How to Hire the Entertainment for Your Wedding

DJ Band Blog Image Casey Green Weddings Sedona Arizona Scottsdale

Choosing the entertainment for your wedding is a critical decision. The decision will set the tone for your entire reception. Therefore, it is definitely a vendor category to spend a little time on.

When you are first deciding what type of entertainment you would like for your wedding. Your first decision to make is whether you would like live music (band) or recorded music (DJ) for your reception. While both have their pros and cons, I find most of my couples opt for DJ’s because of cost and versatility. However, here is a quick breakdown for you to decide for yourself.

DJ vs. Band: Which is Right for Your Wedding?

Band Pros

Live music creates more of a concert experience for your guests at your wedding.
Bands automatically create an elegant, upscale vibe for your wedding.
You can be specific and consistent with the style and type of music at your reception.
Bands often engage and read your guest vibe very well and can interact directly with your guests during their performance.

Band Cons

Bands are often more expensive than DJ’s
Bands cannot offer the same variety of music that DJ’s can offer.
Bands often do covers of popular songs that always sound a little different than the radio recordings your guests are used to hearing. (This can be a good or bad thing. However, because it is human nature to prefer the familiar, guests often like the radio recordings of songs they know better than the band’s cover versions.)

DJ Pros

DJ’s can play any and all songs you would like for your wedding ceremony and reception.
DJ’s can more quickly adapt to guest requests and changes throughout the night than a band who as a preset prepared playlist.
DJ’s are often less expensive then bands.

DJ Cons

DJ’s don’t provide the concert experience for your guests.
DJ’s can feel cheesy and less elegant for your wedding.

Of course, remember, this doesn’t have to be an “either/or” situation. If your budget allows, hiring both a DJ and a band for your wedding might be a perfect option! If this is an option for you, I suggest the following division of duties for your timeline:

Ceremony – Acoustic musician or DJ
Cocktail hour – Band
Dinner – DJ
Post Dinner – Band & DJ – Kickoff with the band for the first hour or two and then end the evening with the DJ with more of a dance club feel. 🙂

Questions to Ask Your Entertainment Vendors

Once you have made your entertainment decision, here are a few questions I would suggest you ask during your interviews:

What do your packages include and what are your rates? Are there additional fees for setup, travel, overtime or special equipment requests?
What are your payment terms and cancellation policy?
How would you describe your performance style?
How do you prepare for your wedding?
What reception timeline do you suggest?
How do you communicate your song list & requests to the DJ/Band (Many entertainers use an online portal system)
How do you engage/read the crowd?
Do you take special requests? Will you learn a special song if I request it?
How do you handle special requests from guests during the wedding reception?
Do you emcee the event? If so, what is their style?
What is your typical playlist?
What do you wear for the wedding?
What gear do they bring to your wedding?
Do you work with an assistant?
How many breaks do you take? How do you handle the music during your breaks?
What is your back-up plan if any of their gear fails during the event?
What power and space requirements do they need?
Will there be additional rentals or equipment I am required to provide you? (Stage, power, etc.)
Do you require a meal? Do you require a “green room”?
Do they offer additional services? Lighting?
How long have you been performing at weddings? How many in the past year? What is the trickiest situation they encountered at a wedding and how did they solve the problem? References?
Do you have liability insurance?

I hope this information is helpful and gives you a place to start! Remember put yourself in your guests’ shoes – what entertainment experience would you like at a wedding? Let that perspective be your guide!

All my best,

Casey

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