Dj dilemma

700 is a great price for a dj! I think you should check reviews and make sure the price isn’t that low for a reason lol. The plus with your friend is you know them and know what you’re getting. My future sister in law is a photographer and of course we thought about hiring her but didn’t because we wanted her to enjoy the night with everyone and not have to feel like she was working. We’re also paying for our wedding and I know how expensive it all gets!

I'd definitely check reviews and maybe even contact the non-friend DJ to see if they have an event coming up that you could drop in on. For my location, that's almost a scary low price, but it might just be a great deal. I think the friend sounds promising, but as PP alluded to - if it's someone you'd definitely invite to the wedding and you'd want to really be able to celebrate with, consider hiring someone else. Although they'll be around the whole time, they'll be working and not really able to spend too much time just having fun.

Hey Jeanette!

As the pp mentioned, you got a really great quote from this DJ. Have you checked out all of their customer reviews and would you be happy to book them for your wedding?

You are not obliged to hire a vendor just because you know them. People understand that weddings are expensive and that you will go for the option that suits your budget best.

Will this friend be invited to your wedding? You could explain that you would be a lot more comfortable having them attend as a guest and would prefer them not to be working all evening.

That is a really great price! Have you met and talked to this DJ? Does the service include music, microphone and emcee services as well? Or does he just show up and play the music? How good are his reviews? Do you feel like he has the right personality for your group? These are little things that may help you ultimately make the decision. I know for us it came down to personality and ability to read a room and emcee the event. We signed the "more expensive" DJ (but still under budget!) because we just knew HE WAS the right guy for the job. Hope the little details end up giving you the clear answer!

Check reviews for the $700 guy and have a meeting with him. Listen to music samples etc. before making the decision.

If that DJ has great reviews and you feel confident in them you should absolutely go with them!. If your friend Wants to give you a better deal being your friend then they can if not business is business

Well my first thought is on the one who is more is so because he includes more. Lighting is included in his cost. Is lighting something you want? Does the $700 DJ offer it and what’s the cost if so. We chose not to go with the lighting package from our DJ but if we had it would have cost an additional $300 so that’s the majority of the more cost for your friend.

Are they both wedding DJs? What kind of experience do they have? These things played a factor in our decision too.

$490 is a huge savings! Everything with weddings adds up, as all of us know, lol. If the $700 DJ has great reviews, then I’d go with them. Ask if they do lighting and if lighting is really a deal breaker for you. I’m sure your friend will understand that you have a budget. Good luck!

*UPDATE*
met with the gentleman yesterday and not knowing my FH knows him. He was the dj at my FH best friends wedding. And from what I remember he was excellent.
He actually lowered the cost to $650 which includes everything. Waiting for his contract to look over.
If we do go with this gentleman, I have already contacted my friend and told him that I still want him at the wedding even if he doesnt dj.
YAY!
Thanks ladies for your thoughts, always appreciated!!!