When it comes to planning wedding music, most brides and grooms will debate whether to hire a band or a DJ to lead the wedding reception festivities. In some instances, the type of venue or overall wedding theme will dictate whether a wedding band or DJ makes the most sense, but the decision is always up to the couple. To help you make your decision, consider the pros and cons of each:
Wedding BandsThe Pros:A band is live, and when played by experienced musicians, nothing can beat live music. Talented musicians can really work with the theme of your wedding reception and modify songs accordingly. If the party is lagging, they can always switch the tempo. Hiring a band adds the exciting possibility that anything can happen.
The Cons:With wedding bands charging anywhere from $1500-$15,000, budget constraints can make hiring a band too expensive to consider. A band’s sound can also be limiting. If you want to hear from Beethoven to Outkast and everything in-between at your wedding reception, you may have some difficulty finding a wedding band that can play such an eclectic mix.
DJsThe Pros:One of the main benefits of hiring a DJ is that all of the
wedding songs are played as you know them; you can rest assured that your first dance song will sound EXACTLY as you expect it to and can plan accordingly. You are also likely to get more variety in sound with a DJ, and for couples on a budget, even the most expensive DJs are usually less expensive than hiring a band.
The Cons:A DJ typically does not have as much ability to improvise and set the theme of the evening. The songs will be played exactly how they were originally recorded and therefore can’t be modified to suit a beach, country or jazz swing wedding (for example) as bands can often do. Your DJ also can’t switch tempo if need be to accommodate your fiance’s dragging feet during your first dance.
Author Bio:
Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a comprehensive
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