Wedding couples sometimes ask "Is it too early to book a dj?" or "When should I book my dj?"

 

My answer is, if you found a dj you like, don't wait to hire them or someone else might take your date.  It's never too early to hire a vendor but sometimes it's too late.

 

This has happened to me more than once:  A couple calls for information and I have the date open.  The couple takes the time they need to make a decision and during that time another couple calls for the same date.  This happened last week.  A bride called me for a 2010 reception and the next day someone emailed me for information for their daughter's wedding on that same date.  I thought she was the mother of the bride I talked to the day before but it turns out it was 2 different families.

 

While I say don't wait to book a vendor, I never want to rush anyone either.  I know that when someone calls me for information, they usually need some time to consider their options.  Sometimes that's a day or 2, sometimes it's a week or 2, or longer.  I've started putting dates on a 2-week hold to give couples time to make their decision without worrying if someone will take their date.  After 2 weeks, if the couple has not hired me, the date is open for other couples.

 

In the story I mentioned above, the 2-week hold was a big help to the first couple.  They did make a decision to hire me during those 2 weeks and it saved them from having their date taken by someone else.

 

There is, however, another answer to the question - most of the receptions I book are 9-12 months before their wedding.  Some are a shorter timeline, a few months before the reception, but most are 9-12 months.  Now through the end of the year is a busy time for djs, at least it was for me last year - my 2009 schedule was basically filled by the end of 2008 and there were many couples calling for dates I had already booked.