Band or DJ for Wedding? 10 Reasons Why a DJ Is Better

Band or DJ for Wedding? 10 Reasons Why a DJ Is Better

You have a long list of decisions to make when you’re planning a wedding.
Chicken or seafood? Buffet or plated? Church or outdoor ceremony? Band or DJ for wedding?
Wedding planning will be one of the most exciting, yet stressful, times of your life. You have to think of your wedding budget, the dress, the shoes, and yes, the music.
Your choice of wedding music is incredibly important for setting the tone for your ceremony and reception. Most people choose between a live wedding band or Disc Jockey services. There are pros and cons to both (you may even be wondering exactly what a wedding DJ does!) but read on to find out why we believe a DJ for your big day is the best option.

 1. The Party Doesn’t Stop
As any musician can tell you, performing is tough work, which means band members will have to take a few breaks during your reception to eat, use the bathroom, or just take a breather.
During those breaks, they’ll either play pre-recorded music or stop playing entirely (usually just when the party gets going!).
Wedding DJs, on the other hand, don’t throw off anyone’s groove; the music keeps playing all night! In most cases, no one even notices if the DJ needs to step away from the booth for a few minutes.
Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. A DJ will make sure you (and your guests) get the most out of every second.

2. More Variety
Most bands specialize in a certain genre—jazz, hard rock, Motown—but most couples wouldn’t be able to narrow their “must play” list down to a single music style.
Sure, you can always ask if the band could play both “Achy Breaky Heart” and “The Cupid Shuffle,” but even if the answer is “yes,” they’ll put on the same track a DJ would. And if you have an obscure request (you always dreamed of walking down the aisle to the wedding song from The Muppets Take Manhattan, for instance), a band may not be able to accommodate it at all.
A DJ can play just about anything.

 

3. Go With the Flow
Most bands talk to you beforehand about what songs you want them to play, which ones you can’t stand, and then they create and rehearse a set list.
But, while it’s nice to know they have their set memorized, it can be difficult to transition to a new tune if the guests just aren’t feeling a certain song.
Because DJs don’t have to focus on hitting the right notes, they can focus on the room—who’s dancing, who isn’t, when to pick up the tempo, or when to switch to a new song entirely. They don’t have to stick to a playlist if the guests want something different.
 
4. Double Duty
Bands specialize in playing music; DJs specialize in making weddings happen.
A wedding is an event with a lot of moving parts. You have to coordinate the cocktail hour, food service, first dance, and dancing, without forgetting to make time for the garter toss, cake cutting, and any other special moments you want to announce.
Don’t “wing it” on your wedding day!
The right DJ can also act as your MC for the night, keeping everything moving along and sticking to the timeline. A DJ/MC will work closely with your wedding planner, day-of coordinator, or venue contact to make sure everything happens right on schedule, from the vows to the sparkler sendoff.
That bandleader might play an awesome lead guitar, but does he guarantee a smoothly running show?
 
5. Cost
Cost is often one of the main considerations when deciding between a wedding band or a DJ.
And DJs win, hands down.
The average wedding band costs $4,000—more than twice the cost of hiring a DJ for a Saturday wedding. An average wedding DJ costs $1875+. Fewer people, less equipment, and less physical exhaustion, means that DJs can throw a winning party for less money.

 
6. More Room to Dance

Bands take up a lot of room. The drum kit alone has a larger footprint than a dining room table, and you also have to factor in the cushion of space between each band member. If you’re working with limited space at your wedding venue, a DJ will be able to set up shop in an out-of-the-way corner, leaving plenty of room for shaking your groove thang.

 7. Volume Control
DJs have more control over the volume. In fact, your venue might even have noise restrictions that prohibit hiring a wedding band because several instruments together can become quite loud.
If you’re looking for a quieter party or someone who can ramp it up when they need to and quiet it down at the right moment, it’s a flick of a switch for a DJ.

8. More Familiarity
Even the best band will only be playing covers. Sometimes, you and your friends just want to jam to the original. You know exactly how the melody goes, what key it’s played in, and when the rap bit starts in the middle. This is your jam.
If the wedding band is playing outside of their preferred genre or doesn’t have the same instruments as the original artist, it’ll be a poor imitation.

 
9. More Flexibility
Whether you choose a wedding band or DJ, the music sets the whole tone of your reception. So what happens in an emergency?
It can be difficult to replace a musician if the flu races through a wedding band, but if your DJ gets sick or has an emergency, someone else can easily step in.
Stephens Entertainment has back up DJs ready to help out
 
10. Focus is on YOU
There’s no doubt that bands have a presence. It’s the difference between a nightclub and a live concert.
But at your wedding, you want the focus to be on YOU. A good DJ will talk to you about your wants for your wedding. They’ll get to know you, your taste in music, and your future spouse’s taste in music. They’ll create a blend that is completely unique to your theme.

Wedding Music Tips

Whether you end up with a wedding band or a DJ, you still want to have the time of your life. Here are a few wedding music tips to make that happen.

• If you want the “live music” feel on a DJ budget, think about hiring a musician to play for just the ceremony. A guitarist or string quartet at the ceremony can set the tone you want without breaking the budget.
• Read reviews, get recommendations, watch videos (try their social media accounts!), or see them live so you know how they perform.
• Ask what the setup looks like. The best DJs will hide the sound equipment so it doesn’t mess up the carefully curated look of your reception.
• Get everything in writing in a contract and make sure all of the information is correct before you sign.
  Your “Do Not Play” list is just as important as your “Must Play” List. Nothing kills your mood faster than hearing your least favorite song at top volume.

We think a wedding DJ is the way to go (why do you think we’re in this business?),