DJ Help!!!

xtina983

Hello Ladies!  I am knee deep in planning and am still missing a key component - the music.  I am meeting with a DJ that my photog recommended tomorrow, but his price for a very basic 5 hour reception is $1400.    Is this price reasonable? Can anyone recommend a good DJ?I had a friend that got married in Philly who only paid $400- I am not expecting to find a deal that good, but I am hoping Not to get ripped off...FI is starting to sweat a bit about this one....TIA -Christina

jmestyle

We are using After Hours and the total is $1000. Bert is also going to be our JP at no extra cost

ToiKenne

We used Jim Nuzzo from Dance to the Music (Norwalk).  I think the bronze package was $1200 or so.   We used him and he was FANTASTIC!  Reliable, easy to work with and SO much fun!  He got everyone out of their chairs and kept the dance floor packed for our whole reception.  I would not recommend going for the best deal.  The entertainment you select can make or break your reception so, IMO, this is not an area to cut corners.   I think most DJs are in the $1000 range.  

CTGirl30

The price you were quoted does sound reasonable based on my own comparisons (we have a 5.5 hour reception). We're going with one of the DJ's from PowerStation events and they've been great to work with so far. I'd recommend you contact them. If you sign up on their website for "additional information" it gives you a coupon for 5% off services after you submit it. ;-)  

banana468

I think you can expect to pay anywhere in the $1000-$1800 range for a DJ.  DH and I used MartyQ and loved him.  He ran about $1600 I believe.

xtina983

Great!  Thanks for all the insight.  Did any of you girls do any lighting or did you stick to music only?  I've already ruled out a slideshow because I've seen a few really BAD ones...

ToiKenne

We did music only.  Noooo slideshow. 

banana468

We did music only - but he did play live sax for the cocktail hour and dinner.There was no slideshow at our wedding however DH just made an AWESOME slideshow for BIL's wedding a few weeks ago.  It was played at the RD though.

SuMmErKuTiE

I think $1400 is a bit high, but it's definitely not the highest I've heard of. We're only paying $800 because he owns his own business and explained that when you use a company, you have to pay the company and then also the dj which makes the price jump. But if you're paying just the owner it lowers the price a lot. His name is Tom and he's got a great personality and testimonials. He checks in from time to time and will sit down with us about a month before the wedding to plan out the flow and schedule of the reception. HTH! :0)http://www.tsalatto.info/

Sheila-Norm

My sister is also using Bert from After Hours in Enfield CT.  I believe it was $1099.  Bert is really great to work with.  www.afterhoursdj.com. They offer a lot for that price.  Good luck... S&N

kls114

I cannot agree more with the girls who have posted! Music (IMO) can make or break your reception!!! Having a excellent and knowledgable DJ is key!! The top two companies I would recommend are Dance to the Music (www.dttment.com) & Jimmy Dee (www.jimmydee.com). Both are phenomenial and can tailor packages to your needs! I think $1400 is reasonable...but for a basic package?? What is included?

[Deleted User]

I am using Shark Entertainment for $250/hr, 4 hours = $1000, since Im not using him for cocktail hour. http://www.sharkentertainmentct.com/

Erika9609

We used Bert and Vinnie from After Hours, as well.....they were AWESOME!!  Their prices are great....only $1200 (I *think*) and that included our ceremony music as well, AND he did a slideshow for us!  Bert is such a cool guy and really knows his stuff....for some of the dances, announcements, etc, I actually just had him pick the music himself b/c I couldn't think of anything, and everything was great!!  He even ended up picking the version of the "Bridal March" that I walked down the aisle to....it was a gorgeous piano version of it that I would have never found on my own.  I LOVED it.  And, Bert himself took about 150-200 pictures throughout the entire ceremony/reception and literally had them posted on his website the next day!  You definitely won't be disappointed if you go with them.  Good luck!! 

malissa033

Ditto toikeene post to a 'T' - we also used DTTM && LOVED working with Jimmy! He got everyone up and dancing && kept them up the ENTIRE night! highly rec. them www.dttment.com

chanchachiclet

i think that 1400 is too much for 5 hours. my DJ did my ceremony and reception music and was there to set up at 10 am for my 11 am ceremony. He stayed until 5 pm when my reception ended and then for an hour afterwards packing up all his equipment so thats a total time of 8 hours. He only charged me 700 dollars. He was great too! He has a great speaking voice- he wasn't too quiet but wasnt overly outgoing but he was great- lots of experience too! His name is Richard Phillips from Best DJ Service. I have his email. Let me know if you're interested- he just did my wedding 2 wks ago and did a great job!

Vikki2pay

Our DJ was very inexpensive and we loved him.  We didn't do any kind of lighting because it was an afternoon reception, He was $600.00 but that was a Saturday afternoon in March,  but I think he's still has very similar pricing.http://www.jamkatentertainment.com/Weddings.html

wedforlove2010

Check out Dot The I's Events in Newington. They had 3 Djs to meet with to find the best one who suits your wedding and they were really resonable.