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Beginner October 2019

How long should i book my dj for ? Help!!

Silvia, on September 29, 2019 at 9:16 PM Posted in Planning 0 10

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So my dj package come with 4 hours for the price plus 75 dollars each addditonal hour. Thing is that once I sent the contract to him. If I happen to request him to stay an extra hour the day of, he charges 100 per hour Instead of 75.
My ceremony starts at 5:30pm and I thought he could come once we were done with the ceremony and so only for the reception but I recently talked to someone who is experienced with weddings and she said to ask him to do a second set up in the ceremony side which is a little bit distant but not crazy distant. One is in the front of the house the other is on one side. House is a mansion type. Anyways, since according to her I’ll be needing him to be there at 5:30 for us to use his microphones and say our vows so people will liste to us. How long should I book how long should I book him for? I need opinions as what would you do in this case? I want reception to end about 10:30 max 11. So do you think I should book him 5 hours or 6? Meaning should I do one extra hour or two in his contract? 50 people are coming if that helps with the decision.

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10 Comments

Latest activity by Christine, on September 30, 2019 at 3:58 PM

Super February 2020
Jeanie · on September 29, 2019 at 9:26 PM
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Four hours seems short for a typical reception. Especially if that isn’t including the ceremony, I would be very concerned that it wouldn’t be enough time. You definitely need at least a microphone to hear the ceremony. I’ve been to weddings without one, and you can’t hear anything. You will probably also want some ceremony music and something playing while your guests are being seated. If this DJ isn’t able to provide those services as well as everything for the reception, I would look into getting someone else.
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Dedicated May 2020
Sarah · on September 29, 2019 at 9:27 PM
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I’d say 5. I ended up booking mine an extra hour early so I could use their microphone and speaker setup.
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Beginner October 2019
Silvia · on September 29, 2019 at 9:29 PM
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He is able to as many hours as I want but I don’t know if I should do 5 hours or 6 or if that’s even short.
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Master October 2019
Meghan · on September 29, 2019 at 9:42 PM
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My wedding is also at 5:30. We booked our DJ for 5 hours. They arrive 1.5 hours early for set up.
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Beginner October 2019
Silvia · on September 29, 2019 at 10:18 PM
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Are the 1.5 hours for set up part of the booking ? Are they getting paid to do so or not?
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Master October 2019
Meghan · on September 29, 2019 at 10:22 PM
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The set up is included in the package. I’m only paying them for the 5 hours they actually DJ.
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January 2019
MOB So Cal · on September 29, 2019 at 10:25 PM
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Daughter's DJ provided the pre-ceremony music as guests were seated, processional & recessional music, mics for the ceremony (officiant and on the groom's lapel for the vows), music for cocktail hour, and then music & MC for the entire reception. Ceremony began at 3:30 and reception ended at 10, so we booked him for 7 hours, 3-10pm. Outside of those hours was his time for setting up and packing up his equipment. I think we paid $1300 (plus a voluntary $100 tip), in So Cal. (He was awesome from the minute daughter first talked with him on the phone through the very last second of the reception, and well worth his charges.)
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Legend June 2019
Melle · on September 30, 2019 at 12:25 AM
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I had mine for five hours but he told me if I ran over half an hour it's free
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Legend July 2019
MrsD · on September 30, 2019 at 11:47 AM
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We had our DJ the entire time. He provided microphones & music for the ceremony, music for 20 minutes prior to the ceremony when guests were arriving, cocktail hour music, reception music, microphones for speeches, and he was an emcee for the evening. So 6 hours total not including set up & take down.
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Dedicated June 2021
Christine · on September 30, 2019 at 3:58 PM
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I am a bride-to-be who is also a wedding vendor. Here are some things to consider:

1) If he comes for the reception only, he still has to get there before everyone else does in order to set up without interfering with your guests. Does the 4 hours start when he starts performing/doing DJ things? Or when he arrives to set up? (see question 1 below) That will help determine how long, total, you will need him. If he has to get there at 4:30 to set up for your 5:30 pm ceremony and your timer starts when he gets there, then you will need him for 6 hours total. If he counts DJ time only, then you're paying for 5.5 hours (5:00 pm - 10:30 pm) because most DJs will put on music as your guests arrive (typically 15-30 minutes prior to your ceremony start time).
2) You will want sound support for your ceremony - someone to play the music while guests are being seated and for your processional and recessional. Also, a mic is usually needed in about every situation to hear the officiant and your vows.
Here are some questions to ask your DJ:
1) Does the total time of 4 hours include set up and tear down time? If so, when does the timer start on the 4 hours? When he gets there or when he starts DJing?

2) If he were to set up sound for the wedding ceremony, what is the extra cost? (there SHOULD be a charge for this if he has to bring separate equipment)

Hope this helps!
-Christine
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