When should the band play?

AJuliaNJ

My brother's band is going to play at our wedding, but only for 45 minutes. We have a DJ the rest of the time. Don't worry it's not a kid concert. When is the best time for them to play? The DJ said he thought the best transition point was right after dinner because it is easier to transition from band to DJ then vice versa. My brother recently did the same thing for another wedding and they feel somewhere near the end of the night is best, but with the DJ finishing out the night.

Did anyone else have multiple music groups or a DJ + band at your wedding? How did you handle the transition and what times did they play?

misssunshine17

What kind of music is the band playing? If it's dance, then you can do it whenever. I'd just be careful to not kill the dance mood if you start with the dj and switch. I went to a wedding where they did this, the band was lame and we left while they were playing because we didn't know that the dj was coming back. 

MoonlightSilver

I'd have him play right after dinner. Your brother is obviously also a guest, so after dinner gives him time to eat food, but it's early enough that he can still party with you guys afterward. Plus, if he's over 21, you don't want to risk a partying, drunk brother trying to play music at the end of the night.

harper0813

It should be a kid concert.

No but for real, maybe have the band start? I agree with @misssunshine17 that it depends on what sort of music they play. I find that bands usually get the crowd moving a lot more because they're interactive and live music just has an inexplicable edge on recorded music. If they're playing popular songs and music that's easy to dance to, I think it would be great to start with them and then transition into the DJ.

tiny speck

I'd say have the band right after dinner and then let the DJ take over. I the potential for a transition to be awkward would be greater if it were the other way around.