DJ or Band? What did you choose?

mymissingpuzzlepiece · June 2012

I'm not sure exactly why, but picking a DJ has been so difficult for me. For some reason, I just think that DJs are corny... with the crazy lights, blow up toys, MCs, glow in the dark lights, etc. I just hate that kind of stuff ... I don't want our wedding to be like a club.

Which is why I was thinking of hiring a DJ from Scratch Weddings, because the price is decent ($1600) and they just don't do all of the crazy stuff. All of the other DJs we have looked at started at $1850. However, I just recently found out that my aunt who is in a band herself has found me a DJ that she knows who could give us a great price ($850). Only problem is that they are the kind of DJ that I hate...

But the price is so good, and we are on a tight budget.

So now I don't know what to do. Should I go with the DJ that my aunt knows because it is a good price? Should I pick the DJ from Scratch Weddings that has the style I like for more money? Or should I maybe look into a band and just skip out on the whole DJ thing, even though they are more expensive?

What did you choose?

agancedo · June 2012

Just to add, to the votes it also matters if they come recommended or not becuase regardless of the price/style if they don't know how to get the party going or if they are horrible at transitioning between songs its not worth it. Just my opinion anyways..GL

Swazzle · June 2012

We splurged on our DJ. This is the person people who are keeping your guests entertained for the entire night. It was important for us to find someone who isn't the least bit cheesy who comes highly recommended doesn't hurt that they DJed a wedding we were at in January and we had a an amazing time. I think after your wedding you'll be relieved you went with someone who you're comfortable with even if they cost a little more rather than someone who's cheesy/tacky does stuff that belongs at a kid's birthday party, not a wedding. Eta: posting from my phone, sorry if the formatting/punctuation is messed up.

Winnertag1 · June 2012

Our venue has a select few DJ's that work with the venue since it is a mansion in the middle of a very residential area so they need someone who is very acknowledged with the system, so we had to slect from that list. I was always going to go with a DJ but for our new venue I thought a band would look very nice/it would go with the theme but FI really wants a DJ so it didnt matter to me. Right now we are talking to 2 DJ's from the list of 4 haha and am pretty impressed with one of them (has actually done parties for Brad Pitt & Elton John).

mymissingpuzzlepiece · June 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_may-2013-weddings_dj-or-band-what-did-you-choose?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:ea657a87-d1dc-4588-999f-31c9deeef720Discussion:28fb4018-c3a4-45dd-8993-0efb61b7ccbbPost:ad0232cb-7aae-45dd-b922-4d6de79c4fa9">Re:DJ or Band? What did you choose?</a>:
[QUOTE]We splurged on our DJ. This is the person people who are keeping your guests entertained for the entire night. It was important for us to find someone who isn't the least bit cheesy who comes highly recommended doesn't hurt that they DJed a wedding we were at in January and we had a an amazing time. I think after your wedding you'll be relieved you went with someone who you're comfortable with even if they cost a little more rather than someone who's cheesy/tacky does stuff that belongs at a kid's birthday party, not a wedding. Eta: posting from my phone, sorry if the formatting/punctuation is messed up.
Posted by rdr716[/QUOTE]

<div>Ahh someone who understands what I mean! :) Do you mind sharing who you picked for your DJ since we are both in Jersey?</div>

mymissingpuzzlepiece · June 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_may-2013-weddings_dj-or-band-what-did-you-choose?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:ea657a87-d1dc-4588-999f-31c9deeef720Discussion:28fb4018-c3a4-45dd-8993-0efb61b7ccbbPost:00d4957a-a078-4767-b2a2-4083910d86e3">Re: DJ or Band? What did you choose?</a>:
[QUOTE]Just to add, to the votes it also matters if they come recommended or not becuase regardless of the price/style if they don't know how to get the party going or if they are horrible at transitioning between songs its not worth it. Just my opinion anyways..GL
Posted by agancedo[/QUOTE]

<div>This is a really good point, thanks!</div>

ameliah19 · June 2012

I got my DJ highly recommended for $475.00. He straight up told me that if I wanted the specital that he was not the person I should hire. I hired him on the spot. I hate all that corny stuff. Play the music, make sure that that everything music wise is ok and we won't have a problem. He also does not advertise and only does word of mouth which means a lot of people like him and he is the cheapest DJ I was able to find in my area. Good luck. I wish I could afford a band though (I probably would have done a band instead).

melb2013 · June 2012

I really wanted a band, but we went with a DJ because it's so much cheaper than any good band. Being a musician, I would only pick one of maybe two Boston area bands, and they would both be outrageously expensive. We're hiring live ceremony and cocktail hour musicians to give me that sophisticated, live music, aspect. I really like our DJ and he doesn't seem cheesy, but the poor man has the hardest job of any of my vendors- I'm going to try very hard not to micro-manage him.

$1800 seems high to me, but Jersey is more expensive than even Boston. Good bands though, will run between $4,000-$6,000

SSaltzman87 · June 2012

Our best man will be our DJ, he has his own company and a colleague will work our wedding :-) We're also getting a sweet discount so that of course influenced the decision, lol.

Annas2013 · June 2012

We're going to use a dj, we just haven't found one yet. Due to the assortment of music we like, a band wasn't even an option.

Swazzle · June 2012

In Response to Re:DJ or Band? What did you choose?:[QUOTE]In Response to Re:DJ or Band? What did you choose?:We splurged on our DJ. This is the person people who are keeping your guests entertained for the entire night. It was important for us to find someone who isn't the least bit cheesy who comes highly recommended doesn't hurt that they DJed a wedding we were at in January and we had a an amazing time. I think after your wedding you'll be relieved you went with someone who you're comfortable with even if they cost a little more rather than someone who's cheesy/tacky does stuff that belongs at a kid's birthday party, not a wedding. Eta: posting from my phone, sorry if the formatting/punctuation is messed up.Posted by rdr716Ahh someone who understands what I mean! : Do you mind sharing who you picked for your DJ since we are both in Jersey? Posted by mymissingpuzzlepiece[/QUOTE] <div>
</div><div>We booked Elite Sound Entertainment (Austin specifically). I'm really happy with our choice. We're paying a little more than I would have liked, but it's worth it IMO.</div>

jessbrooks1024 · June 2012

My brother in law is my DJ he did his wedding and my other sister's wedding with the help of a friend. He is doing it as his wedding gift. His friend is also helping for free

Danny&Mel2003 · June 2012

Were having a DJ decent priced and if we want all that extra stuff it would be more money. We met with DJ company In march and I new right Way that's the guy I wanted for our wedding. He had great reviews and our meeting went great!

turtleslove · June 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_may-2013-weddings_dj-or-band-what-did-you-choose?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:ea657a87-d1dc-4588-999f-31c9deeef720Discussion:28fb4018-c3a4-45dd-8993-0efb61b7ccbbPost:ad0232cb-7aae-45dd-b922-4d6de79c4fa9">Re:DJ or Band? What did you choose?</a>:
[QUOTE]We splurged on our DJ. This is the person people who are keeping your guests entertained for the entire night. It was important for us to find someone who isn't the least bit cheesy who comes highly recommended doesn't hurt that they DJed a wedding we were at in January and we had a an amazing time. I think after your wedding you'll be relieved you went with someone who you're comfortable with even if they cost a little more rather than someone who's cheesy/tacky does stuff that belongs at a kid's birthday party, not a wedding. Eta: posting from my phone, sorry if the formatting/punctuation is messed up.
Posted by rdr716[/QUOTE]

same here. We booked Dueling Pianos that does a two hour show and then two hours of DJ after. They were expensive, but it will be fun and interacive even for those people who do not want to dance. I have seen them do public and private shows so I didnt need anyone else's reccomendation..

SRRL18 · June 2012

We booked a DJ. The guy DJed at a wedding we went to when we started planning and we knew we wanted him. We had the option of having all the extras (lights, MC, games, etc) but choose to keep it simple and in turn worked out a fair price.

Couldn't the DJ your aunt found you not do all the extras at a lower price?

PJBHL5 · June 2012

Our DJ is giving us a deal and is around $1k. Normally around $1800. He's phenomenl and I've worked a ton of weddings with him.
That being said, even if he was $2k, I'd have paid it. He's the ONLY person responsible for keeping people entertained and keeping them from leaving. That's important! I'd rather pay more for someone who is good at what they do, than to take the chance... b/c what good is the $10k+(?) you are spending on your reception if no one wants to stay b/c the music is lame?