I have been looking at DJ's but was curious about the price difference between a band and a Dj. I know that a band is more expensive but I don't know how much more. Has anyone compared the two?
I've heard DJs are around $1200-$1600. Bands I've seen (&booked) have ranged from $5500-$9000.
If you go for a band, you should try to book one that is not with an agency. Easier to deal with and much less $! I just hung up the phone with a band leader that I saw play at a wedding over the weekend and she goes by word of mouth on her own and is with an agency (I won't say which one on this site, but a very reputable & popular one in Long Island & NYC). She charges $600 per piece and the agency charges $850 per piece when they book her band (usually around 9 pieces). Plus I hear the same agency has substituted bands at weddings last minute.
Good luck!
Prices also depend on the time of your wedding. Sat night is the most expensive. The bands that I looked at ranged from $6000-$9,000 for a Saturday night.
We looked around a lot and got our band to play at our afternoon reception for $4000. It's an 8-piece band and we are psyched. It would've cost us about $1500 more if we had a Saturday night.
DJ should run about 1,000-1,500. Bands can be 3500+up. I am going to book East Coast for $4300 (Sat. evening) and that includes 3 pieces for the cocktail hour. You need to consider that bands and DJs are very different. It is a different type of entertainment. Just remember that whoever the 'leader' is will be directing your reception. You want to really like him/her and their style. If you want a lot of hip-hop dance music and to have lots of 'props' and games a DJ is probaly your best bet. You should just make sure to tell whoever it is you chose what type of mood you want at your reception. This board has lots of great advise on who to call.
Thanks for the input. I didn't realize that the price difference was that big.
