Don’t be afraid to ask Questions
You may be scared of wearing the nagging bride tag but weddings are a stressful time for everyone involved and a good DJ will be aware of that and act accordingly. The DJ will be more than happy to answer any and all questions that you may have. Remember that they do this all the time and have probably heard it all before.

What Kinds of Questions should I Ask?
When planning your wedding you will most likely have a million things happening a once and things will be forgotten or occur to you after or before you talk to your DJ, so it is a good idea to have a list of things that you want to ask your potential wedding DJ before you agree to hire them. Some of these questions may include: How much wedding experience do you have? What kind of music do you have and I give you a playlist to work from? What will you be wearing on the day? Does the cost include sound equipment and how much time will you need to set up your equipment on the day? Do you have insurance? How will you be handling the events of the night and do you have any references?
It is also a good idea to sit down with your wedding DJ at some before the wedding starts and have a conversation about how you will be handling the schedule of the night together. When the speeches and the first dance will occur and how you want them handled. Most professional DJ’s have a system or method for keeping things organized and on time and appreciate being kept informed of what will be happening and what is to be expected of them.
The First Dance
It’s not hard for a couple to look absolutely spectacular during their first dance together as long as the moment is prepared for well in advance. Let your DJ know what song you want for your first dance, and plan your entrance and exit strategy together. It only takes a couple of practice sessions for a couple to look like professional dancers who have been dancing together for years.

Before you begin your search there are a few qualities you’ll want to look out for in a karaoke DJ.  Obviously you’ll want one with plenty of experience and an extensive catalog of songs that includes both modern hits and classic favorites, but one important quality you’ll definitely want your disc jockey to have is the ability to sing.  Quite often you’ll find that your guests are reluctant to be the first to take the mic, so your DJ will likely sing one or two songs before anyone else is brave enough to volunteer.  There are also natural lulls that occur in participation and your DJ will be there to pick up the slack.  Additional qualities you’ll definitely want in a karaoke DJ are a great sense of humor, positive attitude, high energy level, and the ability to ease your guests inhibitions while simultaneously lifting their spirits.

Once you’ve established the type of DJ you’re looking for, consider your event and decide if you’d like to keep the karaoke simple and straight forward, or if you want to spice things up a bit with a theme.  Since karaoke can be themed to compliment just about any event, it’s a particularly great option for holiday parties.  Decide on a theme beforehand so you’re DJ will be sure to bring along plenty of songs that relate.  You’ll also want to decide if you’ll have any contests and be prepared to provide all of the rules and prize information to your DJ who will serve as emcee for the competition.

Now it’s time to begin your search.  While you can always collect recommendations from local bars or from friends who have hosted parties with karaoke, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and money by consulting reputable talent agencies that promote karaoke DJs in your area.  These agencies can help you narrow your search by location and price point and you can rest assured that they will provide you with profiles and contact information for no one but the best karaoke DJs in the business.  They have to, or their agencies wouldn’t survive.  Focus on the agencies that have been in business the longest as they are likely to represent the top talent in your area and don’t forget, the earlier you book them, the more likely you’ll end up with the very best!

One incredibly important skill that has consistently been in demand for decades and remains one of the most highly regarded skills today is the ability to read and engage an audience of mixed generations.  Developed almost entirely through experience, DJs can hone this skill by regularly participating in social activities that appeal to all age groups, such as outdoor concerts, sporting events, community theater performances, church picnics, local fairs and carnivals, etc and taking the opportunity to actively engage those in attendance, especially the folks who were born decades before or after them.  The better a DJ can relate to their crowd, the easier it will be for them to put their audience at ease and encourage them to dance and participate in other wedding reception activities.

Families are blending and cultures are mixing more and more each year as evidenced by the consistent rise in intercultural, interracial and interfaith marriages.  For the wedding industry, this means an increase in demand for DJs who not only speak more than one language, but understand different cultural and religious customs and know how to address, respect and celebrate those differences when they perform.  DJs who possess this ability can effectively communicate with a wider, more varied audience and brides and grooms feel better knowing they won’t have to worry about providing an entertainer that might alienate or offend their guests.  Even if a DJ speaks only one language, he or she would benefit from the increase in work opportunities that come from studying up on religious ceremonies and cultural customs they may have little or no prior knowledge of.

Another highly revered skill of the modern wedding DJ is their ability to juggle multiple responsibilities and deal with unexpected setbacks and conflicts calmly as they arise.  For most wedding DJs, they’re not just up there spinning music, they’re controlling the lighting, introducing guests, announcing the first dance, the throwing of the bouquet and other activities, narrating slide-show presentations, politely chatting with guests and taking song requests all while doing everything they can to ensure the sound quality is at it’s sharpest, plenty of folks are dancing and everyone is having a good time.  All the best DJs know that anything can go wrong at any moment, which is why they come prepared with backup equipment pre-staged for easy, no fuss transition and they’re always ready to offer a polite declination when they know they will not be able to play a guest’s song request.

Adopting the skills mentioned above will give a wedding DJ a leg up on the competition and ensure their business is profitable for many years to come.

Uplighting – In the most general sense, uplighting refers to lighting that visually enhances an event, but in practice it does so much more than that, creating a mood and an ambiance to complement the overall style of the décor.  In the case of a wedding, it can make all the difference in distinguishing a more formal reception from a laid-back, informal affair or it can even enhance the overall aesthetic of a multi-cultural ceremony.

Photo Booths – What better way for the bride and groom to allow their guests to create their own unique mementos of their wedding day than to give them the opportunity to take photos of themselves at their leisure throughout the reception.  Photo booths can be customized to include different backgrounds that compliment your décor while the photo strips themselves can be designed to print with stylish borders or a simple script at the bottom with the couple’s names and date of the wedding or whatever other words they wish to appear.  During the reception the photo booth can be hooked up to a video screen so that recent images can scroll across for other guests to enjoy and a DVD copy of all the photos can be burned at the end of the night for the happy couple to take home and treasure forever.

Narration Capabilities – Many couples like to share photos or videos of their lives leading up to their big day.  However, they may be too shy or simply want someone else to narrate the photos so they can join in on watching them with their friends and family.  Thankfully, most of the best wedding DJs possess enough charm, intelligence and humor, to adlib some fun and witty narration based on a brief script with a few simple cues or identifications provided by the couple beforehand.

Bilingual and Multicultural Expertise – If the bride and groom come from different ethnic backgrounds and the majority of their guests speak two or more different languages, you’ll want to find a DJ that understands the cultural differences and can communicate effectively with the majority of your guests.

Though all of these great services may seem difficult to acquire, it’s easy to find them when you consult a reputable agency.  Start by conducting a Google search online for agencies that specialize in great affordable DJs in your town.  Focus your search predominantly on those agencies with the longest histories and that appear on the first one or two pages of your search as these agencies are likely to attract the most traffic to their site.

The first thing to watch out for is the source from which the DJ was found.  For example, be wary of any DJ whom you found on Craigslist or a similar classified advertisement site.  Anyone can advertise on these sites without having their skills and work experience verified and accredited.  It’s much wiser to seek out talent from a reputable agency with many years of experience promoting wedding DJs because they are held accountable for the skills and reliability of every DJ they promote.  With their reputation on the line, they will do everything they can to ensure they are only working with the highest quality and most professional disc jockeys around.

After you’ve consulted a reputable agency and found a few DJs in your area that seem promising, the second thing to watch out for is the DJ’s history.  You’re looking for a DJ with the happiest clients and longest history of performing at weddings like yours, so it’s in your best interest to book a face-to-face meeting with a few prospects as soon as possible.  During those meetings, you can ask for a list of past clients’ contact information.  Be wary of any DJ who hesitates to provide you with a list upon request.  Call a few past clients and conduct further research of the DJ’s website, Facebook or other online profile pages.  If it’s difficult to find positive reviews or if multiple previous clients provide you with negative feedback – it’s time to look elsewhere.

The third major thing to watch out for are hidden fees for services you did not agree to.  When you’ve found a great DJ who can provide all of the services you are looking for, it’s important to get a quote from the DJ that itemizes each and every one of those services, taking into account the total size of your event space.  These services can range from adding uplighting, to narrating a photo or video presentation, to providing a photo booth, etc.  Once the final contract has been drawn up and is ready to sign by both parties, read through it carefully and be certain everything you need is listed and you are not being charged for anything you did not request.

Watch out for these simple things and you’re sure to hire no one but the very best wedding disc jockey available.

Vast Collection of Music – Professional karaoke DJs know their audience.  They keep themselves abreast of all the latest trends in karaoke music.  They know which songs will encourage audience members to sing along and all the current hits that get the most requests from eager participants in every genre of music.  But they also understand that not everyone is keen on singing the same old songs that everyone else wants to sing which is why they’ll also maintain a rich collection of songs from many popular artists who are not often heard on mainstream radio.  They will also come prepared with one or more copies of an up-to-date, easy to use printed catalog from which performers can pick their next song.

Encouragement – To get things started, or whenever there’s a lull, it is the DJ’s responsibility to generate increased participation.  Professional karaoke DJs know all the tricks to encourage reluctant performers.  Whether it’s addressing friendlier faces in the crowd, using their wit and humor to ease them on the stage or offering to buy them a drink if they finish a whole song, they will do everything within their power to keep things rolling.  When humor, free gifts and witty banter just aren’t enough, a professional karaoke DJ will take the mic and sing as many songs as it takes to liven things back up again.

Next time you’re hosting an event with karaoke, remember the two biggest benefits you’ll receive when you hire a professional DJ.  You can find a terrific one now by simply consulting a reputable agency’s website.  Look for agencies with the longest histories of providing the names and contact information for karaoke DJs in your area and allow you to narrow your search by price point so that you are sure to hire the best you can afford.

For Karaoke Supplies: Click Here

Most of the attention during the day will be placed upon the bride and her family, and this is the Grooms best opportunity to show his mom that she hasn’t been forgotten.

A little tip for the groom-to-be, give your mom a little gift just before the dance to mark the occasion and make the dance just a little bit more special. She will truly appreciate and treasure the gesture.

The song that is played during the dance will reflect the relationship between the mother and son, so keep this in mind when you are making the song selection and make sure talk to your mother and ask her opinion on the song. If you want to surprise her on the night, ask her about a few different songs, and then choose one you think she will love the most.

Here is a list of a few of the most popular songs played during this special moment.

A Mother’s Song – T.Carter

A poignant song that is perfect for this occasion.

“You’ll find out, my son, what true love is all about

Be faithful and be true

Show love in all you do

Then you’ll know just how you make your mother proud

You’ve made your mother proud”

What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

This is a timeless piece of music, with a wonderful upbeat vibe that every single person in the room will know by heart. By the time you get to the last line every person in the room will be singing:

“Yes I think to myself, what a wonderful world”

A Song For Mama – Boyz II Men

This song could have written just for the mother son dance at a wedding.

“You’ll always be you always will be the girl

In my life for all times

Mama, mama you know I love you.”

Lynyrd Skynrd – Simple Man

A simple, but powerful song for the moment.

“Mama told me when I was young….

Go find a woman you’ll find love”

Beautiful Boy – John Lennon

This song is sung from the parent’s perspective. It is about children growing up and moving on.

“Before you cross the street

Take my hand

Life is just what happens to you

While you’re busy making other plans”

1-800-DISC JOCKEY has a great list of Mother Dance Songs 

Services – Consider the event you are hosting. Beyond spinning music, what will you need your DJ to emcee? If it’s a wedding you’re hosting, you may want your DJ to provide wedding party introductions, toasts or even a bit of commentary as photos from the happy couple’s history scroll by in a slide show presentation. If it’s a corporate event, perhaps you’d like the DJ to introduce speakers, narrate video presentations or simply announce different activities as they come up throughout the event. If you’re hosting a party, you may want your disc jockey to announce a dance competition, sing karaoke or just say what they need to say to put your guests at ease and get them out on the dance floor. Besides music and emcee services, many DJs will also provide colorful LED lights and mirror balls to create a more exciting visual experience. Whatever it is you want your DJ to do, make sure you have a complete list of responsibilities ready when you begin your search.

Price Point – Creating and sticking to a budget is incredibly important when it comes to planning an event and you can always find terrific DJs in a wide variety of price ranges. A good rule of thumb for weddings is to allocate about 10% of your budget on a DJ. For corporate events, you might be able to go as high as 20%. For parties, you may have room to push things even higher – to as much as 30% depending on how extravagant the cost of food and drinks and rental fees if hosting the party at a public location. The important thing to remember here is that your DJ is responsible for most, if not all of your event’s entertainment, so you want the best you can get for the money you spend. Be honest about what you can afford and make sure the DJ can provide all of the services you demand at a price you can both agree upon and don’t forget to confirm everything in writing.

Personality and Reputation – A DJ’s past clients are a treasure trove of information regarding the DJs personality and reputation. Ask to see a list of previous clients and contact a few of them. Ask about punctuality, how well the DJ was able to adapt to their requests, and whether or not the DJ remained amiable, approachable and upbeat throughout their event. A DJ with a giant music collection and a fun personality is always welcome, but a DJ whom you know you can rely on is priceless.

Carefully consider these three attributes when hiring a professional DJ and your next event is sure to be a hit!

Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
An absolute party anthem ever since it was released in 2009. Its ability to get people up and dancing helped propel it to becoming the first ever song to sell over 7 million digital copies.

Journey -Don’t Stop Believin’
It’s amazing that a song released in 1981 can still resound so loudly throughout the younger generation to the point where it one of the biggest sellers on iTunes. A party must.

Cupid-Cupid Shuffle
A fun song that has an accompanying line dance that is easy for anyone to dance to and is almost guaranteed to get people moving.

AC/DC – You Shook Me All Night Long
This song has been an absolute classic ever since its original release way back in 1980. When Brian Johnson starts screaming “You shook me all night long” you can bet your party will be singing right along with him.

Lady Gaga Feat. Colby O’Donis – Just Dance
This song was written to get people up and dancing at parties. From its release in 2008 It quickly marched on to become one of the best-selling singles of all time.

Bon Jovi – Livin’ On A Prayer
When he first recorded this song, Bon Jovi didn’t like it, and had to actually be convinced that it was good enough to be released. Almost 20 years on and millions of sales later, I’m sure that he is glad that he let himself be talked around.

Beyoncé – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Certified quadruple platinum, and critically acclaimed throughout the world, this will be the anthem for any woman for every single woman at your party.

Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)
This released over 25 years ago, this song still manages to be a party favourite to this day.

LMFAO Feat. Lauren Bennett And Goon Rock -Party Rock Anthem
This massively popular DJ song was released in 2011 and was the biggest selling single of the year and the fastest selling single of all time. A tremendously catchy song that is hard not to dance to.

Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl
It is a true testament to the greatness of a song when it gets released over 25 years ago and everybody in a room can sing the entire chorus.

Check out the full list of the top 200 party songs.

For a few of the more musically inclined brides and grooms out there, picking just the right song is a snap. But for those who are struggling to find their perfect tune, it might be helpful to consult the top choices of their peers.

Here are the current top five father/daughter wedding dance songs for 2012:
1. “I Loved Her First” by Heartland
2. “My Girl” by The Temptations
3. “Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman
4. “Unforgettable” as sung by Nat King and Natalie Cole
5. “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra

Here are the current top five mother/son wedding dance songs for 2012:
1. “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion
2. “In My Life” by The Beatles
3. “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King
4. “In My Life” by The Beatles
5. “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts

To add to these lists, there is one song that for many decades has continued to rank within or just outside the top five for both father/daughter and mother/son wedding dance songs. That song is “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.
While none of the above mentioned songs can be found on the current pop charts, these songs continue to resonate with generation after generation of brides and grooms and are likely to remain in the top spots for many years to come.

If after reading these lists you are still struggling to pick the right songs, ask your DJ for their suggestions. If you hired them through a reputable agency with a long history of promoting the best professional wedding DJs, they will likely be able to provide you with their own great list of suggestions.