One of the most difficult tasks during wedding planning is choosing the music.
I amazingly love live music, yet nowadays it’s increasingly common for young couples to choose a wedding DJ instead of a band for their wedding night! Very few good bands are left, so the ratio has already reversed, as current statistics show that DJs are chosen in nearly 70% of cases, and this fact has created a new situation for bands that previously dominated weddings playing live music.
This is absolutely no surprise for the current generation, but it might be strange for older people that there is no “live” music and a multi-person band playing the tunes. However, as various wedding trends change, so does the music service.
Let’s see! What does it take for a good wedding after all?
Ingredients:
- a bride
- a groom
- guests
- Location
- and good mood
The last ingredient is the mood setter and the MUSIC! That’s why it matters what’s playing! DJ or band – that’s the eternal question, the dilemma of the big day…
If you can’t decide who should play your wedding tunes?
There’s no doubt that music generates a great party, but the wrong song choice can easily ruin it. Talented band or DJ (or both!)? But how do you find exactly what you want? I can help! Ask yourself some basic questions – specifically, what style of music suits your taste, budget, space requirements, and the age group of your guests? I’ll list 5 aspects to help you decide…
1. You should consider a few aspects
– Mood: The type of music chosen sets the mood of the wedding and reinforces its theme. It’s not the venue and decoration, but the atmosphere that people most often remember. Consider which musical genre best reflects your personality and what will inspire guests to achieve the desired atmosphere. 80s disco or a romantic string quartet? Traditional big band feel or rockabilly? Interactive, announced musical program or more popular modern music with exciting/fast changes? The way music is conveyed – by a live band or a DJ – also affects the mood. The style of music also determines your decision – for example, an electronic music piece cannot be performed by a band.
– Variety: Whether you choose a band or a DJ, make sure they play slow and fast songs, old and new music. Encourage all guests to get on the dance floor!
– Budget: In the price war, wedding DJs usually cost less. Prices also depend on equipment needs (size of sound and lighting technology) and the date (weekdays and weekends usually have different pricing). For example, a 12-member band will certainly be much more expensive than a wedding DJ, as more people need to be paid. (Of course, there are always exceptions; a well-known wedding DJ can be just as expensive as a live band.) The price of bands depends most on the number of musicians, the duration of availability, the day of the week, and the season.
– Space: If you are thinking of a band, you need to assess the capacity of the chosen venue. This can unfortunately easily limit the number/size of musicians and equipment that can be brought in. Discuss the necessary electrical power supply options. Noise restrictions can also make things difficult. Ask these questions to the venue before you start your search.
2. A band has its advantages, but also its disadvantages
Nothing compares to a live wedding band to excite guests and create a sense of sophistication. A good band leader usually also acts as a master of ceremonies. They communicate with people on the dance floor, monitor the mood of your guests, and help the band choose songs accordingly.
Benefits: Live music represents a more traditional wedding trend, which is preferred by older guests. Your guests will experience the joy of a live performance. Almost anything can happen to increase the excitement, from a drum interlude to a guitar solo.
Disadvantages: Bands can be more expensive than DJs. As great as the band is, they cannot have the repertoire of a wedding DJ, who keeps a huge variety of music at hand. If you want to hear a song exactly as the original artist envisioned it, you may not get what you want.
3. A wedding DJ also has the same advantages/disadvantages
Today’s DJs are artists in their own right, delivering balanced and varied mixes of diverse musical styles for all ages. The songs played will sound exactly how you want them to. This encourages singing and a ‘crazy’ atmosphere thanks to the DJ’s improvisation. Depending on the equipment the DJ brings (this is usually modern, modular equipment that can be creatively installed), it will certainly require less space from the dance floor.
Pros: If there are quite a few songs you definitely want to hear at your wedding, then your wedding DJ will probably have no problem finding similar tracks. Wedding DJs are generally cheaper than bands. A DJ with a charismatic stage presence and excellent MC skills can really set the mood and dominate the party.
Disadvantages: Unlike a multi-member band, fewer personalities are available, as the DJ is usually alone. And improvisation is difficult if, for example, the client’s parents want to start a father-daughter dance, or the nieces decide to ask for the “Chicken Dance” 🙂
4. You should see them live
Ideally, it would be good to see a performing DJ or band at work before committing. This way, you can personally assess their attire, their ability to improvise, and their musical performance. (Ask if you can attend one of their performances, but this should never conflict with another couple’s wedding.) If this is not possible, ask for live videos, playlists, and look for songs you know and love. If a musician sends you their setlist or a link to one of their videos, make sure the musicians you hear or see are the same ones who will be playing for you. Ask for references from the last weddings where the band or wedding DJ played. Listen to the opening dance music as a test. If the band doesn’t know it and isn’t willing to learn it, move on.
Ideally, it would be good to see a performing DJ or band at work before you commit. This way, you can personally assess their attire, improvisational skills, and musical performance. (Ask if you can attend one of their performances, but this should never conflict with another couple’s wedding.) If this is not possible, ask for live videos, playlists, and look for songs you know and love. If a musician sends you their playlist or a link to a video, make sure the musicians you hear or see are the same ones who will be playing for you. Ask for references from the last weddings the band or wedding DJ played at. Listen to the opening dance music as a test. If the band doesn’t know it and isn’t willing to learn it, move on.
Every professional should be open to what you particularly like (among your favorites), but it should also be discussed what you don’t want at all. Write them a list of personal requests, the songs that the evening cannot go without, and even more importantly, the ban list. If, for example, you are worried that “Macarena” will be played at the unique event of your life, then simply ban it.
+1 If you haven’t been able to decide yet
If you haven’t yet chosen a DJ or a band for your wedding, here are some personal experiences comparing a DJ and a band.
- You can request any music, nothing is impossible for a DJ to play, but not every musician knows/can sing the new hits
- More styles appear, not just folk-wedding music, as a good DJ is at home in several styles, and has no problem mixing a little rock, Latin, retro, or even r & b music
- A DJ is a 1-person band (In club life, a DJ is often on their feet from 8 PM to 5 AM), financially you’ll definitely be better off if you pay one person and cover one person’s meals instead of a band
- The band occasionally needs a break, while the DJ continuously provides music, never interrupting the dancing and good mood
- The wedding DJ, in addition to the party, can also undertake the musical accompaniment and sound system for the civil ceremony, so they are present from the beginning until dawn.
- Most DJs, in addition to music and sound equipment, also have lighting technology that further enhances the atmosphere
- A DJ booth, as opposed to a band, does not take up much space; the entire equipment can fit on a table, which can be set up anywhere, and outdoor parties are not a problem.
- Live music has its own magic, but every band is different, each has its own style, so it’s a good idea to scout the area in advance if you decide on a band
- The music played by the DJ will definitely be of good quality and you will hear it in the familiar “format”, as they can play the original version for you, not to mention that you can also prepare a pre-agreed list of your favorite songs you want to hear.
Today’s generation spends weekend nights in clubs and entertainment venues, and the era of balls is fading. In parallel, the demand for wedding DJ services has also increased. I hope I was able to help you with your choice. 🙂
Don’t forget! This is Your Big Day, strive to make your wedding the best for you! This will be an eternal experience for you, live every moment of it!
