why did you choose a band over a dj?

---

Posted by gonzalezm3

I wish I could afford a band oh well...

---

Don't worry about not being able to afford a band...i couldn't either and also, a good DJ won't sound anything like a sweet sixteen party just get someone who does more than just kiddie parties and you will be golden the night of besides, my family doesn't like to listen to another persons rendition of a song...they like to dance to the real thing, also a band can't do ALL music and DJ's can get whatever you want for you. you aren't as limited when you hire a dj. There are perks to both but I am very happy about having a dj.

---

Posted by drivwal

---

Posted by gonzalezm3

I wish I could afford a band oh well...

---

Don't worry about not being able to afford a band...i couldn't either and also, a good DJ won't sound anything like a sweet sixteen party just get someone who does more than just kiddie parties and you will be golden the night of besides, my family doesn't like to listen to another persons rendition of a song...they like to dance to the real thing, also a band can't do ALL music and DJ's can get whatever you want for you. you aren't as limited when you hire a dj. There are perks to both but I am very happy about having a dj.

---

thanks for the encouragement. I am trying to find a DJ that will entertain the crowd just as much as a band would. The hunt continues!

my husband and I were stuck in this debate too...There really are pros and cons to both...

SOOOO in the end we did both!!- saved money and got the best of both worlds. We had a DJ and MC who played all the dance and fun music (it is nice to have the real artist play the song for certain songs!) We also had a live vocalist and pianist who played/sang our first dance and during all sitting down (salad, entree, dessert) parts of the wedding. We felt it was a great way to get the benefits of both sides and it saved us a lot more money than just getting a band. Many DJ companies to do this- we used Bravura and LOVED them!

In my experience going to weddings unless a band is AMAZING (also needs to know recent music), there isn't much dancing going on and unfortunately AMAZING bands are pricey! (we had to pay for a lot of our own wedding so $ was an issue!)

HTH and Good luck!!

I went with a band.

First I think there are 2 main reasons IMO people go with DJ over band:

1. Cost
2. They like to hear the real artist play the song.

We decided to go with a band and we could have gone with either after we weighed what we wanted for the wedding.

We wanted the live factor. We wanted that vibe and energy a live band brings. I am in musical theater and music is really important to me. So Being employed in live music I could not imagine going with a DJ. We also want 60's 70's and 80's.

But it was really the live energy that a band brings. Thats why we chose a band.

We were going to go with a Band first, but after seeing the difference in price we went with a DJ.

I think having a band is great though!

Good luck with your choice

I always knew we'd go with a band--it was really just deciding which one!

I personally don't agree with that idea that you need to have a DJ to play 'the original' song....I mean, I'd much rather hear a great cover band singing 'Living on a Prairie' at a bar than hear a DJ spinning it.

On the other hand, a bank may have some restrictions on what they can play where a DJ will not. For example, my band won't play any hip hop (we are having an anti-wedding cover band at our wedding--VERY different than most wedding bands) because they just would'nt do it well---but they ARE amazing and about the only band out there that can play 'Come on Eileen'! I just don't care to have hip hop at my wedding.

I think that regardless of what you choose, the DJ or band needs to be able to feel the crowd!

We actually chose a DJ over a band. We really wanted a band, but the bands I liked would have been over $9k!!! SO we went with a DJ purely because we couldn't afford a band. Our DJ did all our lights and monogram, and had an MC as well as 2 DJs. He was so professional and discreet, and everyone was dancing all night long! Our DJ was like $3,500 for everything!! Great price for us. Good luck!