Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

Band or DJ?

When you have the band-versus-dj discussion, you need to think about what each has to offer before signing a contract. Jung Lee, a co-owner of Fête, a top New York event-planning firm, says, “A great dj is better than a mediocre band any day, but a live band has wonderful energy that you can’t get from recorded music.” You decide which fits your party better.

Reasons to book a DJ:
* He’s affordable (dj prices start at about $500 for five hours; bands are often a minimum of $3,000)
* Will play any song you want
* Can work in small spaces without a lot of equipment
* Keeps music going during the entire party with no lull
* Is trained to choreograph the reception and make announcements

Reasons to book a band:
* They make a more dramatic presentation, with musicians, vocalists, and all those instruments
* Have unique personalities
* Their infectious energy can get people on the dance floor
* Guests who don’t dance will still enjoy watching the show
* Live music is more emotional, which is what the day is all about

This content originally appeared in Brides magazine.