How to Become a Wedding DJ

Co-authored by Timothy Linetsky

Last Updated: April 29, 2023 References

A wedding DJ isn’t just someone who spins records, plays music from CDs, or puts on a light show. In addition to being the Master of Ceremonies, a skilled wedding DJ knows how to transition from one part of the wedding to the next, and how to draw the guests out onto the dance floor if they’re stuck in their seats. By carefully planning your business, marketing yourself effectively, and putting together great playlists, you’ll make the event a day to remember!

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Preparing Your New Business

Audio equipment is expensive, so ask to observe a wedding DJ in action (with approval from the bride and groom, of course) before investing time and money in equipment and classes. Make sure that the high-pressure culture of weddings is appealing to you, since you only get one shot to help make that couple’s day perfect!
2
Take classes on audio mixing. Expert-level DJ skills are a must for any successful wedding DJ. Take classes online or at your local community college so that you know how to mix, edit, and match songs flawlessly. DJing a wedding is not for amateurs, since you don’t get a do-over.
- Check out tutorials on YouTube so you can learn new DJing skills quickly.
If you plan on making wedding DJing a large part of your income, writing out a business plan is essential. If you plan on being more of a hobbyist, you won’t necessarily need an official business plan - but make sure wedding DJing is right for you, since it can be a stressful job.
4
Buy or borrow gear. You will need a laptop with good mixing software, an outside controller, headphones, and a speaker system. Have backups of cables, speakers, laptop batteries, and other essential parts.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Feel free to buy used gear as it is cheaper, but make sure it works well before using it for a wedding. You can find used gear on Craigslist and going-out-of-business sales for clubs and restaurants.
- Some venues have their own PA systems. Verify with the venue what equipment you will need to bring to hook up your DJ software to their speakers.
A wedding DJ is usually hired for four hours. Beginner or part-time DJs typically charge $200-300 per four hours, and intermediate DJs with at least a handful of weddings under their belt can charge $400-600. Professional and full-time DJs can charge $1,000-2,000 or more. Increase your rates slowly as you gain more experience.
You can download one from the internet, but make sure you are covered in case of cancellation of the wedding or loss of equipment. Put the contract (with personal details redacted) on your website so couples can see what their obligations are to you before they book with you.

Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Marketing Yourself as a DJ

If you have previous DJ experience (which hopefully you do!), post professional-quality photos and videos of people enjoying themselves at your past events to gain credibility.^{[2]
X
Research source} Be sure to include contact information on your website, and add more photos and videos as you play more weddings.
Start with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Make a professional page that’s separate from your personal account where you can post new photos, thank previous clients, and show off how much fun you have DJing!^{[3]
X
Research source}
Place an ad on Craigslist and local event planning boards. Send advertisements to local magazines and newspapers to gain visibility. Include your previous DJ experience, the type of equipment you have, and a short blurb about why you’re awesome.
Word-of-mouth will help you get referrals for new clients. Get business cards to hand out whenever someone says the word “wedding.”
Some venues have a list of popular DJs that couples can use if they don’t want to find a DJ on their own. Try to get on as many lists as you can by introducing yourself to the coordinators, giving them your business card, and asking to do an “audition.”

Advertisement

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Putting Together a Music Library

1
Work with the bride and groom to decide songs for the ceremony. The bride and groom might have a particular song list they want to use for the wedding party processional, bride’s processional, and recessional. If not, send them several tried-and-true options to choose from, such as “First Day of my Life” by Bright Eyes, “Here Comes the Sun” covered by the Sleepy Time Players, and “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- If your bride and groom prefer more traditional options, Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Claude Debussy’s “Claire de Lune,” and Bach’s “Air on the G string” are classics.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
Great genres for these events include smooth jazz and classical. Match the feel of the music to the atmosphere of the venue.
These include: the father/bride dance, the mother/groom dance, and the first dance as couple. The couple may have songs in mind, but most slow, romantic songs will work. Great options include “When You Need Me” by Bruce Springsteen, “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder, and “Count On Me” by Bruno Mars. Send your list to the couple for approval.
4
Create a dance set. Make sure that it’s at least two hours long, and start with a slow song to get people ready for dancing. Include a wide variety of songs that are suited for every demographic (children, young adults, and older folks). Pick songs that 85% of people would know.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Ask the couple for their list of must-play and don’t-play songs.
- Change the genre between each song that so that everyone gets a break sometimes. You want people with different music tastes to have a chance to get a drink, step outside, or talk to the couple while keeping some guests on the dance floor.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Being the Master of Ceremonies

Practice your public speaking. As a DJ, you’re not only in charge of the music, but also for announcing transitions from one part of the ceremony or reception to the next. Good MCs will use humor and polite, positive language when making announcements.
2
Dodge bad requests. Send the requester for the bride for approval before you play a song that’s questionable. Watch to make sure they talk to the bride before returning to you with a verdict.
- If someone requests a song that’s on the don’t-play list, tell them politely and apologetically that the happy couple prohibited that song.
People want to know when they should be winding down and preparing to say goodbye to the bride and groom.

Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I transition between songs while I'm DJing?

Timothy Linetsky
Music Producer & Instructor
Timothy Linetsky is a DJ, producer, YouTuber, and music educator based in San Francisco, California. He has been making music for over 15 years, and is known for his YouTube channel You Suck at Producing, in which he does music production tutorials for over 330,000 YouTube subscribers. In addition to teaching music production, he releases his own music as Underbelly. He has taught at schools such as Beat Lab Academy and Pyramind. He is also an Ableton Certified Trainer, and has worked closely with the company to produce tutorial videos and educational content. His original productions have garnered millions of plays on Spotify, and in 2020, he released his debut album Machine Yearning as Underbelly to critical acclaim.

Timothy Linetsky

Music Producer & Instructor

Expert Answer

Pick songs that have similar beats per minute. Pick parts of the songs that are relatively empty so you can play the songs at the same time. Then, just fade the first song out and turn up the mix on the second one.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

Is it possible to be a great DJ at weddings as a teenager?

Community Answer

It all comes down to how talented you are and the labor laws in your state. If you're 16, you're old enough to work, but there are other laws governing how late you can work, etc., which could be an issue if you're working receptions that run late into the night. Look up the laws in your state, and then try contacting wedding planners in your area, offering them your quote along with a sample of your work.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Watch your demographics on the dance floor. If you see one demographic sitting for a long period, play a song that gets them up.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Make sure the bride is happy. Watch her closely to make sure she’s having fun. If she looks upset or bored, play a must-play dance song. You want her to get her out of her chair and onto the dance floor at any cost!

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Play the clean version. Even if the bride and groom requested the unedited version, keep children and older people on the dance floor (and at the reception!) by playing the profanity-free version instead.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0