Choosing a Live Band or a DJ

In today's world, it seems that almost any topic is open for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article, I was quite surprised to find some of the issues I thought were settled are actually still being openly discussed.

The live band or DJ that you choose to entertain at your wedding can either enhance your wedding or put a damper on the festivities.  It is important to choose a live band or DJ who is capable of ensuring that the guests in attendance are having a great time.  A great live band or DJ is able to sense the mood of the crowd and adapt to meet their mood and vibe in order to keep the party moving. 

The first thing to consider is whether you want a live band or a DJ to perform at your wedding.  There are a couple of things to consider when deciding between a live band or a DJ.  The first thing is price.  A DJ is likely to cost considerably less than a live band.  A DJ is usually just one person or possibly two people while a band usually consists of an average of about five performers.  Right there is where you typically see a rise in cost because the fee you see in bands is usually split between quite a few people and therefore higher than the fee for one or two DJs.  Next you need to consider selection.  Many bands that perform at weddings have a set list that is typically not as long as the list of recorded music that the DJ has on hand.  While this may not seem important because there are not many songs played during the wedding it does come into play if guests request individual songs.  The other thing to consider is that a DJ is capable of keeping the crowd entertained for the entire duration of the wedding. They usually even play light music while dinner is being served.  Bands however usually play approximately 15 minute sets at a time and then take a break which could interrupt the flow of the wedding.  When choosing between a band and a DJ it is important to consider these factors and decide which works best for you.

The most important tip for choosing a live band or DJ is to make sure that you have the opportunity to see them perform before you commit to their services.  Most live bands and DJs that perform at weddings gain popularity through their performances at other weddings.  The best way to find a live band or DJ that will do a great job at your wedding is to use a live band or DJ that you enjoyed at the wedding of a friend or family members.

The information about wedding music presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about wedding music or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

In choosing a live band or DJ it is imperative that you ensure that your contract specifies the exact names of those who will be performing at your wedding.  This is usually not a problem with a live band because they usually have the same members present at all of their performances.  DJs on the other hand are a different story.  Many DJs become so popular that they are unable to perform at all of their committed parties.  In this case a DJ may offer your party to another DJ for a small finders fee.  In other words the DJ may essential sell the right to perform at your party to another local DJ.  Additionally a very popular DJ may also have a number of younger, less experienced DJs that sometimes work for him.  If you suspect that this is the case, it is important to make sure that your contract specifies exactly who will be performing at your wedding.

You may find that there are a variety of live bands and DJs available for hire in your area.  This could make choosing just one a difficult task.  One great way to ensure that you are choosing a good live band or DJ is to seek recommendations from close friends or family members.  If you didn’t attend their wedding or don’t remember their entertainment, ask them if they would recommend their live band or DJ.  If they do come highly recommended, ask your friend or family member if you can borrow a copy of their wedding video.  Pay special attention to the parts of the video where the guests are dancing and decide if you think the live band or DJ might work for your wedding. 

Although you may be certain that you wish to hire a particular band or DJ but try to interview at least three to five potential candidates before making your final decision just for comparison.  You may find you feel more comfortable with a service provider or that there is another band or DJ that suits your needs better than your previously preferred candidate.  Finally, once you make your decision make sure you obtain a detailed contract that specifies all of the details of your wedding as well as all of your expectations. 

Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what's important about wedding music.

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