Is a $1,200 to $1,600 for a 5 to 6 hour Wedding DJ a Low End Budget DJ?

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DO you consider a DJ who charges $1,200 to $1,500 to be a low end Wedding DJ?

  • Yes, DJs in this price range are working low end weddings, and are in the lower range of price.

    Votes: 2 7.4%
  • VERY LOW END. All DJs priced below $1,600 are low end DJs working low end events

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • No. This is a middle range price for a Wedding DJ

    Votes: 15 55.6%
  • No. This is Upper Cusp of the Middle Range nearing the High End

    Votes: 7 25.9%
  • That is rediculous. $1,200 to $1,600 is a high end Wedding DJ Price

    Votes: 3 11.1%

  • Total voters
    27
That is rediculous. Must be a bunch of gullilble wedding vendors with money to blow out there. Are wedding vendors that desperate for business they will shell out crazy amounts of money and throw it at these bridal shows out there? ...For half of that $8,000 bridal show booth price, I could have a retail store front for a month, and work leads from a retail stand . What city market are you in?

I consider bridal shows above $995 to pretty much be a rip off for the vendors, and the ones that are $495 to $995 are a big if on if they are worth the time and expense.

I have done 3 wedding fairs. One was for budget brides, the booth was $750 + $100 prize for 6 hours, only 19 brides showed. never booked a wedding.
The next 2 were around $1800 for a booth + a $250 prize about a 100 brides each. I think I booked 3 weddings total.

The 3 large wedding fairs get about 2500 brides.

I have been to DJ expo and sat at a 3 hour talk talking how to sell at wedding fairs. I have read books on wedding fair marketing. I do what they say, ask the questions, shake the hands, dress the part. But here ( Vancouver Canada ) what they say for booth price to what it is in the USA is way different. Here some people's full time job is planning 1 wedding fair a year, and they make $40,000 to $50,000 a year selling booths at that one show. I know one wedding planner, she told me she makes more money from her 2 wedding fairs than she does planning weddings.
 
I work for a large multi-op with franchises across the country, in my area (Kansas) we are charging just under 1K ($995 before taxes and possible travel costs) for 5 hours. That can be just the dance or the cocktail/dinner/dance. Most of the jobs I do are 6-8 hours (I've got an 8.5 hr job coming up next week that is ceremony and reception). When I was working wedding fairs this winter for our more rural clients (which I mostly serve), we were considered one of the more expensive options, this is at least what I've been told. When I've talked to friends that are DJs with other companies, we are slightly more expensive but not overly so.

We do probably...95% weddings. The reminder is Homecomings, proms, anniversary dances, etc.

I bring this up, because it absolutely has to do with area and the region and the customers expectations.
 
I work for a large multi-op with franchises across the country, in my area (Kansas) we are charging just under 1K ($995 before taxes and possible travel costs) for 5 hours. That can be just the dance or the cocktail/dinner/dance. Most of the jobs I do are 6-8 hours (I've got an 8.5 hr job coming up next week that is ceremony and reception). When I was working wedding fairs this winter for our more rural clients (which I mostly serve), we were considered one of the more expensive options, this is at least what I've been told. When I've talked to friends that are DJs with other companies, we are slightly more expensive but not overly so.

We do probably...95% weddings. The reminder is Homecomings, proms, anniversary dances, etc.

I bring this up, because it absolutely has to do with area and the region and the customers expectations.

I agree 100%. I have talked with guys that work 300 miles away. There prices are way lower than here. There advertising costs are lower, there wedding fairs coast less, but at the same time there weddings pay half of what they pay here. So yes its all about region
 
I am in a big city, west coast. Here you have to beat off the bottom feeders. 75% of the calls I get to do a wedding, I give them all my info, what packages I offer what price I charge.
For a seven hour wedding I go from $850 for basic up to $1400 for everything. Most people pick the $1000 to $ 1200 packages. They then tell me there are other guys offering the same package for $350 and would I match the price. Second problem there are 3 big dj company's here that do all wedding fairs, they pay extra to be the only dj company's at the wedding fairs.
they charge $2000 to $3500 per wedding. now here is the kicker, they book the wedding, then they put wedding out to sub contract to a smaller dj. They offer $250 to $350 per wedding.
That would be ok, if you were just the dj and they supplied all the gear. when you bid on the wedding they tell you what gear you have to have to sub contract for them. So all they are really is a contract flipper.
I was going to put a like to your post until you said a multi OP getting paid $2,000-3,500 paying a DJ $250-350 would be OK if they supplied the gear. Not to me. The pay should start at $500 to pay a DJ if they are getting paid that much. Now I could see if it's someone just starting out and needing to get their feet wet. I just have an issue with them taking you through a thorough interview and then wanting to pay you pocket change.

My other concern is how good a DJ will the client get when all the DJ is getting paid such a small amount? Will that DJ be properly dressed and know how to carry themselves as a true professional?
 
I was going to put a like to your post until you said a multi OP getting paid $2,000-3,500 paying a DJ $250-350 would be OK if they supplied the gear. Not to me. The pay should start at $500 to pay a DJ if they are getting paid that much. Now I could see if it's someone just starting out and needing to get their feet wet. I just have an issue with them taking you through a thorough interview and then wanting to pay you pocket change.

My other concern is how good a DJ will the client get when all the DJ is getting paid such a small amount? Will that DJ be properly dressed and know how to carry themselves as a true professional?

That was sort of my point, you hire the big Dj multi op company, they sell you a package for $3000, tell you one of there best DJ's will do you wedding, show you his pic, his bio, tell you that you are getting a top notch sound system. When it comes time for your wedding, you get a DJ that they found at the last minute that would work for the lowest price.
I have herd so many horror stories of couples paying $3000 for DJ Rico ( or who ever ) from a multi op. and at there wedding dj ted shows up with a pair of old speakers, a couple of cd players. wearing jeans and t shirt. no info about the wedding, does not have any of there special songs. and to top it off DJ ted keeps asking the bride to give him 5 stares on his DJ page.
 
That was sort of my point, you hire the big Dj multi op company, they sell you a package for $3000, tell you one of there best DJ's will do you wedding, show you his pic, his bio, tell you that you are getting a top notch sound system. When it comes time for your wedding, you get a DJ that they found at the last minute that would work for the lowest price.
I have herd so many horror stories of couples paying $3000 for DJ Rico ( or who ever ) from a multi op. and at there wedding dj ted shows up with a pair of old speakers, a couple of cd players. wearing jeans and t shirt. no info about the wedding, does not have any of there special songs. and to top it off DJ ted keeps asking the bride to give him 5 stares on his DJ page.
My point was this. If I found out how much the multi OP was getting paid I certainly wouldn't work for $350. I personally don't see anything wrong with a DJ that uses CD players and CD's. That's not a big deal to me. My thing is do they know what they are doing?

I personally wouldn't care to use their setup. It would have to be something I feel comfortable with and I can do a good job. Certain setups I would have a hard time with because I'm used to working with certain professional equipment. I can easily play on a pair of CDJ players because I used to own 4 at one time. So no biggie. There are just certain things I can't stand and would not work well for me. Bottom line is don't sell yourself for cheap. If you know your true worth then ask for it. Hell command it!
 
So what would any of you consider to be a good price for a DJ doing a wedding lasting 5-6 hours? What would you include in that price?
 
That is rediculous. Must be a bunch of gullilble wedding vendors with money to blow out there. Are wedding vendors that desperate for business they will shell out crazy amounts of money and throw it at these bridal shows out there? ...For half of that $8,000 bridal show booth price, I could have a retail store front for a month, and work leads from a retail stand . What city market are you in?

I consider bridal shows above $995 to pretty much be a rip off for the vendors, and the ones that are $495 to $995 are a big if on if they are worth the time and expense.

You spent $5000 for $30,000 in revenue they spend $90,000 for revenue of over a million.....

My point was this. If I found out how much the multi OP was getting paid I certainly wouldn't work for $350. I personally don't see anything wrong with a DJ that uses CD players and CD's. That's not a big deal to me. My thing is do they know what they are doing?

I personally wouldn't care to use their setup. It would have to be something I feel comfortable with and I can do a good job. Certain setups I would have a hard time with because I'm used to working with certain professional equipment. I can easily play on a pair of CDJ players because I used to own 4 at one time. So no biggie. There are just certain things I can't stand and would not work well for me. Bottom line is don't sell yourself for cheap. If you know your true worth then ask for it. Hell command it!

It's none of your business what the multi-op charges. They call you and make an offer you have 2 choices accept it or negotiate your deal. If you negotiate you either get more or not then it's yes or no. NO multi-op is going to voluntarily tell you what they charge just what they pay
 
You spent $5000 for $30,000 in revenue they spend $90,000 for revenue of over a million.....



It's none of your business what the multi-op charges. They call you and make an offer you have 2 choices accept it or negotiate your deal. If you negotiate you either get more or not then it's yes or no. NO multi-op is going to voluntarily tell you what they charge just what they pay
I hear you and I already know most are low establishments to begin with. Only concerned about themselves and how they can get over on people if you let them.

Now there was a song by Steve Arrington Nobody Can Be You But You. So what difference does it make if someone else charges what they do? What is your price and are people willing to pay your price?
You spent $5000 for $30,000 in revenue they spend $90,000 for revenue of over a million.....



It's none of your business what the multi-op charges. They call you and make an offer you have 2 choices accept it or negotiate your deal. If you negotiate you either get more or not then it's yes or no. NO multi-op is going to voluntarily tell you what they charge just what they pay
I hear you and most of those operations to me are scum bags only concerned about themselves. If they can get over on people some will. It's all about a profit margin.

Now what about what another DJ charges? What does that have to do with you and how does it affect you and your business? Steve Arrington has a song called Nobody Can Be You But You. What is your price and are potential clients willing to pay your price? That's what I feel is important. What is working best for you?
 
So what would any of you consider to be a good price for a DJ doing a wedding lasting 5-6 hours? What would you include in that price?
Mix .. you have asked the same basic question dozens of times .. and the answer always is .. it depends.
 
Mix .. you have asked the same basic question dozens of times .. and the answer always is .. it depends.
Yes I ask that question because there's no definitive answer. It should be about you and what you can get paid on a regular basis. A DJ can claim to be a $1,000 DJ but how many times does get paid that much? If it's just a 1 time thing then that DJ is not a $1,000. They just got lucky once .

Taso is excellent at what he does. Does that mean everyone can be like him? He said he has 300 videos of him doing events. Anybody here come close to that?
 
Yes I ask that question because there's no definitive answer. It should be about you and what you can get paid on a regular basis. A DJ can claim to be a $1,000 DJ but how many times does get paid that much? If it's just a 1 time thing then that DJ is not a $1,000. They just got lucky once .

Taso is excellent at what he does. Does that mean everyone can be like him? He said he has 300 videos of him doing events. Anybody here come close to that?

I have over a thousand from events None as good as Tasos and I also don't make the money he does
 
DO you consider a DJ who charges $1,200 to $1,500 to be a low end Wedding DJ?

  • Yes, DJs in this price range are working low end weddings, and are in the lower range of price.
  • VERY LOW END. All DJs priced below $1,600 are low end DJs working low end events
  • No. This is a middle range price for a Wedding DJ
  • No. This is Upper Cusp of the Middle Range nearing the High End
  • That is rediculous. $1,200 to $1,600 is a high end Wedding DJ Price
  • How much wood would a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?
 
What is your price to do a wedding that's 5-6 hours? Also what does the bride get for that price?
 
What is your price to do a wedding that's 5-6 hours? Also what does the bride get for that price?
You asked this same exact question in Post #67. Please see Post #70 for your answer. In case you don't know how to find it, here it is.
Mix .. you have asked the same basic question dozens of times .. and the answer always is .. it depends.