Navigating wedding entertainment is one of the most agonizing parts of wedding planning. If you're organizing a wedding in or around the Los Angeles area, you may already know that finding a good Los Angeles wedding DJ is by far more challenging than any other. Despite the number of DJs in the area, finding a DJ that ticks all your boxes are

What You're Paying for When Hiring a Los Angeles Wedding DJ

Prepare to pay anything from $1,000 to $2,000 or more to hire a Los Angeles Wedding DJ.  This process is comparable to buying a car. You could save money upfront by getting a cheaper vehicle, but it will likely be riddled with issues and require you to pay extra for repairs, while you Uber or Lyft when it's in repair. Alternatively, you could get a luxury vehicle that comes with a luxury driving experience. Hiring a Los Angeles Wedding DJ is similar. Trying to save a buck can lead to a devastating experience at your wedding. But the price tag isn't always worth it. Instead, a reputable DJ can express what the cost entails, as it should account for the following:

Time: 

The hourly rate doesn't only include the few hours your Los Angeles DJ spends at your venue but the prep time. Before the big day, your DJ should be spending time preparing and perfecting the playlist. Then, on the day, your DJ will spend time traveling to the venue, setting up, performing, and breaking the set down.

Equipment:

Equipment maintenance is essential to achieving the kind of set your guests will appreciate.

A DJ that short changes on maintenance to cost cut is a DJ that's set will break down in the middle of your wedding, requiring your guests to adlib. If you think that's impossible, ask your friends about some of their Los Angeles Wedding DJ stories.

Music:

Music isn't free. To play copyright music — most well-known songs or beats — at your wedding, your DJ needs to purchase or rent each song, which quickly adds up. 

Operational Cost and Insurance:

Business licenses, rent, marketing costs, and insurance are all costs your Los Angeles Wedding DJ has to budget for while running their business. If they don't account for these costs, the results show up in their work.

3 Must-Follow Tips When Hiring a Los Angeles DJ

Now that you know why your Los Angeles Wedding DJ can demand their fees, you should practice the following:

Conduct an Interview

Save yourself from future trouble by conducting interviews for your shortlisted DJs.

At this point, you should have already seen pictures of their setup and contacted references. 

The interview is to determine if they're the right fit. 

The interview doesn't have to be face-to-face, you can do it over Zoom or phone, but you want the DJ to walk you through their process, style, and professional experience.

This is also the time to get clarity for any questions or concerns.

Go With Your Gut

Don't be persuaded by Google reviews when hiring a DJ. 

Unfortunately, there are many reviews — both positive and negative — that are fake. Relying only on your and your partner's instincts could be more accurate, especially if these feelings concern red flags.

Review Their Contract

Should disputes arise, having an understanding — and copy — of the contract ensures you have adequate recourse.

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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.

When you spend time on a corporate event, you want to make sure you can stand out to your audience. As an experienced DJ, I can tell you that there are several types of corporate events where having a DJ present can significantly elevate the atmosphere, leaving your attendees thrilled and your company with good PR.

1.         Product Launches

Product launches have really shifted over time. What once occurred with little fanfare is now often a huge event. There is certainly good reason for this as a successful product launch can generate a ton of buzz.

Keep your attendees excited throughout the event by hiring a professional DJ. The right Los Angeles DJ will keep your audience engaged before and after the official program and announcements. It sets a great mood and also helps ensure that you have the appropriate sound setup for the event.

2.         Holiday Parties

Perhaps one of the most traditional corporate events is the holiday party. When done right, these serve as a great way to help employees bond and provide a well-deserved thank you for a year of hard work. However, they can also come off stale and uncomfortable.

There are many things that go into planning an effective corporate holiday party. Having a quality DJ is a good way to help promote the vibe you’re looking for and keep employees engaged. Our corporate event DJs in Los Angeles can help convey the exact mood you want!

3.         Team Building

When you think about team building, you probably don’t think about music. After all, most corporate team building involves things like bringing in trainers and speakers, heading into the woods for a retreat, or hitting a high ropes course to challenge yourselves.

For extended team building like all-day events or weekend retreats, hiring a Los Angeles DJ is a great way to provide some loosely structured fun. Whether you want to have a dance contest or just let people groove how they wish, getting your staff on the dance floor can help them bond in a fun manner outside of the day’s more formal programs.

4.         Charity Events

Many corporations provide contributions to various charities. After all, being socially conscious is an important part of branding while also allowing you to give back to a good cause. Many charity events take the form of galas, which are perfect for Los Angeles DJs. Help your attendees dance the night away with a silent disco or traditional dance experience.

However, having live music can also help keep the excitement level up for other types of charity events. Whether you are sponsoring a 5K fundraiser or community picnic, having music and a good sound system always comes in handy.

5.         Awards Banquet

If you’re thinking of the classic episode of The Office, you aren’t alone on this one. However, awards banquets are a staple when it comes to corporate events. And unlike the image that may be in your mind, they can be done quite well, making it fun and memorable for your employees.

Hiring one of our amazing Los Angeles DJs will be a great addition for your awards night. In addition to providing ongoing background music, this makes for a great sound setup for the actual main program.

Final Thoughts

If you are planning corporate events in the Greater Los Angeles area including Glendale and Burbank, there are many events where adding a DJ can enhance the mood and ensure your event is a success. Contact us for more information about booking and to get any of your questions answered. We are happy to begin serving the LA area.

Recently I have been getting inquiries for Corporate events in the middle of the day. Before this year I would get the calls to do the Holiday party and they had an agenda to follow. Usually at these events employees get recognized and often times they have a raffle to build excitement. The bosses would give some motivational speeches and the folks would have a good time.

These new inquiries recently are for shorter amount of time so about 2 to 3 hours in the middle of the day. I believe more and more companies are doing this. Since the pandemic shut down a lot of activities companies are now having more events to show appreciation to their staff. It does make a huge difference when companies have network and social events for their staff. I worked a day job where my principals would do a lot to bring us together and celebrate us. But the last principal (I am away from that now and ten times happier I may add)  had never showed any appreciation and work was not as fun anymore as it was when we had more functions as a staff.

These corporate events do not need to be fancy. Simple does work. Why not have a catered lunch with a guest speaker with music. Or make it a fun team event and compete for prizes to build up team with an upbeat soundtrack.  It does not need to be fancy or expensive. It makes the work day fun and festive and your staff will appreciate it.

Please call Black and White Affair for your Corporate needs.

DJs in Los Angeles are a dime a dozen.

Good DJs aren't nearly as common — and good Spanish DJs even less so. But your event relies on you finding a top-tier Los Angeles DJ if you want will create an unforgettable atmosphere — unforgettable for all the right reasons, that is.

Finding that kind of DJ isn't as simple as searching for a DJ in the Los Angeles area. Nope. To ensure you're hiring the best DJ, you need an action plan that includes asking five critical questions during your search.

5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Los Angeles DJ That Specializes in Spanish Music

This guide can work whether or not you require a Spanish music DJ, by substituting questions focused on Spanish music with whichever genre you require. But, since finding a top-tier Spanish DJ that understands the assignment is far more complex than finding DJs specializing in other genres, this guide will highlight the intricacies of this undertaking.

What Type of Spanish Music Do they Play?

Most DJs are tangentially acquainted with Spanish music and their mixes reflect this. If you'd prefer a varied playlist that has some much-loved but deep cuts, you should question the kind of music they play as this will be the most obvious giveaway regarding their knowledge of the genre.

If you'd like to add some Bachata to the Playlist, what would be their picks? You can do this with any genre you have in mind. You could also test their knowledge by questioning the music they'd play to appease any age group. If you're planning a wedding, you want your DJ to play music everyone, even older relatives and guests can enjoy.

Are Their Reviews Great?

Reviews are the best way to substantiate whether a DJ is any good. But, some DJs manipulate their reviews to increase their ratings.

So, an insider tip would be to scrutinize a DJ's reviews. Look at who posted the review and their review history. For example, an obvious fake review would come from an account with no review history. If a DJ has several five-star or one-star reviews from customers who've never reviewed other businesses, these reviews are likely fake.

But even if a reviewer has a history, examine their history. Why would a reviewer who's primarily reviewed businesses in Greensboro, North Carolina, suddenly be reviewing a Los Angeles DJ? Yes, people can host events wherever, but does their review history reflect hosting an event in Los Angeles? Have they reviewed caterers, venues, videographers, photographers, or other vendors in Los Angeles? If not, then it's likely a fake review. Only pay attention to reviews from real accounts if you want to determine if you're hiring a good Los Angeles DJ.

How Long Have They Been in Business?

To hire a top-tier DJ — not the average run-of-the-mill DJ with a generic mix and tacky interruptions — you should pay special attention to their years in business. Anyone can create a mix and learn to DJ, but it takes years to understand how to develop mixes for the occasion, feeds off the crowd's energy, and listen to your clients' needs.

The longer a DJ has been in business, the more time they've had to hone their craft, meaning you're hiring them at their peak and not getting a DJ still learning how to wield their skills and mixes.

Is Their Equipment Good?

Another way to separate a run-of-the-mill DJ from a pro is to assess their equipment. There are enough Los Angeles DJs that entertain as one of many other side hustles; usually, their equipment would reflect this. What type of mixers or turntables do they use? Are these low, mid, or high-end brands? You may think that the equipment doesn't make a difference, but it determines the sound and quality of the performance.

Unless you want a lackluster sound, your DJ should use brands like Roland, Pioneer, and Denon, not entry-level brands like Numark or Hercules.

What Type of Events Do They DJ?

There's a difference between corporate event DJs, club DJs, and personal events DJs. You're not going to — or at least you shouldn't — hire a club DJ for a wedding or quinceañera. Instead, you'd want your LA wedding to have the best Los Angeles Wedding DJ because a wedding DJ has experience creating the type of atmosphere for such an intimate experience.

A wedding DJ knows how to create a mix that can cater to various tastes while making the moment exceptional.

They also know how to create stirring introductions and announcements that don't come off tacky.

On the contrary, a corporate event DJ has to give cold, unfeeling announcements and create mixes that don't have soul or meaning to cater to a broader audience.

So, it doesn't matter if they tick all the other boxes; if the DJ you want to hire has limited experience MCing an event like yours, don't bother.

Hiring Black and White Affair as Your Los Angeles DJ

Get a superior Spanish music mix that will reflect your taste and entertain your guests. Having DJed in the Bay area for years, I have a track record of catering to my client's needs and creating unforgettable mixes that set the mood for the occasion.

Now, you can hire us for your Los Angeles event and get that same performance quality.

When you think of Silicon Valley Big tech powerhouse Applied Materials would be in that conversation. They know how to take care of their employees. They seemed so happy to spend lunch together. They had different campuses come to the Sunnyvale location. They did show love to the new employees by giving them an opportunity to talk about themselves and have a shot of a gift card. It was actually a shot to win. They had the option to shoot a basket or go for a soccer goal. But before that even happen they had Boba for everyone and all kinds of catered lunches.

 The host was joyous and kept the event flowing with his dad jokes and his energy. They had several teams compete for the best time. They had five per group and they had to do some activities and they kept track of their time. They had to walk together in unison and knock off an item off a poie. The teams were divided by department so it built more team chemistry. After the obstacle course they went to the basketball court. The team had to do a layup. Free-throw and a three pointer. Once they made the three pointer then they beeped a horn and the time was recorded.

It was a very festive event that I coordinated with the energy with 70s, 80s and 90s music. I put in some K-Pop in there but also threw in some fun Bollywood. It was a very fun time during lunch and a very good way to put some fun in the workplace.

I was talking to a group about prom. Someone suggested a place that was like known but not really on the radar. I told them that prom should bring excitement. When students mention the name of the place that they want to brag about it to other students who go to other schools. Capital Club is a prom venue student will brag about. It is located in the heart of downtown San Jose. There is plenty of underground parking under the venue. The venue is located in a hotel on the 17th floor so prom folks can admire the wonderful sights of downtown.

  I did a birthday party recently and it was a huge success. The venue can be separated by walls so it can be a bigger place or smaller based on the event. At the beginning of the event everybody was on the balcony enjoying the view. It was a good place for guests to talk while overlooking the city. Capital Club has an excellent friendly staff. They helped me by getting a cart for me and made sure I had some appetizers. They even validated my parking. They really know customer service. I felt really taken care of.

I feel a successful prom can happen at Capital Club. It has all the ingredients of what a prom venue should have. Its location cannot be beat. The views has to be one of the best prom views I have seen. It has a classy look to it. And staff really know how to treat their customers. You cannot go wrong with Silicon Valley Capital Club. Please see my update review of Capital Club.

I am always in the Gilroy area but if you go down a little more south for about 11 miles there is a nice little town called San Juan Bautista. It is a pretty town with a nice vibe tied to it.

Black and White Affair teamed up with South Valley Internet for a family fun event. South Valley Internet is spreading its wings and hitting more areas outside of Gilroy and Morgan Hill. It was an easy set up at Vertigo Coffee Roasters. This is not your typical coffee shop. You can get some beer in the shop and have it outside. The outside area did have a fun party vibe to it.

  I loved this event since I was in charge of the music vibe. We went straight old school and kept it like that the whole time. We did some classic 90s hits and sprinkled some 70s rock then had to do some disco. At events like this I don’t want to play the typical songs that all djs play. I know it’s a good night when people come up to me and tell me they haven’t heard these songs in years.

  SVI raffled out a new ipad and Vertigo gift cards. The folks who came enjoyed the home made ice cream and pizzas that they were giving out and people loved the artist who was drawing guests.

If you are having any event and want to make it memorable please call Black and White Affair