By Mike Ouellette, Let Us Entertain You Inc., a family business playing weddings since 1976 and based in Massapequa since 1994. Updated September 2026.
A wedding DJ does far more than play songs. At most weddings the DJ is also the MC, the person with the microphone who keeps the whole day moving. This guide covers what a DJ/MC does before and during your wedding, a sample timeline, how many hours to book, and the questions to ask before you sign.
Before the wedding
- Music planning: your must-play and do-not-play lists, plus the exact songs for the processional, recessional, grand entrance, first dance, parent dances and cake cutting.
- The timeline: we build the order of events with you and share it with your venue coordinator and photographer, so everyone works from the same plan.
- Names and introductions: we confirm how your bridal party is introduced and how every name is pronounced.
- Venue logistics: where the DJ setup, dance floor and any photo booth go, plus power and load-in times.
On the wedding day
- Ceremony sound: microphones for your officiant and readers, and music for the processional and recessional.
- Cocktail hour music while guests mingle and the ballroom is set.
- MC duties: grand entrance, first dance, toasts, parent dances, cake cutting, special announcements and last dance.
- Reading the room: keeping the dance floor full, easing off during dinner, and adjusting when the timeline shifts.
- Coordination: cueing the photographer and venue staff before every key moment so nobody misses a shot.
A sample Long Island wedding timeline
Every wedding is different, but a typical evening at a Long Island venue looks something like this:
| Time | Moment | What the DJ/MC does |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30 | Ceremony | Processional and recessional music, officiant and reader microphones |
| 6:00 | Cocktail hour | Background music while the reception room is set |
| 7:00 | Grand entrance | Bridal party introductions and your entrance song |
| 7:10 | First dance | Cue the song, the lights and the photographer |
| 7:15 | Toasts and dinner | Introduce speakers, then dinner music |
| 8:00 | Dance sets | Open the dance floor and keep it full |
| 9:15 | Parent dances and cake | Announce and cue each moment |
| 10:00 | Last dance | Send-off song and final announcement |
How many hours should you book?
Count from the first moment that needs music to the last dance. In the timeline above, reception only is about 4 hours, while ceremony + cocktail hour + reception is about 5. Most events we play book 3–6 hours. If your ceremony and cocktail hour are at the same venue, adding them to your DJ booking is simpler than bringing in a separate musician for each.
12 questions to ask any wedding DJ
- Will you personally DJ our wedding? If not, can we meet the person who will?
- Are you also the MC? Can we hear you on the microphone?
- How many hours are included, and what does an extra hour cost?
- Is ceremony sound included?
- Is dance-floor lighting included?
- Have you played our venue? If not, will you check the space beforehand?
- How do you handle our must-play and do-not-play lists?
- Do you take guest requests, and how?
- How do you work with our photographer and venue coordinator?
- What happens if the timeline runs late?
- Can we read recent reviews from couples?
- Is everything in a written contract?
Why one team for music, photos and booths?
When your DJ/MC, photographer and photo booth come from the same company, one person runs one timeline. The MC cues the photographer for every entrance and toast, and the booth opens when the energy is right. You also sign one contract and have one contact. That’s how we’ve worked as a family business since 1976. See wedding packages (Wedding packages (DJ + photography + live photo screens) from $3,000; DJ & MC from $2,500), or read how much a Long Island wedding DJ costs.
Planning your timeline? Send us your date and venue and we’ll help you map out the night.