Should You Have a Band or a DJ for Your Wedding? 4 Pros and Cons

Can’t decide what kind of music you should pick, and who will play at your wedding? Others have told you this is something your entire reception depends on. But, maybe it’s not such a difficult choice as it seems at first. Organizing a wedding celebration can be complicated, and why? Everyone’s taste must be taken into account, and wedding music is perhaps the most important item. What kind of music do you like, what kind of guests have you invited, what kind of atmosphere do you want to create, and so on.

The first and most important thing, according to moodmusic.com.au that newlyweds have to decide on is whether they want to have a band playing, or a DJ at their wedding, as there are plenty of musicians for hire. Both the band and the DJ have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is very important to go through both, to be able to decide who would be better for the music at your wedding.

We decided to help you with this, by putting together all the important pros and cons in one article. Read through it, and decide.

Why choose a band? Why choose a DJ? Pros

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Find below a list of all the strongest pros, for choosing a band or a DJ.

1. A band provides the experience of a live concert because no matter how you turn it, a DJ cannot replace live music, which is perhaps one of the main reasons why newlyweds still prefer bands when choosing wedding music. On the other hand, the band has a limited repertoire of songs, while the DJ, due to the greater number of songs at his disposal, can more easily adapt to the requirements of the newlyweds.

2. Live band music contributes to a better atmosphere, but the songs plaid by the DJ sound as they should because they are performed by the original artists of the songs, and there is no way that the artist will ruin it with his interpretation.

3. In most cases, the band is better at interacting with the wedding guests. But, the DJ should cost less, not only because of the price he is ready to charge for his services, but also because the newlyweds pay the full price of the food and beverage for each member of the band.

4. Having a large band means more people animating the crowds. But, a DJ needs less space, which can be an important factor when it comes to organizing a small wedding.

Aside from all pros, we have listed above, there are a number of Cons as well

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1. Weddings are a challenge for both the band and the DJ because they include guests from several generations.

2. A good band or DJ might not be ready to adapt to the newlyweds and guests on the dance floor.

3. Both bands and DJs differ from each other in terms of experience, quality, and the price they will charge you in the end. The high price or hype of a band or DJ is not always a guarantee of the quality of his work (sometimes they arise solely as a result of good marketing).

4. Sometimes a DJ costs the same as a whole band of three or four artists, but is not able to lift up to the expectations of the guests.

Now that you’ve heard the arguments in favor of a wedding band, and those in favor of hiring a DJ, the decision is up to you. There are a couple of more factors that should be taken into account when wedding music is involved.

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First, think about the space where the celebration takes place. Make sure that the room is acoustic and that the sound is not lost much, as well as that it does not ring a lot, and if you are not exactly an expert, you will surely find a musician among your friends. Then think about what kind of wedding you want, maybe louder, with live music or something a little more subtle, but take into account the age groups among the guests. In any case, try to include something for everyone in the repertoire. If you are not a fan of country music, you can find a compromise with older people in the more subtle forms of that genre, such as jazz or some evergreen music, and if the opposite is the case, try to find something for those who like fun music, because there are many timeless and well-known music hits which will suit everyone’s taste. The most important thing is that the choice of songs follows the atmosphere you want to create at your wedding and that for key moments you and your better half choose some important songs that colored your relationship. So, for the first dance, you choose your favorite song (every couple has their own song, right?), for the cake some old love classic, as a sign of love that will last, etc.

If you’re starting from scratch and have no previous experience with wedding music, it’s best to start by browsing web presentations of different performers. Both usually have video materials, photos, and the repertoire they play on their websites. Collect information and narrow your choice to those that seem interesting to you. Also, ask if anyone you know has had a good experience with any of the wedding musicians.

The next step is to arrange with the selected musicians to hear them live. This is the most important step because it’s the only way you’ll be able to judge whether it’s really the band or a DJ you want at your wedding. On top of everything, you’ll be able to decide whether this is what you want, yourself, and not by someone influencing you.