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I am in need of a DJ, and according to my friend (and enemy) Martha Stewart, this is something that should have been done a month ago. But, Martha, to be fair, it’s not like I haven’t been TRYING to book a DJ! I’ve done a lot of Internet research to find a reputable DJ that won’t break the bank, and the last time I was in Dallas, Mama Hippo and I met with two DJs, both of whom were recommended to me by other vendors. Let’s just say the appointments were less than successful. Actually, they were a huge fail.
So, I’m going to sound like the most superficial person ever, HOWEVER, the first DJ showed up looking completely disheveled. He was sweating and couldn’t seem to stop sweating. O.k., so it may have been June in Texas, but we were meeting indoors, with central air conditioning…I think at some point he should have stopped sweating, no?! I think he would have been completely fine at the job of playing music and making announcements, but the sweating…not o.k.
The second DJ rubbed me the wrong way immediately. He had his canned “this is how a wedding works” PowerPoint presentation and mentioned something about giving out the centerpieces during the reception…What??! Like a raffle??!? Ummm…no. He was over-the-top cheesy, although he kept telling us how he hated cheesy DJs. Ummmm…Glass houses? Stones?
So, now I have no DJ, and Martha keeps telling me that I have overdue tasks every time I go to her wedding website. This is where planning a wedding long distance is a total pain in the ass. If I lived in Dallas, I could meet with two or three more DJs the next week, but instead, I have to wait until my next Dallas trip in October to meet with DJs. I’m way too type A to book a DJ sight unseen (you can’t detect sweating over the phone!), so I just have to wait and keep my fingers crossed that I can find a DJ when I’m in town next.
Any advice for finding a good, reasonably priced, non-sweating DJ?
We went with a DJ who regularly works clubs/bars in DC, and doesn’t just do weddings and other events. She put us on the list to go see her at a local club for free, so we could see her in action, and it was great. Plus, I found that DJs who aren’t just “wedding” DJs have much more reasonable rates.
I’d say go with friends’ recommendations if you can. I think it’s hard to judge a DJ solely by meeting them. Do you recall any good DJs that you encountered at other people’s weddings?
Crap, I’m in March too and I haven’t found a DJ yet. I thought we still had a few months before that was due. Are we really late already? Crap! I’ve researched a bit, but maybe I’d better bump that up on the priority list!
As for your question– try searching reviews on weddingwire & yelp, maybe?
Do you have any friend who got married in the area recently? Try to think who’s wedding you had the most funning dance at and then ask who they used? We got a rec from my husband’s cousin. Turns out their DJ was booked but he suggested another DJ to us who was awesome. He let me dad meet up with him at another wedding he was doing so my dad could just get a feel for how he handles himself.
I’ve been to a few wedding shows where DJ David Allen had his setup going, he’s reasonable and not cheesy. Here’s the website http://www.djdavidallen.com/ . I also did a website for his wife, which I was paid promptly for, so I can vouch for a solid reputation 
definitely go for guest recommendations over vendor recommendations.
a good dj is tough to find unless you’ve witnessed their work!
Hi there! I live in Dallas, so hopefully I can be helpful… I’m actually having my wedding in Maryland (where me and my fiance are originally from), but if I was having my wedding here I would try and book http://yeahdef.com/ Yeahdef as my DJ. He’s very popular in the area and has performed at the Granada. Good luck, and feel free to shoot me an e-mail if you need any advice about anything else!
I got married in Dallas in July and cannot say enough great stuff about our DJ, Glenn Roush of Roush Productions. He is not cheesy at all (a BIG thing for when we were looking for someone!) and does such a great, professional job. He is super reasonable priced too. He has some great online planning forms, so you could pick out songs, must play/do not play, time lines etc. from NYC while planning. Let me know if you want more info on him! http://www.RoushProductions.com
Hey Miss Hippo! I love Mark Ridlen of dj deLuxe in Dallas. I would definitely suggest him! http://www.djdeluxe.com/
Ugh, Martha Stewart and those stupid recommendations from theknot.com. Do you, that’s all I say. But, honestly, I’ve never heard of anyone not choosing a DJ because he sweats
I now ignore any “suggested timelines” I come across. I made my list and I am just checking things off when I get to them. I am getting married in 6 weeks, but I booked my band just 2 months ago, booked my flowers last week, and will book my cake place this week. There seem to be plenty of good vendors to choose from - and I have only been engaged and working on this for 6 months! So, screw you, Martha and the Knot, you can’t scare me anymore!
Good luck on the DJ hunt!!! Looks like the Texas ladies have lots of good suggestions!
Ask friends (or family members!) for references and recommendations. That’s how we found ours, good old fashioned word-of-month advertising. Good luck!
I don’t know what type of DJ you are looking for (as in, what bells and whistles you need) but I would love to recommend Juan and Gil of Mega Mix Sound System. http://megamixdj.org/default.aspx
They are brothers-in-law who do this on the side for fun. And they were excellent to work with. I gave them a copy of the day-of timeline and they were so spot on that it eliminated my need for a coordinator of any kind.
In fact, they were the most accomodating vendor we used. They special ordered supplies to go with our theme, weren’t offended that I asked them not to display their banner on their booth, never batted an eye when I gave them an extensive do/do not play list (and then scrapped it completely) and they did the music for our ceremony at no extra charge.
We got married three years ago so I’m sure their prices have increased, but we got them for about 5 hours and paid under $500. They also supplied a references list that sweetened the pot when every single one responded with their own glowing review. Great team all around and I’m proud to recommend them!
I laughed at your comment about the sweating DJ. That was my most dreaded part of wedding planning as I generally HATE DJ’s. Good luck on your search!
@missbiscuit: Who knew, right? Apparently we should have booked a DJ back in July.
@Miss Sand Dollar: @Brittany: @kcroxyoursox: Thanks for the recommendations!!! I will totally check those out.
@eeper: You’re cracking me up! Yes, since I’m not planning locally, there are many things I can’t do according to “the timeline.” Glad to hear I’m not the only one!
@Carly: Hooray! I had actually already been in contact with Mark to set up an appointment for the next time I’m in Dallas. He was recommended to me by someone else too. That’s sounding VERY promising, and he’s in my price range. Thank you!
@AmandaOpp: Thanks for the Glenn Roush rec. I actually had already checked him out, and unfortunately, he’s outside of my price limit. I’ve heard great things about him though!
I just wanted to say that I completely understand not wanting a sweaty dj!
Sweaty DJ = Not cool. Literally.
Good luck on your hunt, Hippo! And yeah, please don’t raffle off your centerpieces! Who does that? DJ FAIL.
I actually booked brandon from stewards productions for my wedding in October. He does have videos in his you tube and that is what I liked about him since I was able to see weddings he has dj for.. You should check him out http://stewardsproductions.com/index.html.
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Mrs. Hippo, New York City/Dallas, TX Age and Occupation: 34, Event Planner for a Non-Profit Fiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Finance IT Engagement Date: August 8, 2009 Wedding Date: March 2011 Venue: Samuel Lynne Galleries and Marc Events About Me: I’m a thirty-something bride living in New York City and planning a modern-ish wedding in Dallas, Texas. I love trashy reality television (Jersey Shore, anyone?), online shopping, Sunday brunch, Central Park, and random celebrity spottings on the streets of Manhattan. While I love NYC, I miss good Tex-Mex, my college friends, central A/C, and being in close proximity to a Target. I’m thrilled to finally be planning an event that’s not work-related and to be marrying my best friend in what I hope will be a unique and personal ceremony followed by a reception with plenty of good food, good drinks, and dancing (regardless if it’s good or not).
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