Pic via Unsplash
How Much Does a Wedding DJ Cost? A Breakdown of Price vs. Quality
If you’re planning a wedding, chances are you’ve come across the question: how much does a wedding DJ cost? The truth is, wedding DJ prices vary massively, and knowing what you're actually getting for your money at each price point is crucial. From amateur DJs charging a couple of hundred pounds to high-end professional DJ companies and even celebrity wedding DJs with five-figure fees, the difference in quality, experience, and service is significant.
A great wedding DJ is about far more than just hitting play on a playlist. The right DJ will read the crowd, mix seamlessly, adapt to the energy of the room, and most importantly, keep the dancefloor packed all night. But with so many different options available, how do you know what you should be paying for a wedding DJ?
It’s important to note that the wedding DJ prices outlined in this guide are based on London wedding DJ rates, where costs are naturally higher due to the city’s demand and higher business expenses. If you’re booking a DJ outside of London, you can generally reduce these prices by around 20%, as rule of thumb. However, the same principles apply—knowing what you should be getting for your budget at each level is key to making the right decision.
This guide breaks down the five main price points you’ll find when looking for a wedding DJ. We’ll cover what you can expect at each level—from budget amateurs to premium professional wedding DJs and even celebrity DJ bookings—so you can make the right choice for your wedding.
Pic by Jordanna Marston
Amateur DJ (£100-£200) – The “Mate of a Mate” Option
At this price point, you're not hiring a professional DJ—you’re most likely booking a friend of a friend who DJs occasionally at bars or house parties but has little to no wedding experience.
The Good Bits:
✅ It’s cheap – This price is so low it barely needs budgeting for.
✅ Personal connection – You might know them, which could be reassuring.
✅ A cost-saving option – If music isn’t a big priority, this might work.
The Risks:
❌ No wedding experience – Keeping a structured wedding night flowing is completely different from playing in a pub or at a house party.
❌ No accountability – Without a proper business setup, there’s nothing stopping them from bailing last minute.
❌ Poor equipment – Expect low-quality speakers, no backup gear, and no sound technician.
❌ Limited communication – No contracts, no clear agreements, and minimal planning.
What You Can Expect:
🔹 A casual approach—little to no pre-wedding planning.
🔹 Unreliable service—there’s no guarantee they’ll even turn up.
🔹 A DIY setup—you’re gambling on sound quality and professionalism.
Pic by: James Davies Wedding Photography
Pro/Am DJ (£200-£400) – The Side Hustle DJ
This DJ has a bit more experience, maybe with a basic website and a few weddings under their belt. They often DJ at bars, birthdays, and small club nights but wedding-specific experience may still be lacking.
The Good Bits:
✅ More experienced than an amateur – They’ve possibly played some weddings before.
✅ Still relatively affordable – A middle-ground price point.
✅ If you’ve seen them play before – They can be a solid budget-friendly choice.
The Risks:
❌ No backup plan – If they can’t make it, you’re scrambling for a replacement.
❌ Limited playlist control – Some will accept requests, but many won’t.
❌ Equipment might be outdated – A professional setup costs £10k+—someone charging £300 per gig likely doesn’t have high-end kit.
What You Can Expect:
🔹 A functional but basic setup—they'll have their own equipment, but don’t expect pro-quality sound.
🔹 Limited pre-wedding communication—you may not get much planning input.
🔹 A set that works, but isn’t tailored to you.
Pics by Ami Robertson
Mid-Level Professional DJ Company (£400-£800) – The "Stack ‘Em High" Option
This is the price-point where you tend to start working with a company rather than an individual DJ. These businesses send DJs out to multiple weddings every weekend and tend to have a business model that prioritises volume over high quality.
The Good Bits:
✅ A lot of experience as a business—they’ve done hundreds (if not thousands) of weddings.
✅ A structured process—you’ll get contracts, invoices, and likely decent equipment.
✅ Backup DJs available—if your assigned DJ is ill, they can send a replacement.
The Risks:
❌ The "stack ‘em high" model—these companies prioritise volume over quality, which can lead to inconsistent DJs. You may get a good one, you may not.
❌ DJs may not be properly vetted—some companies hire cheap DJs to keep costs low.
❌ Limited customisation—you might not have much input into the setlist.
❌ A risk of "cheesy wedding DJ" vibes—some DJs may rely on outdated crowd-pleasers rather than truly tailoring the night.
What You Can Expect:
🔹 A reliable DJ with good equipment—but the level of DJing talent can be hit-or-miss.
🔹 Some playlist input, but don’t expect a fully bespoke experience.
🔹 A "safe" wedding setlist—it’ll work, but may lack originality.
Pics by Ami Robertson
High-Level Professional DJ Company (£800-£2500) – The Focus on Quality (This is Us, Hi 👋)
At this level, you’re booking a premium wedding DJ service that prioritises quality over volume. This is the option for the couple that is truly serious about their wedding party.
The Good Bits:
✅ Highly experienced DJs—hand-picked professionals with lots of wedding experience as well as club, festival, and private event backgrounds.
✅ Bespoke setlists—the music is fully tailored to your exact vision.
✅ Top-tier equipment—crystal-clear sound, professional lighting, and backups for everything.
✅ Exceptional client service—pre-wedding Zoom calls, and full venue coordination.
✅ Backup plans in place—if your DJ is unavailable, a like-for-like replacement is guaranteed without any slip in service level.
The Risks:
❌ Can be expensive for some budgets—this level of service is premium, and the price often reflects that.
❌ Sometimes as expensive as a live band—for couples deciding between a DJ and a band, this can be a factor.
❌ Not necessary for all weddings—if music isn’t a huge priority for you, you might not need this level of detail and service.
What You Can Expect:
🔹 A completely bespoke experience – The music reflects your style perfectly.
🔹 A packed dancefloor from start to finish - DJs that under stand exactly what’s required of them at a wedding.
🔹 Professionalism at every stage – From enquiry to the final song of the night.
Pic via Unsplash
Celebrity DJ (£5000+) – The Ultimate Party Flex
For those with serious budgets, booking a big-name DJ can be the ultimate wedding flex. Whether it’s a world-famous club DJ, a member of a well-known band, or even a household name from the charts, this is where weddings start to feel more like VIP events.
The Good Bits:
✅ Star power & wow factor – Having a celebrity DJ will make your wedding stand out.
✅ A proper club experience – Some big-name DJs bring a high-energy, Ibiza-style party atmosphere.
✅ A unique selling point – This is something that very few weddings can boast.
The Challenges:
❌ Huge cost beyond the booking fee – The £5k+ price tag is just the starting point (and the cost will be much more for many DJs). You’ll likely need to pay for:
Their travel and accommodation (especially expensive for international DJs)
A high-spec equipment rider (which can be very pricey)
Possibly even security or a separate green room space for them
❌ They don’t do “wedding DJing” – Celebrity DJs play their style, not yours. You won’t get much say over the setlist.
❌ No flexibility – If they get sick or cancel, there’s no backup plan.
❌ The cost-to-fun ratio – Spending £10k on a celeb DJ vs. spending that on other areas of the wedding needs to be considered.
What You Can Expect:
🔹 A club-level DJ set—this will be nothing like a standard wedding set.
🔹 Serious star power—expect the unexpected, but don’t expect much input into the music choices.
🔹 A huge logistical operation—these bookings are complex and require significant planning.
Booking a celebrity DJ can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re looking for a DJ who will craft a bespoke, crowd-focused set tailored exactly to your wedding, a high-level professional DJ company is usually a better investment.
Pic by: Tansley Photography
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Wedding DJ for Your Budget
A wedding DJ isn’t just about playing music—they set the energy, create the atmosphere, and make sure your dancefloor is packed all night. The difference between an average DJ and a great one isn’t just their ability to hit play—it’s in how they mix, read the crowd, and keep the momentum going from the first dance to the last song.
So, how do you decide?
If music isn’t a huge priority and you’re just looking for a basic setup, an amateur or pro/am DJ might work—but be prepared for unpredictable quality, no backup plans, and a lack of control over your night.
If you want reliability and a structured process, a mid-level DJ company can be a safe option. But expect a more generic experience, with DJs who follow a set formula rather than tailoring the night to your crowd.
If you want a bespoke, high-energy wedding soundtrack that reflects you and your guests, a high-level professional DJ company (like RedLine DJs) is the best investment. This guarantees:
A fully tailored music experience, based on your tastes.
Highly skilled, experienced DJs who know how to keep the party going.
Top-quality sound and lighting, with full backup plans for every detail.
A night that feels unique to you—no cookie-cutter playlists, no cheesy DJ chatter, just an incredible, unforgettable dancefloor.
If you want your wedding night to be one to remember, investing in a great DJ is one of the best decisions you’ll make.
At RedLine DJs, we sit firmly in the high-level professional DJ category—we don’t do generic wedding sets. We create bespoke, high-energy, crowd-focused parties that reflect each couple’s individual style. We’ve played at hundreds of weddings across the UK and know exactly how to craft the perfect wedding party.
🔻 Looking for real wedding inspiration? Check out some of the epic parties we’ve DJ’d at these top venues:
If you want to chat about your wedding DJ cost and what we can bring to your night, get in touch today for a no-obligation quote. Let’s make your wedding party unforgettable. 🚀
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