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Do you think there is a big enough difference in quality to justify the difference in cost between a live band and a dj? Do you think a live band makes a wedding that much better?
I would always pick a dj hands down. Most people tend to prefer hearing songs as they were recorded by the original artists. Not everyone likes the versions that live bands perform. Never seen a live band at a wedding, but every wedding with a dj had a packed dance floor the entire time.
I think it probably depends on the band and the type of wedding you're having. A big wedding might make a live band more worthwhile.
I would still do the DJ, if I could afford it have our favorite band play a few songs. But everyone has different tastes in music, I think a DJ generally provides the most variety.
There are a few bands in my area that really get the crowd going. They have so much energy and talent and they draw you in. They also personalize songs for the couple or certain groups (calling bridesmaids onto the stage for "Girls Just Want To Have Fun...etc). It really adds a lot of energy to the wedding. DJs are great, but I would opt for a great band any day.
Absolutely a band! We're not 'dancey' people and neither is anyone in our friends or family. I'm honestly not sure we even want a DJ because the dancing honestly isn't going to matter much. I'd LOVE a live band, though - that'd be so much fun and there's a local one I have half a mind to ask because they're highly enjoyable (but I don't know if they've ever done weddings, so...)
Nope. My mom really wanted me to have a band until she realized how much they are, especially considering my friend owns a DJ business and is giving me a great deal. Plus, my group of friends and cousins all like to hear the songs by the original artist. There is also a much wider variety of songs you can hear from a DJ. Bands are limited to what they know and what they are good at singing.
Depends on the Band. In Philadelphia, there are absolutley some fabulous bands I wish we'd have hired.
I would say a band for sure, especially a really awesome cover band. Usually bands will have a dj to play music in between sets, so honestly, it's the best of both worlds!
I agree that it depends on the type of wedding you're having. We had an afternoon brunch wedding with no official dancing. Actually nobody danced except the kids, but we had a 3 piece jazz band playing and it was great background music. If you're having a dance party type of reception, I'd choose a DJ.
We're having a live band--but let me give some background on that. My parents are musicians and have subbed with the band many times, so I think they cut us a good deal. Like, 'more affordable than the DJ's in town' deal. That's what I wanted anyway, the wedding is for ALL my guests, not just the young ones who want a DJ pumping through the walls. I know if my parents go to a wedding with a DJ, they leave ASAP because its just too loud and they don't know any of the songs lol
It really depends. We are friends with an AMAZING cover band that is very popular in our area so we got an incredible deal on them. But, we are also having a DJ for set breaks. Again, we are friends with the DJ as well so we got a good deal with him too.
If you pick the right band they can REALLY get the crowd going! I've been to a wedding with a live cover band that ROCKED and then six months later went to two weddings with DJ's and the DJ's could not get anyone on the dance floor because they were so bad. Whatever you decide to do just check their reviews and get recommendations from people you trust.
If it was a talented band with a lot of passion and energy I would choose the band. I went to a wedding with a live band once and there is something about it... they get the people engaged and it's like you're at a concert. I didn't think I would like it but I did.
@CanAmBride: Agreed! Live bands can personalize the songs to fit your wedding, bring people onstage, and they bring a level of entertainment to your wedding that a DJ just can't. Just my opinion though...I love DJs too it's just a different feel.
I always envisioned having a classic, elegant band for my wedding. However, the venue I selected was very beautiful but too small to accommodate a band, so I had to have a DJ. Our DJ was recommended by the venue, was dressed in black-tie attire, and had a very upscale and elegant presentation style, so I was very happy with the result.
No, I wouldn't. I listen to so many different musicians with very distinctive voices and many different types of music, I would want to hear the actual artists singing them rather than a cover.
1000% a live band! I am so surprised people are saying that they think a DJ is better for dancing. Every wedding I have been to with a live band has created a much better party/dancing scene than the weddings I've been to with DJs. To be honest, most of the weddings I've been to with a DJ play all this cheesy typical wedding music that is just really boring to me (although, i will admit there are some great non-wedding-typical DJs out there and that would be a different story - the weddings I've been to just haven't used these types of DJs though, so maybe I am biased). I think a live band adds so much to a wedding, if you can afford it. That being said, the quality of the band (and, likewise, the quality of the DJ) would have a huge impact. We have found a great band and are definitely going that route for our wedding! They also have a DJ system set up for in between sets, so it is the best of both worlds!
Every wedding I've been to with live bands (maybe 5?) the energy just wasn't there. We went in thinking it would be a ton of fun but bands no matter how great they are, tone it down at weddings. Plus they tend to only cover certain types/genres of music and it's gets rather old for everyone. I prefer DJ now.
We splurged on an amazing band at the insistence of DH and it was worth every penny. They made the reception so fun, to the extent that friends/family bring up how amazing our band was if the topic of our wedding comes up.
Depending on how good the band was, Band over DJ anyday. People actually get up and dance with a band
We were originally going to have a DJ, then changed our minds after seeing how great the band were at my parent's anniversary party. They did a great range of music, that everyone got up and danced to, and didn't do weird versions; they were brilliant. For our wedding they'll also play music from an iPod (while they're having a break), so we'll play RnB and other 'younger' music in between.
It's costing more than twice what a DJ would, but is worth every penny IMPO.
It depends on what type of mood you want your reception to be. For us we went with a DJ because a live band wouldn't be able to play all of the different genres of music we like.
No, I don’t think so. Unless of course we're talking like Journey or something, lol.
I’ve found that most wedding bands tend to be more cheesy than entertaining and they’re limited as far as what they can actually perform. A DJ a play any audio track in existence, a band can only play what they know which is obviously a MUCH smaller selection.
@UpstateCait: oh man! If only journey would play at my wedding!
I would always pick a DJ.
We love to dance and I'd pick a DJ every single time. I dislike dancing to live bands and I prefer it when they put a CD on when they take their breaks.
I think weddings need a good variety of music and live bands just can't cut it.
No I woyld not because a band only plays one kind of music and that will not suit everyone
I would definitely do the DJ!! There is much more variety, and that way if your guests aren't responding to the music choices, they can just change it up, where if you had a band you are stuck with that one sound all night long
I would love a live band (a Beatles coverband to be exact), but it isn't in our budget. Dancing isn't my goal though.
I would pick a DJ hands down every time.. I like to hear the songs I like by the real singers and I like to be able to have whatever music I want not be limited to what the band can do.. Im in the philadelphia area and I hate every band that plays at weddings.. I dont want some sweaty guy jumping around singing in my face at my wedding lol
Definitely band, hands down, every time. A band was one of our biggest priorities for the wedding. We just feel that live music is always more engaging for the whole crowd than a DJ. From all the weddings I've been to people just seem much more part of the live music than what a dj plays.
Our band had a female and male singer and they played ALL types of music, (not just one). Everything from the standards, (during dinner), to our favorite 80s rock balads to today's music, (lady gaga, black eyed peas, etc). Everyone was on the dance floor all night and to this day raves about our band. We've even had friends book the same band for their wedding after hearing them at ours.
ETA: the band gave us a list of theirs songs which was EXTENSIVE. there was only one song that we wanted that was not on their list, (and they offered to learn it).
@MrsNeutrino: If you have an extra $2 mill or so lying around, give 'em a call! lol
We had money for a band and DJ and we picked just a DJ. A live band generally only plays one genre and after 9pm we will mostly want 'club' music instead of pop-rock. We also really really don't want bands talking. Our DJ has specific instructions not to speak, go "Yeah yeah yeah" or "We're this band called blank!" We're having a formal event and I also don't think we're be able to make a band wear tuxes. Our DJ will be in a tux. My brother had 2 harpists and a violinist that played during dinner and that was the only thing I considered but eventually decided against.
@MrsBroccoli: Our band fully discussed with us what we wanted them to wear. They had 3 outfit choices that spanned casual, formal and black tie.
For those PPs who are saying they've only seen cheesy wedding bands and/or bands that can play only one genre.... you clearly haven't heard a phenomenal wedding band yet!
We had a black-tie optional, formal wedding and our band was AMAZING. They played music from all kinds of genres and our guests from mid-twenties to mid-seventies all raved about how good they were.
They dressed in formal attire, no cheesey-factor and were very professional.
I really prefer the interactive style of a live band and our dance floor was full the entire night.
I obviously prefer a live band but it's got to be a good one. The same goes for DJ's, I've seen really cheesy DJ's and decent DJs.
@PinkPinstripes: Yeah I'm not sure why everyone thinks that a band can only play one type of music. Our band played every type of music we could have wanted.
If it was in my budget, I would've gone with both =)
My DJ was amazing, and we hired a percussionist too (who beat the beats along with the music).....but it would've been sooo nice to have a live band playing our 1st dances and father/daughter mother/son dances..
we hired a string trio for the ceremony and that was perfect!
DJ. There has been only one band that I've seen that I think is would rock our crowd. We will have tons of family and friends from the Caribbean to find a band that can do that well and play r&B/pop/rock is a stretch.
No, I'd pick a DJ every day. DH and I had a wide range in what we and our guests liked, and I always like the original version better. A band might be good, but it's doubtful we could have found one that successfully covered Journey, Michael Buble, Lady A, and everything in between.
My parents did have a band for their wedding though, and liked it.
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