Average cost of a DJ?

Yikes... Call them back now.

My DJ's, in NJ/NYC, all range around ****.

You can't do it over.

You really need to compare apples to apples. Do they all provide the same number of uplights (for example)? What does their equipment look like (i.e. how invasive is it)? Will it be just a DJ or a DJ and a separate MC. Without knowing the specifics, it is hard to offer advice.

@Celia Milton, Yikes indeed! I wonder if it is more of a regional thing.

I'd say about $1,000 is normal, but it depends on what they are working with, how many hours, and what all are they doing. Some charge more to actually MC. Some charge more to do both ceremony and reception music. Outdoors-more. Have to set up entire system (venue doesn't have speakers throughout)-more.

I'm in Manitoba, Canada (small place, not winnipeg ) and have been quoted between $1000 and $4000 I'd say you have a deal at those prices

@Minerva, For the most part it seems like they are just charging different rates for travel, set-up and lighting. We aren't really interested in the lighting per se. It was more of a shock to see basically the same package. I'm going to be interviewing them in the next couple of weeks just to be safe.

Mine was about $1,500 and it included music and audio for ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, monogram, uplighting. I agree, you have to get someone with experience. WW has a great list of vendors with reviews. Check that out!

I'm in central Florida, ours is $1095 for 4 hours.

Looks like I need to get to calling them ASAP! Thank ladies. I had no clue what everyone else was being estimated and I didn't want to get taken for a ride by a DJ.

Those are very reasonable prices. My DJ, located in central Florida, is $450 for 4 hours (1 to set up, two for ceremony/reception, and 1 for take down). He has excellent reviews and works with the catering company I hired for servers/bartenders.

$850 for 4 hours in LA. The lowest I was quoted was ~$400 but that guy seemed sketchy, the most was $4k. I think the majority of estimates were $800-1500.

I was in St Louis, heard everywhere from $650-$1500, but as PP have said, it varied mostly because of their services. I went with the most economical mostly because they didn't try to force more services down our throats, and during wedding planning, I really appreciated that!

$950 for 5 1/2 hours, including our ceremony music in coastal north carolina. He uses Serrato scratch live and 'mixes' mp3s with his turntables as he djs. im super excited!

Ours was $350 and we were lucky he wasn't a dud. I would have gone higher if I would have planned better.

Right outside of Philly, I'm paying 1175 for 5 hours

Central Valley, CA lowest $600- sketchy DJ as well...average $950-1500- typically for 6hours (ceremony/reception) with 4 uplights, high of $2500- generally 6hours with uplights and photobooth

I am at los angeles and I am paying $1540 for 4 to 11pm. 4-5pm for ceremony (so getting the DJ to play the music and bring mic & speakers), 6-7pm for cocktail hour and then 6pm to 11pm. The price also includes an MC

Mine is normally $1200 but since my wedding is on a Sunday he's doing $650 for ceremony and reception.

Ask what's included, some do lights, have premium equipment etc. our dj did market lighting in and out of our venue, all the up lighting, our photo booth, cocktail hour music and reception. Total: $3000

Ours is $1500 for 6 hours of DJ service including the ceremony speakers and microphone. No other details included. I find the cost outrageous since we are picking out most of the music and writing the whole timeline. Perhaps I'm ignorant, but is there really that much prep and post time for a DJ?