05/01/2024
I recently have seen a lot of anonymous posts stating that "Wedding DJ's" are charging too much for what they provide at a wedding, and I wanted to speak towards this thought by giving you a glimpse into what a Professional DJ does & brings day of to help you celebrate your big day in style. I feel some serious transparency on what it is DJs actually do is necessary in the new age of weddings. DJs have just recently reached the same quality as Photogs, Videogs, Bands and every other important aspect of a wedding and needs to be discussed why their costs now justify that.
It's hard to tell a Dress or Flowers or your Steak Dinner that they are not worth it, these are TANGIBLE things that easily have VALUE applied to them and are easier to therefore assess that value. DJ'ing however, is ETHEREAL by nature and all its VALUE is more INTRINSIC (or unseen). Before we even speak towards the actual wedding day lets consider that your DJ has already made (2-3) 1+ hr consultations to take all of your raw ideas and turn them into actionable programming prior to your wedding day. Figuring out how/where/when/what you want to spend your big moments of the day on and thoughtfully programming music to those sections (another 5+hrs).
Now we are all ready and on the same page, its Wedding Day. The DJ shows up 2+ hours early and begins quite literally setting up our gear on every single section of your venue (traditionally 3 different audio footprints). Starting with Ceremony Audio Engineering, an absolutely CRITICAL portion of the day. We are often expected to perfect these moments in remote locations on any given property, power often not provided. We navigate all of this with class and skill, providing clear audio via wireless technology, playing your specific Processional & Recessional music at the right time to create a momentus Ceremony.
Now we are onto our next audio footrprint for Cocktail Hour, as guest are enjoying your venues space we are getting everything ready inside for your Grand Introductions. Mind you we are the ONLY vendor onsite that will be doing ANY Public Speaking that day.
Grand Intro's take place and the DJ/MC sets the floor for your guests as you enter your Reception space like the Kings & Queens you deserve to be that day. Also programmed to specific music and to thoughtful talk tracks that help the evening flow and feel organic.
After we often transition into the biggest part of the evening, FIRST DANCE. It needs to be flawless and is completely orchestrated by the DJ. I then make a smooth transition on the floor to Special Parent Dances or meal blessing and welcome speeches. Honoring your traditions as we continue into Dinner.
At dinner, ALL of your vendors will eat most likely and take a break, accept for the DJ. Nope, this is when we start our actual job in most clients views (mixing music). I think in 150 weddings I have sat down and ate dinner at ZERO. There is simply work to be done to help set the vibe/mood & tenor for the remainder of the evening. Nor is this a complaint. These are just the facts of a great wedding DJ and the true work load that is often unseen or unnoticed.
All traditions are done and its finally time to PARTY! The place where every DJ that probably ever got into weddings thought they would spend the most time, the place where every client hires their DJ to represent that client. Countless hours spent learning our clients likes, loves, hates, passions, and music tastes. Utilized to throw a proper celebration that is a conduit to who hired us. It is not easy to get right and takes a certain emotional intelligence and 5000+ hours of skill/pracitce DJ'ing to all different walks of life to get right all the time. A true labor of love.
At this point in time in the evening, the DJ is the only vendor left at the venue beyond the Guests & Coordinator. We crush the dance floor all night and EVERYONE leaves satisfied. Accept we still have about 1000lbs of gear that needs to be moved for the 4th time that day back to our loadout. That gear ends up costing on average between $10k+ (I personally bring about $30K worth of gear to any single event we DJ with lighting etc).......
And after all that am I truly only worth $2k or less to you (national average for DJs)? Less then your Dress or Suit? Less then your Roses? Less then your steak&chicken......I am NOT here to complain, I love what I do and will happily do it forever because this is what I was put on this planet to do. But as long as I have done this, I have NEVER seen anybody work harder then a DJ day of to get everything right in ONE TAKE. NO SECOND CHANCES, NO EDITS, NO REDOES. Just personifying Perfection.
DJs simply do not get enough respect for what they truly achieve for clients at a wedding when done well. Audio is simply only noticed when it is wrong, kind of like breathing. Also I am here for all open and honest discussion towards DJ wedding costs and what you think you are paying for vs what you receive vs what you think it should cost. Let's dispel what is and isn't worth it together!
PS- Weddings are in fact super expensive, they are a luxury. I believe in the future couples will be opting for elopements with an excellent party thrown after to celebrate. Cutting down on many of the extraneous costs......but you know who is STILL needed for that Party, THE DJ.
DJ Midas (Owner)
Midas Entertainment
