A quick video showing you what uplighting at Wachusett Mountain can be like when working with a specialist.
Updated: Mar 25, 2023
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Massachusetts Wedding DJ specialist Brian Fligg teams up with Brian & Amanda Olson for their wedding day at the Coachmen's Lodge. it was a perfect day for their outdoor ceremony by the water, and their guests enjoyed cocktails on the outdoor covered patio. It was a great wedding, great reception, and great overall day with fantastic people.
Uplighting that comes to life helped to bring maximum energy to the dance floor.
Updated: Nov 1, 2023
Have you searched for an
"Affordable DJ who wont break the bank"?
If so, read on.
You're getting married and need to find not just a DJ, but your Wedding DJ and you want to know what a wedding DJ costs. You hit the net and send the same message to the first 25 you find..."What are your prices?"
Sound familiar?
As a certified Wedding Specialist, people often ask about wedding DJ costs. Although you might think the answer is relatively straightforward, the most accurate answer is more complicated. Many factors determine the price of a wedding DJ, and in the end, what you pay will determine whether you get a quality service or a cheap service that will tarnish your once-in-a-lifetime event. So, to best answer this question, I have put together a realistic guide to provide some rough numbers to indicate what you can expect from your DJ come your wedding day. These numbers would not include lighting, dedicated ceremony sound system, or a photo booth.
Up to $700
This is going to be someone with a hobby. Little to no experience with weddings. No industry training. They likely wont carry the liability insurance your venue requires and will require you to provide internet access because they don't carry a music library. If the wi-fi or internet goes down, so does your celebration. Sloppy stage presence, both vocally and visually. Tends to cancel for a higher paying gig or the opportunity to hang with friends by the pool. No portfolio to showcase their talents. Attracts shoppers with a low price. Not reliable.
$700 – $1200
May have some experience with weddings, but most likely still a hobbyist. Slightly more dependable than a novice, but still likely operates as a part-time business. No industry training. They likely wont carry the liability insurance your venue requires and will require you to provide internet access because they don't carry a music library. If the internet goes down, so does your celebration. Stage presence would be better than a novice as long as you don't mind someone in blue jeans and a T-shirt as your 'Wedding DJ', but will still lack experience handling major engagements as a master of ceremonies. Check references and reviews to see their history. Probably at least has a Facebook page. Reliable, as long as you don't mind waiting for replies.
$1,200 – $1,800
More can be expected in this range. Will likely have insurance, some kind of portfolio to see work history, a better stage presence, and working on the skills needed to be a team leader for your big day. If price is your main concern, you are somewhat safe here as long as you don't expect too much.
$1,800 – $2,500
This is where you can have high expectations because you're working with a Master of Ceremonies (MC/emcee) specializing in Wedding DJ entertainment. Runs a full time business that they depend on to survive. Attends numerous training events a year. Has the required liability insurance and a local music library. Committed to giving you a personalized experience. Has a clean stage presence, both vocally and visually. Easy to find portfolio of past weddings. Won't leave you for another "gig." Reliable & available when you need them.
To summarize
Everyone wants the best deal they can get, right? However, this isn't an everyday event. This is your wedding! You are spending a lot of money on your special day. Do you want someone who is a novice DJ, poor master of ceremonies, inexperienced lighting person, or lacks the insurance a venue requires? As I write this article, I have already received three panicked calls this month from people looking to replace their wedding DJs based on the criteria I've previously mentioned.
Here's the difference.
On the low end, you're pretty much guaranteed a less than stellar performance. Lack of insurance, poor sound equipment, and last minute changes will almost certainly have a detrimental effect on your wedding. You won't get a team leader
in this price range so you may want to consider some form of DIY.
In the $700 to $1200 range, things are a bit better but still leave a lot to be desired. Since these DJs are working part-time, they are often hard to get a hold of and have far less time to dedicate to improving their skills or industry training. They'll probably play the correct songs for you, but their inexperience as a master of ceremonies could lead to mistakes that could be embarrassing.
As you approach the higher end DJs, you spend more than average on a Wedding DJ, but guess what's going to happen? You get a better than average experience. You're wedding reception will unfold in a way you love because you are involved in the planning process. You're going to go to your reception knowing your celebration is going to be perfect and all you have to do is enjoy it.
I hope this gave you some insight on what determines the cost of a wedding DJ. You can learn about me and how I can make your grand introductions awesome at BrianFligg.com, or give me a call at 978-855-5834.
~Wedding DJ Specialist Brian Fligg
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