How to choose a wedding DJ in Spain: the 7 questions that matter

We've played alongside dozens of wedding DJs across Spain. The gap between a serious wedding DJ and someone who just owns gear is enormous, and it's not visible from the website. Here are the seven questions that separate the two.

Question one: how many weddings did you play last year? A full-time wedding DJ in Spain plays 30 to 70 weddings a season. Someone playing 8 a year is not a wedding DJ, they're a hobbyist with a good camera. Ask for the number and ask to see a timeline of dates.

Question two: can I hear 10 minutes of a recent wedding? Not a teaser, not a highlight reel, 10 continuous minutes of a real set. Anyone who plays weddings for real has this and will send it. Anyone who doesn't, doesn't have it because their real sets don't hold up.

Question three: what happens if my must-play isn't in your library? A serious DJ answers 'I buy it'. A weak DJ answers 'we'll find something similar'. The answer tells you whether your input matters on the night.

Question four: do you MC or just play music? For an international guest list the DJ needs to handle first dance introductions, cake cut calls, and bilingual announcements. Not every DJ does this. Ask specifically.

Question five: what sound system do you arrive with? If the answer is vague, be nervous. A DJ for a 150-guest wedding should be comfortable naming the tops, the subs, the wattage and the brand. 'We bring everything needed' is not an answer.

Question six: what does your contract say about overrun? If your wedding runs 30 minutes late and the DJ block compresses, what happens? A real vendor has a clause. A weak one improvises on the night and you get a 15-minute peak instead of a 90-minute one.

Question seven: who's actually playing on the night? This is the one that catches couples out. Some agencies sell the top DJ in the photos and send a junior on the day. Ask for the name of the person playing your wedding, in writing, in the contract.

Red flags to avoid. Three-line email replies, no website, no contract, price quoted without hearing your venue details, pressure to pay cash, discounts for 'booking this week', refusal to share a recent real recording. Any one of those is a no.

The mistake most couples make. They pick the cheapest DJ who seemed nice on a 20-minute call. The cheapest option almost never costs less in the end, because the floor collapses at midnight and you end the wedding early. For the one Saturday of your life, budget the peak dancing block properly and pick the vendor who answers the seven questions without hesitating.