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 - Brunch Wedding Benefits

Planning

Jun 6

Written By John Sawyers

When it comes to planning a DC wedding, couples have a lot of questions. That makes sense. After all, you will on do this once, if you do it right. Many times the questions couples have about their DC wedding are of the should we do this or is it ok to do that variety.

While there are tons of DC wedding traditions, we are in an age where individuality is celebrated. What better time and place to demonstrate your individuality than at your beautiful, once in a lifetime, Washington DC Wedding?

This article is one in a series of articles intended to help not only the wedding couples we serve in the Washington DC | Northern VA area; but to help anyone who is planning their dream wedding. We will be posting our answers to the Top 50 Wedding questions over the coming days and weeks and hope that you will follow our journey.

Can We Have A Morning Wedding?

This is a question you should discuss with your Washington DC wedding venue. Many venues in the Washington DC and Northern Virginia area offer options for morning nuptials. An added bonus is that in Washington DC, where the average wedding cost is $37,000 (Wedding Report); a brunch wedding can save you serious cash that you can pocket, splurge on your honeymoon, or offer more experiences to your guests.

Maybe that Photo Booth that you know will be so much fun!

Without further ado, here are the top seven benefits of having a morning or brunch wedding.

The Natural Light

If you’re getting married indoors in one of the many beautiful Washington DC Wedding venues, or outdoors at one of the gorgeous barn or vineyard wedding venues in Northern VA; the morning light is unbeatable. With it, you and your guest will be able to see and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the venue you have chosen for the duration of the party!

Natural light also creates exceptional wedding photos! You don’t have to worry about running out of natural light or of artificial lights making your skin paler or your dress not as gorgeous.

You’ll also have more time throughout the day to get all the photos you and your wedding photographer want. There will be no reason for your photographer to rush you out of your wedding reception to try to snap all those moments before the light runs out.

A comment from a wedding at the Bluemont Vineyard in Bluemont VA is a testament to the impact of a day wedding.

We had sweeping mountains behind us, and trees around us, and it would have been a shame to waste that on the night!
You know how people say, “Oh, but no one will dance and drink at a morning wedding”? This is a lie. If you dance and drink, everyone else will dance and drink too. (though David pointed out if that IS true for you, you’ll save money on drinks. Excellent.)
Afterwards.
The strange thing is that when people voice concern about morning weddings, they normally ask you, “Well, what did you do afterwards?” Here is the scoop. Afterwards is the best part.
We drove away from our venue, waving like crazy, at 2:45 pm. You know what we did? We went back to the hotel room we’d splurged on. We lounged around. We talked about the wedding. We giggled. We looked at our wedding rings. We blissed out. We went shopping at a used bookstore and bought books for our honeymoon flight. We went out to a nice dinner, and I wore my wedding hair flower. We drank mojitos. We went to sleep. We woke up not-hung over.

Winery wedding ceremony in Washington DC. — Bluemont Vineyard, Bluemont VA

2. Food Costs

Choosing to have your DC Wedding in the morning allows you to substitute expensive dinner items for light, simple foods. A wedding reception menu of breakfast and lunch type items will cost substantially less than the typical chicken or beef-based entrees.

These savings may allow you to increase the service level of the meal allowing your guests to enjoy a seated and served meal rather than a buffet.

The food choices are also much easier for morning weddings. You can serve up a waffle and pancake bar (talk about inexpensive, but fun) or go with a lunch-type menu or BBQ. No matter what, the food is lighter, and lighter means cost-effective.

3. Natural Light is Free

You won’t have to pay for artificial light to highlight your wedding cake and table centerpieces. Each of these hand-crafted masterpieces will be the focal points they deserve to be, without impacting your wedding day budget.

4. Bar Tab

While we love a Bloody Mary or a Mimosa as much as anyone, your guests are less likely to make an impact on your wedding budget should you decide to have an open bar at your DC wedding venue. Guests are not likely to want to get smashed before noon on your dime. While they may want to “Irish-up” their cup of coffee, a fully stocked bar is likely overkill.

5. An After Party

Your wedding guest list is likely to include some people that you cannot wait to see. An after-party allows you to spend more time with these VIP guests without feeling rushed. Having an intimate after-party allows you to relax a bit and not feel that you must divide your time as much between guests.

Spending more time making memories of your best day ever with those who are closest to you is a huge benefit in my opinion.

6. You Can Get Married on Holiday’s

If you want to get married on Valentine’s Day or even New Year’s Eve, scheduling your Washington DC wedding in the morning means guests don’t have to choose their own event over your wedding.

Of course, you will want to avoid Christmas morning weddings – since most people do not want to be at a wedding when they would traditionally be at home enjoying presents and their family.

7. Time

Speaking of time, time is always a factor at any wedding celebration.

At evening weddings couples often feel rushed by the end of the night. The reception may feel cut short because of all the activities that have been packed into this special day. At the end of the evening, couples may feel that they barely have time for just one more dance before they are rushed out the door.

With a morning wedding, you have all day. If you leave for your honeymoon the next day, you still have an evening together where you aren’t whisking away to a hotel room for two hours of sleep before leaving for the airport.

Think about it this way: you’re marrying your partner because you like spending time with them. Morning weddings give you lots of time to hang out together, married, on your wedding day. And then you wake up sober and happy.

What could feel better than that?

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