RUN If You See These 7 Red Flags in a DJ

Don’t want to end up with a clueless DJ who will turn your ceremony into a cringeworthy by cranking up ‘Macarena’ at your wedding reception? You’ve come to the right place.

This guide highlights seven major red flags in a DJ that should have you heading for the hills. We also unveil some of our top songs to start off a dance as a bonus.

7 Red Flags in a DJ You Shouldn’t Ignore

Cut your losses and find yourself a more professional DJ if you notice any of the following DJ red flags:

1. Doesn’t Communicate Well

Communication is everything when dealing with a DJ. You should be able to communicate your needs and expectations to the DJ without any issues.

Booking a DJ that’s hard to get in touch with can introduce unnecessary stress, especially if the date of your event is getting closer.

So don’t bother with a DJ who doesn’t respond to your calls or emails professionally and promptly because they simply don’t prioritize your needs.

2. Doesn’t Have Liability Insurance

The answer to “Do you have liability insurance?” should always be a clear yes when vetting a prospective DJ. Vague answers aren’t allowed in this scenario!

Liability insurance is important because it helps prevent lawsuits and third-party claims. A DJ who doesn’t have liability insurance isn’t a DJ worth booking.

3. Refuses to Sign a Contract

Female hand gestures show that she is unhappy with terms of suspicious contract. Woman disagrees with bad contract terms, refuses to sign document.

Contracts are there to protect both the client and the service provider. For you as a client, a contract ensures that the DJ will show up to your event on time and do their job as per the contract’s details.

Without a contract, the DJ might pick up another offer at the last minute and not show up at your event, adding to your stresses on the big day.

4. Cancels Gigs or Shows Up Late

DJs who frequently cancel gigs or show up late to events aren’t worth booking. It’s as simple as that! This brings us to the previous point: contracts!

It’s highly unlikely for a DJ to cancel or show up late with a contract in place, especially if the contract contains cancellation clauses.

5. Doesn’t Request a Deposit

Legitimate DJs tend to ask for a deposit early on. This is often the case if the venue requires an advanced audio setup and extensive preparation.

Along with the signed contract, the upfront payment ensures that the DJ will show up to the event and complete their work to receive their back-end.

6. Has No Reviews or Testimonials

Another DJ red flag you should be wary of when vetting a DJ is the lack of an online presence. If the DJ doesn’t have any reviews or testimonials, they’re probably not that experienced to begin with.

If you do find some online reviews and testimonials, try to go through as many as you can. If the majority is on the negative side, find another DJ.

7. General Unprofessionalism

Get away from wedding DJs who are pushy about getting hired or who don’t acknowledge that you call the shots—don’t you just hate those?

You should also avoid a cheap DJ who uses low-quality or outdated equipment. You don’t want your attendees to experience the dreaded audio feedback sound.

And speaking of audio feedback, avoid DJs who don’t understand their equipment or don’t know how to deal with technical issues efficiently.

Other signs of DJ unprofessionalism include being rude towards guests and not wearing proper attire for the occasion.

Top Songs to Start Off Your Dance

Not sure which song you want to start off your dance with? Here are some of our favorites:

I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston: A classic wedding dance song that strikes the perfect balance between romantic and upbeat.
Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars: This high-energy funk track is a must-have for any wedding playlist. It’s all about having a good time and celebrating.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) by Stevie Wonder: What a soulful ballad to dance the wedding night away to with your significant other. This is a song that screams commitment and everlasting love.
Yeah! by Usher ft. Lil Jon and Ludacris: If you’re looking to kick off your wedding dance with some high-energy hip-hop, you can’t go wrong with this catchy and upbeat banger.
I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do by ABBA: A fun and upbeat disco song that’s all about commitment. Its catchy melody and danceable beat will surely get all attendees on the dance floor.
September by Earth, Wind, & Fire: Another classic disco song that has a fun and upbeat melody. The song is about enjoying and living life to the fullest.
Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond: If you want your attendees to sing along to your wedding dance song, you have to go with this celebratory Neil Diamond classic.

Wrapping Up

It’s best to err on the side of caution and hire a different DJ for your wedding day if you see any of the red flags covered in this post.

All of them are equally alarming, except maybe for the fifth red flag (not requesting a deposit), which is more of a light-red flag than a dark-red one. It shouldn’t be a deal breaker if there’s a contract in place.

Do you have a lot on your plate and don’t have time for DJ hunting? Contact Adagio Djay Entertainment today to book a reliable and professional wedding DJ.