What size should a wedding cake be?

A 3-tier cake (10, 8, 6 inches) usually serves 75–100 guests. Larger weddings may need more tiers or sheet cakes.

How much does a wedding dessert table cost?

On average, dessert tables cost $3–$8 per guest depending on desserts and display setup.

What desserts are good alternatives to cake?

Cupcakes, donuts, pies, cookies, and mini tarts are fun, affordable alternatives to a traditional wedding cake.

What’s the difference between a last dance and an exit song?

The last dance is the final song on the dance floor. The exit song plays as you leave or during a sparkler or tunnel send-off. They can be the same or different.

Should we go upbeat or slow for the exit?

An upbeat song creates a big sing-along, high-energy goodbye. A slow song creates a romantic spotlight moment. Choose the vibe you want captured in your photos and video.

How long should the exit song be?

Aim for 3–4 minutes. Your DJ can start at the chorus and fade at the perfect time so it feels seamless.

Can the DJ handle clean edits and timing?

Yes. Professional DJs use clean versions, cue guests, and coordinate timing with photographers and planners so the exit feels flawless.

How much should we budget for a wedding DJ?

National averages typically range from $1,000–$1,700 depending on the source. In Washington, DC, couples commonly invest $1,600–$2,200 for full-day coverage on peak dates. Always compare all-in quotes for a fair match.

Does ceremony audio cost extra?

Usually yes. Ceremony sound often requires a second system, wireless microphones, and additional setup time. Expect an add-on of about $300–$600.

Why do big venues or multiple rooms cost more?

Larger spaces or split-room layouts may require extra speakers, microphones, cabling, or an additional system for cocktail hour. More coverage means more gear, setup time, and labor.

What hidden wedding DJ costs should we watch for?

Common add-ons include overtime, travel/mileage, extra systems for additional rooms, dance lighting or uplighting, photo booth services, and peak-season premiums. Ask for a line-item breakdown.

What’s included in professional DJ pricing?

Typically: ceremony audio, cocktail-hour system, reception system, wireless mics for toasts, basic dance lighting, setup/teardown, backup equipment, and planning/prep (timeline review, music pulls, coordination).

Are wedding DJ prices negotiable?

Pros may adjust based on hours or off-peak dates, but established companies usually maintain set pricing to reflect labor, experience, and reliability.

What’s the difference between a cheap DJ and a professional DJ?

Lower-cost DJs may lack backup gear, insurance, MC skills, or timeline management. Professionals bring reliability, polished MC work, and the experience to keep energy and flow on track.

Do DJs charge for setup and teardown?

Most professionals include setup and teardown in their quotes. If it’s not specified, request that it be detailed in writing.

Do DJs bring their own lights?

Basic dance-floor lighting is often included. Uplighting or specialty effects are usually available as add-ons.

How do travel fees work for DJs?

Many DJs include travel within a local radius (e.g., 30–50 miles). Beyond that, mileage or flat travel fees may apply; confirm the details in your quote.

How far in advance should we book our DJ?

Peak Saturdays can book 12–18 months ahead. If you want better availability or pricing, consider Fridays, Sundays, or off-season dates.

How can we save on DJ costs without cutting corners?

Consider off-peak dates, trim coverage hours if your timeline allows, and ask about package pricing when bundling services like DJ plus lighting.

DC Wedding Planning - Creating Your Wedding Hashtag

Planning

Jun 20

Written By John Sawyers

Our DC Wedding Blog is intended to not only help couples in Washington DC plan their dream wedding, we hope that it helps couples everywhere. As an award-winning Wedding DJ in Washington DC, our passion is helping couples have the best experience possible and to be an asset in all facets of wedding planning.

About Us

How to make your own wedding hashtag.

Start with your names.

This tip may be a bit obvious but start with your names. Use your first, last, and nicknames as your wedding hashtag starting point. Maybe you have a cutesy mash-up name your friends gave you. Well, this might be the time to embrace it. It makes it easier for the guests to remember, which means more people will use it.

Numbers are a simple way to make a wedding hashtag unique.

If you can't come up with anything quirky using your names, using the year or date of your wedding is an easy way to make your wedding hashtag your own.

There might be a lot of #JackAndJill in the world, but you'll likely be the only #JackAndJill101020.

Use puns.

Wordplay is a fun way to create a hashtag. Using puns, synonyms, or rhymes is a clever way to make your hashtag memorable. If you and your partner are completely stumped, enlist the help of a few witty friends and brainstorm over a few drinks.

Make it easy to spell.

Once drinks start to flow it is easy to become spelling challenged. Read over your wedding hashtag options and eliminate any that are overly complicated or easily misspelled. You may want to abbreviate longer last names.

Capitalize the first letter of each word.

Capitalizing the first letter of each word can help with readability if guests can see where each word starts and ends. Doing this will also make it more likely that everyone will get your joke or pun. With or without the capitalization, your wedding hashtag will work the same either way.

Try a hashtag generator.

Still, stumped on finding the right wedding hashtag for your Big Day? Don’t strain your brain trying to come up with the perfect option. Let technology be your friend by getting lots of free wedding hashtags using a wedding hashtag generator.

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