At some point or another, every bride has to decide whether
she wants a Band or a DJ for the wedding reception. A lucky few know off the
bat which is best for their big day but for others the choice may not be so
easy. Ideally, it would be great to have a band to entertain and interact with
your guests plus a DJ for when you need to revamp the energy levels later on.
But, for most people, that’s not exactly a viable financial option.
For the most part, the decision comes down to what kind of
atmosphere you have in mind for your reception. Live bands have the ability to
recreate that concert feel that encourages the guests to connect and interact
with the musicians. Dj’s tend to have that nightlife club feel that always
seems to result in a lack of shoes and hours of dancing.
Another big deciding factor is the genre of music you will
want to hear most. If you’re a crowd that enjoys things like Motown, 80’s Hits,
or Rock & Roll, chances are you’re going to want a band because they can
play the songs the way they were meant to be heard; live, loud and full of
energy. On the other hand, if you’re
more likely to have a crowd full of Top 40/Pop music lovers or fans of Diplo
and David Guetta, then the more logical choice would be a DJ.
Admittedly, nowadays a live band can play pretty much any
song you can find on the charts. However, it’s important to find out whether or
not the specific band you choose is willing or able to learn any new material.
For a DJ, with thousands of songs in his arsenal, it’s much easier to cater to
the audience and change up the atmosphere at a drop of a dime. This is usually
done through observing the crowd and seeing what they respond to most or by
taking requests. But, for a band it’s near impossible to expect such
improvisation. So, keep that in mind as well.
Remember, if you have a band, they are more than like going
to have one or two breaks. In order to avoid an awkward time, find out if they
have alternate music options to play during this time. This is usually ipod or
a laptop but if you’re set on getting a band this could be a time to play a
couple of selections from outside the bands repertoire.
A couple extra helpful tips in getting the most out of your
entertainment:
1) Whenever possible, get a preview of your future
band or DJ in action. Ask for a tape of a previous performance, sit in on a
rehearsal, or at the very least talk to a couple of their references and see if
they come highly recommended.
2) Check with your venue to make sure your choice
in entertainment is a viable option. Some sites have a maximum number of
musicians you’re allowed to have (which might interfere with band plans) and
other more historical or natural locations don’t allow large speaker systems.
Keep these things in mind and ask your venue about it if you’re unsure.
3) This might be a no-brainer but make sure that if
you have a band they are able and willing to play the song you want for your
first dance. I know for few couples the choice of a song is discussion that
usually takes some time to finalize. Most professional bands are willing to
work with you if you request songs in advance. But don’t push it off til the
last second only to realize that the band can’t play it to your liking.
4) Most importantly, don’t assume. Don’t assume
they can play something. Don’t assume they will play something. Create a list
of songs you would really love to hear and give it to them in advance. While
you’re at it, give them a list of songs you most definitely do not want to hear
and give that to them as well. Better safe than sorry.
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