Once you've completed the steps outlined in the first section of The DJ SHOPPING GUIDE™ and have made your short list of DJs to investigate further, it's a good idea to look more closely at both the companies and the DJs themselves.  Here, we explore the traits that you should be looking for when hiring a wedding DJ.

DJ COMPANIES

By now, you've likely determined that a company's marketing materials and website are professional and indicative of their commitment to their business. A company that doesn't present a professional website or lacks a website altogether generally doesn't take itself very seriously, or is simply operating as someone's "side job."

Another thing to consider is a company's overall professionalism and accessibility. Is someone readily available to answer your questions (and empowered to provide you with all the information you seek), or is it impossible to reach anyone? Is the company quick to acknowledge emails and voice mails? Is the company's communication polished, informative and helpful? If any of these areas are lacking, it doesn't bode well for your experience with that company in the months ahead.

Transparency -- and consistency -- of pricing is another important indicator of a company's ethics. The structure or formula a company uses to calculate its pricing should be clear before your meeting with them. You should also be able to get an exact price quote via email or telephone when you first contact the company, because there is no reason the company shouldn't be able to spend five minutes talking with you and learn everything they need to know about your event to give you an accurate rate. If the company sidesteps your pricing questions by providing a "range," or if the price you receive upon meeting with the company is significantly higher than what you were initially quoted, this should raise a major red flag.

A professionally written contract with sensible terms should be presented to you at your first meeting with the company. Some things to look for include the following:

• Your specific DJ's name printed on the contract itself, and the company's guarantee that that specific DJ will be the performer at your wedding.
  
  
• The exact rate you were quoted, with the exact performance times and any separate price for overtime added later.
  
  
• A deposit -- in an amount that is significant enough to demonstrate the company's commitment to fulfilling the contract's terms -- to guarantee the booking.
  
  
• Payment terms and a cancellation policy that is clearly explained.
  
  
• Any requirements placed upon you by the DJ company, such as shelter, power, and a table for equipment. You need to be aware of what is expected of you so that there are no surprises for you on your wedding day.
  

One of the most important criteria for evaluating a company is whether that company will allow you to meet with your specific DJ prior to signing a contract. You need to have the ability to get to know the DJ, establish a personal connection, and determine if you are comfortable with that person before you commit to moving forward. Be wary of companies who oversell you on the overall reputation or experience of the company as a whole, but who stall on matching you with an actual DJ, and especially those who require more money to "reserve" a particular DJ but are willing to accept less to assign you a DJ closer to the wedding. The company should be able to clearly explain how they assign their talent in these cases, and how you can be assured of the DJ's quality and experience if they weren't already reserved by someone else well in advance of your wedding date.

Finally, be sure you are comfortable with the company's policies, particularly those that should offer you protection in case something goes wrong. For example, what is the company's "backup plan" in case something goes wrong? If your DJ gets sick, is in an accident, or has a major equipment failure, what will the company do? Are you comfortable that the "pinch hitter" they call in will be of sufficient quality? Liability insurance is another concern, as this is what will protect both the company and you (as the event host) in the event that someone becomes injured, or the DJ sustains damage to his equipment, at your wedding. A company should be able to explain their insurance coverage and provide a copy of their insurance certificate upon request.

YOUR SPECIFIC DISC JOCKEY

After developing a level of comfort with the professionalism of a company, it's time to evaluate the professionalism of the specific DJ himself. Here's what to look for:

• Appearance and Demeanor: Is the DJ clean cut and appropriately attired? Is he articulate and confident in his approach and communication? Does he come across as accommodating, personable, and someone who can maintain his composure throughout your wedding?
  
  
• Performing Style: The company should have already suggested a suitable DJ based on your stated preferences, but the DJ himself should be able to explain his general performing style. Is he more of an entertainer and motivator, or more unobtrusive and low-key? Does this match what you're seeking?  While any good DJ has some flexibility in his approach, a "high-energy" DJ will never be able to keep things truly understated, and the reverse is also true. It's important to get a very clear picture of the DJ's natural instincts and style.
  
  
• Experience and Knowledge: A DJ should, upon request, provide you with information on his performing experience. He should also give you a sense that he is knowledgeable about wedding protocols and the music you enjoy.
  
  
• Relationship to the Company: It's worth asking a DJ how long he's been with a company, and how you can be guaranteed of his presence at your wedding. Does the company sign a contract with the DJ for each event or otherwise obligate them to perform?
  
  
• Willingness to Respect Your Wishes: The DJ's listening skills -- as opposed to just telling you all about himself and how he does things -- says a lot about how receptive he'll be to your ideas and preferences. The DJ needs to listen to you, so that he has a clear understanding of what you want, and can tailor his performance to meet your needs. You should also try to determine how flexible the DJ is. Sadly, there are many DJs out there (and vendors of all types, as a matter of fact) who are completely set in their ways and who will do little to accommodate your individuality. If the DJ comes across as skeptical of your ideas, or anything less than completely interested and enthusiastic, you should strongly consider looking elsewhere.
  
  

Finally, you should just be mindful of the overall "vibe" you get from the DJ. Remember, this particular individual will basically be the host of your reception, and is responsible not only for the music and the announcements, but for the overall flow of the event. Does he come across as someone you want to work with throughout your planning to create that perfect playlist? Do you have complete confidence in his ability to execute your wedding? Does he seem honest and genuine, and like someone you want to have around you on this most important day? If the answer to all of those questions is yes, and you feel good about the company that's backing him, you've probably found the right DJ for you.

Of course, in the search for the perfect DJ, you're likely to encounter some potential pitfalls.  There are many sales tactics in use which may actually make your search more difficult -- read about the most common of these in the next section of The DJ SHOPPING GUIDE™ - What To Avoid.