Are you considering hiring a DJ for your big day? Are you unsure if it is worth the investment? Maybe you’ve got questions on whether it is necessary to hire a DJ for all day vs. just your reception?

As a wedding photographer I’ve had the privilege of working with some amazing DJs! I thought I’d include a Q+A with one of my favorites so you could have some basic information about wedding DJ services when you are considering hiring one for your big day!

Justin Babbitt is the founder of Paradox Productions and is one of the most organized, professional and fun DJ’s I’ve ever worked with. Check our his bio at the end of the page for contact information if you are looking for an amazing person to DJ your wedding!

Q+A with Justin from

Paradox Productions:

What is your favorite thing about being a wedding DJ?

“Celebrating love, life and happiness! It’s also pretty darn cool to play music for a living, especially with the purpose of creating a fun environment that inspires lifelong memories for my clients and their loved ones. But my favorite thing to do at a wedding is to set the dance floor on fire!!”

-J.B.

What are the top reasons you would encourage a couple to invest in professional DJ services?

“Your guests will remember how much fun they had at your wedding (or didn’t have) more than anything else. After their wedding, 80% of couples wish they had invested more in their DJ. This is because your DJ is the voice, face and vibe of your wedding. No other vendor will affect the outcome of your wedding day more than your DJ. Everything can be perfect, but if this one person does not nail their job, the value of all your other wedding investments (vendors) can suffer. However, the opposite is also true. If your DJ knocks it out of the park, this can overshadow any other circumstance that did not meet expectations. 

As well, a great DJ will set the stage for all of your vendors to perform at their very best! Communicating openly with the photographer will ensure you get the best pictures since they will both be on the same page, syncing with the caterer will ensure a smooth timeline, giving a heads up to the bartender before toasts and/or last call will prepare them for the rush. 

Creating a comfortable, enjoyable environment while giving consistent, clear and informative direction throughout the night is the most effective way to inspire your guests to connect and create memories, which is what this is all about. We all have friends, uncles and acquaintances that can stream other people’s music on their iPhone at your wedding. When it comes to creating a unique wedding experience where your guests feel like an integral part of the biggest celebration of your life, your DJ is the one vendor you do not want to skimp on.”

-J.B.

Can you give one or two examples of a wedding you planned or coordinated for which you were able to go above and beyond for the couple to create a truly amazing experience? 

“To be honest, I rarely perform a wedding where I do not go above and beyond what has been contracted; and my clients usually have no idea because this is all kept behind the scenes. The key is flexibility. My clients are not audio professionals and they hire me so they don’t have to worry about these details. Therefore I bring a trailer full of equipment and back up gear so that a custom audio layout can be produced at every wedding. 

As an example, I’ve encountered situations where there was no power, so I’ve invested in a high end battery powered speaker with microphones. This wireless speaker was set up outside at a recent wedding. The newlyweds were just about to come out for their grand entrance and I noticed that this speaker was set-up directly between the photographer, videographer and the entrance location. Realizing the speakers position would block their pictures/video, I quickly asked if they would like the speaker moved. They emphatically said “YES!” and since I did not have to worry about cables or need power, I simply picked up the speaker and moved it well out of the money shot. My clients never knew and the pictures and video turned out spectacular. A DJ’s ability to go above and beyond is limited only by their planning and experience and equipment on hand.“

-J.B.

When a couple is considering what level of investment in DJ-ing they should include in their wedding plans and budget, what types of things would be beneficial for them to think about?

“The biggest thing to keep in mind is that a good DJ’s value, heavily outweighs the cost. When considering how much to spend, it may help to think of the ratio of your DJ’s impact (value) on your wedding day, compared to the total wedding cost. As a reference, the impact of a DJ is said to contribute about 80% to the success (or otherwise) of a wedding, while the cost tends to be about 7% of the entire wedding expense. Another way to think of your DJ is like wedding investment insurance.

In the Oregon market, DJ pricing will range from $800 to $4,500. DJ’s under $1,200 are putting the majority of their value on the equipment and labor they provide. DJ’s over $1,600 are putting the majority of their value on their ability to create an extraordinary experience for you and your guests. Generally speaking, investing more than $2,000 should offer peace of mind that your wedding is in great hands. 

With DJ’s, you can’t “taste the cake,” walk the venue or view their portfolio, which makes shopping difficult for the consumer. Generally speaking, a DJ’s price (and their online reviews) are their portfolio. Just like all industries, supply and demand, as well as market forces set a DJ’s price. The DJ’s that require larger investments have set a track record of results and customer satisfaction that drives and sets their pricing threshold.”

-J.B.

As a DJ do you prefer it when a couple tells you what type of music or particular songs they want played for each part of their wedding or do you like it when you are given completely free rein?

“The best approach is a collaboration. We use a killer online planning tool for clients to input their favorite songs. 10 to 20 songs, or giving general direction such as “We love 80’s rock!,” 90’s hip hop baby!,” or “sprinkle in some Johnny Cash for my Dad!” are all great ways to input your vision and style while still leaving your DJ room to use their experience to read the room and adjust based on what they see.

Need some help choosing the perfect song for your special dance? Check out our top playlists for every moment of your wedding here.

-J.B.

What is the average cost of your DJ services and what does your most popular DJ package include?

“Many of our clients invest $1,600 to $2,000 and clients working with the company owner often invest $2,000 to $3,000 for our wedding DJ/MC services. We include everything needed to produce a smooth, professional wedding:

- Sound System

- Wireless Microphones

- Ceremony Sound with Lapel Microphones

- Dance Floor Lighting

- Set-up/Break-down

- Planning Meetings

- Early Arrival

Additional items than can be added include:

- Uplighting

- Monogram / Gobo

- Photo Booth”

-J.B.

What are some characteristics or attributes a couple should look for when they are looking to choose a DJ?

“This is crucial because the mass of DJs with a wide range of talent and experience can be daunting. Here is a bullet list to keep it straight and to the point:

- Proof of extensive experience (videos, DJ mixes, reviews, awards)

- Equipment to accommodate multiple areas

- Charismatic personality

- Responsive communication

- Are they full time professionals or part time hobbyists?

- 5 star review rating across the web (Google, WeddingWire, TheKnot, Facebook, Yelp)

- Modern, easy to use website

- Online music planning system

- Liability insurance and business license (not a big deal… until it’s a MAJOR problem)”

-J.B.

Why did you choose to make DJ-ing your career?

“Because celebrating life, love and happiness through music is the best job in the world.

I grew up loving 90’s hip hop and house music and spent time watching and admiring club DJ’s. In 2003, I was on the Kuwait / Iraq border with the United States Marine Corps, performing combat training drills as we waited for the order to invade. While training, I had the epiphany that I could be killed during this operation. At that moment I made the decision to not settle for a life (career) in what I perceived to be corporate monotony (I was a bank teller at Wells Fargo before this deployment). 

I decided that I would purchase equipment and pursue DJing, should I be fortunate to make it back alive. After returning home, I landed my first paid nightclub gig which began a career in the nightlife industry for almost a decade. Growing into new stages of life and starting a family, I realized I needed to make a move that could could adequately provide for my dependents. I genuinely never wanted to be a wedding DJ because of the corny stigma they had from the 80’s and 90’s. I reluctantly DJ’ed my first wedding in 2007 and it went surprisingly well. The photographer heard me mix from Frank Sinatra into Tupac and was sold! He started referring all of his customers to me, which began my career as a wedding DJ. 

Realizing through this process that my job as a wedding DJ and MC/host can make or break the most important celebration of my client’s lives, weddings shifted from being my job to being my passion. Thinking on the fly, picking the right song, saying the right words at the right time, managing the timeline, coordinating with the vendor team, seeing the smiles, feeling the happiness and inspiring people to connect all add up to create memories of a lifetime that live forever. This is what it’s all about.”

-J.B.

Justin is a well-rounded professional. With his background as a US Marine Corps Sergeant and holding a business degree from Washington State University, his company Paradox Productions has developed a prestigious and formidable reputation. As a multi-talented DJ / MC whose musical arsenal and hosting ability has no boundaries, he continues to shatter the "DJ stigma," while impressing across styles, genres and demographics. His motto is "Any crowd. Any format. Any time." Voted a 2019 "Best DJ in Portland" by Oregon Bride Magazine and Willamette Week.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paradox_productions/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paradoxpros

 https://djpdx.com/ / 505-263-8211