Opinion on DJ Price....A little high or way too high?

Tipp man running

Just looking for peoples opinions that know more than I do.....I know nothing about DJ prices and booked one last night that I found online (no deposit paid and not an agency). Price quoted was between €800-€900 for the evening (5 hrs no band). Local lad with good reviews online. However my OH has got other quotes and thinks I'm paying way too much. I want a good DJ and not someone that plugs in an IPOD so I'm willing to pay appropiately, every man to his trade... Is this just a little on the high side or just too much?

Thanks in advance

Toots

In my experience that's high for a DJ. I paid €600 for mine, he did from about 9pm to 2am and was recommended by our hotel.

Tipp man running

Thanks Toots
Ya thats around the quotes my other half is getting.

mcgiggles

While it is less than a band would cost, it does seems high for a DJ, bands generally have a few people which is why they can be so high (its like a certain amount per person - or so I've been told before) and DJ is one man band.. I'd price around and see what price others are or ask around about him and see how good he is.. it might be worth it if it means the floor will be full all night (then again if you can get another for lower price and just as good reviews.. go for the lower )

sweetie

Tipp man running wrote: »

Just looking for peoples opinions that know more than I do.....I know nothing about DJ prices and booked one last night that I found online (no deposit paid and not an agency). Price quoted was between €800-€900 for the evening (5 hrs no band). Local lad with good reviews online. However my OH has got other quotes and thinks I'm paying way too much. I want a good DJ and not someone that plugs in an IPOD so I'm willing to pay appropiately, every man to his trade... Is this just a little on the high side or just too much?

Thanks in advance

Depends on the gig really, obviously travel time is quite low if he's local, does it require extra gear or services on the night? Are they a specialist in a particular genre or that you have sought out or a known person from radio?
Also remember that a dj has to mostly bring the same gear to a wedding as a band (in general), that doesn't come cheap. Take the cost of the gear away from a quote and then work out what the individual gets.

stargazer 68

Our dj was 350 - played for the same times as you want. He was recommended by the hotel and travelled 40 minutes to the venue. He was absolutely brilliant - had the floor full all night. He sent us a list of all the music he had and we could create our own playlist if we wanted. Anything not on the list that we particularly wanted he had too or got for us.

That price is way high!

sweetie

Dovies wrote: »

Our dj was 350 - played for the same times as you want. He was recommended by the hotel and travelled 40 minutes to the venue. He was absolutely brilliant - had the floor full all night. He sent us a list of all the music he had and we could create our own playlist if we wanted. Anything not on the list that we particularly wanted he had too or got for us.

That price is way high!

In fairness your price was way on the low side.

sweetie

Dovies wrote: »

Our dj was 350 - played for the same times as you want. He was recommended by the hotel and travelled 40 minutes to the venue. He was absolutely brilliant - had the floor full all night. He sent us a list of all the music he had and we could create our own playlist if we wanted. Anything not on the list that we particularly wanted he had too or got for us.

That price is way high!

In fairness your price was on the low side. That would be the after-band price for most of the djs I know.

sweetie

sweetie wrote: »

Depends on the gig really, obviously travel time is quite low if he's local, does it require extra gear or services on the night? Are they a specialist in a particular genre or that you have sought out or a known person from radio?
Also remember that a dj has to mostly bring the same gear to a wedding as a band (in general), that doesn't come cheap. Take the cost of the gear away from a quote and then work out what the individual gets.

That is simply not true. I say that as someone who has deep knowledge, and investment of time and money, in both areas. Just want to point that out to the OP in case she takes that as fact while making her decision.

OP, you can pay quite a bit less than that, especially if the €900 is just to make you feel safe in the knowledge that it won't be some chancer with an IPod and a sound-bar who shows up on the big day.

For €900, you would want to be getting a radio personality IMO. For €400-600, you would get a professional DJ with the appropriate sound equipment and lighting effects. Anything less than €300 for a 5 hour set, that is a great price, but either someone is seriously underselling their product, or the product they are selling isn't all that great. You could find a gem for €250, just like you could find a chancer for €900. Generally though, €500 should more than see you right for your evening.

I am not trying to sell you anything and will not be following this up with a PM but I'm just drawing on my own knowledge of the business to help you out. I know for a fact that for €900 you would get a quality 2 piece music act for a drinks reception (not me!) and a quality DJ (also not me!) for the night. I say all this not making judgements on the DJ charging €900, or anyone paying it. The OP wondered if she can get a professional DJ for a fairer price, and I 100% reckon she can.

stargazer 68

sweetie wrote: »

In fairness your price was on the low side. That would be the after-band price for most of the djs I know.

You are right! I have just looked at his website and he is 550 for what we got - however as he was included in the package for the 2nd day and we booked him for the wedding too it was reduced to 350.

Mimibogg

we just booked our DJ at the weekend. we got a package through a great website (we met them initially at the RDS show) its €900 for a full night of DJ (up to 2am), and two lighting effects which cost 300 each on their own.

I'd look around for a better deal. Obviously if you are happy to pay the money well and good but i think its a bit steep for a DJ on its own.

clint_silver

Mimibogg wrote: »

we just booked our DJ at the weekend. we got a package through a great website (we met them initially at the RDS show) its €900 for a full night of DJ (up to 2am), and two lighting effects which cost 300 each on their own.

I'd look around for a better deal. Obviously if you are happy to pay the money well and good but i think its a bit steep for a DJ on its own.

can you clarify two lighting effects that cost 300 each on their own? thanks

Mimibogg

clint_silver wrote: »

can you clarify two lighting effects that cost 300 each on their own? thanks

coloured uplighting around the room and a monogram light that shines around the dancefloor

endacl

Jaysus. That's good money for pressing <play>.

I know there's a premium paid for weddings. No problem with musicians charging it. They have to be able to do something for their cash. Lining up a load of cheesy floorfillers in a playlist, for nearly 200 quid an hour? Seriously?

Yeboah

like whats been said 900 is way too steep imo and you would want a "celeb" dj for that..anywhere between 500 and 700 in my experience for a good quality dj for a 5 hour wedding

Sh1tbag OToole

endacl wrote: »

Jaysus. That's good money for pressing <play>.

I know there's a premium paid for weddings. No problem with musicians charging it. They have to be able to do something for their cash. Lining up a load of cheesy floorfillers in a playlist, for nearly 200 quid an hour? Seriously?

I think with the advent of iTunes the art of DJing has suffered a lot. You get this flopster dude with a T-shirt that's too tight and spikey hair gyrating to sh1te tunes that he played at the last 10 similar events occasionally twiddling a few knobs to make sure it looks like he's doing something

Alternatively you can hire a bored teenager for 50 quid to do the same thing

Tipp man running

Op here...
Thanks very much to everyone that gave an opinion, gives me a lot of food for thought. I'm confident that the DJ in question will fill the floor and I don't really want to go back on my booking, he seems a good bloke. I might just have a chat with him to see what the price includes.

endacl

Tipp man running wrote: »

Op here...
Thanks very much to everyone that gave an opinion, gives me a lot of food for thought. I'm confident that the DJ in question will fill the floor and I don't really want to go back on my booking, he seems a good bloke. I might just have a chat with him to see what the price includes.

Think of a price you'd be happy with. Offer him the gig. If he's nothing else on the night he'll take it.

Claude Burgundy

Dovies wrote: »

Our dj was 350 - played for the same times as you want. He was recommended by the hotel and travelled 40 minutes to the venue. He was absolutely brilliant - had the floor full all night. He sent us a list of all the music he had and we could create our own playlist if we wanted. Anything not on the list that we particularly wanted he had too or got for us.

That price is way high!

Did you get a vat invoice ?

The_Honeybadger

endacl wrote: »

Jaysus. That's good money for pressing <play>.

I know there's a premium paid for weddings. No problem with musicians charging it. They have to be able to do something for their cash. Lining up a load of cheesy floorfillers in a playlist, for nearly 200 quid an hour? Seriously?

There's a bit more to it than pressing play. A good dj can make the night while a bad one can ruin it. I've seen both first hand and the price difference can be well justified for a good dj. The really good guys will have spent many thousands on gear and misic and will have an expert knowledge of all genres, as well as a great personality on the mic. A lot of people will feel that's worth paying for.

Others will be happy with an iPod hooked up to a couple of cheap speakers. Each to their own.

Davec82

I'm pretty sure Martin was your choice at that price point. I am a full time DJ myself soecializibg in weddings but if it is the same provider as I think, then €900 is a very good price. Some DJs offer a lot more than a standard party package which is what most people quote for. My packages have. Gone up to €3000 depending on the extras and funnily enough, the couples that spend more have been quicker to give reviews in the great value they have gotten. Yes, you could get a good DJ cheaper but the question you should ask is, do you want good or the best? I hope this helps and if you need any other advice that I can contribute in just let me know

endacl

mickeyk wrote: »

There's a bit more to it than pressing play. A good dj can make the night while a bad one can ruin it. I've seen both first hand and the price difference can be well justified for a good dj. The really good guys will have spent many thousands on gear and misic and will have an expert knowledge of all genres, as well as a great personality on the mic. A lot of people will feel that's worth paying for.

Others will be happy with an iPod hooked up to a couple of cheap speakers. Each to their own.

We're not talking superstar DJ at a hyper club in Ibiza. Matching beats on Abba's usual suspects into the Macarena, segueing into Rock the Boat doesn't require an expert knowledge of anything. It requires a bog standard knowledge of what people who wobble around the floor at weddings expect to hear while they're wobbling around the floor at a wedding. Anything outside of this will have been requested by the wedding party. Wedding DJs don't spend thousands on equipment. They spend as much as is necessary to provide an adequate setup. Which can be done for under a grand. Once it's powerful enough to fill a function room and there's a few lights, that'll do.

The_Honeybadger

endacl wrote: »

We're not talking superstar DJ at a hyper club in Ibiza. Matching beats on Abba's usual suspects into the Macarena, segueing into Rock the Boat doesn't require an expert knowledge of anything. It requires a bog standard knowledge of what people who wobble around the floor at weddings expect to hear while they're wobbling around the floor at a wedding. Anything outside of this will have been requested by the wedding party. Wedding DJs don't spend thousands on equipment. They spend as much as is necessary to provide an adequate setup. Which can be done for under a grand. Once it's powerful enough to fill a function room and there's a few lights, that'll do.

Sorry but they do. I personally know guys whose setups would be up to five figures, and would have different options depending on what the client wants. Many do add ons like uplighting as well which can contribute to a higher cost.

Yes you can go out djing with a cheap setup off Donedeal and a couple of Now cd compilations. That can work fine in some situations. What happens when you get an awkward crowd with an eclectic taste in music? Or when the cheap system doesn't work and there is no plan b? Also, abba and rock the boat? Things have moved on a bit and people expect a bit more these days.

In the end it comes down to the client and their expectations and budget. Most of the really expensive guys have excellent reputations and are extremely busy so some people obviously feel they are worth the premium.

endacl

mickeyk wrote: »

Most of the really expensive guys have excellent reputations and are extremely busy so some people obviously feel they are worth the premium.

Loads of people used to think that decking and patio heaters were worth the premium too...

sweetie

endacl wrote: »

We're not talking superstar DJ at a hyper club in Ibiza. Matching beats on Abba's usual suspects into the Macarena, segueing into Rock the Boat doesn't require an expert knowledge of anything. It requires a bog standard knowledge of what people who wobble around the floor at weddings expect to hear while they're wobbling around the floor at a wedding. Anything outside of this will have been requested by the wedding party. Wedding DJs don't spend thousands on equipment. They spend as much as is necessary to provide an adequate setup. Which can be done for under a grand. Once it's powerful enough to fill a function room and there's a few lights, that'll do.

That's fine, we get it, you don't rate wedding djs. The best guys who spend money on their sound, lighting and setup will continue to charge the premium money and get it from people who want a premium service. You're not their client and that's fine.
Hope you're happy with your bog standard, adequate dj if you ever need to book one.

lainey316

Ours was nowhere near that money but he did an awful lot more than press play - we made sure we got a DJ that normally does clubs rather than weddings so that he'd have the right music and right vibe. Which he did. I'd have paid him more than what he asked for, we did give him an extra €50 at the end of the night we were so pleased.

It depends on your crowd, what you can have. If you have a crowd not that bothered about music who are happy to 'shuffle around' to abba (which I specifically banned!) and radio hits then maybe a cheapie with an ipod is fine - especially if you know most will be more into propping up the bar than dancing. It would have been awful for us and not what we wanted - we wanted someone who would manage a decent flow of music that made sense and wasn't hopping around the place, that could read the crowd and adjust if necessary. I've been to enough weddings with dodgy boring half-a$$ed DJs to make sure mine wasn't one!

clint_silver

lainey316 wrote: »

Ours was nowhere near that money but he did an awful lot more than press play - we made sure we got a DJ that normally does clubs rather than weddings so that he'd have the right music and right vibe. Which he did. I'd have paid him more than what he asked for, we did give him an extra €50 at the end of the night we were so pleased.

It depends on your crowd, what you can have. If you have a crowd not that bothered about music who are happy to 'shuffle around' to abba (which I specifically banned!) and radio hits then maybe a cheapie with an ipod is fine - especially if you know most will be more into propping up the bar than dancing. It would have been awful for us and not what we wanted - we wanted someone who would manage a decent flow of music that made sense and wasn't hopping around the place, that could read the crowd and adjust if necessary. I've been to enough weddings with dodgy boring half-a$$ed DJs to make sure mine wasn't one!

Thing is most pro wedding DJ's can do that if asked, Nothing better then getting strong guidance on playlists and genres. Premium guys can handle that in their stride.

lazygal

endacl wrote: »

We're not talking superstar DJ at a hyper club in Ibiza. Matching beats on Abba's usual suspects into the Macarena, segueing into Rock the Boat doesn't require an expert knowledge of anything. It requires a bog standard knowledge of what people who wobble around the floor at weddings expect to hear while they're wobbling around the floor at a wedding. Anything outside of this will have been requested by the wedding party. Wedding DJs don't spend thousands on equipment. They spend as much as is necessary to provide an adequate setup. Which can be done for under a grand. Once it's powerful enough to fill a function room and there's a few lights, that'll do.

I don't know how many weddings you've been to lately but this hasn't been my experience of many in recent years.
The song that got everyone up dancing, even the oldies, on our big day was Kings of Leon's Sex is on Fire. The few 'traditional' songs the band tried cleared the floor for a few minutes. We had a DJ after. The DJ did a lot more than press play and stand looking bored in the fairy lights too.

lainey316

clint_silver wrote: »

Thing is most pro wedding DJ's can do that if asked, Nothing better then getting strong guidance on playlists and genres. Premium guys can handle that in their stride.

Yes - that's why we were happy to pay for a good professional DJ. Not some guy who will just "press play" (many of whom seem to come in a package with the band in my experience).

Yeboah

we were at a wedding recently in limerick, the band was not good to be honest but the dj afterwards was brilliant.he came highly recommended to the bride and groom and it turned out we had used him before a couple years back for a private party and he was always good and to be fair he made the night once more. The beatologist was his name I think from galtee djs or something like that ...floor was hopping all night

GingerLily

My band is going to be playing for 3 hours, I'm actually not too bothered by the DJ, there will be plenty of dancing before they get on.
I imagine the cigars etc will be out at that stage!

AndersLimpar

endacl wrote: »

Jaysus. That's good money for pressing <play>.

I know there's a premium paid for weddings. No problem with musicians charging it. They have to be able to do something for their cash. Lining up a load of cheesy floorfillers in a playlist, for nearly 200 quid an hour? Seriously?

I work in the wedding industry and see a LOT of DJ's and the good ones are worth every penny they charge. Some of them are brutal of course and no amount of fancy lights and equiment can make up for that. The good ones have the floor full for the night. Its knowing when to play the right tune, what gets people up dancing but more importantly what keeps them up dancing. The bad ones have no idea how to do this and just play tune after tune hoping for the best.

You know full well that there is a lot more to it than pressing play, same as there is with any other job. I'm pretty sure you are not self employed as if you were you would understand this. Any bona fide business has a lot of overheads that nobody sees only them and these need to be paid for regardless. Advertising, insurance, taxes, travelling, equipment, training, networking etc etc all cost money. Any supplier charges what they believe they are worth and usually the more expensive they are the better they are, simple. If you dont agree with that then go elsewhere and pay what you can afford.

Not everyone can afford or appreciate michelin starred restaurants. Some are happy with McDonalds. Nothing wrong with that.

maryishere

Dovies wrote: »

Our dj was 350 - played for the same times as you want. He was recommended by the hotel and travelled 40 minutes to the venue. He was absolutely brilliant - had the floor full all night. He sent us a list of all the music he had and we could create our own playlist if we wanted. Anything not on the list that we particularly wanted he had too or got for us.

That price is way high!

I second that. My cousin got married recently and they paid €300 but that was a country wedding, and he was brilliant dj too. Shop around and bargain OP, €800 is a rip off Ireland price.

Claude Burgundy

maryishere wrote: »

I second that. My cousin got married recently and they paid €300 but that was a country wedding, and he was brilliant dj too. Shop around and bargain OP, €800 is a rip off Ireland price.

I wouldn't agree, here are some points to consider.

A- 300, more than likely its a nixer and no tax being paid. You'll also find that the cheaper ones often ( not always ) have lower grade equipment.

B - 800, vat is being charged, the dj is paying full tax. The level of equipment is top notch with him carrying back up equipment. A full written contract with T&C covering both parties. Add to that full public liability insurance covering your guests in case something happens.

I know dj's that carry, an extra speaker ( worth 700 ), extra ipad ( 500 plus ), extra lights ( over 1k ). These might never leave the van, but if there's a problem they have them.

There's more to the fee that just " pressing a few buttons"

Stealthfins

You'd get Paul Oakenfold for the price he's charging.