Band Vs. DJ: What’s The Best Fit For Your Wedding Reception?

Entertainment is a large cost of wedding planning, but it’s an area you want to put a decent portion of your budget towards, as it can make or break the event. Many couples toss up between hiring a DJ or a live band to perform on their special day. Your entertainment will inform the tone, formality and the rest of the reception, so it’s not a decision to make on the fly.

In this blog, we’re considering what you should think about when deciding on a band or a DJ for your wedding. Opting for a band or a DJ both come with benefits and disadvantages, so keep reading for our expert insights on choosing each.

Table Of Contents

1. Hiring A Band For Your Wedding
2. Hiring A DJ For Your Wedding
3. Murder On The Dancefloor: Killer Vibe Or Buzzkill?
4. Band vs. DJ: Why Not Get The Best Of Both Worlds?

Hiring A Band For Your Wedding

Benefits

A live band is a quick ticket to an unbeatable wedding atmosphere. The romantic tinkling of the keys, the buzz of an electric guitar, the feelgood rhythms of a brass band, or the thump of a kick drum to awaken the senses and bring you right into the moment. Whatever musical genre you’re into, having a live band perform will undoubtedly create a memorable experience for you and your guests, whether for your first dance or to kickstart the party.

Disadvantages

If you’re hiring a cover band, you have to weigh in that you won’t be listening to original versions. So if you love certain songs because of the memories attached to them or your affinity for the artist, keep in mind that you won’t be hearing an exact copy. (Unless of course, you can hire the original musicians to perform at your wedding, but that will come at a premium). Either way, a live band tends to cost more than a DJ and they often charge per hour, rather than offering their services for the entire reception.

Hiring A DJ For Your Wedding

Benefits

A good DJ can make for a great party. You have the flexibility to play songs as you think of them, get your friends involved, and curate a natural soundtrack as the night evolves. You also get the expertise of a professional who knows how to mix crowd favourites in with your favourite nostalgic and sentimental songs, for an unforgettable party that lasts all night long. Moments of pure joy belting out the chorus to a classic pop song with your entire wedding party can make for some of your most cherished memories on the day.

Disadvantages

If you opt for a DJ, you’re relying on one person (and their equipment) for your evening entertainment. If there are any tech issues, you want to feel confident there’s a backup plan in place to get the soundsystem up-and-running as quickly as possible. Another disadvantage of a live DJ is your playlist getting hi-jacked by guests intent on forcing their own musical tastes across the speakers. You can speak with your DJ to work out how you want to navigate requests, or note down any songs you absolutely don’t want played.

Murder On The Dancefloor: Killer Vibe Or Buzzkill?

You might have your favourite list of tracks and artists, but if you’re planning to blast James Blunt all night long, you can’t be too surprised if your guests sit twiddling their thumbs during your reception. Likewise, if you’ve hired a classical string quartet as live entertainment, you can’t get annoyed if they’re not able to play a disco-ready rendition of ‘Dancing Queen’ on request.

If hosting a shape-shifting dancefloor is important to you, don’t pick a band known for their ballads, or a DJ that’s going to conjure up memories of awkward school discoes and talk over all the songs. Conduct thorough research, ask your venue hire local referrals, and talk to the DJ or musicians to let them know your expectations and get a thorough understanding of their style.

Not everyone wants a raucous dance party at their wedding, and if it’s not for you, consider selecting music that’s a bit different. A steel band, a wind-instrument group, a DJ performing an eclectic mix of world music or an acoustic singer can still provide striking entertainment without the need (or cost) for designated dancing space.

Band vs. DJ: Why Not Get The Best Of Both Worlds?

If your budget allows it, why not consider having both? You could hire a band to welcome guests into the reception, or to get the party going after the speeches. If you’re considering food trucks for your wedding, live entertainment can add to the relaxed atmosphere as people wander round with their food. A DJ can bring the energy later on, and provide the audio canvas to shake off all your wedding nerves and dance to your favourite songs with your new husband or wife.

If you’re still wondering whether a band or a DJ is the better fit for your wedding reception, we can provide you with further suggestions. Speak to our team about your plans, and we’ll offer some expert advice, with over two decades of experience in party planning under our belt.

And if you’re looking for a place to host the entertainment that will become the unique highlight of your wedding, why not choose our stunning, contemporary venue? Situated in the heart of Melbourne, we’re just outside the CBD – easy for musicians and guests to find, with space in our courtyard to unload and pack up equipment with ease.

Enquire today about having your wedding with us, or get in touch with Nash via email. We look forward to hearing what you’ve got planned, and help you make it happen!