Dear Wedding-Club.com members and browsers,

Hi! My name is A Rockin' D.J., Jimmy Hussey and I have been in the disc jockey entertainment business in St. Louis since 1986. I realize that hiring a D.J. is not a common occurrence. So, on behalf of Wedding Club.com and myself, I have developed a list of fifteen questions that I strongly recommend you ask every D.J. company that you are considering to book for your wedding reception. Don't worry - any reputable company should want to share this information with you even if you don't ask! Congratulations on your engagement and please read on!

1. What is your price for 4 hours and how much is each additional hour?

The rates for a professional D.J. in metro St. Louis usually range between $495 to $695 per 4 hours. Additional hours range from $50to $150. Rates will vary depending on the location, time of year, day of week, and how far in advance the job is booked. I suggest that you question a company that is below the low end - you may be taking a chance of ruining your reception just to save a few bucks. If the cost is higher - ask them to explain why. You may be paying for a larger sound system or light show that you do not require or want.

2. How many years of experience does the D.J. have who will perform at my wedding reception?

Most companies advertise the number of years that the owner has been in business. If you are not hiring the owner, qualify that your D.J. performs mainly at wedding receptions and has a minimum of several years' experience. Becoming a good D.J. is no different than any other job; it takes time and practice!

3. Do you have professional sound equipment?

A home stereo and 100 CD's is not professional! Check to see that your D.J. will provide quality sound. Most D.J.'s should have a table and table skirt (if required), speakers on stands, D.J. mixer, CD players, amplifier, a wireless microphone, and yes, they should be playing compact discs. Also, their equipment should be in cases, be neat in appearance, and any exposed cabling should be taped down.

4. Does your price include a light show?

Most professional D.J. companies include a basic light show in their base price with an optional upgrade of fog and special effects lighting. Before you spend money on an upgrade, make sure that a fog machine can be used at your banquet facility. In many hotels, the "fog" can trigger the fire alarm to go off! Also, it is the "fog" that creates the cool beams of lights. So, without the fog, the special effect lighting is basically rendered useless!

5. Will you play a variety of music and how many songs will be brought to my wedding reception?

Although we can only play approximately 60 songs in a four hour period, a wide variety of music is typically needed to please guests of all ages. In my opinion, your D.J. should provide a minimum of 1,000 hit songs with most professionals bringing considerably more!

This article was contributed by Wedding-Club.com member Jimmy Hussey, the Rockin' DJ. For more information, please visit his web site.