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Bands vs DJs

kristen12345kristen12345
10 Comments
in New York-Hudson Valley
I've just started to look into music for my wedding. I'd prefer a band over a DJ, but I want to find out about cost before I make that decision. From the very preliminary research I've done, it looks like a typical dj might cost around $1k. A band would be upwards of $5k. Does that sound about right as far as estimates go? I know cost depends on a bunch of factors --number of hours, number of band members, etc.

I also think it's going to be hard to know what I like. I mean, I can look at a photographer's work and know if it's good or not. But with something like a wedding band, I feel like I'm going to have to base it on recommendations. Did anyone else feel that way?
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Re: Bands vs DJs

  • Riss91Riss91 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I think 4K was the lowest we saw for a band.... we decided it was not worth the cost. I think most bands will provide you with a video of their work so you can get an idea of their sound. I've been to a handful of weddings with bands and I've never felt that those weddings were better or more fun than the weddings with a DJ. I'd recommend saving the money, but if you have your heart set on it, find out if you can see them perform live, that may make you feel more comfortable with them.

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  • mrsredmoosemrsredmoose
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Djs will prob start a little over the 1K mark (prob closer to 1500), but the figure can creep up if you start getting the bells and whistles in your package and include the Dj for ceremony and cocktail. 

    A good estimate for the band is 1K per band member.  Our band is coming in a bit under that figure and we are having 1 person for the ceremony, 1 for the cocktail and 5 for the reception. A band member will also serve as the emcee (which is common).

    We priced out 2 bands and only listened to the one we booked. FI was familiar with both bands beforehand.

    Recs will be very important, but you should make it a point to hear the band live before you book.
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  • manda26manda26
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    dont forget you need to feed each band member also. you might want to factor that into the cost.
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  • Bat937Bat937
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I have to say as a wedding guest, I prefer a DJ over a band. I like to hear the song how it was meant to sound, not someone's version of it.   That being said I know there are some very good bands out there that have come highly recommended on this board.  Stolen Moments? or something like that is one of them. 

    Pricewise. I know people who have spend $10-$15k on bands.  The DJs I talked to were all around the $1k-1500 price.
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  • rblucyrblucy
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We used www.thetouchpage.com after a photographer recommended them.  We got DVDs from a few bands to get a sample of their work.  With The Touch we were able to see them play at a bar before booking them.  I grew up with the thought that you had a DJ for the bar/bat mitzvahs and bands for weddings so we didn't really consider a DJ.  It's all personal preference though.  I am so happy that we went with a band over a DJ and I think they really *made* our wedding.  They were our second favorite vendor after the reception hall itself.  Good luck with your decision!
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  • peonypinkbridepeonypinkbride
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-york-hudson-valley_bands-vs-djs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:113Discussion:f1833087-9aaa-4cbd-981e-9ce1bc83dc0fPost:6f120cde-cad9-4a32-866a-c946bd0bc7b3">Re: Bands vs DJs</a>:
    [QUOTE]I have to say as a wedding guest, I prefer a DJ over a band. I like to hear the song how it was meant to sound, not someone's version of it.   That being said I know there are some very good bands out there that have come highly recommended on this board.  Stolen Moments? or something like that is one of them.  Pricewise. I know people who have spend $10-$15k on bands.  The DJs I talked to were all around the $1k-1500 price.
    Posted by Bat937[/QUOTE]

    We were thinking of using a band vs DJ, but I never thought of it this way.... thanks! I guess we'll have to re-think!
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  • Mrs.AllyHMrs.AllyH member
    Fifth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I vote band. I've been coordinating events (in Atlanta- so I'm not a vendor on this board :) ) and from what I've seen, more people hit the dance floor with a band than a DJ. yes, a DJ can play the song exactly as you're used to hearing it- but a good band can get pretty darn close. IDK what it is about live entertainement, but people seem to respond really really well to it.

    If you can afford it, I think a band is more than worth it. I fought my grandmother like crazy because "I want a DJ because I want my friends to dance and no one will dance to a stupid band" I was VERY VERY wrong. The dance floor at our venue wasn't big enough for the number of people dancing.
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  • TerriandJoeTerriandJoe
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I wanted a band. (Now) husband wanted a DJ. It all came down to cost. And, it turned out, that not only was our DJ incredible, his parents and quite a few of our guests like the fact that the music they heard was what they were used to. 

    (We saw bands ranging from 3600 to 11,000. Most were a set price for a set number of players. And then you could add a piece. So you could get the basic band for 6k but with that you only got 6 people, but they sounded so much better with their whole band. Which would add to the cost. Just something to think about)
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