Wedding Times

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Unless you plan on bringing your iPod, you basically have two choices here. Hire a live band or hire a DJ. The entertainment is going to play a huge role in your reception so weigh your options carefully. Here are some things that you may want to consider before you decide if you are going to have a band or a DJ provide entertainment at your wedding.

The first thing you need to determine is how much you have in your budget for entertainment. During a typical four hour reception, a DJ routinely charges anywhere from two hundred to one thousand dollars. A live band however, generally starts at a thousand. The only thing that remains consistent between the two is that prices will be higher depending on the experience, reputation, and equipment quality.

Take into consideration how long you want to hold your reception for. A band uses much more energy because they are playing instruments, dancing, and singing. A DJ, while enthusiastic, uses less energy and will be able to give their all from beginning to end. If you are holding a short reception, a live band may be a very good option but it’s worth reconsidering if you are planning on having a very long affair.

Talk to your reception venue staff. Ask if they have had live bands and/or DJs before. Ask how the event went with the entertainment and if the venue is big enough to house either. Discuss specifics such as entranceways, outlets, and lighting. Some bands and DJs have special requirements and if your venue can’t meet these, it might make your choice for you. Be sure to ask about sound restrictions and if they have restrictions as to what kind of music can be played and until what time.

You need to consider what type of wedding you’re going to be having. Traditionally, DJs have been used for casual events and live bands for formal ones.

Ask to see the DJs record collection and whether they plan on bringing the entire collection with them. Because DJs play recorded music, they are likely going to be able to play a much wider variety than you would get with a live band.

If you are looking for your guests to get more out of the entertainment than just the music, you may want to consider hiring a live band. If you’re planning on having a lot of elderly folks attending, they probably won’t be that interested in the music, unless it’s music that is tailored to their generation, which may not suit you or the rest of your guests. For this reason, bands can be a good choice because they will put on a show rather than just put some CDs into a stereo and let it play. While DJs are entertaining, you will usually get much more out of a live band.

Keep in mind that many bands put their own spin on things. Do you really want someone else singing your favorite songs or would you prefer to hear them know them? Before you hire a band, get them to perform the songs that are going to be important to you during your reception.

DJs will need fewer breaks than a band will. When the band breaks, they will usually play recorded music so that the reception does not go silent. However, this can often change the pace of the reception and guests will notice the difference. A DJ may need a break as well but they can often throw on a record that will play four or five songs in a seamless transition.

A band can adapt as your guests grow tired at the end or grow more boisterous after the cake cutting. A band will be able to change their tempo if your fiancé is a little off tempo during your first dance or your dad is moving before the music with the father/daughter dance. They are the ones playing the music and they choose how it moves. A DJ with recorded music does not have that option.

There are pros and cons to both DJs and live bands. Remember to take into account the style of your wedding and your personal preference when making your decision.