How much should a wedding DJ cost in Melbourne?
You’ve selected your wedding venue, locked in your celebrant and photographer, and are now looking for amazing wedding entertainment to ensure the best night. If you decide on a DJ Service for your entertainment, you will quickly realise that wedding DJ prices vary from DJ to DJ. While it’s important to stick within your Wedding Budget, you don’t want to hire the cheapest DJ who doesn’t read the room and ruins your night. So, what should you expect to pay for a professional wedding DJ in Melbourne?
Wedding Music for Every Moment
Wedding music sets the tone for every stage of your big day, from the ceremony music and cocktail hour to the dance floor. A skilled DJ can seamlessly adjust their music selection based on the atmosphere and energy of the guests, keeping the dance floor lively and memorable.
DJ vs. Live Band: Making the Right Choice
Couples often wonder if they should hire a live band instead of a DJ. Here’s a quick comparison:
Live Band: Can bring energy and a unique vibe but usually comes at a higher price and has a limited repertoire.
Wedding DJ: Offers a broad music library to suit all tastes, costs less, and provides a flexible and customizable music experience for the entire event.
Additional Services a Wedding DJ Can Provide
Many DJ companies now offer additional services to enhance the wedding experience. These may include:
MC Services to guide the evening’s flow and make announcements.
Photo booths for guests to capture memories.
Dance floor lighting to create an engaging ambience.
Wireless microphones for speeches and announcements.
These extras can add to the overall cost, but they bring tremendous value to your wedding day.
Breakdown of Wedding DJ Pricing
1. Budget DJ
$500 - $1500
It is not uncommon for a couple to spend $50,000 to $80,000 on their big day (once your venue, celebrant, photographer, florists, dresses/suits, etc. are all booked, it adds up quickly). This is a large sum of money, so why risk jeopardising your special day by hiring a DJ who, although budget-friendly, ruins your night?
Image of a bad DJ setup.
The last thing you want is your DJ playing offensively loud music, using poor-quality speakers, refusing to take requests, not having a well-presented DJ booth, and only playing the music they want to hear. Even worse – if they have a seat behind their booth during the dance floor. Although it can be tempting to be drawn towards a budget-friendly DJ, you don’t want to have any regrets on your night if you try to save $1000 and go with a cheap DJ.
For this reason, if you are looking to book a DJ for less than $1500, I’d ask lots of questions about their experience with weddings, specifically, their visions for your day, the quality of their equipment, and if they have any sample mixes. If they don’t have video footage of themselves in action, too, I’d proceed with caution at booking any DJ below this price point.
2. Professional DJ
$2000 - $5000
Many factors determine the cost of a wedding DJ. Generally, a great wedding DJ in Melbourne costs between $200 and $5000 for a 5-hour reception. This amount will increase if they also provide add-ons such as a lighting package, MC service, ceremony, cocktail/canapé hour, etc.
Of course, there is a reason why they charge this amount.
A good DJ supplies high-quality, professional equipment. It is not uncommon for a wedding DJ to bring over $20,000 in equipment to each event. For example, they bring a good-quality PA, DJ decks, mixer, speaker stands, laptop, all cabling, booth, wireless mic, saxophone (if booked), and perhaps even lighting. The DJ also knows how to set up this equipment (and, most importantly, have back-ups) so that everything runs smoothly at night.
Image of Tim the DJ at Collingwood Children’s Farm, captured by Single Soul Photography.
A good DJ is also committed to making sure your wedding day is the best it can be! They typically invest at least 2-5 hours of preparation for each event, meeting with the couples and reviewing the music briefly to ensure they nail it on the night.
They can also MC like a true professional and work closely with the venue manager at night to ensure everything runs like clockwork. Having a DJ who treats your big day with the utmost respect and can provide tips and suggestions in the lead-up to your big day (after all, they have attended hundreds of weddings) is valuable to the couple and is one less thing they have to worry about.
This is also not to mention the countless hours the DJ has spent crafting their skills so they can deliver your shared vision of a big, vibrant dance floor that doesn’t dwindle once it’s ignited. They can mix tracks, keeping the energy up and the atmosphere electric.
There are also various other costs a DJ incurs that couples understandably don’t consider. These include tagging and testing their equipment, public liability insurance, SEO, marketing costs, and website fees.
3. Other things to consider
If you are booking a DJ through an agency, be mindful that you might be paying a premium price for a budget DJ. Although an agency might have a pretty Instagram, do you know which exact DJ you will be getting? Not all DJs are the same, and agencies have a mix of good and, well, not so good DJs on their books so they can fill multiple events on the same night.
It’s important to select a DJ you like and trust rather than just choosing one because of their price. After all, if you’re spending upwards of $50,000 on your special day, why risk jeopardising it by booking a budget DJ?
Looking for a DJ to ignite your dance floor? Get in touch. I’d love to be part of your special day, and if I am not available, I can recommend some other great options.
Tim the DJ
Website: www.timthedj.com.au
Instagram: www.instagram.com/timthedjsax/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/timthedjsax
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtrAETETwadr0WyjEQp1cuA
Factors That Influence Wedding DJ Costs
DJ's Experience and Reputation
A DJ with a strong reputation and vast experience will likely charge more due to their high demand and expertise.
Duration and Scope of the Event
The length of the wedding day affects pricing. A 5-hour reception costs less than an all-day event that covers the ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner.
Venue Size and Equipment Needs
Larger venues may require additional sound equipment and dance floor lighting, increasing the overall cost.
Custom Wedding Packages and Add-Ons
Customised packages allow you to add unique elements to your wedding, from photo booths to live saxophone performances.
Tips for Choosing the Right DJ
Ask About Their Music Library
A well-rounded music library is essential for catering to various guest preferences. Ask if the DJ can accommodate requests during the event.
Look for Professional DJ Equipment
High-quality sound equipment and backup gear are vital for ensuring your music is flawless throughout the night.
Consider Their Personality and Professionalism
The DJ’s experience and personality are crucial in creating the right vibe. Look for a DJ who is professional, reliable, and in tune with your vision for the wedding reception.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-
The average wedding DJ cost in Melbourne ranges from $1500 to $5000, depending on experience, equipment, and additional services.
-
Yes, some DJs may be open to negotiation, particularly during the off-peak season. However, remember that a lower price may impact the quality of service.
-
Yes, most DJs charge for extra hours. Confirm the overtime rate before the event to avoid surprises.
-
It’s recommended to book a DJ 9-12 months in advance, especially if they’re in high demand.
-
Yes, many DJs offer ceremony music along with reception services. This may involve an additional fee.
-
A wedding DJ focuses on creating a structured flow that aligns with the wedding’s events, whereas a Party DJ is more focused on maintaining high energy on the dance floor.
-
Photo booths add an interactive experience for guests and create memorable keepsakes. Many DJ companies offer these as part of their packages.
-
Yes, many DJs offer dance floor lighting to enhance the ambiance of the venue.
-
An agency can offer a range of DJs, but it’s important to ensure you’re getting a professional with wedding experience, not just a general DJ.
-
Absolutely! Many DJs offer wedding MC services to handle announcements, coordinate events, and keep things running smoothly.
Looking for a DJ Service to ignite your dance floor? Contact me to discuss your wedding music needs. I’d love to be part of your special day, and if I’m not available, I can recommend other fantastic options.
Tim the DJ
Website: www.timthedj.com.au
Instagram: @timthedjsax
Facebook: Tim the DJ
YouTube: Tim the DJ YouTube Channel
