DJ vs. Band?

spanglerwedding2012

My fiance and I are getting married at the Knowlton Mansion in Philadelphia, Pa. We are trying to decide between having a band or DJ for entertainment at our reception. Both of us love the way a band brings energy to the event and his parents have made it clear that they would prefer a band. However, we are stuck on the price tag.

The contributions from our parents cover the reception (food, decor, and church fees.) We will be covering the rest. We can book a DJ with lighting in the $2k range, whereas a band could almost be $10k. We just bought a house, so having that extra $8k would build a deck or update our kithcen - we're having a hard time justifying that just for live music. Did you have a band or DJ? What would you reccommend?

Also - are any of you familiar with the EBE e-fusion bands? (A combination of a band & dj)?

Stacylynn702

Bands are really awesome but we couldn't afford it.  We had a DJ and we loved him and lots of our guests actually asked us for his info after the wedding.  I don't think it makes too big of a difference personally.  I think a great band is better but if you have a DJ instead, no one is gonna say "Man, they shoulda hired a band!"  Ya know what I mean?  If someone in ur family really wants the band, I'd tell them that it's financially difficult for u and if they want it so badly, maybe they'll step in and offer to pay the difference between a DJ and the price of a band.

When it came to the wedding, my philosophy was that if they weren't paying, their opionion didn't mean that much to me.  Sounds harsh but it made decision making a lot easier.

[Deleted User]

It's really a personally decision.  We're doing a DJ and paying $975 with a holiday weekend extra charge.  

I just can't spend $10K on a band right now.  I also like to hear music from the original artist, although if you get a GREAT band it doesn't matter, but I think you really have to pay good money to get the great band, which I don't have.  

I kinda feel like if your parents think you HAVE to have a band they should pay for it, JMO.

Stacylynn702

I forgot to add that our DJ was under $1000 too. 

nicole8586

We had a band, it was actually a surprise to me from DH. I was in the "I really want a band but we just can't afford it boat." Little did I know what was being planned behind my back!

I agree that a live band brings a different kind of energy but if you have people who like to dance at your wedding they will enjoy them selves regardless if the music is coming from a DJ or a band. Plus, Stacy is right, no one is going to say "man they should of had a band!"

CaitC21

I am personally having a band, and yes they are expensive.
My FI and I are huge music people so it was important to him.
Plus my dad is a huge music person and he is footing 95% of the bill for the day so we went band.

Our wedding is on a Friday so that made it cheaper.

I am working with EBE but not an e-fusion band.

I have recs for great bands and great Djs.

Good luck!

spanglerwedding2012

That's great! Would you mind sharing what DJ you decided to go with? 

And CaitC, if you have any info on EBE bands or DJ's that you enjoyed, could you share or PM them to me? We are planning to go to a showcase but any recs would be awesome!

My FH and I have $$ saved for the wedding and probably could afford a band but I have a really hard time spending so much money when I think of what else it could be used for. To those that had a band - do you know of any that are good (sing top 40's etc.) but don't cost an arm and a leg?

Beagle211

We are having a band- originally I was on the "bands are too expensive" boat.  But FI really wanted one, did a lot of research, and found a reasonably priced one that is awesome.  (under 5k for ceremony, cocktail hour, and 5 hour reception music, plus learning special songs for us).

FI's parents are paying for the band, which meant that FI and I would be paying for more things ourselves.  That trade off was worth it to us, but it's different for everyone.  I've had an awesome time at weddings with both DJs and bands, so I think it's personal preferance.

[Deleted User]

We're using No Macarena for our DJ.   

angel33284

I attended a wedding at the Knowlton Mansion with a band and there was so much echo that you couldn't hear the singer all night. The Knowlton Mansion is just one big echo chamber. A band would be a complete waste of money, IMO.