Choosing A Wedding DJ

Your wedding entertainment can make or break your reception! It may seem like a less than important detail, but the wedding disc jockey or wedding band you choose will wield a great deal of influence over your guests and reception. Why? Because great wedding DJs and band leaders are trained to read and influence the mood of the crowd to ensure that everyone is having a great time.

So let's say you've decided to opt for a wedding disc jockey over a band (or a wedding band just isn't in your wedding budget). How do you hire the best wedding DJ you can afford? Here are some tips we've put together so brides and grooms don't get burned on their wedding entertainment:

You'll have to hire a wedding disc jockey, unless you are related to one or have one as a close friend. This isn't merely the less expansive option! A wedding DJ is an advantage in terms of space and flexibility. With the professional overheads being lower, a wedding DJs can bring more music that satisfies more tastes than a wedding band can.

Hiring the right wedding disc jockey is vital. To start with, you need to decide on where the wedding DJ fits in your reception plans. What is the role the DJ will fill? Will the DJ just be spinning music or are you expecting him or her to also be the master of ceremonies (emcee)? What kind of music would you prefer to hear -- will the DJ be able to accommodate that? Your choice of guests may also play a role in the kind of music you choose.

First, look at Yellow Pages listings, then ask around for recommendations. Check with local dance clubs and radio stations -- they can often provide good leads. Your wedding vendors may know a great wedding DJ. Magazines and newspapers sometimes have advertisements for companies that provide DJ services. Check into as many leads as possible. This will give you a broad picture of the prices involved and will also help narrow down the list to fit your budget.


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Wedding Band or Wedding DJ?

If you or your spouse-to-be are music lovers and you have a good sized wedding budget, you may face quite the dilemma when you're planning your wedding reception! Do you hire a wedding disc jockey or a wedding band?

There are pros and cons to both, of course, which means there is no perfect option. It is up to you to weigh the pros and cons of each before making a final decision. Luckily, we're here to help you understand the benefits and drawbacks of the options on the table.

DJ PROS: Disc jockeys have hundreds or even thousands of songs at their fingertips and can usually find any songs they don't already have. Their repertoire will bridge styles and eras, so you can please everyone at your wedding reception. They typically cost less than live wedding bands to hire, and they get the crowd excited in addition to just playing music. Finally, they won't take as many breaks.

DJ CONS: When getting the party going, your DJ may play music you don't like. Additionally, larger entertainment companies can make it difficult to pin down who will actually be working at your wedding. Some people also think that DJs are too casual for formal events like weddings.

BAND PROS: Few forms of entertainment are as engaging as live music. You can choose a wedding band that matches your tastes (swing, classic rock, etc.) so you're less likely to hear music you dislike. Bands get people dancing!

BAND CONS: The price... A wedding band's repertoire will always be limited because they simply cannot learn every song out there. Live musicians need to take breaks between sets, which means your music goes bye-bye. Live music can make a wedding reception feel more like a concert.

That's about it! No matter what you choose -- a wedding band or a wedding DJ -- be sure that you hire musicians or entertainers from a reputable company and you have a satisfactory vendor contract in your hands before you hand over any money.

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Hiring A Wedding DJ For Your Wedding Reception

Hiring a wedding DJ or wedding Disc Jockey for your wedding reception can be tricky if you've never hired professional entertainment for an event in the past.

Before you decide on your wedding entertainment and wedding DJ here are a few ideas or wedding DJ do's and don'ts.