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Band or DJ-help?

ej123ej123 member
10 Comments
in New York-Hudson Valley
I am getting married in May 2010 and started looking at bands-I can't believe the prices.  So... I am trying to decide..keep looking for a reasonably priced but still fun and talented band, or find a DJ? I haven't been to a lot of DJ'd weddings.Opinions, suggestions, recommendations? Help!Thanks in advance!
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Re: Band or DJ-help?

  • liljen7755liljen7755
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Well, I could give a recommendation for a DJ if you would like one. We are using the DJ Solution. Jeff and Steph are the sweest couple. They are looks of fun and great to work with! Awesome DJs
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  • camceverettcamceverett
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Tough Decision. There are soooo many reasons to choose a DJ or a BAND. If it's about BUDGET, why not add a percussionist to a DJ package (something many DJ companies offer) I've been to a fair amount of weddings, both with bands, DJs and sometimes both. G-Force is a pretty good band (in NJ) Bills To Pay is another good band (Northern Westchester) "The DJ Company" is our DJ, very accommodating and with glowing reviews from brides here and at their studio. They also offer a percussionist and a DJ / Band combo package. Our DJ package is $2,000 (no percussionist). I'm looking at the hand out I have from them, the DJ & Band is $6,000 and there is a package here with a percussionist for $2,500. They also have some DJ packages around $1,000. It's a tough one! Bands add a lot of energy, but so does a DJ! Bands may have a restrictive playlist, but at the same time there's something about hearing something LIVE. I'm interested to see what others are going to say. Best of Luck!
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  • LPQueenie99LPQueenie99
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    No band for us, but we are using Bill Beale from Hudson Valley DJ's. We love him and he's reasonably priced.
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  • rblucyrblucy
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    It's totally a personal preference.  I think if you can swing the cost of a band, it's a really nice addition.  Our band (The Touch www.thetouchpage.com) was under 6k and I looooooved them!  They totally "made" the party and were worth every penny.  Some people don't like when a song doesn't sound like the original though and they are not as likely to enjoy a band.  We went to a wedding where the couple loved clubbing so they had a dj where the end of the night was all club music, something a band might not have been as good with.  So I think it comes down to what you're looking for.  Good luck!
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  • woodfrogswoodfrogs member
    Knottie Warrior 100 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    One other thing to consider when deciding on a band or dj is space considerations in the venue, bands usually take up morespace than a dj.
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  • BeccaMecBeccaMec member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    WE are using ETA out of CT. THey were most of the most reasonably priced bands we looked into. They have been easy to work with so far and we have gone to hear them play many times. www.etamusic.com has where they are playing. Worth checking out.
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  • Bat937Bat937
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    DJ, DJ, DJ.   Bands are ok if you find a good one but nothing beats a DJ.  You get to hear the music the way it was intended to sound, not someones interpretation.You also get  a better selection of music.You can call my Dj - Gary Whitaker, Strictly Entertainment DJs
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  • ssagessage member
    Seventh Anniversary 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree that it is personal preference.  We are using a dj:Spinning with Style - DJ Bri Swatek.WONDERFUL guy, so helpful and easy to work with!!!!  i highly recommend him and his prices are awesome!
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  • CrissyoCrissyo
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hi...we are using Jimmy Dee Productions..DJ with a percussionist. We figured it is a more affordable way to have some live music...Best of luck!!
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  • chrisnjay2010chrisnjay2010
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My opinion- I like a dj. I like hearing any song I want by the person who actually sings it.  I felt like with a band I was going to be able to get the variety of music we like to listen to.  We listen to music from country to rock to r&b.  Plus the dj's are less expensive, which was HUGE for me. We are using Much Music. The owner is Larry Mulligan. He is so easy to work with so far and really takes pride in his work.  I had seen him play at a friends wedding and she did nothing but rave about him.  We are paying $1375 for 2 djs and 5 hours.  Here is his website if you want to check him outhttp://www.muchmusicdj.com/
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  • jhow213jhow213 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    It's totally personal preference. For me, I'm all about the DJ. I honestly didn't even know people still used bands for weddings until a few years ago when all my friends started getting married and they were deciding between a DJ and a band. I've been to a LOT of weddings over the past couple years and I've had the most fun at the weddings with DJ's and I thought way more people danced at the weddings with DJ's. Also, if you want a wide variety of music, a DJ is definitely the way to go. I want the typical wedding fare of oldies and slow songs that will get the older crowd going, but we also want Spanish music and hip hop. Sorry, but there is no band out there that's going to do Dirty quite the same way Christina Aguilera does it.... lol. Regardless of price I like DJ better.... so the fact that they're cheaper is an added bonus. Yeah, so clearly I'm biased towards DJs..... But it's all about what YOU think is fun and you should go with your gut.
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  • stapletondstapletond
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My FI and I love to see live bands and music, so it was a no brainer.  We were willing to spend the extra money on a live wedding band.  We went with The Dream Team of NYC Swing.  They are willing to negotiate.
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  • rosebud4344rosebud4344 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We used DJ Bri Swatek as someone else mentioned and LOVED him.  He was fabulous!
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  • Mrs.AllyHMrs.AllyH member
    Fifth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    This was a difficult decision for us. At first I really wanted a DJ. I didn't even want to look into bands. The thought of hearing our wedding song by some no name rather than the real artist didn't appeal to me at all. My grandmother offered to pay for the Band if we went with one over a DJ. We couldn't have been happier. The band (ETA Music) was phenomenal. We were dancing the whole night. I've been to over 30 weddings in the last year, and the DJ's can be great- but honestly, nothing gets a crowd moving quite like a band. Yes, they're more expensive, and that's why the popularity of DJs has increased so much recently, but I think that if you can afford one, a band is the way to go. But hey! we're a bunch of internet strangers, you should talk to your family and friends. If they say DJ then totally go that way becuase it's what they're used to now;)
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  • ej123ej123 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Do you know about how much ETA costs? I received several recommendations for them and I emailed them to get a price range but have not heard back.  Thanks!
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  • Mrs.AllyHMrs.AllyH member
    Fifth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I think they were in the 4k range for 6 member.
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