Getting a stupid DJ...is it worth it?

[TangoWedding]

This is long...I'm sorry.

Ok, I've always been dead set on NOT having a dj. The only ones I've ever seen are cheesy and play cr@p music. I've not once EVER been impressed by one.

We've been planning on doing our own music...either iPods or a computer playlist. We have 2 separate areas in our venue, one where the ceremony will be held, and the other where the reception will be held. After dinner, the ceremony room will convert into a dance area...there will be two sets of music playing at once - dance music and dinner music.

WELL...ugh.

The dining area has a sound system. The other one doesn't, so we were going to have to rent some equipment for the dance room.

I called my photographer today and asked him if he had any recommendations. Come to find out, the guy he shares rental space with is a wedding DJ, but also rents out equipment. So I called him today.

Renting all the stuff would be about $200. They'd set it up, leave, and pick it up later that night.

Of course, he tried to sell me his DJ service...for $699. I told him no thanks. Then, when I mentioned my wedding was on a Sunday, he said that he could give me everything for $499 instead.

That includes all the equipment, the dj for the ceremony & reception, they would run sound in BOTH rooms, they'd do all announcements like I wanted, and I get to pick every single song they play. I guess they have an online playlist thing that you make...you can listen to music and choose from song lists, etc....pretty awesome-sounding setup.

ANYWAY.

I'm thinking this MIGHT be worth it. The dj is more of a sound guy since he won't be choosing any songs or talking randomly...he'll just be running everything when it needs to be ran. (I won't have to worry about having a friend do everything right.)

Whatchu think?

How much ARE dj's normally, btw? To me, this sounded pretty good. And I love the fact I make/edit my playlist online. :bblol:

[sweetvenus]

I think it's worth it to have the peace of mind. You don't have to have one of your friends do announcements and make sure the music is running smoothly. Plus one thing I've always ran into during iPod receptions is people just don't dance as much as they do when a DJ is running the show. While you can pick out your playlist, the DJ can pick which songs play when, so if it's slow out on the dance floor, he can hopefully pick a song off your playlist that will get people on the floor.

DJs around here seem to run from $600-$1000 for 4-5 hours, so it sounds like a good deal to me. :)

[BrideInCuffs21]

The DJ I am going with is $750 for the entire night from 3 till midnight... so it is a little steep especially since this guy is a co-worker of mine and thought I could get a deal but I have seen him in action and I really like his DJing... although he is a ladies man and likes to flirt during his entertainment... but I will take care of that detail before hand..... :laugh:

[val24]

that is cheap
and you get to put what you want played or not played


that is how it is for us. we tell them what we want played for each thing (announcments, cake, first dance, etc)
then we can write down what we do not want at all

you are getting a deal i would say go for it =)

[TangoWedding]

As much as I hate to admit it, I think you're all right. I kinda want this dj.

There's a LOT of good here...and the price sounds right.


Now I just have to convince FH to fork over another $500. :bblol:

[BrideInCuffs21]

Tango Im pretty sure you can sweet talk your FHubby with some cupcakes or a nice foot massage... ok well I would go for cupcakes... use your charm hunny... haha:bblol:

[WBandMe]

When I read the title of this I was thinking "No, no and no." ... But then I read your post. This sounds like a great deal and I'd definitely go for it!

[KMS]

I'm not a fan of DJs either, but this is sounds like a pretty perfect situation to me. I say go for it! If I were in your (dancing!) shoes, I'd do the same thing! :happy:

[EarlyBird]

Okay, while im not a fan of DJ's I really think for your wedding, if you chose a specific playlist, its sooo much stress off your shoulders, you might as well do it. I sugges haggling with him, b/c while its cheap enough, i believe since he isnt really doing the full dj thing (i mean he is PLAYING your playlist) you could cut him down. Its a reat price. Most "dj" run about 500 for the first 3-4 hours and like 150 every hour after-- at least here.. but when i put on craigslist that i needed someone with great speakers to PLAY A PLAYLIST for my engagement party (didnt want anything cheesy) i got someone for 150 and he was pretty good. Now we didnt dance to him or anything, it was regular dinner music, but thats what we paid.

[LadyDante]

I'm not even bothering with a DJ. I'm going to have my laptop on the site, connected to external speakers, with all the songs I approve on in a play list on Winamp set on shuffle. Because there is no way I am spending money on a DJ.

[kemalc2]

I think it sounds like a good deal. Most of the DJs I have seen are $600 and up. I think it would be worth it just to not have to worry about making sure the music is set up properly and if something going wrong, not knowing how to fix it would stress me out! Plus, they can pretty much run the reception if you want so everyone knows what is going on.

[Danielle9608]

Well to me it sounds worth it. I am one of those people that actually like DJ's though. I have been to many DJed weddings and they also kept things running smoothly and on time. However I have heard of some obnoxious DJs that all they do it talk.

[Scrwballsgrl]

we are lucking out in this dept. FH Uncle has sound equipment; ie, sound board,speakers, kareoke system and hundreds of thousands of songs all loaded into a laptop. so we are going to ask him if he would do our wedding we dont want any kareoke, but thought maybe we could go through his list of music b4 hand or give him some cds of ours with selected music to play throughout the evening. Usually he charges $450 for four hrs, then $75 an hour after that. We're gonna offer to hire him but are keeping our fingers crossed he'll see it as a wedding gift:)

[SouthernQueenBride]

Plus one thing I've always ran into during iPod receptions is people just don't dance as much as they do when a DJ is running the show.

Sooooo true! We are doing a band but if Iwere in your shoes I would totally go with this ... I mean, you can't beat that price ... and it includes peace of mind!!!

[TangoWedding]

So far, FH is NOT going along with the idea.


I wiggled my eyebrows and told him "there's ways I can get you to agree with me." :bblol:


I have no doubt I'll get my way on this. He just needs a bit more prodding. LOL


I'm going to call the dj and see if I can meet with him tonight. Too bad FH has school every night. :hare:

[TangoWedding]

Ok. Friday night at 8pm we're meeting with the dj guy. FH will be able to come, too, so that's good.


Keep your fingers crossed for me. I'll work on him until then. :bblol:

[brendalin]

It is hard to change what you originally had in mind for your wedding. However when you think about having to rent equipment, and setting it up, and what if something goes wrong. With a DJ you know you will have the music paying all night long, and it will be your music! (especially with the tools that your dj has for you to use) They have been in the business they know what gets people going and how to get people involved. Plus you will have an emcee for the evening! Good Luck convincing! Make him some extra special :bun:'s!

[TangoWedding]

We had our meeting with the DJ tonight.

Guess what? FH thinks it's the BEST IDEA EVER now. :rofl:

The guy was awesome...he was so laid back and NOT cheesy and promised not to ever talk over the mic unless he was announcing something. LOL

And get this...the price is $499, right? Well, that includes EVERYTHING we could EVER think of. If we need extra equipment or mics or anything, there's no extra charge. He'll even coordinate the whole wedding day!! No extra cost!

He'll set up our tables and chairs if we ask and won't charge anymore. He'll call the caterer if they don't show up...or make sure the flowers are put where they need to be. (He wants a list of all our vendors in case he needs to make extra arrangements. LOL!) And, dude, he'll even greet the guests and tell them where to go (though that job is taken...it was nice of him to offer! LOL!).

We are SO freaking thrilled with this company so far. I can't wait!

And FH can't BELIEVE we didn't think of this before. Even on the way to his office, FH was saying, "I totally don't think we NEED a dj" and now he's all "Oh my god, we love him and can't live without him!!!"

Hehhehehhe!!

ROCK. Seriously.

[EarlyBird]

see chase, you just needed to make him think it was HIS idea :) LOVE THAT !!

[gilbert]

Hey all

Couple of points to everyone

- have you seen the DJ in action? The best way to find out what he's like, especially if he's going to be involved in so much of your wedding now (at a really cheap price) would be to ask for phone references of past clients or wedding venues he regularly performs at - get the inside info on the guy.

- don't ask for a discount because you're designing the playlist - it's actually more work for the guy to use yours than to work off the crowd on the night.

- some people have mentioned using relo's for their entertainment, and hoping they will do it for free as a wedding gift. Thay's a big ask for a few reasons:

your relo can't relax and enjoy your wedding as a guest
if they do it for a living, you're asking them to take a big paycut for the week, or maybe even all their income.
if they normally charge $500 or more for the service, that's a big ask for a wedding gift - how many of your other guests are buying you $500 gifts?If they give you a 20-25% discount, that would probably still be more than what a lot of people spend on wedding gifts.

Back to your DJ, I know it sounds like you're getting a bargain. But it's not like a product you can return if it doesn't work out - this guy will be running what will probably be the most memorable evening of your life - he's in charge of what everyone will remember about your wedding - so just make sure you do a little homework on him.

Oh, and good work deciding NOT to go with an iPod wedding - lights, energy, and a good personality on stage can give people the emotions that will make them look back on your night and say 'wow'.

All the best to you and FH

Gilbert

[MrsDM]

Do it! That way, there will be not gliches or somebody screwing with your music and putting a horrible embarassing song in. The price is right and picking your own music is great!