How to Decide: Wedding Band or DJ?

Think back to the last wedding you went to. What's the first thing that you remember about the big day? Was it the cake? Maybe. Could it be the floral arrangement? Unlikely. Perhaps the table spread? (the what, you ask?!) No, chances are it was the wedding entertainment that was music to your ears. In fact, it is a well known fact that good entertainment is key to any successful event, especially a wedding. You can get away with skipping the favours or even with getting Pizza Hut in as the caterers but the one thing you can't skimp on is good wedding music.

With that in mind, we get the lowdown on how to make the tunes and tangoing the high point of your big day. How do you go about getting the right entertainer for you? How much should you spend? What questions do you need to ask?

With that in mind, we get the lowdown on how to make the tunes and tangoing the high point of your big day. How do you go about getting the right entertainer for you? How much should you spend? What questions do you need to ask?

Band or DJ?

Well, the first question you need to ask yourself is whether you want a live band or a DJ. While both are popular options for a wedding reception, they offer different things and the main advantage of a band is the atmosphere it helps create. "A band makes a fantastic visual impression on stage and achieves a great interaction with the guests", says John Skinner of Sacramento-based variety band, the John Skinner Band (www.skinnerband.com). "There is nothing like the warmth and vibrancy of a live acoustic instrument or voice that a DJ or recording cannot convey."

However, while a band can bring oodles of atmosphere, it may lack the variety and diversity of music of a professional DJ. Although hiring a variety band can go some way towards overcoming this problem with live music, a DJ's music base will inevitably be larger. "DJ's generally have a wider selection of music than bands", says Bill Smith of Bill Smith and the Magic of Music. "It's simply easier for a DJ to expand his collection than it is for a band to learn every second track."

As with most services, the easier it is to provide, the cheaper it costs. While John maintains that, contrary to popular belief, it is not necessarily cheaper to hire a DJ than hiring a live band. Additional fees are often incurred for a band to learn a new piece. "If you request that a certain song be played at your wedding and a DJ doesn't have it in his collection, he can simply buy or download the track with little expense or effort," says Bill. "A band, on the other hand, has to learn the song and practice it to perfection. Because of the time and effort required to do this, expect the pay extra or to tip generously."

Another point to note is the sound quality. Generally, a DJ's tracks will be of a higher sound quality because all the songs are pre-recorded with the aid of editing software and modern technology. Of course, you don't absolutely have to choose between atmosphere and perfection. Increasingly popular, hiring both a band and DJ is the new thing on the wedding circuit. However, while having both is an option, alternating the two is not. "Whatever you do, don't alternate a band and DJ," advises John. "It is impossible and unfair to ask even the most talented cover band to compete with studio recordings. They offer different things and can't be appreciated for their individual assets if they're both on at the same time."

Finding 'The One'

Now for the hard part; once you've decided what type of entertainment you want at your wedding, you now have to choose which particular band or DJ is the right one for you. Before you look for an entertainer, you must know what you're looking for and the way to do that is to know what your own tastes. Do you want a sophisticated string quartet or would you prefer a hip 'n' happening DJ? Make sure your entertainer knows what you want before you sign them up. "You need to like the music. It's your wedding so be sure you're happy before you agree to anything", advises Bill. On the other hand, as John is quick to point out, it may be your wedding but you must take your guests into account too. "Choosing wedding entertainment is not a time to be selfish or elitist", he says. "Your own taste is important and should influence your choice but remember, not everyone likes the same music. You don't want the bulk of your guests to leave if a rock band is too loud and prevents conversation. Similarly, a band that does solely sophisticated jazz won't cater for all dancers."

The right band or DJ for your wedding, thus, should have a wide variety of popular tracks of offer that will appeal to young and old alike. One way to guarantee this with live music is to hire a variety band. "These bands work solidly on the wedding circuit and know how to please a crowd", says John. "They will cater easily to your granny just as well as they will appeal to your teenage nephew."

While a diversity of music is less of a problem with DJ's, be sure to examine any proposed playlists before the big day. "Sit down and talk with your DJ a few weeks before the wedding", advises Bill. "The mix of guests at most weddings crosses not only age but also ethnic diversity and any qualified DJ should be able to meet those demands. But you must check and double check to be sure.

Now that you know what you want, you can start looking. But how do you know if your potential players are any good? What should you look for? Testimonies. "Be sure to ask for references from past clients", advises John. "Many bandleaders have these on their websites but you're better to ask for the contact details of their ex-clients to be sure what’s said aren’t just invented out of thin air."

Talking to other people is certainly one way to put paid to any doubts. It's also a good way to come across a good band or DJ to begin with. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to get a good entertainment provider. While your friends and family are a good source of info, who better to ask than those in the know? "Asking people who work in the wedding industry, such as your wedding photographer or your venue manager is a great way to get recommendations", says John. "They see wedding bands/DJS's all the time and would have plenty of tips."

Regardless of how good you hear a band or DJ is, don't even think about hiring them before you hear them for yourself. "Ask for a demo or see if the band has a CD", advises John. "This will give you an idea of their style and abilities." Of course, nothing beats seeing a band or DJ live in action. "If possible, arrange to see the band live before booking their services", says Bill. "With a DJ, arrange to view his database. This shows what kind of music they have available and most good Djs will make this available for their clients. Also, ask to see a video of a wedding he did. This will show you his ability to motivate the crowd and assure you of his professionalism."

Source : www.weddingphotographydirectory.com