Music is an essential part to any reception, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons of each option.

by Margaret McNamara

If you and your fiancé haven’t had this debate yet you surely will: should you hire a band or a disc jockey? One isn’t necessarily better than the other—each comes with their own benefits and a different set of needs. It’s definitely a tough decision, so we’ve asked local wedding planners for their insight.

Deciding on the DJ

Pros:

• A DJ is usually less expensive than a band.
• DJs take up less space because they don’t need as much equipment.
• DJs can usually offer more song variety.

Cons:

• DJs can be hit or miss. If the DJ’s personality or song choice isn’t what you had in mind, it can make or break the party. Make sure you know who you’re hiring before you finalize the DJ.

Our wedding experts recommend the following DJs:

DJ Dave Amaze with Icon DJs: Wedding planner Carina Slater from Remember this Day Events has worked with DJ Dave Amaze on several weddings and says he knows how to get a party started. Slayer said at one wedding, he even had a nun dancing. | www.djamaze.com

Kevin Compton with Silver Sound DJ: Mary Perno from P.S. I Love You Weddings and Events says he’s excellent. | www.silversound.com

Booking the band

Pros:

• Having live music creates an amazing atmosphere.
• The band can feel out the crowd by slowing down or picking up the party when needed.
• Guests who don’t want to dance will still enjoy the band where as a DJ mostly caters to the guests who want to get up and move.

Cons:

• The band is more expensive.
• They take up more space and not all venues have the amenities to accommodate them.
• Their song list will be more limited. The band is also going to need to take a break, which could create a lull in the music.
• They have little volume control and are usually louder than a DJ.

Slater says you can’t go wrong with the following agencies. They have everything from ceremony musicians (harp, strings, etc.) to 10-piece cover bands.

EBE Entertainment | www.ebetalent.com

CTO Artists | www.cto.com/bands.html