$20,000.00 national average? I don't buy it!

[John Daniels]

$20,000.00 national average? I don't buy it!

We keep getting this figure as the national average for the cost of a wedding . . . but I don't believe it!

I think it is more like half of that . . . or even less!

I've seen all of the charts, graphs and lists given to us by these so-called professional wedding planners . . . who are really just journalists or contributing writers!

Is it propaganda from the wedding websites and bridal magazines to help their advertisers make more money?

Or too make brides who really can't afford that kind of money into somehow believing that if they don't spend that much then their wedding will be 'inferior'?

To be honest, I don't really know if I've ever been involved in a $20,000.00 wedding . . .

I'll bet that if we were to somehow figure out how much was spent on each and every gig we have done individually, our own numbers would give us a totally different 'national average' . . .

And I'll bet it is much, much lower than $20,000.00!

If that is the case ($20,000.00), then why is the national average price of DJ services down around the $500.00 figure?

Ideas anyone?

[JohnnyDee]

My Son's wedding 2 years ago cost $54,000.

It was an average wedding reception for our area. I think what you have to do is take the figures from all over the country and average them and I believe you will easily come up with a $20,000. average.

[Rob Peters]

Speaking of accurate info and averages....

NAME just completed a national survey regarding pricing.

We took your responses here, as well as through a national survey at random.

Shockingly....we found that the majority of DJs surveyed charged between $500 and $750 for a wedding.

HOWEVER, the average rate of everyone who was surveyed was $975.

Again, location and time of year obviously played into this equation, but surprisingly, we found these facts surprising!

[Jim Casey]

I can tell you that $20,000-50,000 are somewhat rare here in Maine.

If I play in Kennebunkport or in York, I see the $20,000-$30,000 wedding receptions. In fact, we have the York Harbor Inn who reportedly gets $18,000 for their main ballroom (not sure how true that is)

I would venture to say that the average wedding in Maine is about $15-17,000, maybe a bit less.

BTW, I played at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine in July of 2001 one week before a major wedding was to take place.

There was a custom area being built for the reception. Carpentry alone was $100,000+ according to the coordinator at the Samoset. He said he wouldn't be surprised if the final price tag were over $500,000.

WOW!

[JohnnyDee]

I am just watching the TV show Bridezillas.

They showed a bakery that charges up to $20,000. JUST FOR THE WEDDING CAKE

[Steve Moore]

I don't understand why $20,000 is such a difficult figure to comprehend. I would have to say that a $20,000 wedding would be low end compared to the majority of weddings I do. I work with a wedding event planner that starts at $15,000 just for her alone.

Can a wedding be done for $5,000?… Yes.

Can a wedding be done for $50,000… Yes

$20,000 for an average cost on a NATIONAL level is not so bizarre.

[John Daniels]

Would you say, then, that the average wedding that you get hired for is at least a $20,000.00 wedding?

Or would your average be higher or lower . . .

Forget about what we are being told by charts and graphs, or what we read in the mags . . .

What do you see out there in the trenches?

What is the feeling you are getting from callers?

Forget about what you personally spent!
(By the way, I don't know too many DJs who can afford a $20,000 - $50,000.00+ wedding - especially on just their DJ earnings alone!)

The Denver/Boulder area is not considered a cheaper part of the coutry to live in, yet I don't see any evidence that a majority of weddings have that much in their war chest!

I speak with all kinds of people about my services . . . poor, medium income and wealthy!

And that figure ($20 grand) just doesn't seem to be the 'average' wedding budget . . .

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[ April 04, 2003, 09:50 AM: Message edited by: MusicDoctorDJ ]

[Jim Casey]

When I got married in 1996, we personally spent about $9,000 and I thought back then it was ridiculous.

The breakdown as I remember it...

Disc Jockey: $350 for 6 hours
(One year before I became a mobile)

Photographer: $999

Catering Hall: $19 a plate for 130 people= $2470

Flowers: $295

Church: $400

Her Dress: $800-1000

Tuxedo: $100, credited $130 because of MAJOR problems

Cake: $225

Favors: $175

Limousine: $250

Honeymoon: $2500 including expenses in Bermuda for 8 days/7 nights)

[Steve Moore]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>MusicDoctorDJ:
Would you say, then, that the average wedding that you get hired for is at least a $20,000.00 wedding?[/b][/quote]Me pesonally?

The AVERAGE wedding I do is around $40,000

Keep in mind I so not do Veteran Halls or Community Centers.

When I first started DJing yes but not now.

Forgetting what is published I would have to say ME PERSONALLY $20,000 would be a low end wedding.

Now, even before you start with the Canadian dollar is worth less in AMERICA. Keep in mind $1 Canadian is worth $1 in Canada.

[ April 04, 2003, 10:50 AM: Message edited by: Steve Moore ]

[Jim Casey]

I can tell you that 300 person weddings are very rare in Maine...

Most I have had for a wedding is 225...avergae about 100-125

That alone keeps costs down significantly

I don't play the VFW Halls either, except for one last year, my 2nd highest paying wedding of 2002...$1049