San Francisco Wedding Reception DJ Guide, San Francisco Wedding Guide Advice from OurWeddingDay.com

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San Francisco Wedding DJ Guide

Hiring One of the Bay Area’s Best Disc Jockeys for Your Wedding Reception

San Francisco is home to the group that can raise the dead and another that “built the city on rock and roll.” Legendary bands like the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Starship also bring in aspiring DJ’s, who not only love the City By the Bay’s blues and jazz clubs, but its musical dynamics. Finding a DJ in Frisco for your wedding reception should be as easy as leaving your heart on its winding streets.

Book your San Francisco DJ about 8 months’ prior to your ceremony, and after you’ve picked your reception site. Prices vary, depending on the size of your wedding, the hours, and the vendor’s experience. An exceptional DJ should have a good 50 weddings under his belt; if your affair is small and casual, you might be able to get away with a less-experienced DJ. Expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $2,000.

When interviewing, ask the DJ for a DVD of a previous wedding gig. If he spins around town, try to attend a performance. (But never crash someone else’s wedding.) When looking, ask friends and relatives, and vendors in the area. Ask the D.J. for references, and contact the Better Business Bureau for complaints.

As soon as you’re ready to break it down with San Francisco DJ’s, check the OurWeddingDay.com San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Vendor Section for a regularly updated list of San Francisco DJ’s, wedding entertainment providers, and more.

San Francisco disc jockeys vary in personality; you can find a guy who’s as suave as Tony Bennett or someone as rock-solid as Jerry Garcia. Which type of DJ you choose depends on your tastes and the style of your wedding. Your DJ serves as the host of the reception (introducing the couple, dances, toasts), so pick the one you click with best.

When discussing your wedding music, be specific about the songs you want to hear, and make sure he has them in stock. It’s also imperative to let him know what songs you don’t want played, even if guests request them. If the Chicken Dance is a no-no, make sure he’s informed.

Your contract should include such basics as making sure the DJ you interview is the same guy who shows up on the day of your wedding, as well as the name of a substitute in case of emergency. Find out his hourly or day rate, and overtime fees. DJ’s should be tipped, with 20% being typical if the service is exceptional. You should also provide the DJ with a meal.

Now get up on the dance floor and find your heart!

-David Toussaint