Community› Local Wedding Boards› Washington-Seattle
Washington-Seattle
New Discussion

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

l21looperl21looper member
First Comment
in Washington-Seattle
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???
Report Reply to Post

Re: When to book a DJ!!!????

  • pmarckxpmarckx
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    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.
    Report Reply
  • l21looperl21looper member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    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.
    Report Reply
  • jodyplustwinsx2jodyplustwinsx2 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    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!
    Report Reply
  • SaraAnnAlvarado2010SaraAnnAlvarado2010
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    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.
    Report Reply
  • melissa82melissa82 member
    2500 Comments 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    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.
    Report Reply
  • d_smith79d_smith79
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    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! :)
    Report Reply
  • sleepyapollosleepyapollo member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    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. 
    Report Reply
  • jeannigirljeannigirl member
    Ninth Anniversary 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    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.
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards