DJ or Band?

kelseyann727 · October 2010

My FI and I are undecided about which way to go- DJ or Band. Any ideas? Experiences? How much does a DJ or a Band usually run? It seems that prices are not generally listed on websites and I know we don't want to do the cheapest since music is important but we also don't want the most expensive. We would love your ideas or even suggestions about people you have used!!

JBs_Bride · October 2010

Bands are definitely more expensive than DJs. Those can start at 4-5K and the limit is endless. DJs are much more affordable. There are some DJs on here that are $800 and some that are $3000, but I think most girls on the board hire DJs in the 800-1500 range.

ctag416 · October 2010

We went with a DJ. Everything can have a very big range. DJ's can range from probably 800 - 2000. Our DJ is 1100 and we went to see him based on reviews he got on this board and really liked him. Bands are definitely more expensive and probably have big differences in prices but I would have to imagine that they start at around 3000.

Goodluck!!

vtbm · October 2010

We are hiring a DJ...only because a great band wasn't in our budget. Our DJ is $3k and good bands seemed to be $6k and up. If you can afford a great band, go for it! I had a friend who hired a much less expensive band and they were awful so my opinion is if you can't get a great one, go for the DJ.

megandjay · October 2010

Band was a must-have for my Dad. Most seemed to range 5K-8K, with a few over that. The more people they have in the band, the more the price goes up as well.

october010bride · October 2010

Our DJ cost $900 and was great but if I had 6k to drop on a band I would have in a second.

eeyore4771 · October 2010

Personally I'm a fan of DJs. I'd much rather have the original version of a song vs. a band covering it, and I've always had more fun at weddings with DJs. I'm sure this isn't the norm, but in every band wedding I've been to the band took a break right in the middle of the dancing action and it really killed the dancing vibe. Plus DJs are significantly cheaper (can be a few thousand dollar difference). You can definitely get a great DJ for $1500 or even much less whereas good bands are at least $3000 if not more (most I've seen raved about on her were $4000-$5000). Personally the extra money isn't worth it to me.

kelseyann727 · October 2010

thanks girls!!

GinaBabe3 · October 2010

Hi Kelsey,
If you have it in your budget, get the band. It makes such a huge difference in the vibe of the wedding. Not that I haven't had fun at wedding with dj's, but a band brings a level on energy that (IMO of course) can't be matched even with the best dj. DJs can range anywhere in price from $500 upwards of $3000. A band will most likely run you in the range of $5000+. Bands do take breaks, but we made a cd of music that we knew our guests would still be dancing too even while the band breaks. We used World Premier Band and they were phenemonal. For most brides and grooms I think it comes down to budget. We went budget on other things because a band was a must have.

Good luck!

pretzelgrrl · October 2010

I say DJ...no matter how good they are bands at weddings always remind me of the wedding singer

Plus, so many more songs to choose from.

megandjay · October 2010

About the breaks- you just have to time them right and a good band will put on a CD (just like a DJ- who take breaks too). Our band took their long break during dinner- when people weren't really dancing anyway. Personally, I think bands make events so much more fun and lively!

Again- you have to consider what is important to you. What are your experiences at weddings- does live music matter to you or not?

SummerBoston10 · October 2010

In Response to <a href="http://boston.weddings.com/main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_dj-band?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:89Discussion:dc94d6ae-fbbc-4b5b-9598-1ec5162262baPost:4ffb999d-e631-4ad5-8831-24a77997ed1b">Re: DJ or Band?</a>:
[QUOTE]About the breaks- you just have to time them right and a good band will put on a CD (just like a DJ- who take breaks too). Our band took their long break during dinner- when people weren't really dancing anyway. Personally, I think bands make events so much more fun and lively! Again- you have to consider what is important to you. What are your experiences at weddings- does live music matter to you or not?
Posted by megandjay[/QUOTE]

A band was one of our must haves and they absolutely made our wedding. We used Rare Form. They were energetic and they can play almost anything, which is great. They even let my stepdad, who is a drummer in a band, play a song with them which was so fun!

I agree with meganjay's comment above. Timing the breaks is important. We got married on the 4th of July so our band took their long break during the fireworks since everyone was watching them anyway. For their second break we made a CD with Russian songs (my husband is Russian) so that was a huge hit for our crowd.

If you have the budget for a GOOD band, go for it, you won't regret it!

LisaMarshall · October 2010

We booked a really tallented and fun band that will also DJ and do the music for our ceremony for around $3K. Best of both worlds.

The Smoking Jackets http://www.myspace.com/smokinjackets

motbx3 · October 2010

I say Band too.... Think they bring a whole different energy to the wedding reception.. We used Night Rhythm for 2 weddings and Brick Park for the 3rd... Both took their break during dinner (only one they took) and they had a cd playing... Also, the cost of a band will differ depending on the "season" May-October is considered peak season. Night Rhythm was $5000 in June of 2007, but $4700 in November of 2008. We used Brick Park for our daughter's wedding this past June and they were right around $5k... Good luck!

sunflower331 · October 2010

Bands are definitely more expensive than DJs, but if you're able to afford it and have the time to actually go and see various bands live, I'd go with a band....my FI wanted a band, which was fine w/me...we went to a few band expos in Boston and we actually got to see the band we LOVED 2x and we knew that we wanted to hire them....we're using Authority Band and find them to be very fun, entertaining, lively, etc. I think they will be a great fit at our wedding and will have everyone on the dance floor.....music is a HUGE part of a wedding and you definitely want to make sure you have good entertainement...hope this helps

aug2013 · October 2010

I say Band also. I work functions at a private country club so I've seen it all and I'll definitely say the music goes a long long way towards making it a really great night. Ive worked so many things, I can honestly say that I certainly can't tell you what the flowers looked like but I'll be able to tell you that the bands made the night. It's really what you want... if you want a great band, cut corners elsewhere (favors, one less passed appetizer, cheaper flowers....) and you'll find a way to make it happen.

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