leave it all on the dance floor
There are so many things we have all come to expect from a wedding nowadays - fun trends like late night snacks, photobooths, live painters, and eclectic dessert menus are just a few of the things you are probably hearing about. One thing that doesn’t ever seem to go out of style is dancing. It seems to be the one thing that weddings of every style and family from every generation can agree on - there has to be dancing.
One question we get asked a lot about is if people should hire a band or dj for their reception. While I think both can be an awesome choice and help make your party come alive, I want to talk through some of the differences you might want to consider before signing a contract.
photo by @tiffanyjoyphoto
DJ’s
DJ’s are going to provide you and your guests with a totally different type of entertainment, often lending itself to more guest engagement. They will usually help to hype up your crowd for things like grand entrances and first dances as well as once the dance floor opens. They can help to logistically manage things like dismissing people from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception, to get people involved with fun line or group dances, announce moments like cake cutting + bouquet tosses, group photos or dessert and coffee being served. Most DJ’s are happy to make sure your officiant is mic’d up during your ceremony (if you need that) and usually they will provide a speaker and playlist for cocktail hour as well. Many DJ’s will be happy to join you on the dance floor if that is your vibe and you can have a lot of control over the playlist by choosing songs ahead of time that you definitely do want to hear or that you absolutely do not want played. You can also decide if you want them to take requests from guests or stick to the playlist you have worked together to curate.
Here are 3 things I would ask before hiring a DJ:
How many hours are included in my package? Does this include mic for officiant (if applicable) and cocktail hour music?
Do you offer any lighting or lighting packages that we can add on?
What does their set-up and display look like? Ensure that whatever will be in the background of your photos and commanding a lot of attention in the space, is something you don’t mind looking at.
photo by @bethanyzadaiphotography
Bands
Having a band at your wedding can make for an extremely memorable experience for both you and your partner and all of your guests. Generally you will find that bands cover a lot of great classic songs that will appeal to guests of all ages. They are going to be playing and singing live, so it’s going to often feel a lot more like a show or concert performance rather than a club/dance party atmosphere. Depending on your venue and their acoustics, these performances can get pretty loud and lively, really garnering the energy and excitement of your guests. Things to keep in mind if you are considering a band for your big day include the type of music they play or cover, how many members are in the band (you will most likely have to include feeding them all in your vendor meal count), and if they can accommodate playing for the time you are hoping for. Alternatively, I have seen people who choose to have something like a live jazz trio, smaller band or singer, or live saxophonist to entertain guests for cocktail hour and then utilize a DJ for the reception.
Here are 3 things I would ask before hiring a band:
Will they mic up my officiant for my ceremony and is music for cocktail hour included in the package I am buying?
How many hours will the band perform and how many breaks are included in my contract?
How many band members will be included, do I need to provide meals? If so, do they all require individual meals or can we choose a small buffet?
The best advice I can offer you is that no matter which musical direction you go, your guests are going to be where you are. So if you and your partner and wedding party are killing it on the dance floor, you can bet that most of your friends and family will be too!
photo by @bethanyzadaiphotography