Wedding DJ Checklist for Couples

• Confirm your DJ is booked with a signed contract and deposit

  Your date is not held until a contract is signed and deposit paid. Don't assume a verbal agreement locks the date — especially for peak season Saturdays.
• Save your DJ's direct contact information

  Phone, email, and any planning portal login. Have this somewhere accessible — not just buried in an old email thread.
• Understand what is and isn't included in your package

  Ceremony coverage, cocktail hour, uplighting, photo booth — get a clear written breakdown of what's in your package vs. what costs extra. See our wedding DJ cost guide for what's typically standard vs. add-on.
• Note your balance due date and payment method

  Most DJs collect the balance 1–2 weeks before the wedding. Set a calendar reminder so it doesn't sneak up on you.

• Choose your first dance song

  Give your DJ the exact song title and artist — not just "something romantic." If you want a specific version or edit, note that too. This is one of the most-remembered moments of the night.
• Choose your grand entrance song

  High-energy is usually the goal here — this is the first moment that sets the reception's tone. Pick something that feels like you and gets the room pumped up.
• Decide on parent dances and choose those songs

  Father/daughter and mother/son dances are optional but common. If you're doing them, choose songs in advance. You can combine them into one song or do them separately — tell your DJ which format you prefer.
• Choose ceremony music — prelude, processional, and recessional

  If your DJ is covering the ceremony, they need specific song selections for: prelude music as guests arrive, the processional (when you walk), and the recessional (when you leave). Give exact titles and artists for all three.
• Define the overall vibe for cocktail hour music

  You don't need a specific playlist — just a direction. Jazz? Acoustic pop? Upbeat background music? Motown? Your DJ will build from there. If you have specific songs, share those too.
• Start your must-play list

  These are songs your DJ commits to playing during open dancing — not just songs you like, but songs you definitely want on the floor. Be specific (artist + title). Aim for 10–20 songs. More than 30 starts to limit how much the DJ can read the room. See our wedding songs guide for ideas.
• Create your do-not-play list

  Songs that would kill the vibe for you — tied to bad memories, ex-partners, or just things you genuinely can't stand. Also include genres if you want entire styles avoided (no country, no EDM, etc.). Your DJ should honor this list completely, including when guests request those songs.
• Decide whether you want guest song requests

  Three options: open requests (DJ uses judgment on what fits), no requests, or a specific list of acceptable songs. Tell your DJ which approach you prefer so they can handle requests consistently throughout the night.

• Complete your pre-wedding planning consultation with your DJ

  This is when everything gets finalized in detail — music lists, timeline, formality order, special announcements, and crowd profile. If your DJ doesn't offer a planning consultation, ask for one. This meeting is essential.
• Finalize your reception timeline with your DJ and coordinator

  This means specific times — not just order — for grand entrance, first dance, dinner, toasts, open dancing, cake cutting, and last song. Use our wedding DJ timeline template as a starting point.
• Confirm which formalities you're including and in what order

  Cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter toss, anniversary dance, dollar dance, sparkler send-off — decide which you want, which you're skipping, and what order they happen. Not every couple does all of these and skipping some often improves the flow.
• Provide your DJ with the full wedding party names and pronunciation

  For the grand entrance announcement — every name in order, phonetically spelled if any are unusual. Nothing is more awkward than a botched name announcement for the maid of honor.
• Describe your guest crowd profile to your DJ

  Age range, general musical tastes, energy level, cultural background. Is it mostly college friends? A multigenerational family crowd? Heavy on Latin music fans? This shapes what the DJ emphasizes during open dancing.
• Confirm all venue setup details with your DJ

  Ceremony location, cocktail hour location, reception room — all three if they differ. Load-in time, parking, elevator access, and any venue restrictions (volume curfew, no confetti, specific load-in entrance). Your DJ should ideally have this from the venue directly, but confirm they have it.
• Share your wedding coordinator's contact information with your DJ

  Your DJ and coordinator should be in direct communication — not routing everything through you. Make sure they have each other's phone numbers before the wedding.
• Note any special announcements or moments to call out

  Anything beyond standard formalities — a military homecoming moment, a surprise performance, a memorial tribute, a special family milestone. Tell your DJ in advance so they can plan the announcement appropriately.
• Confirm lighting and add-on details are finalized

  Uplighting colors, monogram text and font, photo booth props, 360 booth setup location — anything custom should be confirmed in writing at this stage, not the week before.

• Do a final check-in with your DJ

  A brief call or message confirming: they have everything they need, the timeline is finalized, all music selections are confirmed, and they have your coordinator's number. This call should take 10 minutes if everything is already in order.
• Confirm your DJ's arrival time at the venue

  Your DJ should arrive 90–120 minutes before the first guest. Confirm this is still the plan and that they have the correct venue address and load-in entrance.
• Pay your remaining balance if due

  Most DJs require the balance 1–2 weeks before the wedding. Check your contract and make sure this is handled so it's not on your mind on the day itself.
• Share any last-minute timeline changes with your DJ and coordinator

  If your ceremony time shifted, a formality got added or removed, or the venue sent updated logistics — make sure both your DJ and coordinator have the updated information before wedding day.
• Make sure a trusted person knows how to reach your DJ on the day

  In case you're unavailable (getting ready, photos, etc.) — your maid of honor, best man, or day-of coordinator should have your DJ's cell number and know they're authorized to communicate with them directly.

• Brief your DJ when they arrive — any last-minute changes only

  If everything was handled in the planning process, this should be a 5-minute conversation confirming everything is as planned. Not a 30-minute catch-up. That's the point of doing the preparation ahead of time.
• Introduce your DJ to your wedding coordinator

  If they haven't already connected directly. Your DJ and coordinator should be aligned on the timeline and each other's cues before guests arrive.
• Trust the process — then enjoy your wedding

  If you've done the preparation, your DJ knows your music, your timeline, your crowd, and your vision. The best thing you can do on your wedding day is be present and let the night unfold. That's what all of this planning is for.

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