What is a Great Disc Jockey Really Worth?

A Professional DJ provides the positive catalyst for your party. Skillfully selected and played music will add the important "feel good" element that helps everyone interact, rekindle relationships faded by time away and form new friendships. Music is relaxing, exciting, romantic, and inspirational. Dancing keeps everyone at your event longer and contributes greatly to the enjoyment of your guests.

Your choice of entertainer is an insurance policy against bad memories of a disappointing occasion. Unfortunately, the DJ is often the last service chosen, after much of the budget is spent on a venue, food and clothing. This “backward planning” often forces Brides and Party Planners to shop for the cheapest possible price. Many people will pay far more for a cake, flowers, or a veggie platter than they will for the most crucial ingredient of a party – the entertainment. The DJ you select will be taking on the responsibility of over 80% of the success of your party and often gets paid less than 3% of the total budget (based on the average $25,000.00 Wedding, 3% would equal $750.00), yet if the DJ is a poor performer or worse, doesn't show up, your entire investment is wasted, not just that 3%.

Your choice of entertainer can also be thought of as a commodity purchased to “feed” each of your guests. If your dinner buffet costs $15.00 per person (with 250 people), you’ll pay $3750.00 plus tax, and rest assured, the Caterer will add a gratuity (sometimes 18%-25%), so before long you're at $4500.00! Think about the last wedding you attended. Do you remember what was served? Most people don’t, and yet, it probably cost nearly $5000!

Take a look at these statistics:

• 72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment
• Almost 100% say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment
• When asked, 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment
• During wedding planning, Brides say their highest priority is their attire, followed by the reception site and caterer – reception entertainment is among the least of their priorities. Within one week after their reception, 78% of Brides say they would have made the entertainment their highest priority.

*Sources: Simmons, 2001; USA Today, 2002; National Bridal Service, 2001;The Knot, 2002; Brides Magazine, 2001, & Kansas City ADJA