Price Points For Different Types Of DJs
We’re ready to talk about a taboo topic: money. Did you think we were going to debate whether WAP should be played at a wedding? The answer is no, in case anyone was wondering.
Wedding vendor pricing varies drastically based on services offered, years of experience and talent, geographic location, particular style, and so much more. It’s nearly impossible to provide an accurate figure, but we know even a generalized ballpark number is helpful information.
Let’s break it down by the numbers (we can break it down on the dance floor at your wedding). Here is a general idea of what a couple can realistically expect from a DJ at each price point:
Less than $1,000
Like all things in life, you get what you pay for. If your DJ is charging less than $1000, there’s a good chance they’re an amateur lacking significant experience, even if they claim otherwise. Oftentimes corners will need to be cut somewhere, and you likely won’t find out where until it’s too late. It could be outdated gear that fails at a critical moment, lack of liability insurance, improper attire for your black tie event, etc. Amateur DJs may still be setting up as guests arrive due to poor planning. Horror stories I have heard include DJs ignoring venue rules that often lead to the couple having to get involved, DJs indulging in your open bar, DJs showing up in Hawaiian print shirts, DJs ignoring couples’ music requests and playing songs on their “Do Not Play” list. Unless you have personally seen this DJ perform at another wedding, you are taking a huge risk hiring at this price point.
$1,000 - $2,000
Although still slightly on the lower side, this price point is where most mid-tier DJs start their rates. Many DJ companies with a team of DJs to choose from will offer this as their minimum package, and try to increase the overall cost by offering add ons that you might see as must haves. Without substantial musical knowledge or intuition through experience, you should be prepared to hear a lot of the same songs played at most weddings. They may lack polished mixing skills so the transitions between songs could be a little choppy. It’s not uncommon for your DJ to also be your MC, but most DJs haven’t been trained as thoroughly in this area. You and your guests might notice some slightly awkward moments on the microphone between formalities. While you should not expect to be wowed by anything particularly unique, they will likely deliver a satisfactory performance overall, and a properly vetted DJ at this price point may be an adequate, budget-friendly option for you.
$2,000 - $5,000
If you’re the average couple, this price point is a good range for you to consider. DJs in this bracket will have several years of experience, having played dozens of weddings. You can expect professional etiquette, quality gear designed for frequent, professional use (and backups of everything) and fluent MCing skills with the ability to properly introduce important people or moments. Their music knowledge is vast, and they know the right song for the right moment. Mixing skills will be strong and song transitions will be smooth and seamless. Their experience allows them to anticipate and avoid potential disastrous moments, and their intuition aids them in matching the music with the vibe.
$5,000 - $10,000
If you feel that music is the most important element for your wedding, and you are a fierce critic of all-things entertainment, you will find some very high-quality DJs in this range. Expect unmatched musical competency and exceptional talent in all areas of performance. The gear they use is sourced from the top brands in existence. They are communicating frequently with your venue and planner to create a thorough plan and orchestrate a flawless experience. Their skills are the result of DJing hundreds of weddings, and they are spending dozens of hours preparing for yours. You should expect a remarkable breadth of knowledge when it comes to genres and styles of music, a near-psychic ability to read a room and make appropriate song selections, and an MCing style that is both incredibly engaging and effortless. They possess superior mixing skills and may incorporate additional elements into the performance, such as live musicians or performers. Knowing their role extends beyond music and mic skills, your DJ will be sure to have impeccable presentation in both their DJ setup and attire.
$10,000+
At this level, you are hiring one of the best wedding DJs in the country and/or a celebrity DJ. (“Celebrity” talent is priced with slightly different criteria, so for the sake of a fair comparison, we’ll assume your DJ is not a household name.) Their experience likely surpasses 20 years and may extend into other industries such as radio, television, music production, etc. They are called upon by the top wedding and event planners in the world, and trusted unconditionally to deliver an exceptional performance every time. They may not be local to your wedding location, but they frequently travel to various destinations and are comfortable with the process. They have razor-sharp precision when it comes to their mixing skills, and are practically able to remove your appendix with a turntable. Above all, they offer complete peace of mind that your event will be handled and executed at a level most can only dream of. Your wedding is guaranteed to be unique, memorable, and unprecedentedly fun. Not to mention, a packed dance floor.
When choosing your price point, ask yourself, “How important is music to me?”
It may seem like an obvious question, but everyone thinks about music differently. If having an aesthetic wedding takes precedence over everything else, you may choose to spend less on a DJ than someone who lives and breathes music. You could also get away with a cheaper option if you are OK with hearing the typical, routine songs played at many weddings.
It’s important to realize that music may be more important to your guests than it is to you. Nothing affects the way your guests feel more than the music and no other vendor has the ability to single-handedly make your wedding experience spectacular or disastrous. They may not remember all the songs they heard, but they will remember how they felt. What lasting impression do you want your guests to have: “Just another wedding” or “Wow, I’ve never experienced anything like that. When are they doing vow renewals?”