Hiring an Affordable Utah DJ – Is a Budget DJ the Best Option for Your Wedding?
By DJ Cam Reeve
As inflation continues to rise across the country, brides and grooms are increasingly considering an affordable Utah DJ (s) for their wedding. But what exactly is an affordable wedding DJ? How much does a budget DJ affect the outcome of your big day? In this article, we’ll give you a quick rundown of why some people consider hiring a cheap Utah DJ and why you might be better off spending more with someone who is polished.
Why People Hire Affordable Utah DJs
Alright, we'll get the obvious answer out of the way - to save money, duh. And it's a fact that, in some instances, the budget can be very limited. However, when it comes time to spend that wedding budget, the real reason some people choose an affordable Utah DJ is the order of their priorities. Many people simply don't consider a quality DJ or emcee as essential to their big day. This most likely stems from the perception that DJs simply "push play" and make a few announcements. When you don't see the value in something, it's hard to spend money (especially a significant amount) on it.
The Best Utah DJs do More
In reality, your DJ and MC's can be the driving force that turns your wedding day from something routine and unremarkable to something extraordinary and unforgettable. A great Utah DJ takes your wedding vision and transforms it into reality. They take years of experience and practice and use it to survey your guests' age, gender, and other demographics to personalize the music experience to everyone's taste. High-quality, industry-leading sound and lighting equipment (with backups, of course) assure that everyone can hear and see what's going on.
Affordable Utah DJs - What's at Stake
There are some things you can't put a price on, and peace of mind is one of them. Many affordable Utah DJs have good intentions and often perform well. However, when DJing is more of a hobby than a profession, things can easily slip through the cracks. When DJing isn't someone's main passion and source of income, their priorities can spell disaster for your event. A hobbyist may decide to cancel an event with little notice because of another commitment they perceive as more important - a professional DJ wouldn't dream of doing that.
Affordable Utah wedding DJs may spend the minimum on equipment in order to justify their time away from home. A professional DJ, on the other hand, can invest a large amount of money into their system because they know what's on the line. They don't want a microphone to drop out during a wedding ceremony or a speaker to fail during a first dance - a budget Utah DJ may not even consider these things.
Alternatively, it may just be that the more affordable DJs in Utah are simply too busy. They may take on huge numbers of events in order to make up for low prices. In turn, this leads to a "quantity over quality" mentality. Professional DJs take on a limited number of events so they can dedicate the appropriate amount of time to preparing.
Utah DJs - Focus on Quality or Quantity?
A huge indicator as to whether you're dealing with a professional DJ or a hobbyist DJ is by looking at what they emphasize in their business practices and performance.
DJs focused on quality take a much more limited number of events. They may not be posting constantly about working every day, but that doesn't mean they aren't putting in the time. Instead of spending multiple days per week at events, they are dedicating the time needed to properly prep for their high-stakes bookings. This prep time almost always exceeds the actual event time itself. A large part of this prep time is dedicated to customizing the music and timeline to a client's particular needs. After locking in these details, professional DJs take even more time to verify the schedule and coordinate with other event vendors.
An affordable Utah DJ who is more focused on quantity takes a different approach. Because of the sheer number of events they need to work their mind needs to constantly shift between different event specifics. At the end of the day, this means less time is devoted to each individual event and small details can fall through the cracks. A quantity-focused affordable Utah DJ may also be slower to communicate as they attempt to shuffle an excessive number of events.
Differences Beyond Music
Unfortunately, the differences between an affordable Utah DJ and a professional extend beyond the music itself. Event lighting is another area that can suffer when DJs prioritize quantity over quality. Due to smaller margins, budget DJs often bring simpler lighting effects that don't lend a professional vibe to the event. Basic black t-shaped lighting stands with lights projecting red, green, and blue dots have been known to ruin many a dance floor photos. And don't get us started on cheap green laser lights, which not only make photos look tacky but can destroy a photographer's expensive camera sensor in an instant.
Affordable DJ Red Flags
While on the hunt for a wedding or event DJ in Utah, there are a few things you can look for to determine if you're dealing with a professional. One of the most important things is actual event footage, either on their website or social media. Anyone can put on a persona online, but video doesn't lie. When researching or communicating with a DJ, pay attention to their domain and email. Is it a generic GMail email or Weebly domain or an actual professional website? As you talk to DJs don't be afraid to ask the question "Do you have any mixes I can listen to from past events?"
You can always ask your DJ directly about important business tools like liability insurance. This is something every DJ should have that truly separates the working pro from the affordable Utah DJ outside of there performance. Another hint that you're dealing with an affordable Utah DJ can be something simple like choosing to send a text message rather than a formal proposal or invoice with your quote. They may not ask about your music preferences, assuming they know best. Lastly, if an affordable Utah DJ you're considering doesn't want to jump on a zoom call to get to know you before booking then alarm bells should be going off.
Tips For Finding a Truly Affordable Utah DJ
There's only one question you really need to ask yourself - can you afford to have a bad DJ at your wedding? The memories you make on your big day are irreplaceable and priceless but can be ruined rapidly by an "affordable" DJ. Often, the most affordable route is to hire a true professional who will assure that everything runs flawlessly. Here are a few tips to make sure you find a truly affordable DJ:
- Social media is king - make sure to check out their accounts and see if the photos they post and music they play speak to you.
- While you're checking out their photos, pay attention to whether or not they actually show their face and have confidence in their work.
- When you make contact with them, take note of how they communicate. What is their response time like? Do they send you an actual quote or contract or just a text with some numbers?
- Are they asking you questions and listening in a way that makes you think they care about your music and timeline wishes?
- Does their processes seem inefficient (i.e. are they only offering a single sound system that has to be moved between your ceremony and cocktail hour)?
- Is this someone who matches your "vibe" and could fit in with your friend group?
- With all this in mind, consider if saving a little money is going to come at the expense of the experience you truly want and deserve on your big day.
Ultimately, there are pros and cons to going with an affordable Utah DJ. When it comes to important events like a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, it's usually best to rearrange the budget to dedicate more funds to the things that help make memories. Not only will it bring you peace of mind and lower your event-day stress, but it will lead to a truly unforgettable party that's actually more affordable in the long run.
Look, I know not every expensive DJ is also affordable. I wrote this with the intent of giving you 7 Tips to finding a DJ that is right for you and Is truly Affordable. Figure out your budget, look at the options and look at who vibes best with you and don't be afraid to spend that little extra money to make sure you have the right DJ. The Right DJ Makes A Difference. If you have question about finding the right DJ or if you would like to collaborate with me at your next event I can be reached at www.djcamreeve.com Or Email at Info@reeverbent.net.
