DIY Versus Hiring a Pro DJ

Anyone with a phone and a Bluetooth speaker has the potential to be appointed a DIY DJ at your next event. But being a DJ is more than simply playing music. That's why when you are choosing between a DIY DJ or hiring a pro DJ, you should consider the pros and cons.

Pros of Being a DIY DJ

There are numerous advantages to being a DIY DJ. Those benefits primarily revolve around saving time and money, but only a limited amount of time and money.

Save Money

To hire a Los Angeles DJ, you'll need to fork over approximately $750 for a four-hour event. If you decide to take the reigns, you can save money, as you'll only have to rent audio-visual equipment.

You could get a subwoofer for about $140 per day and a portable speaker for $60 per day, saving you nearly $550 for the day. Then, you'd save time looking for and vetting a DJ but not much time on the day of the event as you'd need to control the music and the AV equipment you've rented, leaving little time to enjoy the show.

Save Time Vetting DJs

Regardless of the event, you'll typically have to spend a few hours vetting DJs you've shortlisted before you hire someone.

Vetting DJs requires listening to their portfolio, calling previous clients for testimonials, and creating a contract agreeable for you and the DJ.

Cons of Being a DIY DJ

Despite the pros, there are far more cons, but we'll only focus on three of the most significant drawbacks.

The Moment isn't Memorable

Since DJs are the most significant entertainment for most events, their impact on the event extends far beyond music selection. Instead, they shape the event with music that dictates the mood and atmosphere. This mood can make moments within the event memorable and far more enjoyable for guests.

As a DIY DJ, you have zero experience shaping an atmosphere or environment to get a crowd — drunk, sometimes hostile, often tired or disinterested — to get engaged in the event and entertainment.

Music Becomes Monotonous

DJs have to enjoy a variety of music and genres. If you're controlling the music, the tracklist becomes monotonous. The music will reflect your taste with a likelihood of some trendy songs. Even if your music taste is more eclectic or trendy a DJ will always know more songs and how to incorporate these songs to add to the kind of event you're hosting.

There's an obvious line between tasteless and tacky placement and selection that's far more appropriate. A professional DJ represents the latter.

There's No Room for Last-Minute Changes

If the playlist isn't drawing the response you want, as a DIY DJ, you likely won't be able to make a last-minute change to your playlist without ruining it. A DJ can make necessary changes to the playlist and often uses the response from the audience to determine the direction the playlist should take.

Unless you want your event to be the but of any joke, don't skimp on your entertainment budget. Because the nominal savings you make on doing it yourself will lead to a lackluster event. The better choice is to hire a pro DJ. You're guaranteeing your guests — and yourself — a great time.

The set up was pretty easy. You can park next to the club house to set up. I was able to load all my gear next to the shade while I separated where the ceremony gear went and the reception gear went.

I was given one power outlet to set up two set ups. We had to use an extension cord to give it power. It was 105 degrees and we asked for an umbrella 3 times and on the third time I offered to carry the umbrella myself.

They had us on the corner of the reception area with the speakers facing the dance floor which was outside. The dinner area was behind us so we had to had the speakers face the dinner area so we were playing music with speakers facing us. There was a building structure in front of us so the dance floor was not 100 percent visible.

The bar area was in a different room so we had to physically round everyone up to get them ready for the ceremony and get them seated for the reception.

Beauty of the place it did get a good score.

The outside dance floor was nice.

But for a dj it was not very practical.

To fix it I would have an outlet close to the ceremony area.

I would have the dj set up in front of the dance floor outside with two other speakers with one in the bar area and one in the dinner area.

I would speak with the bride and let her know what would work for you.

This is the second time I have been at this venue. The first time I was in a bigger room and this time we had a smaller event but it still was a big fun event. The guests were able to sit down and had their dinner while I played pop tracks. The venue was able to provide a projector and they hooked up to my system so they can play the video with sound.

The staff was very helpful and nice. The restrooms are set up for the members but for these events anyone can use the facilities. They are very nice and there are free samples of everything to use which is a treat.

We had a nice dance floor and we had a nice view of the outside.

I did enjoy this party since most of the music was Spanish. But overall this place gets a good grade as a venue. It is very easy to set up. You do have to go up stairs but not much. Staff is very nice and the atmosphere can be very festive. I do recommend weddings and private parties here.

Black and White Affair had a ball recently at the Double Tree Hotel in San Jose. It is always good to ask for exact details. I was coordinating with the event planners and what stuck in my head was to make sure the playlist was kid friendly. When I think kid friendly I was thinking maybe for elementary school kids. So I recently have done an elementary school event and I was going to use that as my primary playlist and I was going to look up some more disney songs. Then later I asked about the ages of the “kids” and they were high school age to mid twenties. I totally switched up the playlist. I looked at what was trending now and went through my high school lists and pick and chose what I thought would work,

They had a pirate theme and it was a beautiful night. There is something nice about having an event outside. There was a lot of fun energy at the event. Current songs mixed in with club hip hop classics set the vibe. But it is always important to add some latin flavor in mix. California has a lot of latin influence and it is good to have that in your playlist. Although some people may not know to speak spanish but they do know spanish songs to dance to.

So in a nutshell: Know your audience and be able to cater to their requests. Being prepared with a list is very helpful as your base but you need to be able to go with the crowd.

Dj Gamble came through that night. Originally we had booked the event on a Friday and then a few days before the event I was informed it would be on Saturday. I had another event booked that day so I called up Dj Gamble and once again he came through.

A good thing to ask your dj company if they have other members on the team for those just in case moments. Think Black and White Affair for your Dj needs in the Bay Area and now serving the Los Angeles Area.

I have noticed big changes in the wedding format. Long gone is the typical wedding with the standard events. This is a new age and it is the have it your way wedding. Keep in mind that this is one of the biggest events in the bride and groom’s lifetime so they should have the say on what should take place.

Long ago a lot of wedding were done at a church or religious building or courthouse. Now folks are getting married at a venue so the dj can provide sound for the officiant and the ceremony music.

Grand entrance is done 99 percent of the time. Usually the bride and groom and taking photos during cocktail hour then when they are done they are announced. But I have been noticing that bride and grooms are just announcing themselves and occasionally the wedding party.

Money dance is far and few. I have not done many of those of late. Folks are moving away from that. In case you don’t know, the money dance is where the bride and groom dance with guests and guests give donations to the bride and groom. It’s a nice gesture since the bride and groom are busy during the wedding but it gives time to have one on one conversations.

Garter toss and Bouquet toss are not really happening. Most of the weddings I am doing now are smaller thus there can be less single people so a lot of couples have been skipping that.

All and all, the bride and groom can opt to do events or not do them. I never tell them they should do an event since I want them to enjoy what they are doing. Keep in mind, this is the bride and grooms’ party so they can have it their way!

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