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It's a question every bride and groom asks themselves between trying on dresses and enjoying a virtual wedding cake. Spoiler alert: it's not cheap... but it's not prohibitively expensive either if you know where to look, what to ask for, and what you really want from the DJ.
So, how much should you budget to avoid a YouTube playlist playing in the background during your first dance? Take a seat, we'll tell you everything.
First of all, let's get this straight: the average rate for a DJ for a wedding is around €700 to €1,500 for a standard performance. We're talking about someone who sets up at the beginning of the evening and packs up at the end of the night, with a sound system, lights, and all the bells and whistles, while the budget for the wedding dress can quickly climb, sometimes even beyond these rates.
Yes, it's possible. But you have to be clear: at that price, you're often dealing with an amateur DJ, a beginner, or one who offers an ultra-light package. He might come with his USB key, a portable amp, and off he goes. It's not certain that he'll take your musical requests seriously, or that he'll know how to manage a bunch of drunk uncles who want Claude François at 2 a.m.
This is the most common price range. Here, you're dealing with professional or highly experienced DJs who know weddings inside and out. The guy (or girl) arrives with all the gear, quietly sets up during the reception, manages the transitions, and gets the mother-in-law AND the teenagers dancing. And above all, he or she knows how to adapt.
This is where we're entering the big leagues. Star DJs from the region, ultra-personalized performances, synchronized lighting, laser shows, custom animations... It's almost a spectacle. Some even offer options like pyrotechnic effects (yes, real sparks), LED screens, or a complete stage design. The budget can climb to €2,500, €3,000, or even more if you have tastes for a chic electro festival.
Because no, they don't randomly roll prices. Several criteria influence the price, and you'll see that there's a certain logic behind it all.
The more time he spends with you, the more it costs. A DJ who starts at 7 p.m. and finishes at 2 a.m. won't charge the same as someone who arrives for drinks at 5 p.m. and stays until dawn. Some charge extra hours after midnight—and be careful, they can quickly add up (sometimes €50 to €100 per hour), just like a backless wedding dress that seems simple, but can quickly turn out to be much more expensive than you thought.
A DJ doesn't come empty-handed. He carries gear, often heavy and fragile: speakers, microphones, turntables, lights, smoke machines, metal structures... And all of this has to be loaded, set up, taken down, and stored. The more technical and impressive the setup, the higher the price. It's logical.
If your wedding is taking place in a castle deep in the Creuse region or on a Breton beach 50 km from the nearest paved road, expect the DJ to charge you for the kilometers. Travel is rarely provided. Sometimes, if you need to stay overnight, the DJ will even ask you to pay for accommodation.
As in all professions, reputation comes at a price. A well-known DJ in your area, with hundreds of positive reviews and a schedule booked a year in advance, will inevitably command higher rates than a newcomer. They also offer peace of mind: with them, you're less likely to experience unpleasant surprises.
A DJ can do much more than just play music. Some provide entertainment, while others offer additional options. Read quotes carefully, as not everything is always included.
The sound system for the dance party
Basic equipment: turntables, speakers, microphone
A light show for dancing (projectors, LEDs, strobes, etc.)
Installation and disassembly
A personalized playlist after discussions with you
The sound system for the reception or secular ceremony
A video projector for the awkward slideshow prepared by your witnesses
A smoke machine or spark jets
Mood lighting for the room or garden
The presence of a second DJ or assistant
You can always try, but we'll stop you right there: the goal isn't to make the DJ fall in love like he's selling peanuts at a market, nor to make him fall under the spell of a flowing wedding dress that looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale.
You are getting married during the week or out of season (November to March for example).
You offer a short performance (just 3-4 hours of music).
You have direct contact with the DJ (not through an agency).
You group together several services (DJ + photobooth, for example).
The quote already seems correct to you for the service offered.
You require a popular date (like a Saturday in June).
The DJ clearly displays firm prices on his website.
He tells you he's already turned down other weddings to keep your date.
A good DJ is like a good caterer: you have to respect them. You can adjust the quote, but please avoid bargaining like at a flea market.
Because yes, it is possible to have a good DJ without selling a kidney.
This saves travel costs and scheduling hassles. Plus, a local DJ often knows the venues, making setup easier.
Some DJs also offer equipment rental, entertainment, a photo booth, or even additional services such as Empire wedding dress rental... By grouping everything together, you can get a better overall price than if you go through several providers.
If you have a music-loving friend ready to take over around 2 a.m., why not book the DJ only until midnight? Less time = less money.
Some agencies or DJs offer simplified packages: little equipment, reduced setup, no entertainment. Perfect if you're just looking for a good soundtrack without any gimmicks.
Because price is one thing. But feel, reliability, and experience are just as important. Here are the right reflexes to adopt.
Google, Mariages.net, Facebook… Search. Read what other brides and grooms have to say. A DJ with 40 five-star reviews and words like “attentive,” “professional,” and “crazy vibe” is a good place to start.
A video call or a coffee, it doesn't matter. The idea is to see if you click. A good DJ must know how to listen to you, understand your tastes, and adapt to your audience, just like a wedding dress for a curvy woman must be carefully chosen to flatter her figure. If he interrupts you every other sentence to talk about his passion for Belgian hardcore, run away.
It must be clear, precise, and without surprises. Avoid vague lines like "various activities: €200." Ask what each position covers.
Ask him what he thinks of your favorite tracks. A good DJ must be open-minded. If he looks at you wide-eyed when you mention a slow Indochine song, be wary.
We see you coming. “What if we made a Spotify playlist, huh? It costs nothing.”
So, yes, it's tempting. But you're taking a risk.
There is no one to feel the room and adapt the pieces live.
No one to handle technical issues (buggy cable, sound system that breaks).
The risk of awkward gaps between two songs.
And most importantly: WHO is going to monitor the computer all evening? You? Your witnesses? They'll have better things to do.
A DJ isn't just a guy who presses "play." He's a conductor, a discreet entertainer, a mood maker. He's the one who saves a sluggish dance floor at 11:42 p.m. with the hit that gets everyone on their feet. And that's priceless (well, it is, but you get the idea) here.
So, to summarize:
✅ Expect to pay between €700 and €1500 for a competent DJ with all the necessary equipment.
✅ Plan more if you want a show worthy of a private concert .
✅ Don't forget the options (and overtime).
✅ Take the time to choose the right pro, not just the cheapest one.
Because in the end, between the canapés, the floral decor, and the awkward speeches, what people will remember about your evening is whether they danced until their feet hurt. And for that, you need a DJ who can rock. Not just a YouTube playlist and kitchen speakers.