Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh

Bill Bara / DJ rates

Hi,

Has anyone used Bill Bara as a DJ?  I'm considering him for my wedding.

Also, what is a 'reasonable' amount to pay a DJ?  I've just started researching and the ones I've looked at are $1000-$1200, and I have no idea if that's high, low, or average.

Thanks!
Julia
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RSVP Date 7/30/2010

Re: Bill Bara / DJ rates

  • edited December 2011
    That is double what I'm paying for my DJ. However, if you are impressed with his work and it fits within your budget, go for it!


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  • elishanbelishanb member
    1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    I agree with Meg. If you are really excited abut working with this DJ. Then I would say go for it. But no music would be $1200 worth of exciting to me. I found several that were four, five and even six hundred dollars less than that out that. So if $1000-$1200 is not in your budget keep looking!
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  • edited December 2011
    Thanks for the tip!  Would you guys mind telling me who you are using and anyone else you looked at?  I live in Atlanta and don't have many friends who married in Pittsburgh, so I'm starting from scracth and would appreciate any recommendations!
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  • edited December 2011
    At the top of the home page there is a list of suggested vendors.  You will find this very helpful and they come highly recommended by the girls on here.

    HTH!
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  • jrsygrl10jrsygrl10 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    julia-i used bill bara for our wedding and loved him. i went to HS with him, so he was an easy choice for me. all of his music is digital, as opposed to him showing up with stacks of cd's, and when i looked in to the prices of other dj's that were also digital i found him to be comparable. in fact, i found that he was cheaper than entertainment unlimited dj's. he also does not charge for OT, so he was a ton more flexible to work with because i didn't have to worry about counting out hours or adding in extra hours to pay him. he did our ceremony, cocktail hour, reception and actually extended our reception upon my request. i personally just didn't envision an old guy with white hair acting as our dj at our wedding, so bill was an easy option. good luck!
  • edited December 2011
    Thanks, Jersey!  I'm glad to hear from someone who used him.  I agree with you completely - I don't want an old guy as our DJ, I would prefer someone younger and with lots of music to choose from.  I'm just unsure about the price...so I will have to think about it.
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  • edited December 2011
    My DJ had white hair and he was amazing. His name is Andy Booth and is highly recommended here. Don't base your decision on what someone looks like - that seems pretty ridiculous to me.

    Andy Booth's music is all digital and you choose what you want and add it to an online playlist that he uses. I can't remember his rates exactly, but I believe it was $700.

    http://www.ajbooth.com/

    Good luck!
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  • jrsygrl10jrsygrl10 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    it wasn't based on what he looked like, but it was based on the fact that i wanted someone younger and i wanted digital music. i feel it's just fine to prefer someone younger.
  • edited December 2011
    I get that. But I know that vendors check here sometimes and that would suck to see that people may not pick you because you have white hair. Ya know? He is excellent and gets what younger people want. You can prefer whoever you want, but I felt like giving a good recommendation for a 'white haired' guy.
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  • elishanbelishanb member
    1000 Comments Fourth Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    Just wanted to add like white haired dudes can be super talented.
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  • edited December 2011
    Thanks for all the feedback!  Like Jersey, I'm not opposed to an older person - just felt that someone younger might have a better feel for my type of music.  I actually looked at Andy Booth based on recommendations from here, but unfortunately he is booked for my date already.  But I'm definitely not ruling anyone out!
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    RSVP Date 7/30/2010
  • djbill21djbill21 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Hi! I am DJ Bill Bara... I just want to point out that I'm not a "typcial wedding DJ." I've been a fulltime professional DJ for over 10 years and continually spin in Pittsburgh's largest night clubs throughout the week. I was voted the best club DJ in Pittsburgh by the readers of the City Paper and am definately the best DJ in the city. The average cost for a DJ in $1200. In 2011, my rate is going up to $1400 because I am almost completely booked for 2010. Only 1 date left in August. The ONLY other DJ who has the ability to beat match/remix music and MC a wedding is charging $2200. Don't hate if your grey haired DJ was fine for you, but some people out there want a "real DJ" who just doesn't sit up there and push buttons. Not to mention, my price includes online planning services and the help of my wedding coordinator Denise. By the way, check out some of my DJ mixes at www.DJBillBara.com. If anyone wants to hear me DJ during the week, I'm at Town Tavern and Zen Social Club.

    Thanks!!   :-)
  • djbill21djbill21 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Sorry for my post. My friend just informed me that vendors shouldn't be on here so the brides may speak freely. Again, I apologize and will delete my account from the knot. I know that my talent will have many brides chatting about me in a positive tone throughout 2010 and beyond.

    http://www.djbillbara.com
  • edited December 2011
    You should delete your post, too.
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  • Ash2985Ash2985 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Obviously very apologetic when you managed to stick an additional advertisement in your "apology" post. 
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  • jrsygrl10jrsygrl10 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    *sigh* you can't delete your own posts anymore. someone contact the mod~
  • edited December 2011

    Seems like you can delete them.

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  • edited December 2011
    You can still delete posts...you just can delete a new thread that you started and other people have responded to already.  
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  • jrsygrl10jrsygrl10 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    i stand corrected.
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