What does a wedding DJ cost?

If you’re in the stages of planning your wedding and hiring your vendors, you’ve probably noticed that prices are all over the place.  You don’t want to go way over your budget, but you also don’t want to ruin your wedding by hiring the wrong vendor, or an unprofessional one.  If you think about everything that goes into a wedding, there are two things that you and your guests will always remember.

  1. The entertainment and how much fun everyone had.
  2. Photos/Videos

Let’s face it, the cost of a wedding varies based on what you want to make of it.  It’s just like when you’re out shopping or buying a new car.

Like many other Wedding DJs, you may see similar offerings, options, add-ons, and guarantees.  Like any service business, comparing company to company, professional to professional, DJ to DJ, they may all look alike, but if you do some research, you will truly see that there is a huge difference.

We like to break down DJs to three categories so you understand what your investment will go towards.

Budget Wedding DJ: $200 – $850

Setup and presentation are not clean, guest engagement is not present, mispronouncing names occurs frequently, throws corny jokes around, can’t read crowd, not sure what to play next, proper song mixing is not present, can’t keep people on the dance floor, not licensed nor insured, lighting is insufficient and bland.

Your Average Professional Wedding DJ: $1200 – $1700

Setup and presentation are clean, guest engagement is strong, mispronouncing names rarely happens, reads the crowd and knows what to play next, proper song mixing, keeps the timeline on point, keeping most people on the dance floor for most of the night, lighting is sufficient, sometimes licensed and insured.

Boutique Wedding DJ: $2000 – $5000

Setup & presentation are spotless, guest engagement is strong, mispronouncing names never happens, keeps the timeline on point, reads the crowd and mixes song after song to make it sound like one long song, keeps everyone on the dance floor the entire night, lighting and design are perfectly placed accenting walls, ceilings, etc., emergency backup plans in place, pre-planning with the couple starting at booking, usually their full-time job, always licensed and insured.

This guide is to help you understand the difference in cost between DJs.  It’s not just a “they’re $100 less” kind of thing, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event that you want to guarantee you’ll have the best night of your life.

DJ Tyler Ross

Founder & President | Ross Productions

(717) 799-7529

tyler@rossproductionspa.com

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Venues! Please Read This…

In-House Sound Systems 🤮

You might’ve heard that your wedding venue has or is getting an in-house sound system.

At Ross Productions, we’ve worked hundreds and hundreds of weddings and events since 2012, and we know the do’s, the don’ts, what works, and what doesn’t.  We’ve had elevators break down right before set up, flooding at an outdoor venue, but now we’re seeing couples upset at venues because of their in-house sound systems.

Venues are installing these systems as both conveniences as well as a way to control the decibel rating to prevent neighbors from calling the police.  Although this might seem like a great idea, it’s not.

So what’s the real problem?

A big part of a couple hiring a DJ or a Band for their wedding is the fun, exciting, and loud entertainment that gets everyone motivated, packing the dance floor, and singing along to the music.  These in-house systems are cheap, quiet, no bass at all, and quite frankly just crap.  We understand that noise ordinances are in place for the local residents who live nearby, but limiting the volume of a DJ or a Band takes all of the fun away from the couple and the entertainer as well as leaving the couple and guests with vibes that are not as high as they could be, which doesn’t create the desired life-lasting memories.  In many cases, this can ruin a couple’s special day.

You might have heard this story about a couple suing a New York hotel for $5 Million after the in-house sound system ruined their wedding.  In this case, the couple couldn’t hear the announcements nor could they hear the music over people at their tables, 30-40 feet away, talking at a normal dinner talking volume.

Another issue is that most of these in-house sound systems are sub-par for a wedding or similar event.  A lot of venues we’ve worked at that have these systems have either purchased something on their own without any knowledge of a quality sound system, or they’ve gotten a recommendation from someone with a home theater system.  Out of every venue we’ve worked at with an in-house system, there has only been ONE (1) venue that has a system that is actually very decent,  but we were the ones who recommended, sold, and installed said system, so it doesn’t really count.

Here is one example of a venue that had a sub-par system that we had performed at.  To start, the speakers were not loud at all, there was no bass to these speakers, and the highs would crackle and the lows would pop.  We had several complaints from guests and the couple that they could not hear or understand the announcements or the music.  When open dancing started and people started to pack the dancefloor, it honestly sounded like someone held an old iPhone in the air.  People left after roughly 30 minutes of the dancefloor being opened which was 2 hours into the reception.  Thankfully the couple understood that it was not our fault, and we still got a raving review, but we felt horrible because all this couple wanted to do was to celebrate and have a blast with their loved ones, but it ended up ruining their wedding.  We noticed several days later that the venue received a 1-star review which is not what anyone wants to ever receive.

So as a venue owner, your question is… what would you suggest?

There is a simple solution that will keep us entertainers happy, but most importantly will keep couples happy who are spending thousands of dollars to celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime event.  No matter what time your local noise ordinance starts,  make your end time and music cut-off time the time that the ordinance begins.  Don’t buy an in-house system that’s not loud enough, and consult with a real AV company that does this stuff for a living.  Allow DJs and bands to provide their own system as well.

One venue we suggested this too sent letters to their close neighbors informing them of the noise ordinance, how they have a new cut-off time that they strictly enforce, as well as a short paragraph expressing their deepest appreciation for their small sacrifice of allowing newlyweds to celebrate their special day.  We followed back up with the venue three months later and they said that everyone had been happy, all DJs and bands followed the venue’s guidelines, all of the couples had a blast, and better yet, the neighbors did not call the police, they did not complain.

DJ Tyler Ross

Founder & President | Ross Productions

(717) 799-7529

tyler@rossproductionspa.com

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Why hire a DJ when I can use Spotify?

Why should we hire a DJ when we can rent a speaker and plug my iPhone into it and put on a Spotify Playlist?

Hiring a DJ or a Band is the MOST important vendor you will choose for your wedding and here is why.  A Wedding DJ or Wedding Band creates the high-energy and engaging excitement that is needed for your wedding to be blast as well as leaving you and your guests with amazing life lasting memories.  But there’s a huge difference between a DJ and a Wedding DJ, or a Band and a Wedding Band.  You may hear someone say they’re a professional DJ/Band, but here’s the fact, there are different specialties. “Weddings are a specific specialty that you can’t just translate from other experiences” – Matt Cleveland (Occasions Disc Jockeys).  In addition,  they aren’t just playing music like you would on your Spotify or Apple Music playlist would. 

Your DJ or Band’s primary job is to:

  1. Play the right music at the right time,  read the crowd and adjust the playlist to keep everyone on the dance floor the entire time.
  2. Engage with you and your guests by making announcements and creating the high-energy and excitement that is needed for a fun and memorable wedding.
  3. Provide various types of lighting and effects to create a subtle or exciting ambiance,  based on your style or theme.
  4. Provide a professional sound system that sounds clean with no feedback or screeching.
  5. Manages your timeline and coordinates with all of your other vendors to ensure everything runs smoothly and that you both stay as stress-free as possible throughout your wedding day!

But I’m On A Budget?

Choosing a DJ shouldn’t be made based on price,  and don’t be fooled with a price that a DJ gives you without knowing their experience and reading through their reviews.  Most importantly,  make sure you meet with your DJ or Band to interview them to see if you mesh with them. The DJ  or Band you choose can either make or break your reception,  which is why interviewing them and reading their reviews is vital.

Is a more expensive DJ better than a cheaper DJ?

Not necessarily!  When you are interviewing DJs or Bands,  you are going to see a large range in pricing.  You’ll get quotes from $500 up to $5000 depending on what you are looking for,  but don’t let this turn you away or confuse you.

Think of a DJ/Band that gives you a quote of $500 vs. one that gives you a quote of $2500.  The performer charging $2500 is most likely insured to protect themselves and your guests in case of an accident,  their equipment will be higher quality,  their setup will look more professional and clean,  your Emcee won’t be awkward and make corny jokes,  and ultimately their experience will be significantly greater than a performer that gives you a quote of $500.

This does not mean that a $500 DJ/Band isn’t good,  it is very rare,  but sometimes you will find a DJ or Band looking for more experience which is why their rate is much lower.  This is why interviewing,  watching videos or seeing them perform live is vital.

DJ Tyler Ross

Founder & President | Ross Productions

(717) 799-7529

tyler@rossproductionspa.com

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Father-Daughter Dance Song Ideas For Weddings

The Mother Son Dance is a relatively recent trend at Weddings, but because most of the attention is on the bride and her family, this is a great way for the Groom to have a nice moment to share with his mother. Here’s a list of the most popular requests we’ve gotten for the “Mother-Son Dance Songs” also known as the “Groom and Mother Wedding Dance.” Feel free to leave us your suggestions as well, we’d love to hear from you! Click on the songs in Pink to redirect to “youtube” and hear a sample of the song, but remember to click the back button to return to our site! If these are too sappy for you and your mom, pick something more fun and upbeat. It’s your wedding, do what you want! These songs are in no particular order:

1. Unforgettable– Nat King Cole (also w/Natalie Cole)
2. In My Life – The Beatles
3. What a Wonderful World– Louis Armstrong
4. A Song For Mama– Boys II Men
5. Blessed– Elton John
6. Have I Told you Lately That I Love You– Rod Stewart or Van Morrison
7. I Hope You Dance– Leanne Womack
8. My Wish– Rascal Flatts
9. You are the Sunshine of My Life– Stevie Wonder
10. You Raised Me Up– Josh Groban
11. Because You Loved Me– Celine Dion
12. Close to You– Carpenters
13. God Bless the Child– Tony Bennett (other artists)
14. Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys– Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson

DJ Tyler Ross

Founder & President | Ross Productions

(717) 799-7529

tyler@rossproductionspa.com

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7 Steps For Hiring A Professional Wedding DJ

I want to keep this article positive, in line with my feelings about the profession of DJing. And that profession is a beautiful thing. It is filled with talented and outgoing people – I have one of the few jobs where my role is to spread happiness throughout a crowd and I play that role at a moment when most people are relaxed and ready to have a good time.

But sometimes I hear words like this, “You were the only DJs we met that weren’t old and fat!” Or this one, “You actually have a fun personality and you aren’t cheesy!” I don’t know the source of these sentiments but I am willing to admit that not all DJs are the same.

Here Are 7 Steps For Hiring A Wedding DJ.

1. Listen to your friends or other vendors when they refer you to a DJ

They have seen the DJ in action, they know your tastes by now, and they should be trusted. Our best clients always come from some type of referral.

2. Interview the DJ, not just the DJ company

Whether you do it on the phone or in person, always speak directly with the DJ you want to hire. Let the DJ walk you through his experience and style. I believe this is the best way to determine if the DJ is the right fit for you.

3. Check references – Not just numbers

Speak with or email the references, particularly Brides and Grooms, that have worked with the DJ you are considering. They will give you insights from actual experience. Also, whether a company has 1000 reviews or 10, it doesn’t mean one is better than the other. Check the BBB to read complaints, then check WeddingWire and Social Media.

4. Make sure to ask these nuts and bolts questions

“Do you have liability insurance?” “How many Weddings have you DJ’d?” “Have you ever worked at my facility?” “What types of music do you play at a wedding?” “May I see photos of your DJ Setup?” “What types of MC responsibilities do you provide and what is your style on the microphone?” These questions provide a lot of information about how much experience the DJ has and give you some insight into the hard to quantify “passion for the job” factor.

5. Make sure you allocate enough of your overall budget to the DJ

Hiring a Wedding DJ in Central Pennsylvania can be a daunting task and you’ll see thousands of DJs with pricing all over the map. You should figure on spending $1000-1500.00 for a really good, seasoned pro.

6. Review the contract

Make sure whoever you hire has a professional contract for you to sign. This should include the total fee agreed upon, the deposit fee, the performance times, the venue information, the Name of the DJ specifically, a short description of the services provided, and any service guarantees or contract riders. All parties should sign and retain a copy.

7. Go with your instincts

If you’ve checked into the company by doing some Google review searches, followed up with references directly from the DJ, and you have a great feeling about this DJ and everything his contract provides, you should move quickly to sign a contract and pay a deposit. The most experienced DJs book early.

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