I'm trying to decide between having a DJ or a BAND for the wedding.
Here is what I have come up with:
DJ: PROS: More cost efficient choice of the two More flexibility when it comes to song selection
CONS: Can become somewhat CHEEZY if the DJ ends up lacking in taste
BANDS: PROS: Sets a different tone (obviously in a good way) Lively, gets crowd going... Live music is always keeps the attention of people, i think.. right?
CONS: Song selection limited, only so many songs you can ask the band to LEARN, right? Told that some have tough time dancing to it (esp if they like hip hop) Bands are usually pretty specific to a certain GENRE... so might get stuck in one feel the entire time.
I dont know.. are there any more reasons? What were your reasons for choosing one of the other? What made you decide that you HAD to have one or the other? And In your experience as a wedding guest, have you noticed the difference in crowds, bands vs. dj?
And lastly, any recommendations for both bands and djs would really be helpful!
I kind of want a jazz feel band who can play the more pop/r&b/hiphop songs that people can dance to. Is that impossible?
NC1011
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Re: BAND OR DJ
Posted by bluegreen08
we are using a band... don't want to start any drama so i'll leave it at that
Same here.
But I will add that if you go with a GOOD band, the music is really comparable to the original. And most bands have an extensive list of songs and will learn anything you ask them to. Also, if they are a good band, then they can feel out a crowd and will know what to play and when to change it up to keep the crowd going. However, it is definitely a personal preference. I like both and it was a tough decision for FH and I but ultimately this is what we chose and we had multiple reasons for doing so. One other thing, not ALL DJ's are cheesy. I know of a few that FH and I met with that other people we know used, who were not your typical 'Sweet 16' type DJ.
inkgirl33
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Re: BAND OR DJ
Posted by NC1011
Posted by bluegreen08
we are using a band... don't want to start any drama so i'll leave it at that
Same here.
But I will add that if you go with a GOOD band, the music is really comparable to the original. And most bands have an extensive list of songs and will learn anything you ask them to. Also, if they are a good band, then they can feel out a crowd and will know what to play and when to change it up to keep the crowd going. However, it is definitely a personal preference. I like both and it was a tough decision for FH and I but ultimately this is what we chose and we had multiple reasons for doing so. One other thing, not ALL DJ's are cheesy. I know of a few that FH and I met with that other people we know used, who were not your typical 'Sweet 16' type DJ.
def very helpful! thanks guys!!
stephanienyc2002
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Re: BAND OR DJ
DJ
Toucan311
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I *LOVE* a live band. It was the ONE thing that I knew I really really (really!) wanted... I'm so excited about it! I feel like music always sounds best played live. FH & I are both musicians, so we're all for live music.
Ed - Actually, we are having both a DJ and a band b/c some of the music FH loves (metal) the band cannot play... but I tend to forget about that b/c I only care about the band
Espo22
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Re: BAND OR DJ
Posted by NC1011
Posted by bluegreen08
we are using a band... don't want to start any drama so i'll leave it at that
Same here.
But I will add that if you go with a GOOD band, the music is really comparable to the original. And most bands have an extensive list of songs and will learn anything you ask them to. Also, if they are a good band, then they can feel out a crowd and will know what to play and when to change it up to keep the crowd going. However, it is definitely a personal preference. I like both and it was a tough decision for FH and I but ultimately this is what we chose and we had multiple reasons for doing so. One other thing, not ALL DJ's are cheesy. I know of a few that FH and I met with that other people we know used, who were not your typical 'Sweet 16' type DJ.
yeah i was at a showcase and heart and soul was performing upstairs a nelly furtado song and i thought it was the radio playing so some can be very comparable to the original. If i hired a band and told them to learn what i wanted them to i dont think they'd let me book with them but yeah most will learn alot of songs. The 3 languages part would be hard with me and dont know if they'd learn 3 languages hahaha, or to sing hip-hop and reggaeton, or even some of the rock songs i have. Plus the house would be hard.
Also with heart and soul they did MJ and thought it was the radio and thats when i went upstairs and realized it was a band, although i heard the MJ guy left heart and soul, not 100% sure but i think i saw someone say this on LIW. The lead female singer was awesome though
Jenn04
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Re: BAND OR DJ
I am with TheFutureMrsM.
We always knew we wanted a band at our wedding...there is nothing like live music! Just think about when you go to a bar and there is a great band....you end up dancing all night (or I do at least!)
Also we have never been to a wedding with a band and decided to be the first to do it! It is expensive but I think worth it! We listened to 5 bands...many of which sounded very close to the original! FM me if you want more details! We booked Code Bleu. My best advice is to go to a few showcases!
Jenn04
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Re: BAND OR DJ
Posted by inkgirl33
Posted by missK
Have you considered a DJ that also has musicians playing instuments?
Hmm, explain!! hehe :)
This is also a great option! My friend booked LI sound and had a percussionist play along with the beats of the songs....was amazing!
Also you can hire a saxophonist to play too....or why dont you do a steel drum band for cocktail hour?
Espo22
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Member since
Re: BAND OR DJ
Posted by Jenn04
Posted by inkgirl33
Posted by missK
Have you considered a DJ that also has musicians playing instuments?
Hmm, explain!! hehe :)
This is also a great option! My friend booked LI sound and had a percussionist play along with the beats of the songs....was amazing!
Also you can hire a saxophonist to play too....or why dont you do a steel drum band for cocktail hour?
yeah i have percussion and saxophone along with the dj
Jenn04
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Re: BAND OR DJ
Posted by Espo22
Posted by Jenn04
Posted by inkgirl33
Posted by missK
Have you considered a DJ that also has musicians playing instuments?
Hmm, explain!! hehe :)
This is also a great option! My friend booked LI sound and had a percussionist play along with the beats of the songs....was amazing!
Also you can hire a saxophonist to play too....or why dont you do a steel drum band for cocktail hour?
yeah i have percussion and saxophone along with the dj
Thats going to be awesome...I saw a showcase like that and it sounded so good!
Annoulak
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Re: BAND OR DJ
We are having a 5-piece band (2 vocalists and 3 instruments) plus a DJ who is also the MC. It's the best of both worlds.
We decided to go with the band because we LOVED the lead singer's voice and he really knows how to work a crowd, much more than a DJ ever would. And if we have a specific request for a song not in their repertoire already, the DJ can play it.
Espo22
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Member since
Re: BAND OR DJ
Posted by Jenn04
Posted by Espo22
Posted by Jenn04
Posted by inkgirl33
Posted by missK
Have you considered a DJ that also has musicians playing instuments?
Hmm, explain!! hehe :)
This is also a great option! My friend booked LI sound and had a percussionist play along with the beats of the songs....was amazing!
Also you can hire a saxophonist to play too....or why dont you do a steel drum band for cocktail hour?
yeah i have percussion and saxophone along with the dj
Thats going to be awesome...I saw a showcase like that and it sounded so good!
i hope so hahaha jk yeah i am sure it will be great. For me just play the music and im good
LCnAC
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We got a band...Every wedding I have been to with a live band was soooooo much fun! We are using Niteflight...they are the house band for the Woodbury but also one of the band members is my brothers brother in law. But we picked them because theyre awesome!!! The majority of our guests are 30-40somethings and up so I think a band would play more music for that age group.
