Wedding DJ...

nick_080880

Planning a wedding for next summer, and I'm looking to hire a DJ for the day, been quoted £500 for 12-12, does anyone know if this is a good price?
Thanks!

Emms

Ours was £120 for 5 hours if thats any help. Do you really need them for the whole day? We just played a cd during the meal etc.

Emma

iwanttosave_2

Ours is £350 for 7ish hours.

Becles

nick_080880 wrote: »

Planning a wedding for next summer, and I'm looking to hire a DJ for the day, been quoted £500 for 12-12, does anyone know if this is a good price?
Thanks!

We would charge similar.

Don't forget it's not just 12-12. It could take up to 2 hours either side to set up and take down their equipment, plus travel time to the venue, so a very long day for the DJ.

There are loads of cowboys out there doing the job for beer money. Make sure you shop around and ask questions about what you are getting before you book.

Ideally pick someone with Public Liability Insurance and PAT tested equipment. This means you are covered by insurance should the worst happen, and the equipment has been tested to make sure it is safe. Reputable discos will be happy to provide proof of both of these.

Book someone who deals with booking contracts. This again is protection for both of you. If someone is working with contracts they are not likely to cancel at the last minute or not turn up on the wedding day. This does happen and we've had emergency panic calls from people desperate to book as the original disco has decided not to bother.

Ask the DJ what kind of music they carry with them and how they run the event. Ideally pick someone who will work with you to tailor the wedding to your requirements, rather than just stick their fave tracks on. A good DJ can tell you what will and won't work with a wedding crowd. Don't have a rigid play list though, as they don't work either. The DJ should be an expert in reading the dancefloor and should be able to chop and change genres to keep it full most of the time. We ask for a rough timetable so we can organise music around buffets, speeches etc., and make sure we have your "must haves" and "can't stands" so we play what you want to hear.

Ask what equipment they will be bringing. You can look up the names of the lights etc., on the internet to see what special effects you will be getting and how powerful amps and speakers are. Or if they have a website, they might have photo's and video online of previous events.

If you want to make speeches ask if they are happy for you to use the mic to do this.

The music can make or break the event. If nobody is up dancing because the music is crap, it will ruin the whole wedding. Don't book based on who is the cheapest - book someone who you like, who you can work with and who will give you the evening that you want.

Welshlassie

Becles wrote: »

We would charge similar.

Don't forget it's not just 12-12. It could take up to 2 hours either side to set up and take down their equipment, plus travel time to the venue, so a very long day for the DJ.

There are loads of cowboys out there doing the job for beer money. Make sure you shop around and ask questions about what you are getting before you book.

Ideally pick someone with Public Liability Insurance and PAT tested equipment. This means you are covered by insurance should the worst happen, and the equipment has been tested to make sure it is safe. Reputable discos will be happy to provide proof of both of these.

Book someone who deals with booking contracts. This again is protection for both of you. If someone is working with contracts they are not likely to cancel at the last minute or not turn up on the wedding day. This does happen and we've had emergency panic calls from people desperate to book as the original disco has decided not to bother.

Ask the DJ what kind of music they carry with them and how they run the event. Ideally pick someone who will work with you to tailor the wedding to your requirements, rather than just stick their fave tracks on. A good DJ can tell you what will and won't work with a wedding crowd. Don't have a rigid play list though, as they don't work either. The DJ should be an expert in reading the dancefloor and should be able to chop and change genres to keep it full most of the time. We ask for a rough timetable so we can organise music around buffets, speeches etc., and make sure we have your "must haves" and "can't stands" so we play what you want to hear.

Ask what equipment they will be bringing. You can look up the names of the lights etc., on the internet to see what special effects you will be getting and how powerful amps and speakers are. Or if they have a website, they might have photo's and video online of previous events.

If you want to make speeches ask if they are happy for you to use the mic to do this.

The music can make or break the event. If nobody is up dancing because the music is crap, it will ruin the whole wedding. Don't book based on who is the cheapest - book someone who you like, who you can work with and who will give you the evening that you want.

I secnd everything Becles has said. People forget that DJ's don't just to the 4-5 hours that they are playing for, it can take a few hours before and after to set up and preparation for the event a few days in advance, making sure they have your preferred tracks, sourcing them if they are a bit unusual and checking all equipment is working preperly, in addition to getting to and from the venue and loading and unloading at each end. Between about £30 and £40 an hour is a reasonable amount to expect to pay, more if you are asking them to work more than 5 hours straight through.

Many DJ's will charge a set fee for the first 4/5 hours and then an hourly rate there after.

Try to get a DJ on recommendation, this is much better than picking a name out of the Yellow pages. Be prepared to book a long time in advance, good DJ's get booked up v quickly. We are already taking bookings for next summer.

Enjoy.

Penniless

I also agree with Becles!

You might also want to contact some agencies such as:

http://www.1311events.net/
http://www.alivenetwork.com/djsanddiscos.asp

http://www.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/ - this one seems pretty good and gives advice on equipment & liability insurance....e.t.c

Agencies will be able to suggest reputable DJs in your area and estimated costings but beware, they charge a % fee on top of the normal DJ cost (which i believe some do disclose if asked) so once you have an idea of names, check the yellow pages/DJs websites and then go direct to the DJ and avoid the extra cost!! worth a bit of extra leg work!!!

We also like the client to provide a list of dos and don't or even a CD of their favourites to play to ensure that we cater to the individuals needs.

Also your first dance is very important!!! if there's a special edit or if its been covered by numerous people, i would definetly recommend that you provide your own cd copy of your song to make sure that its the right one!!!!

Hope the search goes well!!!

Penniless
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