I’ve had a spate of enquiries lately from couples wanting a quote before talking or meeting with me. I find this very difficult because my service isn’t a ‘five hours’ type of service by any measure. I’m often on site from a couple of hours before the ceremony until half an hour after the finish of the reception. 14 hour days aren’t uncommon. Price isn’t an easy thing to discuss without an understanding of value.
This is, of course, after I’ve already done the 12 to 20 hours of preparation, which includes planning, run-sheet creation, communication with other vendors, correspondence, meetings, phone calls, emails, music acquisition, scripting, rehearsal, training and of course equipment maintenance.
Communicating this well in an email is impossible. Over the phone it’s possible but difficult. In a meeting, couples start to really ‘get it’ and start to see the importance of the entertainment as a considerable percentage of the overall success of the wedding day. Once they see that percentage, the percentage of the overall wedding day budget starts to make sense and my service becomes a very viable investment. A bride once told me that she was going to get 150 quality chair covers with beautiful sashes at $18 each.
She had originally budgeted $2700 for things that, although beautiful, were going to be under her guest’s backsides for much of the reception. After our consultation, priorities changed dramatically and her DJ budget tripled. Their wedding was stunning and their guests are still talking about it two years later. I know, because some of them have now booked me for their weddings. Here then, is my open letter to couples who want a quote from me before talking with me about what I can do for them and their guests.
Thank you for your enquiry. I hope the following comes across the right way- the written word is so difficult.
I’m not cheap, and there are a lot of reasons for that. In fact I’m one of the most expensive wedding DJs in the country, and I usually work around 30 weddings per year at prices at the very top of the range in New Zealand. For that rate, my clients get a totally unique and personalised service and I’m booked on referrals almost exclusively.
People hire me to ensure that their wedding will be unlike any other celebration that they and their guests have ever been to. They book me to ensure that their day flows perfectly, that their guests don’t leave as soon as the DJ starts and that everyone feels like they are part of something truly special and memorable.
Typically I put between 12 and 20 hours of preparation into every wedding, plus 12 or 14 hours on site on the day. If you really just want three and a half hours of music, I’m not the DJ for you and you’ll likely find a ‘turn up and press play’ DJ for around a quarter of my fee.
If you want some ideas to help make your day one that your guests will talk about happily for years to come, then we should talk.In the meantime, please feel free to click HERE and download my wedding reception planner, which is a guide to help you with the planning of your wedding reception and is yours to use for no charge. It will help you plan out your reception and will hopefully offer some thoughtful ideas and prompts for things you may not have thought of. It’s yours to use, although if you are showing it to other wedding professionals, please be aware that its contents are copyright.
Another thing which you may find helpful is my guide for wedding MCs. It’s available HERE.
Regards,
Richard Mills
Winner Best Nationwide DJs & MCs, Corporate Events Guide People’s Choice Awards
For the record, personalised wedding entertainment with Richard ranges in price depending on many factors including location, but typically budget between $2800 and $5000. To find out why, call to arrange a free personal consultation.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Agree with you 100% Richard. I don’t understand how most couples can spend numerous hours researching, inspecting and meeting with venues; researching and meeting with photographers and videographers; researching and meeting with decorators and caterers yet drop the ball with the element that can have the most impact on the success of the reception – the entertainment!!
It would appear that the feeling amongst most couples is that the entertainment provider/DJ is not worthy of an equal time investment as other wedding providers. I guess it is the perception that the “turn up and press play” DJ’s create by providing quotes over the phone or by email. If these couples only realised that they would be rewarded ten fold by adopting the same approach as they do with other wedding suppliers. By investing some time and meeting with DJ’s they are more likely to find one who is totally committed in making their wedding celebration the best it can possibly be….and they will have the memories forever!!!
Like yourself, I also do not provide a quotation without meeting with or at least speaking with my couples. I also am not cheap and dedicated around 25-35 hours to each wedding (and sometimes much more). The more time the couple invests, the better the result. Best summed up by quoting part of a recent performance feedback where the couple stated:
“Given the amount of preparation, both before and on the day, and the unique service you provide, it was worth every cent and so much more. Having you for our wedding was a three for one. A wedding planner, MC and DJ!”
Serge
DJ:Plus! Entertainment
Sydney, Australia
http://www.djplus.com.au
May 26th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Nice letter Richard just about sums it all up nicely.
Just trying to raise my game and prices over here in OZ
Going to Mobilebeat this year.
How do you rate Mark and the Marbecca workshops?
Cheers,
Gary
May 27th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Hi Gary, it’s nice to know my blog is read in Australia! MobileBeat is brilliant. I attended the MobileBeat DJ expo in 2006, 2008 and 2009 in Las Vegas and I attended the two-day Marbecca Method ‘Advanced Master of Ceremonies’ workshop immediately prior to the 2008 expo.
I’d recommend most strongly becoming a member of the DiscJockeyAmerica forum (www.discjockeyamerica.com) before heading to MobileBeat and introducing yourself to a few of the DJA team. They are the people you want to be spending time with over there, as (generally) they are the top DJs in the country in terms of performance, price and professionalism.
The Marbecca Method workshops come very highly recommended and I got a huge amount of value from the MC workshop. I’m keen to attend the Love Story workshop at some point.
May 30th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Very nice Richard. Thank you for sharing. That has to be one of the most frequently asked questions for us. Great that you have thought through a response that starts to show how much you really give to those you serve. I can see that you really pay attention to all of the details and take pride in your work. We need more people like you in our industry who care enough about their clients to do a great job.
May 30th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Thanks Serge & RJ. I think we all share the same sentiments on this topic. It’s incredibly difficult to explain to my clients without sounding like I’m lecturing them.
February 26th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Hi Richard,
Thanks to your recommendations I went to love story and mc marbecca last month..
Wow what I didn’t know.
Just wondering if you are still sending this e mail response to price shoppers and what the feedback has been.
Thanks again for suggesting the Ferrell way.
Cheers
Gary
February 26th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Gary, wherever possible I don’t communicate with my clients by email, preferring to meet them or hold a phone consultation. When they don’t want to meet or only want a price, I know right away that they aren’t my client, so this email, or one like it, goes out and I think no more about it. They’re never going to book me, so I just hope to offer a bit of education or assistance to find the next best (cheaper) option.
I’m glad you attended the workshop. Gets you thinking down a different path doesn’t it? Attending the Marbecca Workshop has helped me immensely to the benefit of my clients.