FOR THE PAST FIFTEEN YEARS, we have had the honor of providing MCs and DJs for thousands of brides who wanted to hire the perfect entertainer for their wedding.

We understand how difficult it is to choose the right entertainment, nevertheless it has always amazed me the questions brides ask in an effort to choose the perfect entertainment for their wedding reception.

Questions, such as "Do you take breaks and how many," are valid, but will not distinguish one entertainer from another. Take the time to ask some extra questions. Be sure about your choices before you make them. Your decision can make or break your entire wedding reception.

We asked brides who have already had their wedding reception to tell us the questions they should have asked, and we assembled the 10 best questions you should ask before hiring your entertainment.

1. Do I get to select the entertainer that will perform at my wedding reception?
Hundreds of brides thought this was the most important question. Be sure to meet and interview the MC/DJ who will provide the entertainment at your wedding before you hire them or their company. Ask if there is a premium or additional charge to select a particular MC/DJ. This is your wedding day and you want to ensure that your entertainer envisions your wedding the same way you do.

2. What happens if the DJ gets sick?
One of a bride's greatest fears may be something happening to their entertainer. Determine if the company you are interviewing has only one DJ or if they have a staff of DJs with the company. Ask "Who will be the DJ if you are sick, injured, or can't perform?" What is the company's procedure to ensure the details of your reception are performed the way you planned?

No one can guarantee their health, nor can they predict the future. Make sure the back-up process is explained so that you won't be left out in the cold if anything happens.

3. How inventive can your services be?
If you are a bride (or groom) that wants your wedding to be unique, you will need an innovative Master of Ceremonies (MC). The MC can bring a different feel to your wedding reception. Ask the MC or DJ to give examples of how he or she would use their personal flair to make your reception unparalleled to any other wedding.

4. Are you a DJ or a MC?
There are a lot of differences between a MC and a DJ. You should know in advance if your entertainer is going to only play music (DJ) or if he or she will be a visible part of the wedding by making announcements and assisting the flow of the reception (MC). There are many different levels of MCs and DJs out there, so make sure you ask for examples.

5. How many times will we meet before the wedding to discuss the details?
Establish a bond with your entertainer before the ceremony. We were surprised to discover how many brides were not given the opportunity to meet the DJ before their wedding day, or were only given a chance to meet their entertainer for the first time several weeks prior to their wedding.

Meetings ensure that your MC/DJ will have a sense of what you desire. Be sure to ask, "On average, how many hours do you spend with a couple in the months leading up to the wedding day?" You definitely do not want someone who shows up for your first meeting to sign the contract, and then disappears until your wedding day--where they need to keep referencing their notes to remember your names.

6. Will you provide a list of referrals?
Ask for a list of past clients. The list should have at least 10 names and we recommend that you call at least 5. This will give you the ability to ask other brides about their experiences. The brides you call should rave about the services that were provided.

It is important to know if the entertainer performed in the style the couple wanted, played the music they requested, and how much time they spent with the couple to discuss the details. This will also validate question #5. If the DJ tells you that they meet with couples several times, but the couple said they only talked to the DJ once or twice, it should raise a question.

Also, ask your other vendors to recommend entertainers they like. If the same company name continues to surface as the most recommended, you will know that the MC/DJ works well with the other wedding professionals and provides a professional service.

7. What type of ongoing training do you use to improve your skills, as well as your staff of entertainers?
Top professionals in every industry strive to improve their abilities and their performance. The DJ industry should not be any different. I cannot count the number of times MCs and DJs have said their performances are "perfect" and they do not need to improve themselves. Ask the entertainer about their ongoing training and what they do improve their performances throughout the year and their career.

8. How long have you been a MC or a DJ?
When interviewing MCs and DJs, find out how long they have been performing and what type of event is their specialty. Make sure the entertainers have at least 2 years of experience. It is very important to ask what challenges they have encountered and how they surpassed them.

9. How many sets of equipment do you bring with you?
Technology is not perfect. Have the company you are going to hire show you the back-up equipment that will be at your event and how it would be implemented if needed. If the DJ is not prepared for every eventuality, you could be a very unhappy bride.

10. Do you have office support?
Brides say nothing is more frustrating than trying to plan a wedding and consistently leaving messages on an answering machine. Look for companies that offer office support that can help answer your questions and make sure that you are taken care of.

Sonny Gallardo is the co-owner of Exquisite Entertainment MC & DJ Services based Sacramento, California. In 2003, The Association of Wedding Professionals Int'l (AFWPI) voted Sonny Gallardo as the Wedding Professional of the Year. Sonny Gallardo has also been The Affiliate of the Year by the The National Association of Catering Executives (NACE).

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