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I found this website which gives a little help when guesstimating the cost of a wedding. I found it is high in some areas and low in others. But it can help for sure.
It places DJs at $1300 for this area, which is low, and only 3.9% of total cost. Most experts say to plan for between 8% and 10% for entertainment.
J Squared Audio is $1500 for all services and no time restrictions, pretty close and a lot more service guaranteed.
Building a music list for a wedding is a daunting task to start, but once most people get started they end up with way too much music. I get more than 20 hours of music request from some clients, which has to be focused into about a 6 hour time period [about 2 to 3 hours of dance music and 3 to 4 hours of cocktail/dinner music].
I am good at doing this, but my clients know what they like, and what their friends like, much more than I do, which is why I encourage people to have a TRL [Total Request Live] party sometime before their wedding to help. This is a great excuse to have another party, and helps a bride and groom figure out what music their guests might like.
It is pretty simple, gather the giant list of music you like and have people over to listen and vote on what they like and what they do not like. It surprises people how passionate their friends might get over certain songs that bring back memories fro a junior high dance or songs that they can not stand to hear. I have seen some pretty lively …discussions…on songs they I had no real opinion on.
A few simple ground rules:
A TRL party can be a fantastic way to hang out with friends and be wedding productive!
So, about this time of the year every couple of years or so I take a look at the prices for DJs in the Sacramento area to make sure what I charge is a great value to my clients. What I found out this year was the same as before, but even more apparent.
I looked at the top few DJs in the Sacramento area (determined by reviews on wedding sites and the area’s “best of” and “tops” lists) and I found that I provide every bit of service and quality they do for about half the price.
I charge $1500 for everything I offer: setup for ceremony & reception, smart lighting, audio editing, client tailored playlist, unlimited client meetings, and no hour limit for an event. The DJs I found start prices around $1600 for their base packages, and for all the items I include it costs well over $3200.
I know that $1500 is a lot of money, but I do believe I offer my clients the best service and best quality that is possible AND that rivals or surpasses the “top” DJs in Sacramento.
It goes back to providing a quality service at a fair price, which to me is what value is.
If you know someone looking for a DJ, please pass them my information, I would love to meet with them and talk about their event.
Joe
Wedding DJs can make or break a wedding but they don’t have to break the bank. You get one chance to get your wedding day right, and the right disc jockey can help make this happen. Your wedding reception music sets the mood of the occasion and, along with the skill of the emcee and the integration of the DJ music into the activities of the event, it can make the difference between a good time and a great time.
Beware of the deejay that only wants to make as much money as possible rather than make the bride and groom happy. Professional DJ services don’t have to be outrageously expensive. At J Squared Audio, the goal is to provide personal, quality service at a fair price.
How do you know if the price is right? Most importantly, you need to set a budget for all the expenses. This includes:
Venue and attire
Food and drink
Invitations and thank you notes
Music and entertainment
Flowers and decorations
Photography and party gifts
Stick to your budget and there will be no surprises! Since the reception entertainment CAN make or break a wedding, it should be taken as a priority in setting the budget. Unfortunately, often after the wedding is over brides regret not having given it higher priority.
Experience shows that approximately 30% – 40% of the entire budget should be dedicated to the music for a wedding reception and the entertainment.
How does one know if they have chosen the right wedding DJ? Meet with them beforehand as many times as it takes to feel comfortable, and ask for client reviews.
Last week I DJed a wedding in Lodi [I know what you are thinking....a great venue in Lodi?] at the Oakridge Winery in Lodi. I have to admit I was a little worried, but when I got there all my worries turned to wonderment. From the outside it does look fairly industrial, but once you go into the reception area, it is one of the most beautiful rooms I have done a wedding at. Large open area, great upstairs lounge loft area, and the staff was top notch.
If you need a venue, check them out at www.oakridgewinery.com/
Joe