Day and time.
How long will it be?
Are you a late partier or do you want to finish up early?

Location?
Indoors?  Outdoors?  Both?
If indoors - can we control the lighting and do you want disco lights / gobos, etc?

How many people?

Can I check out the place before the party to work out the logistics for power / sound / lighting?
I need time to set up before and tear down after the party.  Time will depend on how much stuff I need to bring.

It takes me about an hour to set up and an hour to tear down.

Casual or Formal?  Do you need your DJ to wear black slacks, jeans or a swim trunks?

Are smoke / fog machines allowed?  (they set off the smoke detectors)
Can you have a bubble machine?  Do you want a bubble machine?

Are mid-bass and highs enough sound, or do you need a subwoofer for big bass?  (I have an 18" sub)

light back ground music to start?
any ethnic music?  latin, italian, irish, citar / raga, new jersey, christian, jewish, dirkastanian, etc?
new dance songs / pop?
classic rock, disco, 80's
Are there any songs that you specifically don't want?  For example:
Anything with little wayne (bedrock)
celebrate by kool and the gang
last dance by donna summer
“that’s was friends are for”

 

When I DJ, the music I play is dictated by the people on the dance floor.

If people request songs, and I play them, and the song clears my dance floor, I cut it off early and put something else on.

I play whatever keeps people on the dance floor.

 

One of the most valuable things I learned is that 10 people will ask me to play a song, and then when I play it,

10 other people come up to me and ask me to turn it off because they hate it...and vice versa...haters...

That taught me not to take anything personal...it is all about the dance floor...whatever keeps people dancing is what I will play...

I also try to play fun - danceable rock songs like Elton John's "Crocodile Rock”, etc…

Adults only or any children / kids going to be there (can’t play songs with explicit lyrics)?

Even some radio play songs are border-line risque’ for kids.

Do you want any goofy games, or just dancing?

 

For schools:
Are there any songs bands or artists that are off limits?
Is there a "do not play" list of music like black sabbath (Sabbath bloody Sabbath) or AC/DC (highway to hell) or flo rida (Low) or snoop dog (drop it like its hot)?
They play songs on the radio that are somewhat offensive.

I don’t consider myself to be a prude, but there are some songs out there now a days that are played on the radio that I wouldn’t want my kids to listen to.
Do you want to have any kind of contests or giveaways or anything?  Maybe a quick karaoke contest just as a gag?
Also, if you like either before the dance or at the door the kids can pick their top 10 favorite songs and then I will play the top 10 at the dance.
Are groups like jonas brothers and hanna montana are to baby-ish?

 

For weddings:
Do you want music played while the people are waiting for the wedding to start?
Is that going to be a 1/2 hour or an hour?  How long is the service going to be?  How long are people going to be hanging out after the wedding / reception?
Pre-bridal march song suggestions:
If you want me to play music for the bridal party, I suggest Pachelbel - Canon in D.  It was played at my wedding and I think most weddings in the universe.  It dominates.
Someone I know also asked for Somewhere over the Rainbow - What a wonderful World (Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole).
do you want the best man / maid of honor / parents / siblings / best friends to send me any special requests or dedications?
do you need any music before the ceremony or before the reception?
How would you like to be introduced for the first time?
bride dances with dad - what song?
groom dances with mom - what song?
misc dancing - pass a hat around for a donation to be eligible to dance with the bride
time to eat - what kind of songs?  jazz, bossanova, techno rave music?
best man / dad / maid of honor make a speech dedication
cut the cake song?
more dancing - what songs?
bride throws bouquet - what song?
groom throws garter - what song?
garter guy puts garter on bouquet girl?
more dancing - what songs?
Ask your married friends what were some things that they did and did not like about their wedding / reception / DJ, etc