Searching for the “right” Wedding Disc Jockey for your life time event can be a confusing task. Especially if you have never done it before. Many companies are happy to quote you their “packages” and tell you they can “keep the dance floor hopping all night long”, and that they have the “largest music collection on the planet”. But what does that all mean to you? How will it affect the outcome of your event?
Fact is, much of the fancy sales pitches in this business are just “hype”. The only real way you will find the right person is to understand WHO you are hiring. Ask them WHAT they can do for you. But while you are shopping for that person, here we will cover the kinds of DJ companies that are out there.
1) Booking agency company
These companies do not actually employee ANY DJs under their payroll. They sub contract all the entertainers to do the work and then take a commission on every booking. Say you hire ABC company and they get you “DJ Joe”, the agency will generally collect your deposit and pocket it, then have you pay the DJ the balance. Most agencies exercise little to no control over the DJ’s performance or quality of equipment used. In many cases you do not even get to speak with the DJ before the event. Also, they exercise the right to “swap” your DJ at any time before your event. If using this kind of service, make sure to get everything in writing and it always helps to see live performance of the person you’re assigned to.
2) Multi-Operation company
These companies hire DJs to work on their staff and train them to perform as needed. They are usually paying the DJs a small fee for the work or even an hourly rate. On a positive note, there is more quality control and the equipment is more consistent than the first option. It’s also important to ask to meet the DJ assigned and see live video of performance of them in action.
3) Solo-Operation company
For those looking for more personalized level of service a single operation DJ company may be a decent fit. Often you will speak directly with the person in charge of your event and they can tell you specifically what they personally can and will do. Again, always ask to see live video of actual performance and not just people dancing.
With any company or service you get what you pay for. The average price for a solid professional DJ entertainer in the Midwest ranges from $1200 to $2500. You can easily find a “hobbyist” style DJ for $400 to $800 that may or may not suit your needs. The big question is what will they do for you? How will they make your event spectacular? What training do they have to ensure quality? How much time will they put into preparation and planning for your event?
As you may see, there are many factors that can impact the overall outcome of your event. The person you hire will be your personal spokesperson representing you in front of your friends and family. If you pay $500 for a DJ and get poor results then you clearly wasted your money, even if it was only $500. A bad performance can actually have a negative impact on the success of your event. Price is important, but the value you receive is important as well. Ultimately, the entertainers highest in demand will book out first, so if you are seeking quality then be prepared to search at least a year or more ahead of time.
Thanks for reading and best of luck in your wedding planning.
Robert Lawrence
