The difference between hiring a band and a DJ

When it comes to your wedding day, there are a lot of things to plan for, and music is one of the biggest. The choice typically boils down to deciding between a band and a DJ. There are many positives for choosing either, so it is important to highlight key differences to help make your decision easier.

More personality

When it comes to choosing the musical entertainment for your wedding, a band can give an added personal touch and feel. A lot of the time, the music will be covers of popular songs, so it will be the band’s rendition, making the musical performance feel like a unique experience. Bands can also be a little more interactive or involved with the audience.

Different atmosphere

The type of entertainment you have should reflect and complement the wedding and reception as a whole. A band provides a little more of an old school or even classier feel, depending on the band itself, whereas a DJ can give you a more party feel. Live bands can provide a more polished, classier vibe. Bands can also contribute to the theme of a wedding or complement the venue itself. It all boils down to your surroundings and what you want out of your entertainment.

Space, preparation and down time

When it comes to the music, your entertainers are going to need time to properly set up, as well as to take a break here and there. Bands will usually take much longer to set up with warm-ups of each member, with each musical instrument will need a designated amount of space. DJs, on the other hand, generally take up less space. It is also important to note that when it comes to breaks, your DJ will likely resort to playing music from a playlist while your band, depending on their setup, will be unable to play any music if anyone needs to step away.

Song choices

A band will typically play covers of songs, and has a limited number of rehearsed tunes in their repertoire.  his means that when it comes down to things like your wedding song and hitting the dance floor, you and your guests will be limited to a certain amount of songs and the type of songs that you can listen to. A DJ, on the other hand, will have more variety in terms of their musical library. With that in mind, you’ll want to coordinate with a band beforehand if you have specific songs that you’d like incorporated and if they are able to play them. A DJ will be easier to make adjustments and accommodate requests

At the end of the day, the decision between choosing a DJ or band comes down to the happy couple. It can often be a personal choice — maybe you’ve made a connection or have a unique story tied with a specific band or song, and would like to incorporate that into the reception.