk away from the conversation feeling confident that you'll hear the type of music you want on your wedding day.

Do you have a go-to list of wedding songs you play or perform for weddings?

Ask them ahead of time if they have a list of songs they recommend playing throughout the wedding. If they leave that list up to you, be sure to provide them with the songs you want to get down to on the dance floor before your wedding swings around.

How do you keep your music collection up to date?

If hearing current hits is important to you, this question is a big one. If not, their answer might not be that big of a deal.

If the DJ or one of the band members scheduled for my event is unable to perform for some reason, do you have a backup replacement ready to go?

Ideally, you'll want to know that someone else is ready to step in on the big day. If they don't have a backup plan in place as is, ask what the protocol is.

Do you take any breaks? How many and when?

Some bands and DJs provide continuous performance throughout the course of the evening, during which time some members rotate in and out for breaks. If you know you want music all night, this is an important question to ask.

What music will be provided during the breaks?

Assuming you're okay with breaks, inquire about if (and how) music will be played during that time. Do they have a curated playlist that provides background sound during dinner? If so, are you able to choose what goes on it?

How many band members will perform that day?

This is important in terms of pricing; you want to be sure you understand exactly what you're paying for and that your expectations are managed.

Do you act as the emcee and make all of the announcements?

From the couple's entrance to the toasts to the last song of the night, there are a couple of announcements that need to happen throughout the night; generally speak, a band or DJ handles these, but it's good practice to confirm that.

How would you define your emcee style?

Whether you're looking for someone who is going to engage with your guests or want announcements to be quick and unobtrusive, it's key that you get some clarity around emcee style before booking. After all, there's nothing worse than feeling like what's happening on the wedding day is the last thing you actually wanted.

What do you do to motivate the crowd if nobody is dancing?

No one wants to see an empty dance floor on the wedding day, so it's best to understand what your musicians typically do to keep the party moving. If they don't have a game plan, that could be a bad sign.

Do you take requests from our guests?

As with some other questions, there's no right or wrong answer here. Some professionals stand behind their set and won't deviate; some are happy to mix things up based on what the guests want to hear. Just be sure you understand what you're paying for: If you want guests to be able to ask for their favorites but the band or DJ absolutely doesn't allow it, you may want to go in a different direction.

Can we submit a "Do Not Play" list?

Having a "do not play" list ensures you're not going to hear anything you and your new partner hate. Plus, if your band or DJ does accept requests, you never know what your guests are going to end up asking them to play.

Black and white photo of bride and groom kissing during a dip on the dance floor with wedding band performing behind them

Photo by Lauren Fair Photography

Pricing and Payment

The price tag is one of the biggest factors in choosing what wedding DJ or band to choose, but it's not as simple as just asking for a price. You need to find out exactly what that price includes. You definitely don't want to discover any surprise fees after you've signed a contract.

How much do your services cost?

When talking about the rate, or the cost of the band or DJ, make sure to find out if the rate changes bases on the day (or even time of day) and exactly how many hours that rate buys you. If the rate is in the ballpark (even if it's over budget), great. If it turns out that DJ or wedding band is the one, you might be able to negotiate a discount or increase your budget to be able to hire them.

Does that rate include setup and breakdown between ceremony and reception locations? What, if anything, isn't included?

When you're crafting a wedding budget, every single expense matters. It's key to get a very clear picture of pricing before you have your heart set on this specific band or DJ. Ask if there are any additional fees that could accrue that you're not taking into account, like travel expenses or charges for special musical requests.

How much would you charge for overtime?

When the party is still going strong towards the end of the night, the last thing you want to do is nickel and dime over an extra hour of music. Have a clear understanding of overtime pricing and when you have to make that final decision by.

When will I receive a written contract?

Of course, you need to have an executed contract in place before the wedding, but it's best to have this sorted well in advance of the big day. After all, they're not contracted to perform at your wedding until both parties sign the agreement, so the last thing you'd want to have happen is for your musicians to back out without enough time for you to book someone else.

How much of a deposit do you require and when is it due? Do you offer a payment plan?

See if you can pay them before (or after) the wedding. Trying to pay wedding vendors the day of your wedding is chaos—if you can pay them beforehand, it's often preferable.

What is your refund/cancellation policy?

In today's modern world, every wedding needs a backup plan. You'll want to clearly understand what happens in the event that you need to cancel or move your wedding date for some reason.

How far in advance do I need to book you for my wedding?

Some bands and DJs only accept a limited number of weddings per month, so understanding how far in advance you need to make a decision is important.

What information do you need from me before the wedding day?

It's a two way street: In addition to your wedding date and venue, what else does the band or DJ need to know about the two of you and your celebration in order to determine if this is a good fit?

Are you insured?

Ideally, your wedding DJ or band will carry liability insurance. It covers any damage that can occur to the performers themselves and the equipment.

Many venues require DJs and bands to carry liability insurance, so it's important to know upfront if they have it.

DJ's hands on mixing board during wedding reception

Photo by Leo Patrone Photography

Logistics

Now for the less exciting—but still critical details—like power supply and scheduling.

Can you provide wireless mics for the wedding ceremony?

It's something couples often forget to think about, but whether or not you're having music during your wedding ceremony, you need sound: After all, it's important to ensure guests can hear those vows!

Does any of your equipment require special electrical outlets that I need to inform my wedding site about?

The only thing worse than a band or DJ not showing on the wedding day? Having your musicians show up but be unable to perform due to lack of power. Ask for a very specific and detailed list of their electrical needs that you can cross check with your venue before signing on the dotted line.

Do you bring backup equipment?

What happens if a speaker fails? What does the DJ do if their computer goes down? Is there a plan if a guitar string breaks? You may not understand all the nuances of their answer here, but knowing that there is a backup plan is key.

What kind of space or stage do you require for the DJ or band? If my site doesn't provide what you need, will you make arrangements for the stage or am I responsible for renting it?

Some performers require more space than others, so knowing this helps you create a realistic floor plan. Trust us: No one wants to be moving around set tables to accommodate a stage or DJ booth 30 minutes before the reception.

Do you set up a sign or banner with your equipment?

This is another question with no right or wrong answer, so long as you feel comfortable with what you hear. It's important information to provide to the venue coordinator and your planner or florist, as they'll want to know what they're working with in terms of decoration.

How much time will you need for setup, soundcheck, and breakdown on the day of the event?

Someone needs to keep that timeline running like clockwork! Whether you're building the day-of timeline yourself or working on it with a planner or coordinator, this is important information to have as you start mapping out the flow of the celebration.

What time will you arrive at the site and when will you depart?

You want to get a confirmed arrival time from them before your wedding, and it should be early enough that the performers have plenty of time to get set up. Also, find out when they plan to leave. If you want to have them stick around for the after-party, negotiate this into your contract before the night comes.

Will we meet again before the wedding?

If you want to have a really strong rapport with all of your vendors on the big day, being able to have some face time (or even setting up a call with them) ahead of the wedding is important. If they're unwilling to meet or chat, they might be a bad fit.

When is our deadline for submitting our music requests and event details?

Yes, you're hiring them to perform on the big day, but that doesn't mean they do all the work. If you know you're extremely busy with other wedding or personal projects and the musicians you're considering require music to be finalized months in advance, you might want to go in another direction.

What will you wear to our wedding?

This is especially important if you have a very specific dress code for the celebration. Most bands and DJs will have a set uniform, but they might be willing to discuss attire changes.

Do you (and each band member, if you're booking a band) require a meal?

It's something you need to add to your budget. Vendor meals can be a significant cost, especially if you're booking a ten-piece band.

What is your policy on alcohol or smoking during the wedding?

Again, it's important that you feel comfortable with the answer. If you want to ensure your professionals remain above the influence of alcohol throughout the night, make that clear and ensure they're in agreement.

Is there anything we should know about your services that we haven't talked about?

At this point, you've probably covered everything, but it never hurts to make sure. Cover all your bases and see if there's anything that's been left out from the wedding DJ or band's point of view.

Do you have any questions for us?

Now that you know everything you wanted to know, find out if there's any extra info the wedding DJ or band needs.

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