Planning a wedding is challenging work. With all the moving parts, it’s easy to lose things in the shuffle. In the excitement, people often overlook how much to budget for a wedding DJ. But while your wedding entertainment may not be first on the list, statistics show it’s the most memorable for the guests attending your wedding.
Most wedding planners recommend using 5% of your wedding budget on entertainment, but that doesn’t mean you should shortchange your entertainment by trying to save a few bucks. Modern Bride found that of the people they surveyed, 38% said they remembered the entertainment most from the weddings they attended. The St. Louis Bride and Groom magazine also posted a survey that 72% of brides wish they spent more on entertainment.
So how do you make your wedding entertainment unforgettable for your guests without spending too much? The following article discusses the best practices when you’re budgeting for wedding DJs. It outlines what you can expect from hiring a DJ, and it will give you the tools to confidently approach your wedding DJ budget.
How Much Does a Wedding DJ Cost?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to hiring a wedding DJ. If you are located in Montana, much of your budget depends on factors such as your wedding location, how long your reception is, what type of package you need, and whether you choose a wedding dj bozeman. However, the US’s average DJ cost is $1000, and most couples spend between $780 to $1495.
Over the past few years, couples increased their wedding DJ budget because they realize the entertainment value DJs provide. Before you decide you don’t want to spend much on a wedding DJ, think about what you remember about other people’s weddings. You might recall the delicious meal, but if it was a good wedding, chances are, you remember the dancing the most.
Wedding DJ Price Factors
Deciding on your wedding DJ budget depends on a few things. You should consider how your wedding fits in with each of these factors instead of basing your decisions on others’ recommendations. It’s your wedding; only you can decide what’s best for it.
The primary factors influencing wedding DJ prices are the location, venue size, performance length, equipment, and experience level.
DJ Set Length
DJs base some of their pricing on the amount of time it takes them to prepare their playlists. The longer their set, the more music they need to cover it. When deciding on how long you want the DJ to perform, consider whether you need the DJ during cocktail hour and dinner. If you don’t, you might be able to save by hiring them for less time.
Additional Equipment
If you’re looking to go all-out for your wedding’s musical entertainment, you might have to pay a little extra cash. DJs who offer add-ons such as karaoke, confetti shooters, lasers, and fog machines will cost more than the standard package. However, these add-ons can be the most memorable aspects of your wedding DJ set. Anyone can play the electric slide but imagine laser lights and fog machines everywhere when you “slide to the left” and “slide to the right.”
Travel Fees
If your wedding is in a remote location and you have a specific local DJ you want to play your wedding, you’ll have to factor their travel costs into your budget. Add their gas expenses to the overall estimate if this is the case. Travel expenses can be $50 for travel times.
If your wedding is less than an hour away, DJs shouldn’t charge you for their travel time. For anything longer than an hour away, however, you should expect to incur gas expenses. If your wedding location isn’t near a city, you might also have to pay lodging expenses.
Venue Setting
The benefit of choosing an indoor venue is that most of them have house sound systems that DJs can plug-and-play. These venues might also have in-house lighting, backup equipment, and a stage, so the DJ company can save money without providing theirs. If you plan on having an outdoor wedding, or if it’s in a remote location not typically used for weddings, the DJ might have to bring additional equipment, increasing your total costs.
Wedding Party Size
The DJ bases their equipment list on the wedding attendance; the more people, the more equipment the DJ needs to crank the music. The DJ may require additional speakers, microphones, extension cords, or power cables.
For outdoor weddings or venues far away from a power source, the DJ might require a generator. They might also have to click here provide an outdoor stage or canopy to protect guests from inclement weather. Tents for such occasions typically cost around $500.
What Do Wedding DJs Provide?
When you decide on which DJ you want to perform at your wedding, it’s essential to consider all of the services they offer. Thinking about which services you need most will help you make an informed decision and budget accordingly. When you meet with different vendors, try to determine where they stand in the following areas.
Time
Successful DJs don’t throw generic sets together and use them for all their clients. They spend hours trying to customize the playlist to their clients’ satisfaction. They also script your reception, so they make guests feel welcome. One of the worst things a DJ can do is forget the bride or groom’s name. A successful wedding DJ puts in the time to learn everyone’s name, so the announcement portions run smoothly.
Equipment
Professional wedding DJs don’t expect venues to have the equipment they need, and they don’t sacrifice quality to save a few dollars. They prepare for every situation they could encounter and have expertise in state-of-the-art equipment.
Personal Touch
Creating a memorable event is about more than the music DJs play. To create a lasting impression on your guests, hire DJs who make personal connections with your wedding party. In some ways, wedding DJs have more of a responsibility as master of ceremony than a DJ. They need to control the reception’s flow and ease the bride and groom’s stress so they can enjoy their special evening together.
Use Your Wedding DJ Budget to Create an Unforgettable Evening
Your wedding should be the most magical evening of your life. Who you choose as a DJ will significantly affect whether you’re comfortable with your wedding entertainment or whether you’ll have one more thing to stress over. 93% of wedding guests expect there to be live music at the reception. Make sure your wedding music is what people want to hear.
Before you spend your whole budget on your wedding gown or catering, remember that most people are thinking less about the embroidered name cards and more about whether they can let loose on the dance floor. If you are near Bozeman, hire the right wedding DJ service Montana, and people will talk about your wedding for years to come.
