This is a thread that was started in our old BlissWeddings.com forums by aug05bride on 4/06/05. Feel free to add your comments by pressing Post Reply.
**************************************************
posted by aug05bride
What is the average rate for a DJ? Most of the one’s I’ve found are at least $500 but my mother and sister (neither of whom are contributing financially to the wedding by the way) both freaked at that amount. Mostly because my sister who was married 5 years ago only paid $300. I’m not sure if I’m getting ripped off or if inflation is in effect and $500 is more reasonable today. Anyone have any answers?
Also, I’m planning the wedding from 5.5 hours away from the location. My FH lives 7 hours from me but will move to live with me when we marry. In order to make things a little easier for my family we are having the wedding in a larger town about 90 minutes from his home (to ensure his family, who we will see less after the wedding than we see mine due to proximity, can all attend) so neither of us are from that town. I’m having great difficulty finding a DJ. Part of that has to do with not knowing what they should charge. Any suggestions on where to find someone?
Your help is GREATLY appreciated especially since the wedding is exactly 4 months from today.
Thanks.
**************************************************
posted by bebe0315
My sister paid $800 for her DJ last year in Carmel, CA. I actually thought that was really reasonable!
**************************************************
posted by SuzyBride
We are paying $495 for four hours. They have lights, smoke machine, bubble machine, karaoke.. and if you realize that night you want them to stay longer they will for $100 an hour.They also help coordinate the reception, making things run a bit smoother.
**************************************************
posted by feb-bride
$500 dollars is reasonable.
**************************************************
posted by aug05bride
Thank you ladies. I also just had the brainstorm to call the company my sister used. They told me if I got a quote of 500 for 5 hours, I should take it. They now charge 395 for 3 hours plus 100 for each add'l hour. I'll try not to say "I told you so" to my mother & sister when I tell them $500 is reasonable. Thanks for the tips. Getting your responses gave me the backbone to call the DJ here in town.
**************************************************
posted by TheaterDiva1
Mine charged $1300 for five hours (cocktail hour, plus 4-hour reception). We were really impressed with him (this was the owner we were dealing with), but we wanted to meet with a couple of other people first. By the time we were ready to book him, the owner was already booked for that date, but he had a guy working for him who was available. We were so genuinely disappointed (we REALLY wanted this guy) that they took $200 off and gave us an extra hour (30-min. ceremony, plus the 30 min. before that when guests are arriving).
Where are you located? I'm in the NY-Metro area - it's more expensive here.
-Maggie
**************************************************
posted by aug05bride
Quote:
|
Where are you located? I'm in the NY-Metro area - it's more expensive here.
|
I'm in Kentucky - the wedding will be in Illinois. Going by the price of gas (which as a side note ridiculously went up 30 cents here on Monday - in 1 day), Illinois has a slightly higher cost of living which would tell me the rates for everything should be a little bit higher than what I'm used to. However, going by what the DJ I spoke to today said, the rate I got in Illinois from the DJ recommended by the Chamber of Commerce and our reception site is better than I'd get here anyway. I'm feeling much better about it - now I just hope he's still available.
**************************************************
posted by labeadel
That price is very reasonable. Our DJ is costing $120 per hour. I would book the $500 guy very soon. You wouldn't want to miss out on booking him.
TheatreDiva - That's so awful that you didn't get the DJ you wanted!
**************************************************
posted by syringa
$120 to $150 per hour with a 3 hour minimum is typical in my area, so you are getting a good deal, depending on the number of hours involved.
**************************************************
posted by marchbride05
I just got married a little over a week ago in Virginia and that is about the same as what we paid. We paid $500 for 5 hours and it is one of the best dj companies in our area. We got a little bit of a discount because we booked through our caterer and they have a good working relationship with the dj.
**************************************************
posted by TheaterDiva1
Quote:
|
TheatreDiva - That's so awful that you didn't get the DJ you wanted!
|
Thanks... but it all worked out, and the DJ they sent did a great job (once he stuck to our playlist). He kept it very low-key, which was what we wanted since we knew we didn't have a dance-party crowd (there was some dancing, but no chicken dance or Electric Slide for us!).
-Maggie
**************************************************
posted by labeadel
Yeah, none of that stuff for us either! Especially no Macarena!!!
**************************************************
posted by e-star
Theatrediva, could you tell me who you used for your DJ? I'm also in the NY-metro area but just recently moved here. I have no clue where to look and need any/all info. on hiring a DJ or a small band. Thanks!!
**************************************************
posted by NovemberGal
Quote:
|
I just got married a little over a week ago in Virginia and that is about the same as what we paid. We paid $500 for 5 hours and it is one of the best dj companies in our area. We got a little bit of a discount because we booked through our caterer and they have a good working relationship with the dj.
|
March, where in Virginia are you? I'm in Northern VA (DC suburbs) and am just starting to look into DJ services.
**************************************************
posted by suechick
THe going rate in our area is $695 for 6 hourse, which I think is Totally reasonable.
*sue ;o)
**************************************************
posted by marchbride05
Novembergal,
I'm in Virginia Beach so it might be a little cheaper down here. I have family in Northern Virginia but I don't know about wedding costs up there. Sorry!
**************************************************
posted by TheaterDiva1
Quote:
|
Theatrediva, could you tell me who you used for your DJ? I'm also in the NY-metro area but just recently moved here. I have no clue where to look and need any/all info. on hiring a DJ or a small band. Thanks!!
|
Sorry for the delay... we used Top Hat Entertainment in Ronkonkoma, NY (Long Island).
www.tophatentertainment.com/
We originally met with Bob, the owner - we were impressed witth him. Matt, the DJ hey sent to do our wedding, also did a good job.
Also, this company does videotaping. We didn't use that though - we had already booked a videographer through the photographer.
-Maggie
**************************************************
posted by aug05bride
Just as an update for everyone. The DJ who originally gave the quote of 495 for 5 hours is thankfully still available. Since the wedding location consultant recommended him, he's not even charging a deposit - we just pay him the day of the wedding. We'll have a contract to sign in a day or 2 and that will mention the waived deposit and the final payment due which they will sign along with us (I was nervous not having a deposit to say we'd booked him). This DJ service has 6 DJ's and the one we will actually have has done 50 weddings at this particular site (but has DJ'd weddings for 10 years) herself including one this past weekend. If we're in town when she's doing a wedding (assuming the bride/groom don't mind) we've even been invited to go check them out. I feel MUCH better now. Thanks for all of your input.
**************************************************
posted by suechick
I wanted to let everyone know, that we really wanted the DJ we booked last night! He books out almost 20 months in advance, and we have 18, so it worked out that he had 3 dates available in our month, and ours was one!
We were at his home last night for almost 2 hours, and he showed us his equipment, his backup systems, his music selections, and even some video scenes of his work at weddings!
We got him for $700 for 6 hours! He sets up & breaks down all equipment for free, and even meets with us 3 more times before the date to coordinate everything!
WE ARE SO EXCITED
*sue ;o)
**************************************************
posted by labeadel
That's very cool. You sound as excited as I was after our DJ meeting. I think it was one of the most fun meetings we have had so far. Didn't you just get a real visual of the day, even more than you already have?! Very fun.
**************************************************
posted by suechick
I did get that kind of visual and so did FH, and I think it helped us both so much! We have some direction now, and a picture of a FUN FUN FUN reception!
**************************************************
posted by e-star
Thanks TheatreDiva for the DJ info, I'll look them up.
Do DJs and bands expect a tip as well at the end of the night?
Need DJ Help
Linear Mode
