Issue 9: Band or DJ? How To Choose
Ah, the reception! You just got married, and are ready to have a great meal and a big party with your friends & family. And that means music....
Of all the things guests will talk about for years after your wedding day, the music (and dancing) will be high on the list, if not topping it.
So it’s a very important decision, and one that needs to be tackled early on to ensure you book the best talent you can afford. But what should you book? A band? A DJ? How do you pick? We hope this post can help you with that.
Things to consider:
What’s your budget?
What’s your taste in music?
Are you throwing a more traditional wedding party, a themed party, or a completely different type of reception?
What is your guest list like?
Let’s look at each of these one by one.
What's your budget?
Budget will be a huge factor for quality musicians. Assuming you have a standard 4-hour reception with dinner and dancing, bands will run a premium over a DJ since there are more people involved.
Depending on what you want, you may be able to find a small band (5 pieces - keys, bass, drums, guitar, & vocalist, with other players in the group doing back-up vocals). This would be closer in price to higher-end DJ's, which may make a band possible for a tighter budget.
The energy a live band brings is worth the splurge!
What's your taste in music?
What you're looking for in your music selections will have a big influence on a band versus a DJ as well.
If you are looking for top 40 hits with classic dance songs from the 60’s to the present, a live band really brings something special to your special occasion. But, if you are looking for a lot of electronica, techno, and other dance-hall style music, a DJ will likely be your better bet as a band would have trouble replicating that.
If you want a nice mix of dance songs and live music, consider booking a band/DJ combo for split sets.
What type of reception are you having?
Are you throwing a more traditional wedding party, a themed party, or a completely different type of reception? The type of party you're throwing will have a major impact on who you will want to consider for your party. If you are throwing a more standard wedding reception with dinner and dancing to popular music, a band or a DJ will work (and you can skip to the next question). But, if you are throwing a themed wedding party, or have a completely different reception in mind, then there is more to consider.
For example, if you're throwing a swing dance or Great Gatsby-themed party, you will want a band that specializes in those genres. DJ’s and top 40 bands are a poor choice for those kinds of parties as they don’t have the specialized knowledge necessary to pull off the right music.
If you are throwing a different kind of reception all-together, perhaps without any dancing, then you can pare down your music budget. For instance, if you just want background music during dinner, and don’t need anyone to fill the dance floor, you could hire a small ensemble or soloist, as music will not be the focal point.
What is your guest list like?
How your guests will react to the music is also a very important factor. You don’t want to hire a music vendor and have an empty floor - they need to know how to keep the floor full. If your crowd is very much a dancing crowd, then a band will only raise the energy level even more. A DJ will have no issue filling the floor in that case, but if your crowd is shyer or more reserved, then a live band is vital to the success of the dance floor. A great band will know how to draw people onto the floor and get them dancing.
A DJ will only have 1 or 2 people to work the crowd. A 5-piece band can work more people at a time with the energy of the performance itself! An even larger band - 10 pieces with 3 vocalists and 3 horns? You could have 6 people working the floor and drawing the crowd out, with the rest of the band still creating additional energy on stage.
Knowing your crowd is vital in choosing this so your floor stays filled throughout the party.
Band versus DJ is not an easy choice, but it’s an important one.
All things being equal, a band simply brings more energy than a DJ, period. However, DJ's can offer some things bands can't. If you just can't decide, consider booking a smaller band/DJ combo. You can split sets between the two and get the best of both worlds. No matter which way you choose, just be sure to focus on quality. Get the highest quality you can afford, because the music will be the life of the party. The most important question is you should ask yourself is:
What do I need from my music to make sure my guests talk about my party for years to come?
Thinking you want to go with a band? Click here to book a free consultation and secure your event date today!