A band or DJ? You decide.

Live band or disc jockey? This is the first and biggest
decision you’ll face if you want music at your wedding reception. There are advantages
and disadvantages to both options, and the choice will probably come down to
personal preference--do you want to jam out to live music, or dance the night
away to recorded classics you know and love?

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about wedding music for my
own big day, and I finally came to the decision that a band is what will work
best for me. Despite my choice, however, I’m convinced that other brides might
find a DJ more appealing. To help navigate the confusing band versus DJ
conundrum, I’ve put together this list of pros and cons for both entertainment possibilities.
It helped me decide what to choose, and it may be what sets a light bulb off in
your head too.

Live band:

Pros:

1.) Original music. Your wedding reception will be unique;
even with cover songs, the band will add its own twist, so it won’t sound like
any other party’s music.

2.) Playing to the crowd. A band can feel out the crowd and
play music that gets them up and dancing. And since a band is in the spotlight
and contains multiple people who can dance, shout and sing, it can spread
enthusiasm better than a DJ.

3.) Wedding double duty. You can get band members to play
the music at your wedding ceremony and the reception. This way, you won’t have
to work with two groups of people (and two sets of schedules and personalities)
for both events. And you may get a discount for adding ceremony time with a
band you’ve already booked.

Cons:

1.) Price. A good band will cost much more than a good DJ.
There are just more people to be paid.

2.) Less versatility. Once you pick the style of music you’d
like, you choose the band accordingly. Usually, a band won’t be able to switch
between extremes in styles--say rock to jazz-- because they won’t have the
necessary equipment. Your song choice will be limited too; a band knows a repertoire
of songs and can learn more if needed, but you won’t have the unlimited
possibilities that come with a DJ.

3.) Breaks. Bands take breaks between sets, and most breaks are
between five and 15 minutes every hour. Usually, recorded music is played
during this time. There are bands out there that will play continuously, but
they’re hard to find and typically charge more.

So to sum it all up: a band is great for getting involved
with the audience. Live music can just be more fun than recordings. But booking
a band will be expensive; you’ll also be limited in the styles of music
available once you choose the primary genre.

Disc Jockey:

Pros:

1.) Lower cost. There are big-time DJs that charge more than
some bands, but in general, a DJ will charge much less.

2.) Get anything ever recorded. DJs have access to thousands
of songs, so you can have pretty much any music you’d like. Special requests
from wedding guests aren’t a problem either.

3.) No breaks. Most DJs will play straight through the time
you’ve booked.

Cons:

1.) Not as lively. There are some awesome DJs out there who
can spark energy into the most lethargic reception crowd. But it takes skill.
In general, a band will be better at getting your guests up on their feet and
dancing.

2.) Can make your wedding seem like a disco. If you sit down
with your DJ and talk about what you’re going for, you should get an
appropriate mix of music. But every now and then, a DJ will do his own thing,
which can leave your reception feeling like a nightclub. To avoid this, make a
list of songs that you do not want played; these can include anything too
violent or sexual to be appropriate for a wedding reception crowd, which will
include your grandparents and small children.

3.) Less traditional. If you want to get that classic
wedding reception vibe, you need a band. DJs are a little less formal.

To sum it up: DJs are a cost-effective alternative to live
music. They can play just about anything you want. But they can also make your
reception seem too informal if you’re not careful.

When it came down to it, I knew exactly what kind of music I
wanted--funky jazz. My fiancé and I decided a live band would be able to deliver
that style much better than recordings.  But
at your wedding, it might be another story…