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Band vs. DJ Dilemma LONG! Please Help!

Let me start with some background: me, my Fi, our parents, grandparents, all families and friends are a bunch of white people that cannot dance. Its sad, I dont want to admmit it, but its true. For example, my mother waves her hands in the air (almost as if she is swatting a bug) and she is one of the better dancers....

With that being said, I am having a difficult time deciding between a band and a DJ. As far as the price goes, the DJ will likely cost about $650 plus tip, the band will be somewhere in the $1200 to $1500 range out the door. We are looking at using a cover band that has more of a rock and roll feel.

My wedding is fast approaching (about 2 months away), and my mother tells me yesterday that she thinks DJs are tacky (she is old school and they were tacky back in her day) but nonetheless, she still thinks they are tacky despite me efforts to convince her that is not longer the case.

I am nervous that a band cannot keep the party going as well as a DJ, I am nervous that a DJ will not create the same vibe a band would. Please help! Any experience or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Re: Band vs. DJ Dilemma LONG! Please Help!

  • edited December 2011
    I'm all for a DJ.  Bands are typically a lot more expensive and I just like listening to songs the way they are. That's just me
  • babytecbabytec member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I don't think having dj is tacky AT ALL!!!! a good DJ is better than a bad band! hell an bad dj is better than a bad band! lol!!!
    At the end of the day you have to weigh your options...if you can swing it financially, i'd say go for the band...otherwise a dj will work just fine. I've read awesome reviews about Visions DJ  WinkGL babes!!!!
  • cinthia122cinthia122 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011

    If you like cover bands go for the band, but are you sure that is the price and they are good?  The band I was looking at was $5000. GL!

  • edited December 2011
    I have to agree with Shannon.

    I like the songs played the way they are. You can get a GREAT DJ for $650, but the band for $1200-$1500 might not be so great. That's definitely on the lower end for them. I'm not saying they couldn't be amazing, its just on the lower end.

    Tell your mom what I tell all of my family members when they tell me their opinions...."This isn't your wedding". LOL

    So tacky or not, do whatever YOU want. YOU are the one who has to be happy, not her and her swatting bugs moves on the dance floor.

    HTH!
  • edited December 2011
    You have to do what makes you happy..saying that I feel like bands are old fashioned and the people at my wedding would find it boring. Do what you want and makes you happy!
  • edited December 2011
    I'm all for a DJ because a really really good bad is going to cost money. I also like hearing songs the way they are and most people would agree I think. We hired Shannon with Liquid DJs and he totally has gotten all positive reviews (from what I've read) so I'm really excited for our wedding next month!
  • twinkle82576twinkle82576 member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm all for the DJ. I think to get a really good band it's quite a bit more than $1500. A DJ will pump up the party and keep it going. You have to do what makes YOU happy.
  • edited December 2011
    I'm ... having both, so I'm the worst person to ask.

    However, your mumsy needs to realize it's not tacky these days, even if Emily Post sniffles at the presence of a DJ.

    DJs these days are very fun, and can make the party go on and on, while bands take breaks. Ultimatel it's what you like the best! And maybe the person who's paying, lol. Good luck!
  • minerva0416minerva0416 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I had the same dilemma Dj or Band,  I though the band will look nicer in a ballroom, well i seen it and heard a few that;s why i like it, but i decided to go with the DJ because  i want the music to sound just the way they sound on the radio, Both Fi and I agree...
  • edited December 2011
    OMG i can sooo relate. I went throught this with my parents. It was one of the first big obstacles we faced.

    We didn't want a band for fear they would butcher all the good stuff... also the ones we reviewed weren'tthatgood and the one we thought was "Ok and could MAYBE work" wanted friggin $15k!!!!

    So my parents said you can't do a dj, like its' low rent and you can't have a high end wedding with out a band but in the end I fought hard for the DJ and brought the live music in for Cocktail and Ceremony.

    If you really want a DJ go for it. If you can afford both, do both. But a GOOD band CAN keep the party going, they arejust more limited.

    I feel your pain though. This was SOO Hard for me. They finally gave in. We went with DJ and I think ti's just as classy and not at all Tacky so long as the DJ is not cheesy!

    GL
  • edited December 2011
    I agree with everyone!!!!

    The last wedding I went to was gorgeous and had (what I imagine to be) a very expensive band. While we danced the night away, they simply sucked. They couldn't cover Jason Mraz for shiit and and half the time we wondered what they were singing.

    It's not that they weren't talented, it's that everyone is used to the real thing.

    If I were you - I'd stick with your gut but the DJ is a great (and much cheaper) option!!
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  • edited December 2011
    Thank you for all of your help girls.... I really appreciate it!
  • edited December 2011
    we are having a band and a dj - we wanted the band for the live music effect - the energy that live musicians bring but the dj to also play some songs that just cant be dont better than the original artist intended :) Hope that helps you some!
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