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How much should Photographer and DJ cost?

flash1flash1
10 Comments
in New Jersey - South
I was just wondering if anyone wouldn't mind telling me how much they spent on photographer and DJ. I am on a budget and I'm about to call around for prices for a DJ. What is an average price? Also I booked a photographer that a family friend knows, he does it on the side. He is charging us 800 for 7 hours of coverage, unlimited pics in 1 wedding album and some 8x10's and 5x7's. No negatives or copyrights. I thought this was very reasonable however some of my friends said that a real photographer charges just as much and we are over paying for someone that just does it on the side. I am afraid I may have settled to quickly. I would appreciate any input ... Thanks!
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Re: How much should Photographer and DJ cost?

  • njgal26njgal26
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Did you mean $8000 or is really on charging $800? I would say that $800 is a good deal for what he is offering you but only if it's not going to cost you an arm and a leg to make any reprints.  My photographer is charging about $3300 but that is for all day coverage, 1 big album for FI and I, 2 parent albums, 1 proof album, a bunch of 5x7's and 8x10's, plus we will own the rights to all of our pictures.We are using a dj from DJ's Available and for our 5 hour reception, it will cost $650.  Good luck! :-)
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  • karen1424karen1424 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    my dj cost about 900
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  • miguelhilary2010miguelhilary2010
    5000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    njgal - I just got a quote (literally in the mail today) from dj's available at $750 for 5hrs! I'm getting married on a Friday, August 2010
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  • JustTessJustTess
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    We are getting alot from our DJ for less then $3,000. a recap of our ceremony, since alot of guests will not be at the church, up lighting for around the room plasma screens and projection screen, with other lighting. I priced around and it was really a great price. My best friend used the same company and got married on Saturday they were fantastic. everyone had a great time. Good luck to you. Tess
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  • nygirl07nygirl07 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm paying $1500 for my DJ but that is on New Years eve, includes a confetti cannon rental, $150 extra for my DJ request, props and 4 1/2 hrs.My photographer is costing $4400, again I paid extra b/c of the holiday but it was about $800 extra so she could pay her asst more and they could get a hotel room.  That is for full day coverage with two cameras and the rights to all my proofs plus our engagment session.  It doesn't include an albumn
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  • Summer2008Summer2008 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We also used DJ's Available, it was about $500-600. I can't remember exactly, but we booked them well over two years ago.Perfect Day Photography has all of their package details, inlcuding cost, listed right on their website. Check it out if you want to make a comparison. I will say having the rights to your photos is a huge plus. Just one example is the individualized parent albums were were able to design and order on our own. They look wonderful and costs a small fraction of the price a photographer would have charged.
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  • mhobbs919mhobbs919 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    we're paying 850 for our dj from centerstage entertainment and 900 for our photog we're using melissa chinici (melissachinici.com) - we were on a budget as well, and most photogs are well over 1000 and we just couldn't afford it so we're happy with what we went with!
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  • demarcosjddemarcosjd
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are using Center Stage Entertainment for $650. Our photographer is on the hirer end then what you were quoted at $800. We are paying $3400 but we customized our package that has a lot. That is for all day coverage and it also includes our engagement session and an 8X10 matted frame for people to sign at the reception. $800 is really good but if you don't have the rights to your pictures I would double check about the printing charges.
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  • Kristin1982Kristin1982
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    We decided to go with a band for our reception and live music for the ceremony, but I know of a few DJ's who charge in the $1200 - $2000 range (not including lights, etc.) Our photographer is from North Jersey and is technically a 'hobby' photographer (since he is a graphic designer full-time), but is so good at what he does. We are paying $3k for 10 hours of coverage, unlimited photos, 200 retouched photos on CD with unlimited untouched photos on CD, and the rights to all of our pictures. No prints, no albums.
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  • laurenpeterson84laurenpeterson84 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My DJ (Imagine Entertainment) was the most expensive that I found.  He charged us $2250, which, in his defense includes a 2nd person as well as 2nd sound system because we are getting married on the beach.  What made me decide on him were his references, as well the fact that he has done several weddings (about 3 per month) at our location.  I didn't want to be someone's "experiment" since our ceremony requires their services as well.Our photographer is Shelley and Keith.  We chose a more expensive package, which is $3800.  They started at $3000 for 2 photographers, which I found to be very reasonable.  I was set on 2 so that we will getting ready pictures of both myself and my fiance :)
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