How Much Does a Wedding DJ Cost?

Average Wedding DJ Cost in Erie Pa

After you say “I DO” what are most of your wedding guest going to remember? Your Flowers? Unless they were the bridesmaids holding them, probably not! Your Dress? Once again, unless they were one of your bridesmaids, don’t count on it. (Not that you don’t look stunning, it’s just..well they are going to remember what they wore, not you.) How about your hall? They might forget those, but they’ll remember how the food was.

What about your photos? Those are something you can share online or pull out to share those memories with each other again and again. The posed family photos can be beautiful, but do you know what really captures the magic of your night? Those incredible candid shots caught during your reception celebration! Who makes those fantastic, fun candid shots possible? (Besides you, of course.) That’s right….your wedding entertainment….your DJ!

A good, high-quality wedding DJ is there to make sure everything goes as planned. They act as your Official Event Host for the evening…taking the stress off of you while making sure your photographer and videographer know the plan too….so they won’t miss a smiling, laughing, spinning, dancing with our hands in the air moment. A great DJ knows how to interact with you and your guests to create moments you’ll remember forever, every satisfied smile. But still you’re wondering: how much does a Wedding DJ cost? 

How much Do You Budget For a Wedding DJ?

“How much does your Wedding DJ cost?” Words I dread hearing at the beginning of the converstation. But if you are like the average bride & groom, you probably don’t know what else to ask, after all, there’s a price tag on everything. A new car, a gallon of milk, your house….that’s the way it is. Most couples don’t have a clue how much they should expect to pay either. The average cost of Disc Jockey for a 4-hour wedding can vary depending on what kind of quality you want. I am sure you have heard the horror stories about the tacky DJ or the DJs that only play certain types of music. Generally, here is a breakdown of what you should expect to pay for certain kinds of DJs in Erie, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding areas. Let’s help you out here:

Beginner Wedding DJ Cost: $350-$700

Let’s begin this by stating that a DJ in this price range is most likely a beginner or part time hobbyist. And, you should base your budget on what kind of experience you want at your wedding reception. Honestly, if your budget falls into the $350-$700 range, you may consider re-adjusting your budget (Who needs $5 favors anyway?) or just relying on a friend to play music on their I-Pod for your reception. Rather than depend on an inexperienced person who probably doesn’t know what they are doing. Did you ever see the video on youtube of the worse DJ’s? The kind that shows up in dirty jeans and a t-shirt or worse….ah….just google worse DJ ever..it will be worth the 2 minutes. Often times, something becomes trendy in society that doesn’t make much sense.

Suddenly it’s a great idea to use an I Pod with a set of rented equipment. This is not really a good idea. DJing is far more than pushing play on an I Pod…..when you hire a professional Erie DJ, you are hiring talent, experience, and creativity. Most importantly, hiring a DJ who is a member of the ADJA will provide a fantastic night without those ugly little hidden surprises. A great DJ will offer more than entertainment, they will provide confidence that your wedding will be an event that you and your guests will never forget. (Instead of one they would like too.)

Amateur Wedding DJ Cost: $700-$1200

A $700 -$1,200 range DJs are usually your part-timers. They have some experience, but most are busy with other ventures as well…a full-time job during the week perhaps. Because of this, they may not have the time to dedicate to training that a full-time professional DJ will. That’s not always the rule with this group. However, there are many a promising young star with a go-get-’em-boy attitude in this middle group; ones that are working hard to make it to the top. When you’re pricing and comparing DJ’s in this group, it’s best to ask around. Get references, check reviews, and most importantly ask sources the DJ didn’t provide you with….halls around town, photographers, any other vendor. After all, they’ll be able to give you an honest opinion of the kind of service you’re in for.

Experienced Wedding DJ Cost: $1200-$2500

DJs in the $1200 – $2,500 range set their prices higher for a reason. A professional Experienced Wedding Disc Jockey has the confidence (and confidence is key) that they can provide you the best service possible based on their experience. In addtion, a professional at this level has invested thousands of dollars in high quality gear to make your wedding day sound spectacular. Why? Because this is the reason they live…..they are full-time DJ’s who more than likely specialize only in wedding receptions. These are the guys who have either been around longer than the dinosaurs…by that I mean they have TONS of experience, or they have a HUGE amount of cool toys that other DJ’s can’t offer. They are the ones most likely able to dedicate the time to out of town training seminars and the what-not. Creating a night that’s smashing success is what they do. But, as with the previous 2 groups, nothing speaks louder than reputation. A higher price tag does not always mean you’re getting the highest quality. Always, always, always (Did I stress that enough?) look for candid impressions from other people…past clients and other wedding professionals… before hiring anyone. Better yet, hire a Professional Wedding Planner/Day of Coordinator who can refer you to the highest quality Wedding DJ.

What Does a Wedding DJ Do?

If these prices surprised you, it may be because you’re not really sure what exactly a Wedding DJ does. Did you know that your Wedding Disc Jockey is responsible for WAAAAAY more than just playing some music? We’ve got you covered with a blog that will explain what you can expect from your Wedding DJ. Hint: it’s a lot more than entertainment. 

Average Wedding DJ Cost in Erie, Pa

Finally, we get to the heart of the matter. How much does the average Wedding DJ cost in Erie Pa? Well according to places like The Knot and Wedding Wire, the average cost couples spent on basic service for a Wedding DJ in 2020 was $1200. That’s right on the upper end of an Amateur Disc Jockey and the lower end of an Experienced one. Take into consideration that the average cost does usually get you the basic service with most professionals. Add-ons like Up Lighting, Dancing on the Clouds, Photo Booth, etc may increase rates.

All this being said, there are exceptions to all the rules. (As I’ve been mentioning the whole time.) There’s a good chance you’ll find a higher priced DJ that provides less than satisfactory service, but you won’t find many great DJ’s willing to charge less. It makes sense, doesn’t it? If they know they are higher quality, shouldn’t they earn a little more? It’s up to you to explore your options. However, I’ll leave you with one last nugget of amazing advice while exploring your options. The number one reason to hire a Wedding DJ should not be cost. It should be how well that DJ fits your Wedding Vision. A loud over the top DJ in a flashy sequined suit doesn’t really fit in well to your shabby chic laid back reception. Also, be wary of any DJ who is willing to drop their prices just to book you. Ask yourself why they don’t value their own service. A high quality, professional Wedding DJ knows their worth and they charge based on how much they invest in themselves AND how much confidence they have that they can create a successful experience for you. 

Did you know we’re more than Wedding Disc Jockey? Erie Wedding & Event Services offers Planning, Photography, Videography, & Photo Booth. Customize your experience with the Celebration Experts.