This was taken from many years of research in the wedding entertainment industry.
This does not reflect DJ service wedding pricing packages.
What you may get for your money when hiring a Disc Jockey.
• $0 to $300 — Friend: with an iPod or really cheap audio equipment.
Very limited and mostly inappropriate music, no mic or MC skills,
no planning, no back up equipment,no prior experience with a wedding,
usually dressed inappropriate, just show up press play if they
show up on time if at all. May help themselves to the bar and
last a few hours before getting drunk, no understanding of wedding
etiquette or protocol.
Result: Bad wedding, you may be very embarrassed.
• $300 to $500 — Hobbyist: - Cheap audio equipment, limited
and mostly inappropriate music, no mic or MC skills, no planning, no direction, very little to no experience, may not give any announcements, no professional training, likely to be late, or a no show, may drink on the job and hit on you or your guests, dress inappropriately, no understanding of wedding etiquette or protocol, and may use foul language, no back up equipment.
Result: The worst wedding, you will be embarrassed.
• $600 to $800 –> Entry-level DJ: Part-time, less than 5 years
experience, no professional training, basic pro-audio equipment,
cheap lighting system, no back up equipment, very little planning,
not able to meet with you at your convenience, amateur MC and
mic skills, basic announcements, same worn out routine for every
wedding, may take the focus off the Bride & Groom to highlight
himself. Treat your wedding as just another gig to make extra money
on the side. May work for a multi-op company, and could be gone by the
time your wedding date rolls around. You may end up with a DJ
you never met. Could use props i.e. (blow up guitars, wigs, sunglasses
etc.) without consulting you about it first.
Result: Below average to average wedding
• $900 to $1200 –> Professional DJ, Average Ability: Less than
10 years experience, possibly full-time if not a more skilled
part-timer, some professional training, over 200 weddings performed.
Decent mic & MC skills, direction, at least 2 hours of planning with the
Bride & Groom. Good pro-audio equipment & lighting.
Result: An Average wedding
• $1300 to $2000 –> Professional Disc Jockey, Superior Ability: Many years of experience, professional training, very good MC & mic skills, 2 to 3 hour planning session, direction, work as your day of Co-
coordinator, Unique ideas, able to read the crowd, program music well, know music well and play the right kind of music to please everybody, very good pro-audio equipment & lighting with backup equipment. Always dressed appropriately, Understands wedding etiquette & protocol. High standards. Full time pro and passionate.
Result: A great memorable wedding
• $2500 + –> Polished Entertainment & Superior Professional
Result: The Best Wedding Reception Ever!
A DJ will charge what they feel their worth, if they could get more they would charge more “If we were all really that good, we’d all charge $2500.”
Written by a Good Friend & Fellow Entertainer: Mark Sanchez
