Question 1

How much experience do Higher Ground DJs and Event hosts have?

Accepted Answer

Most members of our team have hundreds of events in their rear view mirror (~5 years), while others have thousands (~10 years). We also work with young, up-and-coming individuals who have the right personality and skill set.

Question 2

What is your pricing?

Accepted Answer

Like anything you purchase, pricing for entertainment can vary wildly. This is primarily based on the knowledge, experience, technology, team, and value that goes into each performance. Higher Ground Entertainment has a variety of performers that all sit at different investment points. Some offer price incentives depending on the season and day of the week. Check out our investment page for more info. Have questions? Shoot a message our way.

Question 3

What are your payment terms?

Accepted Answer

A nonrefundable deposit is required at the time of booking and your remaining balance is due 30 days prior to your event. Payments can be made through our VIP client portal which will be linked on your Invoice.

Question 4

Do you have liability insurance?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Just let us know if you need a copy for your planner or venue and we will send over a certificate of insurance.

Question 5

Do I tip the DJ?

Accepted Answer

Gratuity is not included in our agreements, although 10-20% is industry standard if you think your DJ did a great job. This one is entirely up to you.

Question 6

Do you travel for events?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We will research the average flight, hotel, and equipment rentals at your destination and provide you with an all inclusive travel estimate. We are open to other arrangements as well, our only ask is that we arrive on site the day before your event, that way we can run any necessary tech checks and/or rehearsals and avoid any airline disruptions. Think of it as travel insurance. Have questions? Checkout our destination & elopements page or schedule a call to chat.

Question 7

What is your travel rate?

Accepted Answer

Local, regional, & international travel rates will vary depending on the location, season and day of the week. Local rates can be expected to start at $50/hour each way outside of Portland Metro. For events beyond the pacific northwest, schedule a call with our team and we will provide you with an estimate.

Question 8

Should I hire a destination event DJ, or would it be easier to hire a local DJ near my venue?"

Accepted Answer

That depends entirely on what your desires and expectations are. Typically, local DJ prices vary widely. You never really know what you are going to get. Plus, it can often be challenging to coordinate and communicate all of the details of your wedding. If you are someone that places a high value on the music, dancing, and flow of your event, we recommend thinking twice before gambling on a risky local DJ. Plus, our afterparty package is included when you book a destination package!

Question 9

How many people will I need to fly out for my destination event?

Accepted Answer

You will only need to fly out your DJ, unless they need an assistant. This will be determined by your entertainment package as well as your guest count and event program. We will generally fly in a day in advanced to do a location visit and ensure everything is squared away. We will typically fly out the day after your event, later in the day.

Question 10

Do I book the flights and accommodations myself?

Accepted Answer

Typically we will provide an up front estimate, then book all travel expenses ourselves. For some of our clients who prefer to book with miles/points, we are open to other arrangements. We ask that you send the information ahead of booking so we can approve the details.

Question 11

Will you bring your own equipment to my destination event?

Accepted Answer

Due to the nature of destination events, we will only come prepared with what we need to preform (e.g. laptop, headphones, music, etc.) We will coordinate with your venue or other local vendor to obtain all of the necessary equipment.

Question 12

What is the best time to book my DJ?

Accepted Answer

As we come out of the pandemic, people are hosting events left and right and vendors are filling up their calendars further out than ever. The live event industry is seeing a historic boom, we strongly suggest reserving your vendor dream team the moment you have a date. Schedule a call with our team to reserve your DJ today.

Question 13

What genres of music do you play?

Accepted Answer

As open-format DJs, our team is familiar with most genres. While some DJs are more experienced in certain genres, at the end of the day we are professionals who take pride in our work and prepare accordingly, considering the specifics of each event. Let us know what your vibe is and we will make sure to pair you with a DJ that suits your style.

Question 14

Can I hear samples of your DJ sets?

Accepted Answer

While we do not typically post live event sets, since every event we DJ is unique, you can always stay up with our company Mixcloud and Spotify playlists to hear some recent mixes and projects we’ve worked on.

Question 15

How do you plan the music, and how much input do we have?"

Accepted Answer

As much input, or as little input, as you would like. Our mobile app streamlines all music & event planning. Hear a song on the radio that you want played on your wedding night? Just pick up your phone, open the app, add the track, and put your phone away all in a matter of seconds. The app has all the bells and whistles needed to make music planning easy. There is even a social share feature that allows you to invite friends, family, or the entire guest list into the app to request their own songs or like and reply to yours. Learn more about how to get the most of the app on our recent blog post.

Question 16

Will the DJ take requests?

Accepted Answer

The million dollar question….truth is, it’s up to you. Some of the clients we work with draw the line on this issue and ask for no crowd requests, while others embrace it. In the case of the latter, we will always use our own discretion & intuition to filter your requests appropriately.

Question 17

What sort of equipment do you use?

Accepted Answer

We believe in using commercial, touring grade equipment. If it's good enough for some of the greatest venues in the world, it's good enough for us. This ensures reliable equipment, optimized sound and a stylish look. For the gear-heads out there, Pioneer, Evolve, K-Array, Astera & Serato to name a few.

Question 18

Do you have a backup plan if something happens?

Accepted Answer

Two is one and one is none. We maintain backups of just about everything and build redundancies into our services at every level. 10 years strong and we've never missed a beat.

Question 19

Do we need to feed the DJ?

Accepted Answer

This is something we never plan on or expect, and none of your other vendors should either. Typically, we are too focused on making your night flow perfectly to remember to eat anyway. That being said, we will never say no to a delicious meal if you insist.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ