Wedding DJs, Bands & Ceremony Musicians

There are six factors that can impact the price: Type of Instrument and Number of Performers - Some instruments, such as the piano or violin, will cost more than a guitar. The more performers, the higher the cost. A string quartet will cost more than a trio, typically. Experience - The longer they’ve been at it, the more you’ll likely pay. Knowledge and experience are incredibly valuable. Flat Fee or Hourly - As wedding ceremonies tend to be short these days, many ceremony musicians will charge a flat fee. Given that they can’t often do many ceremonies on the same day, this is pretty understandable. But you might be able to negotiate to have them also start the reception off with an hour of cocktail music. If paying by the hour, do consider not just the performance time but set up and tear down as well. Learning a New Song - This will definitely increase your rate but could really make a special day all the more special if there is a particular song that is meaningful to the couple. Travel - You will likely pay for mileage or gas and travel time if you hire someone out of the immediate area. Accommodations- Depending on just how far they need to travel, you may need to pay for accommodations and meals as well.

Wedding bands are a great form of entertainment for any event! Whether you are hiring a band for your wedding, reception, corporate event, or holiday party there are several factors that determine how much a band is going to charge. Number of Members - The more members in that band, the more they tend to charge. Most bands have 2-5 members. Sometimes that one additional member is what’s needed to add to the overall sound and experience for your guests. Travel - If you hire an out-of-town band, especially, you’ll likely be on the hook for gas and travel time (or a set mileage fee). Also keep in mind that if you are having the same band for your wedding ceremony and reception, they may charge an extra travel fee for switching locations. Experience and Reputation - It is no surprise that the more experience the band has (and the better their reputation), the more that they will likely charge. Special Requests - If you want special equipment used or want them to learn a new song, it will increase the rate. Day of the Week/Season - Fridays and Saturdays during prime wedding season, bands will tend to charge more.

A DJ plays an important role in your wedding reception, prom, family union, birthday party, or any type of party. They have so many other services beyond playing music and entertaining the crowd. DJ’s typically provide announcements, guiding the flow of your event and so much more. For this reason, it’s necessary to consider all of the cost factors that go into hiring a DJ. Season - Depending on the day of the week, DJ’s will charge more or less. Typically hiring a DJ for a weekend wedding or event will be more expensive than during the week. This is because there are more events that occur during the weekend which means there is more competition and therefore can charge a higher price. Not only does the date affect cost but the time of year is also a factor. During peak wedding season DJ’s will tend to charge more for their service than during the off-season. Set Time - Length of the set and preparation time is another cost factor. The longer the wedding or event the higher the cost will end up being. This is because the DJ will need more time to prepare as they will be responsible for entertaining guests for a longer period of time. Some DJ’s may provide a better deal for longer set times since they will already have their equipment set up and at the local ready to entertain your guests. Location - The further your DJ has to travel to your venue the more expensive it will be. Most DJ’s would like to be compensated for not only their travel time but for gas especially if your wedding or event takes more than 30 minutes from their destination. Some DJ’s either charge a flat fee depending on the local and others will charge by the mile. Make sure you communicate with your DJ to find out what they charge prior to signing the contract. Venue Size and Setting - The larger the venue the more speakers and equipment the DJ’s will have to bring and set up. Whether your wedding or event is indoor or outdoors is also a cost factor. Outdoor locations typically need more equipment such as extension cords and lighting. On the other hand, indoors tend to require less equipment as venues already have lighting and the necessary outlets for the DJ’s equipment. Experience - Experienced DJ’s know exactly how to read a crowd, energize the crowd, and adapt to any situation. Experience also goes hand in hand with reputation. As DJ’s gain experience playing at weddings and events, they earn a reputation. With a positive reputation, people are more interested in hiring them because they know that they will do a good job. That also means they are more people and therefore the DJ will charge more for their service. Music - Professional DJ's need to purchase lots of music to ensure that they have not only a variety of songs but also a large selection for your event. By purchasing music it also makes sure that the sound quality is higher than a copy of a downloadable music file. When downloaded files are playing at a high volume through a speaker, the sound isn’t as clear and can be distorted which is why it is so much better to purchase songs. Equipment - DJ’s typically have a standard set of equipment that they use for weddings and other events. If the DJ’s need to bring in more equipment such as lighting, speakers, projectors, karaoke, among other add-ons, they will charge an additional cost to each item. Whether you are hiring a DJ for your wedding, social event, birthday party, or any other event, it is important to remember that there are multiple factors that contribute to the cost of the DJ. Every DJ is different and may have their own standard. To guarantee that your DJ is right for you, schedule a consultation to find out whether they are fit for not only you but your event.

Tipping isn’t mandatory but always appreciated. Typically 10-15% is appropriate. Ask yourself if they were easy to work with leading up to the wedding if they created a great party atmosphere if they were a great MC. Were they professional? Did they show up on time? Did they stay and play longer than scheduled? In that case, you’d still pay them for the extra time but it’s a nice gesture to show your appreciation in a tip as well.

Looking for the best DJ for your event or party? We have a huge directory of music pros to entertain your guests and bring those beats! We also have a selection of violinists, pianists, harpists, soloists, and more.

There is a monumental difference between a friend with a playlist and a professional DJ. Some may argue (the CEO of Easy Event Planning among them), that a DJ can make or break a wedding or party. No one will really remember the food or the favors or the centerpieces but they’ll remember if they had the time of their lives. A friend could flake; a DJ highly unlikely. Once you have a playlist, you’re tied into that unless someone is going to be responsible for adjusting it based on guest preferences and the mood of the event. Wedding DJs bring with them experience, equipment, and a nearly unlimited music library. They make professional announcements (of the bridal party, when dinner starts, the cake cutting, the first dance, etc). They control the tempo and adjust their plan on the fly. They execute your timeline while you relax and enjoy your guests.

Hiring a band is a great way to spruce up any event and transform it from a boring, dull one to one that your guests will never forget. Here are 6 reasons why you should hire a professional band. One-of-a-Kind Performance - Having a professional band is not only a special and unique feature but no two performances are alike. Unmatched Atmosphere - Bands have a way of creating and holding unique energy that excites people. Memorable - Most people tend to remember the unique factors that weddings and events have, a band is one of those features. Flexibility - Some of the ways the band can make adjustments are by modifying the set time, modifying tempo, responding to spontaneous dance situations, taking song requests, and/or altering lyrics. MC Included - One of the band members can guide your wedding, birthday party, anniversary, etc. Letting your guests know what is happening and help transition between acts. Something for Everyone - Weddings especially can have a wide range of age groups, ranging from teens to elderly. Having a professional band can help you bridge that gap and cater to everyone. Those who are wanting to stand up and dance can easily pack the dance floor while the others enjoy the music.