Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Solo
Savvy October 2020

Djs... why are Djs so expensive?

Solo, on June 6, 2019 at 5:31 PM

Posted in Planning 37

I’m excited for our big day, but I can’t imagine paying $2500 for a DJ! any thoughts, what is a reasonable price to you?
I’m excited for our big day, but I can’t imagine paying $2500 for a DJ!
any thoughts, what is a reasonable price to you?

37 Comments

  • Sarah
    Dedicated March 2020
    Sarah ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    In northern NJ, we are paying $4k. That includes the two man dj, photo booth with attendants, dancing on a cloud for our first dance and a light show with attendants.
    • Reply
  • Thea
    Dedicated August 2019
    Thea ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    We're paying $1899 (plus tax and tip) for 6 hours of coverage with one person. We're in CT.

    • Reply
  • Solo
    Savvy October 2020
    Solo ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    I’m in Arizona too
    • Reply
  • Nikki
    Expert March 2021
    Nikki ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    I’m using ybspros I found them at a the recent bridal show last weekend Smiley smile
    • Reply
  • Yoice
    VIP March 2019
    Yoice ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Anything wedding related is just automatic 3 times the price. Is ridiculous! I paid about the same but mine included lighting, generator which was mandatory by venue, dance floor, logo in dance floor, and party lights. This was for ceremony and reception which was total of 7 hours. Cocktail hour not included. So I assume the price is about right. Is also a little more if you are hiring a team or company rather than an individual. There’s higher risk when hiring an individual.
    • Reply
  • Kiara
    VIP August 2021
    Kiara ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Damn wow i wanna know the samething but my dj isn't that expensive tho

    • Reply
  • latasha
    VIP September 2019
    latasha ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I hear you they are expensive. Luckily my FH wanted a radio DJ from his country. He’s charging us $500 so we also offered to pay for his flight and hotel.
    • Reply
  • Fwbride
    Super July 2024
    Fwbride ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I’m paying $100 an hour. We are having him for around 7 hours including set up
    • Reply
  • Kelly
    VIP October 2020
    Kelly ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Depends on location, in New England everything is costly DJ starts around $2000. Also their equipment can be expensive and nearly all venues where I am require vendors to be insured up to a certain amount of dollars. I imagine the cost of insurance is high. Then there's transportation costs and they have to make living off of it.
    • Reply
  • Brianna N
    Super October 2019
    Brianna N ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    In Nashville, TN we are paying 800 for 5 hours, including all the sound systems, etc. We can add on uplighting for 200 I believe. Most of the quotes I got were right around $800 to $1,000, but there were a few that were much more expensive.

    • Reply
  • Michelle
    Super August 2019
    Michelle ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Our best man's cousin does it on the side (he is very good) and is charging us $500-$600. We went to a wedding expo back in January and the professional DJs were asking anywhere from $1100-$3000! We definitely lucked out!
    • Reply
  • Caylin
    Dedicated October 2020
    Caylin ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Ours is $850 originally $1300 but we called at just the right time and got a deal! We are getting married at in north Texas. His prices include: up lighting, planner, service from 2 PM to midnight, unlimited calls, our own website to add music request, mics, set up & equipment.

    • Reply
  • S
    Devoted September 2019
    Sara ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    In the South Bend, IN area (which seems to be a satellite region to Chicago for wedding vendors, hence the high prices), our quotes ranged anywhere from $1,600 to about $3,000. I was honestly pretty shocked and a bit dismayed! I would have loved to just plug in a laptop and play off a Spotify playlist at our wedding since we're pretty lowkey. No choreographed entrance, no fancy lighting, etc. Not an option at our venue.

    We're lucky to have a friend of a friend who's a professional DJ and offering to do it for around $1,200.

    • Reply
  • Melissa
    VIP October 2018
    Melissa ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    2500 does seem high to me, and that's coming from a bride in Chicago lol. Our DJ - who provided reception music, ceremony music AND a photo booth - was under 1700 for everything. (And worth every penny because we're nearly a year after the wedding and still getting compliments on how he worked the crowd)

    • Reply
  • Robert
    Dedicated October 2021
    Robert ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Hourly pay for a DJ and assistant (high-energy job, constantly on their feet and reading the room!), bringing their own equipment, a music library that they've had to pay for... they can reasonably charge a lot. Not to mention that this is an entire day of work for them-- they can only book so many parties in a working week.

    But I agree that charging thousands seems crazy! You've got to have a great reputation to be asking that much for your work.

    • Reply
  • J
    Master October 2019
    Jolie ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    My DJ was $1,050 and that was reasonable to me. I am paying another $300 for uplights from him. Some are laughable. I even told one when I was searching that "sorry his prices were just not doable and high compared to others". He sent an email back basically being cocky saying his services are way better and they have been in business for years? Okay great? Lmao so is the DJ I picked buddy. Smiley xd

    • Reply
  • Clíodhna
    WeddingWire Administrator January 2030
    Clíodhna ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    Hi Solo Smiley smile Were you able to find a DJ within budget yet?

    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×
WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Learn more

Groups

WeddingWire article topics