Top DJs and live bands in Upstate NY book 9–12 months (sometimes 18) in advance. Waiting too long can limit your options or force you into a one-size-fits-all vendor package. The earlier you book, the better your experience! Check out our article on "When Should You Book Your Wedding DJ For The Ultimate Entertainment Experience?" for more insights into timeline of entertainment.

You get what you pay for — a DJ who’s just “pressing play” isn’t managing your energy, flow, or guest experience. Focus on professionalism, sound quality, and chemistry before cost. You're typically in a good price point to skill level in upstate New York if your spending around $2,000-$3,000 on a DJ and around $5,000 for a live band.  

Ask about things like backup gear, planning tools, attire, and arrival time. If your DJ can’t answer confidently, they might not be ready for your event. Find out more about what you should be asking your DJ, and other indicators of a good fit in our article "How to Choose the Perfect Wedding DJ in Upstate NY."

Some local venues have sound limits, curfews, or restricted access for loading equipment.
For example, The Adelphi Hotel in Saratoga and Loft 433 in Troy both have noise regulations that your DJ must respect. You should also confirm use of certain add-on experiences, like cloud dancing and sparkler fountains. Confirm your vendor understands your venue’s logistics, and any other legal requirements before booking. 

Your DJ interacts with guests as much as they play music. The wrong energy can throw off your event vibe — always schedule a discovery call or in-person meeting first.

While it’s great to share your favorite songs, giving your DJ a list of 200 tracks kills flexibility. A professional knows when to pivot based on crowd energy — trust their instincts. We allow for an allotted amount of "must play" songs and "do not play" songs to get your vibe for the day, then we let our DJ's do what they do best from there.  

Your DJ can be your secret event coordinator. They cue entrances, speeches, and special dances. Loop them into your schedule early so they can coordinate transitions smoothly. Best practice would be to connect your DJ with your other most important vendors (Day of Coordinator, Photographer/ Videographer, anyone else relying on cues from the DJ or that the DJ would rely on cues from). 

This happens more often than you’d think. A 15-minute sound test before doors open ensures perfect volume and mic levels — especially at venues like Franklin Plaza Ballroom or Old Daley on Crooked Lake where room acoustics vary. This is even more so important when working with a live band. Unless they have an audio engineer on hand that regularly works with them ad the same equipment they are using for the wedding, then it's extremely important to have a complete sound check to ensure there's no mic feedback or empty sound in the space.  

Lighting transforms the atmosphere — and bad lighting ruins photos. Ask if your DJ provides uplighting, dance floor effects, or accent fixtures to elevate your reception aesthetic. You should also make sure they aren't using any "lasers" and if they are, confirm with the photographer that they also have the appropriate equipment for this add-on. Lasers can kill photo lenses and cost the photographer a lot of money, and cost you the rest of the night of pictures if they aren't prepared with a backup plan or an extra lens.  

Planning stress can make couples micromanage every minute. Remember: once the party starts, your job is to enjoy it. You’ve hired pros — let them run the show while you make unforgettable memories. 

Ideally 9–12 months before your date. For peak season (June–October), even earlier. Learn more about timeline of booking and planning in our article on "When Should You Book Your Wedding DJ For The Ultimate Entertainment Experience?" 

Experience, reviews, professionalism, and adaptability — not just flashy gear. Check out "How to Choose the Perfect Wedding DJ in Upstate NY" to learn more about picking the perfect DJ for your wedding day. 

Ask them to do a site check or connect with the venue manager beforehand. In most cases, a seasoned DJ will have no problem adapting to the venues layout and needs. The biggest things to make sure the DJ is aware of is loading in (if there are things to manage like stairs and landings, time constraints, multiple setups in different locations), power supply, and any curfews set by the venue. 

Plan a clear timeline, communicate with your DJ, and assign one point of contact for the night. Don't overload your playlists, and let them make musical choices in the moment to fit the crowds energy and vibe.  

Absolutely — lighting changes the feel of your photos and the energy of your guests. It helps create a distinct ambiance and separation from formal time to party time. It helps get your guests on the dance floor, and further enhances your experience. Without lighting, you'll be left to overhead lights, or no lights at all.  

Slow responses, answers lacking confidence or guidance, and unclear contracts. Good DJs are organized and easy to communicate with, and know exactly what they're doing and what to expect.  

Create short “must-play” and "Do Not Play" lists and trust your DJ to mix the rest naturally. We allow a guest link in our VIBODJ planning portal so guests can also make their own requests ahead of time, and you can tell us what we should use and stay away from.