Live Band or a Dj?

We had a live band that was also the MC. They DJed in between their 3 sets. They read the crowd! How were your fiancé’s brother’s weddings? Did people dance and have fun?

That's tough.. personally I'd want the DJ too. They play more of a variety and can do more. Maybe you can come to a compromise? Live band for the cocktail hour and maybe a portion of the reception, DJ for the rest?

View Quoted Comment I have a band hired that also has a DJ, they do everything with the sound settings, mics, announcements, and take breaks when the band isn't playing a DJ controls the music so the dancing continues & for those slower conversational parts of the wedding reception. They will also do the sound (not live music) for our ceremony. Maybe a good compromise would be to find a band/DJ that offer both? I'd also definitely want to find a band that actually advertises as a wedding band. There's a big difference in a band that typically does bars and know that scene/area than a professional wedding band who can read the crowd at a wedding and know when to speed it up, slow it down, or change songs to get people dancing. Good luck!

View Quoted Comment This is not entirely true. Many wedding bands are professional and amazing at reading the crowd and keeping the dance floor hype! Depends what you're going for as a couple and what you want though. But yes agree DJs obviously have the most access to songs and variety.

I think you should take a meeting with the band and let them sell themselves to the both of you, instead of by word of mouth by his mother. You might find you appreciate how they read the room, change up genres when needed, what is included in the package (MC?), and how they circumnavigate problems. Reinforce with the band, that you and the groom will be hiring them and will back them up when others try to take over (MIL). Also, they may learn a couple songs for you and it can be quite special for a first dance or last dance. Best wishes.

Band all the way- DJs are very cheesy !!

As a guest, I always prefer a band over a DJ. In my opinion, professional wedding bands are more exciting, know how to read the crowd much better than DJs, and are just overall more fun. That's why having a band instead of a DJ was a priority for our wedding. Maybe you and FH can compromise by having both?

My fiancé also was set on having a band. Our venue has speakers we can use for the ceremony/cocktail hour/dinner music BUT the band has offered to MC bridal party intros and you can pay like $150 extra to be able to use their equipment for the ceremony, etc. I think you just need to talk to the bands manager and express your concerns! Theyre generally pretty flexible as long as you give them a heads up and communicate what you need them to do. Especially if you’re using a band who has done weddings before, this shouldn’t be unheard of for them to do