DJ? How much are you supposed to spend?

sherrianddut · October 2009

We are in the very beginning of our planning phases and are trying to get all of the details down. I have no idea how much to spend on the DJ. Does anyone have any suggestions on the budget or an actual DJ? We had even considered using an iPod but I kinda want someone to run all of the music during the reception so people don't get bored.

lmf2010 · October 2009

I'm in the same situation! I'm trying to book my DJ right now, and there are just so many choices and prices that I'm completely overwhelmed. I have seen prices as low as $400 for 3 hours and as expensive as $1,400 for 4 hours with lights, projections screen, projector, and dance floor. I think you just need to decide what it is that you want, and then start calling around (warning: the ones i have talked to are sharks and won't leave me alone now, so don't give them your cell phone number if you can keep from it b/c they will call every day... especially DJ Connections!). To help your decide on the budget, you should probably decide how much it is worth it to you to have someone run the whole thing, and use that as a basis for your budget. Is it worth $800? is it only worth $500? that will help you narrow down the DJ's.HTH!

debbieinoklahoma · October 2009

We are spending around $1500.00 for the evening for our DJ, and we are also talking to him about lighting options for our venue which will be more. He is going to act as our master of ceremonies, coordinate the reception and make sure our guests have a blast. He has been uber professional to work with and I know that ShakD1217 and a few others have used him as well with great results(see review below from ShakD, we got quotes from 300.00+ when we started out so if your on a budget there are some out there that are cheap..but we also found some cheap weddings cakes that tasted like they came out of a box..there are a few things you really get what you pay for it seems and we think this is one of them. I would suggest going to weddingwire.com which is where we found him and some of our other vendors.

stephers_7 · October 2009

Ive seen anything from $425 and up. It really depends on how many bells and whistles you want. You can get it really cheap if you just do music but if you want lights and an emcee and a monogram then you will be paying more. You may also ask around, some friends may know people who will give you a break. FI's old roomate has a DJ business on the side and he's doing our wedding plus playing guitar at the ceremony for like $250. So it never hurts to ask your friends.

mandiroo · October 2009

My DJ brought a projection screen, awesome speakers, a computerized system and a ton of cool lighting for $800. DJ Pro Oklahoma.

OSUJenny · October 2009

My one comment for thought... Who is going to make announcements at your reception? How are you going to do toasts if you don't have a Microphone? I only ask this because I attended a friends wedding at the Dresser Mansion earlier this year where they only had a iPod plugged into the house sound system. When it came time to annouce the dance's, toasts, or anything else, someone had to try and scream over all the guests. To be honest it really was kinda a bummer for the couple.The music wasn't very loud and people couldn't dance so guests started leaving. We left earlier.Keep all of the little things in mind when making choices. An iPod can play music, but that's it.

shakd1217 · October 2009

My wedding was also at the Dresser and we used the Tulsa Wedding DJ (mention in pp) and had the regular light package. I highly recommend you call Zach and talk with him. I can't say enough great things about him - Amazing! I would just say to those planning, your dj is probably the main person directing your rec and possible your wedding (unless you have paid for a coordinator, doc, etc) so make sure you feel comfortable with who you are using. For me, I wanted that role to be in the hands of a professional and not leave it solely to a my friend who was acting as doc to help.

kmm2150 · October 2009

I think we talked to quite a few djs and seemed like most would do the basic stuff for a good amount of time for around $500-$600 (we paid about $600). I would just recommend when you book that you are VERY clear about every detail - will the person you meet with actually BE at your wedding, or will it be someone else? How many times will they meet with you? Etc., etc. The dj we booked told as at the last minute that oh, btw, I won't be at your wedding it'll be someone else and needless to say I was VERY upset. The person who ended up coming was actually AWESOME and cute as a button and very nice about the fact that we got totally off schedule with some of the activities (cutting the cake, toasts, etc.), so in the end I'm glad it was him, but having a last minute switch was very stressful and all in all not a great experience working with the company that we hired. Just saying, don't leave anything to trust or think that "well, of course they'll do this or that, it's standard..." - know what you're getting.