Photo credit: Stephen Ludwig Photography

Having the right MC and DJ is one of the most overlooked parts of wedding planning when we first start working with couples. When you really think about it, they are the vendor in charge of setting the tone via program and the soundtrack of your wedding day. Both are really influential roles and choosing just the right people for the job is critical!

Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Toshi from Spectrum Entertainment. His company is one of the MC and DJ vendors we work with on a regular basis. With his unique insight, we’ve created a detailed guide of everything you need to consider when working with an MC and DJ!

Before we dive in too deep, here is some helpful information about the different roles.

What does a wedding DJ do?

A wedding DJ’s job is to set the tone for your wedding by playing the right songs at the right times. They will work with you prior to your wedding day to gather specific song selections for important moments. They will also take time to learn about your music preferences, the demographics of your guests and understand the tone you are trying to set for your wedding day. On the wedding day, they will provide the microphones, sound systems and play the music you’ve chosen according to the timeline you’ve shared with them.

What does a wedding MC do?

A wedding MC’s job is to be the spokesperson for the evening. Based on a timeline you’ve shared with them, they will inform the guests of important things like when to sit for dinner, when speeches are about to begin, announce the cake cutting, etc. In some cases they may entertain the guests. Their main role is to create a fun atmosphere and keep guests informed throughout the reception.

Hire Them Together or Separately?

When deciding on hiring a MC there are three major decisions you have to make.

Do you prefer a stand alone MC? A professional radio personality or comedian perhaps?
What about having a family member or friend be the MC?
Do you want to work with a company who can provide both services?

Stand alone MC

Stand alone MCs are great at putting on a show. Oftentimes, they are radio personalities or professional comedians, so they are accustomed to formulating their role around entertaining a group. This is a good option if your crowd doesn’t tear it up on the dance floor.

Family or Friend MC

With the right person, this is a great way to personalize your wedding. A close friend or family member will know you much better than someone you hire ever will. Unlike a professional MC, they will be able to incorporate stories and personal encounters into their talking points. It is essential that the chosen person is excited about the task and has great energy! A downside to consider is that they may not be able to enjoy the wedding as much as if they were just a guest. Also, if they haven’t performed this role before, they might not have as much insight into generating energy and keeping up with the flow of the timeline as a professional would.

DJ/MC Combo

Most of our clients opt to hire a company that provides both services. Not only is it easier to coordinate, but it often facilitates the vibe they are going for better. Most MC DJ combo companies put on less of a show through their MC role. In most cases it is more about keeping guests informed, the program moving along and building the crowd up for a great dance party.

Now that you’ve gotten the full scoop on what they do and the different options, let’s dig into what it looks like to work with them throughout the entire process.

Consultation

Setting up a meeting with both your MC and DJ prior to booking them is essential! How are you going to know if you like their energy and style if you never talk to them? If you can swing it, Toshi and I both agree that meeting in person or face to face virtually is ideal!

The first thing to consider when engaging with your potential MC and/ or DJ is their personality. It is important they listen to what you want and need. You want to feel good about communicating openly with them. After all, they are responsible for the atmosphere of your wedding so you should feel comfortable with them in general!

Another thing to consider during the consultation is the way they speak. Make sure you like their voice, the way they present themselves and their style. If a light hearted atmosphere is important to you, you want to make sure you like their sense of humor. Last but not least, they should speak clearly and professionally.

During the consultation, be sure to talk a little about the layout of your event and guest count. This way they will be able to more accurately make suggestions on the number and size of sound systems they will need as well as types of accent lighting that might be a good fit. It is also good to gather some information about what the DJ’s set up looks like.

You will also want to spend some time talking about what kind of music you envision. A good professional DJ should be familiar with all types of music. If you are requesting something really unique or perhaps in another language, it’s always good to ask if they are familiar or comfortable DJing with that type of music. You will also want to talk about the demographic of your guest list. A great DJ will take into account the different ages, countries guests have traveled from as well as your personal preferences. Seamlessly blending all types of music is how they ensure everyone has a good time. This is something that a wedding DJ will be familiar with, but not necessarily a club or hobby DJ.

The very last thing you will want to ask is if the person you’re interviewing is going to be the one who is there on your special day!

Wedding DJ Equipment

Equipment is essential when hiring a DJ/ MC. Toshi was able to explain which equipment is needed for each portion of the wedding day.

The Ceremony:

You will need a small sound system and a microphone for the officiant and your vows. There are a few popular types of microphones for ceremonies. Lapel mics are great if you prefer to have your hands free, but they tend to pick up all surrounding noises (like wind). They are best suited for indoor ceremonies. Wireless handheld mics are a great option if you want a clear mic but don’t want to see a long black cord in your wedding photos. They also are directional, so they work better for outdoor ceremonies. Aside from the mics, the DJ should also have the ability to have a live musician plug into the sound system if needed. Lastly, if the ceremony is in a remote location without a power source, they will need a generator or battery powered system.

The Cocktail Hour:

Typically, this part of the day is only an hour so the only equipment needed is a small sound system. It is also a good opportunity to have live music being played and some entertainment. Depending on where the cocktail hour is located, you may be able to use the same system that is set up for the reception.

The Reception:

A large part of the event happens during the reception. The essentials are a sound system, multiple speakers, microphones, and the ability to plug in any presentations.

A lot of DJs also offer fun add on options. For example, Spectrum Entertainment offers non-flammable fountain sparks, different styles of lighting, a LED wall, projector and screen. For indoor weddings they have a “dancing on a cloud” feature which our clients love! If your videography company is doing a same day edit they will usually provide a projector + screen but you should double check.

You may not know exactly what you need for your wedding, until closer to the date. We always suggest booking for the basics (typically ceremony and reception sound) and then add on any additional items closer to the date.

Rentals and Layout

When creating your rental invoice don’t forget to include a few things the DJ will need. At a minimum, they will likely need a table, linen and two chairs for the reception set up. Depending on the venue, they may require a generator. Each DJ’s set up is a little different, so it is always a good idea to ask what they need before placing the order.

One poignant thing that Toshi brought up is that the DJ set up is often left off the layout. As much as a DJ will always do their best to work with the space they have, there are a few best practices you should consider. First of all, it is always a good idea to put the DJ table near the dance floor. That way the speakers are in close proximity to the action and the DJ can easily see and read the crowd. It’s also a good idea to put the DJ across from the sweetheart or head table. That way their equipment isn’t photobombing any important photos. In terms of space needed, it is good to think of speakers as a table. Not enough spacing between guests and speakers can make the space tight and guests uncomfortable.

Preparation

After the initial consultation, you will not need to be in close touch with your DJ and MC until about 1-2 months before your wedding day. In between then, it is up to you to work on your music selection. At the 1 month point, your DJ will need a rough draft of your wedding day timeline and majority of your music choices. Typically we like to organize one final meeting between our clients, the DJ and MC and the lead of our planning team about 1 week out. In that meeting is a great time to discuss pronunciation of important names, your final music selection, and the final timeline.

Wedding Day

On the day of the wedding, a DJ will typically arrive about 2 hours prior to the guest arrival to begin setting up. This gives them enough time to unload, set up, hide any boxes or cases and do a sound check.

Once the event begins, they should be dressed professionally. Most DJs will ask the formality of the event in the lead up so they can dress appropriately. Anything from an Aloha shirt to a suit is normal. If you have a preference, it is always good to discuss it in advance.

As the wedding day unfolds, the DJ and MC will take the reigns and be in charge of managing the timeline and the ambiance of the event, just as you had discussed in the lead up to the event. All you have to do is enjoy your celebration!

Hopefully this blog post was insightful and has helped you wrap your brain around what to consider. Once you’ve booked your pros, check out this blog post if you need help with choosing your wedding music!

The Inside Scoop on Working with DJs & MCs

What does a wedding DJ do?

What does a wedding MC do?