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Your cousin can spin a mean record; you uncle knows his way around the turntables; your youngest nephew could hook up his iPod, and the family could jam all night. Music choices for backyard barbecues and family get-togethers are one thing. But for a wedding, going for a more formal option might be in your best interest.

When you first think of a disc jockey, your might be reminded of the guy who stood behind the large table in the corner at the event and served for no other purpose than to play the music. But according to Dr. Drax, CEO of the Glendale, Ariz.-based American Disc Jockey Association and a DJ himself, when it comes to weddings, a DJ’s job is to make sure the reception runs smoothly.

“A great DJ functions as a master of ceremonies, a spokesperson to family, friends, workmates, colleagues and guests,” he says. The DJ works with all the other vendors at the venue, as well as the individuals within the bridal party, to work the timeliness of the events and how they play out with the music.

But with the economy in a rut, why do you even need a DJ? “Why does every movie need a soundtrack?” asks Drax. “A DJ is more than the entertainment. He’s the creative, artistic director. He works with the bride and groom to make sure their visions are crafted. To maximize the experience, you want the best entertainment.”

In order to find that perfect DJ, it’s important to visit for consultations so they can get a feel for how you want the evening to run and so you can give a mutual assessment of whether or not they’ll serve you the way you want. “Younger couples,” says Drax, “are into this dance evolution kind of thing” – Frank Sinatra plays during the first dance, then the record scratches and the couple breaks out into choreographed performance.

DJs are certainly willing to accommodate for interesting themes, Drax says. But, too, “You have to trust the DJ on what music to play.” You haven’t hired him to serve merely as a jukebox. Trust him with the musical selections he chooses outside of your taste in music. Just because the bride and groom love heavy metal doesn’t mean their grandmothers will.

With the territory of trust, Drax suggests there are some steps you should be thinking about taking with a DJ after consultation: Get liability insurance and a money-back guarantee. With booking a great DJ, he says, “It’s not how cheaply you can attain it. It’s how comfortable it makes you feel.” In the end, you and the DJ should have one goal in mind: “To make that wedding magical.”