Band vs. DJ

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Posted by kateh

Thanks for all the replies everyone! Would you mind sharing your bands names?

And how did you know which was the right band for you? were you able to see them live prior to booking?

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We used Code Bleu with Skyline Orchestras. They were wonderful to work with and really sweet people.
We saw them at a wedding first, then after we were engaged, went to see them at a showcase, and booked them on the spot. They were the second vendor we booked .

Usually, they can tel you where they will be doing showcases on their websites - bands and dj's

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Posted by coopersmom

I agree that certain DJs have more class than others. We are going with Scott from DanceJock for the reception, but we are having live music for the ceremony and the cocktail hour. I think using both will give us the mix we need.

Anyone else doing this?

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That's what I did. We had an AMAZING harpist (Janet King) for both the ceremony and the cocktail hour and an awesome DJ (Big Hits Entertainment) for the reception.

We, too, prefer a DJ over a band. I do feel that it adds to a more fun, party-type of atmosphere. Thus, it is a personal preference as far as what you're looking for your wedding to be. I just feel like every band knows the same 100 songs so there's no differentiating between weddings.

Also, we're both 26 and all of our friends are too. We wanted our old school cheese and hip-hop so we could just dance and have a great time.

It really is just a matter of personal preference. Sit down and decide what you want your guests to take away from this wedding, what would be your highest compliment and go with that.

ETS: The 'much more elegant' comment is CRAP. Sorry, but elegance has nothing to do with this choice, it's simply a matter of preference. I've been to band weddings far less elegant than DJ ones, and vice versa.

We had a band (my hubby wanted a dj)

we ended up with a 3 piece band...sounded like more pieces ..they were great


we had about 100 ppl at our wedding reception.

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Posted by eogara

ETS: The 'much more elegant' comment is CRAP. Sorry, but elegance has nothing to do with this choice, it's simply a matter of preference. I've been to band weddings far less elegant than DJ ones, and vice versa.

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Agreed! well said

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Posted by eogara

That's what I did. We had an AMAZING harpist (Janet King) for both the ceremony and the cocktail hour and an awesome DJ (Big Hits Entertainment) for the reception.

We, too, prefer a DJ over a band. I do feel that it adds to a more fun, party-type of atmosphere. Thus, it is a personal preference as far as what you're looking for your wedding to be. I just feel like every band knows the same 100 songs so there's no differentiating between weddings.

Also, we're both 26 and all of our friends are too. We wanted our old school cheese and hip-hop so we could just dance and have a great time.

It really is just a matter of personal preference. Sit down and decide what you want your guests to take away from this wedding, what would be your highest compliment and go with that.

ETS: The 'much more elegant' comment is CRAP. Sorry, but elegance has nothing to do with this choice, it's simply a matter of preference. I've been to band weddings far less elegant than DJ ones, and vice versa.

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I would agree with you on the 'elegance' thing. It is truly a matter of preference. However, just as a couple sits with a DJ with a list of songs THEY want to hear, a couple that uses a band does the same. 8 weeks before the wedding, we are to meet with the band leader to tell him the songs we want to use and the feeling we want at our function. It gives a band enough time to rehearse songs that are unfamilar to them and if they are truly professional musicians, it shouldnt take them very long to learn something new. If you are hearing the same 100 songs, perhaps the couples are choosing the same songs.

Of course there are certain songs that I would never want a wedding band to recreate. I loved Duran Duran and would love to hear 'Rio' at my wedding but it ain't gonna happen. I'll get over it.

We're going with a DJ. We had a tough time finding a band the appropriate size for our venue, that we liked, and that was in our price range. Then, we found a dj that offered live pieces, that we clicked with and we felt it was the best of both worlds!

One bit of advice I got when I was debating:
'a good dj is better than a bad band!' I think that's true. Bands are awesome if they're good, but if they're not, it's really bad.

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Posted by kateh

Thanks for all the replies everyone! Would you mind sharing your bands names?

And how did you know which was the right band for you? were you able to see them live prior to booking?

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I said in my post above but I'll tell you again We are having Soul Revival play our ceremony, cocktail and reception. I knew it was the right band b/c we saw them at a friends wedding and we LOVED them. They had everyone dancing and their singers were awesome! However, during dinner, they played some jazz and it was very mellow, so we didn't have to feel like we were yelling across the table to be heard. When we met with Katie and Justin (they runt the band) they were great. I had alot of question...Could they play songs that weren't on their list?...Did they play continuously?...and most important...Did they use sequencers? (they don't, but alot of bands do and if they did that, I would rather go with a dj ) They answered all of them...and trust me there were alot
I think they do showcase, but we didn't see one b/c we had already seen them at a wedding.
Their website is www.soulrevivalband.com (I think ) If not they are a vendor on here now.
Good luck with your decision...it seems like this wedding planning has so many big decision!!!
Jane

I'ts really a personal decision. I happen to love having live musicians that interact with the crowd. While there are great MC's in DJ companies I feel that a musician can really feel the music and get into it, thus getting the crowd into it. There are some very reasonably priced bands out there and that doesn't mean they are bad because they are cheap. Some of the big agencies charge a fee to you on top of what they pay their band so the price goes up. Some of the best bands can be independent of an agency. We booked one just like that and were thrilled. We had Niteflight. They are 9pcs with a 3 pc horn section and 5 singers! One of the best things about them is that you deal directly with the owner and musicians.

With everything, it is your choice and it depends on your taste. I think there are DJs and bands out there that appeal to all. Nitelfight is a vendor on LIW and they play showcases and clubs so you can see them in a formal setting and casual to get to know them. Good luck with your choice!

it's really a personal decision and wow, it seems like it's getting a little heated even... i've been to weddings with only dj's (good and bad), so me having a band and that it's the first band wedding i will have attended is making me nervous. i am all about live musicians and 'supporting the arts.', and my parents were insistent of having a band. just make sure you really love what you're paying for!

about the bands-- check out franklin wayne bands; we're using heart and soul.

good luck!


franklin wayne

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Posted by kateh

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm going to try and meet with a few more bands, and see if I feel any differently. I know my parents will be shocked if I go with a DJ, but so be it...

Those of you who got bands... were you able to see them live before you booked them? All I've seen so far is a video of the band, and it wasn't live. It was a video that they made for prospective clients. I would really love to see the band live, and see what they're like in person.

Thanks again.

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We hired a band, if you get a quality professional band they should be able to accomodate all kinds of people, young, middle and older...and do it well! I would hear them in person if i were you, you could see them at a showcase or two and/or ask where they will be playing to see how they are at a 'real' wedding...youre right the videos they send usually arent all that great!
IF you have the $$$ for it, than I would! However there are many excellent djs out there too if the budget doesnt allow for a band.

If you want some recommendations for band fm me, but keep in mind that many people have different stlyes and tastes so you would want to hear many for yourselves

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Posted by orchid24

it's really a personal decision and wow, it seems like it's getting a little heated even... i've been to weddings with only dj's (good and bad), so me having a band and that it's the first band wedding i will have attended is making me nervous. i am all about live musicians and 'supporting the arts.', and my parents were insistent of having a band. just make sure you really love what you're paying for!

about the bands-- check out franklin wayne bands; we're using heart and soul.

good luck!


franklin wayne

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we are using heart and soul too

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Posted by eogara

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Posted by coopersmom

I agree that certain DJs have more class than others. We are going with Scott from DanceJock for the reception, but we are having live music for the ceremony and the cocktail hour. I think using both will give us the mix we need.

Anyone else doing this?

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That's what I did. We had an AMAZING harpist (Janet King) for both the ceremony and the cocktail hour and an awesome DJ (Big Hits Entertainment) for the reception.

We, too, prefer a DJ over a band. I do feel that it adds to a more fun, party-type of atmosphere. Thus, it is a personal preference as far as what you're looking for your wedding to be. I just feel like every band knows the same 100 songs so there's no differentiating between weddings.

Also, we're both 26 and all of our friends are too. We wanted our old school cheese and hip-hop so we could just dance and have a great time.

It really is just a matter of personal preference. Sit down and decide what you want your guests to take away from this wedding, what would be your highest compliment and go with that.

ETS: The 'much more elegant' comment is CRAP. Sorry, but elegance has nothing to do with this choice, it's simply a matter of preference. I've been to band weddings far less elegant than DJ ones, and vice versa.

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I agree 100%!!! I couldn't have said it better myself.

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Posted by kateh

Thanks for all the replies everyone! Would you mind sharing your bands names?

And how did you know which was the right band for you? were you able to see them live prior to booking?

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I booked milestone music. They were the only band I saw and I knew they were it. They have showcases at a catering hall on jericho trnpk (i forgot which one), so yes you can see them live. They are a vendor on here. If you check out their website you can listen to their songs and see some video of them. They are a 9 piece band. 4 singers and 5 instrumentalists. They are $5500 for a 4 hour reception and includes a keyboardist during cocktail hour. Good luck with your search.