Choosing a Band or DJ

Having trouble deciding on the type of entertainment you want at your wedding reception? Below is a list of the pros and cons of each choice so you can decide what matters to you most: Music can make or break a wedding celebration. Finding a talented band or great DJ is a matter of shopping around with fine-tuned ears, and making a move quickly because top talent can be booked up to a year in advance. The first question you need to answer, then, is what type of entertainment suits your personal taste, budget, space allowances, guest demographics best? Keep an open mind, and consider these issues to start your search. Look at our local Music/Entertainment vendors.

Personal Taste:
The type of music you choose can set the tone and theme of your wedding. And remember, it's the last thing people experience before they leave. Think about what musical mix best reflects your personalities and inspires the mood you want to create: How the music is delivered by live band or DJ also affects the mood. Regardless of whether you choose a band or DJ, be sure they play slow and fast, old and new tunes for variety and to encourage different sets of guests to hit the dance floor.

Budget:
On price, DJs generally cost less. It varies by the day of the week and equipment requests. A live crew will generally be more expensive than a DJ; but there are always exceptions; celebrity DJs can be as expensive as live bands. Band prices vary by the number of musicians, how long you want them to play, and what time of year it is.

Space:
Don't get your heart set on an eight-piece swing band before you check whether the reception site has any restrictions on the number of musicians and pieces of equipment you may bring in, and whether there are any electrical power supply or noise limitations. Ask these questions before you start shopping bands.

Guests Demographics:
There's nothing like a live wedding band to get a crowd excited and create a sense of sophistication. Music groups can synergize with the tone of your wedding. A good bandleader will play the master of ceremonies at your reception if you want him or her to, interact with people on the dance floor, pay attention to the mood of the room, and select music accordingly. And a good wedding band will play continuously with 5-minute breaks taken during a calm period.

Today's disc jockeys are artists in their own right, offering balanced and mixes of musical styles for all ages. The songs played will sound exactly as you remember them, encouraging people to sing-along. And depending on the amount of equipment a DJ brings, he or she will take up less dance floor and can be relocated more easily.

Ideally, you will want to see a DJ or band in action before you decide on and commit to, so that you can gauge firsthand the way they dress, look, and work the crowd. If that's not possible, ask for a play list, and look for songs you know and love. If a band gives you a CD, cassette, or videotape, be sure that the musicians you hear or see are the same musicians who will play at your reception. Ask for references and call them!

Know that all professionals should be open to your likes and dislikes. Give them your own personal song list, songs they must and, perhaps most important, must not play. Specifically prohibit the playing of a song you feel strongly about in your contract.

Here are the pros and cons:

Band Pros:

There is nothing like live music in terms of sound quality. You and your guests will experience the pleasure of a performance. Guests often get more excited hearing the music live.

You choose a band based on your own tastes, and therefore the music will be more personalized to what you and your fiancé like.

A band can vary the speed of the songs, depending on the mood of your guests and the atmosphere you wish to create.

Different instrumental or vocal solos can also be played throughout the evening.

Band Cons:

There is only a limited amount of songs a band can play.

The songs never sound the same as the original recordings.

If the musicians need to take a break, the music stops as well.

Bands can sometimes cost more than a DJ.

It can seem more like a concert instead of an accent to your reception.


Disk Jockey Pros:

A DJ comes with a choice of hundreds of songs. Therefore, the DJ can play songs to cater to the varying tastes of several generations.

They will often cost less than a band.

Your special dances will be played exactly like you’ve heard them before.

There is no reason to have a break in the music.

A DJ with a charismatic stage presence and excellent MC skills can really set the mood and keep the party going.

Disk Jockey Cons:

The music cannot be changed depending on personal tastes.

Contracts can be misleading in terms of who will really be at your wedding.

It may take more effort to get the crowd excited.

Some guests may think a DJ is too casual for a formal reception.

You might not like the styles of music that are being played.

A DJ with a less-than great personality can be a party-killer.