DJ or friend? Updated

I think you definetly get good and bad DJs! The DJ at my sisters wedding was a friend of the groom and he was not good. He's play a few songs people would be up and dancing (typical cheesey wedding pop) then he'd say 'This is one of my favorites...' and it's be some weird techno dance tune and everyone would flee the dance floor!

He also did that oops up side your head song (Yes lets sit on the dirty dance floor in our expensive dresses??).

You might meet the boyfriend and love his stuff, but I'd still be wary about it, in case your stepsister split up with him and he pulls out of doing the wedding!

There is quite a variation in quality between dj's. I don't think it's as bad as the variation between photographers, but it's definitely an issue.

The worst one I ever saw was so bad that I had to fake the dancefloor shots because nobody was dancing. So I arranged for all the guests to get up and run onto the dancefloor for just one song, so that the bride would have dancing photos in her set!

It was so bad that by 9.30pm when I left half the guests had gone home and the other half were standing outside the venue in the rain! The venue staff were also standing outside!

The icing on the cake was I walked past the dj's car on the way to mine and he had decals in the back window advertising his service. It proudly stated "30 years experience."

Good morning. Rest assured you are not compelled to anything. It is YOUR wedding.

Thank you Baccant, I don't really want anyone to run and hide lol. I do have a rough idea of songs I do want and don't want, and one of them is the oops song! I never have been keen on that one ?

The idea of no-one being on the dance floor is just horrible, and a waste money really. The whole idea is that everyone has a good time and everyone/most people enjoy a dance is better, ideally someone is dancing on the floor all night sounds more fun.

I would give him money for it, I am expecting him to charge anyway but I wouldn't like the idea of it being a favour and completely free simply because we don't even know each other. We are June next year but I don't want to keep the other DJ waiting in case he books up/fed up, so really I am hoping we decide in the next few days.

I think I will have a chat with him and see if he is interested, if he isn't that's the decision made. If he is, maybe I can see him perform or see his set up this weekend maybe? Thank you all for your help!!

Update-

We have decided to use the professional DJ, so this morning I e-signed the agreement and nicely told my family that we would be okay and I wouldn't want to put undue pressure on the friend, especially as we don't know him very well.

I have now had a text saying that they have spoken to him and he would feel more at ease with having a role and is quite happy to do it. They have also offered to pay him for me which obviously then saves me money.

I would still prefer the professional (haven't spoken to OH about this yet until this evening) and the previous discussions still stand - I don't know how good he is and if he will get people dancing. He is a nice person. There are no hard feelings or anything going on for the record.

This is getting so confusing.

It does sound rather strange. So he's invited as a guest (being the step sisters boyfriend) but he'd prefer to have a role...

It just doesn't sound like he's a professional dj.

One way forward is to tell him the venue have asked for a copy of the PL & PI insurance for your suppliers. Ask if he could email over a copy of that. If he's a genuine dj he'll be able to send it quite quickly. Suppliers are used to being asked for that.

I really empathise with your situation, I don't have much constructive advice. Personally, I'd bite the bullet and say I want to have the professional as it's one less stress, they're used to doing weddings etc.

We've had this over a couple of things including cake, and DJ actually. OH's brother has PA system so that makes him a DJ....

Thank them nicely but say you have already signed a contract with the others. Not sure why he feels he needs a role and can't just come as a guest.

Hi,

I would advise going with the pro DJ.

The main reason I would say this is the most common last minute call we get, typically a month before or so is that a friends or relative doing music as a favour have cancelled on them.

This is of course stressful and depending on the time of year can leave you with only a few options.

Often the friend or relative will not have the required insurance documents or even safe and reliable equipment. Sometimes all works out ok but personally I wouldn’t risk it.

James x

Thank you everyone you have been very helpful. I will stick with the professional.

The friend doesn't have a business FB page or website for me to even look at or see reviews so I will stick to our original decision. I feel more comfortable with that in the long run. I asked for my auntie & cousin's opinions last night and they agreed with you too.

I will pay my deposit then we can't change our minds ?

I'll second what James said, a large proportion of our last minute enquiries come from clients who have booked friends to perform who then change their mind at the last minute - not very helpful!