How to Choose Between a Band and a DJ

There are different types of Bands and different types of DJs…

A wedding DJ is different from a club DJ or a hip-hop DJ just as a wedding band is different from a bar band or a show band. Wedding DJs and bands have a wide repertoire to delight all ages and musical tastes. Other types of bands and DJs, though great in their own fields, won’t have the wide repertoire, experience with all the genres of music, and understanding of how weddings flow that an experienced wedding band or DJ will have. Also, a good wedding band or DJ understands that the party is not about them, it’s about  you!

The Ceremony

For your wedding ceremony music, always go with live musicians. The reason: a DJ’s recording of Pachelbel’s Canon is 3 minutes long but you may only need 30 seconds as you walk down the aisle… the DJ is going to have to simply fade the track out which will sound awkward. Wedding musicians, on the other hand, pick a good place to end the piece, so the song actually ends rather than just fading out.

The Reception

With music for the wedding reception, it’s not as cut and dried…

1) Live music adds a special touch you and your guests will remember for years to come. Just as Danny, a groom who hired the Spotlight Band said, “If only our friends had a wedding reception band like this I would’ve quit whining during the first song!”

2) A DJ will generally (not always) be cheaper than a wedding reception band, although sometimes not by much, and if you’re planning a longer reception, various things can change that. For example, a string quartet and a DJ may cost as much as 75% of the price of a live band that can play the wedding ceremony, background music for cocktails and dinner, then launch into dance music for the rest of the night.

3) A band will be higher energy because real instruments just simply kick harder than a recording. Of course, it had better be a good band that also knows when NOT to be loud and high energy, such as during dinner!

4) A DJ should have a huge selection on hand; however, if the bride and groom pick their favorites in advance, a really good wedding reception band (such as the Spotlight Band) can absolutely play as wide a variety as a DJ… and, again, it’ll kick harder, giving your entire reception more energy than someone can create by playing CDs.
Every situation is different, so call us to work out what combination of live musicians, wedding ceremony ensembles, wedding reception bands, and DJ’s will work best for you!

Filed under: Wedding Reception Music

Music for Your Recessional

The ceremony ends with the Recessional, when the bride and groom walk out together, followed by the wedding party.

Suggestions: The mood of this piece should be joyous! You’re married – woo hoo!!!!

• The most traditional choice is the “Wedding March” (Felix Mendelssohn), listen but there are some other appropriate, traditional choices as well:
• “Spring” (Antonio Vivaldi): especially nice with a violinist or string ensemble listen
• “La Rejouissance” (George Frideric Handel) listen
• “Allegro Maestoso from Water Music” (George Frideric Handel) listen
• “Ode to Joy” (Traditional, used by Beethoven) Yes, it also works as a recessional! listen

All of these recessional selections work with any soloist or ensemble.

Music During the Ceremony

Sometimes brides and grooms like to have music during the ceremony, for example, during a ring exchange, unity candle lighting, or moment of silent reflection.

Suggestions: Although most of the traditional wedding music is classical music, music for unity candle lightings and the like can be virtually type of music, the only traditional guide is that it should be pretty!. Music during the ceremony should be very brief, lasting from 30 seconds to a minute.