| Consideration |
Band |
DJ |
| Setup Flexibility |
A band's setup is much more
complex than that of a DJ. This can prevent a band from being able
to cover the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, all of which are
usually held in separate locations. |
A well-organized and
properly-equipped DJ can easily address the unique needs of weddings,
with separate systems for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. |
| Breaks |
Bands usually play about 20-30
songs, filling 1/2 to 2/3 of the time for which they are hired.
The rest of the time, they take breaks, ending the momentum of the
party. |
DJ's keep the music going (and
your guests dancing) all night without taking breaks. |
| Stage Presence |
Bands offer a "stage presence"
that can command attention. This works well for couples seeking to
put on a "show" at their reception, rather than have a lot of dancing. |
Conversely, couples looking
for a less intrusive approach may prefer a professionally
trained, elegant DJ who can easily "blend in", maintaining the
excitement and keeping your
guests dancing without creating a spectacle. |
| Volume Level |
Music volume levels are a
serious concern for wedding guests who want to be able to converse at
the reception. Bands have limited control over their sound levels
and generally play much louder than a DJ. |
The higher production quality
of recorded music, with every instrument and vocal balanced in the
studio, makes it sounds great at any volume level. This allows the
DJ to adjust levels as necessary throughout the event. |
| Music Variety |
Bands are limited
to what songs they know how to play well. Many play the same 20-30
songs at every reception. Very few have the ability to play the
vast array of musical genre required by the mixed age groups at most
weddings. |
A DJ can offer nearly limitless variety
and flexibility,
from classics to current. Being able to play Duke Ellington, The Bee Gees and
Justin Timberlake allows a DJ to create a truly tailored play list and
keep all your guests happy. |
| Song Familiarity |
People like to
dance to music they know. Bands do their best to imitate the way
a song should sound, but many bands lack the instruments for all the parts (no trumpet for
the trumpet solos, etc.) and few have both a male and female vocalist. Listening
to a less than spectacular band attempt to cover your favorite song can
be a painful experience.
|
A DJ can play
exactly the music you have imagined for your wedding: your favorite
songs by your favorite artists that sound exactly as you and your guests
expect them to sound. We live for those moments when we hit the
start button and immediately hear a guest say "I love this song!" |
| Reliability |
If one member of a band can't do the event, trying to
find someone to play the same instruments and know the parts of the
other band members can be nearly impossible, thereby forcing the band to cancel. |
A reputable DJ company will always have another trained
DJ on stand-by to cover an event when necessary. We regularly
receive last-minute calls during the wedding season from couples who's
bands or single-operator DJs have cancelled. |
| Cost |
A great wedding band can cost several thousand dollars.
|
A great DJ can be had for
$1400-$2000. |
