Wedding Entertainment - Party Band or DJ?

Great wedding entertainment can definitely make your wedding reception a huge success. Deciding whether to hire a wedding band or a dj can be a difficult choice to make, however, especially if you and your future spouse have different opinions on the matter. Here are some important things to consider before making the final choice.

What style of wedding entertainment would you like for your event?

A party band could be exactly what you need if you are looking for wedding entertainment that is fairly traditional. A party wedding band generally specializes in what most musicians refer to as "standards." A great party band is able to accommodate most requests if you provide them the selections in advance, including your first dance, and specialty dances. If your taste in music is slightly broader or more modernized, be sure that the entertainers you are considering is both capable and fluent in that particular genre.

Hiring a DJ means you get the benefit of hearing practically any song you'd like (within reason, of course, but then again ... it is YOUR wedding!)

How important is live wedding entertainment versus having prerecorded music?

An experience band or DJ knows how to keep things running smoothly, how to work with your wedding coordinator, and how to roll with the punches. You hope everything is always running on schedule, but realistically something always changes ... whether it be a longer dinner hour due to slow service, a missing best man for the toast, or even your own late arrival at the venue. That being said, either the band leader or DJ should be fully prepared to deal with these types of changes. So what your choice really comes down to is what's more important?

Truthfully, nothing says "class" like live music. Your guests will surely be impressed by a live band with a great performance. Live wedding entertainment can be more expensive however, so it is important to ensure the band will fit withing your budget. Usually, DJ's can be hired for less money, which can help your bottom line, especially if your working with limited funds.

Whether you decide on a band or DJ, the most important thing to do is ask a lot of questions. Make sure they are experienced. Ask for references, song lists, and any thing else you can think of to make a confident decision. As long as you are well informed, you can rest easy that your wedding entertainment and your reception will be a huge success!