FAQ
What type of events do you service?
We service mostly weddings and as company we believe in and welcome marriage equality for all. We also do a fair amount corporate events, holiday parties, birthday parties, proms, and bar/bat mitzvahs. We are also DJ rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, christenings, debutante balls, engagement parties, graduations, memorials, Quinceañeras, Sweet 16 parties, high school formals and more.
Why does your price fluctuate and what is the breakdown ?
CORPORATE EVENTS & PARTIES
We charge $750 for 4 hours of music DJing and MCing at non-wedding events. These events usually take less preparation and therefore they are priced lower than weddings.
WEDDINGS
Prices vary based on the DJ’s years in the industry & amount of pre-event interaction you desire from them. See our Weddings page for more info.
What is the minimum amount of time you will DJ for?
All weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs have a four-hour minimum.
All other events have a 3 hour minimum
How many employees or DJs do you have on staff?
We have 2 amazing and talented DJs to choose from. (See Our DJs page for more info.)
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, Paypal, Venmo, AMEX, Discover, MasterCard and Visa.
What music genres are in your collection?
50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, acoustic, alternative, big band, blues, Christian, classic rock, classical, country, cumbia, dance, EDM, folk, funk, hip hop, indie, jazz, heavy metal (hair band), motown, oldies, orchestra, pop, punk rock, R&B, reggae, reggaeton, rock, salsa, soul, strings, swing and top 40. We also have a decent collection of old school rap, house and other electronic music. But we’ll get any song you want for your event.
Do you have insurance?
Yes, we have $2 million in general liability insurance ($1 million per occurance) through Hiscox Insurance.
Describe your DJ style.
Each DJ has their own individual style, some are mixers, and some are blenders. However, they all are is up to date with today’s music and practice their trade on a regular basis. Each is professionally trained for weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs and any other type of event. (See Our DJs page for more info.)
Is there a limit to the amount of music that can be requested?
No there isn’t. The only limit is the amount of time we have to play.
We’ve had clients list every song they want to hear, and some, that pick only a few for their special dances (and we select the rest). We always suggest that clients pick about 10 to 15 must-have songs, per major portion of their event, (ie. cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, etc.) Then we ask them to tell us what genres they want to hear, and which ones they don’t.
We also ask them to be specific about songs they don’t want to hear at their event. This is very important, because we don’t want to play something that brings up bad memories or is considered inappropriate to them or their guests.
What is your usual attire?
Our usual attire for the guys is a polo, dress pants and dress shoes. For weddings, it’s a button up shirt, dress pants and dress shoes. We will, however, accommodate any reasonable request for attire.
Smile DJs do not wear tuxedos, it’s just not our style. Plus, the spotlight should be on you, not us.
What if you don’t have a song we want?
We have access to all the major music outlets, Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Google Play, etc. (including our own DJ software). We will make every effort possible to get what ever song you desire on your night of.
Can the client submit a do-not-play list?
Yes, we actually recommend they do. There are always a few songs, genres, or artists that clients don’t want to hear, and we like to know what those are ahead of time.
Is the client able to meet the DJ before booking?
Of course, and we recommend it. And if you book with a DJ at our highest tier for a wedding or bar/bat mitzvah it will surely happen.
However, we try to make it convenient for both the DJ and client, so if needed, we can also meet up at a coffee shop that is centrally located. For out-of-town customers (or those wanting to be a little more Green), we will can meet with you via Skype, Google Hang Out or Facetime.
Do you specialize in any ethnic or international events?
We don’t specialize in any specific type of event other than weddings, however, we have done quite a few bat/bar mitzvahs.
So if you are just needing a DJ that really knows Bollywood, Merengue, Reggaeton, Salsa, or any other Latin tune, either of our DJs will definitely be up your alley.
Do you bring your own equipment?
Of course, and we always have backup equipment on hand as well. Our standard setup is simple, clean, and neat. We usually have three speakers, one on each side of the DJ table, and a sub woofer below it. On top of our table, you will see, a laptop, a DJ mixer/controller, and a wireless microphone. Each DJ has his or her own equipment, so the brands of equipment will vary, however the quality of sound should not. If you have some unique sound or dance lighting needs, almost any additional equipment can be rented for an additional fee.
What does your setup look like, and how much space do you require?
Our setup generally looks like this. It does vary from DJ to DJ, and for what type of event we are servicing. However, we aim to have a consistent, clean, neat, and professional look no matter where we put our equipment. Our footprint requires about 10 ft by 5 ft.
What (if any) special equipment, such as disco balls or lighting, is offered with your service?
How much time do you usually need to set up?
Set up takes about 45-60 minutes, depending on the event. All DJs have agreed to set up 1 – 1.5 hours in advance, so we usually have 30 minutes to spare to make sure everything is dialed in. All of our equipment is portable and easy to move around.
What are your electrical requirements?
We require that the client provides a 20 amp circuit with two outlets. Preferably one that is on its own circuit without any other large power consuming devices connected to it, (such as tent lighting, decorative lighting, microwaves, kitchen equipment, etc.) We know music is important to you and you wouldn’t hire us if it wasn’t. If there is a question about the power available, just let us know and we can decide from there.
Do you usually MC the event or talk between songs?
We usually MC all of our events, but rarely talk that much in between songs. On occasion, the couple will have a pre-appointed MC for the evening and we don’t mind if that is the case. We are there for you to make announcements, play good music and provide some fun. If you want us to do more or less, we are flexible; after all, you are the customer.
How would you motivate the crowd if no one is dancing?
What is your policy on taking breaks? If you require a meal break, do you require that the client provide your meal?
Our DJ is at the DJ table the whole evening with the exception of bathroom breaks or helping the coordinate the next event for the evening. If he/she leaves the table, they make sure that the song is long enough to cover the time they are gone. As for meals, it is customary for the clients to provide a meal for the DJ. He/she will usually eat at his/her table while everyone else is eating and dinner music is playing. If you do not plan on providing a meal, we ask that you make this known in advance so the DJ can plan accordingly.
What is your backup plan in case you become unavailable on the day of the event?
We always keep one DJ on hand for back up purposes. Usually that person is DJ Matt, the owner of Smile DJs. If he is booked that day, we will have another on hand as a back up. Additionally, we have some strong relationships with other DJs in the Portland metro area. If we can’t provide you with the service that you need, on the date you need it, we certainly find someone that can.
Do you book yourself for more than one event in a day?
What is your overtime rate?
It depends on the DJ and event type. You will be made aware of this upon booking. But we can extend time for any event, we will need you to sign a contract extention on the night of.
Do you charge for travel expenses? If yes, how much do you charge?
Yes, if it’s more than 75 miles outside of the Portland city limits. We charge a flat $0.90 per mile from our company headquarters. It’s not much, but it’s enough to cover gas for our DJs to get to and from your event.
How far are you willing to travel for a wedding or event?
We are willing to travel 180 miles from our office located at 421 SW 6th Ave, Portland 97204
What is the required deposit to secure your services?
What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a DJ?
First off, make sure they’ve actually DJ’d the type of event you are wanting to hire them for. Many events require a large amount of MCing and if the DJ hasn’t done that before, it could really make or break your event. It’s also pretty important that your personalities match up and you are very clear with what you want at your event. Dance party? or just back ground music. Finally, make sure your DJ is familiar with the type of music you want to hear.
Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.
In the summer, we’re usually DJing weddings. We also have a fair amount of family reunion, birthday and graduation parties. In the fall, we DJ a lot of house parties and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and in the winter we tend to do a lot of corporate holiday parties. The spring tends to be our downtime (event wise); however, it’s the time of year that involves the most planning and booking for the summer months.
What do you like most about your job?
All of our DJs are passionate about what they do. They love providing a service our clients enjoy, thank us for, and smile about every time they remember the fun they had at their event.