LMD Disco - Fulltime Professional Wedding and Party DJ
Cheap DJ or Professional DJ?
What price can you expect to pay to hire a mobile disco?
Typically depending on your location, a DJ will charge between £150 and anything up to £1000, sometimes more for a 5hr set (2015 prices).
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So should you expect to see the from £150 lower band now in 2024, of course not, after all think about it, what goes up every year, your rail tickets, mobile phone charges, petrol, insurance, food, wages, broadband, the list goes on and on. At a push the lower band should be from £250 minimum for a basic 5hr party.
Price is dependent on many factors, the main one being the experience they have and the service provided.
Weddings typically cost more because a professional DJ will put a lot of time into the preparation leading up to the wedding reception.
Many offer additional services such as wedding planners to manage music requests, uplighting to enhance the venue and PA systems for speeches.
The cheaper disco tends to have less experience and in most cases are part-time seeking additional incomes, although they have the passion just the same as the professional.
Some functions and parties may be suited to the cheap end of the market while some deserve a little more.
A new DJ has to start somewhere so the prices they quote reflect's this. If you have a low-key party in the local pub, you probably want a cheaper disco, give a new or part-time DJ the experience needed. If you are spending £15000 on a Wedding then paying between £500 and £1000 for the evening's entertainment looks reasonable, after all the wedding cake probably costs this, and the wedding dress far more.
People tend to think the DJ works 4-5 hours of an evening, however, so much more goes into the preparation. Loading vehicle 20 minutes, travel to venue approx 1 hr, unload equipment into venue setup area 30 minutes, setup equipment minimum 1 hour, pack down equipment and load back into vehicle minimum 45 minutes, travel home 1 hour, unload equipment 20 minutes. So you see a 5 hour gig has turned into 10 hours.
Hotel Resident DJ's
Most venues will recommend their in-house DJ's as they come as part of their wedding package, although not all in-house DJ's are rubbish, but do you really want to chance it. Don't let the venue dictate whom you should have for your wedding day, after all, it's your day and you should be free to choose whom you want to entertain you and your guests on your special day.
Firstly music playlists have to be organised, pre-booking meetings with the client, loading equipment, travelling, packing up then travelling again so one night's work can run into many hours.
Secondly these days disco operators need insurance, music licenses, portable appliance testing (PAT) and obviously the purchasing of the music, equipment, transport costs such as fuel and general maintenance of it. So before the Disco Company earns anything, a considerable cost is incurred before any music is played.
Thirdly Professional DJs work unsociable hours, weekends, Christmas, New Year's Eve and therefore deserve to be rewarded for this.
Other services you may find the professional offering are Mood Lighting, Photo Booths, PA hires and glow sticks (for the children). Taking this all into account when you enquire about a booking ask yourself why does one company charge £250 and another £1000.
There is a market for all DJs both the cheap and more expensive, you just have to decide what your requirements are as a customer.
We in no way encourage you to look for the cheap disco, we feel you should understand that if you want a professional DJ who offers a superb service, you should expect to pay for this and understand they have devoted many years to the industry, as well as paying the bills they have passion for what they do and many works to very high standards and those standards do not come cheap.
Remember don't just compare the prices, compare the service offered by the disco.
The DJ should never compromise or compete on price, instead, concentrate on the service offered, this should never be second to price as a good service will be remembered long after the price paid will.
Remember if the Entertainment is for a wedding, the performer you choose should be given as much importance as the Venue, cake, flowers, and photographer. Choosing the wrong entertainer could spoil all the other careful preparation you have made so don't leave it until the last minute as many good DJs are booked well in advance.
I hope whoever you book you have a fabulous evening. Whether you are having a wedding, 18th birthday party or private function.
New Years Eve, Christmas Prices
You can normally expect DJs to charge more during this period. Demand is higher and New Year's Eve especially you can expect to pay double. Just like any other workers that night, restaurant staff, bar staff, taxi home, all normally get double pay for this particular evening. Most parties also go on much longer than usual. So don't be surprised to pay a minimum of £500 for this night.
Pro Dub Licence
Do discos need a music licence?
If a DJ is copying, burning or transferring songwriters, composers, and musicians work from their vinyl, CD, MP3 or CD+G collection onto a digital format such as an MP3 player, flash drive or laptop for use in professional or semi-professional work, they will need to purchase a ProDub Licence.
The ProDub Licence allows an individual to copy the music they own onto various formats and devices, such as from their CDs to their laptop, for the purpose of using that device or format to undertake professional or semi-professional performances, such as those undertaken by DJs, karaoke jockeys, fitness instructors, performers, etc.
If the DJ uses Digital music, PC, iPod, Laptop with digital media such as MP3, they will require a pro dub license.
NOTE: Recent changes mean Pubs, clubs and other small venues will now be able to put on live amplified music between 8 am and 11 pm without the need for a license. (Venues with capacities of under 200)
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A few things to ask the DJ or mobile disco you book
Can a playlist be provided?
Does the disco have spare equipment?
Do they have insurance?
Can you meet them to discuss your plans?
Can you use a microphone for speeches?
Will they dress appropriately for a Wedding?
Has the disco worked at the venue before?
If the disco is for young Children to ask for a CRB certificate?
When making a booking, ensure you sign a booking form reading all the information provided so that both you and the DJ have a permanent record of the booking made. If they will not provide any you would be advised to look at a DJ that will. Communicate with the disco company you hire a week or two prior to your event and ensure there are no problems.
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Quotes and Prices
Provide information that will make the quote accurate
Does the venue have parking restrictions
Is the function room accessed by stairs or a lift
The time you expect the party to run and what time the Disco can be set up
Additional services required, Speeches, lighting, smoke machine, photo booth
Style of music preferred
Dress code is the function of a Black Tie event.
Do any guest suffer Photosensitive epilepsy
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The Party Venue
When looking for a venue to have a reception or party several factors need consideration
Price, location, facilities, parking, the size would all need to be taken into consideration
Firstly decide on your budget. Make sure the venues you consider are in a location not only suitable for you but situated in a good location for guests too
Ensure parking is available and book a venue that is large enough to accommodate the guests you invite
Can smoke machines be used at the venue (Smoke and haze machines will transform the lighting used creating diffused lighting effects which really do add to the effect of modern disco lighting)
Does the Hotel or Hall have blackout blinds( no point in a large light show in the summer if they don't)
Up Lighting, does the venue have power at the points you want the lighting placed
Think of your guests, you don't want cables running where it can be a hazard
Do they require insurance from the disco
What time do they have a music license for ( no point booking a disco to 1 am if the license is midnight)
Can the DJ have access early to set up the equipment
Do they provide a dance floor
Are sound limiters used at the venue
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Why Book A Disco?
Mobile discos offer affordable entertainment for parties. When making a booking you not only receive the sound equipment, lighting, DJ, insurance, and music but you also have it delivered, set up, taken down and removed all for the quoted price. You can then concentrate on enjoying your party with friends and family leaving the entertainment to others.
FAQ:
Can you do it cheaper as I have had better quotes?
Most likely the performer provides a service that deserves the fee quoted, so why would a professional discount a quality service to compete with others? The cheap disco quote probably does not offer a like for like service.
The professional DJ you book will help create the atmosphere and party vibe both you and your guests have been waiting for.
With the age of digital music, a DJ can now have a vast music library that should help make sure both you and your guests have the music you like.
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Reading the dance floor is vital for your party to be a success; the music needs to be popular with the guests.
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Modern lighting is a big advantage today as most discos use LED lighting which is not only safer, but it gives out room-filling colorful displays of light even without the use of a haze or smoke machines.
Modern equipment used by most discos will give professional sound quality making the venue a pleasant theatre of sound ideal for your party venue.
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The cost of being a mobile DJ
The cost of being a mobile DJ can start off with very basic equipment if bought new possibly for around £1000. However, a DJ who looks for quality, reliability and a good brand name will spend much more. Professional DJs, those that rely on the equipment for a living can spend well in excess of £10,000.
You have DJs that have been in business for many years, invested a small fortune in equipment, music, insurance, and gained many years of experience in providing a professional reliable service.
Is a price comparison for their services worthwhile, whom do you want at your wedding?
Remember you are not buying car insurance on a comparison website, you are looking for reliability, experience, professionalism, so don't think the cheapest mobile disco prices received is necessarily the best way to have a night you will want to remember.
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