If the DJ tells you name brands that you can buy at the local electronic store (Best Buy, Circuit City etc.) chances are they are not using pro audio gear. Home Hi-Fi gear is not made to hold up to the demands of repeat performances of professional use.

Chances are nothing will happen at your wedding reception or event, but if it does, is your DJ prepared to trouble shoot the problem? Do they have back-up equipment on location to get the party back on track? What if your DJ has his entire music collection stolen? (They should have extra cables, fuses, basic tools, CD player, amplifier, mixer, etc.).

If the service is professional and reputable, they will be insured. Most DJ services will at least have liability insurance for $1,000,000. Some will also have their equipment insured.

Some Massachusetts area companies have more than one DJ working for them. While the company may have been in business for years, your DJ may have been hired last week, so be sure who you are getting. Most companies have references on the specific DJ who will be assigned to your event.

This is a commonly asked question. The question should be how many weddings and other events have you performed at? A seasoned DJ will have performed hundreds of events. There are some real pros in the New England market which have played at over 1000 wedding receptions. You may want to treat yourself to a real pro!

A good DJ service keeps current references. The list that they provide for you should have at least ten or more names and not be more than six months old. This is a good indicator of the quality you can expect.

Most DJ services in the New England area wear tuxedos. Some services may tell you that they do not want to be the center of attention so they wear something else like a suite, shirt and tie, sweater etc. Remember your DJ will be in front of your family and guests all night.

Most DJ services like to have the opportunity to do a sound and light check before any guests arrive. This usually takes about one hour for an average size system, may take two hours or more for a large system. If your event is in downtown New Bedford or Boston, they may require an extra person for security and additional time to get to the banquet room. The last thing you want is a DJ hauling equipment through your receiving line and or guests.

Consider the policy of requests. The best DJs will take requests form the audience and work them into their routine. But don’t expect the DJ to play every request. An excellent DJ blends requests with songs that will get your guests up and moving. The art of a DJ is timing, and this takes experience. Forcing a DJ to ignore his or her instincts by making them play every request will result in an uneven (and less fun) party.

Remember it is not the number of CDs, Tapes or Albums they carry but the content of the media. Ask them how many hit songs they carry and what type of music they have. Ask them how do they stay current with the new hits. A good DJ service will carry a wide variety of music and will have as many as 10,000 hits or more. There are professional DJ services like RPM, Promo Only and Hot Hits that are available only to professional DJs. These services provide the latest hits played on the radio stations with new additions released monthly. Remember that during the dancing segment of your reception a DJ will average 65 to 75 songs, so you should hear nothing but hits all night long. This will keep your dance floor full all night and everyone will have a great time. Ask them where they obtain their music. If they say something like, 'we get ours from the Internet', they are in violation of the copyright laws and could put your function at risk.

Remember your DJ is a hired service not a guest. Alcohol is for your guests. If the DJ tells you he or she needs a couple of drinks to loosen up, it is our opinion that they are not very professional. The last thing you need is a drunk DJ up in front of your family and friends at your wedding reception. Food is normally provided for the DJ, Photographer, and Videographer. If your not going to feed the DJ or other services you should let them know ahead of time so they can make other arrangements.

Through our experience we have found that a good light show will help keep the crowd on the dance floor longer because they are having more fun. There are two things you want your light show to do: make the dance floor warm and inviting and turn it into a fantasyland of dazzling action, sweeping movement and intense color.