Storytime: Cautiously hire friendor DJs
Imagine this: you’re about to walk down the aisle when the speakers start to blast not music but an ADVERTISEMENT for some sort of eczema cream. This goes on for a full 15 sec before the room falls silent and you’re greeted not by the sound of music but by the intro for the music video.
Why? The DJ didn’t have your entrance song on hand and resorted to Youtube.
And guess what? The DJ refuses to be the Master of Ceremonies, so there’s no one to announce your entrance or tell everyone to stand (the officiant, who is another friendor, hadn’t expected this and took over).
When the ceremony is finally over, instead of playing the cute romance song you asked for, the DJ plays “Heathens” by Twenty One Pilots.
Then the DJ rushes out at the first opportunity to grab a shot and another alcoholic drink. During the dinner part of the reception, the DJ plays dance music so loudly that your guests leave the room to have conversations.
This is what actually happened at a wedding I helped coordinate (event was planned by the couple), where the couple hired a friend vendor (friendor) for their DJ. The other coordinator and I had to think quickly to avoid making the situation worse, delegating tasks to family and friends who could take over promptly and with grace.
Look, it’s not like I think every friendor DJ is going to be bad (everyone has to start somewhere), but the odds of oopsies are much greater for friendors. The best thing you can do for your friendor DJ is to help prepare them well in advance. Ask them if they will MC, and make sure you have a backup plan if they won’t. Give them a printout of the song list 4 weeks in advance, and make sure they have a copy of the timeline.
Hiring a planner can help you avoid these mistakes and can help you navigate discussions with friendors and vendors alike.
If hiring a planner is outside your budget, consider at least hiring a coordinator and asking them questions about when to send your planning materials (timelines, seating charts, song lists), especially when friendors are involved. A coordinator can help you in a tough spot!
Key takeaway: if you’re hiring a friendor, especially a DJ, make sure that they know the plan well in advance, and make sure you know what they will and will not do!
They can handle this if you (or your planner!) prepare them right!
With love,
Katie
