There’s no doubt about it – music is crucial to a great wedding reception. How do you find exactly what you want? When it comes to entertainment for your wedding reception, you have two choices. You can have a DJ or a Live Wedding band. Each has its advantages, and there’s a winning option for every budget.
Here is a list of important things to consider When Deciding Between a DJ or a Live Wedding Band:
The type and genres of music you choose can set the tone of your wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and wedding reception. What type of music best reflects your personality and helps create the ambiance you want to have? The delivery of the music affects the ambiance that you desire.
Playing music that the guests don’t know, can keep them off the dance floore. If the music is loud when your guests are having their meal can hinder the vibe of your special evening.
The size of the venue should be considered when deciding between a live wedding band or a DJ. A live band will usually take up more space than a DJ.
If you’re booking a ballroom with lots of space, consider the number of guests that you anticipate will attend. Many venues have a designated stage. The three factors to considered are space of the ballroom, guests, and the size of the stage.
You should always consider the price difference between a live band and a DJ, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Most of the time a band is more expensive than a DJ, but the size of the band, the date of the wedding can all determine the price.
Other Important Factors to Consider
Flexibility is an important factor.
When a DJ plays music, each song has a designated length of time. For example, after three minutes and ten seconds, that song is over. An excellent live band with an experienced band leader can extend the song and react to the crowd.
If a circle has formed around the bride and groom, the band leader guides the band to continue the song. The ability to stretch out or shorten a song in response to what’s happening on the dance floor is an unmatched benefit of an experienced band.
Guest Interaction DJ vs Live Wedding Band
A DJ needs to be behind the table unless he has a person dealing with playing the songs, which is important to many brides and grooms. A band has musicians that can interact naturally and spontaneously with your guests in a natural and spontaneous way.
Many bands don’t have the musicianship or the size to perform the exacting vocals and the relatively complex rhythms. That’s why some bands play two tracks, so what the guests are hearing is essentially the recording.
Unless you’re looking for the ambiance of a live band that will need to play with tracks for the music to sound authentic, you may be able to save money and hire a qualified and experienced DJ.
A seasoned live wedding band, meanwhile, will study the music and deliver a similar or exact sound as the original recording. That type of quality band can also deliver a remarkable performance that’s sure to “wow” your guests.
Do you need music for your wedding ceremony, wedding cocktails, and wedding reception?
If you need music throughout your special wedding celebration in multiple areas, a DJ will need to set up multiple setups so the DJ will need to transition with different equipment between rooms such as the rooms for the ceremony, cocktails, and reception.
For a band, multiple set-ups are much smoother because a wedding band that has musicians that are qualified to perform different styles of music will have the members play in different areas for the ceremony, cocktails, and of course the entire band for the wedding reception.
In Summary
You face many decisions when you plan your wedding reception. Fortunately, the live band or DJ question has a relatively easy answer. There’s nothing like a sustained, interactive energy that comes from an experienced live band that has the musicianship to deliver.
If you have an upscale luxury wedding event, a live band can set the tone of class and sophistication as well as the fun and energy that you need. A DJ conveys a more casual vibe, which is fine if that’s what you desire.
A great band will cost you more, but you’re getting live energy that can’t be duplicated by a DJ sitting behind a table. Another factor couples should consider is the experience of the wedding band leader. A seasoned band leader will know how to make certain your wedding day will be fantastic.
Here is an article on important factors when choosing a live wedding band
Here is an article published by Brides covering the pros, and cons of a DJ vs a Live Wedding Band.