LIVE WEDDING BAND VS. DJ: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOUR WEDDING?

^{We’ve all been to those weddings. You know, the ones that drag on and on and have bland food and even blander music coming from a playlist on someone’s iPhone?}

^{If you want to separate your wedding from the millions that take place every year (in a good way), consider hiring a live wedding band or a DJ to keep your guests entertained.}

^{If you’re not sure which to choose, keep reading. Our guide will give you the pros and cons of wedding bands and DJs to help you make your decision.}

^{Pros of Hiring a Live Wedding Band}

^{Fun and Exciting}

^{If you’ve ever been to a wedding with great live music, you know how much better it can make the event. Even if you weren’t particularly fond of the people getting married, you probably stuck around a little longer just to watch the band play.}

^{Your guests will love the spontaneity of a live wedding band, and so will you! You never know when someone might break into a fun solo. Or, the lead singer could even tweak a song’s lyrics just for you!}

^Memorable

^{You’ve probably spent a fortune planning your wedding, and you’re not spending all that money so people can forget about it the very next day!}

^{Your guests might not remember the flavor of your cake or the color of your bridesmaids’ dresses, but they will remember the talented musicians you had playing at your reception.}

^{Good music can take your wedding from just a run-of-the-mill event to an evening people will be talking about for years to come.}

^Adaptable

^{Live musicians do a great job of picking up on an audience’s mood and transitioning from one song to another.}

^{There’s no awkward starting and stopping with a live band. Wedding bands are especially good at smoothly adjusting and keeping your guests engaged.}

^{Cons of Hiring a Live Wedding Band}

^Expensive

^{A live wedding band — especially ones that don’t just sing bad covers all night — can be expensive. If you have room in your budget for one, great! If not, you might have to sacrifice something else to pay for the band.}

^{Less Variety}

^{Most bands specialize in only one style of music, which can dramatically limit your song selection. If variety is important to you, a band might not be the most practical option.}

^{Take Up Extra Space}

^{A band can also take up quite a bit of space. You might need to do some extra work to find a venue that can accommodate the band members and their instruments while still leaving room for everyone to dance.}

^{Venue Regulations}

^{How frustrating would it be to invest in a band, only to find out you’re not allowed to have live music at your wedding?}

^{Some reception centers have noise limits and don’t allow live music. Make sure you find out if this is the case for your venue before you start looking for a band.}

^{Pros of Hiring a DJ}

^{Good Balance}

^{Do you love smooth jazz music and upbeat pop hits? It might be hard to find a band that can accommodate all your preferences.}

^{But, if you hire a DJ, you don’t have to choose just one style of music for your wedding reception.}

^{DJs offer a wide range of music to suit all your guests’ tastes, and it’s easy for them to switch from one style to the next.}

^{Take Up Less Space}

^{A DJ requires far less space than a live wedding band, meaning there’s more room on the dance floor.}

^{It’s also easy for a DJ to relocate throughout the night if necessary. The whole party won’t have to stop while the musicians haul their instruments across the room.}

^{Fewer Breaks}

^{Musicians are human beings who will need to take breaks throughout the night. It’s an inconvenient truth, but they don’t stop needing food and water just because they’re playing at a wedding.}

^{These breaks can really put a damper on the energy in the room. If you want the party to go on all night long, a DJ is a better option. They usually don’t need to take any breaks!}

^{Cons of Hiring a DJ}

^{Personality is Essential}

^{Most DJs have a great stage presence. They’re fun and energetic and can turn your wedding reception into a real party.}

^{However, if you end up with a DJ like the one who worked your senior prom, they can seriously affect the mood in the room.}

^{When you’re looking for a wedding DJ, make sure you meet with candidates in person. That way, you’ll be more likely to end up with someone whose personality will enhance your wedding day instead of giving you painful high school flashbacks.}

^{Less Appealing to Non-Dancers}

^{You and your friends might love to hit the dance floor, but what about your other wedding guests?}

^{A live wedding band appeals to most people, even if they just want to tap their toes on the sidelines. But, music from a DJ can be a bit boring to people who aren’t interested in dancing.}

^{It’s also awkward if there are only a couple of people dancing throughout the night. So, keep your guests’ personalities and preferences in mind when making your decision.}

^{How to Find the Perfect Entertainment}

^{No matter who you choose to entertain your guests, do your homework and take your time finding the best person for the job.}

^{Some things you should do to make sure you’re hiring a good wedding band or DJ include:}

^{See Them Live}

^{Watching a wedding band or DJ perform live is probably the best thing you can do when you start your search.}

^{Try to attend an event at which the band is performing or the DJ is working. But, don’t just show up at a wedding — unless you’re a member of Maroon 5, wedding crashing is frowned upon!}

^{Also, if a band or DJ only gives you a CD of their work or a link to a video, you should definitely be skeptical.}

^{Consider their Personality}

^{In addition to musical ability, you’ll also want to pay attention to your potential entertainer’s personality when you see them live.}

^{Are they willing to take requests? Are they flexible if your guests don’t seem to like a particular song?}

^{Remember, especially in the case of a DJ, your entertainers’ energy and attitude can make or break the evening.}

^{Know the Theme/Style of Music You Want}

^{It’s great to have a particular theme or style of music played at your wedding.}

^{But, you need to establish it before you start meeting potential entertainers. Then, make sure that the band or DJ you’re interested in will stick to your preferences.}

^{Make the Most of Your Special Day}

^{Whether you choose a live wedding band or a DJ, the most important thing to remember is to live in the moment and have fun on your wedding day.}

^{It’ll be over in a flash and, before you know it, you’ll be busy worrying about less glamorous things like kitchen remodeling.}

^{This is the day that people spend their whole lives dreaming of. So, don’t forget to enjoy the big event!}