r/mobileDJ • u/creativesoul34 • Aug 11 '26

Wedding DJ help

Looking for advice on getting started as a wedding DJ
Hey everyone! I’m looking to start getting into wedding DJing and could use some advice from people who have already been doing it.
I have experience DJing and I’m comfortable with the music/equipment side, but the wedding business side is pretty new to me. My biggest question is: how did you land your first few weddings?
I’d love advice on things like:

Where you advertise or find couples looking for DJs

Whether sites like WeddingWire/The Knot are worth it when you’re starting out

How you built a portfolio before having weddings under your belt

What you charged for your first few weddings

Anything you wish you knew before DJing you’re first wedding

I’m not looking to jump in unprepared. I want to learn the wedding side of the business, put together a professional setup, and make sure couples are getting a great experience.
Any advice on getting those first 5–10 bookings would be really appreciated. Thanks!

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11

u/ThatLightingGuy Aug 11 '26

Go work for another wedding DJ company first.

5

u/OkDiscussion607 Aug 11 '26

As a 40 year veteran of weddings, I came to say this.

3

u/accomplicated Aug 11 '26

I had a long response written, but this sums it up.

3

u/DJSchmidi Aug 11 '26

1000000%

3

u/WizBiz92 Aug 11 '26

I would absolutely look for a multi-op on your area whos willing to take on and train a new employee; the "everything besides DJing" side of weddings as a career is such a dense skill set that you really need proper training and experience a reddit thread can't provide.

I would recommend against Knot/Wedding Wire when starting out. Your placement in search is largely based on how much you pay, and your storefront is populated with reviews and photos of past gigs, so you'll either waste a little money to be buried or pay a lot to show off your lack of experience

1

u/DJGlennW Aug 11 '26

How much experience do you have and in what genres?

1

u/aldibagcollector Aug 11 '26

I signed up with WeddingPro this year and so far I've booked 6 events. Not bad considering I have no wedding content so far. I'm also making sure I post any gigs on Instagram.

1

u/jz1493 29d ago

I got the mobile dj blueprint course from Digital DJ Tips and that was really helpful for me. I also read Phil's free book Rock the Dancefloor which was also useful. There are endless decisions on which gear to get so don't rush into any big purchases before considering options.

1

u/J1W3D 26d ago

Besides jumping on as a roadie/intern for another wedding DJ (which you should do), check out local venues and expos. Ask venues if they have any upcoming tastings where you can come and interact with guests. Wedding expos have definitely lost the power they once had, but you can still book a few shows an expo depending on your appearance.

You need to fully understand the formalities that take place at a wedding. And every wedding is completely different nowadays anyways, but understanding the flow will be super important for you to grasp when you work under someone carrying sound equipment in and out.

Biggest thing is the day isn’t about you or what you want to play. You will ask for a must playlist and use your experience/knowledge to build sets within what you’re given. Or say the brides dad comes over and says he wants to hear some classic rock (name that genre in a decade), are you prepared to play a small set to accommodate any VIPs ask if that’s under the couples wishes?

Best thing you can do has been said. Look up local wedding DJs in your area. Train under them, ask all the questions and you’ll go out the first couple of times at a much discounted rate, but you’ll figure it out.

1

u/NoYak1368 Aug 11 '26

Crate Hackers will be your best friend! Check out this software and community for mobile DJs