Since 2000, DJ-Chicago has been providing newlyweds with the highest level of professional wedding entertainment in the Chicagoland area. Our standards of professionalism and personal attention are unmatched in the industry and are reflected in the very positive feedback our customers consistently provide. We invite you to check out what past customers have said about our performances at their events on our Client Feedback Page and also on review sites such as Yelp.com, theknot.com, and WeddingWire.com.
The reason we have been so successful in satisfying our customers is that we take the time to understand their personal tastes and musical preferences. Couples that hire DJ-Chicago for their wedding reception meet with their DJ several weeks prior to their wedding day so they can be confident that their DJ understands their expectations for the evening, from the opening introductions to the last song of the night.
In addition to our personal attention and professionalism, another way that we differentiate ourselves from many other DJ companies is that we believe the focus of a wedding reception should be the couple, not the DJ. In fact, we feel that the only place for “cheese” at a wedding reception is on the appetizer tray and definitely not at the DJ table. Because of this our DJs never:
- Sing, shout, or make unnecessary remarks over the microphone
- Lead group dances or conga lines
- Wear any type costume or ask you or your guests to wear one
- Play any type of game that would only be appropriate at a grade school dance
Instead of gimmicks such as these, we use a couple’s playlist and our ability to read the crowd to play the right songs at the right time to create party atmosphere that will be enjoyed both the couple and their guests.
Beyond providing the musical entertainment at receptions, DJ-Chicago DJs also emcee the event and help coordinate the evenings activities with the wedding planner, catering manager, photographer, and other vendors so the wedding proceeds smoothly and the couple can enjoy their special day without worries.
At DJ-Chicago we recognize that your wedding reception will be the most important party you and your fiancé will ever throw. It should be an event that reflects your personalities and is enjoyed by all of your guests. Clearly the DJ you choose will play a key role in this. Because of this, we recommend that you contact other DJ companies and compare them to DJ-Chicago. Below we have compiled a list of questions that we feel every couple should ask before booking a DJ for their wedding reception. We are confident that after comparing our responses with those of other companies you will see why DJ-Chicago is the Standard for DJ Entertainment in Chicago.
To check our availability and to discuss your wedding entertainment please contact DJ-Chicago, or call us at 866-DJ-CHICAGO (773-472-5100).
Thank you for considering DJ-Chicago for your wedding entertainment!
Will I know my DJ?
With DJ-Chicago, definitely yes! We recommend that you meet or conduct a phone interview with your DJ when booking with us to make sure that you feel that he is the right fit. If you decide to hire DJ-Chicago, you will meet with your DJ again, in person, about 3-4 weeks prior to your wedding date to discuss the agenda for the evening, introductions & announcements to be made, and your musical preferences & song selections. After meeting with your DJ you can be confident that they understand your expectations for your special night. With many DJ companies you may not meet or speak to your DJ until your wedding date or, at best, a couple days prior. Unfortunately, at this point there is little that you can do if you do not feel they are the right DJ personality for you.
How large is your music library and what songs will you play at my wedding?
The DJ-Chicago music library contains over 15,000 songs from the 1920’s to what’s currently hot on the charts. You may review our Online Music Database or download our current song list in an Excel format. When it comes down to it though, it’s not the number of songs in our library that matters most. Rather, it’s the 100 or so songs that are played on the night of your wedding that will make it a great party. Because it is your wedding, you may have as much input into the song selections as you would like. In addition to providing Must Play and Play If Possible song lists, we recommend that you compile a Do Not Play song list as well. Also, when building your playlist, should you not be able to find certain songs in our database, just can let us know and we will be sure to get them by your wedding day.
Do you DJ ethnic weddings?
Having been in business since 2000, we have DJed weddings of just about every ethnicity. If there are specific ethnic songs that you would like played at your reception that we do not have in our music library, we would make every effort to get them through one of our sources. If we are unable to track down certain songs on our own, you can either direct us to where we can find them or you are welcome to provide them to us.
What type of audio equipment do you use?
At DJ-Chicago we only use high-quality professional DJ equipment by well-known manufacturers such as Pioneer, Denon, Numark, QSC, JBL, and Mackie. We have sound systems that are suitable for virtually all size audiences. Additionally, in the unlikely case of an equipment failure, we always have back-up equipment, on-site, at every event. To see photos of our set-ups, you may view our Photo Gallery.
What type of lighting do you provide?
Our lighting set-up for weddings consists of two color-changing LED par cans which we typically direct toward the dance floor so they “wash” the floor with light. Our goal is to create more of a dance atmosphere for the open dance floor, and to help make the dance floor the focal point of the room, without taking away from the overall feel of the room. There is no additional cost for our dance floor lighting. We also offer room uplighting services. We can provide up to 20 LED fixtures which have an unlimited number of color options. The uplights include either black or white facades and are battery powered so they can be placed anywhere without concern for power cords or the location of electrical outlets. The cost for our uplights is $25 per fixture and includes set up and take down. Please visit our Photo Gallery to check pictures of our lighting options.
Have you DJed at my venue before?
Having been in business for over 15 years we have DJed at just about every venue in and around Chicago. If by chance you’re hosting your wedding at a venue where we have not performed, we would make every effort to make a site visit to check out the space in advance of your wedding date.
What will my DJ wear?
Our DJs typically wear a dark colored suit for wedding receptions, unless other attire is more appropriate.
What time will my DJ arrive at our wedding venue for set-up?
We generally arrive 90 minutes prior to our start time, to ensure set-up is complete, storage crates are hidden, and sound checks are completed so the DJ area will look as presentable as the rest of the room when your first guest arrives. We do not charge for our set up or take down time
What if my DJ is sick on the date of my wedding?
In the 23 years we have been in business, we have never missed an event of any type. If, due to an emergency situation such as illness, your DJ is unable to perform on the date of your wedding, we will provide a DJ from our staff who is the scheduled “on call” DJ for that day. The back-up DJ would arrive at the wedding prepared with all of the information from our planning meeting several weeks prior (timeline, playlist, announcements, etc.).
Do you carry insurance?
Yes, we carry a policy that provides $2,000,000 of general liability insurance and we can provide your venue with a certificate of insurance upon request.
What are your rates?
At DJ-Chicago our pricing is simple and reasonable, with no hidden costs. We only charge for our performance hours. We do not charge for travel time, set-up/take-down time, customer meetings, dance lights, wireless microphone, etc. Also, there is no sales tax on our service. These are our current rates for weddings receptions:
- Saturday Wedding: $1995 for the initial 4 hours (minimum), $195 per additional hour
- Sunday – Friday Wedding: $1895 for initial 4 hours (minimum), $195 per additional hour
Can you provide the sound system, microphone, and music for our ceremony?
If your wedding ceremony is being held at the same venue as the reception, it’s no problem for us to provide the sound system, microphone, and music. The additional charge for ceremonies is $195 which includes all equipment needed and up to one hour of performance time (usually 30 minutes for ceremony and 30 minutes of prelude music beforehand). Also, if your ceremony takes place in an outdoor area or in a different room from the reception, we can provide a second sound system at no additional charge.
Can you provide the equipment for a video slide show?
We do offer video equipment for presenting video montages. The set-up includes a projector, screen, and DVD player and the rental fee is $195.
Can I contact your references?
We encourage you check out our reviews and, if you’d like, to contact to our references. Upon request we will provide you with the contact information for several couples who can provide feedback on the quality of our performances at their weddings.
How far in advance of my wedding should I book my DJ?
There is really no set timeframe for booking a wedding DJ. Some couples book us two years ahead of their wedding date and others hire us two months in advance. We recommend that you check out on-line reviews of Chicago DJs to narrow your search then schedule meetings with the 3-4 “finalists”. You should then lock in your DJ as soon as you are confident that you have found the DJ who you feel is the right match to meet your expectations for your wedding entertainment.
