10 Things You Must Know Before You Hire Your Edmonton Wedding DJ or Wedding Photography Company ...

1) Don't hire a company that doesn't have a back-up plan

Even the best wedding DJ's, photographers or entertainers can often be a scary gamble if they tell you that they are a one man/woman operation. What happens in the event they get sick or have an emergency? Are you covered? Or, is the version of coverage they speak of a refund? A refund is all well and good until you realize they've left your wedding reception with no DJ or photographer.

Even in the event you plan to hire a specific wedding DJ or photographer because you like his or her style, remember emergencies can happen. You'll want a company that if an emergency were to pop up, isn't leaving you stranded.

2) Make sure your company has insurance and licensing.

Not all DJ or photography companies in the Edmonton and surrounding area require a posted business license, but when attending events where a number of factors could strike an issue, they should at least have insurance or licensing for their equipment if legally required. 

Consider that every song played for a public audience requires licensing or that if one of your guests were to trip on a cable (especially if the company you hire doesn't tape things down), you'll be at ease knowing Equinox Sound provides music licensing, liability insurance and back-up equipment insurance for any possible issues that could arise. Knock on wood things don't happen, but should they, you'll be worry free.

3) Make sure you hire an Edmonton DJ or Edmonton Photographer who can be flexible.

Let's say you hire a DJ who sells his services as the "Greatest Entertainment Show in the City!" Sounds like a fun and extremely interactive show right?. What if you don't want interactive? Is that DJ willing to tone it down to suit your requests? If not, no matter how many years experience, how big the music library, or how many cool effects the DJ brings, it won't fit what you had in mind for your wedding. Don't hire a "this is my show, take it or leave it" style DJ or "this is the style of photography I do" photographer unless you are absolutely sold on your wanting that Edmonton DJ's or photographer's style.

4) Ask to sit down with your DJ, Photographer or someone from the company prior to your event.

If you hire a DJ or photographer, there may be a lot of items or communication that require covering. If the company you hire isn't willing to take the time to sit with you before the big day, thus making you feel at ease, something is amiss. That DJ or photography company is either not taking the proper time to look after your event, or they figure all events are the same, which we know of course they are not.

5) Hire an Edmonton DJ or Photographer who can tell you what kind of equipment they use.

Obviously, with some of the bigger DJ or photography companies like ours for example, systems and equipment will vary. Even better, sometimes you as a client won't have the foggiest clue what they're talking about when they start listing their gear. That said, all equipment should be professional industry competitive gear and shouldn't run the risk of breaking down, not working, or insufficiently covering your requirements. The company you hire should know the Edmonton wedding venues, the ability of sound systems or lighting to cover square footage and the power needed for each room.

Equinox Sound uses only top quality equipment that is replaced or upgraded every two to three years. We stay at the leading edge of technology and always try to make our systems as eye appealing as they are sound stimulating. It helps, that we've been in virtually every rentable venue in Edmonton more than once.

6) Use a wedding DJ company or photographer that has been in business long enough to provide referrals or contacts for other vendors.

If the company you are using can't provide a list of referrals or testimonials, many of which provide a different review for all types of events, concern yourself with the fact they may not have a valid enough track record to be left the responsibility of your wedding.

7) Hire an Edmonton DJ company or Edmonton wedding photographer who can provide a few extras

This isn't to say that they should throw all of these extras in at no charge. If they do, I'd wonder the angle. What you want is a company that has access to or carries stock of equipment at a less expensive rate than your typical rental company. This includes video projectors and screens, wireless microphones, lighting and more. Each DJ or photography company should be able to get you a better deal, especially if they are already providing you a service that you've invested money in.

8) Ask about the library or variety of styles available.

If the DJ company you hire can't even name you three different waltzes, or all the country line dances; you can bet there is a lot of other genres of music they don't know. The same goes for a photographer that shoots only portraits or in black and white.

Far too frequently, music fans becomes "DJ's" because it's cool to be the DJ, but they don't take the time to learn or add to their libraries the types of music all ages and backgrounds might enjoy. Edmonton weddings and corporate events can be a wide mix of music tastes. The company you hire should understand they can't please everyone, but that a good mix will please most of your guests. They should also understand that the good companies in this industry are always trying to better themselves as the industry changes.

You likely won't need to see the entire library or every photo album that exists as it could take hours to go through everything, but at the very least ensure they can cover a wide variety and have enough to take requests.

9) Set a budget, but remember; you often get what you pay for and sometimes you pay for things you don't get.

You probably have received an idea of what an Edmonton based DJ or Edmonton based photographer should cost if you've done a little leg work. If you set yourself a budget of $800 for a DJ and $2000 for a photographer, always keep it in the back of your mind, but remember what is most important on your day. If your guests having a good time and your party a fun one means the most to you, the DJ you hire is critical. If you plan to do nothing but look back at all the memories your photographer captured over the next 30 years of your life, then you can bet a good photographer is key.

If you find a company that you fall in love with is slightly higher or lower than your budget, don't shy away before you ask what makes up the pricing. Think about the difference something like a mere $200 will make to your level of comfort, the party you throw and the guests enjoyment.

Many times, Edmonton based DJ's either price themselves too high or too low for understandable, but not acceptable reasons. The DJ's that offer a summer Saturday wedding for $400 might be struggling to find work, which means they likely lack the experience, the proper referrals, equipment or level of customer service required to remain competitive at industry average prices. As such they focus solely on being the cheapest.

The super expensive DJ's often have big offices and fancy advertising well in excess of what is required if they had a good referral relationship with their clients or high word of mouth. They'll work those costs into your event almost every time and you'll see no return at all. Perhaps they'll butter up your package with the newest of this and that...

A company worth their weight in gold, will give you options. They'll have a base price because demand allows for it, but they'll allow the clients to add features when needed.

10) Go by first impressions 9 out of 10 times.

If an Edmonton wedding or corporate DJ or a photographer doesn't give you a good feeling within the first few minutes, you'll likely find the whole process up to your wedding a difficult one and more stressful than it needs to be. The head office of your company should be easy to communicate with, understanding and prompt. They should understand they are setting an example for how the rest of your big day will go. If they feel too "salesy" or disorganized, that will tell you something.

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