How Much Should I Tip My Wedding DJ?

So you just wrapped up your wedding and your DJ/MC came through and performed as you expected. So how much should you tip them? Generally, the range for wedding DJ tips is 10-20% of the billed amount. If your DJ was professional, worked well with you and your planner and did a truly fantastic job as an MC and DJ at your wedding, consider tipping closer to the 20% end of the range.

Some vendor contracts will specifically add a 15% – 20% gratuity onto the total bill. We’ve seen many venues do this, catering companies, bartending companies, and yes, even wedding DJ companies too. Tipping is never a requirement but it is a great way to show your gratitude if your DJ “rocked your dance floor.“

We believe tipping should always be optional, in our opinion. If you’re less than happy with the service, being forced to tip your wedding DJ for a service that you were unhappy with just doesn’t seem fair. However, if you’re 100% happy with your service and feel a tip would be a great idea (if it’s not mandatory in the vendor contract) a 10% – 20% tip would certainly be appreciated by your wedding DJ. Many times, clients will simply give a $100 – $150 tip to the wedding DJ and this is more than acceptable.

It was a good deal, until it wasn't.

I’m going to keep this one brief. The old saying you get what you pay for couldn’t be more true. I’ve come across so many people shopping around for the best price when it comes to live music entertainment for their special event. Nothing wrong with that, we all want to save some money especially when these events could end up costing thousands of dollars. But sometimes what seems like a good deal may not be. So when I’m speaking with some of these clients and they mention a competitor’s price against mine, I get a little worried. Not for me, but for them.

Anybody who has a good professional reputation, years of experience and skills under their tool belt will not come cheap. For example, there’s literally hundreds of thousands of DJs you can choose for your wedding. Anybody can download free low-quality MP3 songs off YouTube and rent a pair of speakers and a microphone. However, a solid wedding DJ knows their worth. Keep in mind, this is the same individual who will be entertaining your ceremony and reception party from start to finish, making all the important announcements, grand entrances, your first dance and play good music to keep your guests dancing. Your wedding doesn’t happen every year, there’s no do-overs, so why would you risk ruining what could be the biggest day of your life just to get a cheap deal. Like I said, it will seem like it was a good deal, until it wasn’t.

Hiring A Wedding DJ - A Few Simple Steps.

When it comes to hiring the right wedding DJ, this can make or break your wedding day. So let’s get into how to do it right the first time around and make this process easy for you.

Now, the first thing most engaged couples will do when hiring a pro wedding DJ is:

1: Think of someone they might know or be referred to.

2: Ask the venue if they have a DJ as one of their preferred vendors.

3: Turn to the internet and do a little research until you find the right match.

The process of booking a DJ is not a difficult one, but you want to try to ensure it’s the right fit for you. Especially on certain occasions where you’re not meeting in person before the wedding, which happens more often now-a-days. So when you think you found someone get in touch with them. Better yet, see if you can schedule a Skype call with them to see and speak to them face to face (virtually) or if they’re local try to set up a meeting. Believe me this is a great way to break the ice and find out first hand if this person is the right DJ for your wedding. Personality plays a big role, especially if the DJ is also an MC. Which brings me to my next point….

Does the DJ also MC? This is something you need to confirm. Most of the time, people assume you MC because you’re a DJ, in most cases that’s true. But, it doesn’t hurt to ask. You can also ask if they are bi-lingual and able to communicate with some guests who might not fully understand English. I personally get this from many different cultures who do traditional weddings. So find out what their level of MC is.

Are they in your budget? A pro wedding DJ doesn’t cost nearly as much as a full wedding band for example, but each have their own price - mostly based on their level of experience, so each one is going to vary. Some DJs tend to charge more for a Saturday wedding rather than a Sunday. Find out if there’s a difference in price. Also, find out what else is included in their DJ service; is lighting included for the dance floor, or is that extra? So find one that you like within your budget, you’ll find most are willing to negotiate.

Be clear about what kind of music you do want to hear and don’t want to hear. If you have a lot of kids attending your wedding and want to keep the music clean then mention that to them. Most DJs are already well aware of this in advance. If there’s a certain type of music, artist, song you don’t want to hear simply because it brings down your mood for any reason, then mention that as well. Remember the DJ is there to play the music you desire for your wedding so any information you give them helps. If you’re not sure what you want, then give them a general idea of similar music you like listening/dancing to and let them do the rest.

From that point on make any final arrangements before your wedding date and get ready to dance your biggest dance yet. Enjoy the moments of your first dance together as a married couple and if you like, tip your DJ as well. Remember this is how they make a living, they are there to entertain you when it counts most. If you have any questions about booking a wedding DJ, feel free to reach out to us for more information. We’ll help consult you on booking the right DJ for your wedding date at no extra cost.

• E-mail: info@soundforceremony.com

How To Hire Musical Entertainment For Your Wedding

First, Establish what it is you're looking for... a DJ, a live band (what genre), a violinist, or a string quartet perhaps perhaps is what you're looking for. Each one will set a different tone for your wedding. After you've decided what kind of music you would like it's time to contact them. You can find hundreds of musicians in your local area, but finding a good/reliable one can be a daunting task. 

Once you've made contact, relay the message to the musician(s) what it is you're looking for or the "feel" you want to capture in your ceremony. Most musicians are compliant, for the most part. If it's a DJ you're booking, ask them if they also an MC. The difference is one will be able to communicate with your guests, like a host, while the other one will just play music and barely say a word. If it's a live band ask them if they play other popular hits (cover songs) or if they play their own material. That way you get a better sense of what kind of music you expect to be played at your event, and so do they. Communication is the key during the planning process. 

Next find out if they provide their own sound system. Many musicians travel without so much as even a microphone. Believe it or not, many of them expect things to already be set for them by the time they arrive. They just want to plug in and play their instruments. But incase they don't provide their own sound equipment, then you will need to hire someone to put a sound (PA) system in place. Most DJs are self sufficient and will arrive with their own audio equipment ready to load in. But it is also a good idea to find out the musician's needs as far as power to plug in their equipment. You might need to purchase power from the venue for them.

Most musicians will need to get paid in advance before performing at your ceremony. So establish a price that is fair. Tell them what your budget is. If pricing is a concern you should look at what is the most cost effective option for you. For a reception party, a DJ is usually more affordable than a live band for example. For the ceremony you can hire a solo musician such as a violinist or your can have a music playlist with some of your favorite wedding songs ready to play during the ceremony. These are ways to save money and be able to still have some form of musical entertainment during your wedding.

Finally, meet them (or their manager) in person. Find out if they are willing to check out the venue or have a vendors' meeting to make sure everything is on point before the big day. Most musicians are happy to do this. If they are not or "too busy" maybe you should look for someone else to perform at your wedding. There should not be any hiccups before or during the wedding. Set up a sit down meeting to go over things, see if there is anything you want to add or remove. Are you satisfied with the songs they will be performing? Also it's important to let the artist have their freedom to play some of what they believe will bring your party to life. There is a certain level of trust that they have the knowledge and experience and know what to do.

On a final note, Sound For Ceremony can help you find the right live musical entertainment you're looking for along with providing a great quality sound system for your wedding that will have all your guests dancing. It's one less thing for you to worry about between all the immense planning that you're already doing. Just tell us what you're searching for and your budget and we will get the job done.

Wedding Venues and DJs

I was having a conversation with a good friend of mine who recently got married. When congratulating him and his wife, I asked, "so how was the wedding?" At first it sounds as if everything went smooth. The wedding venue they had chosen was nice and cozy and provided them a special package that includes everything they need for the ceremony and reception, including the DJ for the reception party. When they asked if they were able to choose their own musicians for the reception, the venue quickly persuaded them to stick with the "in-house" DJ as if it was the better option. So the story goes after the ceremony when it came time to introduce the new bride and groom, the entrance seemed a bit off. The music wasn't right and it was interrupting the rehearsal routine they had practiced before. Not only that but the DJ completely butchered their first dance. "It was the worst part of the entire night" my friend blatantly said. Sounding a bit regretful of going with the DJ the venue had provided them.

The truth is you have the freedom to choose whoever you want for your wedding. You can provide any DJ/Musician(s) you would like on your wedding day. The venue will always tell you that their packages are the best options. However, it's the small details that make the biggest difference. Music is one important factor in any special event that you will notice and remember for a lifetime. Every event is different, and it requires the right musician to accommodate your entertainment. If I'm attending a Persian wedding, I'm hoping to hear a good mix of Persian music that will get people dancing. If it's an Indian wedding, I expect that the DJ should know what he is playing for this type of audience. People want to enjoy themselves and have fun. With that being said, don't always go with what seems to be the most convenient or cheaper option. This is your special day and your family and friends will be attending. Make it as much of a memorable experience for them as you want it to be for you. 

We understand time is a factor and there is no room for error. You want your wedding day to be special, memorable and most importantly to have a little peace of mind knowing you have reliable people to make it happen. If you're in the market looking for a specific style of music for your wedding, engagement party or any special celebration, we're here to help. From DJ's that play top 40 hits to rock & roll bands, solo musicians, wedding singers and more options to choose from, we'll make sure the music captures the magic for you on your special day.