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Is this expensive for a DJ?

ashleys1211ashleys1211
10 Comments
in New Jersey
So I had my first meeting with a DJ who was at a friend's wedding and I absolutely loved. They quoted me ay $5900 which included:
3 plasma tvs with 3 photomontages (one for us and one during parent dances)
4 tower lights
all uplighting
6.5 hours of entertainment starting with cocktail hour

I really like them and people I speak to say then I shouldn't be cheap with the entertainment because it like makes your wedding, but is this a lot in your opinions? Also, if you guys don't mind telling me prices and things included in which you booked? Thanks
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Re: Is this expensive for a DJ?

  • LissyM83LissyM83 member
    Fourth Anniversary 500 Comments Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    The uplighting is probably what's making the overall price so high. Find out what it would be without the uplighting, see what that quote is and then figure out how much the uplighting is costing. I'd still shop around and see other DJ's b/c if they give you a better price, you can always go back to this DJ and see if they'll match or even beat it.
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  • katenchris820katenchris820
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our DJ included our uplighting light shows, music for ceremony and wedding and our videographer for 2000.
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  • Denise91980Denise91980 member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Wow! That is really high. I paid $1500 for ceremony music, the reception (DJ & MC), uplighting plasmas and a montage.
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  • ashleys1211ashleys1211
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The uplighting he is charging me 995, so it is still 5000 with just like lighting tvs and music. I think I should probably shop around and ask him to beat the price like you said Lissy, thank you!
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  • kristen8040kristen8040 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    That's a lot of money.  Look elsewhere.  
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  • BrideToBe3011BrideToBe3011
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    That is a lot!  I am getting a violinist, percussionist, uplighting, GOBO, and 6 hours for A LOT cheaper.  The only thing I am not getting is the TVs. If I had chosen to get them it still would of been a lot cheaper. 
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  • cutiepie12702cutiepie12702
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If I was spending that much on a DJ, I'd start looking at bands too...
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  • altimat873altimat873 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Agreed, that seems high, I got a similar package as Bridetobe, same company and its significantly less. Check out Premier DJ.
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  • LADY324LADY324
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    We are paying $1500 for ceremony and reception music.  We didn't want any other extras. 
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  • ashleys1211ashleys1211
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    BridetoBe, who are you using if you don't mind?
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  • DoubleASDoubleAS
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    if you love them, haggle them. If I learned anything in this process, I learned that every vendor is willing to negotiate. Call them back, tell them that you met with another DJ that was cheaper, but want to see what they can do. Since you requested a lot of other services, ask if you can have the up lighting for free.
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  • Pharo47Pharo47
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    BridetoBe, altimat and myself are all using Premier Entertainment in Rutherford NJ. We all have similar packages with little tweaks here and there.

    I have 5 hours ( 1hr. cocktail and 4 hr. reception), percussionist during reception, uplighting, 2 TVs, photomontage during dinner with the photography that gets uploaded on the screens during the reception for significantly lower than $5900.
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  • BrideToBe3011BrideToBe3011
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_this-expensive-dj?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:6962b090-0205-494b-b256-7a47cbaeb5acPost:1639813d-c713-40fd-a35f-1673887b7c98">Re: Is this expensive for a DJ?</a>:
    [QUOTE]BridetoBe, who are you using if you don't mind?
    Posted by ashleys1211[/QUOTE]

    I am using Premier Entertainment.
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  • LissyM83LissyM83 member
    Fourth Anniversary 500 Comments Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_this-expensive-dj?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:6962b090-0205-494b-b256-7a47cbaeb5acPost:bee44e05-18b2-4356-8493-9e3e258d58d0">Re: Is this expensive for a DJ?</a>:
    [QUOTE]The uplighting he is charging me 995, so it is still 5000 with just like lighting tvs and music. I think I should probably shop around and ask him to beat the price like you said Lissy, thank you!
    Posted by ashleys1211[/QUOTE]

    You're welcome, I'm happy to help! Wow, in that case, then yes, that's a lot of money. Def. shop around and try to negotiate with him as much as possible. Vendors are def. going to try to match/beat their competitors prices so you book their services. Another good negotiating technique is to call/go there in person and be like.. I'm ready to hand over my deposit to you right now if you do XYZ... very seldom will any business reject $ being handed to them...lol
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  • Jessadams1Jessadams1 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm also paying less than that with a custom gobo and photobooth included plus everything you mentioned.....that's very highly priced.
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  • goaliegirlgoaliegirl member
    Eighth Anniversary 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_this-expensive-dj?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:6962b090-0205-494b-b256-7a47cbaeb5acPost:1bcfa764-5137-482e-bdba-189e22a22e2a">Re: Is this expensive for a DJ?</a>:
    [QUOTE]BridetoBe, altimat and myself are all using Premier Entertainment in Rutherford NJ. We all have similar packages with little tweaks here and there. I have 5 hours ( 1hr. cocktail and 4 hr. reception), percussionist during reception, uplighting, 2 TVs, photomontage during dinner with the photography that gets uploaded on the screens during the reception for significantly lower than $5900.
    Posted by Pharo47[/QUOTE]

    I also used Premier Entertainment and got similar to what you were looking at for FAR less than $5900.   Ralph, the owner, is great to work with.
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  • ashleys1211ashleys1211
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    wow thanks so much for all of your help, I priced a few of the recomendations that you guys gave me and lets just say I got a FAR better deal. Thank you all!
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  • Pharo47Pharo47
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_this-expensive-dj?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:6962b090-0205-494b-b256-7a47cbaeb5acPost:db1a6d45-fd41-4fc7-9f19-b8e6ed6e67f3">Re: Is this expensive for a DJ?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Is this expensive for a DJ? : I also used Premier Entertainment and got similar to what you were looking at for FAR less than $5900.   <strong>Ralph, the owner, is great to work with.</strong>
    Posted by goaliegirl[/QUOTE]

    Ditto. Ralph is super cool and I think he doubles for Rick on Pawn Stars. LOL
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  • badkittyctbadkittyct
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am using Elite Entertainment. I am not doing as much stuff as you are but I am paying WAY less than that.

    There are people who have a budget for the entire wedding at half of that quote. Wow.
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  • agu101agu101 member
    500 Comments Second Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    I have a band and I'm not paying anywhere near that amount.
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  • goaliegirlgoaliegirl member
    Eighth Anniversary 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_this-expensive-dj?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:6962b090-0205-494b-b256-7a47cbaeb5acPost:2808b521-a085-4645-a6f0-0bc50f461db2">Re: Is this expensive for a DJ?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Is this expensive for a DJ? : Ditto. Ralph is super cool and I think he doubles for Rick on Pawn Stars. LOL
    Posted by Pharo47[/QUOTE]

    LMAO!!  
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  • lopezalonsolopezalonso member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    This is way TOO HIGH. I have just booked my DJ for 2,250 and our package includes the following:

    -5 hours of DJ and Emcee service
    -Two plasma tv's 
    -3 photo montages
    -a photographer taking cadid shots of the ceremony and then these photos being put on the plasma screens throughout the night
    -a small light show

    candids of the reception would be an extra 150 and uplighting would be 400 if you booked them for DJ services. My FI and I also booked our videographer through his company. 

    a touch of class is the company
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  • SweetS930SweetS930
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    That is expensive.

    I got quoted $2600 for 4hour music, 6 intelligent lights and MC.
    I thought that was too high...lol...but I loved one of the DJs cause
    he plays exactly the music I was looking for.

    Needless to say I am still interviewing DJs.
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  • SweetS930SweetS930
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Uplighting should not be that much...Its not like its intelligent light.
    All it is lights glowing on the wall upward...how many is that for?
    Are you sure your venue doesn't have uplighting already many venues do?

    Shop around hun...never settle :)

    Good luck

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  • gymchick05gymchick05
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Way too much- for just $2k more u could have an AMAZING band. We went w/ a band (Veronica Martell Entertainment who were insanely good if u want to check out bands) but originally booked a DJ w/ almost everything you listed for less then half
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  • keyri06keyri06 member
    Fifth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Denise91980 who did you use??
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  • NJgurl19NJgurl19 member
    500 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    That seems high I am paying 2k for similar.
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