Inside Tip: Use Your DJ’s Experience In Lieu of an Event Planner

It’s easy to view your DJ as “the person who plays the music,” but especially if you haven’t hired an event planner, don’t underestimate your DJ’s experience in the nuances of event planning. Ideally, the DJ you hire is highly experienced, and has seen numerous triumphs and disasters of other people’s events. Here we’re going to share only three of the many nuanced planning tips that Disc Jockey Boston has uncovered from past events.

Keep bars in the same room as the party

This might not seem like a big deal, but consider what happens when you place a bar outside the room the DJ is in. Nearly everyone is going to want a drink from the bar, and if it’s outside the room, you’re giving the entire party a reason to leave the party all night long. The effect of this creates two parties, one in the hallway were folks are lined up getting drinks, and one on the dance floor, where folks are leaving to get drinks and finding folks clustered outside. Many hotels will include bars wherever there’s space left, and not give consideration to how placement affects the party. When reviewing or creating plans with any venue, insist that the bar is in the same room with the party.

Pull the buffet away from the wall

Here’s a minor change that has a maximum impact. Allowing access to both sides of a buffet line keeps the crowd moving and gives more time to everything the night has in store. We’ve seen all sorts of events where 150-200 people rush a buffet line and hold up production. As dinner, when served, routinely extends longer than intended, you’ll want to minimize any delay in feeding guests. Be sure to work out this kink when creating a floor plan.

Vet your speakers

We’ve all heard the adage “just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” This extends itself to speech-givers at all occasions. Make sure all scheduled speakers have at least a moderately commanding presence on the microphone, are prepared to speak, and don’t get stage fright easily. What you’re trying to avoid in checking for this is meek speakers who are hard to hear and will perform poorly. (Trust me, I’ve seen some toasters at weddings who’ve been so meek that the audience continued to chat as if nobody were on the mic. It’s sad. You don’t want that to happen at your event.)

This article could really go on forever, but know that your DJ is more than just a keeper of the tunes. If you’re hiring the right one, they’ll be able to add some insight on even the minutest details of the night.