All events have their own personal touches with regards to room style, menu, decorations etc., but for many couples, reception entertainment is one of the highest priorities. With so many options, packages, and styles from which to choose, deciding who to hire for your party can be a frustrating task.

While the idea of seeing your prospective DJ in action may sound great on paper, in reality it is logistically difficult. After all, how excited would you be to have a couple or two peeking in on your event or hanging out in the hallway so the DJ can sell his or her next clients? Fortunately, with today’s technology much research can be done without ever leaving the house. But is that the best way to shop for your vendors?

Although technology is convenient, it also has a downside or two. I receive many requests for information through my website, but no matter how quickly I respond I often never hear back from these prospective clients with the most basic tool—the telephone. You can certainly save time by using the Internet to narrow down your list of potential vendors, but you will get a much better feel for the DJ/client connection by spending just five or ten minutes on the phone. Shopping e-Bay and Craigslist are fine for some things, but ask yourself one simple question: Do you really want to select a DJ for one of the biggest days of your life just because of a company’s online presence or marketing campaign without at least talking to a single live voice?

You would be amazed at how many couples do that and regret it afterwards. There are a number of things you should explore when choosing a DJ for your wedding; chief among them is cost. It’s been said a thousand times in this business and I’ll say it again: the cheapest vendors and the best ones are rarely the same. By the same token, you may not require certain services for your event, or the entertainment may not be your highest priority, but if it is, be sure of what you’re really getting for your investment. How many hours will the DJ provide music? Can the vendor provide proof of insurance? Is there a back-up plan for both the DJ and/or equipment? Is the DJ the right fit for your style, musical tastes, and any other general needs your event calls for? Just like with every product or service, there’s a reason why there are different price points for different levels of service.

As my grandma used to say, “Just because prime rib and a drive–through burger both come from a cow, they are hardly the same meal.” Technology has done a great deal to drive down prices—and in many ways service—especially when it comes to DJs and photographers/videographers. These days, anyone and his or her brother can buy gear, build a website, print business cards, and delicately manipulate a “resume” to claim to be a PROFESSIONAL. It’s the same with DJs. You’d be amazed at how many so-called “reputable” companies hire just about any warm body from their local big box outlet stores or local bars; they figure they can make a DJ or photographer out of anyone because of the ease of learning modern technology. But does that make them good DJs or photographers/videographers?

Everyone can buy tools and materials, but that doesn’t make them craftsmen! Here’s a good example to think of when considering your music budget: if your wedding cake costs the same, or more, per person than your DJ or photographer, it’s time to rethink your priorities. You can’t expect the best without spending some money. So put down the mouse and pick up the phone. Remember…there are no do-overs on your wedding night!