Wedding music sets the tone of your wedding day, especially the reception. Whether you opt for oldies, the latest hits, or everything in between – music is a critical part of your wedding day. So, who do you entrust with this important task? As a live wedding illustrator, I’ve attended dozens of weddings with both bands and DJs and have seen the pros and cons of both. Music is incredibly personal, so it’s important to sit down with your partner and figure out your top priorities. While you can’t go wrong with either vendor, here are a few tips to keep in mind while making your decision.
Live Wedding Bands
Having a live band at your wedding is a super fun luxury experience. If you love concerts, what better way to bring that vibe to your wedding day than with live music? Live bands are great at bringing upbeat energy to a wedding reception. However, with so many musicians involved, bands are a much more expensive entertainment choice than a DJ. In addition to paying all of the musicians for their time, you may also need to rent a stage and will have more vendor meals to pay for. Live bands cost, on average, around $2,400 more than a DJ, and that price can significantly vary based on region and experience. Overall, if you have the budget and want to prioritize a high-energy, interactive experience, a band is a great option.
Wedding DJs
DJs are a classic wedding entertainment choice and for a good reason! A DJ has an endless library of music right at their fingertips. Good DJs are also trained to read a room, so they can adjust the music based on what you and your guests are enjoying most. Most DJs will double as emcees, making any necessary announcements during the reception, like parent dances and cake cutting. Since DJs usually work alone, they tend to be quite affordable. If you love dancing to the latest hits or simply just want to listen to the original versions of your favorite songs, a DJ might be the right choice for you.
Wedding Music Playlist
In the age of Spotify and Apple Music, couples have been questioning: Do I really need to hire someone to play music at my wedding? The answer is yes! While to an outsider, it may seem like you could just make a playlist and hit play, there is so much more that goes into your wedding day music and sound engineering. First, your music vendor provides all their own equipment that you would then need to rent, including microphones and speakers. You’d need to know how to properly set them up, have time to soundcheck, and have someone on hand who could step in to fix it if there were any issues. You’d also need someone to serve as an emcee.
While you may think that a friend or family member could handle this job, unless they are very used to speaking publicly, it’s better to leave this to the professionals. And finally, I don’t recommend using a playlist on your wedding day because you need someone there who can think on their feet. Any wedding vendor will tell you that weddings rarely go 100% according to plan. So when cocktail hour runs a little long, or your parent dances get moved up in the day, you will need someone there who can adjust the music accordingly. Just like any other wedding vendor, band members and DJs are trained professionals who will make your wedding day run smoother without you even knowing.
East Coast Wedding Music
As a live wedding illustrator, I’m fortunate enough to experience weddings up and down the East Coast with a variety of wedding music vendors. In Washington, DC, I always look forward to working with DJ Chris Laich or getting to experience live music by SoundConnection. When I’m up in Boston, DJ Matt Toto and DJ Valentina are my absolute favorites! It’s always a joy to illustrate wedding guests to the sound of their music. If you’re planning an East Coast wedding with an incredible music team and you want some gorgeous illustrations to go with it, reach out to see if your wedding date is available!
