DJing For A Good Friend

[JTRS]

I've been asked to DJ a really good friends wedding and I'm really not sure about it.

I've obviously DJ'd and done a few stand-up slots for friends before, but never for someone that I would class as a really close friend.

I've talked it over with both him and his bride to be and I've been totally honest that I'm scared that something will go wrong (I'm not usually paranoid or a worrier, but I would hate it if Sod's Law rears its head). They both understood my concerns and worries and said that they accepted that things can sometimes go wrong, but that's not the point, I'd really hate it if I messed up their big day.

It's been left that I will tell them this weekend if I will do it, part of me really wants to do it (the part of me that says everything will be ok) and another part of me has visions of anything and everything going wrong.

I'm guessing (and hoping) that some of you have been in this position before and I'd really appreciate knowing what you ended up doing. (Turning it down would not cause a problem between us, I'd be there as a guest and I know just the DJ to recommend to them)

Over to you..........

JTRS

[Danno13]

Personally I wouldn't be any more worried about things going wrong than I would for anyone else's Wedding, as the same safeguards/backups would still be in place.

However, if they were that a close friend, there's no way I'd want to be stuck working for them on their Wedding day, I'd want to enjoy it as a guest.

I was actually the guest at a good DJ mate's Wedding this year and the closest I got to working was pressing play on his laptop after the first dance (sung live) as they'd setup a playlist to work around a band! I'm also invited to another (not the same one!) in July where he's having an "open DJ deck" + band for entertainment, but I'd still rather be at the bar :D

[Shaun]

I've DJ'd at lots of friends weddings, and I've always felt more relaxed as I know most of the people there. Just treat it as any other gig and do what you do best. I'm sure you're worrying about nothing. :)

My biggest test was doing the 60th Birthday party for one of my very good friends who has been DJing for about 40 years, and has forgot more about music than I'll ever know. Turned out I was worrying about nothing. He provided a playlist like everyone else does and I did my best to complement his choices. The party was definitely one of the highlights of the last few years for me. Such a relaxed atmosphere as I knew nearly everyone there.

[Ryu]

I've provided weddings for good friends, and, where possible, prefer to DJ at Friends and Family events (as opposed to them choosing a neutral DJ).

As opposed to worrying about how you'll do, you should be internalising this, letting your Friends know they have nothing to worry about, focussing on what you do best and relieving your friends of some of the stress they'll experience in arranging a Wedding.

I would much rather take responsibility for delivering my friends entertainment than allowing a third party to do it, because I know them in a way that no amount of pre-event meetings can match. Sure, there wouldn't be professional distance that a 3rd party would have, and the B and G would then feel maybe less awkward complaining to a 3rd party if things went wrong....but if I was taking charge of the event, things simply WOULDN'T go wrong...because I'm a professional DJ, and that's what I do....you're a capable DJ, paid regularly good money to provide an excellent service...let your friends benefit from your experience and deliver them a Wedding gift (an unforgettable wedding reception) money simply can't buy.

[sonicdj]

I have Dj'd at friends and family weddings, I even DJ'd at my sons wedding ( much to my wifes disgust ....come to think of it he still hasnt paid me :-) I know how you feel, you are always that little bit more nervous when it is people you know. But dont worry as long as you have all the usual safeguards in place it will be fine.

[dj foureyes]

I've provided weddings for good friends, and, where possible, prefer to DJ at Friends and Family events (as opposed to them choosing a neutral DJ).

As opposed to worrying about how you'll do, you should be internalising this, letting your Friends know they have nothing to worry about, focussing on what you do best and relieving your friends of some of the stress they'll experience in arranging a Wedding.

I would much rather take responsibility for delivering my friends entertainment than allowing a third party to do it, because I know them in a way that no amount of pre-event meetings can match. Sure, there wouldn't be professional distance that a 3rd party would have, and the B and G would then feel maybe less awkward complaining to a 3rd party if things went wrong....but if I was taking charge of the event, things simply WOULDN'T go wrong...because I'm a professional DJ, and that's what I do....you're a capable DJ, paid regularly good money to provide an excellent service...let your friends benefit from your experience and deliver them a Wedding gift (an unforgettable wedding reception) money simply can't buy.

I couldn't have put it better. I have done most of my close friends/family parties and weddings because (I'm not being big-headed here), I want the best for them and I know I can do a good job. Whatever you decide to do, just enjoy the day.

[djdj]

I couldn't have put it better. I have done most of my close friends/family parties and weddings because (I'm not being big-headed here), I want the best for them and I know I can do a good job. Whatever you decide to do, just enjoy the day.

+1

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I've done this a number of times over the years with no problems whatsoever.
Think about it -
They want YOU because they know you'll give them a good time.
You're worried about messing up because you CARE and that's a good thing!

The only time things like this do my head in (and I've had one this week) are when friends want you to do something for them and then they cancel. The thing is with friends, you kind of cut them some slack etc (well, I used to....not anymore!). You may discount the services or not take a booking fee etc and then it bites you on the backside. I literally turned down a booking the other day because I didn't want to let a friend down and then the same night he told me that he'd decided not to have a party in the end.

He's in my bad books at the moment and he knows it.

[VM Entertainment]

I'd concur with most of the others here. Go for it and enjoy it. They asked you because presumably they know you are good at what you do and they trust you.

I'm also an Amateur photographer and last year two close friends of mine asked me to shoot their wedding, even though I generally leave wedding photography to the Pro's. They liked my style of photography and they knew what I was capable of. I imagine it is something similar with your friends.

Yes, I was very nervous about taking on the responsibility, but if I didn't think I could have done a good job for them I would have politely declined.

I also felt a complete part of the day, maybe more so as I was documenting it as well. A big plus for your friends must be that you will have a very good idea of their musical tastes and that of a lot of their friends and family. I reckon once you get the initial nerves over with, you will have a ball and they will have the best DJ for their day.

[Ecstatic Events]

I provided the evening entertainment for a good friend who is also a very good DJ. Imagine THAT!!!

I personally wont do it again in similar circumstances. The ONLY reason behind this is I would of preferred being a guest.

Treat it like any other gig. I can empathise with the concerns, but from experience there's really no need :)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I did the same for Ian (remember him?) when he got married. There were lots of other DJ's there too Mike like the one you did.
This one though actually went very well.