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Buyer Beware 4 Weeks Prior To The Wedding Day… Their DJ Bailed On Them!

I realize that the Michigan economy has suffered over the years. I understand that every wedding couple is planning with a budget. I love a sale! I truly appreciate a good deal. I am a bargain shopper at heart but know this, “if a vendor’s rate is too good to be true in the grand scheme of things they may not be so good after all.”

Not once, not twice, not three times but FOUR times in the past 2 weeks I’ve gotten a phone call from a bride that went something like this:

 “Hi, I wanted to see if you have a date available and if I can get some information about your DJ services.”

 “Absolutely!  What’s your name and your wedding date?”

“My name is Silvia and my wedding date is September 14th of this year”

 “Oh, that’s really close.  What happened?”

 “We had our DJ booked but we can’t get a hold of him.  We put a deposit down and everything.  I have tried to calling him, emailing him and even tried contacting him on Face Book…  Do you think I’m wrong to feel nervous?” 

“No, I don’t think you’re wrong!  It is 4 weeks in front of your wedding day and you should be able to reach your DJ.  We are already meeting and planning with our September brides & grooms.  You have every right to be concerned!” 

Silvia began to relax as we discussed her wedding day and how Music Box could contribute to her reception.   Silvia and Greg hired MBP and will have an awesome DJ for their wedding reception – but that’s not the meaning of this story.  The point is that our office has received 4 calls just like Silvia’s within the last 2 weeks! 

I can’t get a hold of my DJ” and “My DJ backed out on us

Forgive my drama…
but when I hear these words, my neck & shoulders immediately tense up because I feel the stress and anxiety of the bride on the phone.  There so much going on just a few weeks before the wedding day and right now, the last thing a bride & groom want to do is shop for wedding vendors again!  I speak from personal experience, as I vividly remember how it felt when my DJ didn’t show up for my reception 19 years ago.

  

“These DJs are jerks, idiots, scumbags and a list names that label them as villains”

 

When I asked Silvia, “How much did you pay for your DJ?”  Voila! The common thread among these sell out DJs is their rate!
The DJs, that abandons a couple weeks prior to their wedding day consistently charges $500 – $700.  

 

The moral of this story…

Photographer, Videographer, Disc Jockey, Florist, Linen Company, Photo Booth, etc., regardless of the service, there is a median price for a quality professional.  There is an average rate in which you will be hiring a full time, insured, certified, and experienced professional and this is not a national average that you can discover on The Knot or Wedding Wire.  If you are planning a wedding in Michigan, then the price a Kentucky bride pays for a DJ is obviously not a good comparison to a couple planning in California, Texas or Michigan.  Geographic location definitely comes into play here. 

I realize that the Michigan economy has suffered over the years.  I understand that every wedding couple is planning with a budget.  I love a sale!  I truly appreciate a good deal.  I am a bargain shopper at heart but know this, “if a vendor’s rate is too good to be true in the grand scheme of things they may not be so good after all.”    

Twenty years of working in the Wedding Industry supports this advice:

Educate, Educate, Educate yourselves.  Know that the average rate for a Michigan Wedding DJ is $1200.  The median for a Michigan Wedding Videographer is $2400, a Michigan Photographer averages $2500, a photo booth in Michigan about $800.  If you find an awesome deal that is $200, $300, $400 or more, below average then I suggest “Buyer Beware”. 

When you shop, focus on what is being provided to you and not solely on price.  Ask great questions to discover how wedding vendors are going to provide the product or service that meets your standards.  Center your attention how is that vendor going to contribute to your day and most importantly, is that vendor into YOU?!  They should be more concerned about understanding your needs than pitching what they’re trying to sell.  If a vendor isn’t focused on your needs & your vision; if they don’t get you because their main concern is $$$ then they will never be able to fulfill your expectations because they don’t care enough about you to understand your expectations.  Once you’ve found your top 3 or 4 vendors that meet your standards, then consider their pricing as a factor when narrowing down your choices.

At Music Box Productions, we are here to help as you plan one of the biggest days in your life.  It doesn’t matter if you are shopping our services, your questions are welcomed and we guarantee answers of honesty and integrity.  

Good luck with all of your wedding planning ~ the MBP Team

 

 

 

 

Contact Music Box Productions today to reserve Dj services for your Michigan Wedding!

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