How much do you charge for weddings?

[Maclintok]

Hi everyone,

A friend of mine is getting married next month and is putting the final plans in place for his wedding. He's looking to have a DJ provide the sound equipment & music for the event and was quoted $500 Cdn.

What do mobile DJs typically charge for a typical wedding? :)
The estimate doesn't sound too far off base to me... my buddy is just paranoid because he knows nothing about DJ'ing.

Thanks for any input.

M.

[jdiddy]

Hi everyone,

A friend of mine is getting married next month and is putting the final plans in place for his wedding. He's looking to have a DJ provide the sound equipment & music for the event and was quoted $500 Cdn.

What do mobile DJs typically charge for a typical wedding? :)
The estimate doesn't sound too far off base to me... my buddy is just paranoid because he knows nothing about DJ'ing.

Thanks for any input.

M.
I charge $450 for sound and $75 for lighting. That is on the very low end of the scale for dj's. I offer a huge sound and light show with hundreds of cd's, unlimited play time, fully insured, the whole works..Most dj's that offer what I do are well over $1000 for just 4 hours. I think most dj's charge way to much considering the folks getting married have alot of other stuff to pay for..dress, hall, food, decorations, cake, etc...

[Maclintok]

So assuming my friend is being offered reasonably professional-level service for the banquet portion of the day (4-5 hours), $500 is quite a good price.

[jdiddy]

So assuming my friend is being offered reasonably professional-level service for the banquet portion of the day (4-5 hours), $500 is quite a good price.
Yes, that would be a good price. What kind of equipment do you have? Do you have a light show, cd's, subwoofer, back up equipment? How big is the place and how many watts will you be running? I always run 4,000 watts nomatter what size and 4,600 watts if its a really big hall. I have a complete back up system at all times.

[Maclintok]

Thanks jdiddy... I have no involvement with organizing this wedding but I will relay your input over to the groom-to-be. They seem like pretty important factors that he should consider before hiring that DJ.

cheers.

[DJ D3CIB3L]

$500 is a steal. Most dj's here in new york will charge $1300 for weddings and all they use is a pair of eaw's, a denon 2600f and a pair of adj topaz's. So, $500 is good, considering that you know the guy. But, what is your setup made of? And will you have/be a mc and a dance instructor?

[DJNaviss]

I don't do wedding's anymore... However I'd go anywhere from 800 - 1,000 for a 4 hour event.

It all depend's on the area your in...

http://www.djnaviss.com/naviss.gif

[jdiddy]

Yeah, it does depend on where you're from. New York is an expensive city so everything will be higher. Even here in Indiana, I've seen dj's go for $1400 or more. That is just way to much. A full band would be cheaper.

[alterboy]

Yeah, it does depend on where you're from. New York is an expensive city so everything will be higher. Even here in Indiana, I've seen dj's go for $1400 or more. That is just way to much. A full band would be cheaper.


It is very dependent on where you are. Just call around to the local competition and ask them their rates, that is really the only way you will be able to tell what is the going rate in your area.

[DJ D3CIB3L]

What it your setup? Also, it does depend on the area, but some people will do it for free or even give a huge discount when working for good friends or for the school they went to or something.

Like I said, I know dj's that charge $1300 but only charge $400 for a school prom becasue they are graduates of the school. Personally, I do the same thing-I do school dances at only $250 due to the fact that I know the teachers that actually gave me the chance to do my first gig at a school event.

But anyway, it also depends on your setup-if you will provide an instrument of some kind, will you be an mc or dance instructor. Lighting, giveaways (glow sticks-blow up toys), and fog also count.

I dont know the going rate in Canada, but I think you should choose a basic charge and then add from there. Just my 2 cents.

[bAd]

My rate starts at $500 and goes up from there depending on how much participation you want from me. (Games/MC'ing...etc)

[DJSAL]

When I book weddings myself, the price starts at $700. That includes a DJ/MC (me) and I throw in a basic lightshow and giveaways. The most I charge is $900 and that includes the cocktail hour, my delux lightshow, and a 2 man crew (DJ and MC).

I have a proffesional setup, shure mics, Mackie tops and bottoms, Denon mixer and cd player, american audio and Martin lighting.


That being said, other DJ companies book me out at $1200 for the same thing I charge $700 for if the people come directly to me.