As for the non-business entities entering the market, how right you are. While I can’t speak for the DJ or entertainment business, I can say that there are many people who help friends with their weddings, aspire to be a wedding planner and open for business. Very little if any research and/or education is done on their part.

iPods are great devices, but NOT for a wedding. I have only had one couple decide to use an iPod in the five years I’ve been in business. The entertainer is most definitely the one who can make the party….A PARTY! Good article! May I use your bullet points with my bridal couples?

Joe Shane
“All Digital” Mobile Music DJ’s

Carla,

Thank you for your kind words,

There are many ways to approach weddings and vendor pricing.

Clients that understand and associate value to your 10-15% fee deserve to have you provide services for them. It really all comes down to the costs of running a legit business and the salary necessary to make your talent possible.

Over the past 2 decades I’ve witnessed an unwavering problem that seems to plague nearly all vendors within the Wedding Industry in some way. Too many non-business entities establishing their pricing by gathering the prices of their competitors and setting a lower price to entice business without regard to their actual costs.

Tragically, many entities that have potential, never rise above being a hobbyist because of this.

This short changes the client by creating an inferior end product or service.

“What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly” – Thomas Paine

I am a New at all of this. I usually charge the percentage of the wedding 10-15%. Your article makes a lot of sense though. But I find this to be much easier and the client responds better to me when I say that.