Planning Your Chicago Wedding? Here’s What to Know About DJ & Live Music Pricing
- Marisa White
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
Pricing is always a tricky conversation, but at DJ Hybrid Chicago, we believe wedding planning should be simple, easy, and transparent. So, let’s dive into how you can determine the right package price—not just with us, but with other vendors too!
The Minimum Price vs. the Average Price
When considering wedding vendors, it’s important to distinguish between the minimum price they offer and the average price their couples actually spend.
For example, at DJ Hybrid Chicago, our packages range from $3,000 to $10,000, but the majority of our couples—about 70%—spend between $3,500 and $5,500. That’s because our base packages are designed to include everything you need for a seamless wedding entertainment experience, without requiring a bunch of last-minute add-ons. This brings us to our next point…
Are the "Extras" Really Extra?
Few things are more frustrating than receiving an unexpected bill just weeks before your wedding. Some vendors lure couples in with a low starting price but then charge extra for essential services. That’s why it’s crucial to take a comprehensive look at your wedding day and ask the right questions upfront.
As a vendor, we need key details to give you an accurate quote. Here are some questions we typically ask couples:
Is your ceremony at the same venue as your reception?
Are you planning to have dancing between courses? (East Coast vs. West Coast style wedding)
What kind of instruments and music do you love?
Do you want live music at any part of the night aside from dancing?
Key Questions to Ask Any Wedding Vendor
Even though our base packages include everything needed for a full night of entertainment, not every vendor operates the same way. Here are some essential questions to ask when evaluating DJ or entertainment services:
Do you provide a separate sound system for the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, or other areas needing music?
Do you include microphones for the officiant, speeches, and toasts? (If so, are they wireless, wired, or lapel microphones?)
Does your DJ package include MC services?
Do your DJ services include lighting? If so, what type?
At DJ Hybrid Chicago, the answer is always yes—and it’s all included. No surprise fees, no add-ons. Just great service, start to finish.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Something Untraditional!
Money can be a weird conversation, and wedding planning can go from one budget to another very quickly, but we always recommend being transparent about your budget and asking if there are any creative or custom ways to build your package.
In fact, some of our most popular add-ons and packages started as custom requests from couples—ideas that worked so well, we kept them around!
For example, while most couples book DJ Hybrid Chicago for a Live DJ + Live Musicians during dancing, we can also provide a Live DJ alongside musicians in other parts of your day—like a Jazz Trio for cocktail hour or a Violinist for your ceremony. It’s a great way to either work within a tighter budget or expand live music throughout your entire celebration, from “I do” to the last dance.
If you have an off-day or off-season wedding, many vendors (ourselves included!) are more flexible with package pricing.
Of course, the caveat is that availability varies, and high-demand weekends may not allow for price adjustments—but it never hurts to ask!
Additional Tips for Budgeting Your Wedding Entertainment
Set Priorities: Determine what entertainment elements are must-haves and which are optional.
Ask for Package Customization: Some vendors may offer flexibility to tailor services to your needs.
Clarify Payment Terms: Make sure you understand deposits, payment schedules, and cancellation policies.
Plan for Contingencies: Have a backup plan for unexpected changes, such as weather affecting an outdoor ceremony.
Ready to plan a seamless wedding entertainment experience? Let’s talk!
