Band and DJ?

sarahw311

(i posted this a few days ago, but the 'operation was aborted')

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has ever had a band and a DJ for their reception. How did it work out? Which DJ did you use?

We were thinking of having the band play the first half, and the DJ take over for the rest of night. Thoughts?

Thanks!

golfrgal

We are thinking of doing the same thing.  

sarahw311

Any ideas? Do you have a DJ in mind? I wonder if the DJ will charge half the amount..

TripleJTobe

Sarah- You and I must share a brain! lol We had actually thought about doing the same exact thing! I should begin by saying that I've been all over the map with music! When this all first started out, I was about to hire my music directors 20 piece orchestra lol The more I thought about it, the more I realized that yeah that would sound great, but people, including me, want to hear versions of songs that I'm used to and rock out! So then I was full speed ahead on a band, then as we met Dj's, they started to peak my interest as well and so we were thinking, ok band for the first half and then get the party amped up with a DJ. But then I started to dislike some things about bands- different variations on songs, things don't always sound exactly the same and they do run the risk of sounding lounge lizardish if you don't find a really good one. Plus the more I talked to vendors, they explained that it's best to go with one or the other b/c it really changes the tone of things. So, I think we are going to have a DJ now lol Music has really been the one thing that we've both spun our wheels on lol Just wanted to pass along that I definitely know exactly what your going through!!! 

sarahw311

Haha I appreciate it!! We've been going around and around on this. Music's very important to us, and this is driving us crazy

JoBell123

There are aslo some band/dj combos.  They do ceremony music (band or dj), cocktail hour music (band) and then they do a combo of dj with live musicians for the reception.  I'm thinking of using one my cousin used.  Their web site is http://www.energyny.com/index.html

Little Spitfire

I used a band and a DJ and had them switch off through the night.  The dance floor was pretty much packed the entire reception.  I used Aisle Five and the DJ Company (out of Nyack, NY).  Neither vendor charged half the price, unfortunately, haha. 

Edited to fix terrible typos

Juliet212

I was thinking of doing the same thing, but my band is a set price. Period. For them to come out one night and play they do not want to charge half-price. Which I understand but for the amount of money we will be paying, it wasn't worth it for us to get both. We are sticking with our band and hoping that it turns out great. 

Look around, some companies offer this package DJ and Band combo).

Good Luck!!  

sarahw311

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_band-dj-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:e747b501-3d7c-480a-a3c7-1c487a706bdbPost:b595cf4a-8083-4744-ba55-08e8ceb2bc38">Re: Band and DJ?</a>:
[QUOTE]I used a band and a DJ and had then switch off through the night.  The dance foloor was pretty much packed the entire reception.  I used Aisle Five and the DJ Company (out of Nyack, NY).  <strong>Neither</strong> <strong>vendor charged half the price, unfortunately, haha. 
</strong>Posted by Little Spitfire[/QUOTE]

Haha yeah, didn't think they would. Wishful thinking :)

We have our band in mind. Just need the DJ...

LindseyMarie2006

In Response to <a href="http://northjersey.weddings.com/Sites/Weddings/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_band-dj-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:e747b501-3d7c-480a-a3c7-1c487a706bdbPost:077ac1c4-b4bd-4b99-9c3d-65ec3a426217">Re: Band and DJ?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Band and DJ? : Haha yeah, didn't think they would. Wishful thinking :) We have our band in mind. Just need the DJ...
Posted by sarahw311[/QUOTE]

I know you said you have a band in mind but just wanted to share two companies that I know have a combo package for band and DJ: Time Machine Entertainment (Time Machine or Silk) and Craig Scott (they have several bands). I'm sure many others do as well, these were two that we looked at that had both! HTH!

VivianM27

It's been considered.  We already booked our DJ some time ago, and neither FI nor I were too keen on a band.  Lately, FFIL has been INSISTING on hiring a band for our wedding.  The type of music the band would play (ethnic) could really make for a great party.  However, we are concerned with the cost (even tho FFIL would pay if he gets his way, we don't want him to spend the money), the switching back and forth ruining the vibe, that side of the room getting a little crowded between the DJ and the band equipment, and finally--losing control over what gets played at our wedding (we had a little taste of this at the e-party hence our concern).  Don't know what to do, but for now we are still fighting him on it.

I think doing half and half would have better flow than switching back and forth all night.  And if you're hiring, you get to tell them what you want to hear.   I think finding a band that sounds great is key.  Don't just hire a band for the sake of having a band, make sure they'd make you happy.

sarahw311

The band we'd get has been a favorite of ours for many years (a cover band that plays mostly songs in the classic rock genre).  We figure we'd get them to play the first half, and have the DJ play more contemporary music for the second half.