Weddings Venue wanting to use a mic from us...need your opinion

My only thought here is:
you said that they booked you long before hand and this was a venue change due to a bankruptcy
why didnt YOU sell the ceremony? Seems to me you had at least 2 very good opportunities, once when you were booked, and another when they had to search for another venue

AlbanyAMS said:

Also, it amazes me that some DJs charge $75-$125 per hour. I always thought it should be almost double of what your regular hourly would be.

But, everyone is different..

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Okay a little off topic here.... but, I will use me as an example....
I'm at roughly $100/hour if you only consider the time of the show itself and nothing about hours spent preparing, setting up, and tear down.... just the time between setup and tear down.

Now.... let's say the client wants overtime and well I want the extra dough-ray-me.

If I tell this client that the cost of overtime is $200/hour do you think they'll do it?

Or would they be more likely to want over time at say $150.00?

I know it's only $50 less but.... well let's face it 2 bills is a lot for overtime.... and isn't OT really just Time and a half at any other job?

People don't realize that after the last song there is Tear Down,Load Out and then the drive home..The later the gig goes,the tireder I am going to be driving home..So I put in my contract a pre-agreed number of available overtime hours(usually 1 or 2) at the regular rate...This itself can run the event into 7 Hours...Anything beyond that can be whatever I want to charge which may be Double the regular rate if after Midnight.

trafficgoo said:

Ashley Manor off the santan & 101

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I would not do it. That venue is one of my least favorite places to work at. The folks that run it are only nice to the DJs that pay them kickbacks/play for less money to be on their "referral list". (so the venue can make more money) They are rude & not pleasant to work with.

They are feeding you a line of BS...they MAKE money for doing the ceremonies, (it's added into their price) ...which takes it away from us DJs.

I avoid accepting gigs at that place because I make less money there. (the venue provides the mics & music for ceremonies)

I would tell them no. They did not hire me for the ceremony.

jokerswild said:

Okay a little off topic here.... but, I will use me as an example....
I'm at roughly $100/hour if you only consider the time of the show itself and nothing about hours spent preparing, setting up, and tear down.... just the time between setup and tear down.

Now.... let's say the client wants overtime and well I want the extra dough-ray-me.

If I tell this client that the cost of overtime is $200/hour do you think they'll do it?

Or would they be more likely to want over time at say $150.00?

I know it's only $50 less but.... well let's face it 2 bills is a lot for overtime.... and isn't OT really just Time and a half at any other job?

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I charge $250 per hour OT. with no problem. (I usually get 2 hrs OT at each event...that's $500!)

You are giving away your services if you are charging anything less than $175 per hour OT.

dj-tapout said:

My only thought here is:
you said that they booked you long before hand and this was a venue change due to a bankruptcy
why didnt YOU sell the ceremony? Seems to me you had at least 2 very good opportunities, once when you were booked, and another when they had to search for another venue

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You can't make any extra money (doing the ceremony) at this venue. They promote/provide everything for the ceremony (no need for a DJ) Whenever I play there it's for the reception only. (but the venue wants you to setup early)

That's why I say No. This is their problem. That's why they were hired & are paid for it. It would like you going up to the venue during the reception & ask if they have a backup speaker you can use. They would probably say no! that's your responsibility...what you were hired for.

Bill Kexel said:

I charge $250 per hour OT. with no problem. (I usually get 2 hrs OT at each event...that's $500!)

You are giving away your services if you are charging anything less than $175 per hour OT.

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All those retiries in AZ must have Social Security checks to blow... but here in the midwest.... oh nevermind.... I was gonna zing ya somehow but lost my train of thought.... I must be getting senile.

jokerswild said:

All those retiries in AZ must have Social Security checks to blow... but here in the midwest.... oh nevermind.... I was gonna zing ya somehow but lost my train of thought.... I must be getting senile.

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Retirees? I don't DJ weddings for retirees. Believe it or not, we have folks here under 60. (millions)

I'm originally from the burbs of Chicago (small towns) & I was getting $100 per hour OT in 1992. (17 yrs. ago)

About 2 years ago I was attending an event at a country club was a guest. I have worked that venue many times as a DJ. I introduced myself to the staff as I came in, and make a big deal about finally getting to be a guest at an event here. =)

About an hour after I arrived, the venue coordinator came to me and asked if I happened to have a wireless mic in my car...??? It seems that the DJ in the other room did not have a wireless mic, and the venue wanted to borrow mine to use. I told them that my DJ gear (including the mics) was at the house, and I did not have anything with me that could be used. But...it did raise the question - what would I have done if I did have a mic in my car?

I suspect I would have told a little white lie and done the exact same thing. I like the venue...but still...I'm having a night off and a date with my wife! Bring some more wine, and then leave us alone.

Are DJ's always on a "busman's holiday"???