This is what I have for my dj packages.

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jokerswild said:
Ok....

Here's something to chomp on... you and I have been DJ'n for about as long but, I believe I've been doing weddings longer.... but that's not the point...

I've booked weddings from anywhere between 4-6 hours and 9 times out of 10 the ones that have booked 6 hours typically tire out within 5 hours and most of the guests are gone in 4...

Now here's another consideration... you say something about selling a timeline.... are you even considering the photog or videographer in this time line??? Most want outta there as soon as the last formality is done.... you're not even starting them until around 8pm.... if I were a photographer I'd be pissed.....
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Thats standard around here.

Supper is usually at roughly 6-7 pm. How can you do the formalities any sooner?

AND!

Normally the photographer already charges for the second location and they cover the cake cutting. Very rarely does the photographers stick around long enough for the dance.

The last wedding I did, was the first time I ever had a problem with a photographer.

The wedding party did not start til 10pm...and by 10:30 the photographer was trying to rush every formality planned within like 15 minutes.

So this is what we did...and it sucked horribly.

To save a few dollars on the photographer..they did 5 formalities in a row.

1) Garter Auction
2) Sister Auction
3) Ball and Chain Auction
4) Money Dance
5) Bouquest Toss


I at most personally prefer to do 2 formalities in a row. By the ball and chain auction..I could see people were like "WTF"...and I felt the same..but hey..I was paid to do their wishes that night..their night, not mine.

I gave advice on how the night runs smoother, and they agreed to it at the meeting. But that night, 4 out 5 things we discussed were changed. So I had to do this stuff on the fly.

And still managed to pull in my first bigger tip $150! WOOP WOOP


What do ya do?
 
Dragging out the formalities just doesn't work around here... people get restless and guest start to leave..... you can only draw out the dinner music so long before they start askin' when the dance music is going to start.....

typical 6 hour reception

5pm Guests arrive (cocktails music played)
5:30 ~ 6pm Bridal party intros
~6pm Dinner
~6:20pm speeches
~6:30 Cake Cutting
~7pm 1st dance
7:05pm F/D dance
7:10pm M/S
7:15pm bridal party dance
7:20pm bouquet
7:30pm garter
7:40pm money dance
8pm open dance
10:55 Last dance

Basically once the formalities start.... we don't stop until they are done... opening the dance floor between then closing tends to kill the dance floor... plus people begin to leave about as soon as dinner is done regardless... which is why once we start them we don't stop because if we do we loose a few each time... believe me I've tried it.

Like you I'm not selling hours... if I were I would be selling 6 hours of service that includes the time to setup and tear down.... leaving 4 hours of actual music..... instead I package that at a higher rate than I charge for additional hours....

Example:

Package cost $599 for 4 hours of music right.... ok
additional hours $75.00

With me so far....

at $75/hour thats $300.00 for 4 hours so what is that additional $299? That is what I figure my time is worth from consultation to strike and I package it up with 4 hours of muisic.

Now if they want to go 2 additoinal hours I only charge $75/hour extra if booked in advance... at the event however it's double that if they want overtime.

Here's my premise: KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) I book al'acart for a reason.... they don't get more then they want and they pay for what they want... simple huh?
 
I'm lost....


Seperate anything wedding from anything party.

Put them on different papers.

You don't need to name everything included like dances and songs and such.

Wedding packages to me are:


Basic Package

Then packages that include extra lighting, uplighting, monograms, and photo montoages.
 
And I said no also. My reasons are many. I don't like packages. You get 100% of what I got for everything. I am a 2 speaker on sticks and a small light tree DJ. I know, I am not professional according to some power posters.

You can say if you have a larger group, I would need more gear. NO YOU DON'T!!! Unless you are filling a stadium, the dance floor is where the music needs to be and a small system works great for that. School Dances are a different animal.

Make a wedding package. One package. Set your price and stick to it. Get a set up for the weddings and make it permanent (unless you change something out etc).

You are dealing with the same kind of venues in Northern MN as I am in Central. No need to have multiple packages with extra speakers just to get a higher price.

Some may not think so but using more isn't always better. You are an entertainer. Do a great job at that and they won't even notice you don't have all the extra gear some think is what makes a DJ.

YMMV and use your common sense when you do need to adjust something.
 
Karl Langford said:
And I said no also. My reasons are many. I don't like packages. You get 100% of what I got for everything. I am a 2 speaker on sticks and a small light tree DJ. I know, I am not professional according to some power posters.

You can say if you have a larger group, I would need more gear. NO YOU DON'T!!! Unless you are filling a stadium, the dance floor is where the music needs to be and a small system works great for that. School Dances are a different animal.

Make a wedding package. One package. Set your price and stick to it. Get a set up for the weddings and make it permanent (unless you change something out etc).

You are dealing with the same kind of venues in Northern MN as I am in Central. No need to have multiple packages with extra speakers just to get a higher price.

Some may not think so but using more isn't always better. You are an entertainer. Do a great job at that and they won't even notice you don't have all the extra gear some think is what makes a DJ.

YMMV and use your common sense when you do need to adjust something.
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I do have an elegant setup for weddings. However if the bride and groom would like to go to more of a club style show..they need to pony up the $200.

This package is by far going to take care of all their needs.

And kinda on the same thinking...

The "ONLY" reason I listed everything all out like I did..is simply because, some people need to see all they are getting for that one price.

It's a value thing.




And yes..when I am showing the pakcages to a wedding client..they will be looking at one thing. No reason for them to even take a peek at the other parties. Likewise if I am selling a "other" party....no reason to show the wedding price.
 
I am super suprised you all are done early!

We typically go until 1am. Only one time was I done before midnight, because the bride and groom jetted at 10pm to get a jump on their honeymoon, and they asked me to entertain the other guests until that time.

People are just getting in the party mood at 11pm!
 
Check out my 'big packages' <- Done in the best Festrunk Brothers imitation. ;)

77afestrunks2.jpg
 
DJMN said:
I am super suprised you all are done early!

We typically go until 1am. Only one time was I done before midnight, because the bride and groom jetted at 10pm to get a jump on their honeymoon, and they asked me to entertain the other guests until that time.

People are just getting in the party mood at 11pm!
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I had a wedding in January where we started at 1:00 and I was home before 8.

It is all about the timing. Dinner is my key. I start 30 minutes before dinner and go 6 hours. If they want longer, I have no problem going into OT. They must pay and make sure it is ok with the venue.
 
Yea..I'm not into the whole "extra" OT hours thing.

I just throw it in so my clients don't have to worry about coughing up more cash to keep going.

From my wedding experience..there was only about 20 people left at 12:30....

Because this group was having a complete blast still...it was a tough decision to go the extra half hour..(which was charged for a full hour).......but we were having lots of fun.

Normally for a 1/2 in the past I would just throw it in anyways...because I know what that experience was like.

There was one time I stuck to my guns on a wedding....and OT.

I told the B and G..extra hours were $100 per hour. Well our last song rolled around..and I mentioned the dealio on the mic, as the bride and groom figured the guests will pony up the cash to keep going..(cheap I know)

anyways...

So as people were collecting..I kept playing knowing how easy it was going to be to get the cash.....

And this is where my horrible experience comes into play.

The dad of the groom comes up to me with $50. He says take it or leave it...I said the bride and groom got a super deal already, and this was our agreement. He got in my face and said "Hey this is $25 for you, and $25 for your friend, and the deal you gave them does nothing for me." He then began to cuss me out and say things like "How does it feel to be taking money from broke college kids".......I didnt respond..but I wanted to say..."And what about my family at home?" I never did..sometimes you just need to shut up.

Needless to say...I was ready to pack. I knew this party was going to go late..it was at a private residence, and there was 450 guests at this thing.

Finally, the mom of the groom came up..and got him away.

This is the last time I try to collect for extra hours.

I just charge appropriately in the first place..and not worry about the rest. That was beyond a super horrible experience.
 
Karl Langford said:
I had a wedding in January where we started at 1:00 and I was home before 8.

It is all about the timing. Dinner is my key. I start 30 minutes before dinner and go 6 hours. If they want longer, I have no problem going into OT. They must pay and make sure it is ok with the venue.
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I guess if I ever get taken to the cleaners on a deal like this...then I will have to change my strategy.

But regardless..my package is up to 4 hours cocktail or dinner...and up to 5 hours dj. That would put me a 9pm on that wedding you did.


I would refuse OT at this point. 5 hours dj is way more than enough. Anything over 4 can get pretty tedious.
 
What do you mean taken to the cleaners? This is how the timing worked. Dinner was at 1:30, done at 7:00. Unless I am misunderstanding what you mean.
 
Interesting point you guys have brought up. Do you get more bookings if you say "X" dollars for 4 hours plus "$X" for each additional hour or if you say "X" dollars total (in a package) for the same amount of time? (Equally the same pay.)


Weddings in this area, run from 8 PM until 1 AM.

Half the weddings start at 6 PM and go until 1 AM.

I even had some weddings that go until 2 A.M.

I've had a few weddings in the past years that have gone until 4 A.M.
 
Abbey Lane said:
Interesting point you guys have brought up. Do you get more bookings if you say "X" dollars for 4 hours plus "$X" for each additional hour or if you say "X" dollars total (in a package) for the same amount of time? (Equally the same pay.)


Weddings in this area, run from 8 PM until 1 AM.

Half the weddings start at 6 PM and go until 1 AM.

I even had some weddings that go until 2 A.M.

I've had a few weddings in the past years that have gone until 4 A.M.
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This precisely how I do it.... I have a 4 hour package for, and I'm going to lay down actual current price for the sake of argument, $599.00 this includes planning, emcee, sound, and what is needed no lights. Then if they want extra hours as long as they are booked on the contract then they are $75/hour. If however they don't book the extra time in advance then it is considered OT at the event and is subject to venue availability and at a charge of $150/hour billable in half hour increments at start of the half hour. (Not the same money)

It costs more to add it at the event so I tell all inquiries if you think you will go longer than 4 hours book the extra now and save money.

That's it then there are the add-on options for lighting etc.
 
every area is going to have different standard for weddings.... You can not compare what you do in your area to what others do in theirs....

Here on Maui 90% of my weddings end at 10pm,,,, 50% are 3 hours long.....

getting back to the flyer... I personally think the art work is not "wedding " enough.... I think it should appeal to the brides sense of romance..... the flyer looks more hip/club/ school dance to me....

But again it just depends on what image you want to show... that is your choice...
 
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