Wedding DJ Checklist: Everything You Need to Know

Booking a wedding DJ is one of the most important decisions in your wedding planning journey. The right DJ can make your wedding reception unforgettable; the wrong one can leave your dancefloor empty and your guests bored. This checklist, based on 25 years and over 1000 wedding performances across Staffordshire and Cheshire, covers everything you need to know and do when booking and planning with your wedding DJ.

Before You Book: Questions to Ask Your Wedding DJ

Choosing the right DJ starts with asking the right questions. Here is what to ask before you commit:

Experience and Reputation

• How many weddings have you performed at? Look for a DJ with hundreds of weddings of experience. I have performed at over 1000 events.
• How long have you been a wedding DJ? Experience matters. I have 25+ years in the business.
• Do you have reviews or testimonials I can read? Genuine reviews from real couples are the best indicator of quality.
• Have you performed at my venue before? Venue-specific experience matters. I have performed at nearly every wedding venue in Staffordshire and Cheshire.

Equipment and Backup

• What equipment do you use? Professional-grade sound and lighting equipment is essential.
• Do you carry backup equipment? This is critical. I always bring full backup — laptop, mixer, speakers, cables.
• Do you have Public Liability Insurance? Most quality venues require this. I carry full PLI.
• What lighting do you provide? Dance floor lighting should be included. Uplighting may be an add-on or part of a premium package.

Music and Planning

• Can we choose our own playlist? Yes — I provide an online music planning portal for every couple.
• Can guests make song requests? Yes — I provide an online guest request system plus live requests on the night.
• Do you take a do-not-play list? Absolutely. Your do-not-play list is respected throughout the evening.
• Can you edit our first dance song? Yes — I can edit any song to the perfect length.

Logistics

• How early do you set up? I always arrive with ample time, coordinated with the venue team.
• Do you provide microphones for speeches? Yes — professional wireless microphones are included.
• Can you MC the reception? Yes — I can announce speeches, cake cutting, first dance and key moments.
• Do you provide ceremony music? Yes — all-day packages include ceremony music with a separate speaker setup.

Once You Have Booked: Your Planning Checklist

After booking your DJ, the planning process begins. Here is what to do:

3–6 Months Before

• Complete your online music portal: Add your first dance song, must-play songs, and do-not-play list.
• Share the guest request link: Send the online request system link to your guests so they can submit song suggestions.
• Confirm ceremony music: If you have an all-day package, choose your processional, signing and recessional music.
• Confirm key moments: Note the timing for first dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss and any other key moments.

1–2 Months Before

• Finalise your playlist: Complete your must-play and do-not-play lists in the portal.
• Confirm the evening timeline: Discuss the running order — when the first dance will happen, when the buffet will be served, when speeches will take place.
• Confirm setup details: I will coordinate with your venue to confirm setup time, power supply and positioning.
• Discuss lighting preferences: If you have uplighting, confirm colour choices and positioning.

1–2 Weeks Before

• Final timeline confirmation: I will contact you to confirm the final evening timeline and key moments.
• Last-minute song requests: Add any final song requests or changes to the portal.
• Confirm contact details: Provide a contact number for the day in case of any last-minute coordination.

The Day Before and Day Of

• Trust your DJ: The planning is done. Trust your DJ to deliver.
• Do not worry about the music: I handle everything. You focus on enjoying your day.
• Delegate: Assign a trusted person to liaise with the DJ if needed.

What Your DJ Handles on the Day

On the day itself, your DJ handles:

• Setup and sound check: Arriving early, setting up equipment, testing sound and lighting.
• Coordination with venue and suppliers: Confirming timings with the venue team, photographer and other suppliers.
• Ceremony music: If applicable, playing processional, signing and recessional music at the right moments.
• Background music during drinks and dinner: Creating the right atmosphere with appropriate background music.
• Microphone handover for speeches: Providing and managing wireless microphones for speeches.
• First dance coordination: Timing the music and lighting for the perfect first dance moment.
• Evening entertainment: Reading the crowd, blending requests with your playlist, and keeping the dancefloor full.
• Key moment announcements: MCing cake cutting, bouquet toss, last dance and any other key moments.

Red Flags to Watch For

When choosing a wedding DJ, watch for these red flags:

• No backup equipment: Every professional DJ carries backup. If they do not, walk away.
• No Public Liability Insurance: Most quality venues require this. No PLI means an amateur.
• No online planning tools: A professional DJ provides a planning system, not just a phone call.
• No reviews or testimonials: If they cannot show you reviews from real couples, be cautious.
• Unusually low prices: If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Quality DJs charge appropriately for their experience and equipment.
• No venue experience: If they have never performed at your venue, ask how they will handle venue-specific acoustics and setup.

The DJ Malky Green Difference

When you book me as your wedding DJ, you get:

• 25+ years of experience and 1000+ successful events
• Full backup equipment at every wedding
• Public Liability Insurance
• An online music planning portal with guest request system
• Professional-grade sound and lighting equipment
• Venue-specific experience at nearly every Staffordshire and Cheshire venue
• Uplighting and Magic Mirror photo booth available
• All-day packages including ceremony music and MC services

Get in touch: Call or WhatsApp 07538 527790 to check availability, or read our guide on how to choose a wedding DJ for more advice.