What Does Wedding Entertainment Really Cost? Understanding Price, Value & Experience

When you're planning a wedding, one of the most common (and important) questions is:“How much should we spend on entertainment?”

The answer? It depends. But not just on how long your wedding singer or DJ will be playing — it depends on who they are, how they work, and what they bring to the table.

There’s a big difference between price and value, and when it comes to live music and DJ for weddings, that difference matters more than most people realise.

🎧 What’s the Going Rate for a Wedding DJ or musician in Melbourne?

In Melbourne, wedding DJs typically charge anywhere from $800 to $4k for a standard 5-hour reception and musicians can be anywhere from $400 up to $3k for a ceremony & canapés booking.

That's right- full day coverage for as low as $1200, or as high as $7k- that’s a big range — so what makes one DJ or musician cost five times more than another?

It often comes down to a few key things:

• Experience level (first wedding… or 500th?)

• Equipment quality (basic gear vs premium professional setup)

• Reputation. Reviews, awards, venue recommendations etc.

• The time they invest into planning and preparation

• Crowd-reading and music curation ability

• Presentation and overall vibe

  
  

Let’s unpack some of these below.

🧠 Full-Time Pro vs Weekend Side Hustle

This is one of the biggest — and most overlooked — differences.

Higher-priced vendors are usually full-time professionals.They've made weddings their main gig. That means:

• They're available during the week for planning and communication

• They dedicate time to things like rehearsing, learning new songs, prepping DJ sets and updating equipment

• Weddings are their top priority, not an after-hours job squeezed in between emails or other work

• Most of the time they are insured, their equipment is tagged and tested and they pay tax (& can give invoices/receipts).

  
  

Lower-priced vendors often juggle weddings with full-time jobs.That doesn't necessarily mean they're bad — but it does mean:

• Limited availability to chat or plan in detail

• Less time for preparation

• Fewer resources to invest in their gear or systems

• Weddings may be treated more like a casual weekend gig

• Often uninsured, often using equipment not tagged & tested, often only taking cash payments (unable to give receipts).

As a full-time performer myself, I pour hours each week into:

• Learning and arranging songs

• Rehearsing guitar and vocals

• Curating and refining DJ playlists and transitions

• Testing, charging, and maintaining equipment

• Planning logistics and backup options

All so that when your wedding arrives, everything feels effortless.

🎵 Experience = Better Results

When you hire someone who’s done hundreds of weddings, you get more than just good music — you get confidence, calm, and clarity.

Experienced wedding entertainers know:

• How to read a room and adjust the vibe in real-time

• How to work with your venue’s unique acoustics and layout

• How to time critical moments perfectly — like ensuring you walk down the aisle right on the most emotional part of the song

• How to deal with last-minute changes, bad weather, or tricky setups without stress

  
  

They’ve already made the rookie mistakes — and learned how to avoid them.

🎤 What’s Included in the Price?

Another reason prices vary so much is what’s included in the package.

Some DJs offer a low entry price, but charge extra for things like:

• A wireless microphone

• Sleek lighting

• A polished DJ booth

• PA equipment upgrades

• Ceremony or cocktail hour music

  
  

I don’t do that. I only offer premium, all-included packages — so you’re not surprised with upsells or extra charges. You get everything you need for the night to run smoothly and look great, right from the start. The only thing I don't automatically include in my bookings is MC service. This allows me to keep my prices low for the couples that don't need me to organise the MC. Some DJs include MCing no matter what, but charge the same even when it’s not required.

GST is another thing to watch out for- sometimes its included in an advertised price, other times be prepared for your final bill to be 10% more than the prices you've seen.

👥 Booking Direct vs Through an Agency

Something else to keep in mind: who are you booking through?

Agency bookings:

• Usually cost you around 20% more

• The performer gets paid about 20% less (which may mean they don't take it as seriously)

• You may not communicate directly with your artist

• You may not know who’s actually showing up until close to the day

  
  

Direct bookings (like through me):

• Know exactly who will be turning up and singing/DJing on the day

• Save you money

• Give you direct, personal communication with the person who will be performing

• Allow for a more tailored, hands-on approach

• Give you peace of mind that you're not just a name in someone else’s spreadsheet

  
  

The only real benefit of agencies is that because of the sheer amount of artists on their books, they may be better at organising a backup artist in the extremely unlikely scenario that something goes wrong and the artist can't attend due to illness, injury etc. That’s useful — but for most couples, direct connection and clear communication matter more.

💸 Price vs Value: What Are You Really Paying For?

Let’s be honest: wedding vendors can’t charge more than what people are willing to pay.

• If someone charges too much and under-delivers, they won’t stay in business.

• If someone charges too little, they might be doing too many gigs just to stay afloat — and risk burnout.

  
  

Low price doesn’t always mean bad. High price doesn’t always mean best. But generally:

• Higher prices = more experience, better gear, more reliability

• Lower prices = more risk, more variability, less time invested

  
  

It’s not about getting the cheapest or the most expensive — it’s about finding the best value for your day.

🎸🎧 Live Music and DJ: The Smart Combo

Another key way to get great value?

Book someone who can do both live music and DJing.

Hiring separate vendors for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception might seem like the standard — but it can also mean:

• Two sets of equipment

• Two vendor invoices

• Two sets of travel costs

• Two vendor meals

• Twice the communication and coordination

  
  

Booking one experienced performer who can seamlessly switch from acoustic sets to a full dancefloor DJ set saves you money, space, and stress — without compromising on quality.

In many cases, couples can save hundreds (or more) by booking a combined package, rather than hiring a live musician and a DJ from separate companies.

It also means one consistent vibe and energy throughout the day — and a smoother transition between the intimate and the party parts of your wedding.

That’s exactly what I offer: a premium all-in-one service that covers everything from walking down the aisle to the final song of the night.

✅ Final Thoughts

Wedding entertainment is more than just background noise — it sets the mood, drives the energy, and helps shape the memories you and your guests will hold onto for years.

So when comparing vendors, ask yourself:

• Do you like their vibe, style and voice?

• Are they full-time or part-time?

• Are they experienced or new to weddings?

• Do they offer everything upfront, or is it an upsell game?

• Do they take the time to personalise things for us?

  
  

Price is important — but value is what really matters.

If you're looking for an experienced Melbourne wedding entertainer who offers live acoustic music, DJ services, and a stress-free, high-quality experience — I’d love to chat.

Let’s make your day sound incredible.