DO consult with your DJ prior to your event to get their input on their placement
and setup area. Just as your photographer is best-suited to judge the distance,
angle & lighting for your pictures, your DJ is the best person to assess their position
and setup in any given space depending on the layout, and the equipment needs
of your celebration.
DO find out how much room your DJ will need, especially if providing extras like
dance lighting, etc.
DO avoid the temptation to just ask your venue staff or coordinator "where the DJ
usually goes" and take that recommendation without second thought. In a good
number of cases, even in some of the nicer venues, the staff will suggest a layout
that they are simply "used to" or that is actually the most convenient for them and
their staff, and this is almost never ideal for your DJ, your guest's overall
experience, or your event as a whole.
DO be sure your venue is open to variations in layout and to work with you and
your DJ. This is your event, and your celebration is unique to you. I go the extra
mile to customize our performance and offerings to give you a custom-experience,
and your venue should be able to do the same as long as it doesn't make it difficult
for them to do their job effectively.
ALWAYS place your DJ as close as possible to the dance floor/area, preferably
right on one side of it. You want your DJ as close as possible to the dance floor so
when it comes time to "turn it up" for the dancing the volume isn't any higher than
necessary.
NEVER place tables between your DJ and the dance floor/area. Doing this can
cause your DJ to have to turn up louder than necessary for dancing and music,
and this can be uncomfortable for anyone sitting at these tables, and who might
not be dancing - even during dinner time and regular announcements.
ALWAYS make sure your DJ can see everything in the room from their station/table,
and that they have room to freely enter and exit their area from one or both sides
without obstruction. Your DJ should be as unobtrusive as possible in the overall
landscape, but he/she should have a complete view of all entrances and exists,
tables, etc. Remember, your DJ is going to be helping to facilitate things like meal
service, pouring for toasts, and your Grand Entrance as well as playing music. To
do these things, and to be able to locate and call certain important people
forward for special events throughout the night, they must have a clear view of
the entire room at all times.
NEVER place your DJ in an area other than where the dancing and the majority of
events and announcements will occur throughout the course of your event. This
includes places like around corners, outside main doors, outside on a patio, in
another room, behind partitions & columns, etc. If your venue or event layout
seems to necessitate these kinds of setup scenarios, be sure to start an open dialog
with your venue, your DJ, and yourself to see if any alternatives or compromises are
possible that would lead to a more optimal setup scenario and a better
experience for you and your guests. If no alternatives are available, be sure to
talk to your DJ and understand the possible impact of these types of setup
scenarios on your event, and discuss ways you might work together to work
around them.
Also be aware that additional sound equipment, speakers, and reinforcement
may be needed to account for certain setup scenarios, and these may
incur additional charges.