CWPR 2015 Fall/Winter

M U S I C , D J ’ S & E N T E R T A I N M E N T

C H I C A G O W E D D I N G & P A R T Y R E S O U R C E

Band or DJ? Here’s what to consider when choosing

your wedding entertainment

By Anna Sachse, CTW Features

Sure, you want the ceremony to be meaningful and the dinner to be memorable, but what really

makes a wedding a party – be it refined or rollicking – is the entertainment. And to get this party

started, the most important element, of course, is this music.

According to a recent study couples nationwide on average spent $3,084 for a band and $988 for

a DJ. That said, prices vary widely depending on experience, notoriety and location.

To find great, reliable performers, first ask your friends who’ve recently gotten married what they

thought of their band/DJ. You also can search the vendor listings in city-specific bridal maga-

zines or on wedding-related websites. If someone strikes your fancy, try to see them in action at

a wedding, bridal event or individual show; but if a live viewing is impossible, request a DVD or

video so that you can get a good idea of their professionalism and stage presence as well as their

sound and musical range.

If you find that a particular band or DJ’s vibe is music to your ears, the next step is to set up an

interview. Explain what you’re thinking in terms of musical selections and see if they get excit-

ed. You’ll also want to ask about their experience with weddings (hopefully lots!), what kind

of sound system they use, what requirements are included in their contract, if you can create a

do-not-play list and if they’re willing to learn/acquire songs that aren’t already included in their

repertoire.

Have ample funds? In addition to the band or DJ that can offer something for everyone, person-

alize your event with a ukulele, harpist or trio for the ceremony (consider classical renditions of

rock songs for your walk down the aisle!), and a line dance, swing or salsa band that could play

during the cocktail hour and/or part of the reception.

But if you’re on a tighter budget, you’ll likely be better off opting for a DJ (who also can emcee

and play many genres of music) or springing for a single band that’s capable of playing ceremony,

cocktail hour and both dinner and dancing. Filling up an iPod or laptop with your favorite tunes

is another way to save money, but take note: You’ll still need an emcee, you should be prepared

for technical glitches, and it’s key that you assign a point-person to start and stop the device for

special dances and toasts, or to skip to the next song if the current one just emptied the dance

floor.

Sound

Decisions