dj Deposit

Thats really high! None of my vendors asked for that much for a deposit. The most was the photographer at 25%, but we have a photoshoot booked for August.

That is more than all of my vendors requested as far as a deposit with the exception of my photographer who required a 50% deposit. I regret it. Now I’m tied to an ever changing contract due to the pandemic and it’s too much money for us to walk away from. I'm hopeful and I know photography is important so if it’s a DJ you really can’t picture your wedding / reception without than do it

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Thank you. The first time postponing last year was defiantly hard but the second time didn't hurt as bad but still hurt. We both want the wedding that we've been dreaming of for so long and we don't want to sacrifice certain aspects of our wedding because of covid and the restrictions that could still be in place, postponing one more year was the best decision for us. We don't want to look back on our day in 20 years and regret anything!

View quoted message I'm so sorry you've had to postpone twice! That has to be so hard but awesome that your vendors were so accommodating!!! And what you are saying is very true!

View quoted message Thank you so much! I really appreciate your insight!!

I'm hesitant to book any DJ /entertainment services right now. I reached out for quotes but I won't book just yet! Maybe in a couple of months.

I second negotiating the cancellation clause & also agree with Hank. I wouldn't want to even begin working with anyone who right off the bat is not accommodating in some sort of way. There has to be some give & take especially under these unprecedented times.

Good luck

View quoted message Lol same not sane 🙈

View quoted message Ours was the sane. To me I do think that's reasonable at any time, and especially now given the circumstances. They need to protect themselves and their business.

My fiance and I did for our DJ, Photographer, Makeup Artist and Coordinator back in 2018 when we signed our contract for our 2020 wedding. We since then had to postpone our wedding twice once last May to 2021 and just about a month ago to 2022. Just make sure that in your contract that you're able to postpone (because of covid) with no extra cost or even if you're able to get a full refund if you decide to cancel services that aren't needed any longer possibly because there can't be a reception at the time

Oh for sure I agree that a 50% deposit is totally reasonable.. it was just mostly the fact that its non-refundable under any circumstances in their contract and its still 16 months away

Our photographer and videographer (for live streaming) both required 50% deposits to book and the rest before the day of. It didn't surprise us. They were incredibly flexible when we did have to change our date.

View quoted message Oh exactly.. and its these stories that have me a little extra on edge about all of it. Im actually just reading a post about the caterer I almost went with and so many people have lost $2000 and not a single one has been refunded in the past year. Its a city contract caterer though, so no skin of their backs! So unfortunate!

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I mean, if they get angry, you probably wouldn't want to work with them anyway and just move on. Considering the climate of vendor-client relationships that took place the past 15 months and how some of the more horrible ones had their dirty laundry aired over national media, it would be insane for any vendor to believe they can just walk all over any client as some of these guys have done.

View quoted message Thank you for the response! Ya our 50% is over $600, so I'm definitely a little afraid to lose that.. I just thought maybe negotiating a cancelation clause could make them angry, but you're totally right with what you're saying.
Thank you!

I've seen some do one deposit of 50% and the final the day of the event. I've seen some do multiple deposits in smaller amounts. Some will demand full payment prior to event day.

It depends on how much the DJ charges. 50% can sound steep but if your DJ is only $500, then 50% doesn't sound that bad.

You can always negotiate what happens if covid or other major force outside your control cancels your event and work those terms into the contract. If they refuse (ie will not refund deposits under any circumstances) then you can go to someone else who's willing to meet your terms.