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Band costs vs. DJ's in Chicago Area?

vhalbeckvhalbeck
100 Comments
in Illinois-Chicago
HI Chicago Knotties!

I am from the east coast but will be having a reception in Chicago after our destination wedding to celebrate with my entire 150+ family locally.  Since I don't live in Chicago I'm really unaware of the costs.  Can someone let me know the general price that would be expected to pay for a band or a DJ in the area?

Also, if anyone has any recommendation for bands or DJ's they would be greatly apprecaited!!!

THANK YOU!!!!
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Re: Band costs vs. DJ's in Chicago Area?

  • PenelopeSnuzPenelopeSnuz
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Stitely Orchestra....they can play everything from Lady Gaga to Frank Sinatra and are amazing!

    We are paying around $8K for a solo pianist during cocktails, 4 piece jazz quartet for dinner, and an 8 or 9 piece band for dancing.

    No idea on DJ pricing.....I was dead set on a band!
    image **Married 7/9/11**
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  • MINDMNMOMINDMNMO
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Depending on who you get of course, DJ's can run between $800 and $2000
    Wedding Bio WITH REVIEWS AND FOR SALE ITEMS!! image
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  • MrsMLRBMrsMLRB
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    We are paying $1200 for a piano, clarinet, and violin for the ceremony and cocktail hour (so about 2 hours) and $750 for a DJ for the rest of the reception (about 5 hours).
    Anniversary image
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  • SaraAndrew2010SaraAndrew2010 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We're using Orchestra 33 and paying $5,500 for a 9 piece band.  From looking around, good wedding bands start at around $4,000 and can go all the way up to $10,000 or more.
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic My wedding bio: http://saraandrewbio.weebly.com/
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  • MrsLibrarianMrsLibrarian
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I would suggest Fantasia for a band.  They are fantastic and one of the better priced bands in the area.
    Planning Bio

    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
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  • nikikarabetsosnikikarabetsos
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We went with Momentum for our band, we love them!

    Overall bands we found ( for ceremony,cocktails and the reception) were from $8000 and up.

    From what I've heard Dj's start at $1000
    nikiplanning.weebly.com
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  • bellowslbellowsl
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    As far as DJs go, there is a wide range of pricing depending on what you are looking for. We just booked a DJ for $700 that also did a friends wedding. They did a really great job and kept the reception classy and fun for the entire evening. I can't wait to work with them. They are called Tuxedo Mobile DJs (cheesy, I know...but trust me).
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  • imtaken07imtaken07
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our DJ is Answer Back Entertainment. He is around $700. What we liked about them, they have a great setup for lights and equipment. They,s o far have been very easy to work with and will let us pick what we want for our reception. Their website is
    http://www.abdjs.com/
    video of their setup, I like it!
    http://www.midwestvideoproductions.com/answer_back_entertainment.htm
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  • Love is BaldLove is Bald
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    High Society Orchestra was about $5500 and up for 9 piece band (but they sound amazing, so maybe totally worth it)

    ceremony, i am have a string quartet for 1 hour and 15 min for $650.

    DJ anywhere from $800 - $2K
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  • MrsPapsMrsPaps member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We're using Toast and Jam DJs...less than $1300 for 6 hours
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Planning Bio UPDATED with For Sale!
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  • pajarito81pajarito81 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Creative Sounds Chicago, mention the knot and they give you a better deal.
    630-301-4946 or jorge@creativesoundschicago.com
    Mrs. F 9-18-10
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  • uicgirluicgirl
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Windy City Mix....they just did our wedding and we cant stop talking about them.  We paid $750 for an all inclusive and unlimited hours.  They did not get on the microphone much but did have everyone on the dance floor all night.

    http://windycitymix.com
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  • thealphabridethealphabride
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I used Music by Design (DJ) they did my ceremony music, I had certain songs I wanted used in my ceremony and the reception. He was about 1300 for 8 hours and also did a gobo for me too. They were awesome in every respect.

    Here's the GOBO: IT was on the dance floor the whole night.

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