When planning a wedding, sometimes the cost of a wedding DJ is the last thing on the minds of the happy but stressed couple. But neglect this element of your Big Day at your peril; not only do wedding DJs provide music throughout the reception, but they can also help to set the mood, manage the vibe and keep everyone entertained when energy levels shown signs of dipping.
Of course, the cost of a wedding DJ isn’t the same all over the world, but to get a general idea of what to expect, we’ve spoken to the experts at Live Entertainment to field some of your most frequently asked questions on the topic. Let’s explore their answers further.
Factors Affecting Wedding DJs’ Cost
Several factors can affect the cost of a wedding DJ. These are the essential factors that influence the price:
- Location of the event
- Duration
- Party size
- Additional services
But how much does it actually cost to hire a wedding DJ? This question has a simple/complex answer: it depends, and if we were able to give a simple, solid figure, then we wouldn’t have an article to write!
Location Of The Event
Firstly, if you live in a major city like London or Los Angeles, your wedding venue will already have a number of specialist DJs close by, which is, admittedly, sometimes cheaper. Hiring someone from afar can be expensive because you must pay their additional travel fees.
Question 1: How Much Does A Wedding DJ Cost In NY (New York)?
When you are planning to hire a DJ for your wedding party in a city like New York and other larger metropolitan areas, you have to pay around $1500 – $3000 on average.
Question 2: How Much Does A Wedding DJ Cost In The Average Uk?
Generally, you need to pay £200 – £600 ($242 to $726) if you want to hire a DJ for your wedding ceremony, though in London you might be paying as much as £1’500 for the privilege. So on average, you’ll pay £400 (or $484) in the UK.
Question 3: How Much Does A Wedding DJ Cost In Australia?
In Australia, if you want to hire a DJ for your wedding party, you might pay around $700 – $1450. On average, hiring a DJ in Australia costs $1100.
Duration
The amount of time the wedding DJ will be required can differ hugely, but it largely depends on whether you want them to soundtrack the entire day, you’re planning other wedding entertainment throughout the day, or if you’re happy with them simply dictating the vibes on the evening’s dancefloor.
Question 1: How much does a Wedding DJ cost per hour?
The average rate for DJ for hiring in a wedding party is around $150 per hour.
Question 2: How long do you need a DJ for a wedding?
The optimal time for hiring a DJ for a wedding ceremony is 4 hours. But if you need more, you can ask for five or six hours, and then the cost of hiring a DJ will increase according to their hourly rate, and is likely to be at a premium as the late night becomes early morning.
Additional Services
The cost also depends on additional services provided by the DJs. For example, a DJ will charge by the hour if you want music during your wedding ceremony. However, the price will naturally increase if you also wish to have music during any canapes, cocktails and the wedding breakfast.
Regardless of how long they play or the additional services chosen, the sound needs to be crisp and impeccable. No wedding reception ever caught flight with a buffering connection or fuzzy sound quality.
Whilst some venues may already have a capable sound system, in most cases you will likely need to hire speakers. Fortunately, your DJ or wedding band will usually offer this as part of their package, but if you’re managing the music yourself via a playlist, this is something you’ll have to take care of.
Read: How to choose the IDEAL music for your wedding day
Compare DJs Carefully
It’s important to compare prices and services before hiring a DJ. You may be able to find a lower-cost DJ through online resources or by talking to friends who have recently hired a DJ for their wedding and getting recommendations.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For A Discount
Many DJs offer discounts for large groups or for booking more than one year in advance. Ask the DJ if he or she is able to offer any special deals or not.
The Bottom Line
Hiring a wedding DJ certainly doesn’t come cheap, but if you’re keen for someone else to take control of curating the vibes, then it’s certainly worth the investment. We hope your Big Day goes brilliant and the music is, of course, amazing.