Weddings Pricing out of town wedding.

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DJ Cam

New DJ
Oct 20, 2006
3,927
0
45
Pittsburgh, PA
www.djcamonline.com
I have been contacted by a client they would like to book me for their 2012 wedding. I had performed a wedding the Groom had been the best man earlier this year. Well the couple has determined they would like me for their wedding reception.

I would like to give them a fair price and not sell myself short.

Travel is 6 hours and 310 miles each way.

A room at the hotel of reception is $199 a night.


I was thinking $600 for travel, + $199 for a room, $150 for other expenses.

$999 for 5 hour wedding

So with no extras, They are at $1950.


Seems expensive to me, should I book them or refer them to a DJ in the area?

Do you think my charges are correct?
 
For me - I book travel based on how many tanks of gas I need...I don't charge my time to drive as I am choosing to make the trip.... For me travel would be $350; $200 for the room and $50 for meals + the gig rate....Anyway that's me; 1950 isn't out of the realm of a reasonable charge...for you. If the locals charge $1500; it won't look so bad...
 
Work the price of the room into the charge for the event. You wouldn't want to find out that the couple saved a few bucks and used Priceline to book you into the flea-bite motel... As for mileage, the US Gov't gives a great guideline (I believe $.55 a mile??) under the tax code...

310 miles x 2ways = 620 miles -> $341.00. 12 hours travel (say at $25.00 per hour, to be fair) -> $300.00. Per diem for food (2 days) -> $100.00. Room $200.00. $1000.00 Event charges. Total -> $1941.

Personally, I'd say your quote is pretty much "spot-on..."
 
Cam, if they expect you to come to them...then they are aware of expenses associated with travel. However, were they aware that you were charging a fee of $999 for 5-hours? If so, then Zac's figures are pretty solid. However, if you feel it's still a little high, then charge only 1-way travel + time; reduce the total by $310. Revised figure $1631. :)
 
I would stick to the figure for travel. If you were doing a local gig would you be charging for meals day of ? I might cut that number a bit but not the travel and lodging. I did a gig last summer which I got two nights included and 50 cent per kilometer but didnt charge meal rate. I walked away with 1999 on top of that. Nearly broke the 2K mark one time in my career!!
 
i agree that they should pay for your travel expenses but you have to think that they would prob feed you at the reception and if you are only traveling 6 hrs you would only have to eat once or twice on the road... i believe you should keep your rate for the event but reduce the food expense, plus with the groom already knowing the work you do the references and potential business opportunities with the other guests have increased quite a bit.... so if you take that into consideration i would personally charge 1500 but minus food costs you could def get away with charging them 1600 or 1700
 
scruff33187 said:
i agree that they should pay for your travel expenses but you have to think that they would prob feed you at the reception and if you are only traveling 6 hrs you would only have to eat once or twice on the road... i believe you should keep your rate for the event but reduce the food expense, plus with the groom already knowing the work you do the references and potential business opportunities with the other guests have increased quite a bit.... so if you take that into consideration i would personally charge 1500 but minus food costs you could def get away with charging them 1600 or 1700
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Are you a Full Time or Part Time/Hobbyist DJ? The reason why I ask is, that kind of thinking lends itself to a Part Timer/Hobbyist who is only interested in getting any gig, not new business. Sorry if I am incorrect.
 
DJ Cam said:
I have been contacted by a client they would like to book me for their 2012 wedding. I had performed a wedding the Groom had been the best man earlier this year. Well the couple has determined they would like me for their wedding reception.

I would like to give them a fair price and not sell myself short.

Travel is 6 hours and 310 miles each way.

A room at the hotel of reception is $199 a night.


I was thinking $600 for travel, + $199 for a room, $150 for other expenses.

$999 for 5 hour wedding

So with no extras, They are at $1950.


Seems expensive to me, should I book them or refer them to a DJ in the area?

Do you think my charges are correct?
Click to expand...
Do what is best for you. The main thing you have to remember is, are you doing this as a business for profit or a Hobby just to get Kudos?
I think your price is fair if not cheap considering the circumstances.
 
Forget the $0.55 per mile, cost of gas, meals, etc.

Charge for your time. If you are driving 12 hours round trip that is enough time to have booked a 2nd wedding locally. Right there is the justification for charging double what you would local. Additionally, you are staying overnight - which is both an expense and more time set aside to service this one customer.

If you are typically $999 locally, then $1,950.00 is a steal.

You might also consider contacting local agents or DJ companies in that area to let them know you are coming. Ask if they have any jobs you can assist with. You could make a whole weekend of it and pick up additional jobs and money in that same area.
 
Thank You for the thoughts. I spoke with the client today, we are scheduling a contract meeting and to iron out all details.

It ended up with $1750 and client is providing a room at the hotel as they are booking a block of rooms.


Anyone know any lighting companies in Philadelphia, PA? Need 24 uplights, 4 moving heads on vertical truss, 2 washes for dance floor, and an effect like a Martin wizard.
 
it's not that i am looking for any gig, its the fact that if you give a good product and your price isn't outrageous you can gain a lot more business.... sometimes booking one event can determine if you book two or three more with recommendations, i wouldn't just accept any gig but the outcome of gaining business can be due to lower prices and services. not saying you should rob yourself but if someone at that wedding was getting married in the future and needed a dj the newlyweds can effect whether or not they come to you for your services. if it were me i would want them to talk more about my performance rather than price.
 
DJ CAM thats what I meant a room where the wedding party is staying, attached to part of their bill its not so much a big deal I ved worked priceline before good and bad,,, works both ways, glad you got it worked out
 
DJ Cam said:
Thank You for the thoughts. I spoke with the client today, we are scheduling a contract meeting and to iron out all details.

It ended up with $1750 and client is providing a room at the hotel as they are booking a block of rooms.


Anyone know any lighting companies in Philadelphia, PA? Need 24 uplights, 4 moving heads on vertical truss, 2 washes for dance floor, and an effect like a Martin wizard.
Click to expand...

I may have a connection for you. Shoot me a PM with your phone number.
 
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