When I first stared DJing, I knew nothing about DJing a wedding. How do you do introductions? When do you schedule the cake cutting for the most impact? How do you maximize dance time? What song do you play NEXT? How do you interact with the other wedding vendors? These are all things that you need to learn to become the best wedding DJ that you can.
The good news is you don’t have to do it alone. I didn’t do it alone. Early on in my career, I found a mentor at a local college bar and he helped me learn some basics about DJing. I went and worked for another larger company to understand some of the facets of running a multi-DJ company. Then I trained and learned from anyone I could.
I immersed myself in college radio (WRPI – a 10,000 watt 3 state radio station – way bigger than most 1 or 10 watt radio stations). I worked every weekend at college parties, corporate events and bars. Spending time in front of crowds, on the microphone and behind the gear allowed me to hone my skills.
I attended training seminars such as:
- Wedding MBA – Las Vegas
- Wedding Wire World – Washington DC
- DJ Times DJ Convention – Atlantic City
- Mobile Beat DJ Convention – Las Vegas
- NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) – Las Vegas
- Night Club & Bar Convention – Las Vegas
- Alan Berg – Training Seminars
I also joined a local DJ association – The Connecticut Professional DJ Association, where I met some of the most talented DJs in the area. We learned from each other. Years have past since the association fell apart, but to this day many of us continue to rely on each other as mentors and to bounce ideas off of.
Anytime I could attend a small business or internet training seminars/webinars – I was first in line to sign up. Even 30 years later, I still have the urge to learn to be better. That DJ that took me under his wings some 30 years ago still DJs, but he’s never changed. Years DJing or number of events performed at are not the only way to judge a DJs skill level.
There are differences in skill and experience. How polished are they in public speaking? How versed are they in music styles? Can they blend beats between songs? Wedding traditions? All these skills separate one DJ from the next.
I am thankful for all the video training programs, webinars and one on one conversations that I’ve had over the years. They have made me into the Wedding DJ that I am today.
Starting out in the business? Get your feet wet, find a Wedding DJ mentor and start attending conferences and learn what it is to be a wedding DJ
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Rob Alberti is owner of Rob Alberti’s Event Services – Wedding Disc Jockey, MC & Wedding Event Director + Wedding Event Lighting design, rated by local brides + voted as “The Knot – Best of Weddings”, Bride’s Choice Award Winner from Wedding Wire + his work has been featured in Martha Stewart Wedding,
CT Bride, VT Vows, + on numerous national wedding blogs such as Style Me Pretty, Wedding Chicks.
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