DJ Advice Please

srlgh

My fiance's jobs for arranging the wedding were DJ and rings (he works at a jewellers so that ones easy)

I tried to give him a push to sort the DJ and asked on facebook if anyone knew of any good DJ's (last thing we want is a crap DJ so thought we would go on recommendations)

One friend wrote back and said she'd give me details and at work told me he was a little dear but he was good and said he was about £300.

I got round to contacting him last night (as he know's my friend I said I'd do it rather than my fiance) and he blew us away with what he could offer us and then told us the price and he was so nice I came off the phone very positive and said I'd get back to him. Today I'm thinking... hang on he is charging me more than my dress.... and just a little under what we pay for our mortage a month. I know we are spending a lot of a photographer but they are thing we get to keep and a DJ is just for the day.

He is offering a small rig for the ceremony to play music walking down the aisle etc. Music during the wedding breakfast and use of the mic's and then disco in the evening. All this for £575. My fiance said that was good but I'm not sure now looking at it logically.

We are going to get more quotes obviously but firstly does anyone know any good DJ's in Essex (Southend way) and secondly what is the average you've paid/are going to pay?

We are at a party tomorrow with a DJ so will see what he is like. We only were looking at an evening DJ and the package sounded so great but it seems a lot now thinking about it. It's good they have back up DJ's and music etc but just not sure now.

It's a Thursday too so it's not a peak night. Also our wedding isn't until 2.30pm so it's not as if it's all day.

TamVilla80

Do you need the day part? Most venues just play the music for you, and tend to have a pretty good set up as they do weddings all the time?

We are having a dj for just the evening part (playing 7pm - 12.30am) and they charge £250

sammy_wheeler

that is very expensive-
my venue had a cd player and played the music through that when walking down aisle, signing the register and back down the aisle

i had background music from dj from 5-7.30 then first dance and disco until 1am
i paid under £280

when you say he blew you away-- how do you mean?- obviously they want you to book them so they make you think you are getting more than you need/what/should be paying for!

do you need mics for the speeches?- the men just spoke in their speeches- they didnt need a mic!

i think you are getting ripped off and unfortuintely (sp) sucked in by the selling speak
has your venue got a recommendation? thats where ii got mine from

ellay864

My OH is a DJ...he charges about £250 for a full evening but if he was doing a full day he'd not charge that much extra (no more than £350) as doing the daytime stuff wouldn't be nearly as much work. In the evening you're keeping a party going, gauging the mood of the guests, keeping stuff they like for dancing, taking requests...in the day you'd be basicallt just putting on a playlist of background stuff. The rig would be there for the whole thing anyway and to imply he's charging for you to use the mics is mad! Most venues will have the facility to play your daytime background music, so I wouldn't let him charge you that much extra for daytime work

srlgh

Hi

Thanks for your comments.

I'm checking the venue re their sound system for the ceremony, I think they have a speaker system set up but just checking.

We do need to mic's, the best man isn't very loud and don't think he would get people's attention so we were actually thinking of getting a toastmaster if not, so this would be much easier (I don't really want a toastmaster but we may have to get one to annouce speaches if not)

I've sent off for a few more quotes. The DJ just seemed to know what he was talking about and said about arranging no playlists as well as songs we definately want too etc and they always have back up DJ's in case of breakdowns etc, but I guess it was just the way he was selling it afterall he was really selling himself.

Just mentioned it to my fiance, as he has been at work and only just got in, and he said he thought that was an ok price lol but then we don't know anything else and although we have the money we don't want to over pay.

If anyone knows any good DJ's in Essex please let me know I've messaged a few so hopefully will get a few quotes soon.

sammy_wheeler

how big is your room and how many guests are you having? i really doubt your best man needs a mic--- and toastmaster-- our wedding coordinator did this- and charged nothing- so dont get conned into paying for one too- its only someone speaking loudly and announing stuff!

that dj sounds like he can talk the talk and has really sucked u in-- so i am glad you said that he is selling himself-
your quote is well well over what is the normal and what you should pay for a dj
every dj will play what you want! We gave ours a defo dont play list and a defo do play list. and the guests asked for songs on the night
and in our contact with the dj it states that if he is unable to come then he will provide another one-- all supliers have this in their contacts anyway
and you should have wedding insurance anyway

i urge you not to book him!

gingerdab

srlgh wrote: »

I got round to contacting him last night (as he know's my friend I said I'd do it rather than my fiance) and he blew us away with what he could offer us and then told us the price and he was so nice I came off the phone very positive and said I'd get back to him. Today I'm thinking... hang on he is charging me more than my dress.... and just a little under what we pay for our mortage a month. I know we are spending a lot of a photographer but they are thing we get to keep and a DJ is just for the day. :eek:
..................................All this for £575. My fiance said that was good but I'm not sure now looking at it logically.

We are going to get more quotes obviously but firstly does anyone know any good DJ's in Essex (Southend way) and secondly what is the average you've paid/are going to pay?QUOTE]

Hi,
I would be interested to know what your budget is?
And what your mortgage payments have got to do with it I don`t know.
You pay less for a dj and it turns out crap but it doesn`t matter cos` its "just for a day".!!!!
Yeah, a day that you want to remember for the rest of your life as being enjoyable whether you have photographs or not.
I would go with your first impression of this dj. Sounds very professional indeed.

And when was it a crime to sell yourself?
If you have any kind of business you must be able to sell yourself as well as your product.
1,000`s of dj`s out there with speakers and lights. How can you get the well paid work out there instead of them??? Sell your yourself.

(Just "sold myself" to a couple getting married in the Highlands and wanting a disco.. a 6 hour round trip,overnight accomodation and a train up the mountains. They chose me rather than a local dj assuming because they liked me and felt they were in safe hands...for there day..)
I don`t charge as much as this guy but I would rather a prospective client chose someone more expensive than a cheapy.
Don`t under-estimate the value of a good dj. You won`t regret spending money on what really is a large part of your day.
Do enjoy your day when it comes.

Morphed

I used to work in the wedding DJ circuit, I didn't go out for less than 600 a night, and for that, I provided a service that no one would forget.

My equipment was top of the range, I was good at what I did ect ect.

I got bored of the mobile work and chucked it in to do what I love (house music ) My pay has taken a dive mind.

For that reason, I feel I can give you neutral advice:

Do NOT skimp on your DJ.


Unless you want a spotty kid or a bald overweight man with 1980s light boxes and maplins equipment with the DJ skills of Gordon Brown.

It's not as easy as it looks.

sweetilemon

Our DJ is charging £300, he knocked £50 off as i said £350 was too much. our dj will be set up for 7.30. I chose him over a guy at £150 as he seemwd much more professional and 'sold himself' to us when he was setting up for a staff party when we viewing the venue. i thought if the staff book him it cant be bad. i think the DJ provides a major part of the atmosphere so if they cant judge when to change songs it purs a downer on your evening party. i think the best advice is only book for the evening then ask for something off.

Mrs_Huggett

I can ask around the family and let you know, I have a nephew who used to muck about on his decks and he's just the right sort of age to know who is good around those parts, might take me a few days as he is on hols though, I will pm you.

Lorna2206

We are using a DJ that normally charges £850 for the evening - EXCELLENT DJ - you get what you pay for. As he is a friend (300 times removed) he has offered it to us for £650 and this includes him being the Toastmaster, Dj'ing from 7 till midnight and having screens up by the dance floor.