a FAIR PRICE for DJ services

You'll find a wide range of prices for all wedding services, and DJs are no exception. And the same DJ might charge a different price for your wedding than he does for another. In most cases, there are legitimate reasons for this.

Legitimate factors in a DJ's pricing structure include:

* What month is your wedding? Fees for peak months like May, June, September, and October trend higher than those for off-peak months like November, January, and February.

* What day is your wedding? Most weddings are on Saturdays. Many DJs offer a discount for Thursday, Friday, or Sunday weddings.

* How many hours will the DJ perform? Many DJs quote a base rate for a 4-hour performance, with extra hourly rates for "overtime."

* How much equipment is needed? Your reception might require the DJ to set up multiple sound systems in different places -- for example, a cocktail hour outside the main ballroom.

* Are you using the DJ for the ceremony? This is an extra task that might trigger an extra fee.

* Does your event require travel outside the DJ's local region?

All the above are LEGITIMATE pricing considerations. They are based on OBJECTIVE factors that reflect supply-and-demand and the amount of work involved.

Unfortunately, some DJs vary their prices based on factors that are not quite so fair. I'll discuss those in my next post on BridalTweet.