When Anel Montes got married in September, the music never stopped. A 10-piece band blared salsa, meringue and cumbia beats. During the band’s breaks, a DJ spun contemporary hits.
“It worked great–it was the perfect blend,” said Montes, 27, of Chicago. “All the guests were dancing at one point or another, which was nice.”
Together, the DJ and the band cost Montes a little less than $3,000. Going for both types of entertainment eased her fears that something might be missed if she hired just one. Would the party stop once the band took a break? Would guests miss live music if only a DJ performed?
The music is basically the soundtrack to your wedding, but even deciding between a DJ or a band can lead to plenty of worries. Stereotypes can confuse concerns, says Kathleen Murray of The Knot.
“There is a stereotype associated that a band conveys a more sophisticated vibe where a DJ is more for a younger set of people,” she says.
Both have strong and sore spots. Bands need to take breaks, and there are more members to monitor. They’re usually more expensive but can change gears if a music style isn’t a hit, Murray says.
DJs are less expensive and can block tunes like “The Chicken Dance” with a do-not-play list from the couple. But some DJs like to crack lame jokes or pass out props.
Bands and DJs add different qualities to a reception, but the search for either can be problematic.
Traci Mitchel, 35, of DeKalb researched both for her December 2005 wedding. One band she considered was fronted by “a total stalker” who called her house as late as 9 p.m. A DJ that was “highly recommended” sent a sketchy promotional video that made her rethink his abilities.
After speaking with bands and interviewing DJs, Mitchel has decided to hire just a DJ. Unfortunately, she’s found that many area DJs are controlled by corporations.
“Some companies I’ve researched won’t let you meet your DJ–they just assign you one based on your schedule,” she said.
Bands also can be corporate. Montes dealt with companies that charged inflated prices and acted like band brokerage firms.
“We saved $2,000 by booking directly rather than booking with a band that was through a company,” she said.
Montes booked the band after listening to them play live and taking notes on the members, types of instruments and music quality. “It’s exhausting to do the research but in the end, it’s worth it,” she said.
Mitchel also is applying a business mentality to the selection process. It’s tempting to want to be a “nice bride,” but checking references is a must.
“This is business,” she said. “If I was buying a car, I would want to make sure I got what I wanted.”
