Let’s get to the point: your playlist matters. You can obsess over seating plans and flower colours all you want, but nothing sets the mood of your wedding like the music. You know it. We know it. She knows it. Even Great Auntie Jane knows it.
From the aisle walk to the last dance, the DJ controls the emotional arc of the entire day. Choosing the right one isn’t about someone who can just press play – it’s about hiring someone who gets you, can read a room full of drunk aunties and chaotic gay friends, and knows how to keep two people who’ve just married each other (and everyone they love) glued to the dancefloor.
Whether you’re planning a summer barn bash or a slick city-centre soirée (fancy pants), here’s how to make sure your DJ choice delivers.
1. Start Looking Earlier Than Feels Necessary
Good DJs get booked early. Like, uncomfortably early. The ones who know how to handle weddings – not just club nights – tend to be locked in well over a year in advance.
Become a Nonchalant VIP for ad free browsing.
If you want someone who can blend emotional moments with full-throttle party energy (and survive an open bar), start your search around the 12-month mark. Otherwise, you risk ending up with whoever’s left – and this is not the area to compromise.
2. Be Clear on the Vibe (and the Absolute Nos)
Before you start sliding into DJs’ DMs, get honest about what you actually want the day to feel like.
Article continues below.
Think about:
- How the music starts and how it builds
- The energy you want during dinner vs later on
- Your first dance moment (romantic, fun, unexpected – all valid)
- Whether you’re after a tight, curated sound or a big everyone-on-the-floor situation
- The songs you never want to hear
- The song that has to close the night
Pull together a rough playlist. It doesn’t need to be perfect – it just needs to communicate both of your tastes. A good DJ will use it as a framework.
Or if you’re a control freak (aren’t we all) – it’s also absolutely fine to give the exact playlist.
Related article: Should You Take Your Partner’s Last Name After Marriage?
3. Ask About Experience
A shared music taste is great, but an actual wedding experience is a must. You might think hiring your fave day rave DJ is a good idea, but weddings are so different.
When you’re chatting to DJs, make sure they’re comfortable with:
- The structure of a wedding day
- Switching genres when the room needs it
- Handling announcements without making it awkward
- Coordinating with your venue, planner, band or whoever else is involved
- Managing guest requests without letting the dancefloor descend into chaos
You want someone who knows how to move through it calmly.
4. Don’t Let a Mate Do It (Unless They’re a Legit Pro)
We’ve all been to that wedding. The sound cuts out. The transitions are painful. The DJ panics. Everyone notices.
This is why hiring a professional matters. A proper DJ brings reliable equipment, contingency plans, and the confidence to keep things moving when something inevitably goes slightly wrong.
If you’re looking for professional DJ services for all events, it’s worth checking out this DJ hire collection from JPA Events.
5. Think in Chapters, Not Just Songs
A wedding playlist isn’t an eight-hour shuffle. The best DJs think in moments.
That means:
- Arrival and background vibes
- Dinner music that doesn’t overpower conversation
- A build-up to your first dance
- Peak dancefloor chaos
- A final song that actually feels like an ending
Whether you want post-party brunch energy or full-on rave-until-close, tell your DJ where the peaks should be. Let them handle the pacing.
6. Get It All in Writing
Once you’ve found someone you’re excited about, lock it down properly.
Make sure you have:
- A contract
- A clear timeline
- Payment terms
- Backup plans if tech fails or they’re unwell on the day
Professionals won’t be weird about this. They’ll expect it.
Related article: Forever festival wedding and a police escort
Final Thoughts
Wedding planning is chaotic. Flowers wilt. Cakes lean. It rains. Best women lose cufflinks. But people remember how the day felt – and music plays a huge part in that.
Hire a DJ who understands your taste, your relationship, and the energy you want in the room. Start early, be clear, and trust someone who knows how to carry a night properly.
You’ll thank yourself (and us) when the dancefloor is still full.
Nonchalant x
This article was written by one of our creative team writers here at Nonchalant Magazine.
