Band or DJ or both?

DJ.....Always B Cause They Work Harder @ There Job.....

Would be cheaper to go with one for the entire day. It would be roughly $1000 each for a band and DJ.

I am in close contact with a cover band and Mobile McWillo provides a DJ and live singer option for hire. Just contact me for details. 

Hi!

I think a band and DJ can work, if they work well with each other and dont try to play the same songs. I think in particular, this could work if its a multicutural wedding, where they play completely different music. For example, and Italian or Greek wedding. The band plays all the usual Top 40 and Retro songs and the DJ plays the tradtional and pop music from that country.

Hope that helped!

Joe

Hi Roxanne. I think it is a good idea to give this some serious considerations. In my opinion it is a case of horses for courses. I play low key instrumental guitar. Low key instrumental music is perfect for the ceremony when the focus needs to be on the bride, the groom and the romance of the ceremony. For the after party however you will normally want something my racy such as a rock band or dj. I am not sure what a band / dj charges out for a night but as a guide I charge between $200 to $400 to provide an instrumental backdrop for a wedding ceremony in and around Cairns. I think that is worthwhile to hire a dedicated instrumentalist for the ceremony. It is a fairly minimal expense if you want to add a real touch of elegance to your wedding, but again I am also biased.

Hi Roxanne,

I always tell my clients this when they ask my opinion on this exact topic - you cannot beat live entertainment! The overall feel and the vibe of a band playing far exceeds that of what a DJ can provide even if they go nuts with the visual effects (which can be really cool or really cheesy depending on what your wedding theme is). I always run the risk of talking myself out of a job when I say all this to couples, but at the end of the day - it's about what you want for your wedding day.

The best way to decide is obviously weigh up the pro's and con's of each - for example a DJ has the capacity to play any song you like and can generally find one at a reasonable price, but you then tend to rely heavily on the skill of the DJ (their ability to read a crowd, play the music that you and your guests want) and whether you like their particular style.

A band has that incredible feel that only live music can give and can really cap off a great day/evening. The flip side is that a really good band can cost you some big $$$ and can be limited in the setlist they play (they obviously need to know how to play the song you want!). Also, they will not be able to keep going at 100% for the entire day/night - they need breaks and generally don't fare well if they're not fed and watered - same with DJ's for that matter!! :-)

Do your research and don't be too hasty in choosing - the music you choose will make or break your day. Also ask if each supplier has different rates to package up services (we certainly do!) or will offer a discount if you book really early etc. It never hurts to ask.

Good luck and have fun with your preparations for the big day!!

Regards,

Andrew from Lights & Sights Entertainment

Hi Roxanne,

Please let me know if in Melbourne as I provide exactly what you are considering for a great price. An acoustic duo for the first half of evening followed by DJ (myself) for second half of the evening.

Happy wedding planning!

Luke

Hi Roxanne, congratulations on your upcoming wedding for 2018! Noticabley missing from the comments below is the concept of combining both options as a DJ band! We introduced this configuration into our agency a few years back and it's been very popular. You have your DJ however able to add a saxophonist , live interactive percussionist even a vocalist into the DJ Band. We are within a modern era and the traditional band concept has evolved largely into the DJ b

Hi Roxanne, perhaps I can just give an example of what we offer as a professional wedding band (Trio).

From our experience, guests are always thrilled when they learn there is a live band providing the entertainment for either the ceremony or reception. We offer live music for both of these (and also Canapes).

For ceremony, and early in the reception, we present mellow acoustic style music, which is typically what you would want prior to the main meal and bridal waltz. Later, (post bridal waltz) we pump up the volume and tempo converting ourselves into a sequenced dance band, playing a wide range of popular hits that will appeal to the wide range of age groups you will have at a typical wedding. Most bands, including ourselves, should have a complete song list on their web site.

You do not need a separate DJ for your reception, as we also look after all of the music between the live sets, as well as for all the nights other events such as entrance, waltz, cake, games etc. In fact we discuss and also plan this as part of our pre-wedding planning we go though with each client. This give the opportunity to include some other music which may not be in the live sets. Because we do both, we can make sure there is no overlap of songs, and see the smooth transition between the live sets and pre-recorded (DJ) music.

Of course, best advice is to first discuss all of this with any band before booking, to be absolutely sure they will cover the whole night's entertainment needs.

I hope this helps.

Best regards, Pete

Hey Roxanne,

An acoustic music/DJ package would allow you to get both the live element then the range of tunes you would want with a DJ. We have packages for Solo and Duo acoustic plus DJ starting from $2,000 that would cover everything from ceremony to closing time.

Kind regards,

Travis.

Hi Roxanne, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and budget. We offer both DJ only and Live/DJ packages as one of our specialties. It is a really nice touch to start with live music at the ceremony and even have it continue during canapes/cocktail hour and then finish with DJ Services. This gives you the best of both worlds. If you are on a bit more of a budget however, a great DJ is a great option for the day. All DJs and Live Musicians are different and will offer varying levels of service and packages/inclusions so do your research when getting quotes to find out what is included. The more musicians you hire for example, the cost goes up accordingly. If at all possible, try to meet with your prospective entertainers and see/hear them live if possible so you know what to expect on the day or at least arrange a Skype/Facetime session to get to know who they are and if they are the right fit and will cater to your vision. Warm regards, Greg & Andrea