You’ve got the venue. The cake. The duds. Now to set the mood with music. Your celebration may be best served by a DJ on the mic queuing up your favorite hits. Or perhaps you want a live band urging people to get down on the dance floor. Whichever path you choose, there are things to know so your special event has the soundtrack you’re looking for.
Live bands
Why should you book a band for your wedding reception?
“Because it’s like having your own personal concert,” says John Viviani, the guitarist in Shine. “We really want people to have a good time and enjoy watching everyone tear it up on the dance floor.”
“A live band charges the atmosphere of the party with a unique energy that recorded music cannot provide,” says Mark Phillips, owner, band leader, and guitarist of Twilight.
Plus, the number of performers in a band means there are more people to keep the room pumping. Vocalists can interact with the wedding party, and horn players can step out onto the dance floor.
“When a couple decides to hire a live band for their special day,” Phillips notes, “they make a bold statement that says, ‘Because we want our party to be as spectacular as possible, we are going to have our music performed by live musicians!’”
How can you argue with that?
Live bands: In tune tips
Once you’ve decided to hire a band, make sure to review the set lists of the groups you’re considering before putting down that deposit.
“It can be difficult when a client will want to pick the whole set list, and it’s nothing like the music you play,” says Viviani. This is especially true if they request all electronic music and should’ve just gone with a DJ.
“But if you want a mix of styles that will appeal to a large number of guests, a versatile band may be the most suitable,” Viviani continues. “We’ve had many clients hire us because they know that the mix of styles we cover, everything from Bruno Mars to Blink 182, fits what they are looking for.”
A good band will also play hits that everyone can dance to. Just don’t request too many slow songs, says Phillips. “It kills the party.”
Another tip? “Don’t drink too much and fall backward into the band area,” says Viviani. “Yeah, that happened once or twice.”
DJs
The key to booking a DJ is knowing what you envision for the night.
“Maybe you want a club vibe, which is the kind of DJing I do at a wedding,” says Miguel Angel, a DJ with Marquee Events. That is something you won’t get from a band.
A DJ is also a good choice if you are looking for your music to be more in the background. “DJs will be less in the spotlight—at least they should be,” says Rob Linton, owner of Special FX DJ Service.
DJs may also be more affordable since they are “all inclusive,” says Linton, “instead of needing additional equipment, lighting, and sound techs.” Plus, there are just fewer people to pay.
“One of the benefits of a DJ is you truly have access to an infinite musical library,” says Shaun Dulen, DJ at Fingerlakes Entertainment. “A DJ can guarantee that the songs you want are available to be played. The same goes for guest requests throughout the night. With the digital platform, literally any request is a fifteen-second download away.”
“DJs will have a much larger catalog of music,” agrees Linton. “Whereas bands have a limited repertoire.”
“Your DJ can also act as a secondary event coordinator for your special day,” says Dulen. “A good wedding DJ should be constantly checking with the other vendors throughout the night to help your wedding flow seamlessly. No matter how hard you try to plan a schedule for your day, it won’t stay perfectly on time. So a good DJ who can keep everything moving and coordinated helps remove stress from the couple.”
DJs: In tune tips
A DJ’s role can—and should be—much more than just pressing play on a track.
“Make sure your DJ is your host and master of ceremonies so that the guests always know what is happening,” says Angel.
Given the importance of a DJ, you should interview multiple companies before committing to one and ensure that they are insured.
“Every DJ has a different style, and each company will offer different things,” says Linton. “Do you want more of a club vibe or relaxed? Do you need extensive lighting or basic dance floor lighting? Also ask to speak to the DJ that would actually be working your event.”
“This isn’t just someone showing up for four hours to play music,” says Dulen. “This is someone you’ll be working with for a year or more to plan one of the most important days of your life. Make sure the music you enjoy is your DJ’s specialty, as not all DJs are created equal.”
Angel agrees. “You can be an awesome DJ, but if mic presence isn’t there or just regular interaction with family and friends doesn’t exist, it can be confusing for everyone involved.”
As for what not to do?
“I have been DJing now for twenty-seven years, and I brag that I have ‘seen it all,’” says Linton. “Allowing guests to sing never ends well, and it makes DJs’ skin crawl.” Not only can most people not sing as well as they think they do, but the DJ’s gear can get broken or lost. Just trust the professionals to do their jobs.
A DJ/band combo
Have you read all this and still can’t decide between a band and a DJ? Then hire both!
“You have a band, then a DJ later to club it out a bit. That’s always a blast,” says Angel.
“Some clients do occasionally hire both,” Viviani agrees, “though it’s not common. In Shine, our vocalist doubles as a DJ and plays the more electronic requests during set breaks.”
In the end, “It’s very personal what you want at your wedding,” says Angel. “I have seen bands do exactly what I do on some sort of level, playing the hits and keeping the dance floor full. That to me is what it’s all about: throwing a party with lots of dancing. If you have a good band, or a good DJ, you can’t really lose either way.”
Local DJs
Miguel Angel, Marquee Events (marqueedj.com)
Shaun Dulen, Fingerlakes Entertainment (flxentertainment.co)
Rob Linton, Special FXDJ Service (sfxdjservice.com)
Seth Seafalon and Uptown Groove (instagram.com/uptowngroove)
LIVE BANDS
John Viviani, Shine (shinebooking.com)
Mark Phillips, Twilight (twilightentertainment.biz)
This article originally appeared in the January/February 2025 issue of (585).
Views: 72