When to book a DJ!!!????

l21looper

So, My parents are paying for the majority of my FI and I's wedding. However, my dad lost his jobb of 35 years in January. He is now back on his feet with a new job. However, not making nearly as much as he was before.  I went to ask my mom on her opinion of which dj then he comes back with an e-mail instead of telling me on the phone or in person that right now they can't afford to pay for a dj. All we have done so far is put down half of the fee for the rental place for the reception/ceremony. To save the date.So my question is... When do you think is an appropriate amount of time to book a dj in advance. Our wedding in on July 4th, 2010.    Any Ideas... I am got about 15 or so quotes from people and they are all available that day still but when might it be too late???

pmarckx

In some of the books I've read they say 6 months before is a good time -on the knot timer they have me as over due to book and I'm at 8 something months. Is the deposit really all that big? If it is only $100 to $200, maybe that might not be too bad? I don't know -we're ipoding it, so I don't know what the deposits are like.

l21looper

Well the deposits are only like 100 for most some a little more like 250 but... ONe of our concerns are will they be around next year. With all the crisis of people going out of business and such we are a little concerned with booking too early. My FI and I could handle the deposit. Especially only being 100. But my question is... IS now too Early. Especially with so many places going out of business???  When is it appropriate time to book? LIke 8 months??? We would Ipod it, however we are choosing to take the easier but more expensive route.

jodyplustwinsx2

We are having a band and they are already booking for next year. Our first choice band is already booked, in fact! We're sending in the contract next week because we're afraid it will be booked if we wait any longer. If you go with a long-term reputable DJ, going out of business wouldn't really be a fear of mine. People sure seem to still be getting married since everything is booking like crazy!

SaraAnnAlvarado2010

We're renting speakers, a sound mixer, and a microphone and ipoding it too. FI and I are paying for our wedding and this was one way we could save HUNDREDS of dollars. So keep your options open at this time I think.

melissa82

Being that you're on a holiday, I'd book sooner rather than later. If you want to wait a bit, I'd say 8 months is a good time. Another benefit is that you can lock in their current prices, otherwise they could go up. As far as the vendor being around, I'd see how long they've been in business and check for reviews online and on the BBB. Obviously not a guarantee, but a solid business will more than likely be around in 10 months. It's really not that far out.

d_smith79

l21looper-I booked my DJ almost a year in advance. I learned very quickly most of the good/reputable DJ's book up a year or so in advance, especially in peak wedding season like July. I too have the same concerns about my vendors not being in business by wedding time but the best you can do is research them well and be sure they are reputable and have been in business for a while. Unfortunately you can't predict if they are going to go out of business. I would also talk to your venue or other vendors and see if they have a preferred vendor list. The wedding community seems to be small (at leaset in Seattle), and they all often know each other. I'm sure your other vendors wll have some recommenations for reputable DJs. If you have already found the one you like I would go ahead and book him/her.If you are interested I'm using YourSong Entertainment (www.yoursongdj.com). His name is Chris Graves and he seems great! He has been in the business a long time, and was a preferred vendor from my venue. They have nothing but great things to say about him.Good luck!

sleepyapollo

i had the same concerns about people going out of business...  so perhaps you can negotiate a lower deposit?but fwiw, i booked my DJ about 4 months before the big day, a saturday night in august.  so i didn't have any trouble finding someone on "shorter" notice than a year. 

jeannigirl

Sometimes Vendors will say that just to get you to book with them and put down a deposit. I would wait a couple more months and actually meet with different ones to see how you mesh with them. If they will work with you well.