Whether you’re planning a romantic wedding, a milestone birthday party, or a corporate event, interviewing potential vendors can be a stressful experience. Who do I call? What should I ask? How do I know they’re the one for my special day? Research tells us that music is attached to memories and that hearing even a small clip of a song can evoke vivid memories and emotions from a wonderful experience. This means hiring the right DJ can make your event last a lifetime for yourself and your guests. After 22 years in the wedding and event industry as full service DJs and event planners, we’ve compiled a list of the most important things to consider (and questions to ask) when hiring a DJ for your next event to ensure your event is what everyone is talking about for years to come.
1. Is this their full time business? What types of events/locations have they DJ’d for?
Seeking out a well rounded, experienced DJ is important. You want to be sure they have seen it all so they know how to deal with it all. From handling requests to keeping the crowd energized, knowing what types of events they have DJ’d for will give you a better idea of how they will handle things at your event. It’s also important to know if this is a full time dedicated job for them, or a side gig that they take on a few times a year.
At HPS, we are a full time events DJ and party enhancement company. We rigorously vet all of our DJs not only for their skill in selecting and playing the right music, but in how they work with people! Our DJs have experience in every type of event imaginable.
2. How do they handle song requests?
This is an important question to ask early on. What is your DJs policy on taking requests? Do they keep a running list? When uncle bob is on his 4th gin and tonic and wants to hear Lady in Red and isn’t giving up and it’s definitely on your “do not play” list, how will your DJ respond? How does your DJ respect your wishes as the client, while also keeping your guests happy?
This is a delicate dance and knowing how your DJ works through this can tell you a lot about how your event will go. Our #1 goal is to make you happy. 9 times out of 10, our clients are happy when their guests are happy, too!
3. How do they create and customize the music experience? How much input do they allow you as the client?
Part of your consultation with a new DJ should include discussing the style and feel of the event you are organizing. What is their method to creating the soundtrack that will carrying on your memories for years to come? How much input do you have as the client and what type of guarantee do you have that your DJ will respect your vision, while also committing to their professional experience? A good DJ will work with you to curate a playlist that will make you AND your guests happy.
At HPS Entertainment, we take the time to learn your style in detail. We want to know what genres you love and what genres you just can’t stand. We want to know what was playing during all your important milestones leading up to the event you are hiring us for and how these important moments made you feel so we can continue the soundtrack of your life with music that will bring you back!
4. How do they get the crowd going? Are they knowledgeable of your cultural traditions?
Nothing is worse than a party where everyone is sitting at their tables pushing around a rouge vegetable with their forks, wondering when things are going to pick up. Or having to remind your DJ 7 times to start a traditional dance or candle lighting that you’ve discussed early on. How a DJ gets the crowd energized and excited makes all the difference in the world. Additionally, a good DJ knows when to pull back like during a toast or award presentation.
The DJs at HPS Entertainment have experience in every type of event. From huge festival crowds to intimate wedding receptions. They all know how to keep the crowd moving until the very last moment. They read the energy of the crowd and rely on their extensive knowledge to ebb and flow perfectly through your event.
5. Does the DJ come with an assistant?
Think of all the work you’ve done to plan this event? All the phone calls and conceptualizations and food tastings and conversations…we’re guessing you haven’t done it all your own. And really, you shouldn’t. Even if you are the lead person on this event, having a right hand makes a huge difference in how an event is organized and executed. Most professional vendors should have an assistant, and a DJ is no different. Helping to set up equipment in a timely manner, handling the crowd if the DJ needs to go to the bathroom and eat a quick snack, being the liaison between the DJ and the client on the day of so everything is in perfect order…these are all extremely important responsibilities of an assistant that make it 10 times easier for your DJ to make your event absolutely unforgettable.
All of our DJs come with an assistant. They are skilled, knowledgeable, and ready to help you every step of the way. They will be available to answer your questions, calm your concerns, and even work out a small last minute tweak to your playlist. With an assistant on hand, you can be sure your event will be ready to begin on time!
6. How do they handle destination events?
OK, so we know this won’t apply to everyone. But given we are located in one of the top destination wedding locations in the country, we figured this was an important tip to consider. Many individuals planning a destination event (wedding, family reunion, corporate celebration) will only visit the location 1 time before the day of the actual event. This means your vendor needs to be incredibly knowledgeable of not only the service they are offering, but the area the event is being held. They should anticipate some of the most important factors that will need to be addressed, and make recommendations to ease your stress and make everything that much easier.
With 22 years of event experience in the Naples/Ft Myers area, the HPS crew knows exactly how to help you if you’re traveling to us from another place. We also provide every wedding client with a 12 page planner that gives us all the details we need to make sure your event goes exactly as planned.
7. What other services do they offer?
While a one stop shop may not be the answer to your planning prayers, having more than one service available can alleviate a ton of stress. Add ons have the ability to round out your vision and give that last finishing touch that creates the WOW factor your guests will never forget. Knowing that your DJ have the equipment you need to bring it all together gives you one less thing to worry about and one less check to write.
We provide a list of incredible enhancements for your event. Uplighting and stage lighting to match your theme, photo booths with multiple back drop options and a large selection of props, LED Robot performances to wow your crowd, and even videography services to make sure you don’t miss a moment of the event!
As your event approaches, we know you’re excited to get things together and make your dream a reality. Allow us to help you do just that. Call or email us today for a consultation! 239-649-7427 or info@hpsentertainment.com
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