Vancouver Wedding DJ’s Priced: How Much Does A Perfect DJ Actually Cost?
Updated January 3, 2024
Wondering how much to budget for a wedding DJ? You’re not alone. Most couples have never planned a wedding or hired a professional Wedding DJ before so it can be hard to know what to look for and what to expect as far as pricing. In today’s blog post I am going to cover what you can expect to pay for a Wedding DJ in the Vancouver area and what those costs typically include - I am going to break it down into 3 categories of DJs: amateur DJ, professional DJ, & premium wedding DJ.
How much does a Vancouver DJ cost? After years working as a wedding DJ in the wedding industry, doing market research and being an active wedding professional I have seen what most wedding DJs charge and what those prices tend to include - these are in no way exact numbers but rather a general baseline. Wedding DJ prices tend to fluctuate wildly based on time of year and DJ availability.
(FYI - These prices are based on the basic average 5-hour wedding reception. If you need more hours or additional services like MC service, uplighting, etc. expect to see a rise in the prices.)
Amateur DJ: $1000 or less
What is an amateur DJ?
This is a DJ who has maybe never worked a wedding before or is more accustomed to different kinds of parties like at bars and clubs. They will likely not have an elaborate website or reviews from wedding clients for you to read, and most will likely not take a reservation fee or sign a contract with you.
What can I expect?
Who knows! While behind the scenes at weddings, I have seen amateur DJs show up minutes before the ceremony was supposed to start with an iPod and a speaker using Spotify to stream music. No transitions, no clue how weddings flow and it completely changed the vibe of the day.
This is why hiring a budget DJ is such a risk. Sure there’s a chance you are getting a great deal on a good DJ but you have no idea if they will show up and if they will be able to deliver your vision. When a DJ charges such low prices you have to wonder where the costs are getting cut. What quality is their gear? Are there any back-up plans? Will they take a higher-paying gig and leave you out to dry a week before the wedding? You just don’t know.
THE GOOD:
You can save a bit of money.
THE BAD:
You are trusting someone inexperienced with a crucial aspect of your wedding.
Professionalism: 1/10
Responsiveness: 3/10
Quality of Service: 3/10
Value: 5/10
Amateur DJs are ideal for couples working on a very tight budget or planning a wedding where you don’t think your guests want to party and dance.
Professional DJ: $1000 - $1800
What is a professional DJ?
While not focused primarily on weddings a professional DJ will have a website along with some testimonials and maybe a few social feeds for you to creep. They will have general experience with events and weddings and will offer add-ons such as MC Services, or extra lighting for additional costs. A professional DJ will take some sort of reservation fee to secure your wedding date and they have a detailed contract.
What can you expect?
A professional DJ should have a good handle on the flow of your wedding and understand the different parts of the evening and their importance. They will play good music and supply dance lighting, a microphone, and other basic sound gear. They may or may not meet with you before the event to go over your song choices and timeline.
THE GOOD:
Having a professional onboard can make a huge difference in the overall flow of your wedding.
THE BAD:
Expensive service that can end up making your celebration a “cookie-cutter” wedding.
Professionalism: 7/10
Responsiveness: 7/10
Quality of Service: 8/10
Value: 6/10
Professional DJs are ideal for couples willing to do the extra research, planning, and extra work that goes along with not having a veteran wedding DJ or don’t have the budget for a wedding expert.
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Ready to get started planning your unforgettable wedding?
To have the best wedding, with your friends and family having the time of their lives, call, text, or contact us today!
Premium Wedding DJ: $2000 +
Don’t believe it?
The Knot lists the average cost of a wedding DJ in 2023 to be $1500US - that was last year! And Zola suggests couples budget $2000 - $7000 for a band/DJ.
Our average price is $2200 but costs vary due to your needs, venue locations, and several other factors.
How to spot them:
A premium wedding DJ will have a modern polished website with multiple social feeds for you to follow. Their main focus will be weddings and they will have experience working hundreds or thousands of them, with a glowing track record from past clients and other wedding industry professionals. You can also expect that a premium wedding DJ will offer modern and unique differentiators that will take your wedding to the next level. All contracts, invoices, and planning software will be mobile-friendly and on the cutting edge of the wedding industry with easy payment options.
What can you expect?
They will be much more than just a DJ. A premium wedding DJ will be a wedding industry veteran and friend who can guide you along the process of planning how your wedding music will fit in with your celebration. They will offer suggestions, ask important questions, and make sure they understand the vision you have for your wedding - all before the wedding has even started. They will offer add-ons such as uplighting, MC Service, and more.
On your wedding day, a premium wedding DJ can roll with the punches and handle anything that comes their way. They elevate your celebration with their experience and ability to proactively keep your wedding running smoothly and stress-free.
THE GOOD:
An experienced wedding DJ along with a customer experience that makes planning your wedding music fun, and stress-free and executes your vision to create a unique wedding that your friends and family never forget.
THE BAD:
Premium service means a premium price.
Professionalism: 10/10
Responsiveness: 10/10
Quality of Service: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Premium Wedding DJs are ideal for couples who see their wedding music as an integral part of their celebration and want to have the help of a wedding professional and experienced wedding DJ to create a unique party their friends and family talk about for years.
Where does Dreamline DJ sit?
Dreamline DJ is Vancouver’s leading premium wedding DJ. We have rocked hundreds of weddings with a glowing track record full of testimonials from our past clients. All of our DJs are not only personable, and professional, but they are also veteran musicians and experienced performers. Our mission is to understand your vision and then deliver an authentic wedding soundtrack unique to you! Along with all of of our contracts, invoices, and planning forms being mobile-friendly, we are also the only Vancouver Wedding DJ company that offers a music planning app.
