A Band or a DJ for Your Wedding Reception
What is it that makes a wedding reception memorable? The answer is the music. People have such different and eclectic tastes in music that it is impossible to please everyone. The biggest decision when it comes to music is whether to hire a DJ or a band.
It may not seem that there is that much of a difference between a DJ and a band. After all, they will likely play a lot of the same music. Bands that cater to weddings generally have a musical repertoire that includes the standard wedding reception classics and dance songs. The difference comes through in the atmosphere.
Having a live band at a wedding brings a more intimate atmosphere into the wedding reception. The bandleader generally acts as the Master of Ceremonies (MC), providing commentary and information on events throughout the course of the wedding such as the bouquet toss and the cake cutting. It is important to find a band that has a good presence and is able to play a variety of songs. Chances are that a wedding band will not be playing many of the more popular songs of the day. This is a disadvantage to having a band rather than a DJ. The biggest advantage to hiring a band for the wedding reception is that they are able to get people up and dancing. Nothing sounds better than live music and nothing makes people get up and dance like hearing their favorite songs live.
There are also advantages and disadvantages to hiring a DJ as apposed to hiring a live band. In this case, the DJ will act as the MC. It can be more difficult to find a DJ that has true stage presence and brings the right balance of fun and class to the wedding reception. The biggest advantage to hiring a DJ is the vast amount of music he is able to bring to the reception. It is possible to make multiples requests for songs and a wedding DJ is likely to have it in his music library.
The choice between a DJ and a band for a wedding reception often comes down to cost. A DJ is going to be much less expensive than hiring a band. This is simple logistics. A band is made up of several people who will all need to make money in order for it to be worth their time. A DJ, on the other hand, is alone and is able to pocket all of the money.
The music at a wedding reception is something people will remember. The music needs to get people out of their chairs and on the dance floor. There are advantages and disadvantages to hiring either a DJ or a band. Ultimately, it comes down to the personality of the MC and the library of music. Every wedding band and wedding DJ will have a video that will show him in action. This is a good indicator to base decisions on. Do not make the decision lightly.
