Would you DJ a wedding for $550 in 2021?

[Jeff Romard]

I agree 100% that not everyone is NOT cut out to be a great speaker, but that's also is true for the art of mixing dance music live, producing hits, or being an interactive entertainer. This reminds me of my time at Toastmaster's International where each week I had to evaluate a new speech and after about 10 speeches most had developed the confidence to deliver a speech, but that did not make them competent communicators.

I always suggest Toastmasters to anyone wanting to learn the art. I took the toastmasters public speaking course years ago it was a big learning experience for me. You hit the nail on the head there confidence and competence don't necessarily go hand in hand

 

[IceBurghDJ]

Yes.
That's my base package, I almost always get more, but work is work and I'd rather make $550 than sit home.

This sat I'm doing 4 hours w/photobooth for $875. it's a reception for a wedding they did last year, so first dance and toasts...first time i"ve sold the photo booth in 2 years...it's a PITA so I don't push it..thinking of updating it and pushing it, but then that means an investment of $500. With the van now it's soooo much easier to do the booth as I don't need to have someone put it in their car.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

I must say this before I get ready to leave the house. I'm waiting on a phone call. Today is my mother's funeral. I'm waiting for my youngest niece to pick me and my sister up.

To the OP I'm proud of you for getting the couple to pay you $700 for a 4 hour reception in a backyard with 25 people attending. I agree with you on this one about it might have been a tough sell at quoting the couple your normal price of $1,100. That most likely would have put you out of consideration. Especially since the event was not in a high end venue where you have to spend a lot of money to have an event there. Besides that you didn't need to use a lot of gear for that event.

Now let me ask Bob this question since you said the OP if presented it the right way that he could have gotten paid his normal rate. What would you have done to get them to pay you $1,100 to do that wedding instead of $700?

 

[dunlopj]

This reminds me of my time at Toastmaster's International where each week I had to evaluate a new speech and after about 10 speeches most had developed the confidence to deliver a speech, but that did not make them competent communicators.

I took Improv classes as well as a few Toastmaster seminars, but soon realized I had the skill already in my makeup. I was a great MC, communicator, orator and interactive entertainer.

But I was only an average at best at beat mixing. Yet guests still loved me....go figure!

 

[ProDJ Jose]

I took Improv classes as well as a few Toastmaster seminars, but soon realized I had the skill already in my makeup. I was a great MC, communicator, orator and interactive entertainer.

But I was only an average at best at beat mixing. Yet guests still loved me....go figure!

I love beat mixing and was good at it from the start. When I started with 2 B1s, a Gemini mx-2200, a JVC radio with line input, and trips to Rock & Soul & Vinyl mania to buy records to create my mix tapes, I never stopped practicing. I went to other friends apartments and I practiced with their equipment. I knew nothing about being an MC, so that was a challenge. I later had to learn to become an interactive entertainer and that took some time. Overall, I've loved the journey. I had no idea when I started out that one day I could provide my clients with a mini-concert experience.

Even though this thread is about pricing and weddings, I hope that the mods don't mind the deviation, and I thank them in advance.

 

[Proformance]

Sure enough, they found someone even cheaper than that rate and I still had to go and listen to Uncle Bill's horrible DJ set. I was not pleased.

Why? How on earth does any other DJ control you emotionally?

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

Why? How on earth does any other DJ control you emotionally?

You've never heard another DJ play that you knew was terrible? I can remember several occasions including myself my first time back performing for a crowd. I SUCKED! I kept working at it and I'm miles away from that DJ today. What I had to do was easy does it and just remember that was my first time back and I did it myself instead of asking for help. It was my God sons high school graduation party in the families backyard. At the time I wanted to run. My best friend made me finish. That's one of the best things he ever did to and for me.

 

[DJ Ricky B]

It's entirely realistic when you subtract the negative "can't do" attitude you appear to be applying.



You need to dry clean your clothes and do laundry anyway, so it's no more a direct expense of the wedding than would be the pencils on your desk. Such expense continues to exist absent any bookings, and they do not significantly change with more bookings. To put it plainly - your making excuses not to work hard. I see no reason why wearing suit would have any meaningful impact on what you charge. The DJ results will be the same and you're simply dressed appropriately or not. Performers and presenters regularly change clothes between periods on and off stage.

What you're really pointing out is that you need a lot more time than necessary to pull yourself together and get the job done. I don't - I move pretty fast, and can set up in a fraction of the time you allow yourself. I have a long track record of performing doubles while setting or striking other gigs before and after as well. A lot of that comes from working all week on other events. Social occasions like Wedding gigs seem small by comparison. As a result - you'll never find me delivering take-out food for Door-Dash - which is a striking contradiction to the way you assess expenses, risk, and the value of your time.

Hey don't hate the messenger! Not my fault you can't do math! Just understand that it takes more than 6 hours of your time to do a 4 hour wedding reception, and no need to claim you are the fastest, most competent working DJ out there either because we all know that is BS.

As for the dry cleaning, it is a cost directly related to deejaying events. At least for me. I literally only spend money on dry cleaning a suit because I DJ weddings. If I wasn't a DJ, I would never even step foot in a dry cleaners, and I probably wouldn't even own a suit. The cost to dry clean a 2 piece suit was maybe $6.00, and a Tux was like $9 when I first got into Deejaying in 2000.

 

[Albatross]

Why? How on earth does any other DJ control you emotionally?

I wasn't emotionally affected by the DJ. I was at a wedding I didnt necessarily want to be at because they aren't people I was close to, but felt obligated to attend. And I would have much rather been working than eating mediocre food and listening to music I wasn't enjoying.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

I wasn't emotionally affected by the DJ. I was at a wedding I didnt necessarily want to be at because they aren't people I was close to, but felt obligated to attend. And I would have much rather been working than eating medicare food and listening to music I wasn't enjoying.

I got to ask, where the people enjoying what the DJ played? I ask that question not as a put down. That's because I've been accused of playing music at a private event that I want to hear and not what the client and their guest want. What stuff that bores me to death might have the crowd going crazy.

 

[Albatross]

I got to ask, where the people enjoying what the DJ played? I ask that questio not as a put down. That's because I've been accused of playing music at a private event that I want to hear and not what the client and their guest want. What stuff that bores me to death might have the crowd going crazy.

Keep in mind this was like 11 years ago, my memory isn't perfect in terms of how other guests responded. My memory of it is that it was "fine." People danced, but it wasn't a barn burner.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

What I do is what my friend does too. If I'm going to be the DJ doing the event and I don't feel comfortable with doing the event I won't do the event. I don't do what some on here think I do. I don't tell any client that has booked us what to do. I do make suggestions when I feel it's right to do so. My reason is I want the event to turn out well for the client and us. I don't want people blaming us for something that is not going well that is not our fault.

 

[Proformance]

I wasn't emotionally affected by the DJ. I was at a wedding I didnt necessarily want to be at because they aren't people I was close to, but felt obligated to attend. And I would have much rather been working than eating mediocre food and listening to music I wasn't enjoying.

Wow.
Your response still begs the question why you attended a wedding for people whose invitation you resent (unless they were willing to pay you to attend) when you could easily RSVP and decline? I can't imagine your disposition would be any less obvious at the wedding than it is in your post and I hope no one with such an attitude would ever attend a wedding for someone in my family.

 

[Albatross]

Wow.
Your response still begs the question why you attended a wedding for people whose invitation you resent (unless they were willing to pay you to attend) when you could easily RSVP and decline? I can't imagine your disposition would be any less obvious at the wedding than it is in your post and I hope no one with such an attitude would ever attend a wedding for someone in my family.

My girlfriend at the time, now wife, was a bridesmaid. That's why I was there, as a date.

And you're right, I probably should have declined it anyway.

 

[DJ Ricky B]

Yes.
That's my base package, I almost always get more, but work is work and I'd rather make $550 than sit home.

This sat I'm doing 4 hours w/photobooth for $875. it's a reception for a wedding they did last year, so first dance and toasts...first time i"ve sold the photo booth in 2 years...it's a PITA so I don't push it..thinking of updating it and pushing it, but then that means an investment of $500. With the van now it's soooo much easier to do the booth as I don't need to have someone put it in their car.

Just curious: What does your base package include in terms of how far out of a drive you will do included? Or how far would you be willing to travel for a $550 wedding?

I am actually considering doing a Micro Wedding Package specifically for abnormally small weddings like the one I did for $700 weekend before last. I might actually advertise it on the website. Debating that though because I don't want to devalue or take away from my higher price point packages that I have come a long way to get to. I also don't want to fill my calendar with $700 weddings either so I would have to limit the booking time to open dates in the next 3 to 4 months.
Or I can just advertise this option on Craigslist only, and say it is for only specific upcoming open dates during upcoming months. Haven't decided yet.

 

[djtaso]

Just curious: What does your base package include in terms of how far out of a drive you will do included? Or how far would you be willing to travel for a $550 wedding?

I am actually considering doing a Micro Wedding Package specifically for abnormally small weddings like the one I did for $700 weekend before last. I might actually advertise it on the website. Debating that though because I don't want to devalue or take away from my higher price point packages that I have come a long way to get to. I also don't want to fill my calendar with $700 weddings either so I would have to limit the booking time to open dates in the next 3 to 4 months.
Or I can just advertise this option on Craigslist only, and say it is for only specific upcoming open dates during upcoming months. Haven't decided yet.

Do you really want to fill up your schedule and give away prime dates for $700? I'd keep that as a pocket offering... mentioned only when needed. Also... microweddings are gonna be phasing out soon. Limits are gone and larger weddings are gonna be happening in full force, making them appealing and the norm once again. Also... in all honesty... what difference does it make for a dj if its 20 or 200 guests?

 

[DJ Ricky B]

Also... in all honesty... what difference does it make for a dj if its 20 or 200 guests?

Well, HUGE Difference.

Micro Weddings are a piece of cake, and pretty relaxing to facilitate. They are also often during the day like 1 or 2 pm to 6 p.m. or so. They are much more laid back. If during the summer, can probably wear a polo shirt and the guests and clients really don't care. They are often back yard weddings.

Also, if I were booking them, they would be near by in my area likely in the county where I live, and under a 25 minute drive (And not in Baltimore City). Most of my regular bookings I am traveling 1 hour to 100 minutes away to do them.

I would also use my pair of 10" speakers...No Sub. No microphones needed for the ceremony if there is one. 1 sound system set up.

Most of my normal bookings are Three sound system set ups, mics for ceremony, light show or up lights. Much more time, and much more work. Granted a lot more money too, but 7 - 8 hours of my time, still have energy, and home by 7:30 p.m. vs 13+ hours of my time and home between 12:30 a.m. and 2:45 a.m. and really exhausted are the major differences.

I would not want to fill my calendar with $700 bookings, but if it helps book a open Saturday in the next 120 days where it is very unlikely a normal wedding booking will come my way at this point, then why not book them?

...Currently, for this summer, I have another wedding this Saturday. Then I have mostly open weekends coming up until September 4th. If one were to come in next week for an open August Saturday, to me at $700 it would be worth booking.

 

[Proformance]

Also... in all honesty... what difference does it make for a DJ if its 20 or 200 guests?

It makes a big difference to the client.

Scalability - it costs more to entertain 200 people than it does 20. For analogy, there are individuals who paint houses and companies that paint massive office buildings. The notion that either one is somehow giving themselves away or better qualified for the work of painting has no real merit. The scale of the work defines what is in the client's best interest and the business is either willing and able to meet that scale or not. There are also, of course - clients who don't for one reason or another act in their best interest. They are not the norm.

 

[djtaso]

Well, HUGE Difference.

Micro Weddings are a piece of cake, and pretty relaxing to facilitate. They are also often during the day like 1 or 2 pm to 6 p.m. or so. They are much more laid back. If during the summer, can probably wear a polo shirt and the guests and clients really don't care. They are often back yard weddings.

Also, if I were booking them, they would be near by in my area likely in the county where I live, and under a 25 minute drive (And not in Baltimore City). Most of my regular bookings I am traveling 1 hour to 100 minutes away to do them.

I would also use my pair of 10" speakers...No Sub. No microphones needed for the ceremony if there is one. 1 sound system set up.

Most of my normal bookings are Three sound system set ups, mics for ceremony, light show or up lights. Much more time, and much more work. Granted a lot more money too, but 7 - 8 hours of my time, still have energy, and home by 7:30 p.m. vs 13+ hours of my time and home between 12:30 a.m. and 2:45 a.m. and really exhausted are the major differences.

I would not want to fill my calendar with $700 bookings, but if it helps book a open Saturday in the next 120 days where it is very unlikely a normal wedding booking will come my way at this point, then why not book them?

...Currently, for this summer, I have another wedding this Saturday. Then I have mostly open weekends coming up until September 4th. If one were to come in next week for an open August Saturday, to me at $700 it would be worth booking.

So for me whose base package is $2500 for just sound... how would I benefit by doing micro weddings to justify a lower price. Same setup essentially, same planning, same dedication, same time given up. So again why would I want to discount other than to book a last minute event.

 

[djtaso]

It makes a big difference to the client.

Scalability - it costs more to entertain 200 people than it does 20. For analogy, there are individuals who paint houses and companies that paint massive office buildings. The notion that either one is somehow giving themselves away or better qualified for the work of painting has no real merit. The scale of the work defines what is in the client's best interest and the business is either willing and able to meet that scale or not. There are also, of course - clients who don't for one reason or another act in their best interest. They are not the norm.

See my above comment. No difference in scale for me... so why should my rate be dofferent