How to DJ Your Own Wedding (2023)

FAQs

Is it okay to DJ your own wedding? ›

It creates a pleasant vibe for your big day and keeps the party in a flow. The importance of a good DJ to lift the whole event can not be overstated. However, if you are budget conscious and not exactly into events for a large number of guests, then you can definitely try to be a DJ at your own wedding.

No Problem. Skipping a DJ at your wedding is one way that couples choose to save money. But before you plug in your iPod and set of speakers, see what you could be missing. As with just about everything else involved in a traditional wedding, professional DJs are expensive.

All you really need is a DJ controller and a laptop running DJ software. You'll need DJ-specific programs and a controller (an external device that connects to a computer and gives you more tactile control) in order to use a laptop for wedding gigs.

How Many Songs Should You Pick? A good rule of thumb is 15 songs per hour. A typical wedding reception will see about 3 hours of dancing after dinner and all the formalities are over. That is just 45 songs.

Wedding DJs typically cost less than a live band, as they're only one or two people. Where you're getting married also has an impact on a DJ's price range.

Before we got married, I read SO MANY posts about how it's just easier to hire a DJ and not worry about ceremony music on an iPod.

So, is it legal to DJ with Spotify? Yes, you can DJ with music from Spotify without violating the law, however it violates Spotify's Terms of Service. If you are using Spotify to DJ now, you need an alternative streaming service quickly.

Head to your Music Feed on Home in the Spotify mobile app on your iOS or Android device. Tap Play on the DJ card. Let Spotify do the rest!

Obviously the amount of time for the DJing will be dependent on how coverage you've paid for. The normal, optimal length for a wedding reception is 4 hours (this includes the dinner portion). When you add in cocktail hour and the ceremony, there would be another 2 hours of music.

How much should I charge to DJ a wedding? ›

How much does a wedding DJ cost? The average cost of a wedding DJ is around $1,200, but this doesn't reflect the wide range of prices you're likely to see while planning your event. In reality, you'll see DJ companies charging anywhere from $600 up to $3,500.

Absolutely! Usually all DJ's will have their equipment and would prefer to use it. If you are bringing a DJ from interstate, then typically they would opt to hire some equipment locally for them or yourselves to pick up upon arrival.

In order for a wedding DJ to legally play a song at a wedding, they must own the rights to play the song. This means the DJ must have purchased the song from a legal source such as Amazon, iTunes or a legal DJ music pool like Promo Only.

Expectations & Appreciation

Generally, the range for wedding DJ tips is 10-20% of the billed amount. If your DJ was professional, worked well with you and your planner, and did a truly fantastic job as an MC and DJ at your wedding, consider tipping closer to the 20% end of the range.

A great wedding DJ acts like a professional in all manners. At your wedding, your DJ should be well-dressed and well-groomed, as well as relaxed and in control of any situation that may arise. He should not be drinking during your ceremony, or engaging in any type of inappropriate behavior with your guests.

By only hiring your DJ during the reception, you are cutting down the timeline which of course, decreases the price. To save further, make a playlist/CD to play of your own at the ceremony and cocktail hour, leaving room for your DJ to pump up your reception!

If you're booking a wedding band or DJ, you can expect them to offer a standard arrival time of around 5:30pm to 6:00pm, giving them plenty of time to be set up before your evening guests arrive.

The equipment needed for a wedding DJ is another expense that's calculated into the overall cost. A basic wedding DJ setup can cost several thousand dollars. If a wedding changes locations from the ceremony to the reception, this requires extra equipment to make the transition, which also raises the cost.

What Does the Groom's Family Pay For, Traditionally? The groom's family is responsible for corsages and boutonnieres for immediate members of both families, the lodging of the groom's attendants (if you have offered to help pay for this expense), and sometimes the costs of the rehearsal dinner.

What does the maid of honor pay for? ›

Typically, the maid of honor pays for smaller-ticket items, like a bachelorette sash or tiara, decorations, and swag for the other party guests. If you, as the bride, don't want to pay for these smaller items, our advice is to give your friends space to take the reins.

With all those events on the timeline, you will definitely need a DJ that can maneuver the crowd. Aside from the music aspect of things, the wedding DJ hypes up the crowd and gets them energized and ready for your grand entrance.

There are many music royalties that one can pay depending on how they intend to use the music in question. As a Dj, you must pay performance royalties for the music on my playlists. Performance royalties allow you to mix, store and play the musical assets of others in public events or gigs.

Like the prelude, you can list the song title, composer and performer. These are optional; however, your formatting for the prelude and processional should match.

A public performance license grants DJs specific permission to play an artists' song (or use their beats) in public. In fact, it's not just DJs who need this license—a retail store would also need permission to play a song. A public performance license also guarantees that the artists you're playing receive royalties.

When the venue has the public-performance license, it means that DJs can play recorded music registered with the PRO, KJs are able to perform, background music is allowed, and bands can cover songs. Radio stations pretty much work the same way. The difference is the radio station's license is for broadcast.

What DJ software is the industry standard? Ableton Live, Virtual DJ, Rekordbox, Serato and Traktor all offer software solutions that cater for DJs ranging from beginners to professionals. However, the most commonly used DJ software is Serato, with over 100 million downloads.

During Dinner Hour

As you and your guests are eating dinner, you can expect the DJ to play background music, but don't expect the music to be too loud because the DJ understands that guests will likely be talking to one another. If they were playing music too loudly, then people wouldn't be able to hear each other.

What does the average DJ make a night? ›

The average club DJ makes between $100-$200 per night. Pay can depend on the DJ's level of fame, club location, or club fame. Higher-end DJs make over 6-figures. Some club DJs can make six-figure sums!

The average song is 3 minutes long. It can take 20 seconds for a couple to prepare and get from the entrance to their seats or the dance floor. As you increase the number of introductions, add on another song.

The average cost of a wedding in 2021 was $28,000 (including the ceremony and reception), according to The Knot's 2021 Real Weddings Study.

How much Does It Cost For A DJ Per Hour? The average wedding DJ's cost per hour is around $150. However, a DJ may charge less if they are performing at an event that is not a wedding. Most DJs charge around $100 per hour for “non-wedding” events.

With more and more couples opting for additional audio support for their wedding ceremonies, it has become apparent that they be given the option to include DJs in the rehearsal.

Yes! Booking both a wedding band and DJ if it's an option is highly recommended. It's the best of both worlds. I find that a top DJ can complement a live wedding band perfectly and when done right, it can add real quality, big party atmosphere, and musical consistency to your wedding.

And even though service charges may be spelled out in your contract, tipping—although not mandatory—is always appreciated for a job well done, not to mention a kind and thoughtful gesture. So don't forget to factor in tips when making your wedding budget.

Owners are not tipped. Self-employed vendors or business owners are typically not given gratuity. Bands or DJs not booked through an entertainment agency are also not tipped.

Try not to request too many songs

“You've got to trust their judgment,” Groh says. “Give them 10 or 20 of your favorite songs and let them do the rest of the work. And if you want to see dancing, make sure the songs are danceable.

How many songs does a DJ play at a wedding? ›

A good rule of thumb is 15 songs per hour. A typical wedding reception will see about 3 hours of dancing after dinner and all the formalities are over. That is just 45 songs.

[Wedding DJs] are a better option if you consider variety the spice of reception life. They can simply provide a much wider breadth of music genre options and can essentially play any song you request. Bands typically come prepared with a previously agreed upon set list—requests aren't always on the table.

Obviously the amount of time for the DJing will be dependent on how coverage you've paid for. The normal, optimal length for a wedding reception is 4 hours (this includes the dinner portion). When you add in cocktail hour and the ceremony, there would be another 2 hours of music.

A professional DJ does so much more than playing music. They make proper announcements, coordinate, and organize your wedding with you. They keep track of the timelines created and make sure that all the other vendors are ready for each specific formality such as the first dance and so on.

Music and entertainment play a large part in making your wedding day exciting for your guests. Plenty of couples choose to have both a live band and a DJ at their wedding.

You're likely reading to find out when you should book your wedding DJ, so here it is; you should ideally book your wedding DJ approximately 9-12 months before your wedding date.

During a 4 hour reception, a DJ will probably play around 100-120 songs, depending on the type of reception event it is.

THE CONS: It can be detrimental to your health – You can spend countless hours breathing in dust bunnies while crate digging in some off-the-grid basement, damage your eyesight by staring at a computer screen until you are bloodshot & bleary eyed, or throw out your back lugging your gig bag across town and country.

[Wedding DJs] are a better option if you consider variety the spice of reception life. They can simply provide a much wider breadth of music genre options and can essentially play any song you request. Bands typically come prepared with a previously agreed upon set list—requests aren't always on the table.

Before we got married, I read SO MANY posts about how it's just easier to hire a DJ and not worry about ceremony music on an iPod.

What is a DJ called at the wedding? ›

The master of ceremonies (also known as emcee) may be the most important role your wedding DJ plays. Think of your DJ as the host, cruise director, and point person for the evening, making announcements and ensuring that your guests are aware of what's going on and what's next.