Is a $1,200 to $1,600 for a 5 to 6 hour Wedding DJ a Low End Budget DJ?

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DO you consider a DJ who charges $1,200 to $1,500 to be a low end Wedding DJ?

  • Yes, DJs in this price range are working low end weddings, and are in the lower range of price.

    Votes: 2 7.4%

  • VERY LOW END. All DJs priced below $1,600 are low end DJs working low end events

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • No. This is a middle range price for a Wedding DJ

    Votes: 15 55.6%

  • No. This is Upper Cusp of the Middle Range nearing the High End

    Votes: 7 25.9%

  • That is rediculous. $1,200 to $1,600 is a high end Wedding DJ Price

    Votes: 3 11.1%
  • Total voters
    27
As a point of reference, a DJ charging $475 in 1983 (adjusted for inflation) is the equivalent earning level of a DJ charging $1,240 today.

Here's the rub:
If we are talking purely about the ability to create a more than desirable playlist and present it with skilled mixing - then you can't simply claim to be worth more due to inflation because that skill set is no longer unique to professionals as opposed to consumers. Technology has greatly reduced the cost and value.

If on the other hand we are talking about unique talents like emcee, dancer, singer, etc. (entertainment) then those skills still remain unique - and one should expect to see prices tracking with inflation.

This is similar to what we saw with careers in Information Technology. For a while - the hot jobs were all in the IT industry and with very high salaries. Then the plug-and-play technology began to erode key responsibilities and at the same time consumers grew more tech savvy. IT jobs today are like being the HARE who at every pause in the race is faced with a TURTLE who requires less and less time to overtake him. The race to stay relevant with respect to wages keeps accelerating.
 
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Proformance said:
As a point of reference, a DJ charging $475 in 1983 (adjusted for inflation) is the equivalent earning level of a DJ charging $1,240 today.

Here's the rub:
If we are talking purely about the ability to create a more than desirable playlist and present it with skilled mixing - then you can't simply claim to be worth more due to inflation because that skill set is no longer unique to professionals as opposed to consumers. Technology has greatly reduced the cost and value.

If on the other hand we are talking about unique talents like emcee, dancer, singer, etc. (entertainment) then those skills still remain unique - and one should expect to see prices tracking with inflation.

This is similar to what we saw with careers in Information Technology. For a while - the hot jobs were all in the IT industry and with very high salaries. Then the plug-and-play technology began to erode key responsibilities and at the same time consumers grew more tech savvy. IT jobs today are like being the HARE who at every pause in the race is faced with a TURTLE who requires less and less time to overtake him. The race to stay relevant with respect to wages keeps accelerating.
Click to expand...
I agree with you when you say technology has made things cheaper. It has become much easier to become a DJ due to technology. The issue with that is some see what we as very easy and some will get into this business thinking they will get to make some easy money doing this. Now what do you do if you're like me? I have super great mixing skills but I can't sing at all. My singing voice will make you run away.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I agree with you when you say technology has made things cheaper. It has become much easier to become a DJ due to technology. The issue with that is some see what we as very easy and some will get into this business thinking they will get to make some easy money doing this. Now what do you do if you're like me? I have super great mixing skills but I can't sing at all. My singing voice will make you run away.
Click to expand...
It’s funny I can’t think of anyone I know that has tried to get into djing in like the last 2-3yrs. While popular to do in the mid 2000’s all the way it’ll 2015... I think people quickly caught on it’s not easy to make money, and that it’s actually a lot more work than thought. You’ve been saying that line since 2010, but it really isn’t relevant now in my opinion
 
djtaso said:
It’s funny I can’t think of anyone I know that has tried to get into djing in like the last 2-3yrs. While popular to do in the mid 2000’s all the way it’ll 2015... I think people quickly caught on it’s not easy to make money, and that it’s actually a lot more work than thought. You’ve been saying that line since 2010, but it really isn’t relevant now in my opinion
Click to expand...

The heyday of people trying to DJ for profit was the 1980's and 1990's. By the early 2000's real DJs started leaving in droves for other areas of the music industry. What remained as "Mobile DJs" was largely a swinging door of youth or adult CD enthusiasts working at even lower wages with multi-ops and agents. The whole "DJ Association" and subsequent battle for legitimacy unwittingly exposed the trade for what it had become - a leveraged sector of consumer electronics that would make this same "media at your fingertips" experience an integral part of the home entertainment center.

Ricky's poll is seriously flawed, because if all things were equal $1,200 - $1,600 is exactly what a wedding DJ would cost in 2020 (before adding all the gimmics and extras.) His numbers are already the 1983 equivalent of the prevailing DJ wage.

But all things are NOT EQUAL. There was no internet in 1983, no personal laptops, no iPods, and CDs were still a novel new thing that occupied less than 10% of the space in a record store. Anyone who has a smart phone in their pocket is already carrying around their own personal DJ - and they are likley very practiced and particular about what they like. That's a permanent game changer on the value of paying someone else to represent your musical preferences as a means to entertain guests. Without other more serious aesthetic, logistical, or technical, parameters to be met - there is little incentive to do so.

The worse an economy gets - the greater the incentive NOT to do so, and still more consumer alternatives appear to meet the changing demand. We can't assume that DJs will return at all when this pandemic is over. In addition to technology - you will have a public far more skilled at using it, along with rapidly advancing interfaces, connectivity, and AI.
 
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djrox said:
Ability to embrace growth is a prerequisite for survival.
Click to expand...

If you took all discussions ever posted around this issue and replaced every reference to: "disc-jockey" with "bar-tender" then the reality of this endeavor would be obvious. We all know intuitively that the secret to making good money as a bar-tender has NOTHING to do with the price people will pay for a drink.
 
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Proformance said:
The heyday of people trying to DJ for profit was the 1980's and 1990's. By the early 2000's real DJs started leaving in droves for other areas of the music industry. What remained as "Mobile DJs" was largely a swinging door of youth or adult CD enthusiasts working at even lower wages with multi-ops and agents. The whole "DJ Association" and subsequent battle for legitimacy unwittingly exposed the trade for what it had become - a leveraged sector of consumer electronics that would make this same "media at your fingertips" experience an integral part of the home entertainment center.

Ricky's poll is seriously flawed, because if all things were equal $1,200 - $1,600 is exactly what a wedding DJ would cost in 2020 (before adding all the gimmics and extras.) His numbers are already the 1983 equivalent of the prevailing DJ wage.

But all things are NOT EQUAL. There was no internet in 1983, no personal laptops, no iPods, and CDs were still a novel new thing that occupied less than 10% of the space in a record store. Anyone who has a smart phone in their pocket is already carrying around their own personal DJ - and they are likley very practiced and particular about what they like. That's a permanent game changer on the value of paying someone else to represent your musical preferences as a means to entertain guests. Without other more serious aesthetic, logistical, or technical, parameters to be met - there is little incentive to do so.

The worse an economy gets - the greater the incentive NOT to do so, and still more consumer alternatives appear to meet the changing demand. We can't assume that DJs will return at all when this pandemic is over. In addition to technology - you will have a public far more skilled at using it, along with rapidly advancing interfaces, connectivity, and AI.
Click to expand...


Today, people genuinely book DJs for weddings out of necessity, and convenience.

Look at how few birthday parties have DJs today. Birthday parties are down by like 98% compared to the 90s. Back then people wanted to party for their birthday, booked a DJ. and threw a party. That was barely occurring in 2010/2011. Fast forward to 2020, and that segment is DEAD.

Corporate parties have been in swift decline since the recession, and now the pandemic/recession has KILLED that segment as well.

BARS - NO money there any more. Adjusted for inflation, bar owners pay DJs probably -60% compared to what DJs earned in bars back in the 80s/90s.

Weddings is all Mobile DJs have that is left, and that depends on the clientele you are targeting/attracting and able to book. There are still plenty of $400 to $500 wedding gigs to be had out there because that is all much of the clientele out there wants to pay for a DJ. $400 for a wedding today is like working for a wedding in 1983 for $155. The only difference is that weddings are typically longer today, and the equipment is much lighter today...and the music is far easier to obtain.

I actually just lost a late booking bride...She was an older bride, and her wedding was a budget wedding. She was looking for someone on Gig Masters. Wanted a DJ 1 pm to 7 pm. 6 hours, and needed 2 sound systems. I quoted $975 and told her I was giving her a steep discount at that price for what she needed ....I followed up 2 days after our initial conversation. ...She actually found someone for $500 to do her gig. ...She was honest with me when we originally talked, and she was looking for the lowest price. I knew I likely wouldn't get it, but no way was I willing to lower my price any further to get it booked.

There are clients who have tight budgets, and simply don't really value typical priced services, and obviously would never bother with higher priced services. They want the lowest price they can find, and are willing to accept mediocre service. I guess in their minds as long as the DJ shows up on time, and there is music playing, their list of songs are hopefully all played, and they can have a microphone to speak on for speeches, that is all that matters to them in the end. They don't see past that in their mind, and are only really booking a DJ out of necessity so they don't have to DIY this part of their wedding.
 
DJ Ricky B said:
Today, people genuinely book DJs for weddings out of necessity, and convenience.

Look at how few birthday parties have DJs today. Birthday parties are down by like 98% compared to the 90s. Back then people wanted to party for their birthday, booked a DJ. and threw a party. That was barely occurring in 2010/2011. Fast forward to 2020, and that segment is DEAD.

Corporate parties have been in swift decline since the recession, and now the pandemic/recession has KILLED that segment as well.

BARS - NO money there any more. Adjusted for inflation, bar owners pay DJs probably -60% compared to what DJs earned in bars back in the 80s/90s.

Weddings is all Mobile DJs have that is left, and that depends on the clientele you are targeting/attracting and able to book. There are still plenty of $400 to $500 wedding gigs to be had out there because that is all much of the clientele out there wants to pay for a DJ. $400 for a wedding today is like working for a wedding in 1983 for $155. The only difference is that weddings are typically longer today, and the equipment is much lighter today...and the music is far easier to obtain.

I actually just lost a late booking bride...She was an older bride, and her wedding was a budget wedding. She was looking for someone on Gig Masters. Wanted a DJ 1 pm to 7 pm. 6 hours, and needed 2 sound systems. I quoted $975 and told her I was giving her a steep discount at that price for what she needed ....I followed up 2 days after our initial conversation. ...She actually found someone for $500 to do her gig. ...She was honest with me when we originally talked, and she was looking for the lowest price. I knew I likely wouldn't get it, but no way was I willing to lower my price any further to get it booked.

There are clients who have tight budgets, and simply don't really value typical priced services, and obviously would never bother with higher priced services. They want the lowest price they can find, and are willing to accept mediocre service. I guess in their minds as long as the DJ shows up on time, and there is music playing, their list of songs are hopefully all played, and they can have a microphone to speak on for speeches, that is all that matters to them in the end. They don't see past that in their mind, and are only really booking a DJ out of necessity so they don't have to DIY this part of their wedding.
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Have you ever shadowed or worked with someone that charges much more than you? I highly advise it. You view djs like most of your clients do, and i think it’s because, like them, you never saw something different that stood out.

anyways I’m up in Wilmington, de on 10/23. I’d say come and see something different if you’d like.
 
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DJ Ricky B said:
Weddings is all Mobile DJs have that is left, and that depends on the clientele you are targeting/attracting and able to book.
Click to expand...

I think Taso would disagree....sweet 16's are a big part of his income, but he's worked really hard and steady while being lazer focused for a while to achieve that. Taso, please correct me if I'm wrong....
 
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dunlopj said:
I think Taso would disagree....sweet 16's are a big part of his income, but he's worked really hard and steady while being lazer focused for a while to achieve that. Taso, please correct me if I'm wrong....
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Nope you're 100% correct. Every industry has people that specialize in certain things. For example, even the bar industry has bartenders who stand out leaps and bounds from others... they have great personalities, showmanship skills, and extreme knowledge of their product. There are bartenders, who just like chefs, charge a lot to do be bartenders for private gatherings. These aren't your typical bartenders at the bar or local club... these are ones that charge a lot and work for wealthy clientele who throw parties at their residences.

I worked super hard to take the Sweet 16 industry and create a luxury segment for it. Not that one didn't exist... but I worked hard to make it mainstream, and to appear as if spending $3-$6k was the norm amongst my circle of clientele. However... the avg sweet 16 still spends less than $1000 on entertainment. The avg Sweet 16 I had in 2019/2020 was about $4300... but keep in mind the avg labor/material cost for such a production is about $800-$1200 depending on the options.

Now that I'm older, I'm transferring my focus to Weddings. Weddings are different in nature... more elegant... slightly less flashy in terms of extras like tv's co2, staging, etc. So I'm not necessarily focusing on large production based weddings, but weddings where the couple appreciates the attention to detail and presentation... and that's what I'm known for. At the wedding I did this past weekend... I charged over $3k for my services. I played for 50 ppl. I had 2 couples coming up to me asking for cards before I even opened up the dancefloor. When the night was over and I went to say goodbye to the couple the bride was raving, but more noticeably, pointed out how much she appreciated the countless calls and facetime's with her to get everything perfect, and how I went above and beyond what she ever expected. As mentioned, I'm focusing not on production here, but more so service and presentation and making that become my branding for Weddings.

To compare to Sweet 16';s... my avg wedding is $3200 (before my $350 price increase), and my avg expenses are $300 in labor and materials. Once my price increase starts to take effect, the profit margins between weddings and sweet 16's will be virtually identical despite sweet's being $1000 more.

It's specializing in something that allows you to maximize your potential.
 
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djtaso said:
Nope you're 100% correct. Every industry has people that specialize in certain things. For example, even the bar industry has bartenders who stand out leaps and bounds from others... they have great personalities, showmanship skills, and extreme knowledge of their product. There are bartenders, who just like chefs, charge a lot to do be bartenders for private gatherings. These aren't your typical bartenders at the bar or local club... these are ones that charge a lot and work for wealthy clientele who throw parties at their residences.

I worked super hard to take the Sweet 16 industry and create a luxury segment for it. Not that one didn't exist... but I worked hard to make it mainstream, and to appear as if spending $3-$6k was the norm amongst my circle of clientele. However... the avg sweet 16 still spends less than $1000 on entertainment. The avg Sweet 16 I had in 2019/2020 was about $4300... but keep in mind the avg labor/material cost for such a production is about $800-$1200 depending on the options.

Now that I'm older, I'm transferring my focus to Weddings. Weddings are different in nature... more elegant... slightly less flashy in terms of extras like tv's co2, staging, etc. So I'm not necessarily focusing on large production based weddings, but weddings where the couple appreciates the attention to detail and presentation... and that's what I'm known for. At the wedding I did this past weekend... I charged over $3k for my services. I played for 50 ppl. I had 2 couples coming up to me asking for cards before I even opened up the dancefloor. When the night was over and I went to say goodbye to the couple the bride was raving, but more noticeably, pointed out how much she appreciated the countless calls and facetime's with her to get everything perfect, and how I went above and beyond what she ever expected. As mentioned, I'm focusing not on production here, but more so service and presentation and making that become my branding for Weddings.

To compare to Sweet 16';s... my avg wedding is $3200 (before my $350 price increase), and my avg expenses are $300 in labor and materials. Once my price increase starts to take effect, the profit margins between weddings and sweet 16's will be virtually identical despite sweet's being $1000 more.

It's specializing in something that allows you to maximize your potential.
Click to expand...
Thankfully. Mix has heeded your advice and specialized in the lawn chair clientele.
 
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djtaso said:
It’s funny I can’t think of anyone I know that has tried to get into djing in like the last 2-3yrs. While popular to do in the mid 2000’s all the way it’ll 2015... I think people quickly caught on it’s not easy to make money, and that it’s actually a lot more work than thought. You’ve been saying that line since 2010, but it really isn’t relevant now in my opinion
Click to expand...
I was thinking about those potential clients who see as being something easy to, so why pay a DJ a lot of money? Obviously that's only a certain group of people who think that way. Those who are struggling to pay their bills and trying to book a DJ to do an event for them.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I was thinking about those potential clients who see as being something easy to, so why pay a DJ a lot of money? Obviously that's only a certain group of people who think that way. Those who are struggling to pay their bills and trying to book a DJ to do an event for them.
Click to expand...
Playing music IS easy to do today .. it's the other things you need to build your brand and your business around.
 
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MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I was thinking about those potential clients who see as being something easy to, so why pay a DJ a lot of money? Obviously that's only a certain group of people who think that way. Those who are struggling to pay their bills and trying to book a DJ to do an event for them.
Click to expand...
I'm going to say something that's a little blunt, and to some they may take it as a lack of sympathy... but the truth of the matter is... strictly from a business perspective, and as a business who attracts a wealthier clientele... my job is not to focus on those that are struggling to pay their bills or that think DJing is easy, but focusing on the habits of those that are well off and those that appreciate quality entertainment. It's a bit hypocritical, especially as someone who didn't make a dollar for 6 months from their business (PUA benefits aside), and wondering how long this will go on for and how I'll pay my bills if it drags on... however, I knew my clients were doing well, my demand was still strong... and what did I do?... raise my pricing by 15%. Lamborghini doesn't care about me... they know I'm not their buyer. Think about it... the wealthy increased their wealth during the pandemic. Housing went up, cars went up, dining out went up. Even the dollar store is creating a spin off for wealthier markets.

I've always separated my personal feelings from my business feelings, and suggest that those that are serious about their business do the same. There's a saying that "you sell like you shop". Many don't shop for $2000 custom suits, $75k cars, $300 dinners for 2 at a steakhouse... but my clients do. I, however at 25/26 did not... and at the time I had the mentality that discounts are appealing and that focusing on price and affordability is what people care about... but the truth was the complete opposite. As I was increasing the quality of my product and getting clients who noticed, I started to notice in my conversations that my clients didn't care about price anymore... they now care about the details... my knowledge/experience... my reliability and the comfort in knowing I'll be there... my presentation and how I'll represent them and make them look to their guests (just like a car represents a person that drives it). When I shifted my conversations away from price and strictly about what it is that I do, how I do it, and how I apply those skills to make their celebration the best... the bookings were even easier. Now my closing rate is extremely high... and price is rarely discussed.

If you want to keep focusing on price, don't expect anything to change. It didn't change 30yrs ago, and it won't change 30 yrs from now.
 
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steve149 said:
Playing music IS easy to do today .. it's the other things you need to build your brand and your business around.
Click to expand...
Yea but will they know what music to play for what type of event. Will they have good quality gear to help them with their performance and making it sound good. Also knowing how to properly dress for the kind of event they are booked to do and overall having a professional attitude. Especially when someone gives you a hard time while you're doing an event. I mention that part about knowing what music to play for a particular event. I've been to events where the DJ had the right music to play but didn't know when to play what. Thus ruining the event.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
Yea but will they know what music to play for what type of event. Will they have good quality gear to help them with their performance and making it sound good. Also knowing how to properly dress for the kind of event they are booked to do and overall having a professional attitude. Especially when someone gives you a hard time while you're doing an event. I mention that part about knowing what music to play for a particular event. I've been to events where the DJ had the right music to play but didn't know when to play what. Thus ruining the event.
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Did you really bring up how to dress?
 
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