Planning your wedding can be both exciting and stressful at times. One of the hardest decisions to make, aside from the cake and the dress, is which route to take in regards to the music.
Whilst many of your relatives will swear that a band is much more elegant and traditional, others might egg you towards hiring a DJ so that they can request their own songs and there is more variety to an evening.
But we have all heard the horror stories of some other friend’s wedding were the DJ messed up the playlist or the organist that played the Robin Hood theme song instead of Bryan Adams. So which route really is the better option?
Well, as with anything, we all hope everything will be all right on the night. Both options can have their pitfalls when it comes to performance. A DJ might well get the bride’s name wrong during the first dance or accidentally play the wrong song on request. Just as likely a bands guitarist could miss a cord or the lead singer could have a coughing fit. So the best advice in terms of reliability is to not worry overly much.
Whilst a DJ is far more likely to be able to produce a song request then a band (depending on whether they know it) a group of live performers will always bring a level of excitement that audio simply cannot. With the ability to improvise and encourage guest to participate in the dancing, a band will most likely appeal to all ages of guests despite the music, whereas a DJ can make older guests feel closed off from the festivities.
Variety is also a key thing to consider when selecting a band or DJ. Whilst you may be catering for a certain theme in your playlist, you will also want to offer your guests some variety in the music, if only in tempo for differing preferences.
Many consumers might consider the downfalls of a band is that they will need to take at least a few breaks during their performance, and would rather not have silence during these times. Though you might think this is an upside of a DJ, they too need some respite during the evening, and even with a playlist supplying the music, the best-laid plans can fall short should there be a line in the bathroom.
The other vital thing to consider is what space you have to cater for in the reception. If there is not much room for dancing then live performers may be preferable as guests can sit and enjoy the music from their tables. Alternatively, DJ’s can provide more compact units if you want to restrict how much space is taken up by the music operative.
All of this, however, is a mute point depending on your budget. For those out there willing to splash the cash and celebrate in style, there is no reason you can’t have both a DJ and a band.
