SMDJB RATES
HOURLY & PACKAGE RATES
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
When I read research on the Wedding Industry in THE KNOT and WEDDING WIRE, I’ve learned most Brides and Grooms at the end of their wedding wish they had spent a little more for the things that were most important. They might get the best venue they can, dress, formal wear, buffet or sit-down dinner, bar, or photographer, maybe a videographer but they skimped on the entertainment.
While a RAVE can be fun for a select few it does not perform for all those in attendance. They regretted the videographer catching the endless rave on the dance floor, the drunken party animals while families stayed at their tables trying to talk over loud music and others subsequently early into the night slipped away leaving early. Some in Western Wear, others in Formals, all ages older than the RAVERS. And many couples regretted not stopping to take some breaks to have something to eat or drink. Most regretted not visiting more with their invited guests at the area tables.
When they reviewed their DJ though they had a non-stop party time it was the same high octane music all night. No slow songs, no country or rock. Some DJ’s that look or mix or create their own music with loud horns and sound effects. But if there were oldies, they were revised in higher speed versions and not the originals. The regretted not dancing to original versions of songs and in more of a variety for all the 100 to 200 in attendance verses their college or work friends hogging the floor for the entire time.
“Being a DJ is not just a matter of showing up and flying by the seat of your pants of what you like to play. Its a profession of investments of pre planning with couples to design sets of different music to ensure everyone at the wedding and reception can have a good time.” i
RATES
There’s an art of crafting a preplanned Wedding and Reception. The details we have covered here but it bears repeating: Create a script for a song list, make room for introductions, first dances, events like cutting the cake, speeches, the garter and bouquet toss to the exit on the honeymoon. Its all part of the ingredients of the perfect reception. That includes up to 40 or more hours of research, scripting, working with the bride & groom, their family and friends, taking into consideration family, extended family, colleagues, or other invited guests.
WEDDING SCRIPT AND ENGINEERING
Steve Myers DJ Bandstand rates for planning, engineering, mixing and coordinating a 1 hour or less wedding sound engineering with back-up power, microphones and computer assisted equipment package of one high end speaker and rental runs $600-$750. “It depends how complex and what’s involved with those in the services. This includes at least 8 hours of planning sessions with the couple and those involved in the wedding with a rehearsal if possible. “It also includes an SDHC backup card of the recorded audio if needed for the Videographer.”
HAPPY HOUR BACKGROUND MUSIC
Steve Myers DJ Bandstand rates per hour for happy hour background pre-recorded computer- controlled music at $250 per hour or live mixing at $400 per hour.
DINNER MUSIC
Steve Myers DJ Bandstand rates per hour for dinner background pre-recorded computer-controlled music is $250 per hour or live mixing at $400 per hour. If announcements or a livelier pre dancing is involved it is at $700.00 per hour.
RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT
Steve Myers DJ Bandstand rates per hour for Reception Dancing Entertainment is at $750.00 per hour. Full 1000-Watt Stereo for each Evolve 50 Speaker, Console with a DJ controller, MacBook Pro Computer, Serato Software, and hard drives (back up and primary SSD drive) with over 150,000 potential songs (for requests). We follow the format script of up to 40 hours in pre wedding meetings with the bride, groom, families and/or guest requests in advance, are factored in the script and playlist for the reception.
This can be one or several different formats either as specific playlists or formatted for sets to rotate crowds. In 1, 2, 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-hour bookings. Rates vary and must be paid in advance. 50% as a deposit on the wedding date. No refunds of this deposit within 90 days of the reserved wedding date unless an act of God/Disaster is involved. Will keep the deposit if the the wedding is rescheduled. Balance is due 30 days before the wedding date.
OPTIONS: Couples may want the traditional dances in the first hour, open dancing for another hour or two, and then progressively more party atmosphere at the night continues on past the toasts, first dance, special dances, line dances, children’s dances, or to rotate crowds.
*NOTE: A couple should not expect to have to dance all songs. They should have favorites but time to rest, pace themselves and be able to work the room, talk to guests and pace the night.
Some couples will reserve later hours for hard core partying or designate it as an after hours party depending on the contracts with the DJ and the venues.
Music and DJ’s can be rotated for those events.
Steve Myers DJ Bandstand for the most part offers RETRO dancing of past decades and generations. While we can produce a RAVE like setting with sub-contracted DJs, Steve specializes in formats such as All Country, All 80s, All 90s or other formats from Motown to early 1960s Rock, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s Billboard Top 100 chart hits of each year or decade.
Most popular are the Country sets from slow, to medium and fast rotated like a country dance nightclub in or excluding Line Dances. Some couples and guests love them others prefer couples only dancing.
We can also provide a variety in and out of Rock or Dance sets and extended nightclub versions of 1970s Disco and 1980s Dance hits.
LIGHTING
The quoted prices per hour includes lighting. There are no discounts for not using lighting. Generally, for weddings we do not to interfere with the Photographers with nightclub lighting effects. We stick with Uplights that provide even general room lighting that changes colors to the music. We use Chauvet LED lighting for the dance floor and ceiling. This way there are not dots such as lasers or mirror ball images to interfere with Professions Photographers pictures and the pain of photoshopping things out. Up to two Chauvet Wash Hex FX lights one pointed at the dance floor and the other at the ceiling. Coordinated with a computer controller.
UPLIGHTS: Often we will rent out lights at $25 each for an 8 hour event. Lights placed throughout the inside of a venue and/or outside. They remain a static color for the evening or can be column of alternating colors selected by the Bride or Bridal party. We have up to 24 up lights to rent.
After hours lighting if lighting is requested we will provide extra nightclub lighting at either a small charge or none depending on the total package price. Nightclub lighting is reserved for late night sets only no to interfere with the Photographer.
OTHER LIGHTING OPTIONS AT ADDITIONAL RATES UPON REQUEST
Generally, we don’s specialize on things like Dancing on a Cloud of dry ice fog; confetti cannons, compression fog shooters, cold spark fountains, or sparklers. We can sub-contract to other providers or rent whatever you desire – but at an additional expense. Other custom options such as lighted LED pool noodles, confetti-blowers or other special effects are possible. Just ask and we will provide a quote.
THE END OF THE OF THE NIGHT
Some couples are requesting a special song or several songs for them to enjoy in private when their guests are gone. That before leaving for the honeymoon. That can be included provided they have a set list and is included in our package price.
STEVE MYERS DJ BANDSTAND is a roll in roll out speed and quality provider.
We are conscious of venue owners and managers. We consist of Steve Myers as the host accompanied by one or two crew members for the night. Steve is dressed in appropriate formal or coutry western wear while crew members are usually in all black behind the scenes support. Crew can and will take over on breaks through the night kept to minimums.
Our gear is on wheels consisting of speakers, console and lighting stands. We generally try to roll into a venue hours before a wedding reception with separate gear per area of use, minimal cording set up, operation and attempt to tear down in 20 minutes or less for the benefit of venue owners wishing to leave for the night.
In the rear event Steve Myers is delayed or unavailable every attempt will be made to provide another vendor or DJ following the same script and song list of the couple. For those details and information see the specific contract for more information.
ONLINE or PDF
CONTRACTS REQUIRED.
50% deposits hold you preferred Wedding and Reception date. This amount is non-refundable in most cases but can be modified in unusual circumstances and if we are available for alternative scheduled dates. Or they are applicable to other couples where they can refund amounts to you.
50% balance is due in 30 days of the reservation date.
Payment by credit card or bank draft via our web site.
For more information contact Steve Myers by phone or text at 817-343-6394.
