Disc jockey companies have changed.

Five years ago, brides and grooms had to go to different companies to coordinate the music, the lighting, the videos and the atmosphere.

“Now, it’s a one-stop shop,” said Chris Schake, general manager of TKO DJs.

Instead of just lighting up the dance floor and playing some recorded music, the responsibilities and duties of DJ companies have expanded greatly, said Schake.

Now, wedding couples expect to have the DJ companies light up the entire rehearsal and/or reception sites. They also expect the DJ to be able to provide all the music they want – so the bridal couple doesn’t have to hire a second group. Brides also want the entertainment to have the ability to change direction on a dime.

Also, couples expect the DJ company to provide a streaming video show during the dinner or reception of photos of both the bride and the groom.

Wedding couples also expect them to have state-of-the-art audio equipment, as well as additional music that goes with the wedding ceremony itself, like the bridal march.

“We used to provide the music for the wedding ceremony itself about once a month,” Schake said. “Now, it’s about four or five times every weekend.”

One of the most notable advantages of a DJ is that the wedding party has its own emcee who will make sure that the event is well coordinated.

“They’re not just taking a laid-back approach,” Schake said. The DJ needs to coordinate with the photographer, the caterer, the wedding party and the events, such as the toasts and throwing of the bouquet, as well as get guests out of their chairs and out on the dance floor. “DJs watch what’s happening.”

There is nothing worse than for the emcee to announce the toasts when the photographer isn’t around and the caterer hasn’t poured
the champagne.

“As simple as it sounds, it happens more often than you think,” he said.

Larger DJ companies have flexibility in scheduling, can avoid disappointing a wedding couple if a DJ is unavailable on their big day, and have the ability to select the perfect DJ for each couple’s unique wedding. For example, if the bride and groom want country western music, or rock, or oldies played, TKO DJs has a selection of DJs available who have expert knowledge in these specific types of music.

Before choosing a company, the bride and groom should have a consultation, Schake advised.

“We look at the personality of the bride,” Schake said. “We match the correct DJ with the couple. We don’t just pick a DJ out of a hat.”

For example, TKO DJs has the wedding couple fill out a questionnaire before providing a consultation to help determine the best collection of music and the best DJ to provide it.

“A bride doesn’t want excuses,” Schake said. “She wants to feel secure that her event will be perfect – the way she wants it.”