questions to ask your wedding dj or band

No one wants an empty dance floor at their wedding reception. To get the party started, you're going to need the right musician, whether that's a DJ or a live band. But before you book, you'll want to thoroughly vet them. Be sure you understand the important questions to ask a wedding DJ (below) so that you're hiring the right musician who will pack the dance floor and keep it that way. (Pro tip: Download our full FREE printable DJ Wedding Checklist of questions and bring it with you!)

The 10 Most Important Questions to Ask Your Wedding DJ or Band

From the musical genres they cover to getting the scoop on how they create a couple's setlist, these are the most important questions to ask potential musicians and disc jockeys.

What you need to know: If you've decided to book a band for your wedding, you'll need to know how many musicians and vocalists will be performing in order to make sure your venue can accommodate everyone comfortably. Also ask if they're flexible about the number of musicians and vocalists you can hire. Booking a smaller group of band members might be a way to accommodate a tight music budget (read our detailed post on creating a wedding budget). If you're hiring a wedding DJ, ask if they will be performing solo or if they work in tandem with a partner.

What you need to know: Before meeting with any potential DJ or bandleader, have a conversation with your fiance to figure out the overall musical vibe you're going for at the reception. Then, ask the DJ or bandleader what type of music and genres they usually play or specialize in to determine if they're the right fit. For example, if you're hoping to create a glam, Old Hollywood-inspired mood, then you wouldn't want to book an indie folk band. DJs usually have a wide and extensive library of songs, but it's still a good idea to ask about specific genres they tend to gravitate towards.

What you need to know: Do you and your partner prefer to be very involved in the creation of your wedding playlist? Or are you OK with providing some general guidelines and then letting your wedding professional handle the rest? Once you've decided how involved you'd like to be, make sure you ask any potential music pro this question to figure out if you guys will work well together. Pro tip: Ask them to name a few of their go-to dinner/background music tracks, pump-up jams, and slow songs to get a good feel for their style.

What you need to know: If you have your heart set on dancing to whatever "your song" may be for your first dance, then you'll want to ask if the band is willing to learn it for the wedding. Be sure to also ask if there's an additional fee for a song request like that. Is your song on our top 50 wedding songs list?

What you need to know: The last thing you want is a drop in energy as people trickle off the dance floor. Some DJs might take to the mic (or even jump into the crowd!) to encourage guests to keep dancing, while others might switch to a song that's a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Just be sure to book a wedding pro who uses a method that you like. For instance, if you want minimal chatting from the DJ or bandleader, then someone who gets on the mic to encourage the crowd to boogie will not be the right fit.

What you need to know: You'll probably need someone to serve as the master of ceremonies and help guide guests through the different phases of the reception, from announcing the newlyweds as they enter the room and letting guests know when dinner is served, to introducing the wedding toast-givers and when it's time for the last dance. Some couples ask a close friend or family member to serve as the voice of the wedding, while others ask the DJ or bandleader to take on this role. If you'd prefer your wedding pro to serve as the master of ceremonies for the night, be sure to clarify if this is a responsibility they are willing to take on.

What you need to know: Your wedding band will likely bring their own equipment for sound (and sometimes lighting), so they will need easy access to power. Ask what they'll need and how much space they'd like in order to support their equipment. Same goes for a DJ! They will probably need power and a table to set up their DJ equipment, so you'll likely need to rent a table and table linen for them. Ask what table size they prefer before you add those items to your rental order.

What you need to know: All musicians, and especially musicians and vocalists, will need to take breaks at some points during the reception. One important question to ask your DJ for your wedding is what type of music they usually play during those breaks so that everyone is aligned and knows what to expect.

What you need to know: In addition to providing the music, some vendors can also provide additional entertainment services, such as special lighting and effects, fog machines, dance-floor and wall projection (if you wanted to have your monogram projected on the dance floor or plan to show a special wedding video during dinner). Some companies also offer photo booth rentals that you can add to your package, so it's always a good idea to ask about any other entertainment extras they might offer.

If you're thinking about booking a live band for your wedding, expect to pay between $2,850 to $6,488, with the average wedding band cost being approximately $4,500, according to figures from WeddingWire. If you're on a tight music budget, then booking a DJ is a more affordable option. The rate for wedding DJs ranges from $780 to $1,495, with the average cost being right around $1,000. It's important to note, though, that the going rate for bands and DJs varies widely across the country and depends on numerous factors, including the number of musicians, geographic region, and the number of hours you'll be booking them for.