Band vs DJ

gymchick05 · November 2010

We were planning on using a DJ and have already booked one, but some family members continue to make me feel as though I made a bad choice and should have a band instead. My sister had a band for her wedding and they were great, but I am always concerned a band cant play everything I want to hear or sound they way we expect the songs to sound. I know bands cost a ton more (my parents offered to pay for the band if we want one, but I still feel bad no matter whos money it is paying $8-$10k when our DJ is closer to $2500).

What do you guys think? Do you prefer going to a wedding w/ a band or a DJ? Whats the main difference? I guess bands are classier, but I always like DJs too help! haha Thanks!

[Deleted User] · November 2010

Either or. Dont let others pressure you.

With a DJ you know you can get every single song you want and it'll sound like it should. Bands have certain restrictions.

We're getting a band but thats because we're the same nationality and the band we got sings in both languages - perfect for our 90% European guest list.

felicia220 · November 2010

I also have no preference, but I will say this. I think it is easier to find a good DJ than try to find a good band.

cutiepie12702 · November 2010

This can really go one way or the other. We are having a band and it's because FI's parents are from Russia and HATE DJ's - they think they're for sweet 16's and not a classy wedding. One of my bridesmaids is getting married before me and also having a band (her FI's parents are from Italy) and she personally feels a band is classier. I needed someone who could play Russian music for FI's side, and she needed someone who could play Italian music for her FI's side. If it was up to me, I would have gone with a DJ because I like to hear songs played by the actual artist, but at times live music is also good. I think it will add something to the wedding, and I'm hoping the guests will really get into it. We have a very popular Russian band who has played at very famous Russian peoples' weddings, so I'm praying that's a good sign and my guests (the non-Russians) will also really enjoy it. haha I do also plan on having the band play some songs like a DJ would too (such as the father/daughter dance song, and possibly our first dance song), so I don't miss out on having any songs I really want to hear at my wedding. You should have whatever will make you and FI happy!

mariaNryan · November 2010

Being guests at a wedding I prefer a dj for the reasons that are simple. All the songs they have and are sung by the actual artist. This is way we booked a dj for our wedding

kasabby · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_band-vs-dj?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:7b6e7392-bd91-4d69-903d-8b1c8e1e4b0cPost:1e04432b-661d-44c5-a232-2166c3249db4">Re: Band vs DJ</a>:
[QUOTE]Being guests at a wedding I prefer a dj for the reasons that are simple. All the songs they have and are sung by the actual artist. This is way we booked a dj for our wedding
Posted by mariaNryan[/QUOTE]

<div>THIS!!!</div>

viviannac · November 2010

We did both a band and the DJ. THe band played mostly spanish music and the DJ mc'd and played the rest of the music. For us this worked out perfectly and our guests had the best of both.

However, you know your guests better than anyone else, so it all depends on what you think they would prefer and if your budget will allow for it.

manda9794 · November 2010

Quite honestly I prefer DJ's because if I want to hear a song I want to hear it by that particular artist, not someone else's rendition of it. I have been to weddings where the bands have been pretty good and motivated the crowd, but for me the DJ is just a matter of personal preference. I'm sure you know your guests and will make the best decision for what will work for you! Good luck

cindy91788 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_band-vs-dj?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:7b6e7392-bd91-4d69-903d-8b1c8e1e4b0cPost:20cf71a3-0ce9-4e4d-99da-726fe09fbeba">Re: Band vs DJ</a>:
[QUOTE]Quite honestly I prefer DJ's because if I want to hear a song I want to hear it by that particular artist, not someone else's rendition of it. I have been to weddings where the bands have been pretty good and motivated the crowd, but for me the DJ is just a matter of personal preference. I'm sure you know your guests and will make the best decision for what will work for you! Good luck :)
Posted by manda9794[/QUOTE]
same here.. if I wanted to hear other people singing the songs, I'd hire a cover band like The Benjamins or something ..lol

sgdc2011 · November 2010

We are having a Dj with 2 vocalists that sing 25 songs throughout the night. I personally don't like bands because of accoustics in certain rooms are not great. I was just at a wedding recently and the band was awful and ruined the night.

USER876 · November 2010

I've never been to an affair where the band wasn't liked or appreciated. Even the "bad sounding ones" tend to sound good once people get in the groove and get a few drinks in them.

There is no subsitute for a solid band and you will always see them vs a DJ during higher end affairs and parties. Their arrangements add variety to otherwise boring, and overplayed wedding hits. In addition to the music people hear, the band puts on a show too for people to watch, which grabs their attention. With a DJ, you are limited to the MC skills of who you select (and this can be hit or miss).

For people that attend a lot of weddings, a DJ is kind of boring. Bands change things up and play things that people have not heard before. Our band would take 3-4 songs and make a medley out of them, really a big hit. They also played fantastic live jazz music during dinner where each instrument had a 5 minute solo which ended in a standing ovation.

I guess the musician in me is a bit impartial to live music vs records. Plus DJ's tend to sway at once point or another to top 40 or club music, which I can assure you not everyone is going to like at your event.

GolfChick78 · November 2010

Bands do cost so much more, but if they fit within the ol' budget, they are SOOOO worth it. I think the band and photography will be our two splurges.

peaches85 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_band-vs-dj?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:7b6e7392-bd91-4d69-903d-8b1c8e1e4b0cPost:6b6afdbc-dc58-48a6-a263-60689c5dc053">Re: Band vs DJ</a>:
[QUOTE]I've never been to an affair where the band wasn't liked or appreciated. Even the "bad sounding ones" tend to sound good once people get in the groove and get a few drinks in them. There is no subsitute for a solid band and you will always see them vs a DJ during higher end affairs and parties. <strong>Their arrangements add variety to otherwise boring, and overplayed wedding hits. In addition to the music people hear, the band puts on a show too for people to watch, which grabs their attention. With a DJ, you are limited to the MC skills of who you select (and this can be hit or miss). For people that attend a lot of weddings, a DJ is kind of boring. Bands change things up and play things that people have not heard before.</strong> Our band would take 3-4 songs and make a medley out of them, really a big hit. They also played fantastic live jazz music during dinner where each instrument had a 5 minute solo which ended in a standing ovation. I guess the musician in me is a bit impartial to live music vs records. Plus DJ's tend to sway at once point or another to top 40 or club music, which I can assure you not everyone is going to like at your event.
Posted by USER876[/QUOTE]
A year ago I would have said DJ without a doubt, but the more wedding planning I do the more I'm beginning to edge over to the band side for the reasons User stated. However, as some have said, a good band is going to cost a lot more money so unless you have it in your budget to get a band you know will be good then just go with a DJ. FI and I would LOVE to have a live salsa band mixed in with some DJ music - it'd be the best of both worlds - but we just don't have it in our budget so we're just sticking to a bilingual DJ.

gymchick05 · November 2010

Thanks so much for all your opinions- do any of you know companies that offer a mix of both? Like some live music mixed w/ a DJ. I know when we initially started looking, someone mentioned there are a few companied like this.

Also, anyone ever hear of the band 20/20? My sister used them and they were great but I cant locate any contact info on them online and she doesnt have it anymore. Thanks

Babycakes SE · November 2010

We booked a DJ (Dash of Class) and then we are having a percussionist as well... figure it will get everyone one up and moving

)

USER876 · November 2010

Fuzz pops offer a DJ package

Also OASIS plays and sings live club music with pre-recorded backing tracks.....kind of a mix between live and DJ. They also offer plasma lights if that is your cup of tea

My opinion--- /> Two things are remembered from a guest point of view when attending weddings. And they are not the flowers, the uplighting, the centerpieces, or even the wedding dress.

#1 = food
#2 = music

Everyone remembers good or bad food, and everyone remembers a killer band or a dj that played boomy music way too loud.

altimat873 · November 2010

I am going for a DJ with a mix of some live musicians, best of both worlds because I never liked singers who dont sound exaclty like the songs I know hahaha

uppereastgirl · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.weddings.com/Sites/Weddings/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_band-vs-dj?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:7b6e7392-bd91-4d69-903d-8b1c8e1e4b0cPost:6b6afdbc-dc58-48a6-a263-60689c5dc053">Re: Band vs DJ</a>:
[QUOTE]I've never been to an affair where the band wasn't liked or appreciated. Even the "bad sounding ones" tend to sound good once people get in the groove and get a few drinks in them. There is no subsitute for a solid band and you will always see them vs a DJ during higher end affairs and parties. Their arrangements add variety to otherwise boring, and overplayed wedding hits. In addition to the music people hear, the band puts on a show too for people to watch, which grabs their attention. With a DJ, you are limited to the MC skills of who you select (and this can be hit or miss). For people that attend a lot of weddings, a DJ is kind of boring. Bands change things up and play things that people have not heard before. Our band would take 3-4 songs and make a medley out of them, really a big hit. They also played fantastic live jazz music during dinner where each instrument had a 5 minute solo which ended in a standing ovation. I guess the musician in me is a bit impartial to live music vs records. Plus DJ's tend to sway at once point or another to top 40 or club music, which I can assure you not everyone is going to like at your event.
Posted by USER876[/QUOTE]

I'm not a musician, but I feel the opposite way. I can only think of one wedding band I ever heard that I thought was affirmatively good -- every other one was eh (and the good one wasn't fantastic). I feel like wedding bands play watered-down versions of songs, and I'm much more motivated to run to the dance floor because an awesome song is on when it is the real version of that song rather than Somerset County's best wedding band's version. Most weddings I've been to have had at least a 30% overlap of songs -- Celebration, My First My Last My Everything (or whatever that's called), September, Last Dance, etc., and I don't think having a band changes anything. If anything, I think there is more overlap with bands because they only play so many songs well, and so they're going to learn the wedding standards. Hearing September AGAIN from a band is no more exciting to me than hearing it AGAIN from a DJ. I just don't want to hear it AGAIN at a wedding, period.

Our DJ didn't emcee (thank god! I hate emcees), so we weren't relying on her talents in that area, but we asked her to nix a lot of the stuff you usually hear at weddings and add a lot of stuff that you don't normally hear. I think that made things a lot less monotonous. DJs have so many songs to pick from -- if you pick a good DJ and tell them that you don't want your wedding to be filled with cliched wedding standards, they'll be able to come up with a great mix that fits your guest list and your tastes and that isn't the same old stuff.

That's why even though the price of a band wasn't an issue for us, we went for a DJ.

Faith2730 · November 2010

I am having the same trouble...family members shocked I got a DJ instead of a band. I do think a band has more of a classier feel. However, overall I prefer a DJ. I like the real music being played. I booked a DJ and am having a percussionist too.

TravelGirl2010 · December 2010

Based on my experience, most of the older people prefer bands, while the younger people like DJs better. It's all about who you want to please. I went with a DJ, which absolutely mortified my mother and the older guests. But I was paying for the wedding and wanted to have fun!

My one tip would be to hear your DJ play at a wedding (you could always sneak into the hallway for that, trust me) or at least find a half a dozen people to talk to who have used him or her. Those should be independent people who aren't given to you by the DJ himself. Best of luck!

Band vs DJ

Re: Band vs DJ

Choose Another Board

Search Boards