Top Houston Wedding DJ Services, Photo Booths, Live Stream & Lighting

How much does a DJ Cost?

The average DJ price for a standard wedding reception can be based on how much the DJ charges per hour, or a fixed standard rate. In Houston, DJ’s are broken down into 3 levels:

1. The Weekend Warriors – Craigslist DJs, Bar, Club, Hobbyist and part time dj’s. Most are exceptional in their own specific genres, but very few are experienced in wedding formats, overall musical knowledge or experience as a Master of Ceremonies. Some have a minor web presence. If you are looking for just a standard dj with your favorite music from the local bar and a small wedding with friends and little to no announcements, these experts are very affordable. Many dj’s charge by the hour. Average cost: $250 to $500 for 4 to 6 hours.
2. Small Business Owners – Fulltime and experienced at many types of weddings and events. These companies offer great services at reasonable prices. Many are insured and offer professional timelines and music databases to assist the brides in creating their dream weddings. Most have between 1 and 5 Professional Master of Ceremonies/DJs on staff. They are reliable and can be found online, as well as reviews about their services and expertise. Average cost $600 to $1100 for 4 to 5 hours.
3. Large DJ Companies – Reliable and experienced management teams for middle to large sized local companies as well as large nationwide companies. Most are insured and have between 5 and 20 dj’s on staff. The expertise of the djs in their companies vary, normally hiring the upper management is an additional cost. As always, to understand if they are right for you, read the newest reviews and see who their super stars are. They offer exception tools and music for weddings and private events. Many have a high overhead business cost, such as office space, dj equipment, wedding advertising and web presence cost. This cost naturally must be passed on to their clients and it will raise the price substantially. Average cost $1000 to $1500 for 4 hours.

In the end, the old adage of “you get what you pay for” is very relevant. This is only a very basic way of explaining the Houston DJ community.

Pricing factors

There are many other factors that can effect the price of your dj:

1. Packages – many djs have different packages that deal with free additional time, photo booths or ambiente lighting. Ask what the standard dj package includes. Is the dance floor lighting come included and do they offer a cordless microphone for the toast? Some dj’s charge extra for a portable dj booth called a facade. Never assume and verify the price of the contract.
2. Off Season – Houston has two off seasons, and you can receive anywhere from $50 to $100 off for the months of January thru March and the hot months from July thru September.
3. Distance – many djs also charge for events in the neighboring counties around Harris County. Inquire about travel and setup fees before signing a contract.
4. Reserve Time – The farther away you are from your wedding date, the cheaper the price. Many brides and grooms do not realize that dates are typically booked 6 months to a year in advance. The closer you get to your wedding date, the less guaranteed a good DJ or price. Do not put this off until the end.
5. Venue Discounts – Many of the venues in the greater Houston area have in-house vendors on their preferred vendor list. Ask them if they offer a discounted price or if they are part of a package at the venue.

Finally, regardless of the cost of your wedding or event, make sure your DJ at least has experience with weddings, announcements, and following a timeline. Do not entrust your special day to an amateur DJ.