There are lots and lots of ways to go about booking your wedding reception vendors. You may have a favorite, or you may be going from a freferral from a friend, but whomever you use, here are some tips to gett8ing the most bang for you buck when hiring a DJ, or any other venror for that matter.
1. Fridays and Saturdays are not as busy.
I’m sure you are planning on getting married on a Saturday, as most people are, but did you know that you can usually negotiate better rates with wedding vendors on Weekdays or Sundays? It may not always work out for you to do this, but a wedding can probably cost hundreds if not thousands less if it is held on a weekday vs. a Saturday.
2. Keep your wedding to 4-5 hours.
I know when you are planning your wedding reception you think that the night should go on forever, but in reality, even when people plan to go late, it rarely does. There is only so much I as the Dj can do to keep you and your gusts from getting tired. There are exceptions, such as destination weddings and some others that can make it longer, but don’t try and make your event longer than it needs to be. A good event is always a timely event!
3. If you have a ceremony, have it in the same place as your reception.
Ceremonies are always an extra expense, and if you have one try and have it in the same place as where you having your reception. This will save you money on sound, and microphne ( I have to charge extra because I would have to set up a second sound system) and it will also save you money on chairs and set up/take down.
4. Ditch the receiving Line!
Do you really need to spend 2 hours waiting in a line so your guests can meet you and your entire wedding party? If so, then by all means have the line, but I’m willing to bet your guests would be much happier if they could sit in their seats and have you and your partner go around from table to table and say hi. This is mostly a Utah tradition, and I don’t see it anywhere else, but receiving lines are actually a DJ’s worst nightmare. As a DJ, I can’t really do anything until the line is over. and since your guests are NEVER arriving on time, the line can last for hours. So keep your guests from getting bored and make your whole reception more comfortable for everyone and ditch the line, you’ll be happy you did!
