DJ or band for wedding?
DJ or band for wedding? It’s a big decision.
The main factors include:
- Music
- Price
- Satisfaction
- Risk and Convenience
- Space
- Noise restrictions
- The acoustics of the venue.
1) Music
Most rock bands don’t play hip-hop and electronic music.
Look at the band’s song list. It should be available on their website.
I can assure you that the band has picked the type of music that they are good at performing.
DJs can handle a wider variety of music and accept song requests on the fly. Bands are less equipped to deal with a random song request.
Related: Best Wedding Songs for Dancing
2) Price
The general rule of thumb is that DJs are cheaper than bands. This is because you are paying for fewer people and less equipment. Prices vary. An experienced wedding DJ will usually cost at least $1200 plus GST.
What is the average cost of a wedding band vs DJ?
Most wedding bands will cost between $3000 to $20,000. It depends on experience, popularity, travel, etc. Most professional wedding DJs will cost between $1200 to $3500. It’s important to do your research. Make sure you check out Instagram, Google reviews and Youtube videos. This should give you a better idea of what you’ll get for your money.
3) Satisfaction
This really depends on the type of music you enjoy.
Some people really love hip-hop and electronic music. In this case, a DJ is usually better.
But some people prefer the sound of live drums and guitars. It’s really up to you.
4) Risk and Convenience
Bands usually have 3-6 musicians. This means that more things can go wrong (e.g. the singer gets the flu, the drummer’s car breaks down, the band breaks up etc).
Musicians also have a reputation for being a bit unreliable. I suggest you hire an experienced band that has a good track record of showing up. Read their reviews and ask for recommendations from your vendors. Be careful hiring a band that doesn’t do a lot of weddings.
DJs can get sick and still perform. Singers can’t sing at their best if they’re fighting a cold.
5) Noise Restrictions
Does your venue have noise restrictions? If so, I highly advise against hiring a band with live drums. It’s just too risky.
I have played at venues with tight noise restrictions. They usually have a device that will cut off the power when the volume hits a certain level. This is devastating and incredibly frustrating. These devices also HATE the drums.
Live music has a wider dynamic range. The loud bits are louder and the soft bits are softer. Recorded music is compressed. This means that the volume doesn’t change much throughout the song.
6) Space
Some venues have limited space for the musicians to set up. Ensure that your band or DJ can fit in that space. We suggest you request measurements from the venue.
7) Venue Acoustics
Concrete, tiles and really high ceilings. These are generally terrible for live music. It’s also bad for general conversation.
The sound gets lost in the high ceilings and bounces off the reflective surfaces. However, an experienced band will know how to deal with this.
DJs don’t have to worry about it as much. Most of the songs they play will be professionally mixed.
DJ or band for wedding? (final words)
I would probably hire a DJ for my wedding.
It’s usually easier. I also like the versatility of a good DJ.
You can get a quote for Advantage DJs here.
If you’re looking for a great live band, consider Janey’s Alibi. You can contact them here.
We also have a list of recommended vendors here.
