Expenses can add up quickly when you’re planning a wedding, and if you’re looking for ways to cut down on the budget, an iPhone and speaker might seem like a logical and more frugal alternative to a DJ you’ve probably never met — but there are a lot of reasons why hiring a DJ might be worth it.

But what does a wedding DJ actually do, and how do you know what to look for when finding a good one?

Portland DJ Dillon Bartell playing music at a wedding reception. — Hey! I’m Dillon Bartell, a **DJ and musician based in** **Portland, OR**. I’ve been DJing and performing in Portland for about a decade, and have been hired for over 200 weddings since I went full-time in 2019!
Here are my thoughts on **what to look for when hiring a DJ for your wedding.**

1. They Have Actual Wedding Experience

Your brother might have some speakers and DJ’d a few parties back in his OSU days, and sure — he’d probably do it for free. But when it comes to making a wedding seamless and stress-free, there’s a lot more involved than just pressing play, and to be honest, not every DJ is cut out for such a high-pressure gig.

Firstly, there are lots of technical and logistical moving parts: microphones, speakers, multiple locations, timing the music for your aisle walk, maybe even live music…not to mention keeping the actual dance party fun and engaging. You’ve got to wear multiple hats: apart from being the DJ you’re also the MC, audio technician, problem-solver, and sometimes part-time wedding coordinator.

We’ve all heard these nightmare scenarios:

🚨 The microphone cut out during the vows
🚨 The DJ plays the wrong first dance song — or there’s an awkward pause while they scramble to find it
🚨 The speakers overheat and shut off in the middle of the reception

…not cute.

Some of the most skilled and knowledgeable DJs I know don’t book weddings because they aren’t confident they could deliver time and time again. It’s a valid concern — it took me a couple of seasons as a full-time wedding DJ before I stopped feeling the nerves every time I loaded up my Subaru!

A good wedding DJ brings more than just a playlist of wedding hits — **they should possess a deep knowledge and love of music, technical understanding, and interpersonal skills.**
They should have backup plans for equipment failure, and for emergencies in the unlikely event they aren’t able to perform on your agreed-upon date (make sure they have a failure-to-perform clause in their contract!)
Ideally they should be a **calm, professional, and reassuring presence** at your wedding, reducing the stress of the day.

Credit: Jenny Kang Photo

2. They Know How to Read the Room

One of the first things I tell couples? The most important thing your DJ can have isn’t the biggest speakers, flashy lasers, or cold spark machines — it’s empathy.

Yes, high-end equipment matters. But what truly makes a great wedding DJ is their ability to read the room and tell a story through music.

The Right Song at the Right Time 🎶

A great wedding DJ isn’t just pressing play — they’re curating a unique musical experience that unfolds naturally throughout your wedding day. That means:

✔️ Knowing when to pivot if a song isn’t landing
✔️ Sensing when to slow things down for a breather before ramping energy back up
✔️ Recognizing special moments and enhancing them through music

Try this experiment: ask your other wedding vendors how many DJs they’ve seen start and end every dance party with the same overplayed songs. (If I had to guess, they’ll probably say something like “September" and “Closing Time" 😆)

A DJ who’s just cashing a paycheck probably isn’t going to pay attention to the moment during the maid of honor’s speech when she mentions that one time the bride absolutely nailed “Fergalicious" at karaoke. But a DJ who’s truly present will catch that moment — and know that dropping Fergalicious at just the right time could be the highlight of the entire night.

That’s something an algorithm can’t do.

At the end of the day, your DJ should be more than a Spotify playlist. You’re hiring a real person, not just a music player — and that makes all the difference.

A dance floor full of wedding guests in downtown Portland. — *Credit:* *Iron and Rye Photography*

3. They Keep Things Running Smoothly

Like I mentioned earlier your wedding DJ is also your MC, sound tech, maybe even your live entertainment and possibly your day-of coordinator! That’s a lot of hats to wear, and you should feel confident that they can handle it all.

Think about hosting a dinner party. On top of serving the food and drinks, you’re:

✔️ Setting the mood with a great playlist
✔️ Making sure guests feel comfortable and entertained
✔️ Keeping things on schedule so food is served at the right time
✔️ Handling unexpected hiccups without anyone noticing

A wedding is sort of like a much bigger version of that — except instead of managing everything yourself, you’re trusting experienced vendors to handle the details while you focus on celebrating.

Think of Your DJ As Your Wedding’s Host 🎤

A skilled wedding DJ can keep your event running smoothly in various ways:

✅ Keeping guests informed so there’s no confusion about what’s happening next
✅ Eliminating awkward downtime with seamless transitions
✅ Coordinating with vendors to ensure key moments (first dance, speeches, cake cutting) happen on time
✅ Managing the flow of the evening so things stay on schedule without feeling rushed

Without a seasoned professional leading the way, things can quickly fall apart. Keeping the night flowing effortlessly is an art, just like reading the energy of the dance floor.

4. They Run a Legitimate Business

One of the biggest signs of an experienced wedding DJ is that they’ve taken the time to build a legitimate business. If they’re truly passionate about their work and serious about delivering a professional experience, they should have:

✔️ Contracts & invoices to set clear expectations
✔️ Proper licensing & insurance for peace of mind
✔️ Transparent communication about services, pricing, and equipment
✔️ A strong reputation among other wedding vendors

A professional wedding DJ should be responsive, reliable, and professional — not just leading up to the wedding, but on the day itself. If your DJ is ghosting emails, showing up late, or sneaking off to the bar for one too many cocktails, that’s a serious red flag.

Professionalism + Passion

That said, business experience alone doesn’t make a great DJ; be wary of vendors who rely a little too much on their business accolades and not much else.

A bride and groom bathed in soft dappled light walking away into the sunset. — A great piece of feedback I got recently from a lovely couple was this:
*“We* *interviewed a lot of DJs who were very business-forward but sort of…corny. What we loved about your approach was that it was very* music-forward — and still professional!"
That balance is key: You want a DJ who is **organized and professional**, but also **genuinely passionate about music and making your wedding unique**.

Credit: Krysta and Nick Photography

5. They Tell Your Story

This last point is, arguably, the most important quality to look for: a good wedding DJ leaves their ego at the door.

As vendors, we’re all here to bring your vision to life — not to steal the spotlight. Unfortunately, I’ve seen it too many times: DJs who print their name obnoxiously large on their booth, jump on the mic every few minutes to blast air horns, or refuse to play certain songs because it’s “not their style” … can you hear my eyes rolling?

A DJ Who Truly Listens 🎶

It all comes back to empathy. When you meet with a potential DJ for your wedding, ask yourself:

✔️ Do they listen well? Are they genuinely interested in what makes your story special?
✔️ Do they care about your vision, or just your deposit?

A great DJ should be able to blend their knowledge of you as a couple with their knowledge of culture and music history as a whole. They should be able to take the wisdom gleaned from a lifetime of listening to and sharing music and weave an emotionally rich tapestry that feels effortlessly you, curating a snapshot of your love. That’s where the magic happens.

It’s About the Special Moments

DJing a wedding isn’t just about filling time with songs—it’s about creating meaningful moments.

So when the lights come up after the last song, the bartenders gather the last of the glassware and you’re giving your final hugs of the night, you’ll know:

💛 You were fully present for every moment.
💛 The music felt effortlessly YOU.
💛 You hired a DJ who truly understood your vision.

A bride and her father walking down the aisle to meet the groom. — Credit: Samantha Griggs Photography

Ready to Hire a DJ Who Gets It?

Let’s create the perfect soundtrack for your wedding.

Get in touch today for availability and a custom quote — I can’t wait to meet you!

FAQs

1. How far in advance should we book our wedding DJ? 

It’s best to book at least 6–12 months in advance, especially if your wedding falls during peak season. While it may not take that long to curate the music for your day, wedding vendors book up quickly, so reaching out early ensures you get your top choice.

2. What about a live band instead? 

In my opinion, live music is a lot trickier to do well as opposed to recorded music; however, live music can be a great way to emphasize certain moments and bring a more personal touch — I happen to do both! Check out my packages for more info.

3. How much should we budget for a DJ? 

Pricing can hinge on many things, some more justifiably than others: the DJ’s experience, package options, travel fees, etc. My 5-hour wedding packages start at $2,500 with everything included.

4. Will the DJ take song requests from guests? 

This choice should be completely up to you as the client. You should always have the option to provide a “do-not-play” list to your DJ to ensure they avoid certain songs/genres.

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