Wedding Venues - A DJ's Perspective

It’s funny. Venues are often asked by wedding couples to recommend DJs, but DJs are rarely asked to recommend venues.  This, even though an experienced wedding DJ has hands-on, real-world experience performing at scores, if not hundreds, of wedding reception sites in his region.

If that DJ is paying careful attention when he works at each venue, he’ll observe all sorts of things about the place. Big things. Little things. Good things. Bad things.

How practical are the logistics?  How well are the details managed? How friendly are the staff? How does the place look under different lighting conditions? How suitable are the spaces for cocktails, dinner, and dancing? Does the place have strict curfews or does it allow the party to continue another hour if you want it to? Your DJ may be able to give you insight on all this, and more.

Even during the planning phase, the DJ will learn first-hand from wedding couples about their interactions with the venue coordinators – how flexible and accommodating are they?

Beyond that, an experienced wedding DJ probably knows of venues that meet whatever criteria you’re looking for.  Are you interested in a rustic venue, or a very urbane one?  A big hotel or boutique hotel? A place by the Bay or in the mountains? A place that is architecturally distinctive, whether  historic or ultra-modern? A place with beautiful gardens or a drop-dead gorgeous ballroom or a breathtaking view?  Your DJ might suggest places you otherwise might not have considered.

So don’t hesitate to get your DJ’s input on your choice of wedding venues – and once you’ve chosen a venue, get his input on how to utilize that venue.  Not that the DJ's is the final word -- but his input might help inform your planning.  Likewise, get the input of other experienced wedding vendors who’ve spent countless hours working at various venues – such as photographers, videographers, caterers.

Maybe it’s just a pipedream on my part, but I think there are times it would even make sense to hire the DJ and photographer first, and the venue second!

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