DJ or Band? Need opinions!

kriscriv · August 2010

People, including my mother, have scoffed at me when I mentioned going with a DJ instead of a band... is the automatic assumption that having a DJ means "cheap" wedding?? What are people's opinions? Ive never had a thought about it when I've been a guest....

Also, what about a quartet or something for cocktail hour/dinner and a DJ after dinner? Will people book half-gigs like that?

lmcit23 · August 2010

Do you have any bridal showcases by you that is how I found my band I thought I wanted a DJ but after I saw and heard a live band I was hooked. I don't think DJ means cheap at all I am sure some DJ's are better than some bands. Do your research then decide.

tpender13 · August 2010

Maybe it's different in different parts of the country, but I've never even been to a wedding with a band. I don't think DJ = cheap at all.

djvince · August 2010

The use of a band is somewhat of an older tradition from way back when there were no mobile DJ's. While a band is certainly still a perfectly good option, there will be limitations on the type of music that the band plays as well as the number of songs in their catalog. Live music druing the ceremony and/or cocktail/dinner is the most common use of a band. Then use a DJ for dancing. One other thing to consider is the fact that if you hire both, it is quite possible that they may both need to perform in the same setup space, which means that they will be tearing down and setting up equipment during your reception. Hope this helps!

amsplendore · August 2010

Wow! I think my mom and yours need to meet. I am faced with the same situation. I am trying to compare the pros/cons of each and what I am looking for at my wedding. I wouldn't say having a DJ is cheap. Bands were popular years ago. Let me know if you find anything about playing for cocktail hour. I like that idea!

BlueBoxBride · August 2010

We are hiring a band. At first, I wanted a DJ for the following reasons: better song catalogue, lower cost, can emcee, play songs as originally recorded...

BUT our planner referred us to two different bands that are known for packing the dance floor. Once I heard their samples online of "Thriller", "Single Ladies" and "Shook Me All Night Long" I was sold and we're booking them. For those in the Chicago area, we're going with Indigo by Arlen Music (or for those that want to hear how a band could perform those songs) and I would Google their site and check out their samples.

kls114 · August 2010

I definitely do not think having a DJ is cheap at all. Be sure to research thoroughly the companies in your area (I would also ask for some suggestions from your local board). I think it also comes down to preference & what you like better.

What does your FI think/want?

KatieBombs · August 2010

Honestly i have been to like 11 weddings this year and i can't tell you how SICK of DJ's i am. They are all the same. Tacky and lame. If i hear butterfly kisses one more time I'm going to flip. I am getting married in October and if it wasn't for my fiance's weird obsession with techno music we would be having a band. A good cover band is always good - they interact more with the crowd and they are different -- more expensive though. good luck

burtcheryl · August 2010

DJs play a lot of what the bride and groom tell them to play using song lists so blame the bride and groom for picking the music!

kwelder1 · August 2010

I am actually having a DJ and a Band at my wedding reception. I had paid the deposit on the DJ, and then a week later, my parents surprised me by hiring a band not knowing that I had already paid a deposit on a DJ. So I called up the DJ asking if I would be able to get my deposit back, he said no. So what we worked out was- the DJ will have the equiptment at the ceremony to play the music for that, and then transport the equiptment to the reception site and have play the dinner music from the start of the reception (6pm) to after dinner (7.30pm) and then after he's finished up, the live band will perform for the dance portion of it. The dance will be from 7.30 to 11.30. This way there will be entertainment for the dinner, without losing out on our money from the deposit.

The DJ will also announce the entrances of bridal party and bride/groom, and he will announce the cake cutting and the first dance. This will work for us

Fink · August 2010

My FI had a really tough time with this decision and not to sound obnoxious, the cost of a DJ or band did not factor into our decision making process at all. I aologize in advance if this is a little long but music is the most important thing to us for our wedding since we literally go to 25 to 50 concerts every year.

We do not listen to much mainstream music (other than maybe Bruce, PJ and Metallica) and no offense to anyone, we despise dance music. We had no doubt any decent wedding band would be able to play music to get our guests on the dance floor. But we were very concerned about a band being able to play the music we want to hear (cocktail hour music, slow songs, dinner music, etc.)

We decided to talk to the owner of the entertainment company recommended by the hotel where we are getting married to get his thoughts. We really thought he was going to try to persuade us to get a band, but he did not. He said a band would not be able to cover the music we would want to hear. He said that while he had good musicians, we were used to listening to the best of the best and no wedding band anywhere could properly duplicate the sound.

With that said, my suggestion is for you to consider the type of music you want to hear (other than the standard dance music) and discuss with a few bands (or entertainment companies) if they could cover the songs in a way acceptable to you. If not, then seems like an easy decision to me.

Also, we are having an acoustic guitar and flute for our ceremony (from the same entertainment company). So if you used one entertainment company, I'm sure they could put together a package that works for you.

Good luck!

kriscriv · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_first-dance_dj-band-need-opinions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:29Discussion:0456d2f0-34bb-4c62-8325-6b275fcea5b2Post:0c21aa4e-caa7-48f5-8715-a912b9c701ef">Re: DJ or Band? Need opinions!</a>:
[QUOTE]Wow! I think my mom and yours need to meet. I am faced with the same situation. I am trying to compare the pros/cons of each and what I am looking for at my wedding. I wouldn't say having a DJ is cheap. Bands were popular years ago. Let me know if you find anything about playing for cocktail hour. I like that idea!
Posted by amsplendore[/QUOTE]

I will definitely keep you posted on the cocktail hour/dinner music! I am going to look into it and see what kinds of quotes I get.

kriscriv · September 2010

Thank you all for your extremely helpful insight! My family and FI are musicians, so I have decided to use a DJ and have a set of live music by my Dad's band, sister, FI's band, and a few others toward the end of the night. I will, however, be looking into live music for the cocktail hour and dinner, but am not set on it.

Thanks all!

DJ or Band? Need opinions!

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