Should we hire a Band or a DJ for our wedding?

This post aims to help you decide which is most suitable for your wedding!

Wedding Band

I'll be the first to say that live bands are awesome. I've worked with so many as a DJ and sound engineer, and with a great wedding band, the energy in the room is electric and people on the dancefloor can really engage with the musicians. Some bands are genre specific, for example they might focus on funk/soul/motown and have a horn section or maybe they're a disco tribute band complete with crazy outfits. If you know that you and your guests absolutely love a certain genre or era of music, this can be the way to go. Other bands will have a broader repertoire, catering to a wider audience.

Bands generally have a list of songs that they perform and will send you this beforehand so you can say which ones you like or don't like. Requests on the night will be somewhat limited to what they know as a group but you’d be surprised what they can pull out the bag! Bands will happily learn a song for your first dance if they don't already know it, but be sure to ask if they charge extra for this.

They will bring their own sound equipment but you should ask what lighting they provide. Most will have a lighting system included, but some bands’ lighting focuses mostly on them, leaving the crowd looking a little dark.

Wedding bands usually play 2 sets of between 45mins - 1 hour each, with a short break in the middle. Any time they aren't playing they will put on some music through a laptop, or possibly have their own DJ to spin some tunes in the break and once they finish. Having their own DJ who actually DJs is rare (I’ve seen it once) and might incur an additional fee. Bands sometimes refer to their laptop/iPod as a "DJ service" so always check exactly what they mean by this.

It’s really important to ask your venue if they have a sound limiter. Sound limiters are installed at the council’s request to prevent noise pollution. Bands and DJs must plug into designated plug sockets which are linked to the limiter. If the limiter detects sound over a certain volume, power is immediately cut off to these sockets. Depending on how the limiter is calibrated, the dB level of a drum kit alone could be enough to trigger it, and that will shut off the power to the band’s equipment. The way around this is to use an electronic drum kit, where the drums’ volume can be more easily controlled. Real drums are always the loudest acoustic source in a band and everything else must be turned up to match this. Slightly quieter electronic drums allow everything to be turned down.

A really good, professional band will cost in the region of £2,000 and up. This is more than a typical DJ due to the number of people in a band and the extra equipment/instruments.

Wedding DJ

A DJ is the go-to option for the majority of couples. From a music perspective, their repertoire will be virtually endless. Element DJs have around 20,000 songs on them at every wedding (not possible in the days of vinyl!) This allows the DJ to cater to almost every crowd imaginable, assuming a vast knowledge of genres, artists and the specific songs which will get people dancing. Any music you request beforehand that they don't have, can simply be downloaded and there should be no extra cost for this. If a song is requested on the night which they don’t have, it might be possible to download it there and then provided there is internet.

The DJ will generally play a background set after the wedding breakfast and kick the night off after the first dance, ending whenever the venue's licence is til (usually midnight.) They will also compare important events on their microphone (such as cake cutting, first dance) and make announcements for the catering team and bar. A professional wedding DJ will be experienced in this and will ensure everything runs smoothly.

Equipment wise, the DJ will provide their own rig (booth, sound and lighting.) This rig should have been meticulously put together to look and sound great. The look and quality of DJ setups varies wildly, so make sure it suits your wedding.

And of course, the DJ themselves! A good DJ will have a vast knowledge of music; genres, eras, what people like to dance to, how to transition from one vibe to another and last but not least, how to mix. Mixing is the art of changing from one song to another. Sounds simple, right?! There are a million different techniques which lend themselves to different styles of music, and a seamless, well mixed set is what excites the crowd and keeps them on the dancefloor all night long. Playing the perfect tunes at the right time is wasted if it is poorly executed.

An experienced, in-demand Wedding DJ with quality equipment and a good reputation will charge around £750 and upwards. Part time DJs may charge less, but be sure they can provide the level of service you’re after.

Band and DJ

The first benefit is that the DJ can perform when the band isn't. There is usually a lull in atmosphere and dancing when the band has their break, but having a DJ means you can keep momentum up. They can liaise beforehand to make sure they don't play the same songs. You also have the choice of who plays the first dance.

Musically speaking, you can curate an incredible night. I can recall several weddings where this combo was used to great effect. Say your favourite genre is Swing. A band can deliver this perfectly. And say your partner's favourite genre is Garage; an awesome DJ spinning red-hot mixes it what you need.

This is the most expensive option but if your budget allows it, you're in for a great night. Just make sure your venue has enough room for a band and a DJ booth.

DJ + Live Musician

This option is becoming increasingly popular. This is the same as having a DJ but with the addition of a musician for a portion of the night, typically a sax player or percussionist. These guys will mingle with your guests on the dancefloor and play along to what the DJ is playing. If your budget doesn't stretch to a band and a DJ, this is a brilliant alternative.

You get the awesome energy of the musicians on the dancefloor but have the versatility of a DJ's repertoire. DJs often have live musicians as an upgrade option, so it's all handled by one supplier. You're looking at between £300 - £600 for a musician to play for the evening. If their instrument allows it, they can use a wireless microphone which means they can interact and dance with your guests while being heard nice and clearly over the PA system. It really takes the evening up a gear when the saxophonist appears, blasting out your favourite Ibiza house melodies!

Do I NEED to hire a music supplier for the evening?

For some couples, this is a very obvious question which doesn't get addressed by music suppliers, because we want you to book us! But the answer is no. If you and your guests are not into dancing or if you're having an intimate wedding which doesn't go late into the night, then it makes sense to spend your money on something else that will add value to your day. If you'd still like some music, you could hire a pianist to play in the background, or ask the venue to plug in an iPod with your favourite songs for free.

However, if you want a party that your guests will remember for years to come - if you want to dance until your body aches - if music is a big part of your life - then you probably stopped reading this paragraph a while ago!

While I am a DJ, I've tried to be as impartial as possible, drawing on my experience of hundreds of weddings with a DJ, band, musician or a combination. It’s important to me that you pick what is right for you so that your evening is the best it can be.

Tom

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