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.

Click to learn more about choosing wedding music

Choosing a Wedding Band

Remember Aunt Helen's wedding where the food was soggy, the flowers were nauseating and, worst of all, the rock band they hired drummed up a migraine in your head? As your own big day draws closer, don't make the same mistakes. Think about how much effort it's going to take you to speak to all your guests and keep them happy and amused. The perfect answer to your wedding woes is a totally rockin' wedding band!

But with so many bands out there, how do you choose the right one? For starters, keep this trio of tips in mind when you're interviewing bands:

• Your wedding band should be able to play a variety of music well. Reception music usually starts out slow and picks up speed as the night wears on. If it turns out your band can only play popular dance hits, people will miss the slow stuff.
• Bring a list of must-have songs to the interview and walk away with a copy of the band's DVD. Ask them if they have any actual wedding vids up on YouTube so you can see them in action. Don't leave anything to chance!
• Think about your guest list -- you may love deathmetal, but it's unlikely that your extended family shares your passion for headbanging. There will always be another mosh pit, but you'll (hopefully) only ever have one wedding. Your chosen band should help your guests have the time of their lives.

Of course, you'll need to think about more than taste when making your final decision. There are more helpful hints and tricks that will help you when choosing a wedding band at the preceding link. Go on...go check it out, then come back here and see what new wedding planning advice we have for you!