Wedding DJ - Reducing hours

lms84

Hi, I have booked a DJ for my wedding for the entire evening. I paid a deposit of €100 and have €800 left to pay.
My H2B has now booked a band and I am going to have to ask the DJ to reduce his hours to half. I have no idea how that will go and if the DJ will be annoyed.
Any advice? I still want my H2B to have his band, but I don't want to lose my really good DJ.

PCros

I take it that he is a top DJ with that sort of money.

Just tell him the situation and see what he says. You may have to default on your deposit if he says no and then just go book another DJ at the normal rate of €350-450 to finish off the night after the band.

If you go with a DJ from the band your fiancé booked this may only cost you circa €250-€300.

Best of luck.

xzanti

Very dear for a DJ imho

Milly33

Im shocked a DJ would cost that much... Were going for the old MP3 playlist.

PCros

I'm taking it that the DJ booked is most likely a radio DJ for that money.

Also the DJ would have to play for 6 hours or so?

sweetie

This has happened to me on two occasions recently. Rather than make a fuss and threatan legalities (very bad idea before a gig!) I accepted this and moved on. Hopefully feedback and word of mouth makes up for the loss. I hadn't turned down other higher paying work though and sometimes than can be the issue.

lms84

Thanks for that everyone.
And yes he is expensive, but only because he comes with a lot of equipment and my venue has none.
I'll give him a call and see what happens.

clint_silver

sweetie wrote: »

This has happened to me on two occasions recently. Rather than make a fuss and threatan legalities (very bad idea before a gig!) I accepted this and moved on. Hopefully feedback and word of mouth makes up for the loss. I hadn't turned down other higher paying work though and sometimes than can be the issue.

same here, something usually happens 1-2 times a year.

Best to just say sure, thats no problem, eat up the loss rather than risk bad publicity. you cant win there.

If its a height of the season gig though it can be tricky as sweetie says that you really could be doing the guy out of 400 quid for the night that he was counting on and he would be within his rights to say no, I want full payment but would be surprising.

If he said he wanted the full amount then stand your ground, be prepared to lose the deposit and book someone else for 300-400 it normally costs for post band DJ.

At those rates it may even be through an agency in which case you really could be up against it. Ask first though, worry about it after.

clint_silver

lms84 wrote: »

Thanks for that everyone.
And yes he is expensive, but only because he comes with a lot of equipment and my venue has none.
I'll give him a call and see what happens.

all pro guys bring their own sound and lighting. They wouldn't be pro otherwise. how long of a gig was it? was it pre meal as well?

lms84

The wedding in in April so not exactly high season, but if he cancels on me, I'm afraid that I won't get another good DJ in such short notice.
My band does not have DJ facility.

lms84

clint_silver wrote: »

all pro guys bring their own sound and lighting. They wouldn't be pro otherwise. how long of a gig was it? was it pre meal as well?

No it was just after the meal

sweetie

lms84 wrote: »

Thanks for that everyone.
And yes he is expensive, but only because he comes with a lot of equipment and my venue has none.
I'll give him a call and see what happens.

Pretty much all wedding bands or dj have to bring everything they need with them. On the rare occasion Ive been told there is lights or PA at a wedding venue I've brought my own equipment anyway because I know how it's been treated, how it works and it can be relied on.

clint_silver wrote: »

same here, something usually happens 1-2 times a year.
...
At those rates it may even be through an agency in which case you really could be up against it. Ask first though, worry about it after.

I agree, sounds very much like an agency dj to me too. Maybe worth looking at your contract before doing anything hasty as they can be more ruthless than sole operators.

lms84 wrote: »

The wedding in in April so not exactly high season, but if he cancels on me, I'm afraid that I won't get another good DJ in such short notice.
My band does not have DJ facility.

lots of good wedding djs hang around these here parts, eh Clint

January

PCros wrote: »

I'm taking it that the DJ booked is most likely a radio DJ for that money.

Also the DJ would have to play for 6 hours or so?

Nah... I know radio DJ's that don't cost that much!

Milly33

lms84 wrote: »

No it was just after the meal

If you got badly stuck you could probably rent out what is needed like lights or fog machine whatever you need and I am sure there would be some local DJ or something there who would do it for ye

clint_silver

Milly33 wrote: »

If you got badly stuck you could probably rent out what is needed like lights or fog machine whatever you need and I am sure there would be some local DJ or something there who would do it for ye

do not recommend this, could be 150e down in rental fees and youve either over or under specced the equipment, find the venue dont allow smoke machines and find the DJ you just hired has his own gear which is better than the stuff you rented anyway.

OP, let us know what your DJ says, we'll find you someone who'll do it if he wont.

Milly33

I shall go back to himself and say ahh ha I knew there was a reason I kept all this stuff like fog machines and lights tee hee

marialouise

Telling OP her DJ is expensive is not helpful? Lots of shoulda-woulda-coulda suggestions here .

Anyway OP Just call the DJ, explain your fiancé has booked a band and could he start a bit later and see what the cost is. Just apologise, but like it's still a night's work, so he shouldn't be too annoyed, it's not like your cancelling altogether and he's getting what he would get for a night elsewhere (unless he did turn down other work). Unless it's in the contract, it's hiiiiighly unlikely you'll have to pay the full amount. You'll get it sorted! Good luck

Preset No.3

Wow! €900 for a full night wedding. It would want to be something very special with the sound and light for it to be that expensive. I consider myself to be a little big more expensive than the average DJ, but Im nowhere near that kind of price.

After band, you shouldnt have to pay pay more than another €250 plus deposit. Its basically 2-2.5 hours after the band.

Hope it works out for you. On a side not, an mp3 player at the end of the night is not the way to go, or it is if you want the night to die, and your guests go home!

lms84

Waiting to hear back from him. The phone went to message minder. I know from his facebook page that he is busy, so fingers crossed he returns my call soon.

Moonbeam

That is crazy money for a DJ.
Our band were awesome and left the PA etc for a few hours after they finished for a friend who is an awesome DJ to use.
saved us bringing our own PA etc.
I hope that he is reasonable and you are giving him enough notice:)

Milly33

lms84 wrote: »

Waiting to hear back from him. The phone went to message minder. I know from his facebook page that he is busy, so fingers crossed he returns my call soon.

Have you heard anything back from him yet!! Just pondering aswell where are you based

AoifeCork

Preset No.3 wrote: »

Wow! €900 for a full night wedding. It would want to be something very special with the sound and light for it to be that expensive. I consider myself to be a little big more expensive than the average DJ, but Im nowhere near that kind of price.

After band, you shouldnt have to pay pay more than another €250 plus deposit. Its basically 2-2.5 hours after the band.

Hope it works out for you. On a side not, an mp3 player at the end of the night is not the way to go, or it is if you want the night to die, and your guests go home!

NOT necessarily true! A lot of people can't afford to have a DJ if they fork out for a great band and this option is becoming very popular. Don't knock it-it's a lot of couples first and only option when the budget is totted up!!!!

OP don't panic, as you said yourself, its not exactly high season-there is surely somebody out there who can help out if things get rough!

Best of luck

Milly33

Defo the mp3 is great. or having your list of songs all set ready to go if you know someone whos into music you can ask them to put a roll on it where are the songs more or less run into ecahother. Been to plenty of weddings with it and tis great.. You can still have a mic set up if you really want I am sure there will be someone there willing to talk there always is....don't knock it till you try it have to say most DJ's in fairness now today just sit behind a laptop anywho tisnt like tis old school with records and that

Senna

AoifeCork wrote: »

Don't knock it-it's a lot of couples first and only option when the budget is totted up!!!!

Music and food, the only things that make a wedding and the only thing your guests will really remember, colour schemes, flowers, themes etc etc, all fade into one big wedding blur. If you cant afford €250 for a DJ, you really need to cut something else out of your budget.
I say this as someone who works in venues but nothing to do with music, I see weddings that have a DJ and weddings that have an Ipod, the Ipod is a disaster 90% of the time and I'm at 100-110 weddings per year.
The DJ will play to the crowd, see what songs get the most people out and keep play them, he/she will also take requests and do silly little things like call the groom onto the dance floor if he's been at the bar for too long:D

clint_silver

Milly33 wrote: »

Defo the mp3 is great. or having your list of songs all set ready to go if you know someone whos into music you can ask them to put a roll on it where are the songs more or less run into ecahother. Been to plenty of weddings with it and tis great.. You can still have a mic set up if you really want I am sure there will be someone there willing to talk there always is....don't knock it till you try it have to say most DJ's in fairness now today just sit behind a laptop anywho tisnt like tis old school with records and that

Youre describing bad and lazy DJs and they do exist but they are not in the majority no more than a bad photographers or a bad chef.

Good DJs read the floor more than the screen. If someone does their homework when booking they should be able to avoid the bad ones.

Theres a difference between playing your favorite songs and managing a dancefloor. Your mate might be able to take a half decent picture but it would be as good as a professionals? you might get lucky. you might not.

Preset No.3

clint_silver wrote: »

Youre describing bad and lazy DJs and they do exist but they are not in the majority no more than a bad photographers or a bad chef.

Good DJs read the floor more than the screen. If someone does their homework when booking they should be able to avoid the bad ones.

Theres a difference between playing your favorite songs and managing a dancefloor. Your mate might be able to take a half decent picture but it would be as good as a professionals? you might get lucky. you might not.

It's not often I agree with Clint, but this is true. Lazy DJ = bad gig!

Milly33

Sure isn't all what you want yourself really, yes I do agree that you can have your good and your bad DJs just as you do with bad service and all that goes. Just saying tisnt the worst option is done properly. Not all DJS will play Rick Astley haha only messing just lighting up the subject.

Back to it then have you heard back from your DJ IMs I hope it was a good outcome for ye

lms84

I just heard back from my DJ and he was not happy having to cut down his hours from full night to half. He was kinda rude on the fone and said that he usually doesn't play at my venue and has not taken any further bookings for that hotel. He said he would still honour the agreement.
He has reduced his cost from €900 to €500. He said the reason for this is that he will have to hire another person to help him to set up, as this venues access means he cannot do it by himself.
I really want to get another DJ now as I feel he might not be great to work with.
Problem is...my wedding is in 11 weeks and everyone I have called so far is booked up.
Is there anyone that can help.
Wedding is in Donegal.

maria34

What a cheek of him! My boyfriend is doing DJng and he doesnt charge anything near that! And i know he is good as i have heard it from different people.

Search around, you might find someone cheaper and less attitude :-)

BizzyC

If he really is a good DJ, leave him be at this stage.

He's already got a deposit, so the only way you're going to save money is if you find someone else who's good, available and has all the equipment for less than €400.

Whatever about his attitude, in fairness he has a right to be annoyed, a lot of his business comes off of recommendations and people who go to weddings.
It's in his best interest to show up and do a good job.

kippy

DJ'ing at a wedding is not fecking rocket science. The guy is totally ripping you off - I dont care who he is. All his excuses are his problem, not yours.

You're in a bit of a situation now due to the time you have left and the lack of other options so you might have no choice.

One thing I would say is that DONT go down the route of using an MP3 player with a playlist as this can go wrong very fast if you dont have someone at least responsible for it.

clint_silver

lms84 wrote: »

I just heard back from my DJ and he was not happy having to cut down his hours from full night to half. He was kinda rude on the fone and said that he usually doesn't play at my venue and has not taken any further bookings for that hotel. He said he would still honour the agreement.
He has reduced his cost from €900 to €500. He said the reason for this is that he will have to hire another person to help him to set up, as this venues access means he cannot do it by himself.
I really want to get another DJ now as I feel he might not be great to work with.
Problem is...my wedding is in 11 weeks and everyone I have called so far is booked up.
Is there anyone that can help.
Wedding is in Donegal.

He usually doesnt play at that venue? what does that mean? Never heard that before unless he's travelling a really long distance at which you could be seeing a premium being added on. Wheres he based?

As for needing another person, I can tell you thats complete crap. There isnt a venue in the country that he cant get into on his own unless he's got some physical disability. I've played 90% of venues in the country and sometimes due to to stairs a DJ might have to make 2-3 trips to the car instead of 1 but thats the DJs problem.

Now if he WANTS to ask someone to give him a hand, again, thats his own problem and should come out of his cost, but really if he's working as a mobile DJ he should be able to bring gear in anywhere on his own.

You're kind of stuck a little here, if youve tried a few and theyre all gone, I could give you some numbers in dublin but you'd paying a premium to go to Donegal.

I will say 500e is on the higher end of the cost fir a post-band DJ but if youve heard him play and are happy Id suggest maybe going ahead with it at this stage for ease of mind, unless you contact some the agencies, head over to weddingsonline and youll get a list of guys near there. might get something for 300-350.

goalscoringhero

lms84 wrote: »

I just heard back from my DJ and he was not happy having to cut down his hours from full night to half. He was kinda rude on the fone and said that he usually doesn't play at my venue and has not taken any further bookings for that hotel. He said he would still honour the agreement.
He has reduced his cost from €900 to €500. He said the reason for this is that he will have to hire another person to help him to set up, as this venues access means he cannot do it by himself.
I really want to get another DJ now as I feel he might not be great to work with.
Problem is...my wedding is in 11 weeks and everyone I have called so far is booked up.
Is there anyone that can help.
Wedding is in Donegal.

Reduction from EUR 900 to EUR 500 for half the agreed time is just above half the agreed original cost - that sounds fair to me, given that DJ has still same overhead of travel, set up, etc.

maria34 wrote: »

What a cheek of him! My boyfriend is doing DJng and he doesnt charge anything near that! And i know he is good as i have heard it from different people.

Search around, you might find someone cheaper and less attitude :-)

What's the cheek exactly? The OP agreed to pay EUR 900 originally, whether that's warranted or not is not the question - seemingly OP had her reasons for hiring that DJ for that kind of money in the first place.

What amount do you expect the DJ to come down to from the originally agreed price, for half the hours?

kippy wrote: »

DJ'ing at a wedding is not fecking rocket science. The guy is totally ripping you off - I dont care who he is. All his excuses are his problem, not yours.

It is still a job most of us cannot do to a satisfying degree. As far as I can see from the OP's post, the DJ is not giving excuses to rip her off. He is pointing out reasons for his price. The OP agreed to this before clarifying with her other half the details of the musical entertainment for the evening.

OP I would stick to this DJ and try to iron out anything beforehand to ensure the wedding continues to be great after the band has finished. Give him a few hints and suggest a list of songs that you (and the groom) would like to hear so the DJ can work them into the schedule.

I'd say it will be hard to find a good DJ so close to the date for EUR 350 or less, for the sake of saving 50 quid or so...

Best of luck!

lms84

GOOD NEWS!
I have found a DJ willing to travel up from Galway to play for only €350.
He has been recommended to me by a well known radio DJ in that area so I am happy to have him.
I checked him out and he has a good reputation and a full set of equipment. It could not have worked out better.
I'd like to say an open thanks to everyone who has helped here especially Darragh O Dea.

Now all I need to do is find out if I can get my €100 deposit back from my previous DJ.
I did not receive and official receipt from him.
I sent a letter stating 'Please find enclosed - my deposit', which he photocopied and sent back to me.
Don't know where this leaves me as there is no real proof that I sent it as I don't have his signature.

January

lms84 wrote: »

GOOD NEWS!
I have found a DJ willing to travel up from Galway to play for only €350.
He has been recommended to me by a well known radio DJ in that area so I am happy to have him.
I checked him out and he has a good reputation and a full set of equipment. It could not have worked out better.
I'd like to say an open thanks to everyone who has helped here especially Darragh O Dea.

Now all I need to do is find out if I can get my €100 deposit back from my previous DJ.
I did not receive and official receipt from him.
I sent a letter stating 'Please find enclosed - my deposit', which he photocopied and sent back to me.
Don't know where this leaves me as there is no real proof that I sent it as I don't have his signature.

I doubt you'll get your deposit back but if you don't try you'll never know. Darragh is a pet, we have him booked for our wedding on New Years Eve and I really cannot wait for it I just know the night is going to be amazing with him as DJ.

clint_silver

lms84 wrote: »

GOOD NEWS!
I have found a DJ willing to travel up from Galway to play for only €350.
He has been recommended to me by a well known radio DJ in that area so I am happy to have him.
I checked him out and he has a good reputation and a full set of equipment. It could not have worked out better.
I'd like to say an open thanks to everyone who has helped here especially Darragh O Dea.

Now all I need to do is find out if I can get my €100 deposit back from my previous DJ.
I did not receive and official receipt from him.
I sent a letter stating 'Please find enclosed - my deposit', which he photocopied and sent back to me.
Don't know where this leaves me as there is no real proof that I sent it as I don't have his signature.

The deposit is to protect both sides in case something happens. him in case you pull out and leave him with no earnings for the night and you in case someone else tries to book him.
some bands and DJs I know would give the deposit back if cancelled within a certain timeframe, say 6 months, 11 weeks is cutting a bit though.

This is his business and livelihood and due to nothing he's done he's gone from 900 to 500 and now potentially nothing if you ask for the 100 back.

So just a cautionary note, you've entered into a contract with him by booking him and paying deposit, it shouldn't go any further but protect yourself by ringing first guy. Just say really sorry, things change and what with booking the band we cant afford 500 for a DJ.

marialouise

lms84 wrote: »

Now all I need to do is find out if I can get my €100 deposit back from my previous DJ.

Sorry but why are you asking for your deposit back?
You're cancelling him, he is under absolutely no obligation to give that back.

As was said he's gone from €900- €500 to €100. You're still totalling only €450 (€350 for the second dj plus the €100 deposit for the first) for a choice ye made, so I would just leave it at that, whether he was rude or not.

sweetie

I would be very careful if you have signed a contract. I've known of many uk djs who went to court to get their fee after being cancelled in such circumstances. I don't know why you didn't keep him at the 500e rate anyway. He was surely taken back and rightly annoyed at the late change from full set to after band but did compromise. In the end you will save 50e and have broken your word.

kippy

Okay,
I've looked at this thread again and a few things spring to mind.

This is the OP's first thread on boards and indeed their first post.
The initial story didnt make much sense to me, if I am being honest. Eventually over a couple of weeks a DJ gets mentioned by name and location by the OP who has somehow saved the day - for the sake of 50 quid and a lot less hassle.

Forgive me for being the devils advocate here but this entire thread doesnt look right, I'd suggest its an elaborate shill to be honest.

January

kippy wrote: »

Okay,
I've looked at this thread again and a few things spring to mind.

This is the OP's first thread on boards and indeed their first post.
The initial story didnt make much sense to me, if I am being honest. Eventually over a couple of weeks a DJ gets mentioned by name and location by the OP who has somehow saved the day - for the sake of 50 quid and a lot less hassle.

Forgive me for being the devils advocate here but this entire thread doesnt look right, I'd suggest its an elaborate shill to be honest.

Op said the dj in question helped her out. He's not the one doing the gig someone else is.

BizzyC

That seems like a lot of hassle to go through for the sake of €50...

kippy

January wrote: »

Op said the dj in question helped her out. He's not the one doing the gig someone else is.

As I said an elaborate one.

D3PO

trust me Kippy. Darragh doesn't need shills at all your way off the mark.

clint_silver

kippy wrote: »

As I said an elaborate one.

I don't know him personally but will say if ever a guy didn't need a shill to generate business, its him. Think you're reading too much into it.

AoifeCork

Anybody else feeling a bit bummed for the original DJ?

Savman

At €900, not even slightly.

AoifeCork

He has to eat/pay rent/live as well though.

ted1

goalscoringhero wrote: »

Reduction from EUR 900 to EUR 500 for half the agreed time is just above half the agreed original cost - that sounds fair to me, given that DJ has still same overhead of travel, set up, etc.



What's the cheek exactly? The OP agreed to pay EUR 900 originally, whether that's warranted or not is not the question - seemingly OP had her reasons for hiring that DJ for that kind of money in the first place.

Best of luck!

I would see a mixture of niaveity and wedding excitement. She more than likely never hired a DJ before and got caught up in the excitement and agreed an exorbitant price

kippy

clint_silver wrote: »

I don't know him personally but will say if ever a guy didn't need a shill to generate business, its him. Think you're reading too much into it.

I never heard of the only named business on this thread before this thread......I assume there are plenty more like me.....no matter how little this guy didnt need a shill.

January

You've never heard of Darragh O'Dea, he's only worked for nearly every well known radio station in the country at this stage... he's one of the most well known disc jockeys out there.

kippy

January wrote: »

You've never heard of Darragh O'Dea, he's only worked for nearly every well known radio station in the country at this stage... he's one of the most well known disc jockeys out there.

Never heard of him.