Too much for a DJ?

[Gibson486]

5 hour reception: base price is 1300 with no lighting and separate gear for music during the cocktail hour (it's in a separate room) . Thought it may be a little steep. On Craigslist, I see them for $150 an hour...but then again, it's Craigslist....

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Who are you getting Dj Tiesto?
I charge about 80 to 1000 here depends. Thats bout 800 to 1000 in our paper money thats for 4hours depends

 

[Zeze]

5 hour reception: base price is 1300 with no lighting and separate gear for music during the cocktail hour (it's in a separate room) . Thought it may be a little steep. On Craigslist, I see them for $150 an hour...but then again, it's Craigslist....

there are plent of legit DJs that happens to be advertising on CL and for far less. ($700-1000).

btw, your avatar creeps the hell out of me everytime I notice it.

 

[RbSX]

Why do people even bother with a DJ anymore? Most people have a friend that will spin, for a far more reasonable rate. Not to mention you can just rent your own gear or have a technically savvy friend rent some gear and throw an iPod playlist on.

Heh.

 

[Deeko]

Why do people even bother with a DJ anymore? Most people have a friend that will spin, for a far more reasonable rate. Not to mention you can just rent your own gear or have a technically savvy friend rent some gear and throw an iPod playlist on.

Heh.

An iPod playlist does not do a very good job of adapting to the crowd. If you're really on a budget, sure, its a solution, but its certainly not the same.

 

[Wyndru]

An iPod playlist does not do a very good job of adapting to the crowd. If you're really on a budget, sure, its a solution, but its certainly not the same.

But what about setting up a projector with milkdrop? It brings the party

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Depends what kind of DJ you want. To keep old tymers busy or a mixing club sort of vibe dj

 

[Josh]

5 hour reception: base price is 1300 with no lighting and separate gear for music during the cocktail hour (it's in a separate room) . Thought it may be a little steep. On Craigslist, I see them for $150 an hour...but then again, it's Craigslist....

I DJ'ed for a while and a lot of my good friends are DJs. To be honest, it can make or break a wedding. $1300 isn't bad...but it's not great. Is it just him? Is he MC'ing? If not, will there be an MC?

Honestly, if you want to have a great wedding and have your guests dance and enjoy themselves don't worry about $100 here or there for the DJ, rather make sure he is a GOOD DJ! Look up reviews, talk to past clients, talk to him about his experiences and what kind of music he chooses for specific crowds...and how he plans on handling your wedding party. If he has videos of past weddings that's always a great way to get a feel for how he adapts to crowds, etc. I've seen DJs who have been hired for $750 suck and ones who have been hired for $2500 suck.

Lighting is always typically extra. Cocktail hour music should be thrown in. It's nothing to throw a standalone speaker and a playlist in a separate room.

PS - Where are you located? If you are in NJ/NY/PA I may be able to recommend someone.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Go here
http://www.djforums.com/forums/index.php

 

[IceBergSLiM]

for 1300 he better be more of an Master of Ceremonies than a DJ. And he better have credentials and recommendations out the ass.

 

[blackdogdeek]

what city, state?

 

[bobdole369]

Why do people even bother with a DJ anymore? Most people have a friend that will spin, for a far more reasonable rate. Not to mention you can just rent your own gear or have a technically savvy friend rent some gear and throw an iPod playlist on.

Heh.

For the same reason you hire a professional photographer vs. your friend Jill. If you want the job done perfectly - hire somebody. If you can make do with "good enough" let your friend do it. I wouldn't recommend letting anybody but a pro handle your wedding. That day should be perfect. What if Jill's battery died or she dropped the camera in the punchbowl during the all-important first dance? At least a pro will have 2 cameras. And your buddy with an iPod probably doesn't know how to be a DJ as well as he thinks he does.

 

[Gibson486]

he has been rated 5/5 and is "brides choice 2011" on wedding wire....not sure of its good credentials....

 

[cheezy321]

Everyone is a DJ these days. I would assume prices have plummeted now that everyone spins on the 1's and 2's.

Portlandia 'Everyone is a DJ':
http://www.ifc.com/fix/2011/12/everybodys-a-dj-in-portlandia

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Everyone is a DJ these days. I would assume prices have plummeted now that everyone spins on the 1's and 2's.

Portlandia 'Everyone is a DJ':
http://www.ifc.com/fix/2011/12/everybodys-a-dj-in-portlandia

Playing Cds over a JVC Boombox doesnt make you a dj. Playing Virtual DJ on your pc doesnt make you a dj. Sync numpties

 

[cheezy321]

Playing Cds over a JVC Boombox doesnt make you a dj. Playing Virtual DJ on your pc doesnt make you a dj. Sync numpties

Doesnt change anything from the fact that everyone is a DJ these days. There are like 5 people at my office that mess around the with the software and 'spin'. Its a fad

 

[Gibson486]

I DJ'ed for a while and a lot of my good friends are DJs. To be honest, it can make or break a wedding. $1300 isn't bad...but it's not great. Is it just him? Is he MC'ing? If not, will there be an MC?

Honestly, if you want to have a great wedding and have your guests dance and enjoy themselves don't worry about $100 here or there for the DJ, rather make sure he is a GOOD DJ! Look up reviews, talk to past clients, talk to him about his experiences and what kind of music he chooses for specific crowds...and how he plans on handling your wedding party. If he has videos of past weddings that's always a great way to get a feel for how he adapts to crowds, etc. I've seen DJs who have been hired for $750 suck and ones who have been hired for $2500 suck.

Lighting is always typically extra. Cocktail hour music should be thrown in. It's nothing to throw a standalone speaker and a playlist in a separate room.

PS - Where are you located? If you are in NJ/NY/PA I may be able to recommend someone.

From my understanding, it's actually a DJ and an assistant. And there is an MC.

From what you say, you cannot really determine it from price. You have to get reviews....

 

[blackdogdeek]

i think everyone is confusing DJ with MC.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Doesnt change anything from the fact that everyone is a DJ these days. There are like 5 people at my office that mess around the with the software and 'spin'. Its a fad

Sync Numpties
PC's and software are not very accurate. You will hear it when you do recordings especially.

 

[drebo]

When we got married, it was ~$500 for the DJ for 5 hours, and he was great.

Meet with bunches of them until you find one you like that's within your ballpark.

 

[Josh]

From my understanding, it's actually a DJ and an assistant. And there is an MC.

From what you say, you cannot really determine it from price. You have to get reviews....

Yea, I'd say talk to some other clients of his. Also just feel him, out ask questions, etc. If you feel comfortable it probably will be a good fit.

Good luck!

 

[dmcowen674]

Too much for a DJ?

5 hour reception: base price is 1300 with no lighting and separate gear for music during the cocktail hour (it's in a separate room) . Thought it may be a little steep. On Craigslist, I see them for $150 an hour...but then again, it's Craigslist....

Do they charge extra for lighting?

I always bring the lights, it's part of the experience.

I have certain things I do with specific songs with lighting.

 

[arcenite]

Don't get a DJ for a wedding.

Get a band (that doesn't suck).

You won't be sorry.

 

[Gibson486]

Don't get a DJ for a wedding.

Get a band (that doesn't suck).

You won't be sorry.

You wanna give me the extra 2 grand for it?

 

[Gibson486]

Do they charge extra for lighting?

I always bring the lights, it's part of the experience.

I have certain things I do with specific songs with lighting.

They charge extra for ambient lighting throughout the venue, but it comes with lighting at the booth.

I got a bunch of qoutes. I have one guy who includes everything for 750. Then it jumps to 1200 (i actually know the person who owns that company) all the way up to 1800.